23rd May 2012

LYME REGIS: Jubilee off to a great start

HMS Edinburgh's visit a great weekend in Lyme's history

THE celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Lyme Regis got off to a memorable start over the weekend with an official visit by one of the UK’s frontline war ships, HMS Edinburgh.

Officers and ratings from the type 42 destroyer, soon to be deployed in the South Atlantic, provided a guard of honour for the renaming of  the central pavilion in the new Marine Parade shelters, supported by a team of trumpeters from the Royal Marines at Lympstone.

With the Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman, and the “First Lady of Lyme”, Councillor Barbara Austin,  unveiling the Jubilee Pavilion, it was one of the most impressive ceremonies seen in Lyme for many years, watched by hundreds of people.

As the mayor and Councillor Austin pulled the union flag from the Jubilee Pavilion sign, HMS Edinburgh, moored two hundred yards off shore, sounded its ship’s horn and fired a gun salute.

Moored alongside was the cruise liner Silver Explorer, the first ship of its kind to visit Lyme Regis, and whose passengers had come ashore earlier in the day to enjoy local  amenities and to visit out-of-town tourist attractions.

The sight of a warship and cruise liner in Lyme Bay provided a unique picture.

Before opening the shelters, Councillor Holman, in an emotional address, spoke of Lyme’s maritime past and the role the Marine Parade had played in the life of the town.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset Rupert Best, Deputy Lieutenant Minnie Churchill and her partner Simon Bird,   Commodore Jamie Miller CBE OBE, Naval Regional Officer for Wales and the West of England, Commander Nick Borbone, captain of HMS Edinburgh, Gillian Summers, chairman of West Dorset District Council, accompanied by the Bridport deputy mayor Geoff Ackerman, town clerk Mike Lewis, town councillors and former mayors.

Members of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion and the Woodroffe School Combined Cadet Force were also in attendance.

HMS Edinburgh sailed into Lyme Bay at just after 2pm on Friday. Local press were invited on board in the afternoon and a civic reception for about 30 officers and ratings was held at the Guildhall where there was an exchange of plaques between the mayor and Commander Borbone.

On Saturday the crew featured in a number of races against the Lyme Regis Gig Club,  followed by presentations at the Sailing Club, and the ship’s football team drew 3-3 against Lyme Regis at the Davey Fort.  

On Sunday evening 100 guests were invited on board HMS Edinburgh for a reception and tour of the ship at which Commodore Miller thanked the town for its hospitality in an inspiring and amusing speech in whch he outlined the role of the modern Navy.

The Silver Explorer with 130 passengers on board pulled into the bay just after 6 am on Sunday.  

Passengers came ashore at 8.15 am to be greeted by town crier Alan Vian.

There was some disappointment from traders that many of the passengers were taken on tours out of the town but the group set up to co-ordinate the visit to Lyme  heralded it a success with a very positive feedback from passengers about the welcome they received.

The Mayor, Sally Holman, was delighted with the success of the weekend.

“I would like to thank all the townspeople who welcomed all our visitors and worked with us to enhance the reputation of Lyme.”

PICTURE 1: OPENING CEREMONY - The Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman, and Councillor Barbara Austin, pictured with civic and miltary dignitaries after the naming of the Jubilee Pavilion

PICTURE 2: ALL LINED UP - A panoramic view of the Jubilee Pavilion re-naming ceremony, with the Royal Navy’s guard of honour on the left, the civic party, Royal British legion and Woodroffe School Combined Cadet Force on the right

PICTURE 3: STANDING TO ATTENTION: The guard of honour from HMS Edinburgh and trumpeters from the Royal Marines Lympstone

PICTURE 4: FRIENDS IN SPORT - Teams from Lyme Regis Football Club and HMS Edinburgh following their 3-3- draw. Above, club captain Adam Caddy receives a plaque from some of the Royal Navy crew and hands over souvenir club brochures in return. Photo by JON MATTHEWS.

PICTURE 5: A SPECIAL WELCOME - The Mayor and Captain of HMS Edinburgh, Commander Nick Borbone, exchange plaques at a civic reception

For more pictures, click here

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