All set for Lifeboat Week

THE weather took a turn for the worst last week with strong winds and heavy rain hitting the seafront on St Swithin’s Day.

An old wives tale says that if it rains on St Swithin’s Day it will rain for 40 more days and nights. Thankfully the sun is shining as I write this column, so hopefully it’s no more than superstition.

I struggled home in the wind and rain on Thursday night after watching the Pantomime Society’s Summer Show (how ironic) at the Marine Theatre, and even managed to brake my brolly.

As I left the theatre I got a glimpse of the huge waves crashing over the Marine Parade – I haven’t seen them that big since the new-look seafront and shingle beach was finished in 2007.

The waves even managed to make national news alongside a picture by award-winning local photographer Richard Austin.

If you missed the Telegraph’s article, it can still be read at www.telegraph.co.uk

Talking of weather, let’s keep our fingers crossed for Lifeboat Week, which kicks off this Saturday.

I can’t wait for the annual week of fun and games to begin. Along with Regatta and Carnival Week, it’s the highlight of every summer.

Unfortunately, one of my favourite Lyme events, a display from the Red Arrows, doesn’t feature in this year’s programme. But it’s still set to be another bumper Wednesday with the impressive RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team dropping into the main beach at 2.30pm, followed by the Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter Display Team.

I’ve never seen the Black Cats but am sure they won’t disappoint. Please note that they’ll now be flying in at 4pm, not the advertised time of 4.30pm.

Other entertainment during the first half of Lifeboat Week will include belly dancing, a lifeboat display, town crier’s competition, Lyme Regis Majorettes display, sand sports, sand castle competition, a teddy bear’s picnic and tug of war.

Lifeboat Week’s first ever barn dance will be held on Tuesday night from 7.30pm at Uplyme Village Hall. The Long Odds and Short Straws band starred at Uplyme in January to a packed out audience and the lifeboat crew are hoping for a repeat of the successful night. The dance will include a ploughman’s supper provided by Town Mill Cheesemonger Justin Tunstall and bar run by the Talbot Arms.

Tickets are available from the RNLI gift shop on the Cobb, Uplyme Post Office and the Lottery Hut on the Marine Parade.

Read Summertime in Lyme next Wednesday for a mid-Lifeboat Week update and don’t forget to buy your programme, available for £1.50 all around the town.

EVENT OF THE WEEK

CONGRATULATIONS to all those who took part in the Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society’s Summer Show on Saturday afternoon.

Although numbers were down on last year, I still think 600 entries is an impressive amount.

A special mention should go to the 69 children who took part in a wide range if classes from flower arranging and cookery to handwriting, painting and photography.

5 things to do this weekend

1 Meet your new vicar – Lyme’s first lady Vicar, the Reverend Jane Skinner, will be licensed and welcomed to St Michael’s Parish Church in a ceremony on Friday evening from 7.30pm.

2 Sail a bathtub – The popular bathtub race is a Lifeboat Week favourite. Get working on your own boat and sail it from Cobb Gate to the harbour mouth under the watchful eye (and friendly splashes) of the lifeboat crew at 6.30pm on Sunday. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it!

3 Enjoy some top-notch comedy – The Edinburgh Preview Comedy Nights at the Marine Theatre will feature four comedians preparing to star at the Edinburgh Festival on Saturday and Sunday evenings – Ellis James, John Robins, James Sherwood and Mark Allen. For more details visit www.marinetheatre.com

4 Listen to piano and poetry – John and Sandra Lello will give a piano and poetry recital in aid of the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum at St Michael’s Parish Church on Sunday afternoon from 3.30pm. There is a suggested entry donation of £5 each.

5 Dress up and party – John and Linda McClements invite everyone to their fancy dress disco at the Cobb Arms in aid of Lifeboat Week. Enjoy a good night out and one of the town’s most popular hostelries. The sunshine came out just in time to enjoy this traditional village event, with cream teas, morris dancing and plenty to do for all the family.

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