Here it is! The Mayor's palm has arrived in Torquay
THE controversial new palm tree at the gateway to Torquay has arrived.
Torbay Mayor Gordon Oliver has come under fire for sanctioning £7,000 to be spent on the new palm tree as part of a £20,000 roadworks projects at the Kerswell Gardens roundabout on the main road into Torquay from Kingskerswell.
The tree duly arrived on Monday night and was hoisted into position.
Reaction from Twitter followers of @Thisissdevon includes:
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benmorby queue gardens!
JonathanPalfrey It's a bit short...
Caz_Infinity What use is another palm tree to us?! Tourists aren't going to come from all over to see a tree! I think it's disgusting how much he spent on that, that could've gone to something worthwhile like SureStart to help the town
Samboshakes Looks alright but a golden palm would more appropriate, then melt it down to make a livery collar for our beloved mayor! Pffft
MegzKellyPerry Is this what our BID money and business rates go on? What a JOKE. Should be spent improving business & the town centre.
GemMcCoy I'd like to see that sort of money spent on the town centre, looks disgusting. That's what tourists notice...not a palm tree.
philoundering I like it. Nature is the best sculptor
Ruby97765641 Huge waste of money desperately needed elsewhere, especially considering it has to be removed in three years.
torbaytowns @MegzKellyPerry No BID money was spent on this scheme. BID money is only spent within the town centre to benefit businesses
carolpowe Looks like a pineapple!
Chiclanagirl If this came from Southern Spain it is likely it also came with the Spanish beetle which can kill it within a few weeks.
AbberleyTorquay It was a ridiculous idea in the first place, and that is what it looks like - ridiculous
CllrKPTorbayFabulous. It will become iconic.
The showpiece 20ft tall potted palm will have to be removed in three years' time to make way for the new Kingswerswell bypass.
The floodlit Canary date palm has come from Spain and was craned in on Monday night.
Torbay Council says the money will come from a £100,000 Gateway Project to improve the entrance to the town.
Opposition councillors have questioned whether the money is well-spent at a time of up to £10million cuts; overspending on adult and children's services, and lack of funds for other facilities such as Brixham's Shoalstone Pool.
Some opponents went on television to voice their feelings.
The Phoenix Canariens palm is being positioned in a pot at the centre of the island. It will be lit by solar LED at night.
Herald Express readers have their say - see this week's paper
Comments
by Wayne_Kerr
Thursday, October 18 2012, 7:39PM
“What a waste of time and money.
"Look kids ... a roundabout with a Palm Tree in it" - Hardly iconic, or inspiring is it?
Why not have a 20ft parking meter instead, after all, the tourists will be seeing more of those along the seafront.
I suppose it will give me something to look at whilst I'm stuck stationary on the Newton Road on my daily commute...”
by 10ftpineapple
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:38PM
“Where is Spongebob going to live now they have his home on a pile of rubble?”
by reiwruwiou
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:22PM
“Now, is anyone out there familiar with the classic screensaver "Johnny Castaway"? All we need is a sandy base and a reserved seat on the roundabout for Moses Peter...”
by howardd1
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 8:48PM
“the man from del-monti he says yes”
by realityzone
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 5:20PM
“Sadly another interesting thread being trashed by those who cannot debate sensibly.”
by Skye Lettings & Management Torquay Ltd
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:05PM
“I've got a Torbay Palm in my front garden thats bigger than that, he could have had it for 5 Grand!”
by DevonJanner
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 12:00PM
“sidney are a Devonian?”
by SidneyNuff
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 10:16AM
“Ha, I like the way you assume that Majorca is tackier than Torquay. Majorca is a beautiful island, an island that the Germans have been buying properties on in huge amounts, but not in the one area the Brits like to holiday in. Torquay has become a tacky hole and so has the part of Majorca where the Brits holiday. Spot the connection (clue - It has nothing to do with the Spannish or the Germans). Majorca has seen huge investment over the past 20 years - Spot the difference.”
by DevonJanner
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 7:41AM
“a pineapple on a pile of drabby boulders ,would look better in majorca,not torquay,i like the roundabout by five lanes much more in keeping, far cheaper and easier to maintain,i reckon it could be an accident blackspot as vision is blocked whilst driving around it,should have just left alone and brought a couple of local gardeners in to tidy up !!!”
by RivieraPalms
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 2:08AM
“In reply to gordonbennett
I find it sad that you have to insult me personally to get you're point across.”