Eastcliff (Mules) Park

We have a new Mosaic, created by Michelle Greenwood Brown

The old one was getting a bit weather worn and pieces were becoming loose. It showed a compass in the centre with fishes and sailing boats around the edge with the inscription " BLESS THE SEA AND ALL THATS IN, BUT BRING ME HOME TO KITH AND KIN"

The whole area of the Lookout Point has now been levelled and cemented over with level access added for the disabled, and new steps at the front. There is a carved seat and the new mosaic is on a theme of the North Star to guide our sailors and fishermen on their journeys.

The new mosaic created by Michelle Greenwood Brown

In the centre is a swallow coming home to welcome spring, surrounded by fishes and waves. Around that we have elements of the park with Ivy and berry laden twigs, and of course the points of the compass to guide us home safely. Around this we have sea themed cartouches with sailing boats, seagulls, dolphins, shells and starfish on the beach. Another has a crab, shell, and anchor. Seperating these we have elements of the park with butterflies, flowers, birds, bees, dragonflies and violets.

The inscription surrounding all of this beautiful detail reads "BRIGHT STAR WOULD I WERE STEDFAST AS THOU ART"

This is the first line of a love sonnet by John Keats.

Before anybody complains about the spelling, it was written circa 1818/1819. The old spelling of  'steadfast' originally was without the 'a' (stedfast). Other old versions are 'stedefast' or 'stedefæst'.

Michelle tells us "The inspiration was the two views from the plinth, looking back into the trees and meadows and looking forward to the sea and beach. The swallow has always been a significant symbol for sailors and a traditional subject for their tattoos. I chose to use the original Keats spelling of steadfast. The mosaic is made using a heritage porcelain tile made for over 200 years by a French company called Winckelmans. It is twice fired and extremely weatherproof and non slip. The same material is often used in the old mosaic shop doorways, a few of which remain in the town."

Bright Star

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like Nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priestlike task

Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—

No—yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever—or else swoon to death.

Addressed to a star (perhaps Polaris the Pole star, around which the heavens appear to wheel), the sonnet expresses the poet's wish to be as constant as the star while he presses against his sleeping love.

The poem came to be forever associated with his "Bright Star" Fanny Brawne – with whom Keats became infatuated.

Some of you may remember some years ago the lookout had a shed and a shelter on it but a 12 year old vandal decided to set it alight.

   The old shelter

The new works begin - Hank inspects the old mosaic and seat. He doesn't look impressed.

In with the new ramp                                                           New kerbing

The old mosaic disappears under cement                    Some new steps

The final touches to the base to make it non slip          Finally Larry inspects the new Lookout Point.

There is a new fishy themed seat and table

A bit about Michell Greenwood Brown

She was born in Teignmouth and has lived here for most of her life. She is a full time professional mosaic artist and a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey. She also teaches mosaic and will be exhibiting in Devon Open Studios at TAAG gallery in September if people want to come in and chat to her and see some mosaic demos. She has a series of mosaics permanently displayed around the arts quarter area in Teignmouth and is currently working on a big project for Totnes town council.

27 January 2019

C.2013

This was something different for The Friends of Eastcliff Park: we don't usually work in the Rowdens, outside of The Orchard. The aim was to uncover the big rhododendrons on the lawn.

I can just about remember how it was when I was a school there nearly fifty years ago. There was a big island of rhodies without the brambles and scrubby trees. We won't be able to wind the clock right back but there should be a much better show of flowers this year.

A big thank you to everyone who turned out.

C.1926

Below: working on Sunday, 27 January 2019

Starting January 22nd 2018 the top pond will be desilted. Work has already started (18/01/18 on preparing the pond, and a large pipe has been laid to take the running water over the pond to the next pond down. The Teignbridge Park team managed to salvage the pipe used 8 years ago on repairing the ponds. The bank will then be supported with rocks to stop mud and silt being washed down into the pond in the future. A family in Maudling drive kindly donated the rocks when they shifted an old wall and rockery.

January 22nd, pipe work installed to divert the water flow

January 24th,start to remove the silt

Sian shifting silt - with a smile

January 30th

mud glorious mud

The silt ends up in the walled garden for use in the community gardens

Spoil into Soil

Our volunteers have featured in the Teignmouth News January 25th 2017.

Pictured with the pallets to produce the new bin are from left, Ian Cannons, Peter Lewis, Jacqui Bunce, Pat Lewis, Iain Ferguson, and Ghostie the dog (who helps to water the trees).

The text by David Caunter accompanying the photo in The Teignmouth News reads:

A group of volunteers are making good progress in helping to restore a popular Teignmouth cliffside park.

The Friends of Eastcliff Park, also known as Mules Park, have just taken delivery of a second large compost bin.

This will help them deal with the material they have cleared over the winter, particularly the gunnera - the strange alien looking plant that resembles a giant rhubarb.

The group takes an interest in all aspects of the park and the people who use it, its history and restoration.

"Our long term objective is to restore parts to their original state. We are keeping the beds looking good for all the visitors to enjoy" said Ian Cannons the secretary.

Some of the group have joined up to receive regular bulletins of what is going on, and others to help with practical tasks and fundraising.

The focus of the practical work is in two areas - The Orchard and The Dell.

The Dell contains the chain of ponds, extending from near The Walled Garden along the Western boundary of the park. It was a formal garden when it was part of the Cliffden estate.

In 2013 the Friends established an orchard of traditional apple varieties in the park, and are working with the Teinbridge Green Spaces team to maintain the orchard.

They meet weekly and monthly to develop The Dell, and maintain The Orchard.