Mekong Posted June 10, 2006 Report Share Posted June 10, 2006 Keep dangerous palms off the street, Torbay told Steven Morris Saturday June 10, 2006 The Guardian Since Victorian times palm trees have given an exotic touch to the Torbay area, adding credence to the resort's claim to be the English Riviera. Yesterday, however, fears surfaced that their days could be numbered after the palms were declared too hazardous to be used in some seaside areas. Landscape officers said the trees needed to be treated with caution as their sharp leaves could scratch faces or even eyes - though nobody can actually remember any nasty palm-related injuries. Tim Jones, of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said the move could damage the image of Torbay, adding: "The nanny state has gone absolutely mad." The controversy blew up when plane and flowering pear trees rather than palms were planted in a shopping street redevelopment in Torquay, which is part of Torbay. The town's chamber of trade questioned the move - and the very future of the palms, Cordyline australis. Paul Osborne, senior urban design and landscape officer, wrote to the chamber: "The palms need to be carefully and appropriately used. They can cause maintenance problems and as they have very sharp leaves, need to be carefully used in the streetscapes, where they could cause injury to eyes/faces if inappropriately placed." Yesterday he insisted palms would still be planted in Torbay - but only in suitable places such as seaside parks. Torbay's mayor, Nick Bye, was unimpressed, saying: "I cannot see palm trees as a serious health and safety risk unless you are in the Caribbean and a great big coconut falls on your head." The palm trees are used as the area's official emblem. Colin Charlwood, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said the trees needed to be moved off the streets. "Having palm trees is a little bit like keeping tigers - they are beautiful but you wouldn't want them wandering the streets. The truth is, health and safety regulations mean we have to be mindful that they could be dangerous." The "I cannot see palm trees as a serious health and safety risk unless you are in the Caribbean and a great big coconut falls on your head." line reminds me of a quote from the Chief of Merseyside Police (Liverpool UK) back in the early 90's relating to Cannabis, he stated "The only way that Cannabis can be deemed harmful is if 5 tonnes of it was to fall on your head from a great height" I wonder if the Mayor is a distant relative? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattwasp Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 Sound advice. "Palm related injuries" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaimaisabai Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 Mekong said: "The nanny state has gone absolutely mad." Hi mekong, This is the sort of thing that makes me hope that I will not live in the UK again. Khwai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 I think this situation would merit a council funded all expenses paid fact finding mission to Dubai, for at least a dozen councillors, to see first hand how the locals and foreigners alike coexist with the millions of palm trees in the Middle East. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 I've got a coconut growing in one of mine, anyone know when the hairs come on the outside (it's totally bald at the moment) and how I am to know when it is ready to eat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted June 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 Khwai, Gotta agree, but I dont belive this madcap form of local goverment is limited just to the UK, but they do seem to be world leaders in the ridiculous. I read the article again when in a frivilous mood and couldn't help thinking that Basil Fawlty the esteemed Torquay hotelier had in fact been elected to Torbay council, it is rather Pythonesque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddha Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 "I cannot see palm trees as a serious health and safety risk unless you are in the Caribbean and a great big coconut falls on your head." I was walking the length of chaweng beach in my first visit to thailand when I came upon an odd looking thai, sitting under a big palm tree, making weird noises and wearing a detroit lions football helmet. I remarked to myself 'must be some type of menatl deficiency, but why the football helmet?' Just then a large coconut dropped from the tree and landed a couple feet away from the person. Everything seemed clear thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palatkik Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 >Everything seemed clear thereafter. So was the Thai selling Detroit Lions football helmets? Sounds like we will all need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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