January 2003

THANKS: High Bickington Pre-School Playgroup thank you for attending their Coffee Morning and Nativity Play in December. They made Ł68-57 and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

THANKS: St Mary's Church thank everyone who has helped with arranging flowers or given donations for flowers, also to all who have cleaned the church in the past year. The lists for 2003 will be in the church in the New Year.

PLEASE NOTE: High Bickington around the Village Recipes: Easy Chocolate Cake should include 5 fl. ozs. of sunflower oil.

THANKS: I would like to thank all those who have supported me with visits, telephone calls, cards and gifts during the period of my hip replacement. Many thanks go to my family, friends and hospital staff who have looked after me over these last weeks.
I have been overwhelmed by the number and variety of cards received and hope now to progress to full recovery. Many thanks to you all.

Beryl Crudge

ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI

Judith Domleo

At the December meeting Harry Juniper gave an illustrated talk on the history of North Devon potters. He himself makes wonderful commemorative jugs for which he is very well known. One member had bought a couple of items her daughter had made 30 years ago when he had classes at the Beaford Art Centre. He recognised them immediately!

Refreshments were served by June Langer, Eve Butler and Ann White. Th competition for a Pretty Scarf was won by Barbara Down. The flower of the month winner was Judith Domleo with a mauve Hebe. Birthday plants were presented to Jennifer D'Olley and Mair Pluckwell. Jennifer Gooding ran a W.I. book stall.

Several members enjoyed a day in Cardiff. Some went shopping, some visited the Castle and also the Millennium Football Stadium. The same evening 8 members went to the Queens Theatre to see "Half A Sixpence" which was excellent.

In October members had a couple of very interesting outings to the Gaia Energy Centre at Delabole and a 5 mile hike around the grounds of Arlington Court, followed by a delicious tea at Shirwell provided by their W.I. Many members went to W.I. Carol Service at Exeter Cathedral and took the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and to visit he excellent exhibition of 300 years of British Livestock Farming in Art a the Royal Albert Museum.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday January 14th 7.30pm at Umberleigh Hall when we will have a Social Evening showing videos of past W.I. events and there will be a January Sale. Anything that is not jumble! There will also be a BRING & SHARE SUPPER. Visitors very welcome.

We wish everyone a HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL New Year for 2003.

High Bickington United Anglican and Methodist Services

The Christingle Service was held on Sunday December 1st 6.30pm at St Mary's Church. It was good to see the church nearly full for this lovely service which was led by Rev Mark Noakes with readings by Rev John Carvosso. The children sang the Christingle Song holding their Christingles. The collection of Ł88.26 went to the Children's Society.

The next United Service will be the Plough Service 6.30pm at St Marys Church on Sunday January 12th when Professor Michael Winter will be the speaker. Everyone is warmly welcome to this rural service when the Plough will be blessed at the start of the farming year.

HIGH BICKINGTON WI

Josie Maskell

At our December meeting the business was kept short. Final arrangements for the Carol Service at Exeter and our New Year's dinner were made. The President congratulated the quiz team who enjoyed a very nice evening at Ashreigney and came fourth out of the nine groups.

An article in our Devon County newsletter was pointed out to us. It is a care service for people aged 60 and over. A free phone call can provide information on many subjects - more details are included in this month's Ramblings (see CARE CORNER).

Doreen Stevens was our speaker and demonstrator for the evening. This time she was cooking for Christmas and what a lovely array of goodies she made. There were truffles, Christmas biscuits, miniature Christmas cakes as well as chicken and turkey dishes with a difference. Doreen kindly let us have some of the items to auction later. Peggy Powell gave the vote of thanks. Calorie counting was forgotten as Doreen's cooking was sampled, followed by a bring and share supper!

The competition for three mince pies was won by Joyce Underhill. Stella Burrows won the flower of the month competition with a pink rose and Peggy Powell won the raffle. Before we left the President gave us each a card and a present from under the Christmas tree.

Our next meeting will be on 8th January when Beth Cooke will be showing slides of Peru. Visitors are always welcome. Meetings are at 7.15pm in the Church Hall.

We wish you all a Very happy and Peaceful New Year.

High Bickington Methodist News

Hazel Pearce

Advent lunches Bitterly cold weather affected the numbers at the second lunch, but the hardy regular supporters enjoyed their home made soup - and second helpings, going away warmed by the meal and the company. All profits will go this year to High Field House, the N.C.H. children's day centre at Barnstaple (details next month). Thank you to those who made the delicious soups and helped in any way to make this United Church event worthwhile.

Christingle between 45-50 children took part in the annual Christingle service in the parish church. Although not able to parade with the lit candles these days because of fire regulations it is still a lovely start to the Christmas season.

Both Children's Clubs enjoyed various craft evenings leading up to the Christmas break. we thanks Mrs Corcaran who led the silk painting evenings and Jen Gooding for arranging the Christmas home-made sweets. The children enjoyed the joint Christmas party, our thanks to Rosie, Stacey and Shirley for organising the games.

We wish all readers a blessed and peaceful New Year.

Thought for the month...

Rev Mark J Noakes

Size doesn’t always matter. Although the world often says to us that success and power comes through greatness, and more is better, small things can often turn out to surprise us with their effect.

In fact I quite like the smaller things. Being a sentimental the ‘cute’ness of a puppy or kitten does not pass me by. In the gardening line it is Bonsai that draw my attention. The idea of a mighty and majestic oak, with all its regal overtones adorning my coffee table is wonderful. As a child I much preferred the microscope to the telescope.

In life too, a small note or a quick call can transform someone’s day. The smile of a baby can melt the hardest heart while the smile of a politician brings unease. And, of course, there is the atom, the most powerful tool at man’s disposal.

With the Christmas festivities drawing to a close, you may have begun to take down the cards and decorations. It's over for another year. Maybe, during the festivities something made you think, even for just a moment, of the nativity scene that adorned many of those cards. A proud, if exhausted, mother a father, a scattering of shepherds and a trio of sages. Maybe a few angles and the odd lowing cattle. And that small baby.

As the year begins to roll on, don’t forget that little baby. Small as he is, he grows up to be the greatest surprise the world has ever known. He makes a big difference, and this year I hope he can for you.

'SURPRISE SURPRISE'

A surprise presentation evening was arranged for November 30th for Richard J Beer, past chairman of Atherington Parish Council. He was thanked by acting Chairman Mrs Maureen Beauchamp for his dedication and support to the village, especially his many years as Chairman of the Parish Council, 1987 -2002.

He was presented with a glass trophy with laser inscription and an outline of St Marys Church. The trophy was placed on a rotating stand which was illuminated with changing coloured lights. In the candle light of the Hall it looked delightful. Mrs Jenny beer was presented with a bouquet of flowers, and thanked for her support.

The retiring Chairperson, Mrs Leslie Beer and Treasurer, Mrs Andrea Smith were also presented with 3D laser worked key rings and wished the very best in the future.

We were delighted that Mr and Mrs George Stuckey were able to join us on this occasion. Mr Leonard Stuckey, his father, had made and presented a picture frame to commemorate the Queen's silver jubilee. In true family tradition, Mr George Stuckey made and presented a matching frame to commemorate the golden jubilee. The cross stitch work was done by Barbara Down who was unfortunately unable to attend. The pictures are greatly appreciated and look very attractive.

Crafts and Chat .......

Come along and join us at the Meeting Point on Thursday January 23rd 2003 at 2.00pm for a friendly afternoon. Crochet, knitting, sewing, painting, cards, patchwork, in fact anything goes, including the chat and we can learn from each other.

We are a friendly bunch, we used to meet in a home, but that is not possible at the moment. Please come and join us don't be shy, and have a cup of tea.

Rosemary Munson

St. Mary's Church - Atherington

The coffee morning held at Easter Hill Barn raised the sum of Ł177.52. This money is towards the window repairs, which we hope will be starting in the New Year.

Many thanks to all those who helped in any way, by turning up (in such bad weather), providing raffle prizes, goods for sale and manning the stalls. Particular thanks to Ann Gower for providing such a warm and welcoming venue.

Poem For January

WINTER - CHANGED and UNCHANGING

WINTER WAS to want for warmth and food,
When diet was salt meat and barley bread,
When damp and draughty houses chilled the bones
And by faint candlelight was little read.

Winter was when cap and scarf wrapped round
Were uniform for those who were too poor,
To wear the overcoat and leather gloves
When venturing beyond their cottage door.

Winter was to work in wind and rain,
To trudge the fields and curse the endless mud,
To walk behind the plough and team all day
Or saw and hew next winter's store of wood.

WINTER IS to close the tractor cab
And watch the raindrops trickle down the glass,
To trim the hedge or clean the silted ditch
And leave the tyre marks, only, on the grass.

Winter is a kitchen, AGA warmed,
To which at end of day we can repair,
To drink the welcome, steaming cup of tea
And watch the TV news upon the air---

Or shop for food and drink of every kind,
Stacked in the air-conditioned store,
Flown from far corners of the earth,
So that food in due season is no more.

CHANGELESS are the trees bare wintry shapes,
Changeless the rime which lights them day by day,
The hedgehog, nestled in a leafy bed
Still sleeps the winter months away.

Robert Domleo 2000

HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk: Myc Riggulsford, Dadland High Bickington Umberleigh Devon EX37 9BS

High Bickington Parish Council Meeting - Thursday 12 December 2002

Affordable Housing
The proposal by Mr Tanner to build 3 large houses on the site for affordable housing off North Road does not form part of the planning approval, and Parish Councillors resolved to attend the Torridge District Council Plans Committee scheduled for 2.00pm on Monday 6 January 2003 in the Committee Room, 1st Floor, Riverbank House, Bideford when the planning approval will be discussed and possibly amended. Torridge District Council has agreed that High Bickington Parish Council can be a signatory to the formal Section 106 Agreement which binds the developer into conditions for consent, and that the promised Ł100,000 will not be tied to any particular site for the proposed Parish Hall.

Christmas Tree
Chairman Peter Tucker thanked Doug Chapman of the Old George Inn, Derek Herniman and other residents who again organised an excellent Christmas tree outside the school.

Community Travel Plan
Peter Tucker said the Community Travel Plan will need to be developed over the next few months at Parish Council meetings, following the initial public consultation during the exhibition weekend. There were many concerns about traffic in the village, but few suggestions to improve matters. Chairman said that after last month's discussion with John Wilde of Devon County Council, resurfacing of the main road is a priority, but after that the junctions, pavement and other traffic and travel details will need to be looked at. The school will be working on suggestions for safe routes, and he hopes Project 2000 will also have views. The Parish Council needs comments and everyone should look at this as an opportunity to address the problems in the village. Chairman stressed that anyone with suggestions and practical solutions should put them forward as soon as possible for consideration.

Planning
The Parish Council supported all the planning applications considered at the meeting, including the proposal to erect railings outside the school.

and from the editor ....

Remember last month when I said that I had received a complaint that St Mary's High Bickington is usually referred to as just St Mary's but St Mary's Atherington is usually called St Mary's Atherington.

I went on to say that for a peaceful life and happy readers I would just put St Mary's for both in future. Well, I have now had a request (from Atherington) that St Mary's Atherington should continue to be called St Mary's Atherington.

So for a peaceful life and happy readers I will call St Mary's Atherington just that.

I have a feeling that this may not be the end of the matter ............

Amusing signs

Notice sent to residents of a Wiltshire parish: Due to increasing problems with the litter louts and vandals, we must ask anyone with relatives buried in the graveyard to do their best to keep them in order.

Spotted in a safari park: Elephants, please stay in your car.

Spotted in a toilet in a London office block: Toilet out of order please use floor below.

A joke for the girls ...

Brain transplant
A man went to see his doctor following a serious accident. The doctor came in and said, "Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that your accident has damaged your brain and the damage will gradually spread. The good news is that our hospital has just been approved to undertake brain transplants and there has been an accident just outside when a young couple were killed and you can have whichever brain you'd like. The man's brain costs Ł100,000 and the woman's brain costs Ł30,000".

The patient could not help but ask, "Why such a large difference between the male and the female brain?" The doctor replied, "The female brain is used."

A joke for the boys ...

A beer study
Yesterday scientists in Canada suggested that, considering the results of a recent analysis that revealed the presence of female hormones in beer, men should take a look at their beer consumption. The theory is that drinking beer makes men turn into women. To test the theory, 100 men were fed 6 pints of beer each within a one-hour period. It was then observed that 100% of the men gained weight, talked excessively without making sense, became overly emotional, couldn't drive, failed to think rationally, argued over nothing, and refused to apologize when wrong.

No further testing is planned.

Electronic Slow Down sign helps drive down speeds at Newton Tracey

An electronic sign is set to become a safety feature at the entrance to the village of Newton Tracey, on the road between Barnstaple and Torrington.

The sign, which flashes up "Slow Down", if drivers are driving too fast, has been put up at the entrance to the village. Recent traffic counts have shown that a high proportion of motorists regularly breach the speed limit and the erection of the sign follows a successful trial period.

The village has been highlighted as an area that suffers from a large amount of through traffic that regularly reaches speeds in excess of the 30-mph limit.
The sign has been erected as part of additional works to reduce speed in the community.

Go to February 2003 issue