THE Bermudan twinning chairman was welcome to Lyme Regis for the first time with a special mayoral reception at the Guildhall.
Peter Barrett, the new chairman of the St George’s and Lyme Regis Twinning Association, was hosted by the mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans.
Lyme Regis and St George’s, Bermuda has been twinned since 1996, but the link between the two towns has existed since the 17th century.
Lyme Regis has a connection to St George’s dating back to Admiral Sir George Somers, a Lyme Regis-born Elizabethan Sea captain who founded the colony in Bermuda and later became mayor and MP for Lyme Regis.
Sir George’s heart is buried in Bermuda, while his body, pickled in a barrel of whiskey, was landed on the Cobb in 1611.
The reception at the Guildhall was a gathering of twinning association members, councillors, and local residents, and served to strengthen the bond between the twin towns.
The evening was an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of the twinning relationship, which although was formalised in 1996, was first established in 1984 during Cllr Evans' first term as Mayor of Lyme Regis.
The Guildhall displays many portraits, maps, scrolls and a time capsule that document the historic friendship between the two towns.
In 1984, Cllr Evans hosted Norman Roberts OBE, then mayor of St George’s, who visited Lyme Regis and has since been a lifetime member and president of the association.
Since then, the twinning association has flourished, fostering cultural exchanges, friendships, and shared experiences across the Atlantic.
At the mayoral reception, Cllr Evans presented Mr Barrett with the town crest of Lyme Regis as a gesture of friendship.
The crest, symbolic of Lyme Regis' unique heritage, serves as a lasting reminder of the bond that unites these two communities.
The mayoral reception was not only an important moment for the twinning association but also a part of Cllr Evans’ wider efforts to raise awareness of the work the council does within and for the town of Lyme Regis.
Throughout his term of office, he plans to hold a series of mayoral receptions, each aimed at acknowledging the hard work and contributions of various groups and individuals who make Lyme Regis the vibrant and thriving community it is today.
A reception will take place on 31 January to say thank you to the volunteers from the Jubilee Pavilion for their dedication and hard work throughout the summer months.
This marks the first year of the Lyme Regis Visitor Hub at the Jubilee Pavilion, and the mayor is keen to highlight the crucial role that volunteers have played in its success.
Cllr Evans looks forward to further opportunities to engage with the people of Lyme Regis and continue promoting the town's diverse and vibrant spirit through these mayoral receptions in the coming months.