St Marychurch & District Action Group St Marychurch, Torbay, South Devon, UK.
10th year volunteers working with and for the community 1998 - 2008
Contacts: Hon Secretary Mr D Westaway e-mail douglas.pembridge@tiscali.co.uk telephone: 01803 - 325750.
or: jml@stmarychurchdag.wanadoo.co.uk publicity@stmarychurchdag.co.uk.
A fully constituted, non-political Voluntary Community Partnership established in 1998. Membership £4 per year. We would like more voluntary help. New members are always welcome. Donations and sponsors for any of the groups projects are greatly appreciated. Contact details above if you can be of any assistance. Articles on areas action group volunteers have worked on and/or assisted over the past ten years on this website.
The action group thank Torbay Council, Torbay Council Parks Department, Plandscape Contractors, Torbay Probationary Service, Dartington Tech (e2e), Abbey Road Resource Centre, Devon Tree Services, Dave the Digger, BCTV, A & M Garden Machinery and the public for their support, horticultural advice and assistance over the years.
Dates for your diary
Tessier Gardens Friends Group meeting Monday 8th December 2008 at 6.00pmSt Marychurch Precinct Centre.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom presentation event 24th September 2009 at the Riviera International Conference Centre Torquay.
Britain in Bloom 2008 (A competition which encourages everyone to work together to improve the environment.) www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/benefits.asp
In conjunction with Plymouth Council the South West in Bloom 2008 presentation was held at the Guildhall, Plymouth on Thursday 18th September 2008. Sponsored by Revive organic soil conditioner. Event compêre Gordon Sparks, broadcaster and presenter BBC Radio Devon and BBC TV. St Marychurch & District Action Group awarded Silver in the RHS South West in Bloom plus three RHS South West in Bloom Neighbourhood Award Certificates: Glen Sannox project, Babbacombe (Outstanding Achievement), Rose Garden, Babbacombe (Merit) and Millennium Copse, St Marychurch (Improvement).
Glen Sannox Lottery Funding
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St Marychurch & District Action Group awarded a grant in 2007 for the Glen Sannox Project situated on Babbacombe Slopes from the Big Lottery Fund-Breathing Places website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/ Details of this ongoing project progress see: Glen Sannox page.
Glen Sannox Project Home Office Visit
Suzie Burton head of communications for policing Home Office visited Torbay on October 16th 2008 to see how the council was performing as one of a few chosen to take part in a Comprehensive Area Assessment pilot study. Included in her tour was the Glen Sannox project in Babbacombe. Representatives from the Police, Torbay Probationary Service, and Safer Communities accompanied Suzie Burton on her visit to the site. An action group member gave the party a brief history and the projects progress of work. He explained that over the years teams from the Probationary Service were the lynchpins in the rejuvenation project. She appeared to be impressed with the community involvement on this project.
Tessier Gardens.
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Civic Trust Green Flag Tessier Gardens in Babbacombe 2007 and 2008. See: Tessier Gardens page. http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/winners/GSP001461/
Custodians
Although we are in the twenty first century nostalgia is an important part in the lives of many encompassing both young and old whether they reside, work, visit or in business not only in St Marychurch & Babbacombe but elsewhere. Too much now and in the past destroyed relegated into the annals of history through lack of vision and understanding of our rich heritage.
It is a privilege to live in such an outstanding area of the country. The superb range of coastal, inland, and marine habitats, diverse flora and fauna all must be preserved for all who live or visit here now and in the future. Parks, open spaces and floral displays brighten up our towns and cities. Living and working in well maintained environmental surroundings is beneficial to our well being.
Voluntary work is a valuable contribution to a community and its resources. Any decision to become involved should not misapplied in order to achieve monetary, financial, personal, political aspirations or to seek publicity purely for their own selfish egotrips. These attudes are unethical and could by implication hinder, alienate and compromise the integrity and credibility of those, who give freely time and effort and seek no rewards.
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Participating in striving to improve the quality of life helps towards ensuring we continue to live in a healthy and democratic society. It provides an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge, skills and experiences also a link to citizenship and employability.
Previous and present tides of alleged progression have swept away segments of our past leaving in its wake regret, anger, doubt and fond memories of day's gone bye. Thankfully there are more and more who are prepared to ask why is this indiscriminate destruction allowed to continue? All too frequently answers either unforthcoming or non-committal.
Encouraging, supporting environmental re-generation efforts may help our environment recover from past and present mistakes although some damage may prove to be irreversible. Preservation and conservation is of paramount importance we are only custodians of this planet with a moral duty to live in and leave a healthy environment. Not just for today a priceless legacy to be passed on to future generations. The alternative a world of concrete, tarmac, pollution, and books with pictures of flora and fauna lost forever.
If you are a mover and a shaker, not a glory taker or seeker, St Marychurch & District Action Group needs your help be it volunteers, donations or sponsorship. This planet is our home where else can we go? J.M.L.
Why?
Regrettably, at times plants are stolen by those who have some gardening knowledge as they take specific varieties. Stealing especially from a voluntary community group trying their hardest to improve areas for the benefit of all beggars, believe.
Plants are donated by kind members of the public, purchased from our limited funds, or brought and paid for by individual action group members. Replacing the stolen plants takes time, money, and resources, which could be used for improvements elsewhere. One hopes all dedicated gardeners condemn those who commit such despicable acts of theft.
Mary and Findley and Doris
There is also the good side of human nature. Whilst working on the Glen Sannox Project a local elderly couple, both in their eighties, out for a Saturday morning stroll stopped to thank an action group member. In their words ' The pathways are lovely and so nice to walk upon a clean surface, thank you so much for improvements the action group is making to the area'. With that made a small donation to the groups funds and continued on their way. Doris an elderly lady on holiday with friends in Babbacome regularly visited the Rose Garden in Babbacome also gave a small donation in appreciation for the improvement to the garden.
Mary and Findley and Doris thank you for your kind comments and donations
Successful Initiative.
In 2006 Torbay Council initiated a pilot scheme whereby bulbs and flowers removed from council flowerbeds were offered to the community for replanting. Two bulb and flower collection points were set up by the council for community groups and associated members of the community. It proved to be highly successful schools, churches, gardeners all across the bay benefited. The same scheme was applied in 2007 and 2008 a huge success one hopes it will continue annually.
Bay Blooms
Bay Blooms Plus is not just about flowers it covers all aspects of our surroundings. Formed in 1998 to forge a partnership with Torbay Council, local business, voluntary organisations, and members of the public in Torbay. Bay Blooms thank Torbay Council, Paignton Zoo, Suttons Seeds, Plant World, Palm 105.5fm and Herald Express for their continued sponsorship and support over the years.
Aims
- To promote local pride within Torbay by environmental enhancement of private and public buildings and open spaces.
- Seek sponsorship and community involvement.
- Encourage Local Agenda 21 schemes.
- Participate, and co-ordinate with other organisations both statutory and voluntary in their environmental projects, promotions, support and promote award schemes.
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Once renowned for its spectacular horticultural displays Torbay is the 'Jewel in the Crown' Britain's premier resort. Four town Action Groups, Torquay, Babbacombe & St Marychurch, Brixham and Paignton endeavouring to re-introduce floral and environmental pride into Torbay. Left & Right old Torquay postcards.
Why not join one of the Town Action Groups volunteers are always welcome details email parks@torbay.gov.uk
Details of the annual Torbay in Bloom competition http://www.torbay.gov.uk/bayblooms
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Princess Gardens and around Torquay harbour four 2007 photographs courtesy of Francesca.
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We are but only grains of sand in a very long timescale!
Sand grains, electron microscope magnification x 748 x 3,520 x 6,390 and x 12,090 courtesy of ©FLVL2007.
- Cree Indian Prophecy -
"Only after the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last river has been poisoned.
Only after the last fish has been caught.
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."
Deliberate Vandalism
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The floral displays at Princess Gardens Torquay are the showpiece of Torbay’s floral achievements. Maintained to a high standard by Torbay Council garden workforce and admired by both visitors and residents. One can only imagine their dismay upon seeing some of the bedding area flattened through deliberate vandalism committed sometime during the weekend of 17th -19th August 2007.
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Many are alarmed and angry over the upward surge of acts of anti social behaviour and vandalism. Those who wish to live in a civilised society must insist that their rights are respected. An anti social Pandora's Box continues to spill out its destructive and abhorrent contents causing injury, misery, stress, hardship, remedial work and unnecessary financial expenditure.
The lid must be closed firmly and forcibly. If not it is admittance of the breakdown of law and order. Our daily lives are blighted by these acts of anti-social behaviour and others such as those who drink, urinate, litter, fly-tip and allow their dogs to defecate in our open spaces, parklands and streets. We may not like CCTV cameras continual twenty four hour surveillance imposed upon us introduced as an aid to combat crime. The minority committing these acts are mainly responsible for there introduction. Perhaps if a national zero tolerance policy with tougher penalties were levied on anti social offenders no matter their age was instigated long ago who knows, the dramatic increase of these cameras may not have been needed or allowed.
Woodland Decimation
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On Saturday the 31st March 2007 an extensive section of mature woodland area alongside the Babbacombe Cliff Railway was decimated. A swathe of woodland on the cliffside slopes felled. Apparently allegedly without permission from Torbay Council the land owner. Unauthorized entry welding chainsaws cutting all that stands before one is beyond comprehension. Felled timber now cover the area following an act of what can only be described as large scale vandalism contrary to good wildlife and conservation practice.
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Although the woodland is of recent origin probably developing over fifty years or so nevertheless this was a callous and irresponsible act of shear wonton destruction. The consequences for the flora and wildlife inhabitants especially birds nesting at that time of the year will have its effect for many years. Many residents and visitors of all age groups deplore the indiscriminate and unnecessary violation in what is supposed to be a conservation area.
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It is imperative action is sought against whoever was responsible and all avenues explored and rigorously applied along with the full cost incurred for any remedial work. Otherwise a precedent will be set which others may copy now and in the future with disastrous consequences.
We criticise some of the younger generation on their anti social behaviour but this was by no doubt adults. What an example to set for the youth of today.
RHS Britain in Bloom2007
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The presentation event was held at The Tregenna Castle Hotel, St Ives on Thursday 20th September 2007.
Hosted by Penwith District Council, compére Chris Stumbles BBC Radio Cornwall, sponsors Royal Horticultural Society ( RHS ), Cadbury Endsleigh Garden & Leisure and South West Tourism Board. St Marychurch & District Action Group awarded a Silver Gilt and the Neighbourhood Award of merit for the Rose Garden in Babbacombe.
RHS Britain in Bloom Royal 2006
At the presentation held at the Riviera International Conference Centre on Thursday 7th September 2006 St Marychurch & District Action Group awarded a Silver Gilt in South West in Bloom for the fourth successive year. Britain in Bloom organised by the Royal Horticultural Society in partnership with B & Q the largest campaign of its type in Europe aim to encourage communities to improve their local areas. Website: www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/benefits.asp
RHS Britain in Bloom Royal 2004
Achieved by an outstanding community effort St Marychurch & District Action Group awarded silver gilt and two trophies at the RHS 'Britain in Bloom' Southwest presentation ceremony held at the Bristol Flower Show on Thursday 26th August 2004. The two trophies 'London and Manchester' (outstanding contribution for environmental initiative) and the 'Youth Award' ( outstanding contribution by youths or youth groups ) in recognition of the commitment and work by teams of youths from Dartington Tech Totnes, South Devon, UK on the Glen Sannox project at Babbacombe Torquay see: Glen Sannox page.
Torbay in Bloom
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The Torbay in Bloom presentation ceremony was held at Paignton Zoo on 5th October 2004.
Left: Lindsie, Lisa, Jenny, and Lee from Dartington Tech
Right: Kate Reeves from Carlton Westcountry TV presented Jenny Potts and Gemma Dawe delegates from Dartington Tech with the RHS South-West 'Britain in Bloom' Youth Award' trophy.
We should not categorize the youth of today under one umbrella, for that clearly is not the case. Credit to those who deserve it, we wish them all good luck and success in the future and in their chosen careers.
Dartington 'Skills for Life' Project set up to motivate and guide young people between the ages of 16 years to 19 years into work or futher education. Based at the Dartington Organic Centre for Agriculture the Project was funded by the Government with the capability to undertake community-based projects that contain an important element of creativity and not be just a service to the community.
Young people involved needed to know that they would be involved in a long-term project with a positive outcome. Many were very de-motivated by a lack of work opportunities. It was the objective of the 'Life Skills' Project to give them a sense of achievement and 'kick-start' them into a useful life essential that they got a sense of 'getting something back' from each project they undertook. An individual's satisfactory performance would earn a C.V and a reference to help that person obtain future employment.
Previous awards in South West in Bloom.
2000 Commended, 2001 Commended, 2002 Silver Medal, 2003 Silver Gilt, 2004 Silver Gilt plus 'London and Manchester' Trophy and the 'Youth Award' Trophy, 2005 Silver Gilt 2006 Silver Gilt, 2007 Silver Gilt and the Neighbourhood Award of merit for the Rose Garden in Babbacombe.
St Marychurch & District Action Group volunteers maintain throughout the year.
- Millennium Green St Marychurch Adjacent St Marychurch Bypass
- Hampton Corner Flowerbed St Marychurch Corner of Fore Street & St Marychurch Bypass
- Precinct Planters St Marychurch Wood planters in St Marychurch Shopping Precinct
- Planters St Marychurch 3 concrete planters near the Co-op and St Marychurch Bypass
- Petitor Corner St Marychurch Junction Petitor Road & Park Road
- Glen Sannox Project Babbacombe The garden just below Babbacombe Theatre, Beach Road
- The Rose Garden Babbacombe Corner of Babbacombe Road & Babbacombe Downs Road
- Rifle Range Lane Babbacombe Babbacombe Road near Otter Nurseries
West Country Garden Festival 2005
Bay Blooms Plus congratulate Jane Ripley and west county volunteers from Save the Children charity. They attained a silver medal for their entry The Celestial Garden at the West Country Garden Festival in June 2005. Jonathon Steel made and installed the centrepiece an eight-foot circular green oak moon gate. The gate flanked with Bamboo, one side planted in silver, blue a path through the gate lead into an area planted in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Additional features included Indian stone spheres representing the planets.
'Let's Work Together' by Donna Robson Events Executive.
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It was a real team effort for Save the Children when Jane Ripley from Kenton near Exeter created the celestial garden especially for the charity at the Westcountry Garden Festival.
The centrepiece of the garden was a Moongate, providing a gateway from the solar system to the stars. The garden used flowers, shrubs, and stones to symbolise the journey of hope made by children across the world as they struggle out of poverty.
Under the direction of Events Executive Donna Robson, Save the Children volunteers came on board, Media Coordinator Steve McKay worked with the Festival organisers and the local press to ensure Jane's support of Save the Children was included in media coverage. Maggie Field and her colleagues from Torbay Branch helped with the planting of the garden and distributed information about the Save the Children to festival visitors.
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Everything was ready for the Judges and the Celestial garden received a silver award. Donna had the champagne on hand to celebrate Jane's success and Steve was there to take photographs to send to the press.
Photographs left & right courtesy Steve McKay.
Jane Ripley said "I'm pleased with a silver prize, I'm also impressed that the Judges understood the thinking behind the design of my garden because designing gardens is what I enjoy most of all. I am already planning a garden for Save the Children for next years event" Donna Robson "Congratulations to Jane, her garden helped to raise awareness of Save the Children's vital work with vulnerable children around the world. I'd like to thank Jane, Steve, Maggie and all our volunteers who gave their time to help at the Garden Festival.
Donna Robson Marketing Executive Events email d.robson@savethechildren.org.uk Photographs courtesy Steve McKay.
Save the children works with vulnerable children in the UK and world-wide to create real and lasting change in their lives' If you wish to make a donation contact www.savethechildren.org.uk /or call 020-7012-6400
Newsletter Article by a Resident.
THE BAY BLOOMS DISTRICT ACTION GROUP. You may not have heard of this group, but unless you walk round St Marychurch with a paper bag over your head, you must have seen the results of their labour. They are members of the St Marychurch Bay Blooms Action Group, all of whom are volunteers, and they change overgrown and neglected sites into something nice for you to look at. This may sound easy but it involves hours of hard work to prepare ground before anything can be planted and before anyone notices.
During the cold weather when most of us sat indoors, waiting for the spring the group planted no less than five thousand daffodil bulbs. They modestly claim to do one hundred bulbs to each cup of coffee provided, maybe more if buns are included!
Next time you're out and about, start counting; there are golden heads nodding along the by-pass near the Model Village more on the opposite side by the Millennium Garden; in the Chilcote car park and even in the churchyard. As you wait to use the pedestrian crossing, at the bottom of the Shopping Precinct, you cannot fail to notice the bright colours of the flower bed on Abbey School corner.
When you see, the flowers in the planters in the Shopping Precinct spare a thought for those who do all the work. Yes, you've guessed it; the Bay Blooms group are responsible for it all. So, when you see the work being done, please tell them of your appreciation because they often get mistaken for council workers, which they aren't! Thank you, Bay Blooms Group, what a pity there aren't more public-spirited people like you around. Jackie.
Letter from resident Edna White in 2002.
Springtime came early to St Marychurch this year, warm sunny days brought on such a wonderful display of crocus and daffodils the ring road was a delight, especially in the vicinity of the Abbey School, where hundreds of daffodil bulbs had been planted. Then on the corner by the traffic lights, a raised bed of various colourful plants appeared. A small bed by the car park in Chilcote Close caught my eye, built of limestone and planted with care it is a little gem.
The Millennium Wood, a wildlife haven, which has gradually taken shape over the last few years, is now thriving and providing a home for several species and a valuable source of food to the roosting birds. Watching this project develop from a waste patch of ground to a well managed wildlife haven, with paths, hand-crafted wooden signs, sturdy wooden benches providing the opportunity for young and old to sit quietly and observe.
We are so grateful to the group of dedicated enthusiasts who have given up their spare time and worked so hard in all weathers to provide these amenities for our pleasure and at their own expense, not that of the tax payer!
The Bay Blooms Group of about fourteen people are now considering their next project, the old garden of Glen Sannox, later known as Babbacombe Court; after the old house became derelict and demolished, the garden was rather neglected. Here is an opportunity to create a beautiful garden where folk might rest after their climb up from Babbacombe Beach, it could be a secluded area where one might relax just off the Babbacombe Downs. It certainly has the potential to become a charming amenity for the local residents or visitors.
We thank them for their commitment to the beautifying of this area and wish them all the very best in the future.
Edna L.White.
Site Update 13-11-08
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