Royal welcome at Lyme Regis

Silverseas Explorer is treated to a royal welcome at Lyme Regis

MV Silverseas Explorer’s visit coincided with a three day visit from HMS Edinburgh to honour the naming ceremony of the Jubilee Pavilion as part of the town’s celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee.

Silverseas Captain, Alexander Golubev, welcomed Mayor Sally Holman and her party aboard the luxury excursion cruise Silver Explorer to exchange plaques in honour of this momentous visit – a double first -  the first time that the cruise had visited the resort and the first time in living memory that a cruise ship has visited Lyme Regis.

Harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw said: “It is a remarkable occasion to have two large vessels at anchor off the town at one time.”

The two vessels were treated to a warm welcome from locals over the weekend with activities including; a football match between the Navy crew and Lyme Regis FC, a gig race and the prestigious naming ceremony of the Jubilee Pavilion with a gun salute from the HMS Edinburgh.  

Guests on board the luxury cruise were transferred by Zodiac boats for local excursions including a visit to Abbotsbury Sub-tropical Gardens & Swannery, a Fossil walk along the world famous UNESCO Jurassic Coast, and a Jane Austin themed tour of Lyme Regis.  

Town Mayor Councillor, Sally Holman said: “This is a great honour for Lyme Regis and I am delighted these visits coincide with the naming of our Jubilee Pavilion.”

Mayor Sally Holman’s speech was watched by hundreds of people along the historic seafront who were delighted by the spectacle of the official party including Commanding Officer of HMS Edinburgh, Nick Borbone, and Commodore Jamie Miller, past Mayor Barbara Austin, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, Rupert Best,  Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, Minnie Churchill, and MP Oliver Letwin. Also in attendance were a guard from the ship and a fanfare team from the Royal Marine band from Lympstone.