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May 2001THANKS: We would like to thank the people of High Bickington and Atherington for all their kind messages and support and to Rev. Carvosso for the time he spent with us. We have been devastated to have had foot and mouth disease on our farm and it is heartbreaking to see how it is continuing to destroy farms in the area. We hope and pray that this dreadful disease will soon be under control and that no other farmers will have to suffer. Jane & Mark Risdon and family CONGRATULATIONS: To Stan and Eileen Tucker who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on April 18th. HAPPY RETIREMENT: May we all at Ramblings on behalf of all their friends and customers over so many years wish Tom and Freda Loosemore a long and happy retirement. RAMBLINGS: Due to the closure of the Post Office in Atherington copies of the Ramblings left there for collection in the past will now be left in the Village Shop. ON THE MEND: Glad to hear that Maurice Ridd is better after his spell in hospital and we all hope that Doreen will be also be out of hospital and recuperating soon. Well done to Steve during their absence. S.E.A.N. Have you noticed S.E.A.N. groups in the church diary and wondered whatever they are? Or who goes? Well, for a start, they are not for those who are religious, clever, or especially academic. They are in fact for anyone who is interested in finding out who Jesus is and how he lived, and more importantly, what that all has to do with me in the 21st century. It is rather like an evening class where we each have our own study book. We complete a chapter at home at our own pace (and the answers are in the back of the book!) We then complete a short test which we run through at our evening session together. This is done under the guidance of Revd John and always results in discussion going off in various directions, with much laughter and participation. Those of us who have just completed Book One have really enjoyed it and learnt so much. We start book two at the beginning of this month, but a new Course One is also starting. If you are at all interested, then why not give it a go? The course is not at all threatening and you go very much at your own pace. If you would like to talk to any of us that have done Book One, then contact: David or Carol Brown; Betty Harpum; Linda Rowden; Gillian Stevens; or Nina Thomas. High Bickington Project 2000At a meeting of the Committee held on 17th April 2001 we spent a considerable time discussing the impact of the Foot and Mouth crisis on our Parish and especially on members of the local farming community and associated industries. We agreed that, in view of all that is happening in our area, it is inappropriate for us to be discussing the possible future use of Little Bickington Farm. We have decided, therefore, to postpone any further work on this aspect of our project until the overall situation becomes clearer. In order to acquire the money needed to carry out the proposed Parish Appraisal, before the current offer expires, it is necessary for us to complete our work on the Appraisal questionnaire and so we have decided to carry on with this preparatory work. This will enable the Appraisal to be undertaken as soon as the Foot and Mouth crisis is over. We continue to be grateful for the interest shown in our work and hope that we shall soon be able to move forward, in partnership with you all, to explore the future needs of our community. ST MARY’S GUILDRosemary Munson There was no meeting in April, as we were having our outing to The Eden Project, report next month. Our summer outing will be to Plymouth in July, this is an advance notice. The next meeting will be on Monday 14th May at the Parsonage at 2.00 pm. Thank you to everyone for all the cards, good wishes, and presents for our Golden Wedding, we think High Bickington folk are the Greatest !! Derek and Rosemary Munson GARDEN & FLOWER SHOWIt is hoped to have a Garden Produce and Flower Show on Saturday 1st September 2001 in High Bickington Church Hall at 2.30 pm. Schedules available soon. Roger Keen From the archivesResearched by Richard Lethbridge Atherington January 24th 1878
STEALING RABBITS January 22nd 1931 DEATH OF A FORMER ATHERINGTON MAN Mr. John Sage, of U.S.A.
His many friends in Atherington will learn with the deepest regret of the death of Mr. John Sage, who has passed away at
Illinois, U.S.A. at the age of 70 years. A farmer, deceased was held in the highest respect and esteem, and an American
newspaper says of him: “By conservative and thrifty actions he had accumulated a fair competence, but his thrift never
interfered with his lending a helping hand … Of his benefactions he never spoke, like a ship that passed in the night
leaving a cargo of good deeds. He had no enemies and his friends are legion, and many are the rays of sunshine that have
been added to this world by his having lived in it.” St. Mary's Church - High BickingtonLent Coffee Mornings The Church Wardens would like to thank everyone who supported the six Lent coffee mornings held at Parsonage. The total money raised was £300 which is to be split:- £150 for Mapong Childrens Home in Africa Eileen Thorne Thought for the MonthRev John Carvosso I have just come back from a few days in London (Camberwell) ..doing an Independent Inspection for a Christian youth club called The Greenhouse … and was amazed at how little the folks up there were aware of the Foot & Mouth crisis. Then on the coach trip home (5½ hours) began to think about how little I know about many inner city problems which to them were equally devastating. How good to know though that the message of the Gospel ... God’s gracious Love for everyone .. is equally true and relevant to countryside and city. Jesus told his sad and doubting disciples (in that evening before His arrest, trial and Crucifixion) that He was The way is the way of the Cross --- how different from the ‘way of the world’! The truth can only be found, I believe, in living our lives God’s way and that way means living in eternal life. A Hymn, which I hope to have at my funeral, sums it up for me When we walk with the Lord Please do read the rest of the lovely words for yourself! High Bickington United Anglican & Methodist ChurchesThe United Palm Sunday service on April 8th at 3.00pm was held at the Parish Church. Owing to the foot and mouth we were not able to have the usual procession through the village with the donkey. The service was led by Rev Marilyn Tricker, lessons were read by Robert Domleo, Stephen Blackman, John Carvosso and Rosemary Munson. A drama was acted by Rosie Venner, Jennifer Gooding, Heather Bolt, Nina Thomas, Glenda Tucker and Carol Brown. Prayers led by Mark Thomas. The collection of £29-80 went towards the Farming Crisis Appeal. The next United Service will be on Rogation Sunday on May 20th. Owing to foot and mouth details of the service will be circulated in the village nearer the date, telephone Mark Thomas. ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WIMary Wilson Dispelling the gloom and misery of the last few weeks, we met at our usual time and place in April and had a wonderful evening of "Barbershop". Elaine Cox of South Molton came along armed with her considerable experience in this type of singing, told us how she had become involved, the joy and good fellowship working in a group of singers brings and how, with a bit of concentration and hard work ANYONE CAN SING. And before the end of the evening, we all were! With County on hold at the moment, there was no business or correspondence to deal with but our competition - a spoon - went ahead and was won by Sharyn Walker. The Flower of the Month - a beautiful rhododendron - was brought by Jean Lynch. Ann Harrison, our "Birthdays" secretary, had brought along a lovely collection of Fuschias for our March and April birthday girls of whom only Rita Rose and, very specially, Irene Sutton were present. Irene is celebrating her 80th birthday though guesses solicited were nowhere near the mark. Our May monthly meeting will be on the 8th in Umberleigh village hall at 7.30p.m. as usual and our speaker will be Mrs Josie Carter who will demonstrate some Flower Arranging for Spring. The competition will be a Miniature Flower Arrangement. We look forward to our Annual Dinner on May 16th at Fishleigh Farm Restaurant and to our Resolutions meeting at High Bickington on May 2nd, all being well. Telephone Judith to confirm this. This meeting will begin at 7.15p.m. Poem for May
'Among the many birds proclaiming May MOBILE LIBRARIES BACK ON THE ROAD
MANY Devon communities will benefit from the return of their mobile library service following a review of the strict
guidelines which have been in force since the start of the foot and mouth crisis. The review has been conducted in the
context of the Government's revised approach to travel in infected areas and in line with Devon County Council guidelines. HIGH BICKINGTON WIPeggy Stinton On Wednesday 4th April a smaller than usual number of us met in the Church hall. After our business meeting Jennifer Gooding, our President, introduced our speaker for the night – Jean Dellar (Rosemary’s sister) who had come to talk to us about Life in Great Grandma’s Day. Dressed in the fashion of the day, she transported us back in time to 1859 when Great Grandma was born. Jean had with her some of her collection and showed us jewellery, watches, elaborate clothes for babies – all frills and flounces, beautifully embroidered (imagine ironing those with a flat iron!). There were letters from an uncle in the war and various other articles all accompanied by family stories and anecdotes and many, many, more. It was all so interesting we could have listened much longer. Jean invited us to inspect her collection. Eva Burke gave a vote of thanks and asked Jean to judge the competition, which was ‘A Photograph of an Elderly Relative’. The competition was won by Jane Gibson with a photograph of her Great, Great Grandmother. Marion Halstead was second and Briony Sutcliffe was third. The flower of the month was won by Marion Halstead and Rosemary Munson won the raffle. We do hope the farming ladies who are unable to be with us at present will soon be able to join us again. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 2nd in the Church Hall at 7.15 pm. New members and guests are always welcome. What Has Been Happening? ... An Update.Many of you may be wondering what has happened regarding the amenity land at Barton Meadow. You may have been approached by one of our merry band asking for money or even joined us at any of the events that have taken place. It may be that you've donated money and are wondering ... what has been happening? The Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee (BMRAC) was founded in August 1999. Many of the members were parents of children living at Barton Meadow who wanted somewhere for their children to play in a nearby and safe environment. Some people felt that the village already had a perfectly adequate play area at the Playing Field and questioned why another was needed. Indeed, some of the parents of the BMRAC had helped in the setting up and maintenance of this. However, due to it' s proximity to the village, it was too far away and unsafe for younger children to visit on their own. As the amenity land had been designated as a play/recreational area for the village, we as a Committee hoped to raise money in order to purchase equipment and provide a space where parents knew that their children would be safe and an area for other members of the community. However, things never go quite to plan ... For many months prior to our inception High Bickington Parish Council and Torridge District Council had been in discussions with Pearce Construction regarding the signing over of the land to the village. Solicitors had become involved in lengthy negotiations with all parties. Stalemate was reached on numerous occasions and we as a Committee felt that we were getting nowhere. We were keen and enthusiastic to raise money to purchase equipment but had no land to put it on! However, eventually after many, many months of wrangling the land was finally signed over to the Parish Council. The land has now been drained, sub-soiled and rotavated and our grateful thanks go to Roy Brown, Colin Miller and Graham Down who kindly gave their services. We had hoped to be able to seed the area prior to Christmas but due to the adverse weather conditions this was completely out of the question. Hopefully this year the weather will be kinder and we will be able to seed the area so at least the children will have an open place to play. At this stage we are in negotiations with the Parish Council and are awaiting advice in order to obtain information on grants and the way forward with this long-term project. Finances at present stand at around £4,000. It has been a year since we started our '200 Club' and we thank everyone for their continued support. The names of last year's winners were published in last month's Ramblings. We do still have a few tickets left - if anyone is interested in purchasing a ticket at £10/year, please contact Louise Phipps. Many events will be arranged throughout the year and we hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend. Owing to the success of the Village Fete last year we are hoping to continue with it again this year. Any suggestions or offers of help would be most gratefully received (please contact Derek Jones). Thank you all for your kind support - we couldn't do it without you! A HISTORY OF HIGH BICKINGTONHigh Bickington has its origins in the Saxon period or earlier -- that is, well over 1000 years ago. The manor of High Bickington is referred to in the Domesday Book (1086) as "Bichentone". It belonged to the King and supported 16 plough teams -- a definite Indication that a village of some size had already become established here. Over the centuries, the village, sustained by the farmland, woods and water resources of the parish, developed into a mainly self-sufficient community. The market at Torrington would have provided the goods that could not have been produced locally, as well as an opportunity to sell surplus farm produce. This was said to be "an excellent market for meat, poultry, butter, eggs, etc., which for quality cannot be surpassed by any town in Devon". (Billing's Directory and Gazetteer of the County of Devon 1857). This same basic pattern of self-sufficiency persisted until well into Victorian times. Industrially-made goods then started to replace local products. Changes in agriculture, too (imported grain and meat, mechanisation, etc.) led to a decline in the labour needs of the farmers and thus to an exodus of people from the villages to the towns. Emigration to America, Canada and Australia took place from 1850 onwards, with many leaving via the Port of Bideford or from Bristol. The population of High Bickington rose from 693 in 1801 to a peak of 851 fifty years later. By 1901 it had fallen again to 539 and continued to decline until the 1950's (410) from which point it rose again with an estimated population of 561 in 1991. The First World War finally destroyed the old order, not only by taking away the young men of the village but also by opening up the village to the ways of the wider world. It is fascinating to look at the way things were about 110 years ago. A detailed picture of the Parish at this time can be drawn from two sources: Kelly's Directory of Devon (1889) and the 1891 Census. POPULATION In 1891 there were 583 people in the Parish (288 males, 295 females) living in 124 houses (an average of 4.7 persons in each household). There were also 25 uninhabited houses - a clear indication of the loss of population since the mid-19th century. FARMING The chief landowners were the Pincombe Trust (lords of the Manor) and Robert Permy, Esq. of Nethergrove. Other landowners were: Thomas Pettle, Herny Mallet Veale, W. Pincombe, J.G. Thorne and George Webber of Burrington. There were 35 tenant farmers (including such well-known local names as Down, Pidler, Squire, Tucker and Woollacott). With 24 agricultural labourers, 2 cattle dealers, a miller (Richard Pidler at Pully Mills), a veterinary surgeon and a gamekeeper this completed the list of those directly connected with farming. TRADES and PROFESSIONS One hundred years ago the village supported 5 carpenters (2 of whom, Messrs. Pidler and Tanton. were also wheelwrights). The 3 stonemasons included one called Gooding. One of the 2 blacksmiths was a Beer while the other, William Heaman was also a grocer. A thatcher (Clarke) and a sawyer (Symons) were other 'outside' tradesmen. On the domestic front there were 3 butchers and 3 grocers. In addition, there were 2 general shopkeepers including one Henry Gooding described in the Census as 'draper, grocer and seed merchant'. Two dressmakers, a tailor and 2 glovers took care of people's clothing needs and there were 3 shoemakers, one of whom William Richards also ran the Post office. He seems to have been following a tradition - the 1857 Directory notes that ‘letters are left at Mr. W. Davey's, shoemaker: an extra penny is paid on all letters delivered out of the village'. EDUCATION The National Endowed School (mixed) had been built in 1856 and enlarged in 1874. It held 135 children, although the average attendance in 1889 was 80. William Ham was the Master and Mrs. Harriett Binding the sewing mistress (Mr. Binding was the Parish Clerk. The school had an annual endowment of £50 from the Pincombe Trust “for education in this school in the principles of the established church”. RELIGION Religious life revolved around St Mary's and the Methodist and Plymouth Brethren chapels. The Rector was Rev. Edmond Rochfort Yerburgh MA, who lived at the Rectory (now Beechwood House) 'a substantial modern residence, with well-wooded grounds, situated on an eminence overlooking the Taw Valley' (Kelly's Directory 1889). TRANSPORT The North Devon branch railway was no doubt an important means of travel in the 1890's - an alternative to the bumpy roads and horse-drawn carts and carriages. Five railway workers lived in the Parish -- a signalman, a platelayer, a quarryman and 2 labourers. There were also 2 road contractors. PUBLIC HOUSES The Golden Lion in 1889 was run by George Tucker, who in the 1891 Census described himself as maltster and cattle dealer. The Black Horse was run by Nathaniel Tucker who was a farmer and cattle dealer. At the Ebberley Arms was Josiah Miller, also a cattle dealer. The Commercial Hotel (next to what is now the Post Office) is listed in the 1857 Directory, with William Down as beer retailer and timber merchant. OTHER INHABITANTS One must not forget the village policeman P.C. Mair, nor the 'sick nurse' Miss Alford. There was also an insurance agent by the name of Mitchel, a groom/gardener called Heale, a coachman called Sexton and several servants and maids. Ed. This history was researched by David Venner for the High Bickington Parish appraisal in 1992 but I thought it would be interesting to new parishioners. When we came to Week – and todayby Margaret Bolt The Foundation Account at April 5th, 1946, shows my parents began with cattle worth £178 16s 0d, poultry £68 4s 6d and sheep £76 4s.9d – a total stock-in-trade of £323 5s 3d. With implements purchased from January to March worth £121 13s 6d and a car valued at £15 0s 0d their total assets were £459 18s 9d. Farm wages were £3 5s 7d after deductions for insurance etc. soon after that date, so my father’s weekly earnings at Abbotsmarsh prior to that could not have been more than that amount – little opportunity to save a great deal, so borrowing was considerable. By the March 1947 Balance Sheet, stock-in-trade was valued at £1,384 17s 6d, the increase gained by the addition of more stock, i.e. “cow and calf from J. Laramy at £50 0s 0d” “2 yearlings at £24”, “£6 1s 0d day-old chicks from Stirling” “£3 15s 0d - ducks from Cecil Squire” and the original sheep and cattle being one year older. More implements and tools had been bought raising this value to £335 0s 0d. Having hired a tractor from the War Ag: (W.A.E.C.) for a certain number of days in early 1946 at a cost of £12, our first tractor was purchased in March ’47, a red David Brown, for £335. A sheep dog “Jock” a small black and white collie was bought from a Gerald Champions transport driver for £3 10s 0d, a lovely dog, good with cattle and sheep yet gentle enough to help Mum round up ducks and turkeys to be shut in their houses at night. No doubt some sheep came from Hacknell, given the continuing system of selecting the best ewe lambs for replacing older ewes for lambing the next year, they would have been descendants of those brought to Hacknell from Shuteley Farm, High Bickington. And so it has been down through the years. By the time Eric and I married in 1956, Dad was so badly affected by arthritis he needed two walking sticks to get around. So, this task of selecting thirty to forty ewe hogs (hoggetts) has been Eric’s since that time, with Hazel’s help after she left school until the roles were reversed as Eric became less agile. When Hazel married David in 1996, Eric gladly left all the sheep handling to them. So although not a pedigree flock, the bloodlines went back many years not only in our own flock but in that of David and Kathleen’s, for each year they bought replacement ewe hogs from us. We saw no reason for this pattern to change until April 10th 2001 when we became Number 121 case of Foot and Mouth disease in Devon. Having been living on a knife-edge for seven weeks – as had every other farmer in Devon and other areas – the shock was still considerable. That day seemed endless yet so much happened swiftly entirely beyond our control. On April 5th we had heard of Peter and Marilyn Smales’ confirmed outbreak, with sorrow and compassion for them and for the people of Burrington having to endure the sight and smell of rotting carcasses for days on end. Beyond our control and a very sad part for us was the inevitable involvement of adjoining neighbours - the Downs at Deptford, Kathleen and David, Colin Miller, Robert May, Liz and Brian Griffiths, the Elworthys at Upcott, Stan and Una Parker’s land at Bales Ash, Dick and Margaret Beaumont at Week Park and Pat Andrews at Higher Week and others who may yet be involved. All are our friends, some for a life-time, for Elworthys were at Upcott and Downs at Deptford before we came to Week. By the end of that day we were all devastated, especially Hazel and David, having helped to slaughter sixty-six bullocks, four hundred and fifteen ewes, nine rams, plus six hundred lambs. Lambs I had seen skipping around their mothers when I looked out of the window in the morning, knowing that would be the last time. Another sadness on April 10th was that Eric’s cousins at Lordsdown, South Molton went down with Foot and Mouth as well. The Ministry vets and slaughter team did their jobs as well as they were able, with care and consideration. April 11th dawned a beautiful morning almost insensitively bright for the gruesome sight of piles of dead sheep lying in the fields and yard full of dead bullocks already blown up to bursting point, and the slaughter team coming again to kill all Kathleen and David’s sheep in the afternoon. “Fly” our sheepdog was very subdued afterwards; she must have thought it strange to keep driving flocks into pens but not away again. Now mornings come and days go without the need to think of animals being fed, or checked for lameness or looking poorly. We have a silence around us, a dog with no work, hay silage and straw with nothing to feed or bed, an already overpowering smell everywhere which we will have to live with for at least two weeks, because although we had hoped that the animals would be buried at Week Down, we were only given the choice of a funeral pyre or rendering. Believing that the pyres are a source of spreading the disease, we could not inflict that on further neighbours – and on our conscience, this was our only option. Since the start of lambing in early January I have been waiting for the day when the kitchen windowsill would be free from bottles, teats, jugs and a box of milk powder to feed orphan lambs; now that day has come, how I wish them back again. We have been so very comforted by so many ‘phone calls, letters, cards, offers to shop, collect things and cheering gifts. The box at the end of the lane has become a lifeline while we continue as virtual prisoners here. “When we came to Week” could have its ending being written now, but knowing the resilience of farmers and their families, I doubt if this will be so for the majority. We sincerely pray that our neighbours will be our neighbours for many more years. We thank them and so many friends for their love and support, not just at the present time but over so many years. People we will remember long after the disease has been conquered are:- Nick Brown for his constant assurance that “it was under control” when to everybody else it obviously was not. COUNCIL DISMAY OVER DECISION TO AXE MAGISTRATES' COURTS
A GOVERNMENT decision to dismiss the appeal against the closure of eight Magistrates' Courts in Devon has been greeted with
dismay by Devon County Council. HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCILTraffic through Ebberley - At the last meeting of High Bickington Parish Council residents from Ebberley spoke about the recent accidents and constant danger from heavy lorries using Ebberley as a short cut to Torrington. Residents would like a weight restriction on the road for all traffic apart from essential farm vehicles such as milk tankers. The Parish Council fully supports their concerns and has passed on a petition from them to Devon County Council with a request for urgent action. Barton Meadow - The Barton Meadow Amenity Land is still causing problems. The plans supplied by Pearce Construction were not detailed enough for the Land Registry to accept the transfer to Parish Council ownership. The Parish Council has asked Devon County Council for definitive plans, and to discuss the water run off across the footpath, plus the need for any safety barriers, while they are trying to resolve their current dispute with Pearce over the sub-standard road surfacing. Half Fare Travel – The new Devonwide half fare travel passes are now available for pensioners and people with disabilities. The parish clerk has a small stock of application forms (telephone Myc Riggulsford on 560268), or they are available from Devonwide Concessionary Fares, Transport Co-ordination Service, Matford Lane Offices, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QW, telephone either Barnstaple or Exeter. Dog Fouling - The closure of parish footpaths and bridleways due to Foot & Mouth Disease has unfortunately restricted the number of places people can take their dogs for a walk. It has also restricted the places that our children can safely walk and play. Sadly some irresponsible dog owners are responding to this difficult time by allowing their dogs to foul the village’s footpaths and verges, Barton Meadow and the playing fields, without clearing up the mess afterwards. Others are leaving plastic bags of dog faeces in the hedgerows, causing an unsightly, smelly health hazard. We know it’s a chore, but please help your neighbours in the village. Chairman’s Report – Parish Council Chairman Maurice Ridd spoke for all the village when he voiced our concerns for our farmers during the Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak and said that we should do all we can to support them. Since the meeting some farms have contracted the disease, and others have lost their healthy flocks and herds through the MAFF contiguous cull policy. We are deeply sorry for everyone affected, as a farming community we realise that caring for cattle and sheep is a way of life, not simply a job, and we will do anything we can to help. Unfortunately also since the meeting both Mr and Mrs Ridd have been ill in hospital, and we wish them both a speedy recovery to full health. The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting, which is your opportunity to come along and put your views, followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting when the Chairman is elected for the coming year, on Wednesday 9 May 2001 in the Church Hall at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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