THE ROTARY CLUB OF LYME REGIS NEWS AND EVENTS

  Lyme Regis & Axminster Rotary Clubs' Sixth Charity Golf Day   at LYME REGIS GOLF CLUB

and Local Charities

Rousdon Car Centre Ltd
Rousdon nr Lyme Regis 
Tel: 01297 444544

Mulberry Manor
10 Broad Street
Lyme Regis

The Old Watchhouse  Fresh fish, crab and lobster, 
Cobb Square

Axminster Garden Machinery
Unit 1a Millwey Rise Industrial Estate
Axminster 01297 631 186

Chris Rudge Renewable Power Ltd

Unit 2 Harbour Road, Seaton

Devon, EX12 4AA

Phone: 01297 306114  
email: enquiries@chrisrudge.co.uk

A J Proctor Builders Ltd
Coles Farm, Coles Lane Sector,
Axminster Devon EX13 5SB
Tel: 01297 32380
 

By The Bay Restaurant
Marine Parade, Lyme Regis,
Dorset, DT7 3JH
Tel 01297 442668

Rotarians boost RNLI lifejacket fund

Rotarians in Lyme Regis have boosted the RNLI’s lifejacket appeal by £700, half the donations received during the Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day.  The Rotary Club has organised The Lunge – when dozens of brave souls dip at least their toes in the sea – for the past four years.

This year the Rotarians gave half the £1,400 to Lyme Regis RNLI’s SOS appeal and the other half to Shelter Box.  President-elect of the Rotary Club Peter Mills presented a cheque to SOS Day organiser and volunteer crew member Neville Causley at Lyme Regis lifeboat station.

Another SOS Day event, a highly successful bingo evening, raised just over £800.

Lyme Regis RNLI volunteers were given a target of £3,500 to raise to purchase new lifejackets.

WorkAid

Readers might recall the collection of old tools, destined for Africa, that the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis organised in November last year. WorkAid, the charity for which we collected, has written to thank the people of Lyme for their generosity. The letter from WorkAid said  - “a huge range of manual and electrical tools were donated, precisely the kind of tools needed for our work in assisting self-help groups and vocational training projects in East Africa. Thanks also to Axminster Tools who organised a parallel collection in several of their outlets and delivery of all the tools to their store in High Wycombe, close to WorkAid’s base in Uxbridge. Four pallet loads were collected from there, requiring two van journeys. This was a splendid quantity of tools indicating a magnificent response to the appeal. ”

Thanks also to the Woodmead Halls where we collected the tools in Lyme. This was a great example of how local businesses, council and charitable organisations can work together constructively with significant results.

Richard Finch

Rotary Club of Lyme Regis

THE LYME LUNGE 2012

Around 130 swimmers, well up on last year, braved the wet conditions at the 4^th annual New Year’s Day Lyme Lunge. The inclement weather (it rained heavily throughout the event) kept the crowds down, but a remarkable number of people gathered to watch as Mayor Sally Holman set the swimmers running. A Skeleton, a Clown, a Penguin and the three winners of the prize for fancy dress The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (we just had to put these three together, and yes, it really was a wardrobe!) were joined by an assortment of equally oddly dressed swimmers in a mad rush for the sea. Some swam to the safety boat, others (the more sane ones, I presume) just in and out.

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, who organised the event, collected £1165 on the day, with more promised. Charities that will benefit are RNLI Lyme Regis and ShelterBox. The Rotary Club would like to thank the Mayor of Lyme Regis for acting as starter, By-the-Bay for providing hot soup, West Country Vending for providing cups, the Lifeboat Crew and the Lyme Regis Sailing Club for sea safety, and Alan Vian of the Regatta and Carnival Committee for providing and managing the PA system – a fine example of various organisations and businesses in the community working together to put on a really fun event.

PHIL STREET BECOMES A PAUL HARRIS FELLOW

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has awarded ex Town Crier Phil Street the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship. Within the Rotary movement in the UK the Paul Harris Fellowship is a much celebrated award, something that is presented by the local Rotary Club only after much deliberation. It was created in 1957 in memory of Paul Harris who, over 100 years ago, founded the Rotary movement. It has evolved over the years to also recognize contributions by non Rotarians to the well being of their communities and the wider world.

In Lyme Regis the Rotary Club has awarded only three previous Paul Harris Fellowships in its 61 years of service, and this award to Phil Street will be the first which the Club has presented to someone not currently a member of the Rotary movement. The award recognizes that the community and charitable work which Phil has done exemplifies the Rotary movement’s goals of service to the community and to world peace and international understanding.

“Phil Street has served the town of Lyme Regis and the Rotary Club in a truly outstanding manner”, said Rotarian Jim Moseley, himself a Paul Harris Fellow. “Whenever we have asked him for help in our fund raising projects he has willingly given of his time, energy and expertise, but it is his wider service to the Lyme Regis community which is most striking. He has conceived and led projects which have raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and has helped others in their fund raising endeavours with an energy, enthusiasm and initiative which is contagious. In his ‘second job’ as Lyme Regis Town Crier he has promoted the Town locally, nationally and overseas with dignity and great character.

Whether it be Candles on the Cobb with his great friend Mike Higgs (in which over £100,000 has been raised for local charities), the Duck Race, Parades, Carols Round the Tree or civic events these are all enhanced by Phil’s presence. The town of Lyme Regis and Rotary owe him a great debt of gratitude for his service, and we are proud that he has accepted this award from the Rotary Club”.

In accepting the award Phil thanked the Club profusely for honouring him in this way. “I was completely unaware of any ulterior motive for inviting myself and Dawn to the Pilot Boat, or of asking me to MC the Carols event, if I had known I might have dressed more appropriately”, he said. “Thanks to the Rotary Club for this very prestigious honour, I will treasure it”.

Carols Round the Tree

Once again we were blessed with mild weather for the annual Carols Round the Tree, and a super turnout. A great cheer went up when ex Town Crier Phil Street announced he had come out of retirement (temporarily he hastened to tell us) to MC the event.

Roast chestnuts, hot soup from Bill at the Pilot Boat, mince pies from the Royal Lion and music from the Lyme Regis Town Band helped to make this a truly hearty community gathering.

Total funds raised at this wonderful event plus the street collection and Christmas Tree Festival - £1085, a good result in these financially constrained times. Well done to everyone who helped Richard make this possible—all funds to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.

LYME REGIS ROTARY LADIES NIGHT 2011

Thirty two members, wives and 5 widows of Club members attend the annual Ladies’ Night held this year at the Lyme Regis Golf Club.  After a splendid meal Bob Dunlop of Charmouth was inducted as the Club’s newest member. After a gracious acceptance speech from Bob the evening moved on to a Ladies Night tradition, the Christmas Message.  This is usually given by a member of the clergy from the  surrounding area, this year a new approach was tried with resounding success. The Reverends Stephen and Jane Skinner did a double act reading Christmas themed poems and verse. Finishing with a humorous prose encompassing just about every well known line of every Christmas carol. Religion never seemed this much fun before!

Rotary Donation to Fund Youth Trophies

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has donated £250 to the Lyme Regis Sailing Club Youth Section to fund youth trophies. “One of Rotary’s aims is to help and encourage youth organisations”, said Rotarian Peter Fortnam, a keen and active member of the Lyme Regis Sailing Club. “Never has there been a more interesting time for south coast Sailing Clubs, with the Olympics taking place in Weymouth next year. It’s a great time to get involved in sailing. We hope these trophies will help in some small way to encourage sailing competition amongst the youth of Lyme Regis, perhaps in time to help produce a Lyme Olympian!”

Rotary Supports Air Ambulance

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has donated £2000 to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, mostly from funds raised at the recent Golf Day at the Lyme Regis Golf Club. “The Air Ambulance Service receives NO direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and relies solely on the general public to raise the £1.4 million a year it costs to keep flying”, said Richard Finch, who helped run the Golf Day on behalf of the Rotary Club. “We never know when we might need the services of this dedicated and professional group of people, and we are proud to be able to support them through events like these. Thanks to all the local and regional sponsors who helped make the Golf Day the success it was.”

36 teams of 4 took part in the 5^th Annual Rotary Charity Golf Day, organized jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Lyme Regis and Axminster. All funds raised go to local charities.

Rotary Presents Dictionaries to Year 6 in Local Schools.

They say that “reading broadens the mind”, that it “opens up new worlds”,
that “a good book is the best of friends”.  
The promotion of literacy among young people is a key objective of Rotary. To this end the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has presented dictionaries to the 72 children in Year 6 in St. Michaels (Lyme Regis), Mrs Ethelston’s, (Uplyme) and Marshwood Primary School (Marshwood). Copies of the Usborne Illustrated Dictionary were presented at leaving services last week.

 “This dictionary is superbly written and illustrated, an excellent tool for all ages, including adults” said Rotarian Peter Mills. “In this age when the use of computers and other electronic technology seems to be engulfing every aspect of life it is still true that there is nothing so crucial to the development and advancement of young people as literacy, and this dictionary will help these young people learn and understand. Hopefully it will be well dog-eared and thumbed by the time they leave their next school”

In addition to presenting these dictionaries the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has also given £700 to Life Education Wessex, a service that is geared to helping children between the ages 3 and 11 in Dorset make informed and healthy choices. The service has visited a number of schools in the area in the past few years, working with the teaching staff and gaining an enthusiastic response from both teachers and children. This award will assist Life Education Wessex in continuing to provide this valuable service to local children, and help give our children a solid foundation in life.

If you would like to learn more about Rotary  call John McCallum on 01297 442242.

New Rotary President

In tune with Rotary Clubs all over the world June 30^th was ‘Handover Day’, when a new President takes office in the local clubs and a new Rotary Year begins. The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis welcomes incoming President David Bettes, who lives in Charmouth, seen here receiving his chain of office from outgoing President Denis Yell. This is David’s second term as President. He last served the Club in that capacity in session 2001-2, but in the intervening years has worked diligently for the Club in a variety of posts.

“We are lucky to have David as our President in these challenging times”, said Rotarian John McCallum. “He is an energetic leader, and full of ideas for the future of the Club”.

If you wish to find out more about our Club, which raises around £10,000 annually for local and international charities, or about Rotary in general, see www.lymeregisrotary.org, or contact secretary@lymeregisrotary.org.

     Lyme Regis & Axminster Rotary Clubs' Fifth Charity Golf Day

In aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
and  Devon Air Ambulance   at LYME REGIS GOLF CLUB

               We are really grateful to all of these  sponsors of our 2011 Charity Golf Day which raised over £4,500:

By The Bay Restaurant
Marine Parade, Lyme Regis,
Dorset, DT7 3JH
Tel 01297 442668


Chris Rudge Renewable Power Ltd

Unit 2 Harbour Road, Seaton

Devon, EX12 4AA

Phone: 01297 306114  
email: enquiries@chrisrudge.co.uk

The Harbour Inn
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Tel 012974 42299

P H Hardwill Ltd.
Structural Engineers,

Beaminster, Dorset

Tel 01460 30661

Hix Oyster and Fish House
Cobb Road, Lyme Regis
Dorset DT7 3JP
Tel:  01297 446 910 

Mulberry Manor
10 Broad Street
Lyme Regis

Musbury Garage Ltd.,
Axminster

The Old Watch House Fish Shop
Lyme's traditional fresh fish shop
since 1934 and it still smells great!
The Cobb, Lyme Regis
01297 444205

A J Proctor Builders Ltd
Coles Farm, Coles Lane Sector,
Axminster Devon EX13 5SB
Tel: 01297 32380

The Rockpoint Inn,
Cobb Gate, Lyme Regis,
Dorset  DT7 3QD
Tel 01297 443153

Rousdon Car Centre Ltd
Rousdon nr Lyme Regis 
Tel: 01297 444544

The Royal Lion Hotel  
Broad Street, Lyme Regis,  Tel. 01297 445622

The Royal Standard
The Cobb, Lyme Regis

Southgate Motors  
16 East Road Bridport 
01308 422468

Water Survival Boxes in Japan

Further to previous updates on our consignment of Water-Survival Boxes sent to Japan following the earthquake and tsunami in March. Last month District 2800 Secretary Takashi Maruyama e-mailed to say that 70% of the boxes were delivered to the Fire Service HQ in  Kesennuma for distribution to families left homeless and without access to clean water by the tsunami that devastated their city. In Japan the Fire Service is the designated emergency response agency through which such donations are evaluated and then distributed. The initial uncertainty regarding the appropriateness of the WSBs was quickly overcome when the Fire Service Senior Officers had the opportunity to examine a sample box and led to their request for the bulk of those available.

The remainder were sent to Kamaishi City, Sagata City, Tsuruoka City and Yamagata City. Wikipedia reports that among other cities reportedly destroyed or heavily damaged by the tsunami were Kamaishi, and Kesennuma).

Today Rotarian Takashi Maruyama sent a further update including the following quotes from some of the recipient families together with the attached photographs showing the Water-Survival Boxes being handed over and in use.

“The photo data was given from Kesennuma Fire Station. We were so glad that we heard the many good remarks from families in Kesennuma city. These are their comments; "we are happy with these variety of goods"," we've just surprised that there are many goods in the box, such as first aid equipment and tool kit.","Everything in that box is just what I wanted because my house was totally washed out by Tsunami.","My house is still having power failure so that we use flashlight so often."

The recorded comments of the families again endorse the Water-Survival Box as meeting their various needs in the aftermath of this type of natural disaster.  This was another example of Rotary humanitarian aid paid for by Rotary in RIBI and distributed through Rotarians in District 2800 in partnership with the local emergency response agencies. With thanks for the funding support from Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs across the British Isles that made this possible.

Rotarians from Chelwood Bridge supported by volunteers from Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs in the South West of England continue to convert donations into packed boxes ready for the next emergency. Donations to help us build up our stock levels would be very welcome and should be made out to ‘Worldwaterworks Limited’ and sent to Rotary, c/o The White House, Pensford, Bristol BS39 4NE or to our registered office – see website www.worldwaterworks.org

 Hugo Pike PHF
Chairman, Worldwaterworks Limited (Rotary Water-Survival Box project)

The 5^th Rotary Charity Golf Day 2011

On the 10^th May 36 teams of four players took part in the 5^th Charity Golf Day organised jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Lyme Regis and Axminster at the Lyme Regis Golf Club. Players were treated to a bacon butty and coffee on arrival. After a somewhat cloudy start the weather once again was kind and most of the play took place in sunshine.

The format was teams of four playing stableford and the best two scores to count. The winning score somewhat reflected the fine weather, 94 points and was ably led home by Bernie Styles of Axminster Power Tools one of the sponsors of the event. The other team members were, Alan Jones, Michael Trimble and Barrie Castle.

After the game all players enjoyed the hospitality of the Clubhouse dining room with a splendid carvery, dessert and coffee.

The total net profit is expected to be in the region of £4500.00. to be split equally between the two Rotary Clubs. Each Club donating 60% to their respective Air Ambulances and the balance to their charity funds.

Grateful thanks to the multitude of Sponsors among which Hix Oyster and Fish Restaurant were major contributors, with Mark Hix entering a team once again for his “annual” game of golf! A day like this can only happen with the co-operation of the Golf Club and outstanding contributions from the Professional Duncan Driver, the Secretary Sue Davidge, the Club House Steward David Astill and in the kitchen John Leeming and staff all helped to make this a successful day. David Everett and his ground staff prepared an immaculate course that was enjoyed by all who took part even if their golf did not always do it justice.

Jim Moseley.

MAY DAY FETE

The new tent worked well!! Those of us with brains left Jim and Denis to work out how to put it up, and we arrived just when it was erected. Well Done Chaps!! We now know who has the experience for the next time!!

Tables, tablecloths, bags, gloves, cutlery, napkins – all were put out, Rotary Roundels strategically erected, safety bunting put round the guy ropes, cash float organised. Cakes and bric-a-brac appeared, were arranged on the tables, the sun came out, the crowds gathered, the Mayor of Lyme Regis pronounced the May Day Fete open, and we were off!

As usual, the cakes were a great success, well done and thanks to all who sweated over the stoves. And thanks also to all who donated bric-a-brac – teddy bears, glassware, china, lampshades, the most outrageous beach shorts ever, clocks, ornaments, books etc. – where does it all come from.

Working hard we sold quite a lot (£130 profits to Rotary charities), what was left of the bric-a-brac went to the Weldmar Hospice shop where it was on the shelves by Monday morning and contributing to that charity’s income.

Looking round at the other stalls it was clear that this was the best May Day Fete yet, its really growing in popularity, and becoming a real feature of the Lyme Regis summer scene. Rotary is proud to have supported this community event since its inception. Well done to the organisers who have so staunchly persevered to make it a success for the town.

Photograph courtesy of the “View from Lyme Regis”
 

'Call My Bluff'

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis recently held a “Call My Bluff Wine Tasting” at the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

Four “knowledgeable experts” first tasted the wines and then offered four different  opinions, only one of which was correct, on the quality, bouquet and origin to the assembled audience who then tasted the wine themselves and voted on the expert whose opinion closely matched the wine they had just tasted.

After the wine tasting the assembled group made short work of a ploughman’s supper.

Thanks are due to Mike Platts of “Just Fine Wines of Rousdon” who supplied the wines and kindly donated two magnums of Rioja for the raffle.

The event raised £370.00 for the Prostate Action Charity.

Jim Moseley.

Hope for the future as Japan rises to her feet

There is a strong sense of hope for the future in Japan, according the ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) operating in the country.

It is now nearly six weeks since the earthquake and tsunami destroyed swathes of Japan’s coastline. A huge cleanup operation has been underway since the disaster struck and the Japanese authorities are making strong progress as Japan rises back to her feet.

‘The country and the people are doing a phenomenal job of recovering,’ says SRT member Tom Lay (UK). ‘The progress of the cleanup operation is creating a massive psychological and emotional benefit. There’s very much a feeling of Japan standing back up after a knockout blow and still fighting. ‘There’s definitely a sense of moving on from the people who have been affected by the disaster and they have hope as they move forward and look to the future.’

The cherry blossom in Japan’s north is starting to bloom, a sign the weather is beginning to turn and the cold weather is coming to an end, a key factor as families begin to leave crowded evacuation centres. ShelterBox continues to work throughout the coastal areas affected, helping families affected by the disaster as they begin to rebuild their lives. Tom Lay added: ‘The support we’re currently receiving from Rotarians in Japan is invaluable and they’ve been crucial in helping us operate in the areas we’re working in.’

Since the earthquake people around the world have been supporting ShelterBox’s work in a huge range of exciting ways. There has been something for everyone to get involved with, from an auction by iconic rock band Sonic Youth to a Twitter fundraising drive by author Maureen Johnson. One of the latest fundraising drives for ShelterBox’s global disaster relief efforts is called ‘Songs of Love For Japan’ which is a three-day flash sale of 100 tracks of rare and inspiring music. Artists supporting the project include Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Wolf Parade, The XX, The Submarines and Josh Ritter.

The flash sale ends on Thursday, April 21 with all proceeds going to ShelterBox. To find out more or purchase the tracks visit www.solfj.org.

David Glover

SBUK&I Rotary & Speaker Network Co-ordinator

ShelterBox: A Global Rotary Club Project   www.shelterbox.org

Hallet Court Social Club Donation to ShelterBox

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis was presented with a cheque for £250 towards their fundraising efforts for ShelterBox, following the recent disasters in Japan. The monies were raised by the members of the Hallett Court Social Club in Queens Walk, Lyme Regis at a recent luncheon. This brings to nearly £2000 the sums forwarded by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis to ShelterBox in the last month.

“We have been absolutely humbled and delighted by the response from the community of Lyme Regis to our appeal for funds for ShelterBox”, said Rotary President Denis Yell. “This contribution from the Hallett Court Social Club is outstanding, and reflects the spirit and generosity of the people of Lyme. Many thanks to them for this kind gift.”
Fiona Blackmore, Warden of Hallett Court is seen presenting the cheque to rotarian John McCallum

ShelterBox is a Cornwall based disaster relief charity founded by Rotarians. It provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

Rotary Club of Lyme Regis says 'Thank You'

Ever since the outstanding disaster relief charity ShelterBox was formed as a millennium project by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has collected for it two or three times per year in Broad Street.  Each time it is with a real sense of humility that we receive your donations which have over the years amounted to many thousands of pounds.

The days following the Japan disasters were no exception, and I would like to thank once again the people of Lyme Regis, and visitors, for their generous donations to this worthwhile charity.  Over the years we have contributed to some 54 boxes, 20 of which were indirectly through our Rotary District at the time of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. These would have provided relief to some 500-550 people in dire need.

The funds donated by us this time will fund the equivalent of an additional three boxes. Thank you all.

John McCallum

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis

'SEND A COW' PRESENTATION

The moneys will be used to support families and groups in East Africa with the provision of training and livestock to enable them to live in a sustainable way and improve their lives. £1,000 will provide for a Dairy Cow and support a months Community Training. The family getting the cow will pass on their first female calf to another supported family, thus the animal and training will help probably another 9 families as well. There is more information at www.sendacowgifts.org.uk .

Corinthian Rowers support the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and their ShelterBox Japan Disaster Appeal

The Atlantic Challenge 2011 Corinthian Rowers are delighted to work with the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis in support of their ShelterBox fund raising activity to aid the Japanese tsunami disaster.

Thanks to donations received since our last ShelterBox donation, in December, the Corinthians handed the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis a cheque for £590, sufficient to fund another ShelterBox. 

It is now nearly three weeks since Japan was rocked by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded and a devastating tsunami. According to OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) more than 24,000 people are feared dead or missing and more than a quarter of a million people are still living in evacuation centres. Large aftershocks continue to strike off Japan’s coast.  This, alongside heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and a severe lack of fuel is creating huge challenges for the aid effort.

ShelterBox were on the ground in Japan less than 24 hours after the earthquake struck and since then have been working around the clock providing help to the families affected by the disaster.

Right to Left: John McCullum & Dennis Yell
of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis;
  Tony Short & Andrew Pocock from the
 Atlantic Challenge 2011 Corinthians

The Corinthian rowers are about to launch a ‘Win a Caribbean Holiday’ Prize Draw Competition.  Tickets will be on sale in Lyme Regis and at all our fund raising activities throughout the spring and summer.  If you see a ticket sales point around the town or visit the Slipway during our Good Friday ‘Rowathon’ please buy a ticket, support our charities and give yourself a chance of winning a Caribbean Holiday.  Half of all funds raised will go to our chosen charities, ShelterBox and the British Heart Foundation. More info see Spirit of Corinth

THE LYME LUNGE 2011

The 1^st of January 2011 at Lyme Regis was celebrated by some 85 hardy souls in fancy dress taking part in the 3^rd Rotary organised Lyme Lunge. This was a big an increase in numbers on the 2010 Lunge.

At 1.00.pm they were given the “off” by the Mayor of Lyme Regis for the rush to the sea in front of a crowd estimated to be around 1000.

After a short stay in the water they headed back up the beach for a well deserved hot soup kindly donated from By The Bay Restaurant.

A beach collection and sponsorship raised over £1500.00 to be split equally between the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance and the Rotary Shelterbox Charity.

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis would like to thank the RNLI crew for marshalling the swimmers on the waters edge, the Lyme Regis Sailing Club for providing the safety boat on the water and By The Bay Restaurant for the hot soup, and thank you to all the Club members and wives who came along and helped with collecting and soup distribution.

See it on Lyme TV:

Lyme Lunge! 1st January 2011

Rotary Club of Lyme Regis Christmas collection

Crocus bulb planting

 The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, in an endeavour to raise the profile of the Rotary International project to eradicate polio worldwide, got down on their knees and planted out 600 extra tall crocus bulbs in the Langmoor Gardens below the Alexandra Hotel gardens this week. The Mayor, Councilor Michaela Ellis turned over the first spade full of earth before the planting got underway in earnest. With Rotarians and wives joining in the job was completed in record time under the watchful eye of the Council's head groundsman, Barry Trott. All that is left now is for the flowers to bloom next spring. The President of the Club, Denis Yell said he hoped the flowers would bloom for years to come and add another splash of colour to the gardens.

  The Club would like to express their grateful thanks to Groves Nurseries of Bridport for their help in procuring the bulbs.

So far this year the Club have sent £2020.00. this will provide some 5300 individual  polio vaccines in the four remaining countries still affected by polio.

Lyme Regis Mayor, Councilor Michaela Ellis
turned over the first spade-full of earth
under the watchful eye of the Council's
head groundsman, Barry Trott.

A  BLOOMING  GOOD  IDEA! 

Sunflower contest produces a blooming useful aid for lifeboat crews

A casual conversation at a Club meeting back in the winter led to resurrecting a previous fund raising idea.

'Grow your own sunflower and win a cash prize for the largest one'.

So Suttons Seeds of Paignton were contacted and asked if they would supply us with some sunflower seeds. Not only did they say yes but they sent enough feed half the birds in Lyme Regis should we have decided to go down that road.

In the event they were packaged 6 each into printed envelopes and sold, with planting suggestions and a set of rules for the competition. Some 340 packets were sold throughout the spring and early summer and we sat back to await results at the end of September. Anyone who thought they might win was asked to contact the number on the envelope and arrangements would be made to measure the plant.  

In the end the very worthy winner was, fortunately for us, from Lyme Regis with a whopping great plant measuring some 135 inches to the centre of the flower. The winner, local boy William, has now received his £25.00 prize and the monies raised by the event have been used to purchase a “Weather Station” for the Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Station.

(see story on right)

A competition to grow the tallest sunflower has produced more than a colourful crop for the RNLI lifeboat station in Lyme Regis.

The competition was the idea of Anne Duncan, who is the first female member of the town’s Rotary Club. She organised the sale of sunflower seeds throughout the town and wanted the proceeds to buy something useful for the lifeboat station.

She raised around £300, enough for a weather station, a vital aid to the volunteer crews.

Anne presented the weather station to crew member Jon Broome and it was immediately installed in the boathouse operations room.  Jon said: “We are very grateful to Anne and the Rotary Club for this important piece of equipment, which will make a vital contribution to the safety of our crews at sea.

“The weather station will give us accurate information about current and changing conditions and will provide real-time readings of wind speed, humidity as well as forecasts, and we will be able to monitor all this detail while the lifeboat is at sea.”

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