Thursday 29 March 2012

Meanwhile, just a few yards away, the old fountain has been ripped out. Now, I have every respect for the individuals behind the new fountain and I know they care deeply about the town. I can't help feeling a little sad, though. The old fountain may have been an assemblage of bits of stone, metal, fibreglass and concrete, there may have been bits missing and it may only rarely have worked, but it was an old friend and a much-loved part of Dartmouth, and I will miss it. Here's hoping the new one will be fit to gain a similar place in our hearts.

Friday 9 March 2012

So, South Hams council have wrought yet more destruction on the Royal Avenue Gardens, this time by removing the beautiful tree that stood adjacent to the Engine House. It seems that they will not be happy until every last tree and hedge has been exterminated and the whole New Ground is just a windblown desert. Once upon a time the gardens were a beautiful secluded area where one could sit and be totally unaware of the town beyond their bounds. These days one is exposed to every passing car and gust of wind, not to mention the grockles and their foul progeny churning up what were once beautifully kept lawns.

The area where the tree stood is to be paved over to provide some sort of forecourt to the Newcomen Engine and the Grockle Misinformation Centre. Perhaps the money would be better spent in actually returning the engine to working order, rather than conning visitors into paying to see 'the steam engine' pushed around by an electric motor.