Lyn Community Development Trust
Lyn Community
Development Trust
Current Projects
Lynton Market Hall
The Trust has managed the Market Hall since 1999. Initially, half was used by the Public Library and the other half by the Pathfinder Centre, a computer training facility.
In 2014 the services of the Pathfinder centre were no longer needed and changes were made to the building to create three self-contained areas that can be assigned to new uses as needs change. Currently, these spaces are occupied by the Library, a Fitness Gym and a Coffee Roaster.
Middleham Gardens
The Trust took on the management of Middleham Gardens in 2004. The gardens serve as a reminder of the community that lived there until the terrible flood in August 1952. We hope they will be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike and to serve as a place of reflection. The gardens are regularly maintained by the “Friends of Middleham Gardens” that meet on the first Wednesday of the month. If you would like to get involved, please email lcdttrustees@gmail.com
Lyn Climate Action
Lyn Climate Action has come under the umbrella of LCDT. A local group looking to make a positive impact in the area to combat the effects of climate change. The Trust are delighted to have been able to support the Community Orchard and Wildflower Meadow project. Lynton now has a community orchard that will soon be supplying apples for everyone to enjoy.
Affordable Housing
The Trust has been the vehicle for this project since 2017, following the need identified in a housing needs survey undertaken in 2016. This has always been a challenging project due to the availability of funding and of course the issue of finding a suitable site in a small town. Due to a lack of funding the project has been on hold for a number of years but has been revived in the last couple of years and a new housing needs survey was completed in 2023 again showing a need for affordable housing.
With all projects of this nature it is vital that the project is supported by the community and with this in mind the Trust are currently reviewing all the options available.
Devon Air Ambulance Night Landing Site
We are delighted to be able to support and part fund this project that enables timely medical care to be provided to us in our beautiful but isolated community. The site at Holman Park is fitted with floodlights that can be remotely activated from the Air Ambulance when needed to enable a night landing. The Trust manage the monitoring and maintenance of these lights.
Lyn in Bloom
The streets of Lynton and Lynmouth will once again be full of colour in summer with the beautiful planting from Lyn in Bloom. This is a fantastic project which adds to our already beautiful town.
Previous Projects
Woodside Bridge
After a relatively slow start to fundraising in 2018, in 2019 we saw an uplift in the effort resulting in sufficient funds having been raised to replace the iconic Woodside Bridge in the Watersmeet Valley.
Our thanks go to the members of the subcommittee who, working in partnership with the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) and the National Trust (NT) ensured work started on the replacement bridge in late April 2020.
Between ENPA and LCDT, over £73,000 has been raised and a special opening ceremony at a date to be arranged will be a fitting tribute to all our efforts.
At the same time, efforts have been made to improve access from the bridge to Middleham Gardens.
Coleridge Way Extension
The LCDT led the effort to extend the Coleridge Way from Porlock to Lynmouth.
Four major routes all had some form of improvements: the Coleridge Way was extended; the Two Moors Way celebrated its 40th anniversary; the South West Coast Path has been part of an international tourism project.
The Walker
Richard Graham was commissioned to produce a sculpture symbolising walkers using the Coleridge way. Its purpose is to promote Lynmouth’s role as Exmoor’s premier walking centre – passers-by are encouraged to be photographed shaking his hand.
“The Walker” has been installed where the Coleridge Way, Two Moors Way, South West Coast Path and Tarka Trail meet opposite the Pavilion on Lynmouth Waterfront. It was unveiled in May 2017 by John Craven of the BBC’s Countryfile. The statue stands on Lynmouth Esplanade and has become an iconic fixture, photographed by many.
Lynmouth Pavilion
Participated in planning for the renaissance of the disused Lynmouth Pavilion.