Financial cutbacks for maintaining Tenby’s floral displays could lead to a section of a popular seafront garden area being closed.

Recently the chair of Tenby in Bloom Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane reiterated the difficulties of maintaining the town’s high floral standards without spending as much, informing her colleagues at Tenby town council that the organisation welcomed any new ideas for planning ahead, as they would be once again working with tighter budgets due to cuts made by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Clr. Mrs Lane warned her colleagues that as PCC owned the gardens in Tenby, there would always be a concern that they could turn around at any time and say they are no longer doing anything and close the gates to gardens, something she has stated would be detrimental to the resort, as people’s first impressions of the town were vital to the economy, and the floral aspect had always played a big part for the town’s appearance.

Discussing planning for next year’s floral displays at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council once again Clr. Mrs. Lane said that a further meeting had outlined PCC’s plans to look at making changes to a couple of Tenby’s gardens.

“Because PCC’s manpower is so low, they cannot do as much as they would like to do, so it is looking like we will have to cut down on flower beds in certain gardens,” she explained, stating that Gilroy Phillips Gardens located at South Cliff Gardens nearby to Tenby Bowling Green would be one of the areas that might suffer.

She also said that changes would be made to the Paragon gardens overlooking the South Beach, with the possibility of a war memorial bench being added as a centre piece focal feature and also an interpretation board.

“The biggest concern for the Paragon garden is the bottom level down, which could be closed off altogether and the gates locked unless PCC can come up with a scheme that needs no maintenance,” continued Clr. Mrs. Lane.

The town clerk estimated that changes to just those two gardens could amount to a saving of around £4,000 when costings for flowerbeds and watering were taken into account.

Clr. Mrs. Lane also said that some of the hanging baskets outside St Mary’s Church that are overshadowed by trees could also be removed.

“Tenby in Bloom are asking for the support of the town council to make sure that the top two levels at the Paragon gardens are kept open for now, and then look to see what we can achieve at the lower level,” she said.

The Mayor, Clr. Tony Brown said that it would be a loss if the Paragon gardens were closed as they enjoyed ‘fantastic views’.

“The Paragon are such important gardens for the town, and in a prime position,” said Clr. Laurence Blackhall.

“If you go there in the summer, they will always be full of people, so we need to find a solution.

“I know its very difficult and I pay tribute to PCC’s gardening team who are determined and do a superb job, and I know the predicament they are in, but I think we have to try and retain some planting in that garden, as there comes a point where you have to somehow retain a balance for what is important for the town.

“Besides, they cant close the gates as they have no money to fix them in the first place!” he added.

Clr. Mrs. Lane urged her fellow councillors to get some ideas together to take to PCC to see what they can come up with.

“It’s not just Tenby in Bloom’s responsibility, it is a problem for the whole town,” added Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter.