The Civic Society’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2010 included one special event which marked a new beginning for a sad and neglected part of Clevedon - the Pier Copse Viewpoint.
The seating area in the Copse, which overlooks the Pier and included a former sensory garden, had seen better days. Broken seats, worn out tarmac and tired and dilapidated fences greeted visitors and the whole area was screened by a particularly unattractive high curved wall cutting off those wonderful views.
It was time for the Civic Society’s Environment Group to come to the rescue. They had the viewpoint in their sights.
First of all a concept for rebuilding the area was drawn up. All that had to be done next was to raise the finance and convince the owners of the site, North Somerset Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Department, of their plans.
Thanks to a financial contribution from Wyevale Grounds Maintenance, North Somerset Council was able to commission the scheme. Work started in May this year to enable the project to be finished in time for the public opening on July 9 by the chairman of the Clevedon Town Council, Cllr Colin Hall, and Cllr Carl Francis-Pester of North Somerset Council.
In addition to Wyevale and North Somerset Council’s funding, Clevedon Town Council paid for the disabled access to be formed into the seating area and the Civic Society paid for the sunflower feature.
In the picture, from left to right: Bob Hardcastle, Cllr Carls Francis-Pester, Cllr Colin Hall, Rob Campbell
What a difference a few weeks make. Now the whole area has been repaired. Smart new stainless steel seats and tables have been installed: the sensory garden has been replanted: the screen wall has been lowered: gorgeous granite pavers replace some of the tarmac and the new disabled access has become a welcome facility.
As a visual attraction a four-metre high sunflower feature, which also shows the four points of the compass, watches proudly over the whole seating area.
Within hours of the work finishing people were using and admiring the new viewpoint area.
25 October 2018 - Pier Copse
Edward Mckay received a £4 k donation from John Tranter on behalf of Clevedon Civic Society towards environmental improvements at Pier Copse, Clevedon.
A series of projects jointly undertaken by North Somerset Council and Clevedon Civic Society have significantly upgraded the environment in this part of the sea front benefiting both residents and visitors.
Firstly there was a new seating and picnic area with wonderful views out over the pier and bay. This included new hard landscaping, stainless steel seats tables and sculpture, new railings and planting which the Civic Society maintains.
Following closure of the gents toilets at pavement level, the redundant eyesore opposite the pier was transformed into a pleasant seating area with raised planting beds ,stone paving and a location plan for visitors. The planting is also maintained by the Civic Society.
The latest project to be completed is the installation of hoop-topped metal railings, these replaced dilapidated and unsafe painted timber railings, and the visual improvement is dramatic. Views out of the park from the benches are much better and the safety of the public is improved as there are considerable drops to pavement level which are now fully guarded. The layout of the new railings also facilitates the work of the volunteers who can now plant and maintain this important part of the seafront safely.
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