FRIENDSHIPS between West Dorset and Bermuda were strengthened even further through the annual ceremony commemorating Admiral Sir George Somers.

Visitors from the Bermudian town of St George’s and the island’s capital of Hamilton travelled to Lyme Regis to take part in the 33rd commemoration ceremony.

The two towns were honouring former Lyme mayor and West Dorset MP Admiral Sir George Somers, who founded Bermuda in 1609 and claimed it as England’s first Crown colony.

The parade moved through the town centre and along the seafront, and included past and present mayors and deputy mayors, town criers, councillors and twinning members.

It ended at the Cobb where there was a formal celebration of the admiral’s life.

The Mayor Coun Sally Holman gave a special welcome to the deputy mayor of St George’s, Quinell Francis, on her first visit to Lyme Regis, to St George’s town crier David Frith, who was taking part in his tenth commemoration ceremony, and to the former mayor of St George’s and chairman of the twinning committee Mariea Casey.

Also among the guests was Ed Christopher, town crier of Hamilton, a city which is hoping to establish stronger links with Lyme alongside St George’s.

Coun Holman said: “This is an opportunity to reaffirm the value of the historical and cultural heritage we share and will continue to promote. The internet age brings us closer but personal contact remains the key.

“We hope our visitors will have a memorable stay with us in Lyme Regis.”

Mr Frith told the gathered crowds that the first parade in honour of Sir George was held in Lyme in 1980, and the two towns were officially twinned in 1996.

He said a party from Lyme Regis travels to St George’s every April to take part in the annual Peppercorn Ceremony, and every July the Bermudian delegates make a reciprocal visit to take part in the commemoration parade.

Mr Frith said: “Many friendships have been established over the years and many more will be made over future years.

“Many similarities exist between the two towns, none more significant than the recognition of world heritage status, St George’s and its surrounding fortification being recognised as the oldest continuously inhabited colony town in the New World, and Lyme Regis a gateway to the superb Jurassic coastline.

“We salute the twinning of Lyme Regis and St George’s.”

Quinell said it was ‘truly an honour’ to host a group from Lyme Regis in April.

She said: “May the relationship between our towns continue and strengthen the bond that was established over 400 years ago, and may it last at least another 400 years.”