CANDLES ON THE COBB 2008

Candles On The Cobb is next planned for the late August Bank holiday Sunday in 2008 - Sunday 24th August 2008.

It has not yet been decided which charities will be supported, but, as before, the organisers expect to select a major national charity, and a variety of local Lyme Regis good causes.

Contact Candles On The Cobb: cobb.candles@pobox.com.

CANDLES ON THE COBB 2005

Candles On The Cobb is the most spectacular event run in Lyme Regis, and in 2005 it was on the late August Bank Holiday, when over 5000 candles were lit on the historic Cobb and Harbour Walls. Organised by well know locals Phil Street and Mike Higgs, Candles On The Cobb this time raised just over £17,600 - a remarkable achievement considering it is for "one night only", the late August Bank Holiday Sunday. This time the crowds expected were so enormous that Phil and Mike also arranged a concert, parade and fireworks on the preceding Saturday. The money raised came from the sale of candles and souvenir programmes, form collections from the public on the two nights, and from the efforts of other Lyme residents who organised special "Candles On The Cobb" evenings.

Candles On The Cobb always raises money for local Lyme youth-related causes, and one or more national charities, so that residents and visitors alike can feel that their money benefits both the local community and the wider country. This time Cancer Research UK received 25% of the money raised (£4,400), CLIC-Sargent , the charity for children with cancer and leukaemia and their families, another 25% (£4,400), and 50% (£8,800) went to the local Lyme causes.

Phil and Mike asked local youth organisations to "bid" for a share of this money, and after careful consideration of the requests received decided to support The 1st Lyme Regis Guides, The Lyme Regis Taekwondo Club, the Lyme Youth Theatre, the voluntary funds of St Michael's Primary School, the Lyme Regis Club For Young People, The Uplyme And Lyme Regis Cricket Club (designating the money to help support the new Colts players), The Lyme Regis Majorettes, The 1st Lym Valley Scout Group, The Lyme Regis Junior Band, the Beavers, The Lyme Regis Pre-School Group, the Lyme Regis Football Club (youth teams), and made a contribution towards the new equipment needed for Uplyme's playground.

On the previous occasion that Candles On The Cobb was run some of the money went to help fund the new Candles On The Cobb Pavilion on the Playing Fields, which was built with voluntary labour and generous support from Lyme Regis Town Council, West Dorset District Council, and the Lyme Regis Football Club. The Pavilion will be used by the Football Club junior teams and by St Michael's School, and was formally opened on this year's Candles On The Cobb Weekend. Phil and Mike decided to continue their support for this important project by setting aside some of this time's money to help complete the Pavilion, including the fitting out of the changing rooms.