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Lyme Regis Development Trust |
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About Us
About Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis, "the pearl of Dorset" has become known nationally and international for its beautiful location on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, for its history and its importance in the development of earth sciences. Amongst many literary connections, Jane Austen set part of ‘Persuasion’ in the town and the Cobb and later John Fowles’ novel ‘The French Lieutenant’s Women’ was made into a famous film featuring the town, the Undercliff and Meryl Streep on The Cobb.
"Mary Anning" on The Cobb
For a small town of 3,700 people, Lyme Regis is perhaps unique in boasting a theatre, a purpose built museum, a cinema, a library, a community IT centre and a restored working water mill. The town also has a vibrant year-round life of social, artistic and cultural activities
A major project to protect the sea front from storms, rising seas and slipping cliffs was completed and opened by the Princess Royal in April 2007.
The Lyme Regis Development Trust
The Trust is a community-based organisation that works to stimulate the economic, social and environmental well-being for all in Lyme Regis and its surrounding areas.
It was set up in 1998 and aims to tackle some of the long-term problems that face the town and its surrounding areas. Behind the façade of this small, seaside town in a superb location lie many of the issues that face small seaside and rural communities throughout the country, such as very high house prices, low local wages, seasonal jobs and geographic isolation.
Some Milestones
The Trust’s objectives as stated in its articles and memorandum of association are:
To promote general charitable purposes for the benefit of the community of Lyme Regis and the surrounding area, and to provide relief from poverty and disadvantage and to advance education of its residents of all ages; and in particular to provide opportunities for the aforementioned residents to participate fully in the life of their community in ways which address and alleviate social and economic deprivation.
An independent review of the Trust in 2007 found that it “has had a significant impact on the well-being of Lyme Regis, bringing in significant financial resources, stimulating and supporting social and cultural activities and local organisations. It has played an important role in capitalising on the town’s human and physical resources. The Trust has been able mobilise and bring into Lyme Regis approximately £895,000 for community projects since it started”.
The Trust is a registered charity and a limited company and is governed by a board of trustees.
It works closely with the Lyme Regis Town Council. As a charity, it is often in a position to access funding that is not available to the Town Council and has the flexibility to seize opportunities and manage projects.
The Trust is supported financially by the Lyme Regis Town Council, the West Dorset District Council, the South West Regional Development Agency and the Esmee Fairbairn Trust.
With the help of The Government of The South West, the Trust has been able to purchase St. Michael’s Business Centre which functions as a community resource centre, as well housing space for the Town Council, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Trust’s own offices.
St. Michael’s Business Centre
The LRDT is one of about 350 Development Trusts in the UK, also known as regeneration agencies or community enterprise agencies, and is a member of the Development Trusts Association (DTA).
LRDT Property Management Ltd
In 2006 Lyme Regis Development Trust acquired St Michael’s Business Centre from WDDC as part of its sustainability programme. LRDT Property Management Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of LRDT and was set up to manage the property both maintaining the building and administrating the collection of rental and service charges. Any surplus revenue raised by LRDT Property Management Ltd is gifted to Lyme Regis Development Trust to help it reach its charitable objectives.
Who Runs the Trust?
The Trust is run by a board of voluntary trustees elected at each AGM. Co-opted trustees may become elected members of the board at the next AGM. The trustees are responsible for supporting and advising staff and ensuring that the Trust’s work is in line with its mandate and conforms to the legal requirements of charity, company and other legislation.
Wendy Davies (Chair): I moved to Lyme in 2002 after retiring from my job in senior voluntary sector management. That work gave me a good grounding in disability awareness and equality issues, voluntary sector management and strategic planning as well as charity governance. Hearing that the Trust was looking for trustees, I offered my services and I found myself nominated as Chair in early 2007! My background in strategic planning has been useful in helping develop the Community Plan with the LymeForward Group and I retain a particular interest in disability, accessibility, and equality issues. I'm still hoping for time to take up some of my intended retirement activities.
Martin Diplock:My background is as a general practice Chartered Surveyor having started as a trainee in an agricultural practice and, by a circuitous route via Hereford, moved to the West Country when I qualified as a Surveyor in 1978. I took up a post as equity partner for Lawrence Chartered Surveyors in Lyme Regis in 1980 and have been here ever since, ultimately setting up my own business in 1991 (Martin Diplock Chartered Surveyors). I joined the Trust a year or so ago as I have been particularly impressed with its influence within the town and many notable achievements. Whilst I do not have a huge amount of spare time, it is my hope that on occasion I can help with property related issues.
David Matthews (Vice Chair): In 1997 I ventured west from London with my entire family after working for a number of years within the marketing section of the electricity industry. In the year 2000, in partnership with my eldest son, I purchased a local holiday letting company, managing and letting properties in and around the Lyme Regis area. We have been fortunate in growing the company to its present form as a limited company and have since been joined in our family business by my second eldest son. I have a further two sons currently attending the Woodroffe School. I was aware of, and had come to admire, the work being carried out by the Trust and in particular the Development Trust Manager. Consequently I felt somewhat privileged and delighted to accept when asked to join as a Trustee in 2006.
Margaret Rose: My love affair with Lyme Regis began in 1997 – looking down on The Cobb from Ware Cliff on a beautiful September evening. So I visualised spending my retirement going for lovely long walks, admiring spectacular sunsets – and doing very little else. Wrong! Having spent the first half of my working life in journalism and public relations, the second in Local Government doing youth and community work as well as school governor support, I found myself caught up almost immediately in the voluntary sector here….the Town Mill, The Museum, the Marine Theatre…..Now, more than ever, it’s where I want to be, because all of us involved with the Trust love this place and want to be part of its vibrant, exciting future.
Peter Wiles:Having got the theatre bug at school and university, I worked as a stage and production manager in the late 1960s /early 1970s but then moved into international relief and development work, including working for Oxfam for 12 years. After a change of scene as deputy director for Child Poverty Action Group in London I returned to international work as a consultant in 1992 and I continue to work with aid and relief agencies on evaluations and reviews of their work. Jenny and I were lucky enough to be able to move to Lyme Regis in 2003 where I have also been developing my photographic work. After the 2005 AGM, I volunteered to carry out a review of the Trust. After finishing the report I was co-opted on to the board in early 2007.
Staff
Marcus Dixon (Chief Executive): Marcus is responsible for developing the long term sustainability of the Lyme Regis Development Trust through the development of physical and contractual assets. Marcus was educated at the local Woodroffe School but moved to London to work in sales and marketing within the technology sector. He moved back to Lyme Regis in 1990 and now lives in Uplyme with his family.
Diana Attenborough (Administrator for Lyme Regis Development Trust and Facilities Manager of LRDT Property Management): Diana has a strong background in office management and provides part time administrative support for the Trust and manages St Michael’s Business Centre.
Ellen Rooke (LAP Co-Ordinator): Ellen is working to progress the Lyme Forward Community Plan for facilitating meetings, supporting the members of the Local Area Partnership, raising public awareness an involvement.
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Charity no: 1075743. Company Registration No: 03501364