The Budleigh Salterton Commemorative Boat

​Many of us have enjoyed walking along the seafront at Budleigh Salterton and marvelled at the beautiful views of the beach and the peacefulness as we look out to sea.  The number of commemorative benches along the seafront shows it has been a favourite for many, with family and friends choosing to remember loved ones on the 113 benches between Lime Kiln car park and the Rosemullion flats.

As you walk along Marine Parade, you will pass the commemorative boat positioned on a small grassy bank not too far from the flag pole.  The story of the boat started in late 2013, when Budleigh in Bloom were approached by a Budleigh couple who wanted to remember a friend.  With memorial seats being both expensive and difficult to get, they felt it would be a good idea to have a boat on which multiple plaques could be fixed to celebrate or commemorate a loved one.  Budleigh in Bloom were pleased to pick up the gauntlet and started working on the project.  Soon a boat was donated, and with the backing and support of Natural England, East Devon District Council, and Budleigh Salterton Town Council, the boat was placed on the beach in August 2014.

It is now part of the landscape where it merges effortlessly into the timelessness of Budleigh seafront, adding colour on a cloudy day and admired by the many visitors walking along the promenade on a warm summer’s day.  Most of the current plaques remember those we have lost, but it was always the intention for the commemorative boat to have plaques to celebrate happy events too, so there are also some plaques displayed for children.  How wonderful it must be to walk your child along the seafront and stop to find their plaque, a lasting memory as they grow up.

The boat is looked after by Bob Wiltshire on behalf of Budleigh in Bloom, and the money raised goes towards the floral displays around the town, and the boat itself.  It costs £50 to display a plaque for 5 years, after which Bob will be in contact to see if you’d like to continue for another 5 years. Your plaque will be inscribed to your specifications and costs £5.

If you are interested in placing a plaque on the boat, please contact the Budleigh Information Centre and we will provide you with the necessary information.