On Saturday June 2nd Oliver Letwin M.P. arrived at the Marine Theatre to be handed a cup of coffee by one of the hardest working volunteers, Jeannie Tee. The event was the launch of a new venture by the Marine Theatre, The Town Mill and Lyme Regis Museum to attract more volunteers and to thank their established ones.

 Photograph by Peter Wiles

In the theatre bar the trustees, staff and volunteers had gathered to welcome Oliver Letwin who was delighted to be involved in something that supported community effort. “I am sure that volunteers not only give to these remarkable venues by generously offering their time” he explained, “ but they  are rewarded by supporting the fabric of this community and becoming a core part of the future of this charming town. This theatre must have the best view of any in Western Europe” went on the merchant banker who has travelled widely while working for Rothschilds, “and from where I stand, looking at the wealth of experience and energy evident in this theatre bar, the future looks rosy for all three organisations with this sort of vision and support for their collective futures”.

The coffee party then had musical offerings from Tony Langford, who sang "Making Whoopee", which the Chancellor commented was a rather gloomy song but he cheered up immensely when Nick Lawrence and the lovely Kelly Street sang "There's No Business Like Show Business " accompanied by Jack Marshall whose skill and energy belied his 93 years,

Ken Gollop from Lyme Regis Museum, Godfrey Thomas from the Town Mill and John Bartholomew of the Marine Theatre all thanked their own volunteers for coming. The new leaflet was then launched. It explains to new comers how crucial volunteers are to the success of each venue and invites them to get involved, even if only for a couple of hours a month.

Photograph by Peter Wiles

Before he left Jacky Hedley-Tuffs, the theatre’s finance manager invited Oliver to have a go at helping in the box office. The ex shadow Chancellor clearly understood what a fiscal squeeze the theatre was currently experiencing.

The theatre’s next show is “Siege” by Lyme Youth Theatre on June 7 and 8th at 7.30 and then LimeHouse Lizzy storm into town on Saturday 9th June with a Thin Lizzy tribute at 8.30, tickets from Lyme Tourist Information 01297 442138. On Sunday June 10th the last of the classical concerts is “Donum Musicum” at 7.30pm.