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February 2002THANKS: To everyone who has helped with arranging flowers, given donations and with cleaning the church over the past year. Lists for Flowers and Cleaning are now in the church for 2002. We are always grateful to anyone who can help. CONGRATULATIONS: To Hazel, David and Megan Pearce on the birth of baby Thomas. CONGRATULATIONS: From their families to Rebecca Heal of Vauterhill and Derek Challacombe of Thelbridge on their engagement at Christmas. THANKS: Ann Gower would like to thank all those who enabled her to continue a mobile lifestyle during her recent incapacity. It has been very much appreciated. THANKS: John, Richard and family would like to thank everyone who sent cards and letters of sympathy and all who attended the funeral service of a dear wife and mother, Ruby Caroline Beer. Donations received in her memory amounted to £320, which has been shared between, St. Marys, Atherington and the Baptist Chapel. All your support has been greatly appreciated. GET WELL SOON: Sorry to hear that John Tucker is in hospital at present - we all wish him a speedy recovery. DEVON CALLS FOR VIGILANCE AS FOOT AND MOUTH "AT RISK" STATUS IS LIFTED
Devon County Council described the news that the county's Foot and Mouth "At Risk" status has been lifted as a much needed
"shot in the arm" for the Devon economy. But it also warned that some farms are still under Government restrictions and the
public should check with the County Council public rights of way service to be sure about where they can safely walk. DEVON CONTINUES TO COUNT THE COST OF FOOT AND MOUTHThe costs of the disease continue to mount according to new figures released by Devon County Council who have repeated its warning that the winter is likely to trigger casualties among Devon's small businesses that have lost vital income during the summer due to the Foot and Mouth crisis. The Council calculates its own costs for responding to the crisis now top £200,000 and will soon exceed £250,000. DEFRA GETS DEADLINE TO CLOSE FOOT AND MOUTH BURIAL PIT
Devon County Council has given the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) a three month deadline to
close the controversial Ash Moor burial pit and restore the giant pit to farmland in full and without further delay. DEVON FACES £16 MILLION SHORTFALL FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Devon looks set for at least a £16 million shortfall in Government funding for its major public services next year
following a provisional local government finance settlement. HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCILClerk: Myc Riggulsford, Dadland High Bickington Dog Fouling The Parish Council is still regularly receiving complaints that some residents are allowing their dogs to foul the footpaths and green spaces, especially on the Playing Field, at Barton Meadow and other areas where children play. We have contacted Torridge District Council about supplying official dog bins. Torridge District Council will pay the installation costs of £28 each, and the servicing costs of £150 a year, however the Parish Council will have to pay the initial purchase costs of £150-250 for each bin. These charges would obviously have to be paid from the parish precept next year, which means it will have to increase, costing money to every household. The Parish Council would like to hear from all residents about your wishes. Do you want the Parish Council to ask Torridge to install some bins, and if so where, or would dog owners or local businesses like to sponsor some bins, or should the dog owners simply clear up the mess after their dogs? Please contact the Parish Council in writing with your thoughts. Rate Relief - Torridge District Council has notified the Parish Council that the rate relief scheme for village food shops and post offices has been extended. Rate relief can now be offered to any businesses in a qualifying rural area at the discretion of the District Council. If any businesses in High Bickington parish think that they might qualify and would like to be considered for rate relief please write to the Parish Council before Monday 25 February 2002 briefly describing your business, how long it has been in the parish, how many people it employs both full and part time, and saying why you think you should be considered. The Parish Council will review all applications at its next meeting and put forward all suitable applicants to Torridge for consideration. First Aid Course - The First Aid Course kindly scheduled by Mrs Diana Lunn some time ago unfortunately had to be cancelled, and was not re-arranged due to Foot and Mouth Disease. The Parish Council would like to know if any residents are still interested in attending a First Aid Course, in which case one will be organised again as soon as convenient. Would anyone interested in attending a course please contact the parish clerk by Monday 25 February 2002, preferably giving your name, address and a contact telephone number. A list will also be put up in the Church Hall and on the church porch notice board. High Bickington Parish Council meeting dates 2002
Thursday 7 March 2002 The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 May 2002 and will be immediately followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting. All meetings will start at 7.30 pm and be held in the Church Hall unless otherwise advertised. High Bickington Methodist NewsHazel Pearce Congratulations to Hazel and David on the safe arrival of baby Thomas Jack Pearce on January 16th, weighing in at 8lb, a sturdy little brother for Megan. We are sorry to report that Betty and Arthur Rouse have been quite poorly for several weeks. Betty has been in a great deal of pain with leg ulcers, we pray that they will soon begin to heal. Thought for the MonthI have been looking through the Church AGM minute book in preparation for this years Reunion Service and wondered about the origins of our Community Magazine. I noticed that two of the previous Vicars contributed Rectory Ramblings! Can any of our Readers let me see any please? 146 copies were sold in 1981! Does anyone have old copies of our present Ramblings from the first issue? Sadly the days are long gone when the Rector lived in the Parish and so my Rectory Ramblings wouldn’t be of great interest coming from Tawstock. As many of you may know Reverend Arthur Parsons (former Two Rivers Team Rector) is moving on when he is completely better. So... For the next few months (I would think six months at least) my other Parishes besides High Bickington are Atherington, Tawstock, Horwood, Newton Tracey and Alverdiscott. Which reminds me of what a previous Rector wrote in his AGM Report in 1969, ‘You, as Parishioners, will see many changes over the next few years.’
The Reunion Service is at present planned for the weekend of 6th and 7th July with a Service at 15.00 hrs. in Church on
Sunday. It is for all who have been involved with St. Mary’s Church since 1900… PCC Members, Churchwardens, Rectors...
Yours in His Service, P.S. I am in the Parish every Thursday Church at 10.00 and Meeting Point from 10.45 until 11.45. ELECTION of COUNCILLOR - PARISH OF HIGH BICKINGTONThursday 13 December 2001 There was a high turnout for the election of a High Bickington Parish Councillor held on Thursday 13 December 2001. Mr Stanley Parker of Lower Farm, High Bickington was elected with 102 votes; Mrs Jean Checksfield of Rose Cottage, High Bickington received 40 votes and Mr Ian Robinson of 10 Highfield Close, High Bickington received 17 votes. Clerk: Myc Riggulsford, Dadland High Bickington Umberleigh Devon EX37 9BS ATHERINGTON PARISH COUNCILUnfortunately due to the absence of four councillors due to illness the Meeting on the 15th January 2002 was restricted. Several people from the village brought to the meeting concerns regarding the traffic through the village. A letter to be sent to D.C.C. asking if the speed limit could be reduced to 20 mph. It was also suggested speed cameras similar to the ones at Umberleigh might act as a deterrent. It was reported the hedges between the Playing Field and Mr. Rose's fields had not yet been cut. Also a chain had been attached to the gate leading on to the Public Footpath at Watery Lane. A letter had been received from D.C.C. regarding a proposed Day Rover asking for the Parish Council's comments. A letter from the Tarka Country Millennium Awards regarding grants available to pay for activities relating to the Golden Jubilee. Further information is available from the Parish Clerk. A Meeting is proposed on Tuesday 12th February 2002 at 7.30 p.m. in the Church Hall to hear and discuss the members of the village views on ideas for celebrating the Queen's Jubilee on the 3rd June 2002. The Parish Council is eager to hear the views of as many people as possible. The PeriwinkleIn winter's pale low-angled sun, Readers LettersDear Dog Owners, Please, Please clean up after your dogs - the pavements around High Bickington are a disgrace, it doesn't matter where you go there is always dog mess to avoid. As parents of a small child at school and a baby (in a pram) we quite often have to go off the pavement up North Road onto the main road to avoid the dog mess, it's terrible. It is so easy for the dog mess to be taken into the school's classrooms on children's shoes and into everyone's homes. If everyone cleaned up after their dogs this wouldn't be an issue. ST. MARY'S GUILDRosemary Munson At our meeting on Monday January 14th 2002 there were 9 members present, with 6 apologies. A report was given on our Christmas Fayre, which was a great success, we will have to think of new ideas for the next one. At the next meeting we hope to have ideas for our annual outings. Thank you to Eileen Thorne for the use of her house. HIGH BICKINGTON WIJosie Maskell Our President welcomed us and wished us a Happy New Year. We were a small group - eleven members and one visitor owing to the meeting being so early in the year and the weather so cold. Final arrangements were made for our dinner at Libbaton on 15th February. There are plans to visit the Children's Hospice at Fremington on the 16th January. A life saving course is to be arranged for 26th February at Bear Street Church Hall. With thoughts of the Queen's Jubilee year we discussed the idea of helping with a Street Party on 3rd June. Summer and sunshine still in mind we went on to enjoy some beautiful holiday slides of Italy shown by Jennifer Gooding. We were taken through Switzerland into Italy stopping first at lovely Lake Garda. We then went on to Venice, Verona, Florence, Pisa and Sienna. The scenery was fantastic, enhanced by beautiful blue skies and sunshine. It certainly cheered up a cold winter's evening. Stella Burrows gave the vote of thanks. Rosemary Munson started off the New Year well by winning the competition - a paper butterfly, the flower of the month with a Kaffir Lily, and the raffle! Next month Doug Eade will be our speaker with Slides and Sounds of Bats - Church Hall on February 6th at 7.15pm. Any visitors will receive a warm welcome. ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WIJudith Domleo After the business meeting in January, we had great fun playing 'BEETLE' which was won by Andrea Smith. It was followed by a delicious Bring & Share Supper. The winner of the 2001 competitions was Barbara Down who was presented with the winners trophy. Birthday plants were given to Joy Bruce, Edna Ford and Anne Harrison. Twelve members enjoyed the W.I. Carol Service at Exeter cathedral. We were all very sad to hear of Ruby beer's death. She was the first President of Atherington W.I. when it was formed in 1968. We remember her with great fondness. Our next meeting will be the FIRST Tuesday, February 5th at Umberleigh Hall at 7.30 pm. When local author Margaret Bolt will tell us how she put "Pen to Print". Visitors are always welcome. News from High Bickington SchoolThis term has started well with 6 new pupils joining our Foundation Class. We welcome them into full time education, knowing that these early years set the foundation for developing positive attitudes toward learning. This term we have 3 classes, and each class will be covering a different theme.
Class 1 will be learning about islands We would love to hear from anyone in the local community who can enhance our learning by sharing experiences or knowledge of any these topics. The children have enjoyed a visit from the Multistory Theatre Company, who put on a wonderful production called East of the Sun, West of the Moon. The cost of this was met by the PFA who work constantly to raise funds so the children can enjoy those extras that enhance education above and beyond the National Curriculum. We do appreciate the support that the school and the PFA receive from the wider community. We are still awaiting the safety barrier in front of the school entrance. The timing of this is unfortunately out of our hands. High Bickington United Anglican & Methodist Churches for CharityCollections taken at the 2001 Services Childrens Hospice S.W. (Advent lunches 2000) - £120.00 High Bickington United Anglican & Methodist ServicesThe Plough service was held on Sunday, January 13th, 6.30pm at St Mary's Church. The blessing of the plough was led by rev mark Noakes. The Plough Team was David Manning, Tony Pert, Paul Miller, and Courtney Heal. The address was given by Winston Thorne and prayers led by Ruth Carvosso. The collection of £48.07 was sent to R.A.B.I. (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). The next United Service will be on Sunday, 24th February, 6.30 pm at the Methodist Church, preacher Rev Mark Noakes.
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