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May 2002St Marys Atherington
Many thanks to those who supported the Jumble sale on Saturday, 23rd March, who gave draw prizes and donations or helped in any way. Our thanks also to Derek Brayley and family for making such a good job of painting the Vestry in the Church. "Well done". We have arranged a Spring Cleaning day for the Church on Tuesday 14th May starting at 10.30am. Please come along "many hands make light work". High Bickington Methodist NewsHazel Pearce Chloe Pidner rode the donkey at the United Churches Palm Sunday parade, which left the Methodist Chapel and stopped at various points in the village and the new estate to hear readings and sing hymns before closing with a short service led by Rev Mark Noakes in the Parish Church. Our thanks to pat Andrews who provided the donkey. We are pleased to see that Robert Domleo's ankle is improving after a nasty fall and Betty Rouse's leg ulcer is finally on the mend. We also remember in our prayers Mrs Doris Pidler, Hazel Keen, Mary Pickard and Arthur Rouse. We welcome Margaret and Lauren to our Morning Worship and Sunday school. THE FINAL PROGRAMME FOR THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONSSUNDAY JUNE 2nd 3.30 CREAM TEAS AT DAVID BROWN’S 6.30 SONGS OF PRAISE IN ST MARY’S CHURCH MONDAY JUNE 3rd 3.30 TREASURE HUNT IN THE VILLAGE, FOR EVERYONE ASSEMBLE AT THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND GATE ALL AGES, CHILDREN AND ADULTS WELCOME. 5.30 VILLAGE STREET PARTY, “BRING AND SHARE” THERE WILL BE NO COST, DRINKS AVAILABLE. TUESDAY JUNE 4th 3.30 CHILDREN’S GAMES ON THE PLAYING FIELDS ALL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WELCOME 5.30 BONFIRE AND BARBECUE FOR EVERYONE ALSO ON THE PLAYING FIELDS MORE DETAILS WILL BE POSTED NEARER THE TIME ALL OVER THE VILLAGE From the ArchivesResearched by Richard Lethbridge 2nd February 1905 DEATH OF MR. GREENWOOD PENNY Mr. Robert Greenwood-Penny, of Nethergrove, High Bickington, died at midday on Friday. The news was heard in the village with the deepest regret, but it was not altogether unexpected, as the deceased gentleman had been seriously ill for about a fortnight. Following a slight improvement, his condition again became critical on Thursday, and additional medical advice was obtained, but in spite of every attention, the end came. Mr. Greenwood-Penny was well-known and much respected throughout a large portion of North Devon. He was a very clever amateur photographer, and devoted a considerable portion of his time to artistic and scientific pursuits. He had an extensive knowledge of architecture and natural history. He was a useful member of the Taw and Torridge Board of Conservators, and was himself a most ardent and successful fisherman. With rod in hand, he was a very familiar figure on the banks of the Taw during the salmon season. Locally, he will be greatly missed. He was Vicar's Churchwarden, and was a Manager of the National School for over 20 years. He was always ready to give his support to everything that he thought would be a benefit to the parish. The death of Mrs. Greenwood-Penny in May last affected him considerably, and he never seemed to have regained his usual cheerfulness of manner. The deceased was about 56 years of age. The funeral of Mr. Robert Greenwood-Penny, of Nethergrove, took place on Tuesday amidst every manifestation of regret and respect. By twelve o'clock, the time foxed for the internment, a large congregation had assembled in the Church. The bearers were:- Messrs. W. T. Down, J. Pincombe (tenants), D. Morrish, W. Long (employés), B. Cole, E. Cole, R. Pidler and J. Cousins. The service was read by the Rector (Rev. C. V. Wansbrough), and the Rev. M. D. Buckingham (Vicar of Burrington). The grave, which was dug close to that of the late Mrs. Greenwood-Penny, who died in May last, was lined with moss and ivy. Among the large company present were:- Ven. Archdeacon Seymour (Chittlehampton), Revs. W. W. Arthur (Atherington0, E. H. F. May (Roborough). H. K. Law (Dolton), A. E. Wansbrough (Brompton, Ralph, Somerset), Dr. Drummond (Dolton), Major Dunning (Winkleigh), Messrs. B. T. James (Barnstaple), Davis (Chulmleigh), C. Scougall (Yarnscombe), H. Fraser, Major Smith, Mr. and Mrs. J. Paul, Mrs. Wansbrough (High Bickington), and nearly all the farmers and tradesmen of the parish. Just after the funeral a muffled pearl was rung. Many very beautiful wreaths were sent. Mr. Greenwood-Penny had been Vicar's Churchwarden ever since the death of General P. F. Gardiner, just over eight years ago. HIGH BICKINGTON WIJosie Maskell Our April meeting began with a minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother. The President thanked everyone who had helped at our recent Jumble sale where £77-25 was raised. Many congratulations to all who took part in the sponsored 'knit-in' for Hospice S. W. held at Millie Finch's home this year. A magnificent sum of £247 was raised, we have received a letter of thanks from the Hospice. Several members enjoyed the supper and entertainment at Filleigh recently and four members went to Harracott W.I's 50th birthday party where they enjoyed delicious food and a most enjoyable evening. Final arrangements were made for the group meeting at Burrington on 24th April. Ella Gooding is having a coffee morning on 15th April - proceeds to the Children's Hospice. We welcomed the return of Peter Groves and Christine Canham, magistrates from Barnstaple, to talk about sentences this time. Members enacted three different scenarios, the first being 'causing a public nuisance'. It was up to the rest of the members (divided into groups of three) to act as magistrates and give their views on the appropriate sentencing. Two more 'cases' were heard, one of drink driving and one of speeding. It was most interesting to hear the different opinions and how the sentences varied! Marian Halstead gave the vote of thanks. The competition for a limerick on law was won by Josie Maskell who also won flower of the month with viburnum carlesii. Greta Woollacott won the raffle. Our May meeting is our Resolutions Meeting and Stella Burrows will be giving a cookery demonstration. Visitors and new members always very welcome! St Mary's GuildRosemary Munson Our Spring outing was held on Monday April 8th. The weather was beautiful, and I think everyone enjoyed our coffee stop in Axminster, and the rest of the day in Dorchester. Thanks to everyone who supported us. Watch this space for the next outing. Our next meeting is on Monday May 13th at 2.00pm in Miss Thorne's home "The Parsonage". Dear Friends - Birthday Time AgainI hope you all had a wonderful Easter. Or should I say having a wonderful Easter. Although the eggs magically disappeared with a piff-paff-puff on Easter Monday, the season continues. Eastertide does not end until we have reached the other great celebrations of Ascension and Pentecost. Having rejoiced over the birth of the Saviour at Christmas and the ‘birth of the Kingdom’ at Easter, we now look to the ‘birth of the Church’ at Pentecost. Nearly 2000 years ago a small group of men and women huddled in an upper room received the gift that spread out across the globe. It was good to see Rev John finish with a quote from Mr Wesley in his piece last month (inspired choice, brother, inspired!). Yet we Methodists sometimes have to pinch ourselves to remember that both Charles and his brother John, the founder of Methodism, never left the Anglican Church. Right up to their deaths they were priests ‘loyal’ to Canterbury. Here we all have a reminder of what the whole Church is meant to be – flexible, transitory and nomadic, on Earth at least. It adapts to suit the times that it is in to best serve God in every place and age. It is not the same ‘yesterday, today and forever’, only God is. Indeed, it was never meant to last forever. It is a stopgap, an interval filler, because it exists only to proclaim Christ’s gospel and display his Kingdom in the times between his Ascension and Second Coming. If we want it to last forever we have lost the hope of our faith. Therefore, things move and change. Trends, styles, works, even denominations come and go. But this is what is meant to be. It proves that the Church is alive. Just as the Wesley’s saw a need for something new, which eventually resulted in a new denomination, so must we all be aware of what needs to be done in our own times. I say all this fully aware of the hard decision folk at Atherington Baptist had to make. Chapleton Methodists have also had similar decisions to reach and will close in June to join their friends at Hiscott. Reaching the end of a period of witnessing and losing a home of worship is always tough, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them. It can seem like death or failure, the loss of a big part of life. But these places will live on. The Spirit survives in the people who are the Church, even though the building has gone. They have taken their stand over many faithful generations, and are part of the foundations of tomorrow’s church. We all carry their legacy with our own, as we face the next steps along the way. What next? – Only God knows. Good job he’s in charge! God Bless. Mark Noakes. POEM FOR THE MONTH OF MAYfrom "A Defence of English Spring" The bluebells with the grasses mingle; But soon their azure will be scrolled Upon the primroses cloth -of-gold. Yes, those are early lady-smocks, The children crumple in their frocks, And carry many a zig-zag mile, O'er meadow, footpath, gate, and stile To stick in pots and jugs to dress Their cottages sills and lattices. Robert Bridges (1844-1930) High Bickington Project 2000The first meeting of our new Committee took place at the Meeting Point on Friday 18th April. In addition to the election of new Officers we considered a range of matters arising from the Parish Appraisal Action Plan including those relating to: Adult Education Classes, the survey of land and buildings at Little Bickington Farm, issues relating to the provision of a new school and community buildings, the recent planning application to build on land beyond Wardens Close, Parish ‘clean up’ day and how we might move forward the possible development of a local Farmer’s and Producer’s Market. A full copy of the Appraisal Action Plan is published elsewhere in this edition of The Ramblings.
The new Committee is made up as follows: First Aid CourseThere was so little response to the advertisements for a rescheduled First Aid Course that one will not now be organised by the Parish Council in the near future. The Council is sorry for any disappointment this causes. Myc Riggulsford, Clerk to the Parish of High Bickington. ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WIJudith Domleo At the March meeting Wendy Clarke gave an illustrated talk on the restoration of the ship "Kathleen & May" by her son & friends. The magnificent ship is moored by the old Bideford Bridge East the Water. The competition for a "Boat in any Medium" was won by a new member Jean Blewitt. Flower of the month winner was Jean Lynch with a dark pink azalea. Refreshments were served by Eileen Edwards, Pearl Arscott & Anne Harrison. Speakers hostess Carole Hurst. Two members went to the Emergency Life Saving Skills day in Barnstaple tutored by the West Country Ambulance Service. Several members went to the tea & supper parties provided & hosted by the D.F.W.I. committee as a support to all W.I.'s who had suffered last year in the wake of foot and mouth. The venues were Marwood and Filleigh. Our members supported High Bickington member Ella Gooding, when she opened her home and garden for a coffee morning in aid of Children's Hospice South West. The next meeting will be on Tuesday May 14th 7.30pm at Umberleigh Hall. The Resolutions will be on "The support of local small abattoirs" and " The stricter controls on the importation of foodstuffs into this country" Don't forget the Bring & Buy Stall with the proceeds going to the NDDH Children's Ward. Visitors always very welcome. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - 8 May 2002 - ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGThe May 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, both on Wednesday 8 May 2002 in the Church Hall starting at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Barton Meadow Play Area At the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 18 April to discuss the proposed new Play Area, following a presentation from Mr Derek Jones on behalf of the Barton Meadow Residential Area Committee, the Parish Councillors agreed in principle to a plan to lease some or all of the amenity land to the Barton Meadow Residential Area Committee if this turns out to be the most effective way to raise funds. The Parish Council also agreed in principle that the play equipment erected could include a skateboard park, if that is what users wish, and if it is possible within the terms of the land agreement with Pearce Construction (which is likely). The council commended and fully supports the hard work done by the Barton Meadow Residential Area Committee. The Parish Council confirmed that the land is owned by the parish, and the payment of £15,000 to Pearce only has to be made if residents wish to build a Village Hall on the site. No other buildings can be put up there, although play equipment or car parking are allowed. Pearce also retains the right to purchase a strip of land giving access to any further housing development land which comes available from the adjoining paddock, but this does not affect either the play area site or the possible village hall part of the site. Land at North Road - Affordable Housing & Workshops Councillors and members of the public were very concerned about the recent decision of Torridge District Council Planning Committee to recommend granting planning permission for housing at the Atherington side of the village, and raised the matter under any other business at the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting. A letter from Mr & Mrs Burrows, which voiced the concerns of many residents, was read out asking the Parish Council to write to Torridge District Council reaffirming the Parish Council's and residents' widespread opposition to the development, before the matter is considered by the full District Council on Monday 29 April 2002. The Chairman abstained and the remaining Parish Councillors voted unanimously to write to Torridge District Council stating the Parish Council's opposition to the development, and pointing out that it removes High Bickington's opportunity to make proper Parish Plans following the Parish Appraisal, for which funds are soon expected from the Vital Villages application. This Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting was not however the proper place for a full discussion of the issue, and anyone wishing to discuss this particular planning application in detail should come to the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 8 May 2002 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall and raise the matter. COUNTY BACKS PARISH COUNCILS' CONCERNS OVER NEW GOVERNMENT RULESDevon County Council is warning the Government that new rules compelling parish councillors to disclose their business interests will lead to many resignations and deter new candidates from coming forward. From May representatives on even the smallest parish councils will have to declare their investments and employment interests, a move described by Councillor Christine Channon, vice Chairman of the County Council's Cabinet - the Executive Committee - as "a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut." Now the County Council is writing to the Standards Board for England expressing its "serious concern" that the requirement in the new Parish Councils' Code of Conduct for the members of the smallest parish councils to file detailed declarations of interests "seems certain to deter many serving parish councillors from continuing in office or seeking re-election and to discourage new candidates from coming forward." Cllr Mrs Channon said: "The County Council supports good standards of openness and accountability in public life, but this is a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut. "We need transparency in local government and it is right that there should be rigorous codes for larger authorities including our town councils. "But many parish councils handle little more than a few hundreds pounds and much of the excellent work they do in their local communities relies heavily on the voluntary efforts of parish councillors who, for example, clean out the local brook or keep the children's play area tidy. "Under these new rules all parish councillors -- no matter what size of council -- will have to sign a code of conduct and register their private business interests and those of their wives and husbands, and any gifts worth more than £25. "Cumulative "benefits" have to be declared to the point where it is bureaucracy gone mad. If I receive a free lettuce from my neighbour once a week, every week I would have to declare it under these rules. "Instead of strengthening parish councils this new code will weaken them and I am worried that yet another layer of red tape will put people off from serving their local communities." In next month's News from Devon County Council: Partnership in practice -- how the County, Town and Parish Councils are working together for the benefit of local communities. WAS LIFE REALLY LIKE THIS?
We met and we married a long time ago,
And we brought them up without any state aid.
No vandals, no muggings, there was nothing to rob.
We all get our share of trouble and strife, Tony Munnery English, Irish & Scottish FootballAn Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman are wandering through the desert, hungry and hallucinating, when they come upon a rotting, dead camel. "Well," said the Englishman, "I support Liverpool, so I'll eat the liver." "I support Hearts," said the Scotsman, "so I'll eat the heart." "I support Arsenal," said the Irishman, "but I seem to have lost my appetite."
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