Memorial garden planned for former mayor Douglas Hull who 'brought so much colour into people's lives'

Plans are afoot to establish a memorial garden in Axminster to honour the memory of Douglas Hull, the father of Axminster Town Council, and three times mayor, who died in May after 50 years of service.

Discussions are taking place between Axminster Town Council and former mayor Paul Hayward, who is now deputy leader and portfolio holder for economy and assets at East Devon District Council

Cllr Hayward told Nub News: "I am delighted to be assisting Axminster Town Council in their quest to find a suitable piece of land within the town to dedicate to the life, and esteemed service, of former town, district and county councillor Douglas Hull, and to ensure that this proposed garden area is cherished, used and loved by all, as a place of calm, tranquil and peaceful enjoyment.

"It would be a perfect and fitting tribute to the man who always had Axminster's best interests at heart.

"Never one to shy away from getting his point across, Douglas's passion and zeal for improving the lives of all the town's residents was never in doubt.

"He rarely took no for an answer and campaigned, and volunteered, for a great number of beloved local institutions and charities. His legacy in that regard will live on forever.

"I have asked EDDC officers to help me, and the Town Mayor, Cllr. Anni Young, to identify a suitable piece of publicly owned land - with good access for all regardless of mobility - and nothing would please me more than to see this proposed garden alive with colour; a perfect memorial for a man who brought so much colour into the lives of all who knew him."