April 2001

Mrs Eileen Tucker is our local representative.

The last two months has been spent putting together arrangements for a Village Appraisal and an exhibition designed to find out what the residents of our Parish actually think is needed to improve and develop our environment, recreational, educational and business facilities. This had involved a great deal of contact with the local authorities and funding agencies but should lead to us being able to complete this phase of our work by the summer.

It is hoped that we shall be able to hold an exhibition and information-gathering meetings in May/June followed shortly afterwards by the Parish Appraisal. These timings may be subject to change depending on circumstances beyond our control such as the current outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.

If you would like to know more about what we are doing then please feel free to talk to any of the following: David Brown (Chairman), Ian Gibson (Vice Chairman), Avril and Eric Stone. Other members of the committee are: Barry Checksfield, Tracee Cullen, Lesley Davis, Derek Herniman, Rachel Phillips, Barbara Stewart, Peter Tucker, Jeff Adams, Samantha Roulstone and John Reeves.

Avril Stone

Mike Jay

Readers may remember I wrote some time ago to say that I have been compiling a Website dedicated to High Bickington and its history, as a hobby of mine. I have recently redesigned the site and am adding material all the time, so if you have not already visited or haven’t visited for a while why not give it a try? The address is as above.

One addition made to the site is a chat/message board area, where people are welcome to put their views on any topic they would like to discuss related to the village. One topic under discussion concerns the ‘Project 2000’, which represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the village. To give us your views on this or any other topic visit the site at http://www.high-bickington.org.uk/chat.htm or email direct on chat@high-bickington.org.uk or if you don’t have computer/internet access please feel free to write to me at the address below or drop in and see my mum, Sue Jay at The Jays and she will be happy to pass things on to me.

By far the most popular topic on the message board has to do with people trying to contact their relations or trace their family tree’s.

Mary Turner contacted to ask if anyone knows anything about her relative ‘Annie Louisa Beer’ who emigrated to Canada or the USA in approx. 1904-8, leaving behind her daughter Mary?

Michele Burford from London tells us she is descended from a John Woollacott who married a Mary Ching in Warkleigh on 8th June 1756 and is also related to the Alford, Baker and Rule families. She would love to hear from any Woollacott’s still living in the village.

Janice, is looking for information about the Giffard and Champernowne families in tracing her family tree.

Chris Burgoyne and Karen Stear contacted to say they are related to our own Nurse Stear. Chris is tracing the Stear family tree and would love to hear from anyone who has photographs of Nurse’s Aunt, Mabel Evans?

Maureen Bellette from Australia contacted to say she is related to the Cooper family who lived in the village in the 18th & 19th Centuries, she is also related to the Heale, King and Cole families and would also love to hear any stories or see any photographs related to these families.

David Cooke from Canada contacted to say he is related to George Cook who married Betty Walkey and they lived at Langley Barton. He’d like to know if Betty Walkey is the same Betty who was born in 1755 in Buckland Brewer to John & Susannah Walkey? I’m sure he’d also like to see what Langley Barton looks like today?

Susan Vasey would love to hear about the Fewings family. It would appear the name only survives in a place name today?

Its surprising just how many people the world over have connections with High Bickington, and they all have one thing in common, they are desperate for some mention of their relations, weather this be an official record or probably more importantly in stories handed down from people who actually knew them. To find a picture of a long lost relation is worth a fortune to these people. This is the aim of my Website, to give people access to information which is free of charge and as worthwhile as I can make it. Unfortunately I can only do so much, I have been able to root out quite a lot of information, and am finding more all the time, but with the help of you, the people of High Bickington, we could develop the site into a model to be envied by any other genealogical resource? I have been very fortunate to have been given the use of booklets published by Mrs Margaret Bolt and the Late Clifford Gooding, as well as old photographs featuring the Woollacott/Snell families, kindly scanned to disc by Louise and Ian, all of which I am eternally grateful for. If you have anything at all you would like to share, an answer to the questions above perhaps, please send them to me as detailed below, I will gladly refund any postage or other costs you may incur.

I am happy to accept anything you are prepared to give me but a few suggestions of some of the things I am looking for are:

Photographs, Family tree’s, old newspaper cuttings, personal memories of village people and activities, any old documents that may be of interest and any items of news you may have, this may include such things as an advert for a forthcoming Jumble Sale if you would like to advertise to a wider audience?

I am more than happy to include sections devoted to local groups and organisations, giving news of meeting times, publishing minutes, advertising fund raising events etc. I am also happy to advertise local businesses all free of charge, all I need from you is the information you wish to publish. I look forward to hearing from you........

Best Wishes,

Mike Jay.

Please send anything you wish to:
Mike Jay, 50 Taunton Road, Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, N. Somerset BS22 7DU
Email; webmaster@high-bickington.org.uk Website: http://www.high-bickington.org.uk
Alternatively, see Mum at The Jays, opposite the Old George.

Derek Munson

The Neighbourhood Watch meeting fixed for April 9th at Welcome Farm has been cancelled due to the present crisis.

The United Service was held in the Methodist Church on Sunday March 11th at 6.30 pm. Rev Marilyn Tricker led the service and Stephen Blackman read the lessons and gave the address. Ian Hacking and Peter Melmouth from the Braunton Pentecostal Church sang, accompanied by their guitars. The collection of £37 went to the Farming Crisis Relief Fund set up by churches and Christian denominations at the Arthur Rank Centre, the Churches Rural Resource Centre at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire and the ARC – Addington Fund.

The next United Service will be on Palm Sunday at the parish church on April 8th at 3.00 pm. Everyone very welcome.

When Jo and I found out about the closure of the P.O. we were very interested in taking it on to keep it in the village. We had a lot of people enquiring as to whether we would take it on. We applied for an application and information, which we received the day after the forms needed to be returned., and after some phone calls.

The Post Office was to be downgraded to a community office with only 12hrs opening time over three mornings. We would have to find whatever money is needed to transform our shop to fit in the counter and safe. This would mean losing a large part of the shop, which would mean far less variety of stock to choose from. There was nothing in the way of help from the P.O. and they did not seem to be very flexible with their terms, and the income was a bit insulting. We have tried other means of raising the money, grants etc., without much success. It would not be a viable proposition.

We are very sorry that we are not able to help in keeping the P.O. open for the community.

Jo and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Tom and Freda all the best for the future in their retirement.

Chris Hart

R Munson

Our Annual Meeting was held on Monday March 12th at the Parsonage.
Miss Eileen Thorne gave her report saying we had another successful year. Our stalls at the N.D. Show and our Christmas Fayre had all been successful; we also had a stall at the Church Fete. Our outings last year had all been well supported.

We look forward to this year's activities. Our first outing to the Eden project is on the 23rd April. We need new ideas for our crafts for our stalls.
The committee were all re-elected.

Our next meeting is on Monday April 9th at the Parsonage.

Dear Resident,

People have responded magnificently to the County Council's closure of all public rights of way in rural areas and I wanted to express my thanks and those of the farming community for your continued support.

Part of the enjoyment of living in Devon is the access we have to our beautiful countryside, but it is vitally important that the ban remains firmly in place and we do not drop our guard at this critical phase in the outbreak.

There may be some cause for hope that the spate of infected farms is starting to ease, but until we have definite proof that the outbreak is over we must remain vigilant. Many will remember what happened in the 1967 outbreak when the restrictions were lifted too soon and a secondary infection developed.

The ban is backed by powers of prosecution and fines of up to £5,000. I hope we do not have to use them, but our colleagues in the Police are determined to take any action necessary to ensure the closure order is respected. Your support in raising awareness in your community about the ban's importance would therefore be welcome.

By keeping our journeys around the county to only those which are essential and also avoiding the use of ALL rural footpaths, bridleways and cycleways we can all help to bring this outbreak to an end.

I appreciate that the weekends can be particularly frustrating at the moment, but I would urge everyone to respect the closure order and any warning notices they come across. It is important to remember that whilst the ban may be a temporary inconvenience for most of us, breaking it may cost a farming family their livelihood.
I would particularly wish to pay tribute to the excellent support the County Council has received from Parish Councils in the biggest shut down operation ever undertaken in Devon.

Copies of the closure notice have been e-mailed or posted to 430 parish councils and are also available on this special website. Notices and mailshots have also been distributed to 500 post offices and village shops, 373 schools, 56 libraries, rail and bus stations and all police stations.

A number of people have asked why the County Council is not putting down disinfected mats on roads, particularly those going onto Dartmoor. There is currently no evidence or advice from MAFF to suggest that vehicles generally travelling on the roads can spread the infection. But it is a different matter altogether if a vehicle has come from an infected site. That's why our view, supported by the local NFU, is that the key defence is at the farm gate where a proper disinfectant regime will be the farmers' greatest ally in the face of this threat.
The problem is that disinfected mats on highways are generally considered to be ineffective as a control of the disease and therefore create a false sense of security. There is a real risk that motorists may think that because they have driven over a disinfected mat their vehicle is safe, but in fact the disinfection cannot reach the mud under wheel arches or inside the vehicle, all of which can harbour the virus. So the real message we need to get across to motorists is to reduce their journeys to an absolute minimum because that reduces the temptation and the risk of going onto farmland.

We're asking motorists not to drive on Dartmoor's roads unless it is absolutely essential and part of their day to day business. Although the roads remain open, our message to drivers is 'If you don't need to go, then don't go'.

As part of the County Council's support to the farming community we have opened a special helpline number for Devon farmers to deal exclusively with animal movement licensing enquiries only. This line will be staffed from 8.00am to 8.00pm - 7 days per week until further notice.

In an effort to reduce the potential spread of infection, we are asking farmers not to make special journeys to collect their licences. We expect to issue most licences by first class post, but will use electronic means where necessary. Royal Mail has arrangements with farmers to deliver mail to their gates instead of going on to farm land.

As you can imagine our Trading Standards officers, supported by staff drafted in from other services, are handling thousands of enquiries and responding as quickly as possible. Farmers can help by staggering their calls wherever possible and avoiding peak periods such as breakfast time.

We are also commissioning the Agricultural Economics Unit at Exeter University to undertake a study into the economic impact of Foot and Mouth Disease on the Devon economy and the wider implications of prevention. We believe the question of the cost-effectiveness of vaccination needs to be reconsidered nationally in the light of the widespread economic impact caused by the disease.

Philip Jenkinson
Chief Executive
Devon County Council

Judith Domleo

Sadly we decided to cancel our March meeting owing to the foot and mouth outbreaks. The Devon federation has also decided to cancel all their events in the county for March and April. It is a very anxious and worrying time for the farming community and we are all hoping and praying that it will soon be brought under control.

The sponsored knit for the North Devon Hospice held at Bartridge House last month raised the grand total of £274. Very many thanks to everyone who donated.

Five members went on a Bird Watching cruise on the river Exe starting from Exmouth docks. Rod Lawrence was an excellent guide and pointed out many different birds with the highlight being the spectacular avocets.

Birthday members this month are Rita Rose, Judith Domleo, Mary Burgess, Joan Slade, June Langer, Marjorie Channer, Susan Pasifull, Joy Padworth and Ann White.

The next meeting (God willing) will be on Tuesday April 10th at Umberleigh Hall when Elaine Cox will give us an evening of Barbershop Singing with an opportunity for all to have a go! Everyone welcome.

Hazel Pearce

Due to the seriousness of the Foot and Mouth outbreak March has been a quiet month. The Waste paper collection has been postponed but please keep collecting and a fresh date will be announced.

Both the Children’s Clubs have made craft items that could be entered in the Eisteddfod, including salt dough, decorated flower pots and home made mother’s day cards.

Rev Nock will lead the Easter Morning Service at 11.00 am and all are welcome.

The farming community amongst us are grateful for the support by way of ‘phone calls, offers to shop and concern for us all. We hope that there will soon be better news and no more outbreaks of foot and mouth.

Josie Maskell

Our speaker for the March meeting Mr Mark Shaddick who was to talk on fire safety precautions was advised not to come during the foot and mouth crisis and so a Social Evening was quickly arranged.

We have received a letter D.F.W.I concerning the foot and mouth outbreak stating that all county events are postponed until the end of April. Hence, the Jumble Sale, the Spring Group meeting and the Spring Council meeting are all casualties.

Members who went on the bird watching trip at Exmouth had good weather and thoroughly enjoyed their day. Eva Burke has very kindly given our W.I. two very nice silver cups. These will replace the existing ones for winners of the flower of the month and the monthly competitions.

We spent a pleasant evening doing different quizzes, looking at some old scrap books and admiring the lovely découpage cards and pictures that Jennifer Gooding had made at Denman. We also enjoyed some very tasty Easter biscuits made by Joyce Underhill and Peggy Stinton – they went down with our cup of tea! Jennifer D’Olley managed to cram 85 items into a match box so she was the competition winner. The flower of the month was won by Marian Halstead with a primula ‘gold lace’ and she also won the raffle.

Please note our next meeting will be on the usual Wednesday 4th April when Jean Dellar will be speaking on Great Grandmothers Day. Visitors are always welcome.

Rev Marilyn Tricker

Over the past weeks the "What's On" diaries have instead become "What's Off' as events are cancelled or postponed because of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. For over 30 years Christians of all ages and traditions have gathered at the top of Codden Hill early on Easter Sunday morning to celebrate the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year it would be insensitive to even contemplate going out into the countryside in this way, and the event will not take place. But Easter, with its message of hope, of life even in the midst of death, cannot be cancelled. The message remains, declaring that God does not abandon us even when it feels as if life is falling apart, and it is in that confidence that we can pray:

May the peace of God be with us all in this troubled time.

INSTRUCTOR AND EXAMINER BOB OTTO 3RD DAN
2001 JANUARY CLUB GRADING

The Club was recently awarded £2,590 by the Awards for All Programme (Lottery Grant). This has enabled us to purchase new judo mats and given the Club a larger training area.

CLUB INSTRUCTORS:
DAVE WEIR 2ND DAN
RICHARD PINCOMBE 2ND DAN
ANDY ANGELL 1ST KYU

JUNIOR GRADES

Sam Harper - Orange belt 2 green stripes
Angus Dodd - Orange belt 1 green stripe
Joe Collingwood Burke - Yellow belt 3 orange stripes
Rebecca Collingwood Burke - Yellow belt 3 orange stripes
Tara Finn - Yellow belt 3 orange stripes
Abbey Harper - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Henry Dodd - Yellow belt
Guy Newton - Yellow belt
Lisa Pidner - Yellow belt
Lauren Reeves - Yellow belt
Amber Rose - Yellow belt
Peter Short - Yellow belt
Harry Otto - White belt 3 yellow stripes

PRIMARY GRADES

Katherine Reeves - White belt 3 green stripes
Michael Down - White belt 2 green stripes
Charlie Finn - White belt 2 green stripes
Phoebe Pidner - White belt 2 green stripes
George Snell - White belt 2 green stripes
Shona Ardy - White belt 1 green stripe
Christopher Newton - White belt 1 green stripe
Charlotte Wicks - White belt 1 green stripe
Zach Dodd - White belt 3 red stripes
Jason Jones - White belt 3 red stripes
Anna Pincombe - White belt 3 red stripes
Daniel Finn - White belt 2 red stripes
Chloe Jones - White belt 2 red stripes
Harriett Pincombe - White belt 2 red stripes
Flora Blower - White belt 1 red stripe
Oliver Harper - White belt 1 red stripe
James Jenkins - White belt 1 red stripe
Alexander Lanfear - White belt 1 red stripe
Chloe Pidner - White belt 1 red stripe
Fraser Reeves - White belt 1 red stripe
Alexander Urwin - White belt 1 red stripe

DEVON County Council has welcomed £2.1 million in new money from the Government to support rural bus services across the county and a pioneering initiative in North Devon. The County Council said that the £1.8 million Rural Bus Grant should help maintain the 700,000 extra bus passenger trips a year created in Devon through this grant since 1998. The Government announcement has confirmed that the grant will be continued for the next three years. This will allow the services to be planned with certainty that funding will be available.

Following a successful County Council bid, a further £300,000 has also been awarded through the Government's Rural Bus Challenge competition to support the innovative "Life In The Bus Lane" initiative to promote bus use by young people aged 16 and over in North Devon. The initiative is a partnership between Devon County Council, First Red Bus and North Devon College. The additional funding will extend the pilot scheme for a further full academic year from December 2001 to summer 2002.

Since September last year post 16 to 25 year old students joining the bus travel club in the area have benefited from discounted fares and discounts from various local businesses. Students using the bus for journeys between home and college are issued with a Smartcard entitling them to free or half price travel on journeys from home to college and back home again. They also receive half fare bus travel after 6.00pm on college days, weekends and holidays. In addition, First Red Bus has upgraded local services including the provision of new routes and new low floor buses.

When we came to Week

by Margaret Bolt

People (continued from last month)

A new experience at Week was seeing "Buffy' Short for the first time. A local man with relatives in the area, for some reason he chose to be "of no fixed abode" and slept in various barns around here and the Elscott area. Never having seen a tramp before, I was apprehensive at first, but he was never any trouble apart from having an effect on egg production when he was in the area. He was around for several years before dying, so I believe, in the South Molton Union.

At Lower Hacknell lived our nearest neighbours, Bill and Annie Mills. Mrs. Mills was a very smart lady, and noted for having new clothes as often as an excuse arose to do so, each outfit was completed with matching or contrasting, hat shoes, gloves and handbag. I was sometimes invited for tea when she had other children visiting and her house was as smart and neat as she was herself. My mother's Uncle, John Willie Webber, a thatcher and pig killer, I remember as a very kindly man, a sincere Christian, whose daily practice of kneeling by his chair for a time of silent prayer before his meal was ready, I witnessed on several occasions when I took my packed lunch, in the days before school meals were available, to be eaten either in his cottage at Barton Road or at Ticavin Cottage with Mrs. Lizzie Friend, fondly known to all as "Granny" Friend. I think of her whenever passing a knife to anyone and remember being gently corrected when handing the knife she had requested, point first towards her. Ever since it has been handle first.

Henry Heal worked at Lower Hacknell, living in Kingsland Cottages beside Charlie Smith, with his wife Barbara and children, Sylvia and Arnold. He had a metal crate on the carrier of his bicycle to hold bottles which were filled with milk at Lower Hacknell. At Hacknell we could hear the rattle of the empty bottles long before seeing Henry passing the yard, so punctual one could set their watch by him. He was another provider of dandelions and lettuce for my rabbits, Christopher and Mary, kept in hutches by the barn door. Adults were always addressed as Mr., Mrs. or Miss by most children fifty years ago; some family friends were given the honorary title of Auntie and Uncle or occasionally a pet name such as mine of Max for Ern Miller (Max Miller - comedian) but that was about as informal as we were allowed to get.