5th August 2009

Lifeboat Week beats the slump and the weather

By Francesca Evans

DESPITE the economic downturn and indifferent weather yet again, Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week maintained its reputation as one of the biggest and most profitable events of its kind in the country.

Highlight of a brilliant week of seaside entertainment was undoubtedly the return of the RAF aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, who gave a scintillating 25-minute display over Lyme Bay, bringing many thousands into the town.

Earlier in the day the RAF Falcons parachute team dropped onto the main beach, watched by a huge crowd.

Tuesday’s events were all but washed out by the rain, but organisers managed to reschedule most of the events, with the illuminated boat display being the only attraction not to go ahead.

RNLI Guild chairman Rob Michael said he was delighted with the sucess of the week and the fact they had been able to reschedule all but one of the events affected by the rain.

He told the View from Lyme Regis: “Lifeboat Week 2009 was a generally a good one given the weather and the economic climate.

“Early indications are that we have exceeded last year’s total and there is more to come in.

“Once again the skies cleared for the Red Arrows to give a full display though we were rather disappointed with the subsequent collection and the speed at which the crowds disappeared.

“High spots were the crew selling out their hot dogs, Anna Parker's last tombola raised over £1,100, Jimmy Purvis, 84, collected £500 for his melodian playing, the Bridge Society from the Golf Club raised £400, and the Nag's Barbeque nearly £300. Seventy six teddy Bears went to the picnic and on that awful Tuesday 67 swimmers braved the waves to set off for the harbour from Cobb Gate.

“Also we sold all but a couple of the ducks and got the largest collection for fireworks display since I've been chairman.

“In the end we only lost one event during the week, the Tuesday events being rescheduled and completed. We are as always grateful to all the people who put in the effort to make it happen, from the Mayor, Councillor Michaela Ellis, and the council, the members of the Lifeboat Crew to everyone who carried a bucket.

“Not only does this raise money for the RNLI but, I hope, helps to keep Lyme’s profile high. We already know of several first time visitors who have booked to come back next year. That makes it all worth while.”

The action-packed nine days included a range of events for all the family to take part in.

Children were kept entertained throughout the week with events including sand sports, a sand castle competition and a teddy bears’ picnic.

Large crowds enjoyed the popular crab fishing competition around the harbour on Monday afternoon. Prizes were awarded to St Michael’s Primary School student Jordan Emmett for the largest crab, Lauren Boggan in second place, Eve Waspe in third and a special prize was given to Alex Francis for the smallest crab.

The downpour on Tuesday washed out several events but most were re-scheduled for later in the week, including the pavement art competition that attracted a large number of entries on Thursday instead.

First place prizes were given to Ruby Hodge (under 5s), Kira Marsh (5 to 7 years), Joel Mansfield (8 to 11 years), Alice Castle (12 to 16 years) and Emily May (adults).

Children fashioned a range of costumes for the fancy dress competition on Thursday, from chimney sweeps, fairies and princesses, green-theme costumes and an impressive lifeboat.

Winners were as follows:

Under 5s – 1st Katie Hampton-Rumbold, 2nd Evie Jones, 3rd Max McCallum.

Over 5s – 1st Joshua Denning, 2nd Juliette Hughes, 3rd Annya Rattenbury, highly commended Maya Jones.

Duck race prizes were taken by Jacob Johnson, Hannah Eaton, Flora Pratt and C. Dalton (final duck to cross the finishing line).

There was plenty for the adults too, with live music and pub entertainment most evenings, the traditional bathtub race, yard of ale competition at the Cobb Arms, and classic car display judged by Lifeboat Operations Manager Rob Fossett on the Marine Parade on Sunday morning.

The town’s second Emergency Services Day entertained with dramatic simulation rescues and a chance to see the lifeboat in action.

Visitors lined the streets for the emergency vehicle parade and children got to play the part trying on the uniforms and sitting in the fire engines.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis – whose husband Alan is a fireman – also got to try on the uniform.

The lifeguards demonstrated their work with mock rescues on the beach and the fire brigade recreated a river rescue and a car fire on the Marine Parade, including abseiling down the shelters wall.

The week was rounded off with a grand firework display on Saturday night, followed by entertainment from “The Good Old Boys!” at the Royal Standard, and a children’s and adult’s fun run on Sunday afternoon.

Lifeboat crewmember Ritchie Durrant came first place, with Luke Reed in second and Josh Rosendahl in third.

PICTURE: The Red Arrows soar over the harbour at Lyme Regis.