Dawlish News
Town Moves To Protect Its Famed Residents
WORK is about to start at the waterfowl enclosure and aviary in Dawlish to protect the breeding ground of the town's famous black swan.
It is hoped the £47,000 project at the Brunswick Place site will start next month.
The cost of the eight-week project has been supplemented by a capital expenditure grant of £2,000 from Teignbridge Council and a bequest of £8,555 from local resident John William Matthews.
The remainder of the money will be provided from the town council's capital funds.
The enclosure is home to a flock of about 14 black swans and 50 ornamental waterfowl.
The black swan, which have been an emblem of the town for 100 years, live freely on the brook but are housed in the enclosure when they are breeding.
Dawlish Mayor Geoff Wills said: "Although the costs were more than originally anticipated, it's good to know that the area will be enhanced and the centre given a new lease of life where working conditions will be significantly improved for staff members."
Cllr Pauline Bloomfield, chairman of the town council's civic amenities committee, added: "As the council moves forward to regenerate and improve the town the refurbishment of this asset will be of enormous benefit."
Dawlish Cllr Rosalind Prowse added: "This is a capital investment in the town and it's very important to Dawlish that we keep our waterfowl and black swans because this is what the town is known for."
