Published: May 29, 2011
Work to renovate Burnham's Marine Cove gardens gets a boost

Work to renovate Burnham-On-Sea's Marine Cove gardens was given a boost on Saturday (May 28th) when a team of volunteers joined the community project.

Members of Burnham's Dreamscheme teamed up with the Friends of Marine Cove to spend several hours renovating the crumbling walls of the gardens by lime mortaring.

They were also given an update on the huge project to restore the seafront gardens back to their former glory.

"It was great to have the help of the Dreamscheme members in working on the renovation," Marine Cove's Community Gardener Jacqui Strong (pictured right) told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"This is a project for the community and we want to encourage as much involvement from the public and groups like Burnham Dreamscheme as possible."

Dreamscheme leader John Alexander said the event had been a success, adding: "We were very pleased to lend a hand and play a small role in helping to renovate these wonderful gardens."

A further event will take place on Thursday 9th June at Marine Cove from 10.30am and lasting 2-3 hours. The session, focussing on pond management, will be run by Iain Turner from The Cannington Centre at Bridgwater College in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council. Volunteers will be welcome.

The Marine Cove project is being part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which last year awarded £344,200 to enable it to go ahead.

Harley Cook, from Sedgemoor District Council, who has been overseeing the overhaul, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "After three years of work on this project, it’s exciting to see the refurbishment underway."

"The work includes installing new paving, walls, shelters, bins, seating and water features such as the fountain and fish ponds plus landscaping. It's all on track to be finished in the autumn."

If you would like to know more about Marine Cove gardens, the events coming up, or the restoration work taking place, contact Jacqui Strong by email here.

RELATED LINKS:

Official Burnham-On-Sea Dreamscheme Webpage