News & stories
Guides, histories, and community pieces from around Lyme Regis and Dorset
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Attracting Corporate Sponsors for Community Events: A Practical Guide
Local businesses are often more willing to support community events than organisers expect, provided the approach is professional and the value is clear. A guide to building a sponsor pack, identifying the right targets, and keeping sponsors returning year after year.
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Lyme Regis Beach and Marine Life: What Lives Beneath the Surface
Lyme Bay holds a surprisingly rich marine environment, from grey seals on the Cobb steps and dolphins in the bay to rare maerl beds and rock pools teeming with life. A guide to the wildlife on Lyme Regis's doorstep.
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Dorset Wildlife Trust: Protecting the County's Natural Heritage
Dorset Wildlife Trust manages more than 100 nature reserves and works to protect habitats from chalk downland to coastal cliffs. A guide to its work across the county, its volunteer programme, and how local support makes a difference.
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Running a Charity Raffle in the UK: Licences, Prizes, and Legal Requirements
Raffles raise significant sums at community events but fall under UK gambling legislation. A plain-language guide to incidental and small society lotteries, what must appear on tickets, age restrictions, and how to run a clean draw on the night.
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Rotary International: History, Structure, and What It Stands For
Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary International has grown into a worldwide service organisation with 1.4 million members. A guide to its origins, how clubs are structured, and the causes it champions today including polio eradication.
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Mary Anning: The Fossil Hunter Who Changed Science
Born in Lyme Regis in 1799, Mary Anning spent her life working the cliffs below the town and made discoveries that reshaped palaeontology. A portrait of one of the most remarkable and underrecognised figures in British science.
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Remembering Loved Ones at Community Memorial Events
Many candlelit and twilight events give families and friends the chance to honour those they have lost while raising money for causes that meant something to them. A thoughtful guide to memorial fundraising done well.
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Community Grants in the UK: A Guide for Local Groups
There are hundreds of grant programmes available to UK community groups, parish councils, and voluntary organisations. A practical introduction to where to look, how to write a compelling application, and common pitfalls to avoid.
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Seaside Town Traditions in Dorset: Festivals, Fetes, and Fairs
Dorset's coastal towns have their own calendar of annual customs and community gatherings. A look at the traditions that have shaped seaside life along this stretch of the English Channel over generations.
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Organising a Charity Walk: From Route Planning to Finish Line
Sponsored walks are one of the UK's most popular and accessible fundraising formats. Here is how to choose a route, handle sponsorship forms, manage safety on the day, and maximise the amount you raise.
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Gift Aid Explained: How UK Donors Can Boost Every Donation
Gift Aid allows UK charities to reclaim 25p on every pound donated by a taxpayer at no extra cost to the donor. An easy-to-follow guide to how it works, who qualifies, and how to make a declaration correctly.
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How to Support Local Causes in Dorset
From food banks and hospices to wildlife trusts and village halls, Dorset has a thriving voluntary sector. A guide to finding good local causes, understanding how charities are governed, and making your giving count.
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Visiting Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast stretches 95 miles along the Dorset and Devon shoreline and includes some of the most dramatic scenery in England. A practical guide for first-time visitors to Lyme Regis and the surrounding area.
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Planning a Community Event Safely: Risk, Permits, and People
Running a public event in the UK involves more planning than most organisers expect the first time. A clear guide to public liability, council permissions, risk assessments, and keeping your volunteers and visitors safe.
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Volunteering with a Local Rotary Club: What to Expect
Rotary clubs in the UK rely on volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. A guide to what membership and active volunteering involve, how to find your local club, and what you can expect to gain from getting involved.
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Fundraising Ideas for Small Communities: What Actually Works
Small towns and villages can punch well above their weight when it comes to charitable giving. Practical ideas drawn from UK community fundraising experience, from sponsored walks to seasonal events.
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How Candlelit Charity Events Are Organised: A Practical Guide
A candlelit event is one of the most atmospheric and effective ways a community can raise funds for a good cause. Here is how to plan one safely, from venue logistics to stewarding and weather contingencies.
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A History of Lyme Regis and the Cobb
From a medieval trading port to a beloved seaside town and UNESCO World Heritage coastline, the story of Lyme Regis and its famous harbour wall stretches across eight centuries of English history.