Annual Report 2017
Devon Air Ambulance Night Landing Site
This project was instigated by Trevor Ley early last year when an email from him sent me headlong into what has turned out to be a most satisfying and successful project. It is of course so important to us all that, whether through illness or accident when we need transporting quickly to a hospital this service is available to us. We are well aware that we live in an isolated community and that transport by road may, in many emergency cases, not be fast enough and the DAA then steps in to ensure we get the help needed. Up until now, they have not attempted night landing and so the launch of their drive to help communities install the necessary lighting in suitable areas galvanised us into action.
Toby Russell of DAA surveyed both Lynmouth Manor and Holman Park. Unfortunately, Lynmouth Manor was not suitable but Holman Park is ideal and thanks to some very generous funding the site will be ready for the first night landing before the end of the month. Holman Park is held in Trust by LLTC and so in partnership with the council and with the goodwill of the whole community, this project will be celebrated by LCDT with a visit from the helicopter in the very near future.
Market Hall
The extensive alterations to the Market Hall have now been completed. The Art Studio and shop leased by Dale Bowen has brightened up Queen Street and Bowden Fitness now has an enclosed area for many different activities increasing the footfall in Market Street by some considerable amount. The Library is now being run by Libraries Unlimited and a new lease is under negotiation. The friends of Lynton Library are working to make sure the library space is fully utilised and now the area is used for children’s clubs, book clubs, a choir and many varied activities.
The planned re-plastering of the outside wall which will mean the loss of the Mick Cawston mural has not yet been completed. We have sought even more advice from different specialists but none have been able to offer a solution.
Middleham Gardens
The Lyn Art and Craft Society’s very generous donation of £1,000 per year towards the maintenance of the gardens has enabled the Trust to keep them up to a good standard.
There has been some discussion about the cubs and beavers coming to help in the gardens this year and I am hoping the scouts may be able to help us conserve the benches and picnic tables. We have also received a request to site a beehive in the gardens.
Walkers are Welcome & The Coleridge Way
This year heralds an exciting season for Lynmouth and the footpaths that converge here. Four major routes all have had some form of improvements: the Coleridge Way has been extended; the Two Moors Way celebrates its 40th anniversary; the South West Coast Path is part of an international tourism project at the moment and the Tarka Trail because it is the 70th anniversary of the book and a new project is being initiated to boost the walking section. Because there is so much going on we are hoping to make the unveiling of The Wire Man a special celebration of long-distance walking and the paths which converge on Lynmouth. Our thanks go to Richard Graham who has now finished the statue and to those who have sponsored the project.
Lyn Economic and Tourism Alliance (A town council promotional committee)
(Active members: LLTC, ENPA, L&B Railway, L&L Cliff Railway, Lynton Museum, TIC, LCDT, representatives of retailers, accommodation providers and caterers)
The Trusts promotional activities as a member on this committee have proved most productive. It keeps us in touch with the plans of the ENPA, LLTC and the main attractions in the area. The funding received as a Coastal Communities Team helped enormously to promote the area throughout last season.
Suzette Hibbert