2021 Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week is huge success

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week began on Saturday, July 24 with the opening ceremony from the Lifeboat Station.

Many of the crowd pleasing events have gone ahead over the past week, including the traditional bath rub race from Cobb Gate to the harbour and the popular 'yard of ale' competition.

The adult swimming challenge Picture: Lyme Regis Lifeboat Crew

One of the highlights of the week saw the British Army's Red Devils free fall parachute team drop in.

Ken Lavery, chairman of Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, said: "It's been fantastic. We've been very careful about crowd management - all events have been well attended, everyone has been enjoying themselves and so many people are saying how nice it's been to have lifeboat week back again.

The winners of the bath tub race from the Lyme Regis Sailing Club Picture: Lyme Regis Lifeboat Crew

"We've spent the last nine months or so trying to ensure we can make the event as safe as possible both for visitors and for our volunteers. We have been unbelievably lucky with the weather which is always a great bonus."

"It's been fantastic to be able to run an event again, every member of the committee has been working so hard."

The fire and rescue team competing in the bath tub race Picture: Lyme Regis Lifeboat Crew

He added: "It was very well attended but people are being responsible and keeping their distance. It's a pleasure to be able to do this and we're happy we're able to bring a little bit of normality back to Lyme Regis."

Lifeboat Week has been held in the town since the early 1970s and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the RNLI charity. The last event in 2019 raised a record £40,000.

Children participate in a treasure hunt on the beach Picture: Lyme Regis Lifeboat Crew

Last year's event had to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the first national lockdown.

Mr Lavery believes this year's event is on track to be very successful in terms of fundraising.

William and Charlie Crabbe clean the propellers of the Lyme Regis lifeboat Picture: Lyme Regis Lifeboat Crew

"Members of the public have been incredibly generous and we're on target to have a very successful lifeboat week.

The opening day welcome display Picture: Deborah Gildersleeves

"We're the first lifeboat week to go ahead in the country this year. Hopefully after seeing us make a success of it, other areas of the country will see it is possible to put a successful an event on and raise some more money for the RNLI."