Easter Bonnet Parade 2009
Carnival Events this year started with an Easter Bonnet Parade
on Easter Sunday. The Baptist Church Hall was crowded with magnificent
creations and the judges’ job was even harder than ever. A grand
procession, led by the Lyme Regis Junior Band, wound its way through
the town with the Lyme Regis Majorettes providing a spectacular
display.
May Day Fete 2009
The May Day Fete attracted stalls from over 30 local organisations
and raised over £2000.
Once again this popular event in the Lyme Regis calendar showcased
local organisations who had stalls all around an events arena. The
Fete will be opened by the 2008 Carnival Queen in the presence of
the Mayor and Mayoress and all the proceeds went to the organisations
present. The young people’s organisations in Lyme provided some
stunning arena events. There was music from the Lyme Regis Junior
Band, Maypole dancing from St Michael’s School, Gymnastics from
Honiton Gymnastic Club, Taekwondo and a display by the Lyme Regis
Majorettes.
Teresa Evemy, Chairman of the Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee
said, “we always look forward to this event because it organised
by Lyme People for Lyme People. We were pleased to see a big crowd
of people as there was a great programme of arena entertainment
by the young people of Lyme Regis. We are so lucky to have such
talented youngsters who are prepared to support their town in this
way.”
Thanksgiving Day 2009
A Celebration of the End of the Siege of Lyme during the English
Civil War.
In 1644 Parliament decreed that there should be a day of celebration
and prayer on June 16th each year to commemorate the heroic actions
of the people of Lyme in resisting the longest siege of the Civil
War.
Three years ago the Regatta and Carnival Committee revived this
celebration and invite people to join them in a procession through
town to Theatre Square where a simple Thanksgiving Ceremony was
held. Led by drummers from the Lyme Regis Junior Band the Mayor,
Councillor Michaela Ellis and her Consort, were accompanied by Reverend
Stephen Skinner and members of the Carnival Committee in period
costume and paraded through the town to Theatre Square.
On 20 April 1644 the Royalist Forces commanded by Prince Maurice
appeared on the outskirts of Lyme with a force of 6,000 men. Lyme
was a staunchly Parliamentarian outpost in the mainly Royalist-held
West Country. Its garrison was commanded by Colonel Were and Lieutenant-Colonel
Blake and defended by the men and women of Lyme who fought bravely
for their cause.
The town was, of course, much smaller than it is today and walls
of mud and stone were hastily constructed. Three forts were also
operational replying to the cannon fire of the attacking forces.
They also had the use of the sea port which kept them supplied throughout
the siege.
The defenders were aided in their resolve by the many preachers
whose religious fervor inspired the beleaguered garrison. There
is no doubt that the strong faith held by the men and women of Lyme
supported their resolve to resist the enemy. It is this ‘virtue’
that we celebrate in our prayers today. St Michael’s Church was
used as a rallying point and hospital. Sadly it also saw many funerals
of Lyme Folk usually at three or four o’clock in the morning to
avoid hostile fire. The women of Lyme dressed like their menfolk
to confuse the enemy and supported those on the front line.
The siege was finally lifted on June 15th – 56 days after it had
started. Parliament resolved that June 16th be kept as a day of
fasting and prayer in the town in thanks to God for the deliverance
of Lyme.
The Mayor delivered a stirring speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed a great day in the history of our town, Lyme Regis.
Today is a day of thanksgiving and celebration. Today we celebrate
the courage and tenacity of the men and women of our town. Facing
superior odds, they resisted the forces of Prince Maurice and the
Royalists, who surrounded our town. Men and women worked together
to resist everything the enemy threw at them - even the fire arrows
and red-hot cannon balls aimed at their houses. For six weeks they
worked and fought together. They had an iron resolve – nothing was
going to take away their town from them.
Today we still have the same spirit in this special town. People
who were born here work with those who have chosen to live here
to make Lyme Regis a special place to live and to visit. In difficult
economic times such as these we work closely together in a spirit
of mutual support. We are a town that looks forward to the future
whilst celebrating its past.
We would like to thank Theresa Evemy and the Regatta and Carnival
Committee for reviving this June 16th Celebration. We would also
like to thank the Reverend Stephen Skinner leading us in prayer
and the drummers in the Junior Band who led the procession.
Bonfire Night 2009
Despite the bad weather - it poured with rain for most of the afternoon!
- a great crowd estimated to be two to three thousand watched a
spectacular firework display followed by a bonfire which blazed
into life after it was lit by the Mayor of Lyme Regis. The committee
were very grateful to the staff from Lyme Regis Town Council who
collected wood in the morning and men from Lyme Regis Football Club
who helped the other volunteers to build the bonfire. A crowd of
people warmed themselves around the fire until just after midnight.
There was agreat atmosphere - no wonder people travelled from all
over Dorset and Somerset to come to Lyme for the evening.
Christmas Tree Festival 2009
Held in Lyme Regis Baptist Church there were more trees than ever
before. The trees were bought from Holly Hill Nurseries, Uplyme
and placed in buckets by volunteers during the afternoon of the
Monday. Then at 18.00 representatives from the various groups arrived
to dress their trees. You can watch the decoration of the trees
on YouTube - the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh6tfWOAJSA
. Trees were decorated by the following organisations:
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM – Making Lyme a safe place to live.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE - Helping visitors and the local community
to enjoy our beautiful town and to make the most of their time in
the area.
LYM VALLEY SCOUTS – A thriving Beaver Colony and Cub Scout Pack
RED HATS – Part of an international organisation for ladies of a
certain age who want fun and friendship.
LYM ZIM LINK – is a local registered charity supporting disabled
children at a Cheshire Home in Zimbabwe. All money raised goes direct
to the home.
LYME REGIS TOWN BAND - Merry Christmas to everyone in Lyme Regis
from Lyme Regis Town Band and many thanks for your support throughout
the year.
Lyme Regis RNLI - Saving lives at sea.
LYME REGIS MUSEUM - Lyme Regis Museum is a charity which exists
to preserve and display the history of the Town and its people.
FRIENDS OF ST MICHAEL’S PRIMARY SCHOOL - The Friends Association
raise money for St Michael's Primary School for equipment and to
support school trips.
LYME REGIS JUNIOR BAND - currently recruiting to bring the band
up to strength with a new, pro-active committee. Looking forward
to playing for the town again next year.
REGATTA AND CARNIVAL COMMITTEE – enjoy looking at our past events
and look forward to Regatta and Carnival Week 7th – 15th August
2009.
LYME REGIS TABLE TENNIS CLUB – We wish you a happy, healthy Christmas.
Meeting on Mondays at 7.15 p.m. here in the new hall and open to
all.
COFFEE MORNING IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH – Love, care and compassion
for the community served with a cup of coffee every Thursday here
between ten and noon.
QUEST – A YOUTH CLUB AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH – The only Youth Club
in Lyme Regis catering for children from 5 – 12. Meeting on Tuesdays
from 17.45 – 19.00
PARENTS TOGETHER IN LYME – Meeting every Tuesday morning in the
Baptist Church – a relaxing time for parents and their pre-school
children together.
TAKE FIVE – Action-packed for the whole family and meeting in the
Baptist Church once a month. Next meeting January 14th.
ROTARY CLUB of LYME REGIS – a worldwide service organisation for
men and women. This year's Tree Collection will be sent to Shelterbox.
LYME REGIS DEVELOPMENT TRUST - Helping the community develop Lyme
now and for the future. Join us now - £1 life membership!
LYMENET - Make visiting Lymenet your New Year resolution. Come and
see us in 2010 - It’s the friendly place to learn!
THEATRE FRIENDS – Actively supporting the Marine Theatre here in
Lyme Regis.
LYME REGIS MAJORETTES – We represent Lyme Regis by performing at
events and Carnivals in both Dorset and East Devon thrilling the
crowds wherever we go with our Marching, Baton Twirling and Pom
Pom routines. The Troupe train every Thursday at Woodroffe School,
throughout the year to reach the high standard that we are now at.
ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH – here to share the faith of Christ with all
the people of this parish and to provide an oasis for spiritual
refreshment
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – A community effort sponsored by many organisations
attracting people to Lyme and making it the best-decorated town
in the area.
305 visitors came to see the Featival.
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