District council chairman Gillian Summers presents RNLI crew with historic pictures

A VISIT to Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station was among the highlights when council leaders toured West Dorset.

They were civic day guests of district council chairman Gillian Summers.

The party included mayors and chairmen from neighbouring local authorities, including East Devon and South Somerset.

After visits to Dorchester’s old crown court and cells and a look at the authority’s new HQ currently being built in the ocunty town, they arrived in Lyme to see the lifeboat in action.

Councillor Summers, who has nominated the RNLI as her official chairman’s charity, said: “My family has a long association with the lifeboat. My great grandfather was awarded medals for saving 2,500 people.

“Sadly my grandfather, who received the Cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for saving 750 men of the French steamship ‘Bucharest’, was drowned in 1922, saving one of his own nieces.

“The lifeboat is a very worthy cause and I am delighted to be able to support it.”

Councillor Summers presented the lifeboat crew with a photograph of her ancestors with their lifeboats.