BBC Countryfile visits the Museum

Last Thursday (28 February), the long-running BBC series Countryfile visited Lyme Regis and met some of the Museum staff. The Museum's geologist Paddy Howe (seen on the left with Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury) was involved in filming on the beach between Lyme and Charmouth, and was also filmed in his workshop preparing a small ammonite specimen. Filming also took place at the "ammonite graveyard" on Monmouth Beach, and Tom Sharpe of the National Museum of Wales was interviewed about Mary Anning.

The programme is scheduled to air on BBC1 in two weeks' time, on Sunday 17th March at 7pm. The photograph below shows Tom Sharpe and Julia Bradbury during filming. Both the pictures were taken by the Museum Education Officer, Chris Andrew.

Museum events in March

Talks

SUNDAY 3rd MARCH 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall
Yet more tales from under shady tree
An illustrated talk by Ken Gollop
Doors open 2pm - Admission £3.00 - Don't be late as it could get very full!

THURSDAY 7 MARCH 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall
The Extraordinary Life of Robert Fitzroy RN. Darwin's Commander
A talk by David Croman (organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum)

TUESDAY 19th March 2.30pm at the Parish Church
The Skrabl Organ
A talk by Richard Godfrey of the Lyme Regis Organ School (organised jointly with The Lyme Regis Society). NB there will be no refreshments at this event.

Other events

SATURDAY 30 MARCH 10am-1.30pm at the Inn Place, Pilot Boat Inn
Sale of Quality Books
Donations of quality books welcome - contact Richard Wells (01297 442627) or David Cox (01297 443156)

Walks

To book on any of the walks listed below, please contact walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk or phone 01297 443370. Further details of specific walks can be found on the What's On page of the main website.

Lyme History walks

(NEW this month - see this blog post for more details)

Monday 4 March 11am
Saturday 9 March 11am
Monday 11 March 11am
Saturday 16 March 11am
Monday 18 March 11am
Saturday 23 March 11am
Monday 25 March 11am
Saturday 30 March 11am

Rockpooling walks

Monday 25th March 9.30am

Mary Anning walks

Saturday 2nd March 1.30pm
Saturday 16th March 1.30pm
Saturday 23rd March 1.30pm
Saturday 30th March 1.30pm

Fossil walks

Friday 1st March 11.45am
Saturday 2nd March 12.15pm
Sunday 3rd March 12.45pm
Monday 4th March 1.30pm
Sunday 10th March 9am
Monday 11th March 9.15am
Wednesday 13th March 10.45am
Thursday 14th March 11.15am
Friday 15th March 11.45am
Saturday 16th March 12 noon
Sunday 17th March 12.30pm
Tuesday 26th March 9am
Wednesday 27th March 9.30am
Thursday 28th March 10.15am
Friday 29th March 10.45am
Saturday 30th March 11.30am
Sunday 31st March 1pm

An early 16th century counter table

Here is another unusual object from the Museum's collection. It is a wooden table dating from the early 16th century – probably some time during the reign of King Henry VIII. It is called a "counter table" because it would have been used to check weights and measures, in order to avoid short measure in markets and impose dues or taxes. This is the origin of the term 'counter' as in a shop counter!

The table is featured in the series History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one by Max Hebditch on the subject of the counter table.

The Great Landslip of 1839

As mentioned in yesterday's post, landslips are a recurring feature of the Jurassic Coast. One of the most spectacular occurred in December 1839, 3 miles west of Lyme Regis in the area now known as the Undercliff. The 1839 slip affected a large tract of land below Bindon Manor and Dowlands Farm, resulting in the features called Goat Island and the Chasm. This particular landslip was very well documented because the geologists William Buckland and the Reverend Conybeare were in the area to survey it. In 1840 they produced the first detailed scientific report about a major landslip, which was beautifully illustrated with coloured maps and diagrams by William Dawson and engravings by Mary Buckland. The conclusions of the report are still valid.

Lyme Regis Museum has a copy of the report, but it is in very fragile condition. For this reason it has recently been digitised, and is presented in full on the museum website for your enjoyment. You can view it here: The Bindon Landslip of 1839.

Another rockfall at Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis witnessed another major landslip yesterday (11 February 2013), which occurred in the cliffs overlooking Monmouth Beach on the west side of the town. Lyme Regis Museum Education Officer Chris Andrew happened to be on the spot, and took the photograph on the right showing the extent of the new rockfall, which was probably triggered by recent heavy rainfall.

Cliff falls are part of the natural erosion process, and are a frequent occurrence on the Jurassic coast – in fact they are the very thing that creates the coastline and keeps it "alive". However, such falls can be dangerous, which is why visitors should always treat the cliffs with respect. And nature is no respecter of human property, as seen in the photograph below which Chris also took yesterday. This shows the effect of earlier cliff movements on a row of beach huts on Monmouth Beach.

Lyme History walks

This year Lyme Regis Museum is starting a new series of guided walks in which you can explore Lyme's history with local expert Chris Lovejoy (left). Chris will take you on a journey through the unique and colourful history of Lyme Regis, recounting amazing stories of buccaneers, smugglers and rebels, as well as famous residents or visitors of local and national renown. Discover how people used to live, and how the town developed through the centuries. The walk, lasting one and a half hours, is on fairly level ground through the town centre, starting from the Marine Theatre and ending at the sea front.

The Lyme History walks will take place regularly on Mondays and Saturdays at 11 am, starting on Monday 4 March. For full details, including prices and how to book, see the Lyme History walks page on the Museum's main website.

Not Mary Anning's fossil-hunting hammer!

The  picture on the left shows an object in Lyme Regis Museum that for many years was believed to be a geological hammer made especially for Lyme’s most famous fossilist, Mary Anning (1796-1847), by her father Richard. However, it was discovered last year that it is nothing of the sort! It is the pick-shaped handle head and broken part of the shaft of an 1882-issue British Army entrenching tool!

The entrenching tool is featured in a new series on the History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one by Richard Bull explaining in detail how "Mary Anning's Hammer" was found to be something else entirely!

Museum events in February

Talks

Thursday 7th February 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall
East Devon Hill Forts - 600 Years of History
A talk by Tom Cadbury, Curator of Antiquities at Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum, organised by The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum.

Tuesday 26th February 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall
Chard – The first powered flight and other history
A talk by a representative from Chard Museum, organised jointly with The Lyme Regis Society.

Exhibition

Both Object and Observer: An exhibition by Maisie Hall showing her work in progress towards the new Re:Collection project. In the Rotunda Gallery of Lyme Regis Museum until 27 March.

Mary Anning Walks

Saturday 2nd February 1.30pm
Saturday 9th February 1.30pm
Saturday 16th February 1.30pm
Saturday 23rd February 1.30pm

Fossil walks

Friday 1st February 12.30pm
Saturday 2nd February 1.15pm
Saturday 9th February 9am
Sunday 10th February 9.30am
Wednesday 13th February 11.45am
Thursday 14th February 12.15pm
Friday 15th February 12.45pm
Saturday 16th February 1pm
Sunday 24th February 9am
Monday 25th February 9.15am
Tuesday 26th February 10am
Wednesday 27th February 10.30am
Thursday 28th February 11.15am

For more information, contact walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

The Common Seal of Lyme Regis

The picture on the left shows a reversed photograph of the Borough of Lyme Regis seal matrix, which is on display in the Museum (on loan from Lyme Regis Town Council). The design of the seal is believed to date from the 13th century, when King Edward I granted the town its Royal Charter – although this particular matrix is likely to be of more recent manufacture.

The seal shows a mediaeval-style ship bearing the cross of Saint George on its masthead, together with a scene of the Crucifixion on the left. On the right, St Michael the Archangel (to whom Lyme Regis parish church is dedicated) is seen trampling on a dragon. The Latin inscription reads SIGILLUM COMVNE DE LIM, meaning "Common Seal of Lyme".

The Common Seal of Lyme is featured in a new series on the History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one on this subject written by Thea Hawksworth.

The Beast in the Cellar

Geologists Ben Brooks and Phil Davidson have carried out an extensive analysis of a very large Ichthyosaur, codenamed E42, which is stored in the cellar of Lyme Regis Museum. The specimen is approximately 4.2 metres in length, and is broken into 18 separate blocks. It is believed to be a member of the genus Temnodontosaurus, which flourished in the early Jurassic period, between 198 and 185 million years ago.

This fantastic fossil is one of the largest to be discovered on the Jurassic Coast, England’s only Natural World Heritage Site, and is one of the hidden treasures of Lyme Regis Museum. But it won't be hidden much longer – Ben and Phil have made a digital reconstruction of the fossil (an overview of which is seen above), and this will soon be put online on the Museum's website. Director David Tucker said “we’re very grateful to Ben and Phil for the work they have done on this amazing fossil. We would love to be able to display the fossil in our museum, but unfortunately it is too big for our geology gallery. Putting these images on our website is the best way that we can make the ichthyosaur accessible to a wider audience.”

Lyme Regis is the home of the science of palaeontology and the museum is built on the footprint of the house of Mary Anning, the first and greatest of all fossil collectors. The museum is in the early stages of a project to extend its premises. “We are the key fossil site in Britain” added David “and we want to make sure that this unique town has the museum it deserves as the key fossil-hunting site in Britain”.

The photograph on the left shows the Museum basement where the 18 blocks containing the massive ichthyosaur specimen are stored.

Replica of an Iron Age mirror

The replica mirror shown here is one of the objects on display in Lyme Regis Museum. It is an accurate copy of the original, now in the British Museum in London, which was discovered in 1971 during excavation of the Iron Age and Roman site at Higher Holcombe Farm in Uplyme. As described in a previous blog post, the mirror dates from the period immediately prior to the Roman invasion, and was a very fashionable item in Southern Britain at that time.

The mirror is featured in a new series on the History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one about the "Replica of Bronze Mirror from Uplyme", written by Max Hebditch.

A Neolithic Polished Stone Axe

The polished greenstone axe pictured on the left was found at Stonebarrow Down in the 1960s, in an area being eroded by the sea. It was made some time in the Neolithic period between 4,000 and 2,000 BC. It would have been used to cut down trees to make clearings for agriculture – the beginning of the felling of woodland and the impact of mankind on the environment. It was given to Lyme Regis Museum by John Fowles, and is on display in the Ancient History Cabinet on the Ground Floor of the Museum.

The axe-head is featured in a new series on the History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one on the subject of the Neolithic Polished Stone Axe, written by Felicity Hebditch.

An Ichthyosaur named Kevin

The ichthyosaur specimen known as “Kevin” (left) is one of the most dramatic objects on display in Lyme Regis Museum. It is probably a member of the species Temnodontosaurus platyodon, first named by the Rev. William Conybeare, a Rector of Axminster in the 19th century. This particular specimen was found by workmen below Lyme’s main beach during Phase II of the sea defence works in 2005. It is named in remembrance of one of the workers who was killed the evening before it was found. The specimen is not complete, but the remains are those of a massive ichthyosaur, originally some 18ft 4in (5.6 metres) long. It is mounted on a board along one wall of the geology gallery. An impression of the outline of the body of the reptile is painted on the board. It was given by West Dorset District Council, which generously helped with the cost of equipment, excavation, preparation and mounting.

Kevin the Ichthyosaur is featured in a new series on the History of Lyme Regis in Museum Objects on the Museum website, produced by the Museum's  research team. If you follow the link, you will find a number of in-depth PDF documents you can download, including one on the subject of The Black Ven Ichthyosaur and the Ichthyosaur known as “Kevin”, written by Paddy Howe with photographs by Chris Andrew and Richard Bull.

Museum Events in January

Family Fun Day 

Wednesday 2 January 11am to 3pm
Bring your old Christmas wrapping paper to the Museum and Alison Bowskill will show you how to make a decorative fish mobile. Free Admission.

Fossil Walks

Friday 11th January 9am
Saturday 12th January 9.45am
Sunday 13th January 10.45am
Tuesday 15th January 12 noon
Friday 25th January 9am
Saturday 26th January 9.15am
Sunday 27th January 9.45am
Monday 28th January 10.15am
Tuesday 29th January 11am
Wednesday 30th January 11.30am
Thursday 31st January 12 noon

Mary Anning Walks

Saturday 5th January 1.30pm
Saturday 12th January 1.30pm
Saturday 19th January 1.30pm
Saturday 26th January 1.30pm

For more information, contact walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

The Lymiad - a unique book

The Lymiad is a long satirical poem taking the form of letters from Lyme Regis to a friend at Bath, written during the autumn of 1818 – the height of the Regency period made famous by Jane Austen, when both Lyme and Bath were top tourist destinations. The Lymiad was published by Lyme Regis Museum just over a year ago, and is available from the Museum shop either by visiting in person or by mail order. Just phone 01297 443370 with your credit card details to order your copy!

Museum events in December

Talks

West Country Sailcloth – The flax industry in South Somerset. A talk by Tony Brook (jointly with The Lyme Regis Society). Tuesday 11th December 2.30pm at Woodmead Hall

Mary Anning Walks

Saturday 1 December 2012 13.30
Saturday 8 December 2012 13.30
Saturday 15 December 2012 13.30
Saturday 22 December 2012 13.30
Saturday 29 December 2012 13.30

Fossil Walks

Saturday 1 December 2012 11.00
Sunday 2 December 2012 11.30
Monday 3 December 2012 12.00
Tuesday 4 December 2012 12.45
Thursday 13 December 2012 09.15
Friday 14 December 2012 10.15
Saturday 15 December 2012 11.00
Sunday 16 December 2012 11.45
Monday 17 December 2012 12.30
Saturday 29 December 2012 10.15
Sunday 30 December 2012 10.45

For more information, contact walks@lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Museum events in November

Fossil Walks

• Sunday 4 November 2012 12.15
• Tuesday 13 November 2012 09.00
• Thursday 15 November 2012 10.30
• Friday 16 November 2012 11.15
• Saturday 17 November 2012 12.00
• Sunday 18 November 2012 12.45
• Wednesday 28 November 2012 09.15 EXTRA WALK
• Thursday 29 November 2012 10.00  Fully booked
• Friday 30 November 2012 10.30  Cancelled

Mary Anning Walks

• Sunday 4 November 2012 13.30
• Sunday 11 November 2012 13.30
• Sunday 18 November 2012 13.30
• Sunday 25 November 2012 13.30

Lyme Regis in the 16th century

Henry VIII's antiquary John Leland visited Lyme Regis in the 1530s or 1540s, and described it as "a praty market town set in the rootes of an high rokky hill down to the hard shore". He also described the town's artificial harbour, which even in those days was known as the Cobb. Rather than the solid stone structure of today, this consisted of timber piles enclosing loose boulders, as shown in the drawing which is based on a map made in 1539 (by courtesy of the British Museum).

The 16th century Cobb was a miracle of engineering for its time, and described by the Elizabethan chronicler Holinshed as "a great and costly jetty". It required constant maintenance, and in the 1620s Thomas Gerard described how stones to reinforce the Cobb were carried there buoyed up by empty wooden casks.

A scale model of the Cobb as it would have looked in Elizabethan times, made by David West, is on display in Lyme Regis Museum.

New exhibition: Wool in the Lim Valley

Lyme Regis Museum’s new exhibition ‘Wool in the Lim Valley’ opens with a launch party on Friday October 19 at 6.30pm. Everyone is invited to drinks and free admission to see why the wool trade was so important to Lyme from medieval times to the mid-1800s.

From fleece to finished cloth, families of the Lim Valley – including their children – were involved in the production of wool. From the farms where sheep fleeces were packed into woolsacks, through the various processes of scouring, scribbling, combing, carding, spinning, dyeing, weaving and finishing, the people of Lyme and Uplyme contributed. Their workplaces were their homes, the watermills and, later, small factories along the River Lim.

The exhibition is curated by the museum’s local history experts Richard Bull and Graham Davies with help from Ken Gollop and Barbara Bull. Barbara will be demonstrating spinning and inviting everyone to ‘have a go’ during the launch party on Friday.

‘Wool in the Lim Valley’ runs until 29 November at Lyme Regis Museum: open every day during October, 10am to 5pm, and from the beginning of November open Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am to 4pm. Download Richard Bull’s research on this subject from the museum’s website. Printed copies are available from Lyme Regis Museum bookshop, telephone 01297 443370.

The photograph above shows the Lyme Round House – a wool drying tower – when it was still roofed around 1900 (picture Lyme Regis Museum).

Fossil Fish

Although best known for ammonites and ichthyosaurs, the rocks around Lyme Regis contain plenty of fossil fish as well. The ground floor gallery at the Museum is currently full of them! The picture above shows just one of the many display cases, containing impressive complete specimens as well as smaller fragments of the kind the casual fossil-hunter is more likely to come across.

The picture on the right shows a large shark fin spine that was found on Monmouth Beach more than 20 years ago. At the top you can see a bite mark on the spine, which may have been made by an ichthyosaur!