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November 1998WITH SADNESS: When someone dies who has lived in the parish all their life the community suffers a loss. Such a loss happened recently with the death of Miss Nora Cole. For many years Secretary of the PCC and a leading member of the St Mary’s Guild with its marvellous work for the Church in High Bickington. Nora’s life of dedication to her family, friends and neighbours, with her strong Christian principles is an example and encouragement to us all, to live our lives for others. A lovely person. God rest her soul. Roger Keen present Secretary to the PCC. CONGRATULATIONS: To Jo and Tracey Phipps on the birth of daughter Laura. A sister to Donna, Tara and Daniel. THANKS: High Bickington School PFA would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us in raising £1,452 over the last school year. This has helped purchase essential items for the children as well as contributing to the transport costs for educational trips and swimming. Please see the advert in this issue of Ramblings for forthcoming events. Your continued support is very much appreciated. Christians together in High BickingtonThe next meeting is on Monday, November 9th at 7.30pm at The Crest, High Bickington, the home of Gordon and Joyce Thomas. All are welcome. REMEMBERING THE MILLENIUM - NUMBER 5 !
HOW WILL OUR CHILDREN REMEMBER THE MILLENIUM? 1. Will there be a monument? Which would you choose? Or do you have some other ideas? Last year the Rector suggested that we should mark the Parish boundary with a simple marker stone on each of the accesses to the Parish. See the reprint of his article in this issue of Ramblings./p> Others have suggested some form of gate to the village.
What would you like? Jane Gibson REMEMBER - if you pick number 5 - don’t worry - you only have another THOUSAND years to think of something for next time. The Umberleigh PantomimeIn last month’s Ramblings the dates for next year’s Pantomime were given but the actual month was left out. So just to recap they are the two weekends of the 19th/20th and 26th/27th of February. An extra night this time due to popular demand. Not everyone can get a ticket unless they buy one very early so hopefully these people will be accommodated this time. It will be interesting to see next year whether yet another night is needed, so take haste and get your tickets in good time./p>
I know there are a few people who attend the pantomime from High Bickington and for those people who haven’t been before
why not give it a whirl. A night not to be missed. St Mary’s Church, AtheringtonOur Harvest was a great success once again. There was a wonderful supper and I thank all those who donated food and produce. Roger Keen did an excellent job of selling the produce which made over £100 for the church funds and High Bickington surgery - thank you Roger./p> High Bickington Methodist News - Hazel PearceSunday, November 1st Family Service led by Derek Summers of South Molton at 11am. This will be followed by a lunch of home-made soup and a sweet. Adults £1, Children 50p. All are welcome, numbers, if possible, for the meal to Judy Down by October 25th. Tuesday, November 3rd Waste paper collection, 10.00am approx., in the Village (by the bus shelter, but please do not leave it overnight). Thank you to everyone who continues to support this worthwhile recycling effort for charity. Saturday, November 7th The judging for the Eistedfodd classes will take place from 9-11am. Open to the public from 12 noon. At 4pm a short Thanksgiving Service and presentations of certificates will take place. A warm welcome to all, come and see the childrens’ talents and hard work. Sunday, November 29th Carol service led by the young people at 6.30pm in the Methodist Chapel.
During the past few weeks the 5-7’s have painted pictures and straw blowing paint pictures, paper folding, made collage
pictures of the church and church yard and chocolate crispie cakes. The Chapel was as always beautifully decorated for the harvest thanksgiving weekend. The earlier time of 6.30 for Monday evening’s Service and Sale is obviously popular with the children. The informal service was led by Rev Marilyn and Heather Bolt with the children acting out two sketches. Once again our auctioneer Mr Robert Domleo was overwhelmed by very eager young bidders. The sale of Sunday school children’s gifts raised £50 for famine relief in Bangladesh, and the sale of other gifts raised approx. £100 towards our Bible Lands sponsorship and gifts of fruit and flowers were given to those who are poorly. We are grateful to all who gave or helped in any way to make the weekend so successful. Some ‘first time’ decorators worried to start with, finished up enjoying it, so next year, more young volunteers please! Congratulations to Gemma Pert who reached the junior Y.F.C. finals for flower arranging. Rosie Venner and Fiona Stewart are filling Christmas shoe boxes with gifts and toys to be distributed to refugee children across Eastern Europe. If you can help, contact them for more details, by November 5th please. From the Archives - Researched by Richard LethbridgeRichard writes: In this month’s contribution I have Mr and Mrs Loosemore’s wedding, thank you Freda and Tom for allowing us to share your big day. North Devon Journal July 25th, 1940 HIGH BICKINGTON A very pretty wedding took place in the Parish Church on Thursday last of Mr. Thomas Charles Loosemore, only son of Mr. And Mrs. Loosemore, of the Post Office, Atherington, and Miss Freda Patt, only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Owen Patt, of the Village. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. G. A. B. Jones (the Rector) and hymns sung were “Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us” and “O Love Divine,” Miss Coleman being at the organ. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a floral silk dress with a wool georgette edge-to-edge coat in strawberry shade, with a navy blue hat and suede shoes en suite. She carried a shower bouquet of pink carnations and trailing fern. The best man was Mr. Gerald Snell (a friend of the bridegroom). On leaving the Church the bride was presented with a silver horse shoe by her little cousin, Miss Catharine Hilly, of Torrington. The bride’s mother wore a brown floral dress, a brown hat, with shoes en suite, and she wore a spray of pink carnations, and the bridegroom’s mother wore a blue floral silk dress with blue edge-to-edge coat to match, and a navy blue hat, with a spray of pink carnations. After the ceremony the reception was held at the Golden Lion Hotel. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of over 100 useful and costly presents. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a gold pin and he presented the bride with a silver dressing-table set. August 6th 1925 - ATHERINGTON, DEVON JOHN SMALE F.A.I. will sell by Auction, at the BRIDGE HALL, BARNSTAPLE, on FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th next, at 3 p.m., all that desirable FREEHOLD SMALL HOLDING MARKET GARDEN & POULTRY FARM known as “BROOK” situate at Eastacombe, about ½ mile from Atherington and 1½ miles from Umberleigh Station, comprising:- A pleasantly situated Dwelling House, useful Outbuildings, Market Gardens (well stocked), Pasture and Arable Lands, containing together about 14a. 2r. 5p., all within a ring fence and well watered. VACANT POSSESSION at Michaelmas or Christmas next, as desired. To View, apply to Mr. Walter Webber (the Owner), on the premises, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and for all further particulars to the AUCTIONEERS, 13, Cross Street, Barnstaple: or to PITTS TUCKERS, Solicitors, Barnstaple. Here is Roger speaking, wearing his hat as Church Covenant Officer.
Dear Parishioners, High Bickington Harvest Celebrations took place on Saturday 27th September and on the following Tuesday evening. Ten percent of the church collections will go to the work of the Church Army. Many thanks to all who gave produce, decorated church, rang bells etc. and to the team of ladies for producing a wonderful supper. It was excellent that some children in the parish were able to take gifts up to the sanctuary. Miss Anne Purdon, from Liskeard, was our preacher, speaking at both services. Finally warm thanks to Richard Tucker for auctioning the produce and providing such fun for everyone. The amount raised for the Air Ambulance was £107. Well done everyone. ST MARY’S GUILD - Rosemary MunsonThe Guild and village were saddened by the news of the death of Miss Nora Cole. She was our Chairwoman for 28 years. She worked unceasingly for the Church on the P.C.C. as Co-Treasurer with the late Miss Nellie Pickard, and as Secretary. She inspired us all in the Guild to raise money to be spent on the interior of the Church and she will not be forgotten. Nora was also a great friend to us and will be greatly missed. Our meeting was held on Monday, 12th October at Miss Eileen Thomas’s home for which we thank her. We discussed the following: CHRISTMAS FAYRE, 21st November 1998 Starting at 2.15pm - we will be pleased to accept any gifts of crafts, Christmas gifts, cakes, plants etc. for sale at the Fayre and for which we thank you. Please support us. FLOWER FESTIVAL The Guild will be arranging this for August Bank Holiday weekend 1999 (27th-30th August). Full details to follow - please put the dates in your diary. We also saw the new St George’s flag which we have purchased, to be flown on the church tower eventually. DEVONSHIRE DALES DEVELOPMENT TRUSTPRESS RELEASE: EUROPEAN MONEY FOR RURAL YOUTH Devonshire Dales in partnership with other local bodies has just received the sum of £11,781 to assist youth achievement in rural Devon. It will enable young people between 16 and 24 years of age who are either unemployed or under-employed to be assessed, get targeted training and receive assistance with all relevant costs, ultimately leading to job placements. These monies have come from the European Social Fund and will be developed in partnership with Torrington Community Trust, Chulmleigh and South Molton Community Colleges, Devon Training for Skills and Devon County Council. “The Government Office SW have been very helpful in processing our application very quickly” said delighted DDDT Chairman, Peter Hamlyn.
Any young people from within the Dales catchment area who feel they could do with some assistance on the employment front,
which could be anything from cultivating gardens to computing should contact DDDT at the following address: ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WI - Judith DomleoThe October meeting was held in Umberleigh Hall when Robert Nelson explained the moving and vital work of the Royal British Legion and how the money from the Poppy Appeal was used to look after injured service people and their families in the Star and Garter Home and in their own homes. Robert also organises pilgrimages for war widows and widowers to visit their partners graves in Europe. He is also the standard bearer of the Royal British Legion flag for the West Torridge Division. The competition for a poppy in any medium was won by Wendy Waldon. The flower of the month winner was Judith Domleo with the fuscia “Laura”. Refreshments were served by Sharyn Walker, Ann White and Chris Harris. Birthday plants were presented to Edna Clapton, Petra Butcher, Bea Jones and Wendy Waldon. Several members went on a conducted tour of the Queens Theatre and saw “behind the scenes” but unfortunately, we were the cause of three fire engines arriving, being evacuated because the demonstration of the smoke screens set the fire alarms off!! Members of the “Six Hills” group enjoyed a game of Ten Pin Bowling with a Harracott member being the winner. Three members went on a Gardening Day at St Bridgets’ Nursery, Exeter. The owner gave us a short history of St Bridgets which started as a market garden in 1955 and it was the first garden centre to open in the South West. We then had a demonstration on planting trees for winter colour. We had a delicious buffet lunch in the brand new restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the greenhouses, propagation units and micro-propagation lab. We all said that we couldn’t buy any plants - but of course we couldn’t resist the temptation!! Six members went on the Bristol day and had a conducted tour of the SS Great Britain designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, it was the first of the great steamships when launched from Bristol in 1843, first as a luxury liner carrying passengers to new York and Melbourne, then as a ferry carrying troops to the Crimea and India. Finally, as a cargo ship before becoming a warehouse in the Falkland Islands from 1886-1937. She is now being restored to her original appearance at the Great Western Dock in which she was built. “Ship shape and Bristol Fashion”. e saw the Bristol Blue Glass being made and in the afternoon went on a guided boat trip around the 90 acre harbour. Eight members went to the Exeter Northcott Theatre for a morning workshop of “She Stoops To Conquer” with a performance in the afternoon. Oliver Goldsmith’s masterpiece, an excellent day and a jolly good laugh. Five members enjoyed a coastal walk at Mortehoe. Four invited members had fun and games at High Bickington WI’s 75th Birthday Party. The Autumn Council meeting held in Barnstaple’s Queens Theatre was attended by eight members. The guest speaker in the afternoon was Michael Bowyer who titled his talk and demonstration “Surrounded By Flowers”. He is a floral designer, a national flower demonstrator, judge, speaker and teacher. He lives in Salisbury and has designed flower festivals in Salisbury, Winchester and Canterbury Cathedrals. He was highly amusing and entertaining and his magnificent arrangements were included in the raffle. Three of our members went to Denman College on a Devon Federation weekend break in September. Our institute has a full bursary and it was won in a ballet by Margaret Squire who went on the “Fun With Lustres” course - using various colours of lustres enhanced by gold, achieving very attractive designs on bone china - which she displayed at our meeting. Barbara Down went on the “Practical Cooking” course and Ann White went on the “Cathedrals of England” course. They were all first timers to Denman and they all returned on “cloud 9” having thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. A video taken by Jennifer Gooding will show us what they all got up to!! On a different weekend Carole Hurst went to Denman to learn how to play the harp and had a wonderful time. She’s now saving her pennies to buy a harp! What a lot we’ve been up to since our last meeting! It’s all go!! The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10th at Umberleigh Hall when it will be our Annual Meeting. We hope to see you all there - don’t forget - it’s your W.I. The Rectory.Not Love Perhaps
This is not love perhaps - Love that lays down A. S. J. Tissimond I was looking through my copy of Poems for the Day, thinking about how we say goodbye to someone, deal with an ending, or cope with the process of moving on. Not easy. But many of our daily contacts need a lighter touch, a more open hand. More of the pilgrim spirit and companionship on the way. On the way to where? Home, to the waiting Father, through the Son, by the Eternal Spirit. C. Day-Lewis wrote of the sudden surprise heartache, having watched his son play in a game of football, walk-off to finish his schoolday, leaving father to finish the rest of his normal day -
I have had worse partings, but none that so HIGH BICKINGTON WI - Peggy StintonOn Wednesday, 7th October we met in the Church Hall, joined by WI members from Alverdiscott, Atherington, Burrington, Chumleigh and Tawstock to celebrate our 75th Birthday. There was a lovely arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums and a banner. Eva Burke welcomed everyone and we began by singing Jerusalem. Eva then introduced Stella Fernahough, our guest speaker, who had come to talk about Denman College, outlining its’ roots up till the present day. It was accompanied by slides (operated by Jennifer Gooding) and everyone thought it was most interesting especially those who had made a visit to Denman. Everyone was urged to try and visit. After a vote of thanks to Stella Fernahough, we all went in search of refreshments. There was a delicious selection of savories and sweets - much appreciated by everyone, provided by the committee, who deserve a thank you for all their hard work. A Birthday Party is never complete without a cake and there was a cake too! - made by Rosemary Munson and then iced by Stella Burrows - well done both. We then had a quiz and everyone had to use their brains! Whilst we were seated Eva Burke took the opportunity to try to keep us fit. We were all handed sticks to hold and we were off! We did a series of gentle movements to music led by Eva. Everyone had great fun! Time to draw the raffle and the first ticket out was our Guest Speaker’s and she won first prize. Second prize went to Margaret Squire. The next ticket out was a ticket belonging to Sheila Fernahough much to the merriment of all attending. Anyway, as she wished it to be redrawn, it was and third was Margaret Squire. Fourth prize went to Christine Clemens, fifth to Betty Cox (President of Burrington WI) and the winner of the last ticket out was Patsy Kinkant. To sound it off we decided we should sing Happy Birthday. An enjoyable evening all round. Having said goodbye to our guests we had a small business meeting. We were reminded about the AGM next month and the school has asked us to help in making story sacs as it is National Year of Reading, which we gladly decided to do. Some of our members are off to the Group Meeting and a few more are off to the Queens Theatre for the Autumn Special Council Meeting. Don’t forget the next meeting on November 4th in the Church Hall. MILLENNIUM NEWS !The Millennium Competition Congratulations to Kelly Raymont ! Kelly designed a most interesting Logo for the Millennium and has won four tickets to the Christmas Pantomime at the Queens Theatre in Barnstaple. We now hope to include her design on a mug or plate to be given to the children of the Parish to celebrate the Year 2000. …and from letters to Parents from High Bickington School “We certainly chose the best day of the week for our visit to Bath and everyone had a great time- and we hoped we learned a lot. On such occasions it is always gratifying when, as was the case on Monday, favourable comments are made re the children’s behaviour, not only by museum staff but also by members of the public who happen to be in the Baths at the sane time.” PFA REQUEST Looking ahead to the Christmas Bazaar would you please put by a jar of home-made jam / preserves, and if you have any fir cones, teasels, suitable logs, ribbon etc. to make decorations send your bits and pieces in any time. Of course if you could help with making any Craft items you would be doubly welcome. HIGH BICKINGTON V.C. SCHOOL NEWS It hardly seems possible that once again we are nearing half term. No doubt the pupils who transferred to secondary education in September - Stuart Hutchings, Hannah Lohse, Charley Galbally, Eleanor Lunn, Gemma Pert, Laura Phillips, Hannah Cort, Amalia Watson and Michael Enfield have now settled in well in their "new" schools. We wish them all well and look forward to hearing of their continued progress. At the final assembly of the summer term the Clarke Shield for individual effort was presented to Stuart Hutchings; the football trophy to Joshua Lohse and the netball awards to Laura Phillips and Eleanor Lunn./p> In September we welcomed Beth Avery, Charlotte Hedges, Elisabeth Johnson, Scott Pen, James Brown and Matthew Walker into Reception Year; the Raymont family - Kelly to Year 6, Sam to Year 4 and Joe to Year 2, Francesca and Andrew Lyon to Year 6 and Year 2 and Zofia and Victoria Braund to Years 5 and 3. This makes the number on full time roll 60, with 5 children due to join Class 1 after Christmas. Because of the increased numbers the Playgroup has transferred to the Village Hall, but we continue to work closely together in planning the best pre-school provision for under 5s. Mrs Rachel Kemp has joined the teaching staff for 1 day a week and we feel sure that her expertise in Science and Design and information Technology will be a real asset to the school. Regretfully, due to his impending retirement, Rev Hugh Pollock has resigned as Chairman of Governors, but we hope that he will remain as a Foundation Governor and continue to "pop in" to offer his invaluable support and advice. Sarah Lohse is now Chairman of Governors with G John Phillips (Cross Park) as deputy. Baby Gryffyn's arrival has resulted in Frania Watson's resignation as Parent Governor, but she will continue to serve on the Curriculum Committee. Her replacement is Richard Wingate and Mike Jay's place as Minor Authority Representative has been taken over by Lesley Beer. We thank Frania and Mike for the time and care they both gave to the school. The introduction of the Literacy Hour has resulted in increased work for staff and we are grateful for the interest shown by parents in our "Open Sessions" twice a week, and to the ladies who are helping to put together Story Sacks for use in Class 1. If you have any craft skills we might use, please get in touch. The PFA continues to offer considerable financial support and has raised nearly £1500 over the last year. This money has been used to buy extra classroom resources, but also to provide help towards the ever increasing transport bill for swimming and visits to places on interest linked to the wider curriculum. This week, in connection with their work on the Romans, Key Stage 2 went to Bath for the day, and later in the term the PFA is to fund fully a visit to the Plough Theatre for "The Night Before Christmas". Various fund raising events are planned, including a Skittles Evening at Tawstock on 14th November and a Christmas Bazaar on 2nd December. If you would like to know more please call in. and for those of you who are not afraid of the dark..... Dark is fun;
Dark is fun; Dark is fun: by Brittany Lohse Dark is fun;
Dark is fun; Dark is fun; by Verity Lunn
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