July set to be busiest month of the year!

FOLLOWING the past few busy weeks of early summer events and before the next rush comes along, I’m taking a week’s break in sunny Majorca.

I could say this was coming direct from the Spanish island - the View From Majorca, as it were - but in truth I actually wrote this column before leaving on Saturday.

As you read this it will be almost July - how time flies - so I thought I’d take this opportunity to look ahead at some of the upcoming events that will be taking place after I return. Following the great start to summer we have already enjoyed over the past few months, these are set to make the season a continued success and are not to be missed!

Lyme Regis Football Club Comedy Night and Beer Festival 

AS A long-time supporter of the club and a member of the fundraising committee, I could be a little biased but I’m really looking forward to the Seasiders’ first ever beer festival over the weekend on July 6th to 8th. 

The event will combine local beers and ciders, live music and the club’s second comedy night on Friday 6th, following on from the success of the first in 2010. 

Local bands performing will include Delta Tango 7 and Something French. 

Entry to the festival on the Saturday and Sunday is free with tickets for the comedy night costing £10 and available from club chairman Howard Larcombe on 07974 651 624. 

What a shame that the annual Axe Vale Festival and Axminster Beer Festival was cancelled across the border but hopefully the weather will perk up for this weekend.

All funds raised will go to the club’s ongoing refurbishment project.

The Charmouth Challenge 

ON THE same weekend at the club’s beer festival is the annual Charmouth Challenge in our neighbouring village on Saturday, July 7th.

The eight-mile run, including a gruelling climb up Golden Cap, and 2.5 mile fun run draws fitness fanatics in from far and wide as well as many local residents. 

The day’s events will start with a fete at Charmouth Primary School at 1pm, with the fun run starting at 2pm and main Challenge at 2.30pm.

In the past 20 years the event has raised in excess of £55,000 for the primary school and it is hoped funds can be considerably boosted in this Olympic year.

The Olympic Torch relay comes to Lyme 

SPEAKING of Olympic year, this visit from the Olympic Torch on Thursday, July 12th is set to be the biggest day in Lyme’s recent history.

The torch is scheduled to arrive in town at 3.35pm bringing crowds of thousands to watch it carried down Charmouth Road, up Broad Street and Pound Street, and finally down Cobb Road to the harbour. 

Two torchbearers have already been announced but, after rumours that a celebrity and well-known sportsperson could also be joining them, we’re eagerly awaiting the big day to see who our mystry guests are!

After the torch leaves we’ll be celebrating our own sporting heroes with a parade and plaque unveiling for The Corinthian rowers at the Marine Parade shelters.

It’s going to be a great day for Lyme!

Uplyme Summer Show

THINGS are set to quieten down again for a week or so after the torch visit but don’t miss Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society’s annual Summer Show.

This quintessentially English countryside event has become far more that a flower show over the past few years, offering traditional entertainment for the whole family including dog shows and steam train rides.

The show will be held at Uplyme Village Hall and on the King George V Playing Field on Saturday, July 14th from 2pm to 5pm.

Lifeboat Week

OF COURSE, the month will end with Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week (July 21st to 29th), this year set to be more spectacular than ever (I think I said that last year but this year tops it again!).

The week’s biggest events will include performances from the Red Bull Matadors and the Red Bull Harbour Reach (July 21st), a naming ceremony for the new “Spirit of Loch Fyne” lifeboat (July 22nd), the Admiral Sir George Somers Parade (July 25th), a drop-in from the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team (July 27th), the Bathtub Race (July 28th), Mark Hix’s Food Rocks food festival (July 28th-29th) and the grand finale of the Red Arrows, pictured below (July 29th).

July is surely set to be the busiest month of the year... I’ve got my camera at the ready!

Easily spooked need not apply

AN UNUSUAL and ghostly summer job opportunity had just opened up.

Ghost Tour leader Carl Salter is looking for an apprentice to help him with this summer’s spooky walks.

Mr Salter hold the tours every summer season, starting in July, to raise money for his chosen charities. However, next year he will be away during summer so this year he hopes to train up an apprentice to take the job on in 2013.

He said applicants should have an outgoing personality, good story-telling skills and a vivid imagination.

“Psychic training will be provided and spirits from the other side will choose the successful applicant,” he joked.

Those interested should join Carl for one of this summer’s tours, which start on Tuesday, July 3rd. They will be held every Tuesday and Thursday night throughout July and August, starting outside the museum at 7.30pm.

The one and a half hour tours cost £3.50 per adult and £1.50 per child with this year’s profits going to Lyme Regis Majorettes and Carl’s favourite animal charity KAT, based in Nepal.

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