Fossil Festival gets funding for another year (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fossil Festival gets funding for another year

11:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in npower League Two Table & Results By Rene Gerryts

LYME Regis will once again host its fossil festival with new funding.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Coastal Treasures’ and will be on May 3 and May 5 with Friday the traditional primary schools day and May 4 to 5 the public open days.

Festival director Kimberly Clarke said: “Funding is always an issue with the festival and that’s been the delay in announcing our dates for this year.

“We’ve secured some new and important funding this year, and will continue to raise further funding between now and May, in particular via corporate sponsorship. Lyme Bay Holidays has again been very generous in sponsoring the festival, and we are very grateful for their continuing support.”

The aim is to keep it free which is why fundraising is so important, she said.

She added: “With the headlines full of landslips and mudslides, and the heartache they cause, it’s important to remember that our coastal erosion is the reason we were awarded world heritage status.

“The constant erosion continually refreshes the spectacular geology on display, and of course liberates even more fossils for discovery by the young and not-so-young.

“The erosion also creates very special habitats in which a very specific biodiversity survive and thrive – and if you’d like to learn more about the birds, bugs and plants that inhabit the Undercliff then don’t miss the festival.

“We know the festival attracts many people to Lyme Regis who have never been here before, and who become return visitors, so we also have some new activities planned that we are really excited about, and that won’t fail to amaze our regulars.”

The talks programme will also return this year.