9th November 2011

LYME REGIS: Olympic torch will pass through Lyme

'Great opportunity for town,' says mayor

by Philip Evans

THE news that Lyme Regis will be one of 1,018 towns through which the Olympic torch will pass has been greeted with great excitement in the town.

The golden torch will be carried through Lyme on July 12th - the 55th day of its journey around the United Kingdom prior to the opening of the 2012 London Olympic Games on July 27th.

It is not known yet what time the torch will pass through Lyme or who will be carrying it, although RNLI crew member Ritchie Durrant, one of the youngest in the country, has been nominated.

The news was received with great delight by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Sally Holman.

She told the View from Lyme Regis: “Lyme has a strong sporting tradition. I’m sure there will be a huge turnout to applaud the torchbearers.

“It’s fantastic to be one of the 1,018 places chosen. We’re on the 55th day of the torch’s journey, furthest west on the Salisbury-Weymouth leg of the route.

“This will be a great boost for the town, a great opportunity to show enthusiasm for the Olympics. We’re looking forward to welcoming the Olympic torch on July 12th.”

Councillor Holman said she had already started discussions with council officials and interested parties about how best the town could celebrate the Olympic torch passing through Lyme.

“I hope this will provide us with the opportunity of bringing together the sports organisations of Lyme to demonstrate just how strong and diverse our sporting community is.”

Councillor Lorna Jenkin, chairman of the town council’s Tourism and Advertising Sub-committee, also welcomed the news.

She said: “Lyme Regis is to be part of the prelude to the greatest show on earth. It is an opportunity that will only come once and everyone should enjoy the day, celebrate the huge honour and use it as an opportunity to promote the town.”

Howard Larcombe, chairman of Lyme Regis Football Club, one of the town’s oldest sporting organisations, described the news as “wonderful for Lyme”.

He said: “I certainly hope the football club will be involved in any celebrations. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Marcus Dixon, chief executive of Lyme Regis Development Trust and chairman of the Gig Club, said: “The visit of the Olympic torchbearer to Lyme Regis is a wonderful link for the town’s sporting organisations with the spirit of Olympic Games, which is about excellence in all that we do and what we represent - friendship, respect, determination and having the courage to face challenges.

“It’s great that Lyme Regis is part of these international celebrations and July 12th 2012 will be part of what is looking to be an especially remarkable year for the town.”

Richard Horobin, press officer for the Lyme RNLI, said he nominated 19 year-old Ritchie Durrant for his work for charity and sporting achievement but they would not know whether he had been chosen to carry the torch until December 11th.

Another young Lyme Regis crew member, 21 year-old John Gage, has been selected as an RNLI crew member for the sailing Olympics in Weymouth.