2023 has arrived and I wish all our readers a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year. I hope you enjoyed some rest and relaxation over the Christmas period. 

After a hectic run-up to Christmas and having published the final issue of the year of the LymeOnline newspaper, I finished for the festive break on December 23rd. 

Before the celebrations could begin, I made a quick stop at Millers Farm Shop in Kilmington to pick up a final few gifts and then dashed home having put off the Christmas wrapping all week - nothing like leaving it to the last minute!

Christmas for me really gets underway at the annual Carols Round the Tree service in Lyme Regis – one of the town's longest running traditions, having been organised by the Rotary Club for more than 60 years. 

After a two-year break during the pandemic, it was lovely to see so many families joining in festive song around the Christmas tree in Lyme's town centre. 

Christmas Eve treats at The Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis

On Christmas Eve, my family and I enjoyed a delicious lunch at Mark Hix's Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis before a relaxing Christmas at home. 

On Boxing Day it was back to work as I headed over to West Bay to cover the West Bay Wallow for the first time. Another event that has been affected by Covid, it was very well supported on its return, raising more than £1,500 for Bridport Round Table's chosen charities. Well done to all the brave swimmers taking part!

A Boxing Day visit to the multi-award-winning West Bay Discovery Centre

Before heading home I popped into the West Bay Discovery Centre to meet some of the volunteers and this multi-award-winning attraction. I had never visited before and was impressed with the range of exhibitions on display for such a small venue in the former Methodist Chapel, which would appeal to both residents and visitors of West Bay and beyond.

It was relatively quiet between Christmas and New Year; that funny time of year filled with turkey leftovers and not knowing what day it is. I spent a little time in the office amid catching up with old school friends and walking off all the festive indulgence!

I welcomed 2023 at The Lyme Bay Cafe Bar, which hosted a brilliant masquerade theme dinner and DJ night, with great views of firework displays held around Lyme Bay at midnight. 

Lyme Regis was packed on New Year's Day, hosting its annual duck race in aid of the town's Christmas lights and the Lyme Lunge – now one of the biggest events of its kind on the south coast – with hundreds of swimmers dashing into the sea. I can't say I took the plunge myself but I did get rather soggy feet while taking photos!

With festivities now coming to a close, I write this week's column as I prepare to return to the office full time tomorrow and I'm looking forward to all the events that 2023 has to offer, across Seston, Axminster, Lyme Regis, Bridport, Dorchester and all the villages in between. It's set to be another busy year!

Don't forget to share your local news stories and events

Don't forget, you can always get in touch with your local news stories and events by emailing [email protected] or call 07810 221 420, or you can submit them via the Nub News websites by simply clicking the black 'Nub It' button on the homepage. 

You can also share your news stories and events with me in person at my regular drop-in sessions, which will be held from 1pm to 5pm at the Community Waffle House in Axminster on January 12 and 26, or at the Old School House Community Cafe at The Hub in Lyme Regis from 10.30am to 1pm on January 13 and 27.

Further dates for these will be announced shortly, and I'll also be looking to hold drop-in events in Bridport and Dorchester in the future.

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And you can follow me on Twitter @ChezzieEvans where I share news stories from across my entire patch and what I'm up to every week.

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