PLANS to develop Exeter's St Sidwell's Community Centre into a 'green oasis' and heritage centre are gathering pace.
Landscape designs are being drawn up in the churchyard of what was St Sidwell's Church, and the area's history is being highlighted next week when the centre plays host to an Heritage Open Day on September 12.
The long-term aim is to re-vamp the centre, with landscaped gardens and a redesigned and refurbished cafe and meeting rooms but also to make much more of the history of the centre and its surrounding area, which seems to have been largely forgotten.
St Sidwella's story contains a wicked stepmother, a beheading and a miracle.
A public consultation was held earlier this year and Dave Wright, the centre's manager explained the findings.
He said: "At the moment looking up the path towards it, the centre does not look very inviting and there is a lack of knowledge in the city about it too, a lot of people still think its a church."
Although services are still held in a small chapel, the church was converted into a community centre in 2001.
Landscaping plans include creating four seating areas along the path leading from Sidwell Street, through the churchyard to the centre.
There would also be lots of wildflower planting with mown paths leading to the graves of people with an interesting history buried in the churchyard.
These include a male witch and Dr Peter Hennis, who died following a duel on Haldon Hill. The plan is to introduce information displays to bring this heritage alive for visitors.
Also popular with those who took part in the consultation was the introduction of a water feature and better lighting and an entrance arch on Sidwell Street. The centre also wants to make more of its cafe, holding more evening events
Mr Wright said: "We want to change the way people see the place. In the long-term, we hope that our proposals will complement both the city council's plans to redevelop the bus station and surrounding areas and the plans of the St James Neighbourhood Forum."
The centre is being backed in its plans with a grant from the city council's New Homes Bonus –£10,000 has been approved to cover the cost of developing the plans and there is another possible £40,000 available if the centre is able to raise the rest of the funds to complete the works.
On Friday, September 12, people can drop into the cafe and sample the historic menu which includes Georgian ices, Waterloo Cottage Pie and Shrapnel Cakes. There will also be displays, a treasure hunt and storytelling ands staff will be in costume, remembering people from the past connected with St Sidwell's. On September 13 there will be a special heritage lunch, which is limited to 20. Tickets are free.
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