It was at the Vision Group for Sidmouth’s AGM that the Friends of Glen Goyle project gave their 2025 Annual Report – which is published here in full:
FRIENDS OF GLEN GOYLE – ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Firstly thanks to John Hopkins, John McGregor, and Roger our treasurer, for providing a lot of this report. And thanks to our dedicated group of volunteers.
We meet on Thursday mornings. We will be there if something really needs doing. Otherwise we are very flexible, and are certainly not martyrs. We do not turn up in all winds and weathers. And during the summer we will also do a bit of watering on other days. Based on the hours and effort that we put in, we are probably saving EDDC between £8k and £12k pa.
When we started four years ago, we had quite a lot of heavy clearance to do. As the years have gone on, we have been able to concentrate on keeping the area tidy, continuing to control invasive plants such as bamboo, ivy, bramble, bay, and three-cornered leek. Established plants are thriving now that they have light and water.
We also weed, chat, plant, chat, prune, chat, sweep, chat, water, and chat. but it’s not all work. we occasional stop for a chat.
The big flower-bed between the brook and the lawn has been enhanced with donated plants such as canna lilies, salvias, day lilies, and geraniums. Plants have been donated by us and from members of the public. And we have also had financial donations from members of the public. EDDC has also given us a lot of plants. We have recently received 1125 mixed bulbs, including crocus, anemone, narcissus, bluebell, snowdrops, and grape hyacinth.
A summary of some of the year’s highlights –
April. We hosted a visit by the Trefoil Guild, ending up in the Belmont Hotel for afternoon tea.
May. We planted 4 large ferns (Chamaerops Trachicarpus Fortunei) and one large (Dicksonia Antartica) tree fern. These were paid for through a donation from the Edwin and Joyce Hill Trust.
And we repaired a section of dodgy footpath, covering tree roots with hardcore. this did not affect the trees, but has improved the footpath immensely. Thanks to those outside the group, who came to help.
July. An inspection by RHS judges and Sidmouth in bloom.
October. We received an ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Outstanding Award Level 5.
And. The Bassett Family memorial bench was installed on the lawn. This was paid for by the Bassett family. It took over two years to get this far. Thanks to Kevin Walker of STC for getting involved and moving this along.
We are hoping to reinstate a path that once linked the higher lawn with the lower bridge, making it possible for wheelchair access through all areas. We’ve cleared the route of foliage, and a survey of levels is being undertaken by Andy Pitcher Land Surveys. Andy is doing this free of charge, so a big thank you to Andy. I hope that next year we can report on the completion of the path, but I doubt it.
We have installed a wondrous owl box, kindly donated by Steve and Sally Jellyman. We have twelve bat boxes ready for installation thanks to a donation from the Joyce Hill Charitable Trust. Thanks for advice received from Devon Wildlife Trust and consultants Halpin Robbins.
Another successful FOGG year. A big thank you to Jeremy and VGS for it’s continued support, to councillors who have supported and encouraged us, and the small group of EDDC employees who have tried hard to work with us. Thanks for donations of plants and money, and of time given freely. And we appreciate the kind words that we have received from the public, both locals and visitors, as they have passed through our wonderful haven.
Finally, I would like to mention that Katie, who was one of our founding members, remains very poorly. She was able to visit us earlier this year, which was wonderful. We continue to miss her a lot.
Thank you.
Steering Group
Friends of Glen Goyle
21 November 2025
Finally, the Annual Report has been put into the format used by the Sidmouth Town Council’s Environment Cttee – and has been sent to them for consideration at their next meeting. See: Environment Committee (8 Dec 2025) – Sidmouth Town Council
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