Charmouth, Dorset

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

I was about 3 years old when the present Queen was crowned. Us children went up to the manor house where they held a party outside. I remember someone with a cine camera filming the event. I have always wondered what became of that film which almost certainly showed me enjoying the party. I lived at the village post office and... [more]

Though tis Dorset, I thought twere Devon

When I was a child, I lived at Axminster. My favourite seaside resort was Lyme Regis, about 6 miles away from home. Even though I was told, on countless occasions, that Lyme lay in Dorset, I would not accept that fact and insisted it was a Devonshire resort. It was MY seaside town, and I lived in Devon - therefore Lyme Regis... [more]

Landslips

I remember the houses on the right as being very crooked! Presumably the land movement had shifted the foundations and cracked the walls, but both of them survived and were inhabited - the owners had repaired the damage without straightening the buildings, so they were really strange! As time passed the 'uphill' house was demolished, but the other one lasted longer.... [more]

Wartime defences

The photo caption for this in the book states that there were girders and wires and mines on Lyme beach during the war. My father Gilbert Atterbury was Town Clerk from the mid thirties until the late fifties and fought the War Office to keep Lyme beach open as tourism was all it had. As far as I know it was... [more]

Fossil Depot

My Great Great Great Grandfather, William Moore lived here in 1861 with his wife Sarah, he also sold music, pianofortes and oak carvings.

The Lynch and St Gildas convent

The year I was born and lived at 1 Lymn Villas the Lynch until 1958. My father was Town Clerk since the mid 1930s and I was amazed to hear that Langmore Gardens slid into the sea but the Marine Theatre is still going and Google Earth shows the groyns removed for new sea defences! My dad's friend was Mrs Staples... [more]

High Spring Tide Lyme Regis Cobb 10th March 2008

I stood at the end of the Cobb on the day of the worst storm this winter and both saw and felt the sea spray as the waves hit the top of the sea wall. It was just as exciting as shown in this view of 1910 !

I was visiting for the day while sight-seeing with our friends... [more]