August 2001

THANKS: St Mary's Coffee Morning. I would like to thank the many people who attended and others who gave contributions to the Coffee Morning - we raised the fantastic sum of Ł530. The weather was kind to us and we were able to hold everything outside in the garden.

I would also like to thank Alan, our warden here on the Campsite for once again providing excellent music. After four years he is sadly retiring at the end of the season. During their time with us, he and Mavis have really entered into the spirit of country life. Alan has taken services in both churches in Atherington, and has entertained so many people with his wonderful music.
Thank you Alan and Mavis, and hopefully your retirement will include holidays at Over-Weir, and your keyboard will be packed in your suitcase!!

Lorna

Mrs Una Williamson, a former resident of High Bickington, passed away on the 8th July, at a rest-home on the Isle of Wight, where she had been cared for since she suffered a stroke some 18 months ago. The funeral was held at the crematorium on the Isle of Wight on 16th July. Flowers were sent on behalf of all her friends in High Bickington, and Ken and Penny Povey attended.

ST MARY’S CHURCH, HIGH BICKINGTON

On behalf of St Mary’s Church, I would like to thank all who gave so generously to making this year’s fete a success.

To date a sum of Ł346-21 has been raised. All donations, gifts and helpers with games, teas, stalls etc were very much appreciated.

A big thank you to Mrs Rudman, the school head teacher for opening the fete.

Thank you all once again.

Roger Keen, P.C.C. Secretary

Irish Logic

(Allegedly a true story)

A friend of a friend bought a holiday cottage in Ireland and needed a plumber. So he looked in Yellow pages and saw...

Paddy Murphy, 24 Hour Plumber

He ‘phoned him up and asked if he would fix a leaking tap?

“I surely will” came the reply in a soft Irish accent.

“When can I expect you to call?

“I will be with you in 24 hours sir!!!”

THANKS: The Joint Churches in High Bickington together with the Meeting Point would like to thank all those people who helped to make our recent ‘Summer Praise’ such a resounding success. We were able to donate a total of Ł210.00 to the Samaritans of North Devon for which they and we are most grateful.

High Bickington Methodist News

Hazel Pearce

The children of the Sunday School led both morning and evening services on June 25th with songs and sketches. Congratulations to all for their hard work. Rev. Marilyn Tricker presented books to the children for regular attendance, then it was Marilyn’s turn to be presented with the book of High Bickington, a gift from the congregation to mark her eight years of regular attendance at High Bickington!

Rev Marilyn will lead the August Family Service at Fishleigh Farm Gardens on Sunday 5th at 11.30am with a chance to buy your own lunch at the farm shop or bring a picnic.

Sunday School has stopped for the summer holidays – back in September.

It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to Rev Marilyn. Over the past eight years she has become a good friend – a part of our family, always available to help, support and advise through good and bad times. We will sorely miss her. Thankfully, Chard is not too far away! Anyone wishing to be at her welcome service there on August 28th and needing transport, please contact Harold Ford.

The next day, August 29th we welcome Rev Mark Noakes, 7.30pm at Bear Street Chapel, and trust that he also will have a long and happy ministry with us.

We await Fiona Stewart’s return from her working trip to Africa with Tearfund, eager to hear of her experiences there.

Thought for the Month

Be still and know that I am God

Do you have favourite sayings, Bible or otherwise, and would you be kind enough to send them/tell them (or E-Mail them) to me ? I’m trying to compile a small folder to help me in sermon preparation so why they are special is equally important too!
Out walking around Tawstock recently I was trying to be ‘quiet’ ..it was not too hard at first as it was before the school runs (Holywell and St Michael’s parents bringing children for beginning of a new school day).
Then I heard all the noises --lovely birdsongs, refreshing wind rustling through the leaves, my own inner thoughts of the day ahead/people to pray for/the great sadnesses in our world ....and a favourite Bible verse.

At the very heart of each of us is who we are our ‘being’ ...Created by God to be with Him. In the Bible’s words ‘ image of God (Gen 1.v 27)

Still

Trust /Peace/Tranquillity..add your own words to describe what stillness is to you..And ‘In that stillness’ ask God to be with you so that you can

Know

In that very core of your being ..understanding/accepting ..with a great certainty.. that

I am God

Creator...do read God’s words to Job in Chapter 38
Redeemer...read again those famous words in John’s Gospel (3v16)
Life Giver...who enables & empowers us to live in this eternal Life.

What is the secret of this stillness?

I believe it was summed up centuries ago by one of our fellow believers

‘...They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.....
(Isaiah ch 40 verses 31) but do read surrounding verses too

Yours in His Service - John Carvosso

HIGH BICKINGTON WI

Josie Maskell

At our July meeting the president welcomed two visitors and said how good it was to have Stella Burrows, Margaret Bolt and Glenda Tucker back with us again.

We were reminded of the Coffee Morning at Joyce Underhill’s on 11th July and the Barbecue at Mr and Mrs Munson’s on 27th July. Cakes were requested for the Church Fete on 14th July. We were asked to collect any old decimal coins and pre-decimal money on behalf of The Children’s Hospice South West.

Some members were going to North Tawton on 19th July for the Heritage Trail and there are further walks arranged for August. Rosemary Munson gave her report on the I.G.M. meeting at Cardiff where both resolutions were passed.

Our guest speaker arrived, a petite Japanese lady to talk on Japan and it’s cultures. Within minutes she had changes her western style dress for her native costume of a pretty kimono. She gave us a brief history of how she met her English husband, spent four years in London working in a Japanese bank and moved to Kilkampton to start her family.

Rosemary obliged when she requested a model for a kimono. It was very interesting to see each garment as she dressed Rosemary and explained how different fabrics and colours were used according to the age of the lady wearing it.

From fashion to food. The Japanese enjoy a very healthy diet of lots of vegetables and fresh fish including all shell fish and their eggs and chicken. Very rarely do they eat meat as beef is very expensive. Lamb practically unknown and pork is only eaten in small quantities. As she spoke we sampled portions of sushi which consisted of vinaigrette rice and seaweed. It was different!!

The talk ended with a brief mention of two religions, namely Shintoism and Buddhism and a little insight into the Japanese alphabet which to say the least, is most complicated.

Jenny D’Olley gave the vote of thanks. The competition was a fan and was won by Jenny Gooding who also won the flower of the month with an astilbe. Shirley Terry won the raffle.

There is no August meeting but a visit to a pottery is arranged for 9th August. In September our speaker will be Mr Groves speaking on life as a magistrate. New members and visitors are always welcome to join us.

HIGH BICKINGTON YOUTH JUDO CLUB
INSTRUCTOR AND EXAMINER BOB OTTO 3RD DAN
2001 MAY CLUB GRADINGS

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

JUNIOR GRADES

Sam Harper - Orange belt 3 green stripes
Angus Dodd - Orange belt 2 green stripes
Joe Collingwood Burke - Orange belt
Rebecca Collingwood Burke - Orange belt
Tara Finn - Orange belt
Abbey Harper - Yellow belt 2 orange stripes
Henry Dodd - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Guy Newton - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Lisa Pidner - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Lauren Reeves - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Amber Rose - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Peter Short - Yellow belt 1 orange stripe
Angelo Areington - Yellow belt
Olivia Finn - Yellow belt
Richard Scott - Yellow belt

PRIMARY GRADES

Katherine Reeves - White belt 1blue stripe
Shona Ardy - White belt 3 green stripes
Michael Down - White belt 3 green stripes
Charlie Finn - White belt 3 green stripes
Phoebe Pidner - White belt 3 green stripes
Charlotte Wicks - White belt 3 green stripes
Christopher Newton - White belt 2 green stripes
Zachary Dodd - White belt 1 orange stripe
Jason Jones - White belt 1 orange stripe
Anna Pincombe - White belt 1orange stripe
Daniel Finn - White belt 3 red stripes
Chloe Jones - White belt 3 red stripes
Harriett Pincombe - White belt 3 red stripes
Flora Blower - White belt 2 red stripes
Oliver Harper - White belt 2 red stripes
James Jenkins - White belt 2 red stripes
Alexander Lanfear - White belt 2 red stripes
Chloe Pidner - White belt 2 red stripes
Fraser Reeves - White belt 2 red stripes
William Brown - White belt 1 red stripe
Alison Down - White belt 1 red stripe
Adam Linley - White belt 1 red stripe
Joe Warburton - White belt 1 red stripe

ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI

Judith Domleo

Mr John Ricketts from St John’s Ambulance was our speaker at the July meeting when he gave us an insight into their valuable work. He also answered many questions! Refreshments were served by Edna Ford, Jean Lynch and Marian Howard.

The competition for “A First Aid Hint” was won by Margaret Squire. Flower of the month winner was Eve Butler with a double poppy. Birthday plants were presented to Jennifer Gooding and Caroline Sinclair. Twenty-one members enjoyed a visit to Rosemary Wedlake’s garden at Sydney House, Chulmleigh. She had an interesting collection of farming memorabilia and an unusual garden she and her husband had created themselves. Before we left we were treated to the best Devon cream tea we have ever had!!

On Tuesday, 14th August at 3.00 pm we are having a Garden Party at Sequoia, George Nympton. Raffle, Bring & Buy, Treasure Hunt. Please come and bring your friends. Admission Ł2. Details: Ann Harrison.

Poem for August

Rain in Summer

How beautiful is the rain!
After the dust and heat,
In the broad and fiery street,
In the narrow lane,
How beautiful is the rain!

How it clatters along the roofs,
Like the tramp of hoofs!
How it gushes and struggles out
From the throat of the overflowing spout!
Across the window pane
It pours and pours;
And swift and wide,
With a muddy tide,
Like a river down the gutter roars
The rain, the welcome rain!

H. W. Longfellow (1807-1882)

High Bickington United Anglican & Methodist Churches

Cream Teas were served at 2, Church Meadow in glorious sunshine on Sunday, July 1st. This was followed by “Songs of Praise” in the Parish Church. Hymns were chosen by members of both churches with a short summary.

“Be Thou, My Vision, O Lord Of My Heart” Jenny Burrows
“And Did Those feet In Ancient Time Walk Upon England’s Mountains Green?” Roger Keen
“Be Still, My Soul, The Lord Is On Your Side” Glenda Tucker
“May The Mind Of Christ My Saviour” Rev. Marilyn Tricker
“One More Step Along The World I Go” Margaret Bolt
“O Jesus, I Have Promised” Judith Domleo

The service was led by Rev. John Carvosso, Rev. Marilyn Tricker and David Brown. The collection of Ł210 went to the North Devon Samaritans.

Atherington, St Mary’s

The day was perfect for Lorna’s coffee morning, my thanks to everyone for their hard work and support, draw prizes and donations. Ł545 was raised for church funds.

Whist Drives are up and running again after a period of isolation caused by foot and mouth. If anyone is interested please come along – we would be grateful for your support.

Next Whist Drive is on Monday, 27th August. Admission Ł1 including refreshments.

Readers Letters

I attended the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday, 11th July and asked a question concerning the Village Hall site on Barton Meadow. I’m under the impression that there is no mention of this in the forthcoming appraisal questionnaire, but was advised to mention it on the page for comments.

Surely this cannot be right, bearing in mind what an important issue this is. My views are that:

A. The Village Hall should be built on the specified site adjacent to the amenity land and therefore combining the two as one, a wonderful opportunity? Not necessarily getting into the politics of it, but

B. Affordable housing, if needed, should be built along with some light, repeat light industrial units. Already a developer, if chosen to build, would become a large benefactor to assist the new Hall (on specified site) and amenity land, thus dramatically reducing the expenditure of parishioners, and along with other grants, could be built for nothing, leaving more capital for annual expenditure. To leave this site empty, could in my view be leaving it open for a sizeable housing development, perhaps in a few years.

I do hope that people give consideration to my suggestions which, of course if so, Torridge District Council would have to approve.

The emphasis I’m trying to make here is:

1. Amenity Hall and land should be together

2. If light industrial units are going to be built, so why not have affordable housing as well and take advantage of the developer’s offer of financial aid.

3. If the Hall is on another site it may be built on too grand a scale and the village will not be able to support it thus becoming a financial burden to us all.

Mr R H Tanton

Press Release - 5th July 2001

High Bickington Christian Community Centre wins BT Community Award

The Meeting Point Christian Community Centre in High Bickington has received a boost from a major BT award scheme, BT Community Connections, which aims to award Ł1 million worth of Internet-ready PCs to community groups across the UK. The group has been awarded a PC and one year’s access to the Internet.

The group was one of 48 that received a BT Community Connections award in the South West region of the scheme and impressed the judges with its innovative ideas on how an Internet-ready computer will benefit so many people in the local community.

The group plans, in conjunction with the local Church of England Primary School and Chulmleigh Community College Adult Education Tutors, to help train local children and adults, of all ages, in the use of computers and the Internet. It is also intended to allow local people without access to the Internet to use the facilities provided at the Meeting Point.

David Brown, Chairman of the Meeting Point’s Trustees said: “We are absolutely delighted with our BT Community Connections award. The use of an Internet-ready PC will enable us to expand the number of people, across all age groups who can use our computer facilities to learn basic computer and Internet skills. It will also mean that local people who do not have ready access to Internet services will now have a locally available means of doing so.”

Michael Dunn, BT Community Connections project manager, South West, added: “This year long scheme aims to give as many people as possible access to the Internet and allows groups to develop their projects using easier and more effective methods. as the UK’s leading Communications Company, BT is pleased to be able to help connect communities throughout the UK and to improve the quality of so many people’s lives.”

Groups or individuals can still enter BT Community Connections by logging on to www.btcommunityconnections.com. The final deadline is August 10th, 2001.

For further information on BT’s Community Connections at The Meeting Point High Bickington please contact David Brown or contact the BT Community Connections Press Office.

High Bickington Project 2000

Our meeting on July 19th was taken up with making final changes to the Parish Appraisal Questionnaire and we were pleased to be able to take into account some excellent suggestions made to us during the recent ‘Pilot’ phase. Some thirty residents, aged from 12 years to more than 80, kindly acted as ‘guinea pigs’ so that we could try to iron out any difficulties with our proposed questions and the type of responses needed to them. We are really grateful to everyone who has helped us in this way and hope that they, and you, will approve of the final version of the Appraisal Questionnaire. It will take a little time to get the document printed but we are still hoping to be able to get it both delivered and collected in August.

So... it is now down to every Parish resident, aged 11years or over, to let us know what they think by completing the Questionnaire as soon as possible after it is received. Remember this is a unique opportunity to say what you think should be done to make our Village/Parish an even better place in which to live, work and play.

We need not only to look at how things are at present but also how we think they should be in 10 to 20 years time. Things like:

how can we sustain and improve on local employment opportunities;
how can we benefit from cost-effective and locally available sources of renewable energy;
what environmental improvements can be made;
do we have the right buildings, services and facilities available to meet our needs;
what plans do we need to be making now in order to ensure a bright future for our children; and
how can we help local producers to market their excellent products to local people?

These and many more issues are covered by the Appraisal. Please help to plan the future shape of life in High Bickington by taking part in the Appraisal Process.

CRICKET

Joe Umpleby

A cricket match took place on Wednesday 27th June between High Bickington Cricket Club and a team of intrepid "Veterans" of great distinction and questionable competence. Despite some skilful, courageous and tactical play, crowd support and constructive umpiring, not to mention a certain amount of assistance in terms of numbers and "guest" players, the Veterans' team only managed to finish as runners- up, whereas the High Bickington team were second-to- last. The display of unequalled sporting prowess was followed by refreshments at The Old George and the sum of Ł155-52 was raised for Children's Hospice South West.

Many thanks to all participants, raffle prize donors and all at The Old George for making the event a success.

HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk: Myc Riggulsford, Dadland High Bickington

High Bickington Parish Council Grants

All parish organisations wishing to apply for Parish Council grants for the financial year 2002/2003 should apply in writing to the High Bickington Parish Council c/o Parish Clerk, Dadland, High Bickington, Umberleigh, Devon EX37 9BS, before the next scheduled Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 12 September 2001.

All applications arriving by Monday 3 September will be included on the Agenda and get individual consideration, all later applications will be taken together under a separate Agenda item if any further funds are available. Any organisations missing the final deadline of Wednesday 12 September will not be able to be considered for grants during the coming year, so please get your applications in as early as possible.

In addition to the usual annual grants offered through the Parish Council, at the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday 11 July 2001, Mr Ian Hobbs of Devon County Council gave a presentation about new funds and assistance available to villages like ours from the Countryside Agency and the Coastal and Market Towns initiative. If any organisations would like to work with the Parish Council to apply for funds to develop a village plan (following the appraisal being carried out by the High Bickington Project 2000) please contact the parish clerk in writing by Monday 3 September.

Another grant scheme called the Tarka Country Millennium Awards has been launched offering grants ranging from Ł2,200 to Ł6,000 to develop non-profit making ideas which benefit the community in three themes: Conservation & Restoration; Social & Cultural; Ideas for the Future. Projects could include events or pageants, learning or teaching rural skills, crime reduction schemes, encouraging tourism, producing sustainable products or introducing new technology which benefits rural communities.

If anyone has further views on the best way to use or lay out the Barton Meadow amenity area, following the consultation weekend last month, please let any Parish Councillor or the parish clerk know as soon as possible, so that the council can discuss it at its next meeting.

The village footpaths and bridleways are still closed due to Foot & Mouth Disease precautions, however the green lanes and unclassified tracks are now re-opened. Thank you for your patience and support for our farmers during this difficult time.

The next scheduled High Bickington Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 12 September 2001 in the Church Hall at 7.30pm, look for details on the parish noticeboard. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Go to September 2001 issue