2012: a vision for Sidmouth as 'the greenest town in England'

The Arboretum's AGM is happening later today - giving a chance to see how greener the Sid Valley is becoming:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Arboretum AGM: Tuesday 15th January

We do indeed seem to be getting there...

At the Vision Group's AGM some seven years ago, the VGS chair gave a personal vision for the town and valley:

VISION GROUP  AGM      

3 minute panel

By 2030 – we want Sidmouth to be the greenest town in England.   

You will see from the pic (circulated) of BELMONT HOTEL in 1817 – with thanks to Sidmouth Museum - that there were mature trees and shrubs close to the sea -

and woodland stretching up Glen Goyle and up to the hills.     I would like to see the Belmont replace their tidy rows of pansies with the lush foliage of a shrubbery which unlike the pansies can give us scented roses and the hum of busy insects.    

I would like to see the RIVIERA HOTEL replace their rather cold grey and very heavy containers with an idea used in New York, where the winters are very cold.    You need to make some large troughs of stout timber or metal and place them on wheels, plant them with bright colours and big foliage to give the sub tropical garden effect.    These should tolerate our variable summer climate and then when the weather turns - just trundle the containers to a more sheltered spot.

I would like to see the HAM CAR PARK remodelled along the lines of the pic. (circulated) with 30 trees.     So that we feel welcome when we go there and our visitors get a good feeling when they come into town by car  - the feeling you get from a cool and shady French square.   This would be an extremely expensive project but it would transform our feeling about the Eastern Town and perhaps a vast underground tank for rainwater storage could be incorporated into the groundworks.

I would like to see more tree planting in town,   There are several opportunities – for instance :  There is new café between Tesco and the Co-op – wouldn’t it be pleasant to have a few street trees offering shade and interest to the pavement area.   All the estate agents have their offices up there, so they know that tree lined pavements help property prices.   

We can improve the aspect of our own neighbourhood by planting more streets trees and shrubs on our side roads.    

Sidmouth in Bloom is encouraging community projects.

Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: Arboretum

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