Allaying the town’s fears

THE “unexplained death” of old soldier Bill Kenely has left a morbid cloud hanging over Lyme Regis, especially in the Staples Terrace area where the incident occurred.

Bill was a familiar figure in the town on his mobility scooter, often with his great friend George Cook’s dog in tow.

Having served in Burma and India in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the war, Bill often wore his Chindit hat and proudly displayed his war medals which the Lyme branch of the Royal British Legion re-ribboned a couple of years ago.

Staples Terrace is a quiet row of warden controlled old people’s homes with nice views over the old town and neat gardens.

An ideal place to spend the autumn of your life.

Bill enjoyed a drink and was often heard by neighbours singing late into the night. He deserved to finish his days in a different way.

Rumours are rife over what happened to Bill, some of them very gruesome, always the way in close-knit communities.

Such occurences only happen every 30 or so years in Lyme, so we are not used to hoards of police cars and policemen knocking on our doors.

The fact that the police have still not been able to establish the cause of Bill’s death does not help the matter. But no one can accuse the Dorset Constabulary of under resourcing their inquiries.

The police have been very careful in releasing information to the press so as not to cause unnecessary further concern to those who live nearby, consistently referring to the incident as an “unexplained death” rather than something more dramatic.

The Lyme Safer Neighbourhood Team, under PC Richard Winward, have also worked hard on house-to-house calls to allay the obvious concerns of local people.

The police are even taking the unprecedented step of holding a meeting at the Woodmead Halls tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) to outline the current status of their investigation to some “key” community leaders.

I am told by the police that no information other than that given to the press this week will be revealed at this meeting but they want to make sure that the town is fully aware of what is happening. There are so few deaths of this type in Dorset that I’m not sure such a meeting has been held in the county before. They are hoping that those who are invited to the meeting will spread the word after the police have explained what is happening.

It is evidence that no stone is being left unturned in the police’s efforts to assure the people of Lyme Regis that there is not a suspected murderer loose in the town.

They have stressed that there was no forced entry to Bill’s house or anything stolen but understandably some of the elderly residents in Staples Terrace are very worried.

I know of at least one person who has moved out of her bungalow whilst the investigation continues.

We are not sure whether reporters will be allowed into tomorrow’s meeting. If we are, we have been told emphatically that we will not be able to ask questions, especially the type that could inflame the situation and cause further scaremongering.

Event of the Week

EVERYONE who met Jean Fernadez was bowled over by her energy and zest for life.

As well as helping husband Dr Alexander Fernandez run his practice in Lyme for 40 years, she dedicated herself to many worthy causes, not least Action Medical Research.

Mrs Fernandez was chairman of the Lyme branch for 50 years, during which time she helped to raise many thousands of pounds for the charity.

In recent years one of the main fundraisers has been the open garden at the lovely home of Frank and Elsie McGarry in Ware Lane.

That event went ahead on Saturday with one notable absentee - Mrs Fernadez died recently, leaving a huge whole to fill on the committee. Dr Fernandez and his children were present and the event was another resounding success.

New chairman Caroline Llewellyn and her committee did Mrs Fernandez proud.

Another event not to miss this weekend: the Bluebells and Cream Tea at Ware House, home of Dorset Deputy Lieutenant Minnie Churchill and partner Simon Bird.

The event takes place on Sunday with proceeds going to the Lyme Regis Parish Church Organ Appeal.

And on that note, I am pleased to report that the book I am writing on the new church organ, “From Slovenia with Love”, is now finished and being proofed for delivery to the printers next week.

Copies at £5 should be available in the next two or three weeks.

Barbara always thinking of others

HOW typical of Barbara Austin. Whilst she was waiting to receive her MBE from the Queen at Windsor Castle last week, Lyme’s six-times mayor and champion fundrasier could not help but think that there were plenty of other people who work hard in Lyme who deserved to be honoured.

Few will aspire to the dedication and example Barbara has set over the years.

She told the Queen that Lyme was a close-knit community which worked hard for various projects and good causes.

When I spoke to her in Tesco on Saturday morning, Barbara was still disbelieving that she had been honoured in such a way.

Never was a gong more deserved.

Holidays in Lyme

HERE'S another example of bizarre references to Lyme Regis.

On the Betfair official blog site there’s an interview with Blackpool Football Club manager, Bristolian Ian Holloway, 47, one of the great characters in football.

With Blackpool in the play-offs for a place in the Premier League, the laugh-a-minute Holloway was quoted as saying: “I am a football manager. I can't see into the future. Last year I thought I was going to Cornwall on my holidays but I ended up going to Lyme Regis."

Another famous visitor to Lyme this weekend past - Take That heart-throb Gary Barlow - stayed at the Alexandra Hotel and was seen drinking around town.

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