25th July 2012

LYME REGIS: A golden wedding, a birthday and a dedication

Over the past few weeks, Lyme Regis Town Band’s summer engagements have shown unusual variety. They recently entertained an appreciative audience of guests at a private golden wedding celebration in Hawkhurst. This was followed by the celebration of a ‘significant’ birthday of one of its members and then the dedication and naming ceremony of the new Lyme Regis lifeboat.

Last week, a special cake was provided by Val Mahoney for band member Viv Wright, with an icing picture showing Viv in band uniform. When asked the significance of the birthday, Viv would only repeat ‘significant’, so the truth remains a well-kept secret!

Prior to the dedication and naming ceremony of the new lifeboat ‘Pride of Loch Fyne’, the band entertained a large crowd of holidaymakers on Marine Parade. They then accompanied hymns for the RNLI’s ‘Songs of Praise’, finally moving to the lifeboat slipway for the special service of dedication, led by the Vicar of Lyme Regis.

Musical Director, John Powell commented, ‘we have had a busy period, but are always delighted to be asked take part in all kinds of celebrations. As the local band, it is particularly good that we can support the RNLI, which does such important and vital work’.

The band’s Marine Parade concerts ‘Music by the Sea’ continue throughout July and August each Tuesday at 8 o’clock, with additional performances on several Sunday afternoons, starting at 2.30. A grand raffle is being run at each concert throughout the summer, with cash prizes totalling over £300.

PICTURE 1: The bass section at Hawkhurst

PICTURE 2: Val Mahoney presents Viv Wright with a cake, with Musical Director John Powell looking on