Search This Blog

Saturday 28 April 2012

Oscar Wilde in Lyme Regis

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) was one of the most celebrated playwrights of the nineteenth century. He was born in Dublin (where the statue pictured on the left can be seen), but spent his later years in London. He came to Lyme Regis for a holiday in 1891, and stayed at the Old Monmouth Hotel  (then called the White Hart). According to a sign inside the hotel, Wilde scratched his name on a window!

Thanks to Patience Gent for drawing my attention to this story. Patience also mentioned that the parents of the 20th century novelist John Masters used to live in Lyme Regis.

For the many other literary figures associated with Lyme, see the Museum's Writers and Artists page.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Book Night at the Museum

Lyme Regis Museum took part in World Book Night yesterday – an annual celebration of reading when tens of thousands of people worldwide give books within their communities to spread the joy of the printed word.

The Museum gave visitors copies of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – a great work of literature and a title that is appropriate for Lyme Regis with its Austen connections.

Local residents and visitors from Denmark, America and Australia who were among those calling in to the museum on April 23 were able to see the Jane Austen family items on display there and receive a free copy of her book. Some were first-time Austen readers, others passionate book-lovers, all wanting to pass on the thrill of reading to someone they knew.

Clockwise from top left, the picture shows Margaret Rose (Chairman of the Friends of Lyme Regis Museum), Elma Tahir from London, Shirley Sibbick from Christchurch, Jan Salling Andersen of Odense, Denmark (birthplace of another great storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen) and Robin and Garry Spry all the way from Queenscliff in Australia.

Friday 20 April 2012

Lyme Regis ArtsFest

The Tenth Lyme Regis ArtsFest will take place in September this year, but planning ahead for 2013 is already underway with a new and exciting initiative for all artists, writers, performers, craftspeople, photographers and musicians called “Re:collection”

Conceived by ArtsFest Creative Directors Karol Kulik and Christine Allison, Re:collection is a year-long project about inspiration, ideas and creation. Inspiration from where? Answer... Lyme Regis Museum!

As Christine puts it, “That wonderful gem of a place nestled in the heart of our town holds an array of artefacts in all shapes and forms. These collectively record our Lyme Regis history, geology, folklore, domestic life, sea life, famous and infamous residents and more. Each exhibit has its own story to tell. If one exhibit could ignite a creative spark in an artist, what would be the outcome? A painting, a sketchbook, a book of poems, a drama, a dance, a piece of music, a film, a series of photographs, an animation, an embroidery, a sculpture, a happening, a book, a workshop – the list is only limited by your imagination.”

“Go to the museum and look with new eyes,” she continues. “Find something that makes you curious, use it as springboard for ideas and get the creative juices flowing. The smallest of things could inspire a huge abstract painting, a theatre production or a sculpture, let your imagination loose.”

The project has already spawned some interesting proposals, and ArtsFest will be seeking funding for the more ambitious projects that require substantial budgets. Re:collection will be formally launched at ArtsFest 2012 in September, and all artists' work will need to be completed by September 2013, culminating in a group show at The Malthouse and other suitable venues in the town. Artists of all disciplines (individuals or groups) are urged to visit the museum now and email their ideas and plans to the ArtsFest organizers.

Sunday 15 April 2012

A gift to Lyme Regis Museum

Lyme Regis Museum is pleased to have received a gift of a large framed photograph that has hung in the Lyme Regis branch of the Lloyds TSB bank for many years. Pictured above is the bank’s local manager Joanne White handing over the picture to museum chairman Stephen Locke (on the left) and the museum’s newly appointed director David Tucker (right) .

Mr Locke said 'The museum is very grateful for the gift of this picture. It shows how Broad Street in Lyme Regis looked for the 1980 filming of John Fowles' book French Lieutenant's Woman. This was an important event in the town's recent past and illustrates its literary connection to John Fowles. The museum is also proud that Fowles was its curator while filming was taking place.'

Sunday 1 April 2012

Museum Events in April

WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 11.00 to 3.00 at the Museum

Easter Family Fun Day at Lyme Regis Museum
Get creative with Alison Bowskill. From Easter chicks to first swallows, birds will be everywhere! Drop into the museum to make and decorate your own Easter bird to take and hang up at home. Free admission for adults and children and free art materials. Suitable for children ages 5 to 10 years.

SATURDAY 7 APRIL 10.00 to 1.00 at The Inn Place, Pilot Boat Inn, Lyme Regis

Book Sale and Coffee Morning
Have a coffee and browse hundreds of quality books.
Admission £1.00 includes refreshments. Bargains galore! Coffee! Conviviality!

SATURDAY 7 APRIL 2.30pm at the Museum

Know Your Fossils
Lyme Regis Museum’s fossil experts Chris Andrew and Paddy Howe (right) invite you to come along to discover how to find and identify fossils, and to see and handle their more unusual finds. Bring along your own discoveries for identification. No booking necessary.

Thursday 12 APRIL 2.30pm (approx) at Woodmead Hall

Fairgrounds in Wartime
A talk by Kay Townsend. Organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum
The talk will follow the Friends' AGM

SUNDAY 15 APRIL 2.30pm at the Museum

Know Your Fossils
Lyme Regis Museum’s fossil experts Chris Andrew and Paddy Howe invite you to come along to discover how to find and identify fossils, and to see and handle their more unusual finds. Bring along your own discoveries for identification. No booking necessary.

TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2.30pm (approx) at Woodmead Hall

Poundbury, urban triumph or disaster?
A talk by Martin Pakes (this replaces the previously advertised talk)
Jointly with The Lyme Regis Society
The talk will follow the Society's AGM

Fossil Walks

Join fossil experts Paddy Howe and Chris Andrew on their famous fossil hunting walks and find your own 150-million-year-old fossil. For adults and children alike, it’s an unforgettable experience. Walks last around 3 hours. To book a place telephone 01297 443370 or email walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk
  • Thursday 5 April 2012 09.30
  • Friday 6 April 2012 10.15
  • Monday 9 April 2012 12.30
  • Tuesday 10 April 2012 13.15
  • Wednesday 18 April 2012 09.00
  • Thursday 19 April 2012 09.30
  • Friday 20 April 2012 10.15
  • Saturday 21 April 2012 10.45
  • Sunday 22 April 2012 11.15
  • Monday 23 April 2012 11.45
  • Tuesday 24 April 2012 12.15
  • Wednesday 25 April 2012 12.45

Mary Anning Walks

Join guide Natalie Manifold and explore the paths and streets of Old Lyme as Mary knew them, and learn about the life of the ‘greatest fossil hunter ever known’. The walk takes about 1½ hours. To book a place telephone 01297 443370 or email walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk
  • Saturday 7 April 2012 13.30
  • Sunday 15 April 2012 13.30
  • Saturday 21 April 2012 13.30
  • Saturday 28 April 2012 13.30
  • Sunday 29 April 2012 13.30

Rockpooling

Join marine biologist Chris Andrew and geologist Paddy Howe and see at close quarters the magical world of creatures like velvet swimming crabs and squat lobsters that lie in the wake of the receding tide. The sessions last around 1½ hours. To book a place telephone 01297 443370 or email walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk
  • April 4 10.00
  • April 11 15.00
  • April 12 16.00
  • April 26 14.30
  • April 27 15.00