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 Rotary Club of Lyme Regis Programme 2023/24

 

 

 

 

 

For the foreseeable future we will be meeting on Thursdays 5.45 for 6.15 at Hunters Lodge Inn, Charmouth Road, Raymonds Hill, EX13 5SZ.

Please contact the Secretary  (as we have a variable programme please check with our secretary first before visiting) 
John Berry, tel  01297 489719, mob 07710 095685, e johnberry.mangles@gmail.com


For results/reports of the fundraising events please see news & events below

 

 

 

 

 

The Lyme Lunge:  Monday January  1st 2024 



 

  

 

 

 

A fancy dress dip in the balmy waters of Lyme Bay
1300 hours at the Cobb Beach
.
    
“If you would like to raise funds for the chosen Rotary charity: please feel free to use the sponsor form, where sponsors can sign up to Gift Aid if they wish.  If you have your own charity which you wish to raise funds for then please go ahead. It would help our cause if you would just email us with the amount raised – If you just want a dip, feel free to join us, there is no obligation”  From the Sandy Beach (time to watch the Duck Race First).  

Wet suits allowed, preferably with fancy dress over the top, just a paddle in the sea is enough to say  you've 'done the Lyme Lunge'  for charity.  1st January at 1pm on the Sandy Beach, Lyme Regis. This year (2024) we will be raising funds for The Alzheimer's Society and The British Lung Foundation two charities which we all know give outstanding support to local people in times of need.  
 

 

Monday 5th February  2024

 

Soup & Ploughman's Lunch
An annual event held in the Alexandra Hotel Lyme Regis.
  Vegetarian soup followed by a Ploughman's lunch then coffee in the lovely surroundings of the Alexandra Hotel. In aid of Water Survival Box 12pm prompt.   Tickets £10 from local Rotarians

 
March 2024 President's Night

The annual "Know your Blood Pressure Day" 
run by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis in conjunction with The Stroke Association. 
Pop into Fortnam, Smith and Banwell (Estate Agents) 53 Broad Street,  and have your blood pressure monitored by trained local nurses.  Have your blood pressure monitored by trained local nurses. This is one of the most effective ways of minimising the chances of a stroke. See link..........and see you there!!   www.stroke.org.uk
April 2024
Great Dorset Beach Clean 
A great chance for the Club to get involved and show what SERVICE means. We have prominently supported this event in Lyme Regis for many years and helped keep our beaches clean. The organisers will be at Charmouth on Saturday and Lyme Regis on Sunday,  bags and 'pickers' will be provided.
Can I urge the Club to see if we can have a good show at both these events, its only a couple of hours and such a great outcome when you see the bags and bags of rubbish which are collected.
And if you have family down its a great way to get them involved in community service. J McCallum

 

April

Rotary Club of Exmoor Challenge 

Exmoor Challenge.  - The Rotary Exmoor Challenge is a gentle competition between Rotary Districts 1170 and 1200 for the Rotary Challenge Shield.

Rotarians, their families, and friends from Rotary Districts 1175 and 1200 earn points for their District by completing either of two walks. The shield is currently held by District 1200 and has been for a while. The routes will be starting from 0800 and passing through some of the most beautiful scenery on Exmoor.

Walkers over 18 pay an entry fee of £7. Walker’s under18 enter free, but an adult must accompany them. Dogs are welcome, owners must keep them under control. PROPER WALKING SHOES/BOOTS ARE ADVISED. 

 

Exmoor view




December 23rd 2023




Carols Round the Tree

 
   

THE ROTARY CLUB OF LYME REGIS NEWS AND EVENTS

   


The catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria


prompted a quick response from the members of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis. A license for a street collection was quickly obtained and took place on Saturday 11th of February in Broad Street, Lyme Regis.

We are delighted to announce a magnificent collection of £1300 probably a one-day collection record! A big thank you to all our volunteer collectors , donors and the public for their generosity.

All the donations will be going directly to SHELTER BOX a Rotary supported charity founded and still based in Cornwall.

Each complete Shelter Box costs £590. The box is an emergency response tool which provides all the essential contents as an immediate need in a disaster.

It consists of a custom Shelter Box family tent - inflatable solar lights - high thermal quilt blankets- 5 collapsible 10L water carriers - cooking pots, utensils and cutlery - a tarpaulin and essential tools - a water purification unit - treated mosquito nets.

A Shelter Box team are already in Turkey and several hundred boxes have already been sent.

If you would like to make a donation to which we can pass on to Shelter Box, please send to : Rotary Club of Lyme Regis Trust No 2 , sort code 30-90-37, Account 39445960.

Interested in joining the largest service organisation in the world and make things happen , contact:  secretary@lymeregisrotary.org or visit www.lymeregisrotary.org

 

   


Annual Lyme Lunge set to raise thousands for charity again

Hundreds of swimmers have helped clock up thousands of pounds for charity by having a dip in the chilly Lyme Regis sea at the weekend.

Brave swimmers took the plunge at the annual Lyme Lunge on the first day of 2023 on Sunday, in what has become a tradition on the town's event calendar. 

Car parks, pubs, restaurants and shops were said to be 'jammed' as people from far and wide arrived in the town for the spectacle.

Money raised - which is hoped to reach about £5,000 - will go towards the work of the British Heart Foundation and Mencap, a good cause for those with learning difficulties.

 

   

Candles on The Cobb 2022

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis have made donations totalling £11,850 to the following organisations                         

Axe Valley Netball Club                             

Charmouth Brownies                                      

Charmouth Rainbows                                     

Charmouth Scouts                                          

Curtain Up Theatre Company                        

Lym Valley Scouts                                           

Lym Valley Scouts Powder Monkeys             

Lyme Forward                                                 

Lyme Regis Junior Park Run                           

Lyme Regis Kids Club                                     

Lyme Regis Majorettes                                    

Lyme Regis Pantomime Society                     

Lyme Regis Sea School Trust                          

Lyme Regis Town Band Youth Section           

Lyme Regis Youth Football Team                   

Scouts World Jamboree                                 

Uplyme Parish Council Stafford Mount Project   

Uplyme Preschool                                           

Woodroffe School Gardening Club                                                                                      

TOTAL  DONATIONS                                         £11,850

 

   

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR SHARE OF CANDLES PROFITS

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis is now inviting applications from YOUTH organisations in Lyme Regis and environs for a share of the funds collected at the recent Candles on the Cobb. Thanks to our main sponsors, SWIM and LYME BAY HOLIDAYS, our Partners and Supporters for their continued support.
Youth organisations are asked to send a detailed application via email to secretary@lymeregisrotary.org stating the name of the organisation, its aims and purposes, the amount requested and the purpose for which the funds are required. Preference will be given to applications for funds to support capital projects.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, November 30th 2022.

 

   
 

ROTARY MAKES FIRST DONATION FROM CANDLES ON THE COBB PROCEEDS


 

£5500 has been donated by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis to the British Red Cross Covid Response Appeal following the very successful Candles on the Cobb event in late August. Rotarian Richard Cridge, who led the team that organised the event, made the presentation at the famous Cobb on Thursday 20th October, to Chris Davies, President of the Somerset Branch of the British Red Cross.


 

“This was the most successful event we have ever managed,” said Richard, “truly a team effort involving a host of other organisations and individuals in the town. It’s just what Rotary exemplifies, working together for the good of our community and humanity. Thanks to everyone who helped in what was a really spectacular evening. These funds will help provide oxygen, ambulance services, first aid, PPE and support to vaccination rollouts in a number of countries around the world and here at home. We cannot leave anyone behind in this pandemic which is by no means over. Thank you all once again for your help.”

Our first presentation of a cheque for £5500 from the £22,000 raised from the
Candles on The Cobb Event to The British Red Cross. It took place on the Cobb at Lyme Regis.

 

   



Reflecting on the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
 

There will be an opportunity for people within our community to reflect on the life of the Queen on Sunday 18th September 2022  from 19.50. The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis invite people to light a candle at the sea front shelters or simply spend time in quiet reflection.

A minutes silence will be held at 20.00 as part of the  National Moment of Reflection to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.

President of the Rotary Club, Alan Vian, said, “We have been asked by several people to provide an opportunity for people to pay their respects particularly if they are unable to visit London. We will create a space where people can come and light a candle – there will be no music or words spoken. Chairs will be available for those who would wish to sit and reflect.”

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Michaela Ellis, has kindly consented to light the first candle

 

   


CANDLES ON THE COBB - SHINING A LIGHT ON LYME REGIS

 The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis are pleased to announce that Candles on the Cobb one of the West Countries most unique and spectacular events was one of the most successful ever! 

Late in the afternoon the sun was still shining and some 230 volunteers gathered .  The Lyme Regis Town Band , the Big Whisky Band from Axminster were playing , The Lyme Regis Morris Dancers were dancing !   Over 5000 recyclable specially made tea light kits ( generously supplied once again by Nicola and Scott of the The Quinell Candle Company ) were put in place.

As thousands gathered to watch, the guests were invited to light the first candles which were part of a Crown ,especially created in the sand to commemorate the Queens Platinum Jubilee by our Ukranian families and helpers.  The Mayor of Lyme Regis , Councillor Michaela Ellis and her Consort Alan , lit the first candle followed by The Rotary Assistant - District Governor Cate Whitewood on behalf of our main sponsors Lyme Bay Holidays ( Sykes Holiday Cottages ) , The Swim Restaurant  Lyme Regis.

The lighting teams of 150 , consisting of the RNLI , Fire Brigade,  Lym Valley, Charmouth and Explorer Scouts , Lyme Regis Sailing Club , Gig Club, Power Boat Club , The Lyme Regis Bowls Club, Axminster and Brit Valley Rotary Clubs and many individual volunteers sprung into action just after 8 pm as the breeze dropped and the sun went down.  Our Rotary Club President and Town Crier , Alan Vian asked for a moments reflection to remember someone ! This was followed by the music of ' Candle in the Wind ' ; the whole of the Lister Gardens then became illuminated by thousands of people waving their phones ! A truly spectacular and emotional sight.

 

The Lyme Regis Rotary Club would like to thank especially our main sponsors , LYME BAY HOLIDAYS (Sykes Holiday Cottages) ,THE SWIM RESTAURANT , our supporters including  THE HARBOUR INN, COBB ARMS , LARGIGI RESTAURANT , TOMS, THE AMUSEMENT ARCADE .

We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help and support of James Radcliffe ,The Harbour Master ,REM Medical Services, Lyme Regis Town Council,, Mat Stiles ( Sand Boxes ) , The sales outlets selling the certificates , the Slipway Stores, Uplyme Garage,  RNLI Shop, Lyme Regis Book Shop.

The total donations ( yet to be finalised ) are in excess of £20,000 which is probably the highest amount collected in a single day for one event.   We have over 800 notes of congratulations and so far 500,000 hits on the website . Not bad for a club of only 16 members and a steering committee of 4!!!!

 Our congratulations to everybody ; All the Collectors , Stewards , volunteers selling certificates including our great local collectors Annette , Josh and Jacob Denning. and all volunteers too many to name without whom this great event would not be possible
 

   

Thanks to Ben Kapur Photography for permission to use this superb photograph from 2018 'Candles'

Candles on the Cobb  on Sunday 28th August 2022.

 Candles On The Cobb is one the West Country's most unique and moving events, with members of the public asked to sponsor candles in memory of someone and watch as the historic Cobb Harbour is illuminated with over 5000 special tealights. This event is now organised by The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis and is returning for 2022 on Sunday 28th August and will be marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year with a giant crown also to be lit in the sand.

First staged in 2000 it was the brainchild of friends Phil Street and Mike Higgs , former Town Crier and Deputy harbour Master. The event is held every few years and since 2018 has been organised by The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis with assistance from other organisations such as the RNLI , Sailing Club and many other local organisations.

Candles on the Cobb is a truly wonderful spectacle where thousands of tea-light candles, sponsored in memory of loved ones, illuminate the iconic Cobb harbour wall in Lyme Regis.

 This year the money raised will go to benefit local youth projects as well as the British Red Cross which is currently working hard to support those in need in Ukraine, and Cancer Research UK, through its active fundraising committee in Lyme Regis.

TO SPONSOR A CANDLE IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE OR FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT candlesonthecobb.com.

Rotary makes a difference! Why not join us! Contact  secretary@lymeregisrotary.org . www.lymeregisrotary.org


This truly iconic event will once again be run by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis with help from a number of Clubs and Organisations in the town.. You can purchase Candles Certificates on the web  or at outlets in the town.

 

PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY  

 

www.candlesonthecobb.com

Thanks to Ben Kapur Photography

   


£1600 RAISED AT ROTARY EVENT

What a lovely sunny day we had for our annual Soup and Ploughmans at The Alexandra Hotel on Monday 14th March, attended by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Brian Larcombe MBE and his wife. A delightful event, thanks to the huge generosity of the Alex. It was all to support "Water Aid", a charity that specialises in providing clean water, sanitation and good hygiene to people in the developing world. Water Aid has helped over 28 million people in something that we in the UK take for granted. We are delighted to announce that we raised about £1600. Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who gave so generously in the raffle.

 

   

 

   
The 12th Lyme Lunge on January 1st 2022 was a huge success

with over 850 Lungers  and several thousand spectators. We have raised over £4000 to date with hundreds promised through sponsorship. 

Our sincere thanks to all our supporters , sponsors and helpers who help to make this event possible. Our chosen charities are Weldmar Hospicecare and Macmillan Cancer Support.

A big thank you to our main sponsor The Pilot Boat and The Swim Restaurant, and The Harbour Inn for providing the Hot Soup for the Lungers.
Our special thanks to the Lyme Regis RNLI who provided the safety in the water, REM for standby medical support, the Lyme Regis Sailing Club, and all our other many sponsors in our lunge brochure.
Our thanks of course to our Mayor Councillor Brian Larcombe and the Lady Mayoress for attending.
Congratulations also to District Governor Michael Fernando who took part (this was his second Lunge) and to Assistant District Governor Cate Whitewood who also took part and who has raised a significant sum for her chosen charity. Well Done, both.

 

Watch The 2020 Parade on Youtube  Lyme Lunge - The Parade  
then Watch the 2020 Dash (into the sea)  Lyme Lunge - The Dash

  Watch the 2018 Lyme Lunge  on Youtube

 

   

Charmouth prepares for spring

On Saturday November 6th sixteen wonderful Charmouth volunteers and Parish Council employees (pictured) planted 3000 “Ruby Giant” crocus corms at various locations around Charmouth. These include the East and West entrances to the village, The Knoll, the upper entrance to Double Common, the Playing Fields and the Cemetery. Let's hope the squirrels don’t find them before spring when we hope they will provide a brilliant display and light up the village.

These corms were donated by The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis as part of the campaign to raise awareness of the Rotary led project to rid the world of polio. Each child which receives the polio vaccine has its little finger coloured purple with indelible ink, and the purple crocus symbolises that. So as these flowers brighten the village in the spring of ’22 this will be a reminder of the power of vaccines to defeat disease, as long as we are persistent, rigorous and determined to succeed.

Continuing this global effort requires funds and the work of these volunteers may help raise awareness of the campaign and stimulate people into giving towards this project. Every pound donated through Rotary attracts £2 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. If you would like to contribute then go to rotarygbi.org and hit the Donate button on the top right of your screen, then the virginmoney tab and then the EndPolioNow button.

Well done to you all for turning out on Saturday 6th for several hours and doing such sterling work.

 

   
KATIE PRESENTED WITH FRANK MAYES AWARD BY ROTARY CLUB

Each year the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis asks St Michaels School to nominate someone who has most impressed the teachers and fellow pupils in some way. This year Katie Renshaw is the proud recipient of the Frank Mayes Award, named after the first President of the Rotary Club, back in 1951/52. She was presented with a cheque for £50 and a Certificate acknowledging her achievement.
 
   

YES, CANDLES IS COMING BACK 2022
 

CANDLES ON THE COBB will return in 2022 to Lyme Regis as the Rotary Club gears up to manage the event with the help of other local organisations. It will be held on 28th August 2022. Thousands of candles, sponsored by members of the public, will light up the famous Cobb harbour in memory of loved ones. Further announcements will be made in due course.

 

Thanks to Ben Kapur Photography for permission to use this superb photograph from 2018 'Candles'

   

HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

 Thanks to everyone who kindly donated to our appeal for funds to help alleviate the suffering of the survivors of the recent Haiti earthquake in which over 2,000 people have lost their lives with hundreds still missing beneath the rubble and over 20,000 homeless. As a result of your generosity we will be sending £500 to Water Survival Box.

If any member of the public missed our street collection, they could send a donation by bank transfer to:  Rotary Club of Lyme Regis Trust 2 Account  Sort Code: 30 90 37     Account: 39445960    Reference: Haiti

 

     

 

Thanks to Williams Automobiles for raising £4500 for Rotary's Purple4Polio charity appeal at a Track Day earlier this year.

 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will raise that to £13500 - a great addition to the Rotary Foundation fund to help eradicate this debilitating disease globally. And thanks also to Mark Tredwin for all his tremendous efforts in raising awareness of P4P and for his super fundraising efforts. Richard Williams and daughter, Blues singer Elles Bailey, are pictured presenting the cheque to Rotarian Richard Main, along with Mark Tredwin and Donna Wallbank Past President of Rotary Great Britain and Ireland.

   

 Great Success! The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis recently held an ‘ Online Silent Auction ‘ of donated goods and services.

It ran for 16 frantic days of bids for over 100 lots . 
The generously donated items ranged from; racing car experiences, sea fishing trips, dinner and tea at local hotels and restaurants, personal cooking lessons from celebrity chef Mark Hix, commissioned art, holiday vouchers from Lyme Bay Holidays, holiday cottage weekend. Probably our biggest fund raiser was a number of personally signed memorabilia generously donated by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple.  Our thanks to all those who generously donated, many of whom were local businesses who, like the charities for which we were collecting, have suffered a great shortfall of funds during this pandemic.

The Rotary Club are delighted with the amount raised  which was in excess of £4000 with bids coming from all over the country and Europe. This fantastic result will be divided between the Alzheimer’s Society; Julia’s House, the Dorset Children’s Hospice; Weldmar Hospicecare in Dorchester and the Lyme Regis Food Bank and any balances will go to Rotary Charities.

We in Rotary know it’s not been easy for us or other charities to raise funds during these difficult times . We were fortunate to have had a good fund raising year in the Rotary Session 2019-20 , when we were able to distribute over £18000 with Polio Eradication, Dorset County Hospital Cancer Care, Lyme Heartbeat and the West Dorset Scrubbers among the many recipients.

A great Rotary effort in these challenging times and thanks to all those that helped us to make this successful event happen – for donations, advertising, website, despatch of goods and of course our successful bidders.

   


ROTARY COMPUTERS FOR SCHOOLS

Following an appeal within our community, the Club with the support of the Baptist Church has so far received a total of over 20 laptop computers and tablets which have been wiped clean of all data and then donated to local schools to enable pupils to take part in home schooling. We have received a note of thanks from the head teacher's  of the schools thanking us and also reporting on the increased number of children who are now accessing the remote classrooms. It is uplifting to see that our willing membership can respond quickly and efficiently to help make a tangible difference to the lives of others.
The computers have mainly gone to St Michael's School in Lyme Regis but others have gone as far as Beaminster School.

Our special thanks must go to Luke Lawson ( ex Woodroffe) of Lawson Computers based at Community Waffle House in Axminster who together with volunteers checked and refurbished the computers ready for use by the schools , free of charge. A great community effort providing immediate help in these difficult times.
 
   

ROTARY IN ACTION


The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis are proud to have been able to continue supporting local, regional and international charities and causes over the last year despite the difficulties we have all endured through this pandemic.


We have distributed over £18,000 in the calendar year. Our largest donation was to the Dorset County Hospital Cancer Charity Appeal. We also supported the Dorset Julia's House Children's Hospice and the highly successful 'West Dorset Scrubbers Appeal’, a group of volunteers from our community which did such a great job in providing much needed PPE to our hospitals, care homes and local surgeries.


Local support was given to primary schools with 'Dictionaries 4 Life' to all Year 6 pupils, Lyme Heart Beat, the Food Bank, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Christmas Lights Appeal, Weldmar Hospice, Lyme Regis Development Trust’ Working with Wood',

 

Internationally we continued raising funds for the Rotary Polio Plus appeal with the aim of eradicating polio from the world (We are nearly there with only a few cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan). Rotary Water Survival Boxes, Mercy Ships International and combining with other British Rotary Clubs supporting the Rotary Club of Beirut in their appeal for the rebuilding of a hospital devastated by the explosion last year. 

 

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic we have been unable to hold any of our major fundraising events this year which has now left us with a shortfall of many thousands of pounds which we normally can pass on to the many deserving causes.

 

To help raise funds this year The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis are organising an ONLINE AUCTION as a major fundraising event. It will be held between the 12th and the 28th March and we hope as many people join in as possible. So far we have over 60 lots to bid for ranging from a holiday cottage weekend for up to 6 people, a racing car experience for two, sports fishing trips, dinner for two at a prestigious hotel and many more. All can be viewed and bid for from the 12th March.  We will publish the link to the Auction well in advance, on our Facebook Page and on our Website as well as through the medium of the Press.
 

   

Rotary Club of Lyme Regis Donates £700 to Lyme Heartbeat

Following a street collection held by Lyme Regis Rotary Club during the Christmas period, a donation of £700 has been made to Lyme Heartbeat.

Lyme Heartbeat is run by a group of volunteers who share a vision of having a network of publicly accessible defibrillators installed throughout Lyme Regis. The group evolved from an organisation originally formed in memory of fisherman Brian Marks who died in 2015 following a heart attack. The organisation raises funds for life saving equipment with previous events including boat jumbles, raffles and crowdfunding enabling 24-hour access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be installed in several locations in and around Lyme Regis. The group also holds defibrillator awareness sessions for members of the community to become confident in using the life saving devices and performing CPR.

On behalf of Lyme Heartbeat, Rob James commented “We are incredibly grateful to Lyme Regis Rotary Club for their generous donation which will help significantly towards the ongoing cost of maintaining our existing 10 units. Ongoing costs include the need to replace the battery pack within each device every few years, renewing the pads after every use or if they reach their expiry date plus in the past couple of years we’ve needed to replace some of the cabinets due to corrosion”.

Lyme Heartbeat work closely with South Western Ambulance Service and their data reveals more than 3,600 people are resuscitated in the South West area each year using a defibrillator after suffering cardiac arrest out of hospital. For every minute that passes once in cardiac arrest, a person loses a further 10% chance of survival, and with this dramatic loss in chance of survival, there is a need for a defibrillator every 4-5 minutes’ walk. Increased availability of defibrillators significantly improves cardiac arrest survival rates.

Each of the 10 units managed by Lyme Heartbeat is registered with South Western Ambulance Service which means a caller to 999 will be directed to their nearest device if one is required

 

   

 

Well done Mark Tredwin and Williams Motorsport


for such a great fundraiser for Purple4Polio at the Castle Combe Race Day in August.
This is a huge gesture by you all, raising such a large amount
for Rotary's global campaign.
Thank you all so much.

   

 

Local Rotary club contributes to Africa region being
declared
wild polio-free

 

  Lyme Regis Rotary Club has played a role in a significant global public health achievement, as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Africa region has officially been certified wild polio-free.

 

Polio is a debilitating disease mainly affecting children, which can cause paralysis and even death.

 

This incredible milestone is the result of decades of effort from Rotary clubs and volunteers around the world, who have fundraised, campaigned and worked tirelessly since Rotary pledged to rid the world of polio more than 30 years ago.

 

Th Rotary Club of Lyme Regis have played their part by  organising a number of events over some years to raise awareness and funds for the Rotary International Polio Plus appeal . A major contribution to this effort has been made by our own Mark Tredwin who has raced his ‘Purple for Polio car around the country as well as appearing at many both national and local events. We have also planted with the support of the Town Council our ‘ Purple Crocus garden’ in Langmoor gardens.

 

The certification comes four years after Nigeria, the last polio-endemic country in Africa, recorded its final case of wild polio and now means of the WHO’s six regions, five of those – accounting for 90% of the world’s population – are free from polio.

Globally, more than 2.5 billion children have been protected against the disease, which have reduced the number of cases by 99.9% from around 1,000 cases per day in 125 countries.

Peter Fortnam said, “This is a terrific landmark in the world’s battle to eradicate polio. Although it has been many years since polio has been present in the UK and Ireland, we are proud to have contributed to the global efforts to eliminate the disease for good.”

 

“We remain committed to making the final, challenging steps towards making a polio free world a reality.”

 

“If we don’t finish the job, it is estimated that, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 children annually all over the world could succumb to polio, including here in the UK. The virus can literally be a plane ride away so vaccination is so important.”

Despite this significant milestone being reached, the job to fully rid the world of polio goes on, as the virus continues to circulate in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

In order to sustain this progress, vaccination programmes must continue to protect every last child and strengthen routine immunisation to keep immunity levels high, so the virus does not return to Africa or other parts of the world, including the UK.

 

Rotary has directly contributed more than US$2 billion to ending polio since 1985. Every pound we now raise is matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

To get involved in Rotary and make a difference in your community and around the world, visit

www.lymeregisrotary.org

 

   
Unique Event
A unique event took place this week when the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis was invited to attend the 'virtual' installation of the new President of the Rotary Club of Luyang in northern Borneo. Seven members of the Lyme Regis Club joined the meeting on Saturday July 11th at 8 am our time, 3pm in Borneo via video link. It was a truly international meeting with Rotary club members joining in from Taiwan, Singapore, Shanghai in China, Bali , Manila in the Philippines , Australia and good old Lyme Regis in the UK.
The invite was as a result of a visit made by Rotarian Peter Fortnam and his wife Lynne to Borneo in March last year when visiting their son Matthew and his family who had been working on a University project in the region. Peter said " we were made very welcome and they took time to show us various projects they were undertaking and also some of the city of Koto Kinabalu , the capital of Sabah province in northern Borneo part of Malaysia." Since the visit the two clubs have kept in contact exchanging various information about each other.
The Rotarian Peter met Kenneth Tan is the newly elected President of the Rotary Club of Luyang for the year 2020/2021 and we were delighted to be able to take part in what turned out to be a truly international example of Rotary friendship throughout the world. 
Rotary is a truly global organisation ( in over 200 countries) of more than 1.2 million men and women who work for peace and goodwill locally, nationally and internationally. To find out more about Rotary visit www.lymeregisrotary.org or ring Peter Fortnam 01297 443145. JOIN IN, MAKE A DIFFERENCE, HAVE FUN!
 
     
   

ROTARY STILL IN ACTION 
The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis is still meeting regularly albeit via video conferencing and are very much still in action despite having undergone this extensive lock down period.

We are approaching the end of our Rotary year in July when the current President John Berry hands over to the new President for 2020/2021 Richard Main.   We are hopeful when we are through the worst of this pandemic we can resume our Rotary activities and continue to support the many charities and organisations in the community and world at large.   In this year to date we are proud that we have raised over £20,000 which has enabled us to support and donate to 23 different organisations.  Most recently we have been pleased to support with a £750 donation, the West Dorset Scrubbers, who have been doing a magnificent job in making and supplying scrubs, masks, headbands etc. to the NHS and care homes in the region.

Organisations helped in our community include the Church Tower fund, Lyme Regis and Charmouth Christmas lights, Charmouth Scout group, Dictionaries for all our Primary Schools, St Michael's school, the LR Foodbank, Lifeboat, LR Cancer Research, Axminster and Lyme cancer support group, West Dorset and Yeovil Freewheelers.  Major donations have also been made to Julia's House Dorset Hospice for children , Brain Tumour Research, Water Survival box ,  Rotary Polio Plus, Doncaster Rotary Flood relief, Rotary Disaster Recovery Trust.  The famous annual Lyme Regis New Year days LUNGE raised £4500 this year and £3500 last and our District was able to gain a Rotary International Global grant to this amount which enabled us to donate nearly £14000 to The Dorset County Hospital Cancer Appeal. The amounts were split between raising money for equipment for the New Radiotherapy wing completed last year and the refurbishment of the chemotherapy Department this year. Simon Pearson who runs the Charitable appeal for the Dorset County hospital joined our President John Berry as one of the intrepid swimmers.

 We are having to innovate this year and find new ways of fund raising so do hope our many supporters will follow our activities and be able to join us for our events and activities. Why not consider joining the rotary family the largest service organisation for men and women in the world. If you want to find out more about us visit www.lymeregisrotary.org  or tel. Peter Fortnam 01297 443145. JOIN US, MAKE A DIFFERENCE , HAVE FUN!!! 
 

     
   

Awards for Lyme Lunge fund raisers

Well done, Joshua and Jacob Denning,
another splendid achievement in collecting for this year's LYME LUNGE. Yes, £500, a huge amount of sponsorship which will all go towards the Dorset County Hospital Charity Chemotherapy Appeal.
The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis congratulate you and are pleased to award this certificate to record this outstanding achievement. Well done lads.

 

Photo shows Rotarian Lesley Stone, proprietor of the Royal Lion Hotel,
awarding Joshua and Jacob with their certificates on behalf of Rotary

    CHARMOUTH SCOUT GROUP GETS NEW STOVES
   


A recent decision by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis to donate £150 to the Charmouth Scout Group for outdoor equipment resulted in the purchase of an open fire grid, tripod and Dutch oven, pictured right. Jetboil type stoves are on order as well. Scoutmaster Kevin Payne was really pleased with the purchase and erected it in the Training Suite to demonstrate its use. But be careful, Kevin, the Big Bad Wolf peeking out from behind the bushes has eyes on it too. Who’s for dinner?
 

   

4000 PURPLE CROCUSES PLANTED IN LYME REGIS FOR  WORLD POLIO DAY

   

The weather conspired against us on Saturday 26th October forcing a postponement of the crocus planting. I went to the Langmoor Gardens just in case someone had not seen my messages and I met a friend, Steve, who was disconsolate about the wind and rain; and also because he was unable to help us on Sunday. So, we made a start and planted about 500 before giving up. Sunday was much brighter in more ways than one. As well as several Rotarians, a number of cubs, scouts and guides joined in the planting with some of their parents and leaders. Everyone joined in with great enthusiasm and helped make it a happy occasion. Importantly, there were enough helping hands to enable us to complete the planting by lunchtime. Our endeavours attracted the attention of passers-by, increased awareness of Purple4Polio and attracted donations. Many thanks to all who took part – all we have to do now is wait for the Spring!

……and a big Thank You! to Lyme Regis Town Council for giving us the space to plant the bulbs
 

In the early 1980’s Rotary’s leaders led a project to eradicate polio from our world. At that time some 350,000 cases were recorded every year, ravaging young lives in almost every country. Thanks to generations of Rotarians since then the incidence of the virus has plummeted with only 88 cases being recorded in just two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Rotarians have contributed over $1.8 billion to ending polio since 1985 and in recent years, in addition to this, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches Rotary’s commitment so that every £1.0 donated becomes £3.0.

The end is very much in sight, but we need to continue to be focussed until eradication is certified. Until then every single child has to be immunised at a  cost of hundreds of millions of pounds per year otherwise it could return and we would see the dreadful spectacle of iron lungs returning to our hospitals and polio ravaged young people’s lives ruined.

We are planting purple crocuses throughout the UK to raise awareness of this campaign, the purple representing the little purple mark that is put on each child’s little finger when it is immunised. To learn more about this programme and to donate visit https://www.rotarygbi.org/our-causes/end-polio-now
 

    Trap the Rat
   
Lyme Regis Rotary had a lot of fun at the Uplyme Fete
on Saturday, 8th June with a Trap the Rat stall.
Of 180 tries to Trap the Rat only two were successful. But everyone had a lot of laughs, which is what it's all about. £31.00 to Rotary charities.
    National Blood Pressure Day
   
The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis took part in the National Blood Pressure Day on Saturday 13th April.  Over a four hour period 53 people were tested, 11 of whom were advised to see their GP within a week and 9 within a month. Fortunately no one was considered such a risk as to be sent straight to hospital.
The Club's grateful thanks to Nurse Practitioner Sally Cable and Sue Rowe SRN retd. who carried out the tests and to Fortnam, Smith & Banwell, Lyme Regis who kindly allowed their premises to be used once again.
    Rotary recycling used cartridges and foreign/old money
   

The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis are collecting old notes & coins,  overseas coins, banknotes and other money for charity. There are collecting boxes in the Royal Lion Hotel Lyme Regis, Serendip Bookshop, Martin Diplock Estate Agents and Fortnam, Smith & Banwell Estate agents in Charmouth. So have a look at the back of the drawer or old an old sock where you put last year’s foreign currency that you will never use again as the Club can recycle it including out of date currencies which the Club can sell on ebay. To date they have raised almost £1000.00 for good causes.

Have you any old used ink jet cartridges laying about? Well the RC of  Lyme Regis have made arrangements with Serendip Bookshop, Broad Street in Lyme Regis to have a collection point for them.  The cartridges that can be recycled include those made by  HP, Dell, Lexmark, Canon, Samsung, Epson, Kodak and Neopost. Cartridges that cannot be recycled are damaged ones, refilled or other brands like Tesco, Think, PC World or Office Depot. Labels that have been removed or extra holes indicating refilling has been attempted. A little less to go into landfill, it all helps.

Arrangements have been made for the Club to recycle ink jet cartridges. A collection box has been left in Serendip and Rotarians / members of the public are invited to deposit their used cartridges in this box.   The cartridges that can be recycled include those made by HP, Dell, Lexmark, Canon, Samsung and Neopost.  Epson or Kodak cartridges can also be recycled via this collection box but see the further reference to these makes below.

Laser and toner cartridges cannot be recycled through this service. Also, cartridges don’t have a donation value if they are:

  • Damaged 

  • They have been previously refilled

  • They have been labelled for another brand like Tesco, PC World or Office Depo

  • They have labels removed or extra holes. (Signs that refilling has been attempted.)

The Club has also been sent some prepaid envelopes that will enable Rotarians to send cartridges for recycling from the comfort of their own homes. BUT PLEASE NOTE that Epson and Kodak cartridges should not be sent in these envelopes since their value does not cover the postage costs.   RM 13.3.19

    LINKS
    Local Rotary Clubs
Bridport Rotary
Brit Valley Rotary
   

 

Links to Rotary websites
Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland
Rotary International

 
Links to charities
Devon Air Ambulance
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance 
Julia's House
ShelterBox
Water Survival Box  
Weldmar Hospicecare Trust

Macmillan Cancer Support

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What's on in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis Town Council  

 

    

   

     

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