Improving our home through Towns Fund investment - Lightplay at Royal Terrace Gardens
As part of the government Towns Fund investment in Torquay, work is underway at Royal Terrace Gardens to improve the lighting and the environment for visitors and residents. This complements the works recently completed in Princess Gardens and Upton Park. New lighting fixtures will be installed to light the lower raised walkway and better illuminate the gardens and planting. This will not only be more attractive, but also create a safer environment. Repairs are also being completed on the electrics at the site.
Local talent and external expertise have worked together to create a durable - and locally inspired - design: Torbay Culture is only one of the partners involved in bringing this to fruition. Lighting design is led by Michael Grubb Studios, which has designed lighting for Historic Royal Palaces, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Bath Abbey and South Devon College’s Hi-Tech Digital Centre. Devon based Drew & Co is working with Michael Grubb Studios on the technical installation; and Ginkgo Projects, South Devon College, SWISCo, TDA, Torquay Museum, Torbay Council, Anouk Mercier, and individual student placements have all been part of the collaborative approach to making this happen.
As part of the design consultation, local residents expressed a strong desire to see the natural heritage of the area celebrated, with our UNESCO recognised environment, and famous local figures mentioned by people. These include scientist Amelia Griffiths (1768-1858) and geologist and archaeologist William Pengelly FRS FGS (1812-1894).
These ideas are being incorporated into the metalwork of the new lighting columns now being created.
Pengelly was instrumental in the setting up of Torquay Museum, and his excavations at Kents Cavern, Torquay, and Windmill Hill, Brixham were important to our understanding of history. Griffiths became a celebrated phycologist in her own lifetime, with material now in the collections of the British Museum, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Torquay Museum, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Clare Howe, Project Curator at Torquay Museum has been supporting the research process to ensure the designs accurately capture the local history. You can read more about the Towns Fund at the Torbay Council webpage here.
‘It’s great to see our accelerated projects take shape. Each project drives forward a better experience in the town centre, Lightplay in particular is also an opportunity to showcase our exciting and fascinating local history that both residents and visitors can enjoy.’
- Councillor Swithin Long, Cabinet Member, Economic Regeneration, Tourism & Housing, Torbay Council
‘This is the first phase of the Town Investment Plan, with longer term objectives including additional private and public sector investment, and new jobs. The Town Board is excited to see our ambitious plan to revitalise and regenerate the town move forward.’
- Vince Flower, Chairman of the Town Board
‘This is a chance to see something distinctive, and locally inspired, created for Torquay with local talent collaborating with external expertise. The new lighting will reflect and celebrate the fascinating cultural heritage of the place, specifically the natural environment, geology and science which is exactly why we are already recognised by UNESCO as part of the network of global geoparks’.
- Jacob Brandon, Chair, Torbay Culture
Background information:
The works at Royal Terrace Gardens are made possible using £200,000 of the £750,000 accelerated funding received as part of the first phase of the Town Investment Plan to enhance areas of key public realm within Torquay. The installation of more creative lighting will encourage more people to connect with the seafront all year round, as well as offering a boost to the night-time economy.
Image credits: lighting column fretwork designs by Anouk Mercier, supported by Torquay Museum curators.
