The finishing touches are this week being made to the £360,000 refurbishment of Burnham-On-Sea’s Marine Cove gardens, which are set to officially re-open to the public later this month.
The project – which is being part-funded with £344,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund – includes new paving, landscaping, walls, fencing, lighting, seating and water features at the seafront gardens.
During the past few days, new turf has been laid, the seafront shelters have been given a final coat of paint and a replica 1920s cherub statue has been re-introduced to the centre of the garden’s pond, as pictured.
Marine Cove Community Gardener Jacqui Strong said this week that the bulk of the work is on track to be completed this coming weekend, with only planting activities remaining before the grand opening.
The official opening will take place on Saturday September 24th and will include a ceremonial seafront parade of supporters dressed in 1920s costumes.
It will start at 10.45am at the jetty before making its way to Marine Cove, where a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned.
But Jacqui says the Cove’s events will not end after the opening ceremony. “Part of our commitment to the Heritage Lottery Fund is that events will continue through the year, so the Friends of Marine Cove are getting schools and local youth groups involved in a wide range of activities.”
Harley Cook, from Sedgemoor District Council, who has been overseeing the long-running project, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “After three years of work on this project, it’s exciting to see the refurbishment nearing completion.”
CCTV coverage of the gardens has also been improved in order to increase security at the site.
In additon to the lottery funding, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council has given £14,500 towards the project.
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