Sidmouth garden plaque mystery solved

THE history of a plaque commemorating one of the co-founders of Sidmouth Garden Club has come to light. As reported in last week s Herald the plaque, in memory of Ronald Lines Boyce, was recently unearthed by a Powys House resident and is now on exhibit

THE history of a plaque commemorating one of the co-founders of Sidmouth Garden Club has come to light.

As reported in last week's Herald the plaque, in memory of Ronald Lines Boyce, was recently unearthed by a Powys House resident and is now on exhibit at Sidmouth Museum.

It was believed the plaque had originally been placed at the Ham next to a commemorative bush and was then moved to Blackmore Gardens.

However Mr Boyce's daughter, Rosemarie Mathieson, has shed some light on the mystery of the plaque.

She said after her father died in 1984 Sidmouth Garden Club decided to plant a commemorative Magnolia plant marked by a plaque at Powys House.

Ms Mathieson explained that one of the members of the club "didn't think much of it" so it was decided to plant another Magnolia at the "other side" of Powys House.

It seems the plaque was not moved to this new setting and went undiscovered until a few weeks ago.

The display at Blackmore Gardens is not related to Ronald Lines Boyce's memorial plaque.