Sunny town council to spend £2,000 on weather station

ILFRACOMBE Town Council has agreed to spend up to £2,000 on a digital weather station – provided a good location can be identified.

Last month the Journal reported that Councillor Frank Pearson wanted to reintroduce a town weather station after the old station on Capstone broke down ten years ago.

Mr Pearson said the station could help stake Ilfracombe's claim as the sunniest town in the UK and provide accurate data for locals and visitors.

Mr Pearson said the wireless, solar powered weather station could cost about £2,000 and be paid for from the council's marketing budget. At a town council meeting this week, he said the idea had received a lot of support.

He said: "Some people I've spoken to are so enthused about the idea that they even offered to help pay for it."

Mr Pearson initially suggested the station be sited on the roof of the Ilfracombe Centre but some councillors said this would not provide an accurate reading.

Councillor Peter Rawle said: "The station would need to have a constant direct visual of the sun. The previous one on Capstone was high up and got sun from dusk to dawn."

Councillor Paul Crabb said finding the best location was vital if it was to have the desired effect of promoting the town and Councillor Bert Gear suggested siting it on Lantern Hill or at Ilfracombe Arts College.

Mayor Rod Donovan said the location of the weather station needed more investigation, but agreed to support the idea in principle. The council voted in favour of purchasing a weather station subject to finding a suitable location.