Week of carnival capers

IN Lyme Regis there is a huge amount of activities and events to take part in, especially during summer, so why not get involved?

On Sunday evening I joined my family in the Regatta and Carnival Week torchlight procession. I missed walking the first half, as I was busy taking photos at the top of Broad Street, but managed to catch them up after a dash through Langmoor Gardens and joined them for a torch-lit stroll along the Cobb.

We were also celebrating my dad’s birthday and there were plenty of jokes from local friends about the almost 300 torches being his birthday candles!

It was also great to see so many locals in the traditional wheeled derby on Monday evening. There is plenty for visitors to do during Regatta and Carnival Week, but the derby has always been more of a local’s event. As dad says: “You’re not a real Lyme boy until you’ve run the wheeled derby!”

There was over 20 teams in the derby – the most the Regatta and Carnival Committee has seen for years – and I hope this fun event continues to grow in popularity.

Don’t worry if you’ve missed out on all the fun and games so far, it’s not too late to get involved in this year’s Grand Carnival Procession, as long as you can put together your costume in time for Saturday night!

If you’d rather watch than walk the procession, look out for the View From team with their Smart cars and vans giving away hats and balloons to all the children.

I also hear that Lyme Regis Town Council officers and staff are entering the carnival. Rumour has it that they may even dress as beach huts – not to be missed!

More fun run success for By The Bay staff

STAFF at By The Bay restaurant in Lyme Regis celebrated continued success at the annual Lifeboat Week fun run.

Last year By The Bay staff member and lifeboatman Ritchie Durrant won the race and this year, 15-year-old Andrew Watson (pictured), who is working his third summer at the restaurant, came in first place.

Restaurant owner Tony Colston managed to catch him on camera celebrating afterwards with an ice cream.

EVENT OF THE WEEK

THERE have been so many events to choose from thanks to Regatta and Carnival Week.

As I have already mentioned, the torchlight procession and wheeled derby were both great events, and both huge successes.

The Regatta and Carnival Committee seem to be doing really well this year. I hear their family quiz night on Monday was so packed-out they had to turn people away and more dogs than ever before entered the Joshua Memorial family dog show.

I’m writing this on Tuesday morning as my dad prepares the final touches to the sell-out final of the first Lyme’s Got Talent competition.

It will all be over by the time you read this, but I’m sure it’s going to be another great event of the week.

5 things to do this weekend

1 Watch Lyme’s biggest event – Carnival night is this Saturday and one not to miss. The procession starts from Holmbush Car Park at 8pm, followed by live music in the Marine Parade shelters from 9:30pm and a firework display at 10pm.

2 Catch a crab – Take part in Regatta and Carnival’s crab catching competition around the harbour. Register from 10:30am at the Tackle Box or Carnival kiosk and start fishing at 11:30am.

3 Enjoy a seafront takeaway – From whitebait to warm doughnuts or just traditional fish and chips, Herbie’s Dino Bar and Lyme Fish Bar takeaway kiosks on the seafront have it all and are surprisingly delicious.

4 Cheer on our team – Lyme Regis Gig Club are preparing for the town’s first gig regatta on Sunday and could do with lots of support as they take on teams from around the region from 1pm at Victoria Pool, behind the Marine Aquarium on the Cobb.

5 Listen to some Summer Swing - Pack a picnic and bring the whole family to listen to the Three Counties Swing Band in the garden of Ware House on Sunday evening, in aid of the Organ Appeal. Rumour has it a very special surpise guest may be making an appearance and my dad will be launching his new book From Slovenia With Love, about St Michael’s Parish Church’s new organ. Tickets are available at the Tourist Information Centre.

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