Colyton Parish Council

Colyton Parish Council is responsible for the following amenities

Annual Parish Inspection of Amenities: The Parish Council conducts an annual inspection of the amenities, but please report to the Clerk any damage you may have seen.

Allotments: The parish has a large allotment area on Mount Hill. There is usually a waiting list for plots but contact the Clerk to be added to the list. Most allotment holders are members of the Allotments Association, contact the chairman Jason Goss for more information Tel: 01297 552 674.

Bat House: The council had considered demolishing the disused Chapel of Rest in the parish cemetery. Instead, the chapel was converted into a bat house in collaboration with the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnerships project 'Looking Out for Bats'. A new mezzanine floor provides a warm loft, gaps were opened to provide better access, and a large insulated 'warm box' allows bats to huddle together in the winter. The cemetery is a haven for six bat species, lesser horseshoe bats quickly moved into the new roost. For more information see:  www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/Lookingoutforbats.htm or contact Pete Youngman Tel: 01404 549 173

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Gardens: The Parish Council maintains four small gardens in Colyton for the enjoyment of residents. A part time gardener is employed, but volunteer help in keeping the gardens tidy and free of weeds is always welcome — please contact the Town Clerk.

1. St. Andrew's: A small secluded garden behind the Gerrard Arms provides a good view of the church.

2. Bridge House Garden: over the Umborne Bridge beside the River Coly this garden has a small summerhouse, a lovely sunny spot to rest and feed the ducks. To commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, this was tidied and planted up by the Colyton and District Garden Society with trees, shrubs and plants in shades of yellow and Gold.

3. Mr Baker's Garden: Below the Colcombe Castle opposite the public car park, this small garden is dedicated to the memory of Mr Baker who owned the local tannery.

4. Govers Meadow Garden: Where Govers Meadow joins Dolphin Street this small garden is just the place to rest after shopping in the town. This garden was given to the parish by the family of the late Mr Gover.

Doctor's Stone: A memorial stone seat just along the Hillhead road near the Picnic Site. A good resting place to recover from a walk up Hillhead from Colyton.

Picnic Site: The Picnic Site at Hillhead is dedicated to the memory of Dr Maclean

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Community Woodland: This small steep woodland below the Picnic Site was established in 1994. To commemorate the Millennium, The Colyton and District Garden Society planted six apple trees of varieties connected with Devon (eg 'Sops in Wine' and 'Tom Putt'). The society also planted other trees, especially whitebeam. Recent work by BTVC recovered some parts which had become overgrown. Some original trees have grown into fine specimens and areas are now reserved to encourage butterflies.

The Cemetery is owned and maintained by the Parish Council. For details of how to arrange a burial or memorial at the Parish Cemetery please click Cemetery

Peace Memorial Playing Fields:
The Pavilion. The sports Pavilion was built with local support and a National Lottery grant. The main room is available for bookings; please contact Carol Turner Tel: 553396
 

Playground: A playground for use by young children; maintained by the Parish Council.

MUGA: A Multi Use Games Area Surface was laid by EDDC in 2009. Final plans for the development of the area are to be agreed between the Playing Fields Committee, the Reece Strawbridge Centre and the Council. Some funding has been promised by the Colyton Carnival Committee and other funds are being sought from EDDC (S106 funds).

Tennis Courts: Two courts are available to hire by the hour. Keys held at the Premier shop, Market Place.

Reece Strawbridge Youth Centre: The Colyton baker, Mr Reece-Strawbridge, donated a building for the youth of Colyton. The money raised from the sale of that building contributed to the brand new Reece-Strawbridge centre located in the Memorial Playing fields. It is built on land leased from the Parish Council. The upper floor has large rooms for the Caterpillar Pre-school, a kitchen-cafe and an office-consulting room. This floor also contains the Scout Hall, a meeting room and storage space

The youth centre is located on the ground floor, also has a music room, a computer room, an open plan kitchen and a large activities hall.

Rooms are available for hire with kitchen and lavatory facilities. To enquire about donations, facilities and bookings click the email address below:-

Road Green: A playground for younger children.

Amenities NOT owned by the Council
Colyford Common Nature Reserve: In 2002 East Devon District Council opened a brand new Local Nature Reserve at Colyford Common. EDDC purchased 27 acres of tidal marsh and together with 6 acres of similar land owned by the Burgesses of Colyford (leased to EDDC) now forms this 33 acre nature reserve. See: https://avdcs.wordpress.com/
Holyford Woods Nature Reserve:  This nature reserve within the parish is not owned by the Parish Council, it was bought in 2002 by the Holyford Woodland Trust with assistance from EDDC. For full details see: www.holyfordwoods.org.uk