WORK is underway to restore the pavilion in Lyme Regis’ seafront gardens following a public campaign to save it from demolition.
Lyme Regis Town Council has today (Monday) started work on the like-for-like replacement of the pavilion in Langmoor Gardens, restoring where possible and replacing where necessary.
The structure was due to be taken down by the council earlier this year due to ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour and its poor state of repair.
But following an overwhelming number of objections from the local community, the council agreed the pavilion would not be demolished.
Objectors who led the campaign have since been talking to the council about how they can work with the external works’ team to enhance the pavilion and the surrounding area.
Town councillors agreed in October that the pavilion would be officially renamed the Garden Pavilion and a plaque installed with the words ‘For all to rest a while’, both helping to demonstrate its important place within the community.
Lead campaigners Janette Edmonds and Nigel Williams met with the council’s operations supervisor Pete Williams at the pavilion last week to hear about the plans for the renovation and to share their own thoughts for a Bermudan planting scheme.
Everything from the roof down will be replaced, using marine ply timber and solid oak posts, the whole structure will be repainted, new benches installed, and a rainwater harvesting tank fitted to supply water for use in the gardens.
The work is expected to take up to three weeks and the pavilion will be closed to the public during this time.
Janette and Nigel are also working with a team of community volunteers with experience in gardening and landscaping to design a low-maintenance planting scheme.
The town council’s external works’ team will clear the beds and volunteers led by Janette and Nigel will then help to replant them in the spring.
Janette said: “We are so incredibly grateful to the community for supporting the campaign and to the council for listening. It makes all the difference.
“We have seen it as an opportunity and we would like to work together. I haven’t seen as much working together as I would like since the campaign, but if we can do more, that will be the key to making it successful.”
Nigel said: “This is a lovely spot and collectively and by working together we are keeping the pavilion. It fits so beautifully in the landscape and I’m pleased that we are working together and that we have made a connection.
“Lyme Regis is twinned with Bermuda so it makes sense that those types of plants would enhance the building and its architecture.”
Cllr Michaela Ellis, chairman of the council’s Town Management and Highways Committee, has welcomed the engagement with the community.
She said: “The pavilion clearly means a lot to people in this community, as well as visitors, so it’s important we listen and make the best decisions for the town.
“Our own workforce has the skills required to enhance the existing pavilion and make it a welcoming and inviting place for everyone to enjoy.
“We are also working with the Woodroffe School, whose students will create some artwork to brighten up the inside of the pavilion, in a theme in-keeping with the area.
“The council is thrilled to work in partnership with young people and local volunteers on enhancing the pavilion and the surrounding area and we hope once this work is completed, it will be respected and looked after.
“I look forward to seeing the finished project and for the Garden Pavilion to once again become a focal point in the Langmoor Gardens.”