JASON'S GARDEN, TEIGNMOUTH. 1

On a recent walk around Teignmouth Sue and I decided to walk up the cliff path to take a few photo's. While taking these a pickup truck and trailer passed us (its very narrow), later rounding a corner we came upon an open double set of gates with two men (father & son) unloading the trailer.The area on which they were working looked amazing, so much so we asked them a few questions, this was what we learn't .In around 2000-01 a Teignmouth family decided to erect a garden in memory of their lost son Jason. In the late 1990s Jason Pope (26) a geologist working in Angola at the Yetwene Diamond mine, was along with several others kidnapped by a gang of heavily armed rebels.During this raid several more workers were killed or injured, this in spite of the mine being guarded by well armed men. Father Alan spent 30 days in the area a few years later trying to find either news or the whereabouts of his son, all to no avail, although mum Nev says she has still not completely given up hope.The garden located high above Teignmouth commands beautifull views of the whole area. The idea was worked out and planned by the whole family and to date has cost them thousands of pounds and countless hours of work. The project has had a preview to the public but wont be completed until May this year. Dad Alan and other son Damion are on site in all weathers trying to finish the project. In the early days of planning the family searched high and low to find a suitable site, before eventually settling on this one. This blog will probably be in two (possibly three) parts as there is so much to see and tell.
The site was originally (during the war) an allotment, one of several during "dig for victory" times, it stands high on cliffs above the railway lines at the Dawlish end of Teignmouth. When it was first purchased it would be unrecognisable when viewed today. It was just a wild and overgrown cliffside plot, as the first photo's show.
The family did try hard to retain as many of the original trees as possible, but the Rail company decided it would pose a problem to their lines 100 feet below. They then sent in engineers who cleared 90% of the trees and shored up the banks.
Above, these photo's were as it was bought by the Pope's, below, how Rail engineers ripped it to pieces, to shore and fence it.
All these pictures on this blog were taken during early consruction by the family, they will be on display in a building on the site when its completed. (Sue retook them).
All the Materials used (thousands of tons) have been brought up here either by Pickup truck or van plus trailer, these are the only vehicles small enough to navigate the very very narrow road up. The biggest part of the Stone used originally came from the demolished part of the local school building Mt Everest.
Above, Stonework on the gateposts, in progress by the lads
There will be two buildings on site one stone the other timber built. One will contain photo's, history etc, possibly snacks and drinks too, the other an organic toilet/washroom, although power is only 12 volt and comes from solar panels on the roofs, water is collected from rain water in tanks. The whole site will be run by charities these being the Teignmouth life Guards and the Teignmouth boy Scouts.

This huge piece of stone circle was one of the most difficult to get to and erect on site. In part two we will post lots more photo's and put correct any things I may not have exactly right.