July 1998

THANKS: I would like to thank all the people of High Bickington, Beaford and Roborough for making my 65th birthday so enjoyable. I received over 50 cards - you are all great people and many thanks to the person from Beaford for the much loved flowers and thanks also to the Parish Council. It cheered my wife up as she is still waiting for her leg to be put right after 12 months. Thanks again to a great many people.

THANKS: A big thank you to Ann Gower for opening her home and garden for cream teas on the one sunny day of the week! The proceeds of Ł250 are going towards flowers etc. for Atherington Flower Festival. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day the success it was. Ann’s garden at Easter Hill Barn will be one of several open during the Flower Festival.

FORTHCOMING EVENT: The Common Players will be performing their new production “The Podfather” at the Playing Field, Atherington, on Friday, 7th August at 7.00pm.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

- Researched by Richard Lethbridge

June 2nd 1933 - ATHERINGTON

On the evening of Empire Day the members of the “Golden Rose Brigade” gave an interesting display of physical drill, and stretcher drill, dancing and games in the Rectory grounds. A good number of villagers and friends showed their interest by attending the entertainment. The children were trained by Mrs. Scott and Mr. Phillips.

On Saturday, the bell ringers had their outing. They journeyed by charabanc to Merton, Exbourne, South Tawton, and on to Okehampton, where luncheon was provided. In the afternoon they travelled on through Holsworthy to Bude, then on to Kilkhampton, Clovelly through Bideford to Barnstaple , and returned home after an enjoyable day. The party stopped at various places and rang the bells.

Mrs. Loosemore, Post Office, has a freak duckling, three days old, which has four legs.

The Baptist Chapel Sunday School anniversary services took place on Sunday and Monday and the fine weather favoured record attendances at all services. Mr. J.H. Lang, of Appledore, was an acceptable preacher at the Sunday services, and spoke most encouragingly of the work done in the Sunday School. A large party of friends from Barnstaple Baptist Church under the leadership of Mr. Channon, and the violin accompaniments of Miss Richards and Mr. W. Carey were of great help in the special hymn service. Mr. Cyril Channon, according to custom, was at the organ.
Following the children’s recitations in the afternoon, solos were given by Mr. Bradby and Mr. Birchall, while Miss Richards, also of Barnstaple, obliged with a violin solo. The anthems “The Lord is on His Throne” and “I will extol Thee” were rendered in a masterly fashion./p>

A public tea on Monday, presided over by Mesdames Andrew, Seage, Folland and Boundy, was followed by a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr. Embury of Burrington, and the speakers were Rev. T.A. Williams (Bolton) and Mr. A.J. Robinson (Children’s Caravan Mission).

HIGH BICKINGTON WI

- Rosemary Munson

Our meeting in June was well attended. The President, Mrs. Eva Burke, thanked everyone who supported and went to the Resolution meeting. There were 14 of us. It was a good evening, with a lovely supper and Mrs. Jean Checksfield won the competition. The cup was on show that we won at the Group meeting.

We will be manning the cake stall at the Church Fete, so cakes will be much appreciated.

Our next meeting on July 1st is a tour of Barnstaple, meeting at the Library at 7.30p.m. or at the Bus Stop at 6.30p.m. We were also reminded that our September meeting is on Wednesday September 9th at Eggesford Gardens at 7.00p.m.

After the business we were treated to a great talk on Victorian clothes by Mrs. Rosemary Wedlake. She is amazing and must have a vast collection. She was also able to bring some of the clothes along. Mrs. Ella Gooding thanked her. Tea was served by Mrs. Brenda Wood and Mrs. Lesley Davies. The competition for a favourite brooch was won by Mrs. Jenny D’Olly, 2nd Mrs. C. England and 3rd Mrs. S. Burrows. Flower of the month – Mrs. J. Maskell and raffle – Mrs. R. Munson.

ST. MARY’S GUILD

- Rosemary Munson

We held our June meeting at Miss N. Cole’s home; there were 11 members present. Since that meeting Mrs. K. Wonnacott has moved to Okehampton. We will all miss her, but wish her well in her new home.

We are all prepared for our stalls at the Church Fete and North Devon Show. Our Outing is on Monday, 13th July to Brixham, calling at the House of Marbles, Bovey Tracy, for coffee. We will be leaving High Bickington Bus Shelter at 9.00a.m.

ATHERINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH

The Coffee Morning in May made Ł90 and it was gratifying to see so many people there. Thanks to Joan and Robin Lawrence who donated many items for sale.

There will be no Coffee Mornings in July and August.

THANKS: Ruby and John Beer would like to thank all the people who made their Diamond Wedding Anniversary so memorable, for all the cards, flowers and presents and for so many good wishes. Many thanks.

GOOD WISHES: To John Beer who has been in hospital recently. We wish him a speedy recovery.

OLD SMITHY SALON: Alison is starting work in the Salon part time (see advertisement in Ramblings for opening hours). Alison would like to thank all her customers for their help over recent weeks and welcomes back both old and new customers.

BLACK VINE WEEVIL: Further to the comments about vine weevils in last month’s Ramblings, Ann Gower has supplied information about their control. Apparently they can only be controlled by natural means - by introducing microscopic insects into the soil. These are called nematodes. Slugs can similarly be controlled by Nemaslug (R). All relevant information can be obtained from: Miracle Garden Care, Dept N.F., Salisbury House, Weyside Park, Cotteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1XE

THANKS: A special thank you to Hazel, Heather, Kathleen, Shirley and Judy (and their helpers) for all their hard work at the High Bickington Methodist Youth Club - it is so very much appreciated by both children and Mums and Dads.

PLEASE NOTE: Maurice Ridd has asked us to mention the following:
Please do NOT leave newspapers etc. in the bus shelter for recycling. Maurice is concerned that someone will set fire to them and that the bus shelter will be burnt to the ground. He has removed several bundles but more are still being left.

The Rectory, High Bickington

A Coffee Morning will be held at Wards Cottage Wednesday 29th July from 10am until 12 noon Including Bring and buy Stall and a Raffle Transport available from the Bus Shelter at about 10am

In aid of Church Funds

I know what I want to say but I can’t find an arresting start to introduce it. It is to remind people in their busy lives of something in their midst which they could be missing out on. Take the church building. We can get so used to it that we forget its’ significance. A place of worship and for much of the time a place of silence as it belongs to the whole community, for worship or silence. It is also a setting that has been here far longer than our present Norman building.

“There is evidence that before churches were first built, the Christian rites were often performed in the open air on a site marked by a stone cross and adjoining a burial place.”

But it is what is signified by the silence or the worship, or the setting of a meeting and burial place, for which I am struggling. We have a body, we have a mind, we have emotions, anything else? Well yes, what about the I?
It is about the I that Psalm 139 says

“It was you who created my inmost self,
And put me together in my mother’s womb:
for all these mysteries I thank you:
For the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works.”

My concern is that we are constantly being asked, even forced, to dance to other peoples tunes rather than listening and responding to the music within ourselves. The daily post is full of choices and invitations about things peripheral. But what of the things that touch the I.

“In proportion as the people realised that their churches were the very bulwarks of their liberty and that, however much they might be in bondage to the Lords of the manor, as parishioners at any rate they were free men and free women, in that proportion did they love their church; there are at least their rights were inviolable.”

Who am I, what am I, what does freedom mean, how can I be free, are fundamental questions, that we should always be asking. When do I become a real person. In childhood, but not fully: (although the key is there - ‘except you become as little children you will in no wise enter the Kingdom of God’). In adolescence, yes, but only in part as the great adventure continues. Marriage can bring a huge advance as we start in earnest to think of someone else. Being a parent can throw a spanner in the works! We know so little.

Isn’t this what Jesus is speaking about in Matthew 6 verse 25?

ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI

- Judith Domleo

At the June meeting Wayne Bennett told us about the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple - how it is run, funded and how and why the shows are chosen. Wayne also told us about the new Landmark Theatre and encouraged us to go and see it for ourselves. There were many questions and answers which led to a lively discussion! We are hoping to run a coach trip to the Ilfracombe theatre in July or August to see ‘Barnum’. Anyone interested please ‘phone Di Drummond.

The competition for theatrical Memorabilia was won by Di Drummond. Flower of the month winner was Mary Wilson with a delphinium (a magnificent specimen nearly six feet tall!). Refreshments were served by Rose Peters, Bea Jones and Carole Hurst and the speaker’s hostess was Beryl Troup. A birthday plant was presented to Carole Hurst. A talk at Exeter Library on ‘Dinosaurs, Dolly and Beyond’ was attended. There was a speaker on Dinosaurs and a speaker on Dolly the clone sheep and the amazing changes which have taken place between the two. In that time we have seen the creation of the atom bomb and one of those scientists is now a Nobel Prize Laureate, Professor Rotblat, CBE, FRS, who was one of the speakers. He believes keenly that scientists should be aware of their responsibilities to humanity.

An Oriental Evening was enjoyed by several members at Broadclyst. There was a speaker who gave an illustrated talk on Trekking in Nepal and a pharmacist who worked in a hospital in Western Nepal for three months, helping the most disadvantaged people in remote communities. A delicious oriental supper followed, made and served by the committee members. The Flower Festival and Exhibition at Crediton Church - ‘Anno Domini - 20 Centuries of Christianity’, was enjoyed by several members.

Ann Gower very kindly opened her garden at Easter Hill Barn, Atherington to raise money towards the cost of flowers for Atherington Flower Festival. W.I. members helped with the cream teas, stalls and raffle. A grand sum of Ł250 was raised. Six members went on a walk to Dunchideock, a lovely little village in a beautiful part of the county. We also went up Haldon Beldevere (Lawrence Castle) which had been renovated and is owned and managed by the Devon Historic Buildings trust. We climbed nearly 100 steps to see the magnificent view from the top. An excellent tea was enjoyed at the Lord Haldon Hotel.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Atherington Flower Festival. The meeting in July will be at Atherington Hall on Tuesday, July 14th at 7.30pm - when we will have a talk on ‘Recycling’. We have been told that the speaker is excellent even though we thought it will be a ‘Rubbish Evening’! All visitors very welcome.

High Bickington Methodist News

- Hazel Pearce

The 5-7’s Children’s Club have made pizzas and collage pictures during June while the 8-11’s held a quiz evening and an outdoor messy games night (lots of flour, water, syrup and ice cream!!).

Both Clubs joined together for a family orienteering evening at Week on June 16th. All ages enjoyed a fun and relaxed time. The evening finished with hot dogs at Week cottage - our thanks to Kathleen for organising it. This was the last Club activity before the summer break, re-starting again in September. Out thanks to the leaders and helpers who give their time over the year.

We are holding a family picnic/barbecue on Sunday July 26th at Landacre Bridge (weather permitting), meeting outside the chapel at 12 noon to fill cars. Bring your own food for the barbecue which will be cooked by the chef of the day?? And drink. All are welcome.

The Sunday school outing to Woolacombe is on Saturday, 1st August.

We are glad to report that Mrs Doris Pidler who has been poorly is improving now and we pray that the improvement continues. We welcome Mrs Violet Parker back to High Bickington, spending her time at Devonia, her home until 1955 and Lower Farm, her home from 1956 to the time she and her husband Victor retired to Bishops Tawton, when Stanley and Una married.

ATHERINGTON PLAYING FIELD NEWS

A big thank you to everyone from Atherington and High Bickington for their support for our recent Balloon Race. The weather held even if it was rather breezy! I think we managed to release most of the balloons that stuck in the trees. We raised one hundred and fifty pounds and received a very generous donation of fifty pounds. It was a very successful and enjoyable event.

A reminder that it is the Village Fete on Saturday 25th July at 2pm. There will be the usual stalls, and donations for these will be gratefully received. Hopefully there will be a fire engine from Torrington attending and we will be serving cream teas. There will also be the Grand Draw, up to date we have 45 prizes. These include a daytrip for two to Lundy, tickets to see Barnum at the new Landmark Theatre and days out all over the South West.

I would like to send out a special plea for help with the stalls on the day. We have already got one committee member away due to unforeseen circumstances. Also, if Erin goes in for her operation, I will be away as well.

We held the Opening of the new climbing frame in conjunction with the Balloon Race. Thank you to Maureen Beauchamp, who as one of the original founders of the Playing Field Committee, did the honours with the children of the Playgroup. Thanks also to Wendy Short for the cakes!

Lastly, it has been bought to our attention that several people are taking dogs onto the Playing Field. We would like to remind people that it is a Children’s Playing Field and we do have notices up requesting that dogs do not go into the Playing Field. Living where we do I do not think having one place that is dog free is too much of a hardship.
Lesley Beer, Secretary, Chapel Cottage, Atherington.

Go to August 1998 issue