North Devon Council contractors create huge tribute to NHS in Ilfracombe

North Devon Council contractors have created a giant 'Thank you' to the NHS inside a giant heart on an Ilfracombe hillside.

The tribute was cut into the grass on Capstone Hill by workers from Tivoli Services on 27 and 28 April as their way of showing appreciation to healthcare workers during the Coronavirus outbreak. 

Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden says: "We are working with Tivoli to maintain essential grounds maintenance areas during lock down, but are observing government guidelines on social distancing and keeping travel to a minimum. The NHS “Thank you” on Capstone hill is a one off, but we feel it captures the feelings of our local community and is a fitting tribute to our NHS workers."

Local ward member, Councillor Jim Campbell, says: "It’s a wonderful gesture on behalf of NDC to thank our marvellous NHS. Well done, what would we do without you?"

Area Supervisor for Tivoli Services, Dean Sims, says: "We came up with this idea as one of our colleagues has COVID-19, he has been in ICU for just over four weeks and is slowly starting to recover. We cannot thank the staff at North Devon District Hospital enough for all they are doing for him and all the people in hospital at this time. The NHS are doing a fantastic job right across the UK and I take my hat off to each and everyone of them."

The feature took Dean and two of his men just over 12 hours to complete. It measures approximately 120 feet high and 100 feet wide and will be maintained throughout the season, or as long as it is appropriate.