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November 1999CONGRATULATIONS: To Jenny and Jim at the Old George on the birth of grand-daughter Sasha Jane, a daughter for Emma and Simon Curtis of Dolton and a sister to JJ.
SPEEDY RECOVERIES: To Tina Cullen and Keith Snell after their stays in hospital. Good to see Keith around the
village. CONGRATULATIONS: To Rosie Glover on the birth of her tenth grandchild, born to Stephen and Kerry, a son, Jacob Clifford From the Matkin family - Jack Matkin is the new Methodist Minister. When Rhonda and I first rode into North Devon in mid-August, we were amazed by the presence of hedgerows everywhere. We were especially surprised by how tall and wide and “wild” they were. We wondered if people just didn’t take the time to care for their hedges anymore. But, within two weeks we began to see trimmed hedges along lanes, and we realised that we had arrived just before “hedge-trimming season.” We were embarrassed how quickly we had jumped to conclusions! How often first impressions can be wrong – particularly in relationships. We judge others before we get to know them (we save time that way!). We make a determination about the character of someone by the way they look, the way they act, the way they talk, and we make those determinations in split seconds. I think God is calling us to a different approach to life. God is calling us into deeper relationships with less judging (much less) and more getting to know other people personally and intimately. God spent forty years with the Israelites in the wilderness – that’s personal relationship. Christ spent three years teaching and working with the disciples – that’s intimate relationship. Perhaps developing deeper relationships was Christ’s point when he said to go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41) – relationships take time. Take some time this month to deepen your relationship with God, with family members, friends and neighbours. But also take some time to get to know someone you don’t know so well. You will add meaning to both of your lives. God bless. St. Mary's GuildRosemary Munson At our meeting on the 11th October thirteen members attended, among them Mrs. Barbara Barrett a new member, and it was nice to see Mrs. Dot Snell with us again. We had a discussion on various matters, but the main topic was our Christmas Fayre to be held on the 20th November at 2.15p.m. in the Church Hall. You have all been so good in the past helping us out with cakes and produce and also with crafts Christmas Gifts and plants, may we ask you all again. I know it is not long since the Flower Festival and you were all so generous then. The Guild members are also very busy making items for the Fayre. Come along and do your Christmas Shopping. Our next meeting will be on Monday 14th November at 2.00p.m. at the Parsonage.
From the archivesResearched by Richard Lethbridge Atherington - August 29th 1901 There was no run in connection with the Barnstaple Cycling Club on Saturday last, in consequence of the Hospital Fete being held on that date; but there was a Church parade to Atherington on Sunday morning. Mr F Robins was in command, there being a comparatively small muster. The Rector (Rev W W Arthur) had thoughtfully provided refreshments for the Club under a tree on the Rectory lawn, a kindness greatly appreciated by the members. After the service the members were shown around the sacred edifice, and the various items of interest pointed out, the remarkably fine screen being specially admired. Before leaving, Mr Robins, on behalf of the members, thanked the Vicar for the kindness he had shown them. A few showers fell previous to the departure for home, but notwithstanding this the run was very much enjoyed. On Saturday next the Club will visit Ilfracombe. January 21st 1915 The many friends in North Devon of Corpl. Harry Turner (1st Devons), son of Mr and Mrs James Turner, of Langridgeford, Atherington, will hear with sorrow that he has been killed in action in the fighting in France. Corpl. Turner, who was promoted on the field, joined the army about ten years ago but at the outbreak of the hostilities he was on the Reserve, and was in the employ of the Merthyr Tydfil (Wales) Corporation. He was 26 years of age, and leaves a widow and one little child. The deceased was well-known in North Devon and was a native of High Bickington. The official notification from the War Office was received by Corpl. Turner’s wife in Wales, and she communicated with his parents. Sympathy is being expressed with Mr and Mrs Turner in their bereavement. June 10th 1915 ATHERINGTON, NORTH DEVON SALE of Arable FIELD and Small GARDEN PLOTS, forming part of Glebe.MESSRS. SANDERS and SON will sell by Auction, at the King’s Arms Hotel, Barnstaple, on Friday, June 18th, 1915, at 3 o’clock precisely, a FREEHOLD ARABLE FIELD and Small GARDEN PLOTS known as “MERRYWELL” or “MERRYFIELDS”, Numbered 847 and 850 on the Ordinance Map, and containing 4? Acres (or there abouts), situate about 7 miles from Barnstaple, on the main road to Exeter, partly in hand and partly let, on a yearly Lady-Day tenancy, to Mr G Sloman, at a RENTAL OF £10. The apportioned Tithe is £1 9s. 3d., which pays for 1915 £1 2s. 6d. All further particulars may be obtained of the Auctioneers, Barnstaple, or of Messrs. SMYTH-RICHARDS, STAPLEDON and FOX, Land Agents, Ilfracombe. Service at Whose doorstep?If you hadn't heard, Devon County Council have announced in the newspapers that improvements to Devon's bus network have accounted so far for nearly half a million extra journeys a year. If you also hadn't heard, these improvements have been made possible by an injection of £4 million from new government funding. However, I hadn't heard who had benefited from these improvements and who was making all these extra journeys - until now! Like so many village residents in Devon, Mrs Joan Kingdon depends on her local bus service as her only source of transport. Mrs Kingdon, who lives in the Burrington area, has witnessed several changes of bus services in her area over the past few years. I went to see her at her home in Burrington, shortly before she was due to use the new Service 325 bus to travel to Barnstaple. I was interested to find out just how useful the improved bus service was to her and other members of her community, and whether she had benefited from all of these supposed improvements. Are you a regular user of the local bus, Service 325, which runs through your village? "Very much, I use the bus twice during the week to travel to Barnstaple and do my shopping. I also use the bus to meet up with my family and, if I want to go shopping at the week-end, I use it on Saturday. There are other regular passengers who pick the bus up in the village and we all find it very useful.” Do you have a car? "No, I don't drive. I have always had someone to drive me. However, I have had a few lessons. I don't see the point in learning to drive, the bus takes me to where I need to go and if I need to travel further then my son takes me. Taking the bus is cheap and certainly very convenient. The traffic in Barnstaple can be awful and to park your car can be dreadful. It costs so much to park as well - it's just not worth the bother.” Before improvements were made to service 325 how did you travel? "I used the old service which went straight through to Barnstaple. It wasn't as regular as the service I have today, it only ran Tuesdays and Fridays, and it certainly had shabbier buses." How have the improvements to Service 325 benefited you?
" Well for a start it stops right outside my door. If it's raining I can wait inside and watch the bus come along the top
of the hill. All I then have to do is pop outside my gate and stop the bus. The service overall has been very good, the
drivers are always very obliging and the state of the vehicles have always been good. The bus takes a more direct route
and is an enjoyable journey to take -you see a lot more on a bus don't you." So Mrs Kingdon, are you pleased with the bus service Devon County Council has provided you?
"Oh yes, and it's made more attractive by the fact it's cheap. I have a Countywide Pass that entitles me to cheaper bus
tickets. I use the bus twice a week and get money off - feels like I'm really saving money." Mrs Kingdon reflects the opinions of many rural residents and voices a concern that has been considered by many. A County Council spokes person responded to Mrs Kingdon's concerns and said: "The government funding has been the biggest boost for bus services in many years. The County Council aims to make the most of the funding and make the services as successful as possible. It is hoped the government may continue the funding in some form, but unfortunately we shall not know the exact position yet. For further information on local bus and train services within Devon please call the Devon Bus Enquiry Line or write to Transport Co-ordination Services. ST MARY’S CHURCH, ATHERINGTONShirley Shapland Our Harvest Festival was another wonderful weekend. The Church was beautifully decorated once again and many thanks go to the ladies responsible for it all. On Sunday evening, Songs of Praise was conducted by Alan Sawyer. It was very much appreciated by everyone to see Alan back with his organ again. This was John Corvosso’s first Harvest Festival with us. On Tuesday, our Harvest Supper evening, John brought his lovely wife Ruth and introduced her to the people of the parish who made her very welcome. The proceeds from the Harvest went towards the repairs to the church clock. We raised £530 and I would like to thank all those who gave food, produce and donations. ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WIJudith Domleo At our October meeting Mr Des Houghton from the Quay House Brews, Exeter, gave a comprehensive talk on making wine from kits. Many samples were tried and we were pleasantly surprised as to how good they tasted! Speaker’s hostess was Margaret Squire. The competition for a wine glass was won by Eileen Chambers and flower of the month winner was Carole Hurst with pansies. Refreshments were served by Edna Clapton, Ann White and Chris Harris. The WI were thanked for the flowers and cards received by Ann White on her Ruby Wedding Anniversary and Sharyn walker on her Silver Anniversary. Mary Martin was congratulated on becoming the Devon WI Golf Champion. A farewell presentation was made to Edna Clapton who is moving to Dorset. She received a cat shaped glass candle holder. It was suggested she lit the candle every second Tuesday and think of us! She was thanked for her always willing and tireless help and wished every happiness in her new home. Birthday plants were presented to Edna Clapton, Bea Jones, Petra Butcher and Wendy Waldon. Two members went on the Woodland Walk at Dartington, it was a lovely sunny afternoon and we were thrilled to see several fritillary butterflies. The walk was preceded by a talk and film on the work of the Silvanus Woodland Trust. Seven members exhibited their work at the Devon Craft Spectacular at Longdown Village Hall. There was some brilliant work on display. The best will go to Tatton Park in Cheshire for the National Exhibition in May 2000. Two members joined with High Bickington for a hike on the Blackdown Hills at Dunkeswell. We drove the scenic route via Willand, Uffculme, Craddock, Ashill and Sheldon. After a picnic lunch in perfect weather for walking we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful countryside around Dunkeswell. Their WI provided us with a delicious cooked tea. We also had time to visit Wolford Chapel, built in 1802 by John Graves Simcoe who was the first Lieutenant Governor of upper Canade, now the Province of Ontario. A little gem of a building owned by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Canada. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 9th at Umberleigh Hall at 7.30pm when it will be our Annual Meeting. We hope to see you all there - don’t forget - it’s your WI. HIGH BICKINGTON WIJosie Maskell Our October meeting was very well attended. It was the 76th anniversary of High Bickington WI, a good excuse to toast ourselves with a glass of wine and to offer congratulations to Jennifer Gooding our Secretary, on becoming a Voluntary County Organiser. We were reminded of the Autumn Council meeting at Torquay and discussed the final details for our group meeting on 19th October. Our speaker and demonstrator for the evening was Bryony Sapsford, one of our members, an expert with sugar craft. She set up a magnificent display of some of her work which included many beautiful flowers and intricate designs. We were shown how to make sugar bells, snowmen, father Christmas, Christmas trees and a variety of marzipan fruits so there should be some very artistic Christmas cakes around this year! The competition for a piece of birthstone was won by Rosemary Munson with a pretty brooch. The flower of the month winner was Greta Woollacott with a very unusual Schizostylis. Several members were lucky with raffle prizes as Bryony kindly donated some of her sugar craft items. Our next meeting is on November 3rd in the church Hall at 7.15pm. The HARVEST THANKSGIVING SUPPER was held in the Church Hall on Tuesday, 28th September. An excellent supper was laid on by the ladies and with an applause of great appreciation given by those attending. Mr Richard Tucker auctioned the produce and the proceeds of £121-50 were donated to the Lifeboat Institution on their 175th anniversary. A very great thank you to everyone who made the evening such an enjoyable and successful time. Roger Keen, P.C.C. Secretary High Bickington Methodist NewsHazel Pearce The church was as always beautifully decorated for the Harvest Thanksgiving weekend. The short informal Monday evening service was led by Rev Jack Matkin helped by Sammy, Olivia, Becky and Phoebe. Thanks to our efficient auctioneer, Mr Robert Domleo, £25 was raised from the sale of the Sunday School gifts for the Earthquake Appeal in Turkey. Money raised from the sale of other goods goes towards our Bible Lands sponsorship and a donation goes to help stage “Hopes and Dreams”. Gifts of flowers were given to those who are poorly. We are grateful to all who gave or helped in anyway to make the weekend so successful. During the past few weeks the 5-7’s have enjoyed making and eating traffic light iced biscuits, creating wax picture, harvest collages and also learning and tasting fruits from around the world. The 8-11’s have held a quiz evening, created shell figures, quilling Christmas decorations and pebble painting. The November family service will be led by Mrs Marion Ridd-Jones on Sunday 7th at 11am, all are welcome. Saturday, November 13th, all are welcome to share light refreshments and see the children’s entries at the Eisteddfod from 3pm and to share in a short thanksgiving service. Presentation of certificates will take place at 4pm. 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 would like to help, contact them for more details. St Mary’s Church, AtheringtonA meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 3rd November at 7.30pm in the Church Hall with Stella Levy and Liz Braid of Chittlehampton with a view to starting a group to make Church Kneelers. Please come along if you are interested - we need your support. No previous needlepoint skills are necessary. For further information and details please contact Eve Butler or any member of the P.C.C.
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