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December 1998
A BIG THANK YOU: To all who have donated gifts towards ‘Operation Christmas Child’. Many thanks also to everyone
who sponsored our ‘Custard-in-the-welly walk’ and gave money. Altogether we have raised well over £100 so far to send
Christmas presents to children in Eastern Europe. All your gifts are very much appreciated, thank you. THANKS: Lesley and Simon Beer would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, cards and presents for Erin. She is now home and doing well after her operation. CONGRATULATIONS: To David Venner who came second in the intermediate class of the Annual Hedge-Steeping competition organised by the Devon Rural Skills Trust and held at Corstone Farm, near Winkleigh on November 7th. It was the first time he had entered the competition and he was only three points behind the winner.
SORRY: I’m sorry to say that due to my husband’s ill health I can no longer do senior citizens lunches on
Thursdays. Instead I’ll be offering a fish and chip lunch for £1.95 on Saturday 12.00 - 2.00. My thanks to all those who
have been loyal customers over the past few months. St Mary’s Church, AtheringtonThe Jumble Sale which was held on Saturday, 14th November was a great success, making a profit of £205.33. I would like to thank all the helpers and those who gave donations and draw prizes.
On behalf of the PCC, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and good health and
happiness in the New Year. From the Archives - Researched by Richard LethbridgeThis month, Richard writes ….. I have Mr and Mrs England’s wedding day. Thank you Christine and Cliff for allowing us to share your big day. HIGH BICKINGTON - CHORISTER WEDS Many parishioners were present in St. Mary’s Church, High Bickington, on Saturday to witness the wedding of Mr. Clifford Godfrey England, R.A., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. England, of Newton Heath, Manchester, and Miss Christine Winifred J. Pidler, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Pidler, of Town Farm, High Bickington.The Rector (the Rev. G. A. B. Jones) officiated. The choir of which the bride is a member, led the singing of the hymns “The voice that breathed o’er Eden” and “O perfect love”. Miss Coleman played the organ accompaniments. The bride, who was given away by her father, was daintily attired in an ankle length dress of heavy silk of blue and pink pastel shades on an ivory ground in flower design, with low heart-shaped neck. Her long embroidered veil in pale blue was lent by Mrs. W. Clarke, of Exeter. The bride also wore blue satin shoes to tone, and carried a shower bouquet of white carnations and heather intermixed with blue flowers. Mr. R. W. Hayes, of Bristol, was the best man. On leaving the church the bride was presented with a lucky silver horse-shoe by her little cousin, Peggy Martin. Later the couple left for Ilfracombe for the honeymoon. The bride was attired in a tweed costume in tan mixture, a pink jumper, and a camel-hair travelling coat with dark tan accessories. ATHERINGTON, DEVON JOHN SMALE F.A.I. will sell by Auction, at the BRIDGE HALL, BARNSTAPLE, on FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th, 1925, at 3 p.m., all that desirable FREEHOLD SMALL HOLDING known as “LITTLE EASTACOMBE” situate adjoining a good road near the Village of Atherington, comprising - A thatched Dwelling House, useful Outbuildings, Garden, Orchard, Pasture, Arable and Wood Lands, containing altogether about 16a. 1r. 8p., now in the occupation of Mr. Walter Webber, who will give VACANT POSSESSION at CHRISTMAS NEXT. The above is a very desirable Holding, pleasantly situated and well watered. To view, apply to Mr. Walter Webber, at “Brook”, Atherington, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and for all further particulars to the AUCTIONEERS, 13, Cross Street, Barnstaple: or to PITTS TUCKERS, Solicitors, Barnstaple. April 18th 1907 - HIGH BICKINGTON CRICKET CLUB The prospects for the approaching season do not appear to be altogether promising. The Hon. Secretary complains of lack of interest among the members and gives, as an instance, the fact that practically the whole of the work preparing the ground is being left to the vice-captain and himself. It is alleged that last year, on several occasions, tea was provided on the ground, and that while some of the team partook of this, others were never invited to do so. The result was considerable discontent, which is still in evidence. The financial position is quite satisfactory, the season will open on May 11th with a home match against Lapford. Fixtures have also been arranged with Winkleigh, Beaford, King’s Nympton, and Bishop’s Nympton and negotiations are proceeding with Chittlehampton and Burrington. /p> The Rev. C. V. Wansborough who has hitherto proved a most useful member, unfortunately sprained a tendon on his back a month or two since while playing golf, and it is feared he will not be able to take as active a share as usual in the matches. The following officials have been chosen, President - Col. B. Chanter, DSO, Vice-President - Mr Hugh Fraser, Captain - Vicar, Vice-Captain - Dr. A. S. Good, Hon. Secretary - Mr. F. W. Stroud. 11.11.11On Wednesday 11th November, to commemorate the 80th year since World War One, a small group of us stood at the Atherington War Memorial to observe two minutes silence with the rest of the country. It was a very special moment for all of us. Many years ago in the village it was customary to hold an annual parade, culminating in the laying of a poppy wreath at the Memorial. This helped us remember those around who gave their lives for us. One of those was Bill Down, who was killed in Italy and buried there. Bills brother Harold Down lives in Barnstaple and continued to remember by placing flowers on the right hand side of the Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War Two. With the cessation of the Parade and poppy laying Harold thoughtfully started to place the flowers for Bill at the front of the Memorial, to remember all those who had fallen, and for all who were passing to see and remember. Speaking to Harold, he recalled how Bill and Stanley Squire of Bank Cottage (which is now known as Hills View) were learning their trade at Murch Bros. And also served in the local Territorial Army. Along with other men from the surrounding area, they were called up to serve their country the Friday before war was declared. Stanley Squire was invalided out of the Army due to ill health and later died of TB. Bill Down was killed in action and his grave is in Italy, where in recent years Russell Maynard visited his grave and took photographs to bring back for his family. These are greatly treasured. It was a very special time to stand together on the 11th, bringing back memories of previous years. As youngsters attending with our parents and as adults with our own children. In thinking and remembering those who did not return we also gave thanks for those who did. Our thoughts also turned to thinking how many other people would have joined us at the Memorial had they known and we would extend an invitation to everyone to join us next year when we plan to lay a wreath of poppies alongside Harold’s flowers for Bill. ‘LEST WE FORGET’ Margaret Squire ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI - Judith DomleoNovember was our Annual Meeting held in Umberleigh Hall. After the ordinary business was completed the election of the committee took place as well as the ballot for President. The result was President Mary Wilson, Secretary Judith Domleo, Treasurer Mary Burgess. Other committee members Edna Clapton, Eileen Chambers, Margaret Squire, Rose Peters, Di Drummond and Peggy Elliot. Refreshments were served by committee members and afterwards Jennifer Gooding showed us her video of the Denman weekend. What a good time they all had! Birthday plants were presented to Margaret Squire and Andrea Smith. Two members went to Crediton to learn of the work of the ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World). The main speaker was Lyndsay Hackett-Pain who was last years World President. She told us that the aims of ACWW were to raise the standards of living and education of women and their families all over the world through community development projects and training. Their work is mainly in the poorest countries of the world. Our WI dance with the theme “Shades of Autumn” was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Norah Maynard was the guest of honour on her 94th birthday. She was presented with a birthday bouquet and she also enjoyed a dance or two! Harracott hosted the Autumn Group Meeting and members were asked to come in their smartest Jumble sale outfits! After a delicious supper, Harracott presented a hilarious “Fashion Show”. Several members went to Exeter Library to hear Dr & Mrs Barrett tell us about the Hungarian orphans who needed all the toothbrushes etc. that we had collected in the Spring. Three members went to Longdown Village Hall to relax and enjoy singing with Dr Kate Eckersley which they all did! We entered the WI competition at the North Devon Autumn Show held at St. John’s Garden Centre with the theme “Teddy Bears Picnic”. Teddy Bear - Irene Sutton: Invitation card - Andrea Smith: Decorated Fancy Cakes - Barbara Down: Flower Arrangement - Di Drummond and we were thrilled to be the Winners. Congratulations! The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 8th at Umberleigh Hall. The Speaker will be Ralph Rashley on “Christmas Photography”. Visitors are very welcome. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. ST MARY’S GUILD - Rosemary MunsonAt our meeting in November the final arrangements were made for our Christmas Fayre. We thank everyone who has helped with crafts and gifts. The Flower Festival was also discussed. We wish everyone a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year. Our next meeting will be on January 11th at Miss E. Thornes. New friends are always welcome. Waste PaperMany thanks to all who support this worthwhile recycling effort. A bumper collection this time. Margaret Bolt HIGH BICKINGTON WI - Josie MaskellOur Annual General Meeting held in the Church Hall on November 4th was well attended. The business of re-electing Eva Burke as our president and a new committee was soon dealt with. Reports from the President, Secretary and Treasurer were then read. We seem to have had a busy year, one of the highlights being our 75th Birthday Party. The Competition Cup was won by Jenny D’Olley and the Flower of the Month Competition shared by four members this year. We had a discussion on our plans for the Millenium celebrations and all members agreed to our help with the organisation for the tea party at Little Silver - more on this later from Jane. The question of raising money for a bursary was discussed and most members were in favour of this idea./p> A few suggestions were put forward for the venue of our New Year’s dinner, we hope to finalise this at the next meeting. The business finished, we went on to enjoy a very nice “Pot Luck” supper followed by a game of charades. The Flower of the month was won by Greta Woollacott with a Kaffir Lily. The Competition for a pretty jug by Eva Burke who also won the Raffle prize. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, 2nd December at the Church Hall when it is our Christmas Party - don’t forget a present for under the Christmas tree! Christians together in High BickingtonThe next meeting is on Monday, December 14th at 7.30pm at Little Weir, Umberleigh, the home of Mr John Murch. The whole evening will have a Christmas theme, so please bring a small contribution to share for a seasonal snack with our coffee or tea. Search of Ancient and Modern PhotographsMay I ask for the assistance of the people of High Bickington Parish in the search for old photographs of people at work in this area during the past 100 years. My ultimate aim is to publish a book comparing the working life of this Devon village over the last century. To this aim I am compiling a portfolio of photographs of people at work in the High Bickington area today. As many of you already know I have been working on this idea over the last two years and have been very grateful for all the help and patience of the people who have allowed me to take photographs of them at work. Also a big thank you to Mr Sid Squires for sharing all his historical knowledge with me. If anyone would like to assist me with this project which I believe would be of interest to future generations, please contact me. Avril Stone, 3 Cross Park, High Bickington THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL 1998Thank you to all who gave so generously, the amount collected is £421-43. Special thanks to all who gave their time to collect in the Parish:
Mesdames C. England And High Bickington Stores E. Tucker, Hon. Organiser High Bickington Methodist News - Hazel PearceOur Carol Service led by the Young People will take place on Sunday, December 20th at 6.30pm in the Methodist Chapel. Tea and mince pies to follow. Everyone is welcome. Anyone is welcome to a short Christmas Day service at 10.30am. The 3rd annual Eisteddfod on November 7th was a great success. Twenty-six children entered a variety of classes, including handwriting, cooking, craft and painting. Our thanks to all who took part, for the parents encouragement, all the judges, the ladies who served tea and to Shirley who organised the event. Rev Marilyn led a short Thanksgiving Service and presented a cup to Katharine Dymond, who gained the highest number of points. The runners-up cup was presented to Becky Down, third was Michael Down and fourth was Laura Clarke. Next year’s photograph for the Eisteddfod is entitled ‘Holiday’. The 5 - 7s Childrens Club have made clay Christmas decorations, fern leaf prints and salt dough creations, while the 8 - 11s have made Christmas tree decorations, pebble painting and held a games evening. We wish all readers a Blessed Christmas. THANKS: To John and Avril Harrild for their very good service and the delicious meals over the years. Thanks also for the work they have done around the villages including John’s work as Atherington Parish Clerk and Avril’s much enjoyed keep fit classes for the local children. John and Avril are staying in the area and looking to enjoy a peaceful Christmas with their children and grand children. Thanks again to you both.
SPEEDY RECOVERY: To Doreen Ridd from her friends and neighbours after her recent operation. We hope all is going
well and that you are making good progress. GOOD LUCK: From their friends and neighbours to Mike and Christine Jay and children who will be leaving the village to move to Bristol shortly. In this issue of Ramblings you will see Mike’s article on the footpaths in High Bickington. The Parish Council will certainly miss Mike’s contributions and enthusiasm as will the High Bickington Playing Field Association. When we came to Week (continued) - by Margaret BoltHaymaking (1) Being a child in the forties I remember the fun of haymaking: the long hot summer days - extra long because of double summer time, (clocks put forward two hours in the Spring). The wet days, the seriousness of being so dependant on the weather - the sheer hard work and shortage of man power escaped me. Hay turners were small and primitive compared with today’s high tech. models. When the hay was deemed to be fit after several days, it was raked by a man riding on the seat above the horse rake; holding the reins to guide the horse harnessed to the shafts with one hand and with a long lever in the other. The tail of the rake was raised at intervals to deposit the gathered hay into straight rows. Next came the horse drawn hay sweep - like a huge, wooden comb laid flat on the ground, attached to the horse with chains, the back supported two large handles an arm’s width apart. A man, guiding the horse along the rows of hay, walked behind the sweep holding these handles - and the reins - until the sweep was full. Then, pulling from the row, walked to where the rick was to be made, in the same field obviously: the “mow bed” of hedge parings, topped with straw as a dry base for the rick, having been made previously. The handles were lifted to overturn the sweep, so emptying the contents. This was a skilled job and hard work, when repeated all day. The hay was then pitched with a “pick” (a two-pronged fork) onto the rick, where one or two men, depending on its size, made the rick (another skilled job), spreading the hay evenly over the whole area, keeping the middle full where the men stood and gradually getting wider as well as higher, so that the sides sloped into the base and, therefore, shed water easier.
At some point it was judged time to start roofing in. I am still amazed that a man could decide by how much hay he could see left in the field, the right amount needed to make the roof. Too little and the roof would not have enough pitch to shed the rain and too much could be an embarrassment with a steep top-heavy roof and still cartloads left to be the butt of every neighbouring farmers’ jokes! The sides of the rick were raked firmly downwards with a handrake, again to shed water. I think these rakings were pitched up on the rick along with those from the field. The whole field would have been raked over again by a man and horse. Every bit was precious and needed for winter feed. The rick was then thatched, sometimes by a local thatcher, sometimes by a worker skilled in that craft. “John Willie” Webber did those at Hacknell, before my uncle “Abie” became proficient in thatching. Probably it was that a thatcher was employed early in the season to leave an extra man to help with the next field. I am sure older farmers/farm workers will be able to tell me. HIGH BICKINGTON YOUTH JUDO CLUBSeptember Club Gradings, Examiner Bob Otto 3rd Dan, were as follows: JUNIOR GRADE AWARDS Kerry Hopkins - Green belt PRIMARY GRADES: Sam Harper - White belt, 1 Brown stripe Congratulations to Bob Otto, Bob was awarded his 3rd Dan at the BJC North Devon National Course at Braunton. The Rectory, High Bickington - Rev Hugh PollockHere is an old story that goes with our recent marking of the eightieth year since the ending of the 1914-1918 War; that touches on another event that will be with us soon. The Star of Bethlehem “And lo, the star which they looked for in the East, went before them till it came and stood where the young child was. And when they saw the Star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” In the First World War it became the custom in America that when a family had given a son, a star was put in the window to indicate to passers-by the sacrifice that had been made. One night a father and his little boy were walking along the streets of a certain town. Noticing the stars in the windows the child asked. “Why are those stars there, daddy?” The father explained that each of the families had given a son. Soon afterwards a bright star appeared in the sky and the boy called out with enthusiasm, “Look, daddy; look at that star, God must have given a son.” “You are right,” said the father, “God gave His Son.” And went on to tell his boy of the wonder of God’s great gift. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And the father explained the story of Christmas and its meaning, of the angel heralding the glad tidings of God’s redeeming love, saying, “Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lord.” A personal memory of mine, over fifty years ago, is of sitting in a cinema near the end of a film called ‘The Five Sullivans’. Five boys from one family were serving in the USA navy, all members of the same gun crew, all killed in a single action. In the window of their house instead of stars were five small flags. The film was followed by the announcement, “The war in Europe is over!” The audience had been so moved by the film that the momentous long awaited news, brought only a small wave of clapping! The shepherds and many others could hardly believe the Good News two thousand years ago, but there it was, and there it is today, Christ came, Christ died, Christ will come again. We can find Him, just like the wise men. Rev. Hugh Pollock As many of you will know the Rev. Hugh Pollock will be ‘retiring’ in the new year to spend more time with his wife and family. I know many of you have expressed sadness at his leaving but understand his decision to leave. I am sure I speak for all by wishing Roz a full and lasting recovery from her illness. We will all miss you and wish you well for the future. Roger Keen, P.C.C. Secretary Ed. From all at Ramblings and on behalf of our readers, we second what Roger has said and wish you all the very best in the future.
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