Carols Round the Christmas Tree in Lyme Regis cancelled

The Carols Round the Christmas Tree event, which was due to be held on December 23 has been cancelled by the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis.

The event was the last of the rotary club's major Christmas events to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Carols Round the Christmas Tree event has been held annually for many years and has traditionally attracted hundreds of people to sing carols around the large Christmas tree in Broad Street, accompanied by the Town Band.

The event has also acted as a fundraiser, raising just under £2,000 for charity last year.

Despite the majority of its events being cancelled, the rotary club has bene able to donate funds to the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Appeal and to the Charmouth Christmas lights.

Richard Main, president of the Rotary Club of Lyme Regis, said: "It is with great regret that The Rotary Club of Lyme Regis has had to come to the decision to cancel most of our Christmas activities which have become a traditional part of the Christmas celebrations in Lyme Regis.

"We are, however, delighted to be able to contribute towards the maintenance and installation of the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Christmas Lights, which brighten up our local towns over this festive period.

"Let's hope the incidence of Covid cases reduce substantially, regionally and nationally and we are able to enjoy Christmas shopping in Lyme Regis and Charmouth under the splendour of these lights."

The rotary club will continue with street collections in the weeks leading up to Christmas accompanied by members of the Town Band playing in Broad Street.

The collection this year will be in aid of Lyme Heartbeat, a local charity which oversees and manages 10 defibrillator units in the town with an aim is to increase 24-hour access to the machines and increase awareness on how to use them.

Both the Lyme Regis Christmas light switch on event and the Lyme Lunge, which is traditionally held on New Years Day have already been cancelled.