The team of volunteers who look after Dawlish's Memorial Garden have been praised for their work.

The garden has been particularly valued by local residents during Covid-19 as a tranquil place to take a socially-distanced stroll and enjoy nature and birdsong.

The volunteers, led by Cllr Val Mawhood, have worked throughout the year to maintain the garden, keep it tidy, and make sure it provides food and shelter for wildlife.

On Wednesday, November 18, Cllr Mawhood presented a report on the garden to the town council's Civic Amenities Committee.

She is chair of the committee, but undertakes the Memorial Garden work separately from her role with the town council.

A special effort for Remembrance service

She said in addition to their routine work, the volunteer gardeners had made a special effort for this month's Remembrance service, clearing up fallen leaves and removing them from the gutters and road drains.

The area around the gateway to St Gregory's Church was also cleared of weeds, the flower and shrub borders were tidied and a few small flowering plants were added.

Cllr Mawhood's report said: "Work will continue to clear more leaves, laying some down to create leaf mould for future use in the garden.

"It is also intended to make a start on a small trial, wildflower bed.

"The garden is fulfilling the aim of having something of interest all year and of providing food and shelter for wildlife.

"In fact recently a new and larger hedgehog hotel has been created in a hidden corner of the garden, and there are plenty of berries around for the birds."

A 'lovely' place to visit during lockdown

In her report, Cllr Mawhood also described how much local residents had appreciated the garden during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: "During the lockdowns many more people have taken a walk to and around the garden and have been heard to remark on how lovely it is.

"It has come into its own as a place for quiet enjoyment and a walk, precisely what it was intended for when Mr Herbert Holman gifted the land having lost his son Paul in WW1."

The other members of the committee expressed their appreciation for their work in the Memorial Garden.

Cllr Rosalind Prowse said: "It looks lovely and is a credit to you and all the volunteers."

Cllr Gary Taylor said: "I took some time last week to go down to the Memorial Garden, and it's a very special place, and made all the more so by the care and attention it gets from yourself and the other volunteers, so thank you."

Cllr Mary Lowther said: "When I went down to lay a wreath on Remembrance Sunday there was not a leaf out of place, everything was absolutely perfect.

"Congratulations, it was terrific, and we're all looking forward to visiting it in the spring."

Read more about the Memorial Garden's origins here: The history of the Memorial Garden