Our Swan of the Exe by Teignmouth Pier

Trail Recycled Art in the Landscape have allocated Starcross History a terrific spot on Teignmouth seafront for Vicky Jocher's sculpture of The Swan of the Exe. Plot number 12 is near the entrance to Teignmouth Grand Pier. The sculpture will be on display all summer.

The sculptures on T.R.A.I.L. have to be made from at least 75% of recycled materials. Materials used in our replica of Captain George Peacock's Victorian maritime folly include:

• a thrown-away plastic boat, donated by Teignbridge District Council, 
• a hand-made trawler net, which was found on Teignmouth beach, 
• white netting, donated by Butterfly Community Art and Craft Centre in Dawlish   
• plastic fishing-rod cases,
• white netting bags no longer needed since the Guide Dogs for the Blind stopped their collection of tinfoil, 
• some plastic beercan holders collected by Dawlish Bowls Club

and many white milkbottles which have been used to make feathers. The feathers have been made by members of Starcross History, and by Starcross residents. More feathers are to be made tomorrow in workshops given by Vicky Jocher and Monica Lang on behalf of Starcross History, at Starcross Primary School.

How is all this going to be put together? You'll have to wait and see! The maquette will be revealed at the Starcross History meeting on Wednesday.   

One thing we will tell you is that the swan's beak will be made from an orange plastic oar which was found on Teignmouth back beach several years ago. We'll have enough feathers, but more plastic marine debris is needed to complete the assemblage.  If you would collect some plastic marine debris, please get in touch.  Comment on here, or email starcross.history@gmail.com

The underlying message of T.R.A.I.L. is about the vast quantities of plastic which pollute our oceans.
Here's a few links about the problem, There are many more.
 Plastic Oceans
The Ocean Clean-up
Seeturtles
Natural Resources Defence Council
National Geographic
Ecowatch

The Swan will be installed on Monday, 13th July, and will remain by Teignmouth pier until around September 6th. If anyone has a site where this Swan of the Exe sculpture can be displayed after it has to be taken away in September, please get in touch. Comment on here, or email starcross.history@gmail.com

Here's a history of Teignmouth pier, from The National Piers Society's website:

Work began in 1865 and the 700 foot structure opened in 1867. Designed by J.W.Wilson, its construction incorporated cast-iron screw piles.

It was later purchased by Mr Arthur Ryde Denby who planned to relocate the pier in Paignton. However, because of structural difficulties, a new pier was built at Paignton and Teignmouth was restored, re-opening on July 24th 1876.

Improvements included a 260 foot pavilion at the shoreward end and development of the seaward end. Work on the Castle pavilion was completed in 1890. During the summer months, excursion steamers called on a daily basis.

In the early 1960s, a bridge connecting the landing stage to the rest of the structure was removed, reducing the pier's length by 75 feet.

New steel piling was inserted under all the pier buildings. A groyne scheme caused the undermining of many of the old wooden piles and additional work became necessary at the shoreward end to repair the damage.

The shoreward end pavilion housed shops and amusements, whilst the rebuilt deck had fairground rides and a go-kart track on the site of the old Castle pavilion, which had been destroyed by fire many years earlier.

In February 2014, the pier was closed after being badly damaged by huge waves and strong winds, with repairs estimated in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. The pier eventually reopened in July, with new retail units and new machines having been provided.

Teignmouth pier was in the news last month, when it was filmed in  the life story of Donald Crowhurst which starred Colin Firth

Here's a shot of Teignmouth pier and some of the old car 'film extras' which were parked around Teignmouth on June 4th