IT chooses a Pretty Maid every year and now there are hopes of making Holsworthy more pretty — a new scheme may be rolled out there over the next three years to make the town look more appealing.

After recent funding cuts from Devon County Council the provisions for maintaining the grass verges in and around Holsworthy are to be lost.

Torridge District Council’s Holsworthy member Ian Parker, who is heading up the new scheme, called ‘First Impressions Count’, said in a letter circulated at the recent town council meeting: “I wish to put together a joint programme with Holsworthy Town Council to improve the main entrances into Holsworthy and to keep the verges mowed and maintained on a regular basis, along with suitable stone or concrete raised flower beds at each entrance.”

Cllr Parker will be setting up the scheme where businesses in the town are able to contribute towards flowerbeds with the view to making Holsworthy more ‘pretty’.

Visitors and residents, as a result of the scheme, will pass by an array of beautiful and colourful flowers as they enter the town.

The scheme will look to businesses to pledge or donate a minimum amount of £100 a year, over a three-year period, to go towards the upkeep of flowerbeds and surrounding grass areas such as that of the welcome sign.

Donations from local businesses will have to be made payable to Holsworthy Town Council as they work together with Cllr Parker to provide some colour for the town.

For those who do pledge, an advertising board baring the company’s name will be displayed at a dedicated entrance.

The initial suggestions for a few sites that could benefit from a spruce up and the addition of a sponsored flower bed include:

• from Launceston at Whimble Cross and Whimble Hill

• the top of Waterloo Road

• Hatherleigh Road

• North Road

• Bude Road

• Derriton Road — and a few possible sites in the town square.

Cllr Parker concluded his letter: “Let’s get going and look forward to a bright, colourful and vibrant spring and summer for the next three years and beyond.”

Talks with the town council will be held in order to set up the ‘First Impressions Count’ scheme and to assess its viability. With flowerbeds hopefully in place by the end of May.

To pledge contact Cllr Parker on 01409 253449.