Lyme Regis: What a great week for the RNLI (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme Regis: What a great week for the RNLI

10:50am Wednesday 28th July 2010

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TOWN criers battled it out, swimmers braved the waters of the Jurassic Coast and there was controversy in the bathtub race as the RNLI Lifeboat Week got into full swing.

Hundreds of people turned out for the start of the event on Saturday, which saw people get the chance to meet the lifeboat crews and enjoy some beach games before the day’s main event, the tug of war competition.

Old rivalries were revisited as an RNLI crew took on the combined forces of the coastguards and lifeguards in a short-lived battle that saw the RNLI crew end up in the harbour.

This didn’t seem to dampen spirits as most of the team and the onlookers jumped into the water to join them.

Sunday saw the town criers competition, where hundreds of town criers competed against each other for the coveted Lyme Regis Fossil Trophy.

Dawlish Town Crier Steve Cunliffe was awarded the prize and the criers enjoyed a celebratory lunch afterwards.

The town crier from Bermunda even sent round a rum drink to toast the event.

On Sunday afternoon a team of ladies’ veteran gig racers took on a lifeboat crew in the gig race, the ladies’ team winning the race ‘by miles,’ according to one onlooker.

The events took on a more serious note on Sunday evening when the bath tub race turned ‘controversial’ after one team used a catamaran-style boat to take victory.

The rules of the race are now under review for next year after a few people protested the judges’ decision to grant the team first place.

Monday saw a morning of sand sports on the sand bar followed in the evening by the swimming races.

The overall winner was Malcolm Greenslade from Lyme Regis, with Ali Pearson winning the women’s race.

Kitty Snaydon was the winner of the under 10s race and despite the children’s race starting 20 seconds after the adult’s, Kitty swam so fast that she came 12th overall.

Yesterday saw families flock to the beach to take part in the sandcastle competition.

This was followed by a teddy bear’s picnic in Theatre Square. Families enjoyed party games and got to listen to a story.

Chairman of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth RNLI Guild, Robert Michael said: “It’s all gone very well so far. We have had a great time.

“The weather has been good and even when it clouded over it was still very warm.”

He added: “There’s still lots of things coming up in the week including the launch of the replica lifeboat the Lerret, displays by the Black Cats helicopter team and RAF Falcons parachute team and the fireworks on Saturday night.”

Visit Twitter and follow @lymelbw to find more information about Lifeboat Week.

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