Tessier Garden & Tessier Gardens Friends Group
Tessier Gardens Friends Group (TGFG) Annual General Meeting 6.00p.m Monday 8th March 2010
Furrough Cross Church, Babbacombe Road, St Marychurch, Torquay
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Situated between Babbacombe and St Marychurch in Torbay, South Devon a of place of peace, tranquility and quiet contemplation. An oasis but a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of today’s fast moving world. A refuge not only for people a haven for wildlife. Location >
Maintained by Torbay Council, Parks Department, and Plandscape contractors. Torbay Council Parks Department, Torbay Council, Residents and Visitor Services, Tor Hill House, Union Street, Torquay, Devon. TQ2 5QW. e-mail parks@torbay.gov.uk Tel: 01803-207992 Torbay Council website: www.torbay.gov.uk/print/index/leisure/parks/parkareas/tessiergardens.htm
Tessier Gardens Friend Group (TGFG) www.tessiergardensfriendsgroup.co.uk contact: Sandra Ling c/o Torbay Council Parks Department (address as above.)
Garden open from morning to dusk. Garden gates are locked at night. Main entrance is via Lindridge Road, a quiet cul-de-sac adjacent to Furrough Cross Church off Babbacombe Road. Car parking in Lindridge Road, residents only. Please do not park there. Hampton public Car Park is nearby.
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Tessier Garden awarded the Green Flag in 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 www.greenflagaward.org.uk/ award page www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001461/ Thanks to all the hard work by Torbay Council Parks Department, Plandscape contractors, Tessier Gardens Friends Group, St Marychurch & District Action Group and residents.
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The Green Flag was first raised in Tessier Garden on the 10th September 2007.
The flagpole flying the Green Flag is just inside the main entrance into Tessier Garden ( Lindridge Road ). Opposite information notice board installed in 2007 by Torbay Council.
Below Greg and John from Plandscape contractors at work in the garden.
It is through their hard work the garden is maintained to such a high standard.
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Tree Work
Despite two years of extensive works by Torbay Council to retain the six large Monterey Cypress trees on the Northern, corner of Tessier Garden over the year’s age and the weather had taken their toll. They had deteriorated to such an extent branches had broken and lay within the canopy.
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As the trees were adjacent to the Conservative Club the most practical and convenient access for work to begin was to remove a section of the boundary wall.
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When the work by Hi line Tree Contractors Ltd Exeter that began in late April 2009 is completed, the wall will be rebuilt along any remedial work to the garden such as fencing, tree replanting, and grass reseeding.
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The council’s priority is public safety therefore with no alternative felling the trees was the only option.
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To the casual onlooker this may have seemed an extreme measure. However left unchecked any future inclement weather conditions and the aftermath in this age of litigation could have given rise to untold consequences.
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Before and after photographs
Winter work Programme 2008/09
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The shrubs and vegetation which obscured views of the garden and Sun Temple upon entering the garden have been removed. They will be replaced with low growing colourful plants. Two interpretation boards with map of the garden layout and Tessier article have been installed. One opposite the Lindridge Road entrance another by the Manor Road entrance.
Preserving a Treasure.
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A primary and vital criterion in the setting up of a Friends of Tessier Gardens is a well balanced representational structure. Thus enabling a community group to function in a identifiable and fair manner with the ability to voice concerns. Focusing on how to improve the Tessier Garden’s facilities, conservation and safety will achieve results for the benefit of all. It is in all our interest to ensure a continual sense of community ownership of Tessier Garden a generous gift from Mrs Tessier all those years ago. A treasure the people of Babbacombe & St Marychurch cherish.
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It only requires a few to get the ball rolling a benchmark for the community to build upon, beneficial for all who reside, work, and visit St Marychurch and Babbacombe now and in the future. Voices in the wilderness so often go unheard but choruses are louder. People listen and very often, join in!
St Marychurch & District Action Group support local and enhancement proposals
Tessier Gardens Friends Group
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A friends group in partnership with Torbay Council will be an invaluable asset. Working in a partnership to promote and encourage interest in the gardens scenic, historical, horticultural, landscape and ecological qualities and as well its educational resource. Actively seek involvment through liaison with the residents, police, council and any other relevant bodies so that everyone can enjoy Tessier Gardens. Main aims in the setting up the friends group, to work in partnership with Torbay Council's Parks Officers and the police to improve and oversee the garden for the benefit of all.
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The inaugural meeting of a friends group was held in May 2007. A presentation on the Green Flag judging criteria’s for the Green Flag award on the 1st June 2007 was given by Richard Taylor and Lindsay Evans representatives from Torbay Council Parks Department. Many positive suggestions for the aims and objectives of a friends group were put forward by those present. A draft constitution proposal compiled by J.M.L. was presented for approval. Download TGFG Constitution
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Since then an acting chairman, secretary and treasurer elected, following minor amendments constitution adopted and membership fee set at £2 per year. Posters notifying meeting dates are circulated and membership cards have been produced.
TGFG contact: Sandra Ling, Tessier Gardens Friend Group c/o Torbay Council Parks Department. e-mail parks@torbay.gov.uk Tel: 01803 - 207992
The 'Donate a Rose ' scheme aroused a great deal of interest donated roses include: Allgold climber fragrant yellow - Childhood memories climber scented pink - Compassion climber scented salmon - Crimson glory climber fragrant red - Devonshire maid climber scented, pink - Ena harkness climber fragrant crimson - Etoile de Holland climber fragrant crimson - Jolly roger floribunda scented orange - Fragrant cloud hybrid tea scented pink - Wedding day rambler fragrant creamy white.
Website
If you have any old pictures, holiday snaps, postcards, photographs, memories or any information of the history of Tessier Garden, or any of the above and/or articles suitable for inclusion on this website please e-mail: contact: jml@stmarychurchdag.wanadoo.co.uk or publicity@stmarychurchdag.co.uk
1990 storm damage
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Three years after the great storm of 1987 on 25th January 1990 the peace and tranquility of Tessier Garden was shattered by another ferocious storm. This storm swept in from the south west.
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Tessier Garden was among many areas in Torbay including Cary Park, Warberry Copse and Brunel Woods where once the hurricane force winds had abated, there remained scenes of mass devastation.
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Storm damage photographs courtesy Lisa Doran
2008 Tessier Garden
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2008 photographs from similar angles where possible to the ones taken after the 1990 storm .
Tessier Garden pond life
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Large Red Damselfly, Newt, Dragonfly, Common Blue Damselfly.
A Polite Request
Please do not feed the seagulls. Seagulls are natural scavengers and opportunistic feeders. Their behaviour is at times aggressive towards people, particularly during breeding times. The feeding of seagulls can also be a cause of concern and distress to others; en masse, they can be quite intimidating. Leftover food waste can also attract unwanted vermin.
This could create conservation problems with the potential to disrupt the gardens natural wildlife inhabitants. Please bear this information in mind so all who visit Tessier Garden can enjoy its peace and tranquility. Thank You.
'Underneath the Archway'
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A Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) tree in Tessier Garden following an inspection after inclement weather in January 2007 was found to be unsafe and contractors were called in to fell it. To facilitate its removal and in the interest of public safety the garden was closed for a few days.
Whilst being felled a section of the tree accidentally cause significant damage to the rose archway. As the walkway is an important feature of the garden a replacement was sought.
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David Ogilvie Engineering Limited were commissioned to design and manufacture a new archway. In May 2007 the prefabricate structure was transported to the garden via lorry from their engineering works in Kilmarnock Scotland. Gordon and Jan (in Polish pronounced Yan) the company’s fitters prepared the groundwork and began to assemble the structure.
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Over a period of three days in brilliant sunshine visitors to the park took great interest as it was being erected.
Due to access difficulties Gordon and Jan carried the prefabricated metal sections from the lorry parked outside the garden to their location.
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Holes were dug out to accommodate the uprights and piece by piece the metalwork was fitted together using stainless steel bolts.
Each day as the installation gradually took shape the number of onlookers grew as did the many favourable comments.
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Finally the last of the thirty six supporting posts was cemented in place and covered with soil. One hundred and thirty six sections of black powder coated (see article below) galvanized steel approximately 34 metres long, 3 metres wide, 2.6 metres high form a striking walk through archway.
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In time the roses in situ plus the addition of a few more will twine their way up and over the structure. Visitors to the garden then can enjoy the walk through a display of colourful and scented roses.
This impressive architectural feature rightfully has pride of place in Tessier Garden.
Powder Coating (electro-forritic application of powder coatings)
The component first under goes a pre-treatment cleaning preparation process of degreasing rinsing, stabilising and drying to enable the powder to adhere. Then suspended (earthed) and an electrical charge is passed through which attracts the negative powder (a mixture of fine particle of solid resin, pigments, charge agents and additives).
Then the component is placed in an oven and baked, at a high temperature 200C where the powder particles melt fuse and bond to the metal surface which form a corrosion resistant and durable film with a life expectancy of approximately 15 to 25 years.
Brief History & Photographs of Tessier Garden
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Mr & Mrs Tessier resided at ‘Carrigbawn’ ( flats now stand on the site of the house ). Due to Mr Tessier’s health Mr and Mrs Herbert Tessier moved into ‘Carrigbawn’ Stanley Road, Babbacombe in 1903 Mr Tessier’s mother Eliza also lived with them she died on 4th August 1921.
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They purchased the three acres of land between Stanley Road and Babbacombe Road in 1906 adjacent to their property to ensure any buildings would not overlook them.
The garden then contained a well-maintained lawn, kitchen garden, arbours covered in roses and two glasshouses one of which they cultivated chrysanthemums and dahlias, which they exhibited at horticultural shows at St Marychurch Town Hall and Cary Castle.
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They often opened their garden for charitable causes the abundant supply of strawberries ensured that friends also visitors to charity events held within the grounds could enjoy the strawberry and cream teas. The last garden party held there on was on behalf of the Primrose League.
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The Primrose Buds dressed up as flowers danced around the arbours; however, some prize apples were stolen, and the cucumber frames were damaged, so ended the garden parties.
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Mrs Tessier donated the garden to Torbay Town Council. The deeds to the gardens were handed over to the then Mayor Mr W Denis Thomas ( Chairman of the Parks and Pleasure Ground Committee ) on Friday 27th October 1933 at St Marychurch Town Hall the ceremony was held at the town hall instead of the garden due to rain.
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Extracts from Mrs Tessier’s Covenant
‘In the first place, only adults will be allowed to use the garden.’
‘It is intended to be a place of rest and quiet for those who would escape the dust of the conflict.’
‘Organised games of the kind that would either create noise or become a matter of commerce will not be allowed’
The Sun Temple
Built in 1933 in recognition of Mrs Tessier's donation of the garden, on the temple floor is the following inscription:
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THE TESSIER GARDEN. THIS GARDEN OF REST PRESENTED TO BOROUGH OF TORBAY BY AMY AMELIA ELIZABETH TESSIER THE WIFE OF Mr HERBERT ALEXANDER TESSIER J.P. IN APPRECIATION OF THIS GIFT THIS SUN TEMPLE WAS ERECTED BY THE CORPORATION OF TORQUAY ON THE 13TH DAY OF OCTOBER 1933 MAYORALTY Mr WILLIAM DENIS THOMAS. HERBERT A. Hill TOWN CLERK. D.M.A. ALDERMAN R. A. JOHNS. CHAIRMAN PARKS COMMITTEE. F.G. COUSINS. F.R.H.S. PARKS SUPERINTENDENT.
The Local Rotary Club provided the Braille plants signs in May 1975
January and March 2007 Consultations
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Thank you all who during the two-day consultation in early January undeterred by the atrocious weather braved the elements to attend and complete the questionnaire and thanks to those who sent them in. A Friends of Tessier gardens was one of many ideas put forward. On behalf of St Marychurch & District Action Group, we appreciate the time and effort given by Torbay Council Parks Department representatives, Park Wardens DAG members and all who assisted during the two days in January and the March consultation.