Lifeboats – a Lifeline for the Dorset Coast

The RNLI provide 24-hour lifeboats and seasonal lifeguards dedicated to saving lives at sea. It is largely supported by volunteers. Last year lifeboats around the coast of the UK and Ireland launched 9,223 times.

If you want to find out more while you are visiting Dorset, take part in Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Week. From Sunday July 24th to Sunday August 1st you can expect day after day of displays, exhibitions and fun in the sun for the youngsters.

Once again it will be Super Wednesday on July 28th with a first visit from the Royal Navy’s Black Cats helicopter display team. On the same day there’s the return of the spectacular RAF Falcons parachute display team.

Among the many highlights is the tug of war with the RNLI lifeboat crew taking on the coastguards across Lyme Regis harbour mouth (losers get wet); a bath tub race; sand castle competitions; a beach treasure hunt; the grand duck race; a childrens’ crab fishing contest and much, much more.

A glossy, 48-page programme with full details of all the week’s activities is now available throughout Lyme Regis and Charmouth, including the lifeboat shop at the harbour in Lyme, price £1.50.

24-31 July Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week http://www.rnli.org.uk

If you’re visiting Dorset, don’t forget to book self catering accommodation in Dorset or bed and breakfast in Dorset as soon as possible as the summer months are a busy time.

What’s on in Dorset: July

Here’s our pick of some Dorset events during July. You can choose from Jazz by the sea in Lyme Regis, or take part in a maritime festival in Weymouth and Portland. Air fans shouldn’t miss the annual Yeovilton Air Day. Don’t miss the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and remember that it can be very busy so book your Dorset accommodation early.

3-16 July - ‘Spirit of the Sea’ Maritime Festival, Weymouth & Portland www.spiritofthesea.org.uk

10 July - Yeovilton Air Day Tickets from your local TIC

If you are interested in the History of Trades Unions, or simply want to understand about the lives of six farm workers who formed the first ‘union’ to protest about their pay, visit Tolpuddle this summer. Every July thousands of people come to Tolpuddle to celebrate trade unionism and to remember the sacrifice made by the six farm workers of the village. The tiny Dorset village has been a place of pilgrimage for trade unionists and socialists ever since the Martyrs' came home in triumph. The festival is a popular mix of political discussion and speeches, great music to suit all tastes, entertainment for all the family and the traditional procession of banners, wreath laying and Methodist service.

16-18 July Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk

In August, watch out for:

7 – 13 August Marine Week, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
7 – 15 August Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week
21 August Bridport Carnival
26 August Melplash Show, Bridport

If you’re visiting Dorset, don’t forget to book self catering accommodation in Dorset or bed and breakfast in Dorset as soon as possible as the summer months are a busy time.