Respect for the mayoralty still very strong

IT has been seven weeks since Christine and I were installed as Mayor and Mayoress and I would like to kick off this regular column by thanking the townspeople for the wonderful reception we have received.

It has been interesting to note that there has certainly been no decline in the respect the people of Lyme have for the position of Mayor since we last held office in 1999-2001. 

We have certainly had a busy time since taking office, an indication that the organisations of Lyme still put much store in having the Mayor present at their events. Long may that continue.

My first engagement was to attend, as president, the annual meeting of the Lyme Regis-St George’s Twinning Association at which it was agreed to proceed with the three-way twinning with Jamestown in Virginia.

Christine and I have visited St George’s on several occasions and we are looking forward to welcoming their representatives to Lyme this week for the annual Admiral Sir George Somers Commemoration Day.

Next it was the opening of Lyme Regis Art Society’s annual exhibition followed by attendance, also as president, of Lyme Regis Town Band, two much-respected organisations in Lyme.

I’ve always been a big football fan so it was a great pleasure to attend the annual dinner of the Lyme Regis Football Club. It’s one of the more raucous events but nevertheless very enjoyable and I am pleased to see that the spirit in the club is still so strong. They certainly know how to celebrate!

One of the highlights of our first month in office was the official opening of the new Church Cliff Walk. Being able to walk from the Cobb right along the seafront to the end of Church Beach must surely be Lyme’s  greatest asset and we must now ensure that we keep the new walk dog mess free. 

Other events attended in the last six weeks included the AGM of the Barfleur Twinning Association, the opening of the 58th annual Lyme Regis Bowling tournament, presenting medals to all those who completed the Candles On The Cobb cycle ride from Land’s End to “John The Bakers” and starting the West Country Motorcycle Club cost-to-coast run.

It’s been a very busy start and I am also very pleased with how our new councillors have settled in as we do our best to restore some confidence and pride in the running of our town.


WE are now well into the season of events and our major attractions are in full swing.
It was disappointing that the weather prevented the Red Arrows giving their spectacular display over the Bay on Monday, especially as so many people travelled into town to see them.

However, I am sure Lifeboat Week will be its usual fantastic success, to be followed by the Regatta & Carnival Week which is so popular with visitors.

Lyme is very fortunate to have so many volunteers who put on these events and this column gives me the opportunity to thank them on behalf of the town.


I THINK it is important that Lyme Regis has a presence at civic events throughout the area and I have represented the town at no less than five different occasions since taking office in May.

As Dorset’s only royal borough, Lyme commands much respect throughout the county and further afield and I am keen to perpetuate this.

And having served on West Dorset District Council for so long it has been nice to renew acquaintances at the civic days in Gillingham, Sherborne, Lytchet Minster, Chickerell and Yeovil.

At Gillingham The Rifles Regiment (formerly the Devon & Dorsets) exercised their right as holders of the Freedom of the Borough to march with fixed bayonets.

Lyme was the first town to give the Dorsets the Freedom of the Borough in 1944 and I hope it might be possible to bring their successors back to the town at some time in the not too distant future.

This is the first in a regular column by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Owen Lovell

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