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February 1999THANKS: Christine and Cliff England wish to thank family, neighbours and our great friends for their kindness, cards and numerous telephone calls during Cliff’s short stay in hospital. He is now home and making good progress. Our grateful thanks and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you all. THANKS: Jim and Mary Bright wish to thank relatives and friends for the flowers and cards on their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Thanks also to Torrington Silver Band, Libbaton Golf Course and those who gave donations to Devon Air Ambulance. High Bickington Methodist News - Hazel PearceA group of forty-five enjoyed a visit to see “Dick Whittington” at the Queen’s Theatre. After much booing, hissing and cheering, all were pleased to see the downfall of Rowena Rat. Both Children’s Clubs held New Year parties after the Christmas Break. The 5-7’s meetings are from 5.15 - 6.15pm and 8-11’s from 6.30 - 7.30pm on Tuesdays - all children are welcome. The Sunday School held its Christmas Party on January 16th. All ages enjoyed the games and the delicious tea, each child went home with a gift. The Sunday School visited Little Silver rest home just after Christmas to sing carols and songs from the Young People’s Nativity service. It was lovely to see Mrs. F Squire.
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| Month | mm | inches | Month | mm | inches |
| January | 141.3 | 5.56 | July | 88.2 | 3.47 |
| February | 25.6 | 1.01 | August | 31.5 | 1.24 |
| March | 122.9 | 4.84 | September | 99.1 | 3.90 |
| April | 113.9 | 4.48 | October | 236.7 | 9.32 |
| May | 47.2 | 1.86 | November | 119.9 | 4.72 |
| June | 136.2 | 5.36 | December | 114.9 | 4.52 |
A total of 1277.4mm (50.29 inches). Geoffrey writes ... “ Since I started the records in 1979, 1998 was one of the wettest years (don’t we all know it!). 1982 was 50.37 inches and 1994 was 50.14 inches, so 1998 was only 0.08 inches under the highest.
Perhaps this year will see it better, but Pennon Group must be happy with reservoirs as good as full.”
From the archives - Researched by Richard Lethbridge
January 6th 1944 - HIGH BICKINGTON PLUCK
Nineteen year old Private Mavis Aitken, A.T.S., of Nethergrove, High Bickington, has a will of her own. After nine months in hospital, pluckily going through operation after operation, she was discharged from the A.T.S. Determined to be back in khaki, she volunteered again three months later, asked for an examination, and was accepted.
Mavis was involved in a ‘bus accident in the black-out and received head and ankle injuries and a broken kneecap. For weeks her leg was encased in plaster, but her injuries were complicated and finally her kneecap was removed.
When Mavis first joined up, she begged to be a driver. She was taught and for a short period drove an ambulance in Scottish Command. Finally she achieved her great ambition of becoming a dispatch rider.
In hospital she was told that it was unlikely she would be able to drive again in the A.T.S. Undaunted, Mavis to do the next best thing - she would be a “fitter”. She asked for books on mechanics and spent all her time in bed studying.
“She is one of the most courageous and happy girls I have come across,” said the visiting padre for the hospital to her Commanding Officer. Courage runs in her family, for her brother, Lieut. John Aitken, who is in the Navy, recently won the D.S.C. One of her four sisters is in the W.A.A.F., two are unmarried, and the fourth is working for the Army Remount Service.
“I am glad to be back in khaki again,” said Mavis. “All I want now is to go on my fitter’s course.”
HIGH BICKINGTON
The ringers of the Parish Church rang out the Old Year and Rang in the New.
The church choir held their annual social in the Church Hall on New Year’s Eve, when there was a good attendance. The proceeds were in aid of the Church Choir Fund.
ST MARY’S GUILD - Rosemary Munson
Our January meeting was held in the church to begin arrangements for the Flower Festival to be held at the end of August. Mrs Davison gave us all inspiration and ideas. It was nice to see other friends who came along to help.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 8th February at 2.00pm at Miss Thornes home.
High Bickington United Anglican and Methodist Churches
A Plough Service was held on Sunday 10th January at 6.30pm at St Mary’s Church. Mark Thomas was the Leader. The address was given by David Friend, Readers were Robert Domleo and Roger Keen. Songs were sung by the Magnificant Group with Laura Clark, Kathryn Dymond, Fiona Manning, Fiona Stewart and Rosie Venner and led by Bob Hookins. The Plough Team were Graham Down, David Martin, Nick May and Stanley Parker. The collection of £58 went to Farm Africa.
Charity Collections From The United Churches of High Bickington for 1998
| N.S.P.C.C. | £ 44-70 |
| C.L.I.C. | £ 44-50 |
| Exmoor Calvert Trust | £ 41-00 |
| Children’s Hospice | £ 32-50 |
| Bibles for High Bickington School Leavers | £155-81 |
| Overseas Mission | £110-00 |
| Bible Society | £ 34-90 |
| Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal | £ 86-30 |
| The Children’s Society | £ 98-49 |
| Total: | £648-20 |
Advent Lunches
Arranged by High Bickington Anglicans and Methodists made a profit of £89.25 which was donated to the Barnstaple Poverty Action Group. Thank you to everyone who came and everyone who helped or donated gifts.
ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI - Judith Domleo
At our January meeting our own member, Rose Peters, gave a talk on “This Is My Life”. Born in London - evacuated to Chittlehampton during the war and she is still there. She has had several “ups and downs” during her life and gave a very moving account of it. A most memorable evening.
We enjoyed a delicious “bring and share” supper provided by members. Birthday plants were presented to Gillian Campbell, Di Drummond and Edna Ford. Twenty members went by train from Umberleigh to Exeter for the W.I. Carol service at the cathedral. We did some shopping and had lunch before the service. As always it was a good start to Christmas with the cathedral full and a W.I. choir of over 100 to lead the carols. The address was given by the Chancellor, Canon David Ison.
Two members plus one member from High Bickington went on a coach to Bristol to see the pantomime “Mother Goose” at the old Vic Theatre. A good time was had by all!
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 9th at 7.30pm at Umberleigh when the speaker will be Alan Eastwood OBE who is the chairman of the North Devon Healthcare Trust. Visitors are always very welcome.
Christians together in High Bickington
The next meeting is on Monday, February 8thth at 7.30pm at Wixland, the home of Mark and Nina Thomas.
This will be a slightly different evening to normal when we will be welcoming Pam Jewitt, from Barnstaple. Pam is a missionary in Mexico who is home for a few months break. She will be talking about her experiences and we will have the opportunity of talking with her and praying for her.
If you have not been before, this may be the ideal time to come along. The meetings are always very informal when, as Christians from several different churches in the area, we value the chance to get together for discussion, prayer and a chat. See you there!
HIGH BICKINGTON METHODIST NEWS
The winter programme of Tuesday evening meetings continued after Christmas with a talk and slides on January 5th, by Miss Helen Branton, of her year in Bolivia, working with the street children of Santa Cruz. A most interesting talk, giving us some idea of the dreadful conditions there and how little the lives of these children are valued.. The next meeting will be on February 2nd when Mark and Nina Thomas will talk and show a video of their visit to China.
ATHERINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Mobile Lengthmen As previously reported these have been re-introduced over the past year by Devon County Council to work alongside Parish Councils to carry out small areas of work required in the parish. They visit parishes every three months during which time it is necessary to give them a list of items to be tackled. The response from parishioners has been disappointing, and although the parish councillors produce a list of work to be done, they feel sure there are other matters which need attention. Whenever you see anything relating to the highways then please let Tony Kneil know.
Parish Clerk On his departure from the shop John Harrild has resigned as Parish Clerk, and at the January meeting, Richard Beer, Chairman of the Parish Council thanked him for his contribution to the parish over the last eight years. The new Parish Clerk is Mrs S Letchford who attended the meeting and was welcomed by the councillors.
HIGH BICKINGTON WI - Josie Maskell
In January our meeting was at Welcombe Farm, home of Stella and Ken Burrows. Our President welcomed members and three guests and wished us all a Happy New Year.
Final numbers were taken and arrangements made for our New Year Dinner at Filleigh.
Several forthcoming events were brought to our notice including the North Devon ‘Knit In’ for the Hospice. Members taking part in this will meet at Jane Gibson’s house for 2.30pm on 16th February.
There is to be a Fashion Show at Libbaton on 12th March in aid of the Millennium fund. Eva reminded us of the Autumn Group meeting which we shall be hosting this year and said we should soon start planning for this.
Then it was over to Stella who made three delicious puddings using meringue, choux pastry and French jam flan. She made it all look so easy and urged us to have a go, giving us many useful tips to help us on our way. Eva thanked Stella for her hospitality and enjoyable demonstration and we all went in search of tasting the mouth watering puddings. There were 26 of us so Stella wasn’t left with much left over!
The competition for a favourite tea cloth was won by Angela Norris and Greta Woolacott won the flower of the month with a primrose. It was nice to see the raffle won by one of the guests, Marian Halstead.
Next month we are at Libbaton, home of our President where the talk will be on Feng Shui. Anyone requiring a lift should be at the bus stop at 7pm.
Mary’s Church
Thank you to all who helped in any way with the flowers in church, arranging, donations, in the past year and to all who gave their time to clean and keep the church so well cared for. Flower and cleaning lists are now in the Church for this year.
Thank you to all “Flower Ladies” for the beautiful church window displays you did for Claire and Tony’s wedding.
Janet Farmer