May 1999
THANKS: Ann, Heather and Jeana Lawson and family would like to say a big and heartfelt thank you to dear friends
and neighbours for all their help, support and kindness during this terribly sad time.
DEEPEST SYMPATHY: To the family and friends of Jim Lawson who passed away recently.
CONGRATULATIONS: To Rachel Phillips who won third place in the South West Master Photographer’s Association print
competition.
E-MAIL: Just to show that e-mail is becoming more popular - in April we received by e-mail, six items which are
included in this month’s Ramblings. Mark Thomas started this trend some months ago, Mike Jay has been keeping in touch
with us from Bristol and more recently Derek and Rosemary Munson have started sending in articles. So this month’s St.
Mary’s Guild article was received electronically. Is it alright Rosemary?
We look forward to more e-mails in the future - you’ll save the cost of the postage and less trees will need to be cut down
to make the paper and envelopes. So Ramblings is more electronic and environmentally friendly.
COFFEE MORNINGS
The five Lent coffee mornings held at the Parsonage, High Bickington raised £142.00. The Churchwardens wish to say
thank you to everyone who supported them.
Eileen Thorne
High Bickington Methodist News - Hazel Pearce
Both Children’s Clubs made edible Easter goodies before the Easter break. The 5-7’s produced chocolate nests with
chocolate eggs while the 8-11’s created clown face sponges as demonstrated by Judy Down.
Help is needed to lead the younger children’s club on Tuesday evenings on a rota basis. Give Judy or Kath a ring.
Club restarts on April 27th 1999.
Advance Notice: Cream Teas will be served in the Schoolroom or outside if nice on Saturday 5th June 1999, 3-6 p.m.
Thanks: Sheila Bolt wishes to say thank you to all those who have supported her by their prayers, visits, cards and
messages during her stay in hospital and since returning home.
On Good Friday Reverend Marilyn led a family communion in the Schoolroom followed by a “bring and share” tea - enjoyed by
everyone! On Easter Day she again led the Sunrise Service at 6.30a.m. where approximately 100 people celebrated the risen
Christ, with skylarks singing overhead.
Reverend Harris officiated at the 11 a.m. service, the chapel was full and beautifully decorated.
On Sunday April 18th flowers were presented to the two organists, Mrs Sylvia Pidler who has been playing for more than 50
years (she started very young) and Mrs Sheila Bolt who was playing at Ebberley before she came to High Bickington nearly
40 years ago and was playing on Sunday for the first time after her stay in hospital.
Report of High Bickington Neighbourhood Watch Meeting
Caring for your Neighbours
We were pleased to welcome new members from Barton Meadow and Church Meadow and new road stewards for those areas have
come forward. Because of illness P.C. Gary Seaton was unable to attend. Torrington police inform us that there have been
three reported incidents in High Bickington since 1st January. Remember if you don’t report an incident nothing can be
done - ACT NOW - two days is no good! P.C. Gary Seaton is quite willing to meet people informally if required.
Crime and Disorder Act 1998
The advantage of this act is these is an opportunity for partnership with the local authority and working with local
councils. Remember low hedges discourage burglaries. If an alarm is activated - report it. Make sure garages are well
secured, especially if away from our property.
The Treasurer Derek Munson reported healthy funds but it was decided that there should be an annual subscription of £1 per
year per household. We wish to apply for permission for 2 new Watch signs for the new estate area. The sign at the
Dolton end of the village has been damaged but recovered. We will be distributing leaflets and stickers with membership
forms to the new estate area.
Stella and Ken Burrows - Co-ordinators
Derek Munson - Treasurer
Helen Carn - Deputy Co-ordinator
Sgt Fellows - Torrington
P.C. Gary Seaton - Torrington
Maurice Ridd is a member of the steering committee.
MILLENNIUM QUIZ - THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
No one correctly answered all 100 questions. Four people had 99 correct answers and the winning entry was drawn from
these. The winner was Mary Delaney of Roborough.
I would like to thank everyone who took part and there will be another one later in the year.
A copy of the correct answers can be seen at H.B. Stores and the Old George Inn.
Pete Worrall
ST MARY’S ATHERINGTON
Many thanks to all the ladies who made such a splendid job of decorating the church for Easter.
During the Easter Morning service Ruby Joanne was baptised - congratulations to Clare and Kevin (Pickard) for having such
a contented baby, she didn’t make a sound during the whole ceremony.
Words of Wisdom?
Be nice to your kids - they’ll choose your nursing home
Why is “abbreviation” such a long word?
Every morning is the dawn of a new error
There are three kinds of people - those who can count and those who can’t
A flying saucer results when a nudist spills their coffee
Always proof read carefully to see if you any words out
I couldn’t repair your brakes - so I made the hooter louder
Shin - a device for finding furniture in the dark
How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?
I’d explain it to you but your brain would explode
Ever stopped to think, and forgot to start again?
I don’t have a solution but I do admire the problem
A tidy desk is the sign of an untidy desk drawer
High Bickington United Anglican & Methodist Churches
The United Palm Sunday Service on March 28th at 2.30pm started at the Methodist Church when Orance the donkey, ridden by
Phoebe Pidner, led the palm waving, singing procession through the village to the Parish Church.
The service was led by Rev Marilyn Tricker and Mark Thomas. The readers were Rosemary Munson, Grahame Sanders, Fiona
Manning, Megan Sanders, Amber Rose and Rebecca Down. The collection of £55-12 was given to C.L.I.C. (Cancer and Leukaemia
In Childhood).
The next United Service will be on Sunday, May 9th, a Rogation Service, meeting at the Methodist car park at 2.30pm -
progressing via Little Silver, Over Weir Caravan Park to Higher Fisherton for light refreshments.
From the archives - Researched by Richard Lethbridge
Richard writes - At the following wedding we see again that Mrs Maynard is playing the organ.
June 6th 1933 - Harris - Seatherton
The wedding of Miss Winifred May Seatherton, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Seatherton, of Atherington, to Mr James Harris,
of Burrington, was solemnised at the Parish Church on Whit Monday. The officiating clergymen were the Rector (Rev H P F
Scott) and Rev C V Wansborough (Rector of High Bickington). The service was fully choral. Miss Hellyer was at the organ,
and played festal voluntaries. The hymns, “The Voice that breathed o’er Eden” and “Lead us, Heavenly Father,” were sung.
The bride, given away by her father, was attired in an ankle-length dress of ivory crepe-de-chine, and a veil, which was
held in place by a wreath of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of white irises, roses, orange blossom and fern. The
bridesmaids in attendance were Misses Maud and Rosa Seatherton (sisters of the bride) and Miss Vera Southcombe (friend of
the bride); they were attired in pretty ankle-length dresses of coral pink suede crepe, and crinoline picture hats to
match, and carried bouquets of pink roses, orange blossom and trailing fern. The train-bearer, little Miss Margaret
Gratten (cousin of the bride) wore a silk beige floral dress, with hat, shoes and stockings to match. Mr Frank Harris
(brother of the bridegroom) acted as “best man.” The reception was held at the home of the bride. Mr and Mrs J Harris
subsequently left for Plymouth, where the honeymoon is being spent. The bride travelled in a brown coat and hat. The
bride’s present to the bridegroom was an easy chair. The bridegroom’s gift being a gold wristlet watch, and to the
bridesmaids, pink crystal necklaces. Mr and Mrs Harris were the recipients of many costly and useful presents.
17th April 1946 - WILLIAM DAVIS, Decd
ATHERINGTON, NORTH DEVON
JOHN C WEBBER & SON have received instructions to Sell by Auction at the CHAPEL SCHOOLROOM, ATHERINGTON, on TUESDAY, APRIL,
30th, at 3 p.m., the FREEHOLD COTTAGE situate in the village and known as “ LYCHGATE,”
The property has the following Accommodation: Living Room with Range, Scullery, Wash House and Coal House, 2 Bedrooms (1
with fireplace), Back Yard and Closet. The above is in the occupation of Mr and Mrs Wise and will be sold subject to the
existing tenancy.
To view apply on the premises. All further details may be obtained of the AUCTIONEERS, Barnstaple, or the Solicitors:
PITTS TUCKERS, Barnstaple
Thought for the month
“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I can assure you, it’s much more serious than that”. (Bill
Shankley, quoted in the Oxford dictionary of humorous quotations).
It’s true that we do take our football extremely seriously in the country don’t we? Most of us though are spectators
rather than players and, of course, it is the spectators who are the real experts at the game.
It is the same with tennis. I usually develop new enthusiasm for playing tennis after watching Wimbledon for a fortnight,
but I am afraid my enthusiasm wanes when I find that the expertise I gained while watching TV is not translated into
reality when I hit the ball on a tennis court.
Following the Christian way is one of those areas of life where it is impossible to be a spectator. On the other hand, you
don’t have to be an expert either. Jesus called his followers “disciples” for a reason: they never ceased to be
learners.
If the church ever gives you the impression that you have to be “in the know” to be a Christian, or that you have to be
somehow better than other people are, then it has failed in its task. Christians are not by definition people who are
“good”, but they are ordinary people who realise they need God’s forgiveness as well as his help to be better in the
future. We are learners, and learning is something best done alongside other learners. Christians are disciples
together.
Christianity however, can never be a spectator sport. It demands our full participation.
This year, I think I’ll stick to just watching the tennis. Unfortunately though, it probably means I’ll never get fit.
Mark Thomas
HIGH BICKINGTON WI - Josie Maskell
Our president welcomed several members and two visitors to our April meeting in the church Hall.
Two of our members attended the Driver’s day at Clyst St Marys and really enjoyed their time practising and learning new
skills i.e. backing a minibus, going on the skid-pad and driving with a blindfold over their eyes!
Unfortunately the Science day at Okehampton was disappointing according to the members who were there. The promised
experiments with electricity and other ventures didn’t materialise - only the water board offered some ideas and
information.
We were reminded to put our names down for the Group meeting at Umberleigh, not forgetting any handicrafts to display
there. Our speaker for the evening was Nigel Palmer who runs a rescue centre for birds of prey. Many of the birds are
victims of road traffic, flying into electricity cables, and sadly, some poisoning. With tender loving care some of the
birds are returned to the wild, in fact there is a 90% release rate. The very injured victims, either blind or with only
one wing remaining stay on at the sanctuary.
Mr Palmer then showed us some of his magnificent birds. We had the privilege of seeing a European Eagle Owl (who
incidentally sits beside Nigel in the car when travelling and was quite a character, winking and blinking at us), a
Tawny Owl, a Little Owl, a Snowy Owl, a Barn Owl, a Buzzard and a Falcon. To see these birds with their beautiful
plumage at such close quarters was a real treat and many cameras began clicking. We even had a display of falconry
which was quite fascinating. Eva gave a vote of thanks.
The competition was won by Shirley Terry, the raffle by Marian Halstead and Jean Checksfield won the flower of the month
with a Snake’s-head fritillary.
Our next meeting is on 5th May at the Church Hall for a Pot Pourri evening. We Are always pleased to see new friends so
do come and join us.
New Life for Old Chapel Building
Following a recent meeting, between a representative of the Trustees and Christians from three local churches, plans are
being developed to use the former North Road Chapel for a range of Christian and Community based projects.
The meeting considered a number of possibilities including:
Youth Group for eleven to fourteen year olds
Coffee mornings
Luncheon Club for Senior Citizens
Counselling Sessions
Homework club for school aged children
It is hoped that Christians from three local churches (Umberleigh Christian Fellowship, High Bickington Methodist Church
and St. Mary’s Parish Church) will work together to develop and run the various activities. The group is also proceeding,
in partnership with the Methodist Church, on the possible appointment of a part time worker who would spearhead the
development of work among the children and young people from the village.
The Trustees of the Building are currently consulting with the Charity Commission on a scheme to incorporate the above
proposals into the Trust Deed and are expecting to carry out refurbishment works to the building prior to its reopening.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the plans then please contact David Brown, Reverend Marilyn
Tricker or Mark Thomas.
Christians together in High Bickington
After a successful Lent course, Christians together reverts to its normal monthly schedule from May. The next meeting is
on May 10th at 7:30pm at the home of David and Carol Brown, 2 Church Meadow, High Bickington.
If you haven’t been before but would like to come, this would be a good opportunity to start since we will be introducing
a new study guide which will take us through our next few meetings.
Go to June 1999 issue
