A PLEASING turnout at the first annual public meeting of Sidmouth Arboretum proved encouraging for its hard-working committee members.

Talks heard various planting schemes are in the pipeline and the pioneering organisation is working with a host of landowners.

Sponsorship has been netted for tree trail leaflets and Sidmouth Garden Centre owner Ian Barlow has offered to cover the costs of future print runs.

Leaflets for Sidbury are due out in the spring with Salcombe Regis planned for next year.

The arboretum’s consultant dendrologist, Hugh Angus, is building up a loyal following for his informative and entertaining tree walks around the area.

There is scope for increasing these with local leaders.

The second Annual Tree Day will take place in Sidmouth on June 28. It will be led by Jon Stokes, general manager of the Tree Council.

The arboretum’s Diana East praised the support of its patrons Sir John Cave and Professor Julia Slingo, who was named a dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Schoolchildren will take part in a tree survey in the coming months.

Members of the public who spoke at the meeting praised the unique project for achieving so much in a short space of time – and has provided a template for other communities to do the same.