THE roundabout on the Bude-Stratton boundary, always referred to by locals as ‘Morrisons roundabout’, is about to get a makeover.

Two friends, Sue Read, local artist and Bude girl and Jane Adams, retired headteacher and resident of over 40 years, have, over the last 18 months, given their time voluntarily to take an idea through to getting the approval of the town and county council to install three sculptures and landscape this roundabout.

Sue and Jane said: “It’s a key entry point into Bude and says nothing about our vibrant town, which has a thriving culture and great community. Everything that is being done is aimed at being environmentally sensitive, low to no maintenance and to be there for several decades. Three surfboard sculptures are planned with the designs being finalised as we speak.”

A really exciting development was the interest of Clive Woodward, CEO of Bott Ltd, Bude, who has generously offered the skills and expertise of his team to making the sculptures on behalf of the community. In the final stages of planning, the three surfboard sculptures will be cut from sheet metal, fitted to galvanised steel uprights, which are to be supplied by CORMAC.

The images will reflect the spirit of Bude, the iconic barrel rock, the surfing culture of Bude as the first surf life saving club in the country and continues to thrive as a surfing mecca, the ocean and fishing, and the fact that Bude has one of the highest recorded hours of sunshine.

Once the works embargo for CORMAC ends in mid-September, CORMAC will clean the roundabout walls, cull the weeds and complete the groundworks for the planned sculpture installations. Jane and Sue have a ready and willing small team of volunteers to complete the landscaping and the final sculptures will be installed.

“There has been a lot of development in the area that has been out of the control of the people of Bude. We want the town and its people to have complete ownership of this roundabout. For us it is about Bude retaining its independence and sense of identity. In a nutshell, we want this project and roundabout to belong to the people of Bude. It will be ‘Agan Fordh a’ Dro’, meaning ‘our roundabout’ in Cornish.”

Whilst the development may not be to everyone’s liking, Sue and Jane hope that it will be received in a positive manner.

They said: “We want it to be seen as the work of two people who love where they live and want to promote the vibrant amazing community that is Bude.”

However, the pair are still seeking funds to pay for capillary matting, all the chippings, other landscaping and planting.

They are approaching the Chamber of Commerce and Bude Tourist Information Centre members to assist with funding the project, but are encouraging anyone who would like to make a donation however large or small, to visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/budemorrisonsroundaboutmakeover