Lyme Regis Twinning to Bermuda

BERMUDA 2007

The entrance to the Town of St Georges,The George Somers Statue and The Mayor of Bermuda,Lyme Regis Town Crier and the Mayor of Lyme Regis Bermuda Twinning Trip 2007

April 18th Wednesday The Mayoress and I arrived in Bermuda for a few days break before the Twinning party arrived which they do on Sunday 22nd May Josephine and I with the Mayor of Bermuda met the party at the airport to make sure all was ok and they got to their host for the week.
But the before I go on to tell you about the trip I must tell you the story of Donna the lady who was and is sailing round the world. To give you more information here is her web site and blog please read it she is one remarkable lady. Donna had encountered 40 ft waves and had lost her auto steering some 100 miles from Bermuda and was having to steer her boat herself. She was in trouble and assistance was sent as she neared Bermuda. She was given help by mine host, slept all day and told her story to us. Below is the boat and the Lady
April 19th Thursday Spent the day relaxing in St Georges a trip to Dockyard and visiting the Bank of Bermuda who looked after the Mayor and Mayoress chains while we there.
April 20th Friday am Met Donna on the boat and had pictures taken. Went to the Heritage Centre pm Went to Nature reserve (Spittles) and John Smith Bay.
April 21st Saturday am Went to our favourite beach Tobacco Bay and in the evening went to the sailing club for a fish & chip dinner with our host and family about 100 people were there a great social evening. Donna played the guitar and Irish flute. She was getting well after her ordeal.
April 22nd Sunday am Attended the Salvation Army church in St Georges. Had lunch at the Somers restaurant and met the twinning party at the airport in the evening
April 23rd Monday am Went to Mulligans for breakfast as usual it was very filling. In evening went to the Rotary dinner enjoyable evening with a speaker on the caves of Bermuda. Donna has flown home to Canada for a week and reception party.

April 24th Tuesday Twinning dinner in the evening at Somers Restaurant in the open air. Pipers made an entrance kilts and all and Jackie sang. Wonderful evening Cutting of the 10th anniversary cake by Mayor of Bermuda and Mayor of Lyme Regis and the Chairman of the TwinningAssociation

April 25th WednesdayPeppercorn day. Fine parade theTown Crier and I went up to the dais with the dignitaries and met the Governor of Bermuda. Afterwards everyone went to the garden party
April 26th Thursday Darts Match by web cam from the Nags Head Lyme Regis to the sailing boat club in St Georges Bermuda Lyme Regis won 3 nil and still have the cup! I presented them a Lyme Regis Pennant and they gave me a pennant to bring to the sailing club in Lyme Regis. This is always a night not to miss and we are made very welcome as always. The suppers they have for us are amazing you look at it and always want to be hungry! Receiving the winning cup for the lads in Lyme Regis for winning again ! sorry Bermuda . I know you will reading this blog Here I am receiving the Bermuda sailing club pennant to take back to Lyme Regis from the the Commodore Andre Shearer.

April 27th Friday Phil Street and Dawn Josephine and myself visited the Botanical garden at the invitation of the Park superintendent. We went there to get advice for the planting of a Bermudian garden in our gardens. After showing us around he then drove us to the Governors residence and the Premiers residence sight seeing. In the evening took Phil and Dawn to dinner at a place called swizzles a place not to be missed. Remember the ice cream Dawn ?
April28th Saturday went to Hamilton with Bernard and Josephine and the lovable Dotte I think the two clowns either side make a formidable trio ?

Earlier on in my blog i said that I had taken a pennant from the Lyme Regis sailing club to be presented to the Commodore of the Bermuda club. As Mayor for the past year it also gave me the honour of being The President of the Twinning Association for the past year . In that capacity I accepted a pennant from the Commodore of the Bermuda sailing club and made the reciprocal presentation to Lyme Regis . I do hope that this will begin a bonding between the to clubs in the years to come .

Ken and Dawn eating ice cream

Beautiful Tobacco Bay and the Anniversary cake a great effort. Jo at Eastern Beach. Our Hosts Lily and Bernard and Donna. And three ....relaxing after a some what delightful meal with the photographer Josephine . The new Gallery being built in the Botanical gardens .Some of the flowers grown there . Phil Street Dawn Josephine and myself outside the Premiers house A view from our hosts accommodation and also out with them for a meal in the evening .

On your right you will see the Bermuda sailing club across the bay in St Georges. Below a boat that arrived in St Georges with its rigging torn to pieces in an Atlantic storm

Its been a long evening

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The two pictures below are three of the twinning party relaxing at Tobago bay mid there heavy schedule of visits in Bermuda

Lyme Regis Sailing Club

April 15th
Today Sunday the Mayoress and I were invited to the Sailing Club for the Commodores Reception. We were met by the Honorary Secretary Sally Holman and the Commodore Keith Thompson. We were made very welcome, a lovely buffet and a excellent social occasion followed. Unfortunately because of a lack of wind the boats never took to the water until well after lunch. But I think the Bar gained because of that. Josephine and I thank the Club for the invitation and the generosity in your welcome.The Honorary Secretary and Keith Thompson on behalf of the Sailing club presented us with a mast head cruising pennant from a club bargee, seen in the photo, to take with us to Bermuda I will present the pennant to the Bermuda Dingy and Sailing club on their behalf and the Twinning Association at the annual darts match between Lyme Regis and Bermuda. Normally this match is conducted on a telephone link up but for the first time this year there will be a Web Cam between the Nags Head Lyme Regis and the Bermuda Sailing club. This is to show that the darts really do hit the board!

This weeks business

April 11th Spring Civic Reception
The Mayoress and I attended the above reception at Dorchester WDDC offices. Unfortunately the Chairman Mary Penfold had a bereavement in her family and could not be there. We send our condolences for her sad loss at this time Never the less it was a pleasant evening meeting most of the Mayors and there escorts we had met during the course of our visits around the county. With elections coming up we might not meet them again.

Royal British Legion Lyme Regis Branch

April 12th Quarterly meeting held at the Woodmead Hall

President of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, Cecil Quick (pictured right) presents branch treasurer Martin Jones with the Jack Loveridge Trophy First awarded in 1978, it is presented to the member who the committee felt contributed most invaluably to the branch over the last twelve months.Mr. Quick said: “ in the short time that Martin has been our treasurer he has excelled. His attention to detail has been truly helpful to the Royal British Legion. He is a great asset to the branch.”

Easter Bonnet Parade

Sunday 8th March

This year was an outstanding success with fine weather bringing out the crowds to watch the the Easter Bonnet parade. Led by the Town Junior Band. Mayor and Mayoress and the Town Crier the very colourful procession marched down Broad Street distributing small chocolate eggs to the watching children on the way to Theatre square. There were crowds of people watching on both sides of the street as you will see from the photos. Prizes were given in many categories from age six to venerable years ! The Majorettes who were also in the parade put on their show during the Bonnet judging and before the prize giving. As usual they were a credit to their team. Many thanks to all those, too numerous to mention, who generously contributed to this event. The Prize Stall

Bank Holiday Monday

Easter Monday April 9th

AM
Another lovely sunny morning in Lyme Regis. I went to the Marine Theatre to visit a book fair very interesting looking at books that I had forgotten had ever existed Then walked on the front and met up with Rotary having a fund raising morning in the shelters. Then met up with the Mayoress and had coffee in a well known restaurant along the front.
PM
I went to the PTA Duck Race which starts at Woodmead Road Waterfall and ends at Mill Green with over 600 ducks in the water yellow ones of course ! The Town Crier was in his usual good voice and heralded my starting of the race. We were also at the finish he shouted and I presented the cash prizes.You will see from the pictures that the race was very well supported as always. The crowds at the start and the Ducks leaving !




Waiting for the Ducks This photo is at the request of the young lady.

The Visit to Lyme Regis of the Princess Royal

Today was another highlight of our Mayoral year the visit of Princess Anne.
The Mayoress and I had the privilege to be in the reception party to meet the Princess Royal on her arrival in Lyme Regis at the Alexander Hotel. The Princess was here to open the new Sea Front and Langmoor Gardens, which had been part of the coastal protection scheme. Many local dignitaries were presented to the Princess Royal in the garden of the Hotel who had been involved in the scheme in some way since the early 90’s. Following this the Princess walked through the gardens down to the beach to unveil a plaque in memory of the opening. I would like to think the photos above would give an understanding how pleasant the occasion was for all concerned.