October 2001

The November Christmas Fayre is nearly upon us, we were discussing ideas for this. We would be very grateful for items of craft, preserves and cakes for our cakestall, we also have a plant stall. Any member of the Guild will be pleased to accept these gifts. The date of the Fayre is SATURDAY NOVEMBER 17th please mark in your diary.

We were sorry to hear that Mrs. Norah Maynard was in hospital, we all hope she makes a speedy recovery.

Our next meeting is on Monday 8th October at Miss Eileen Thorne's home, the Parsonage at 2.00p.m.

Hazel Pearce

Harvest Thanksgiving services will be held at 11am and 6.30pm on Sunday, October 7th, Mark Chapple preaching at both times. Instead of another service on Monday with Supper & Sale, there will be a light Bring & Share Meal after the Sunday evening service. While the gifts of fruit, flowers etc. will be taken out to the schoolroom. Baskets will be provided for donations – you pick up what you want and give what you think its worth (or more!).

It was good to see the children back to Sunday School on September 16th and also to welcome Mark, Sarah and Ethan Noakes to High Bickington (the older girls have decided that Megan and Ethan can be Mary and Joseph at the carol service!

Fiona Stewart who spoke during the service of her recent voluntary work, an experience she will never forget. We wish Fiona well as she leaves to study at Southampton University.

Both Childrens’ Clubs re-started after the long break on September 18th. The 5-7’s will be meeting from 5.15 – 6.15pm fortnightly and the 8-11’s from 6.30 – 7.30 weekly. All children are welcome. Any adults willing to help out will be very welcome.

The Annual Chapel Meeting will take place in the Schoolroom on Monday, October 29th at 7.30pm.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Doris Pidler, who has been poorly for 2 weeks, we trust she will soon feel better.

We have been reviewing the safety of children as they enter and leave school. As most of you are no doubt aware, the traffic in the village is increasing. With the road in front of the archway being used as a car park for school, doctor's surgery, village hall, and holiday let cottages, the entry into school around the archway is becoming hazardous. As well as this, the gate to the playground opens straight onto the road, which is another potential danger. Therefore, and in consultation with the PCC, we have been working with the local Road Safety Officer, Highways Department, and Conservation Officer, in order to agree on some kind of safety barrier to go in front of the archway. This has now been agreed, and in the near future the Highways Department will be erecting a safety barrier in front of the archway, in keeping with the present railing around the playground. It will be in the form of gates, which can be opened allowing vehicular and wheelchair access.

The following is something to ponder (Author unknown)....

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness - you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation - you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death - you are more blessed than 3 billion people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep - you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace - you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you can hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful - you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you and furthermore you are more blessed than over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

Christmas is a special time for remembering loved ones who are no longer with us. From now until December The North Devon Hospice & Children's Hospice South West are jointly organising Light Up A Life that enables you to make a donation and dedicate a light in memory of someone you have loved on a special Christmas Tree of Light. Any one can be remembered, they may not have recently passed away, but their loss is still with us. The name of your loved one is then recorded in a book of remembrance. There will be services of remembrance and support across the North Devon and Torridgeside areas, details of which can be found in our leaflet.

If you would like to support the work of the Hospices and dedicate a light please ring Alison at the North Devon Hospice for more information on 01271 344248.

Josie Maskell

Our president welcomed members and two visitors to our September meeting. Although we had no meeting in August many of us went to a pottery one evening and enjoyed the demonstrations very much, as well as the pretty ride. We also held our Jumble Sale in August which went well considering it was a very hot day.

Our president thanked Joyce Underhill for holding a Coffee Morning at her home - we raised £141-50. Thanks were also given to Rosemary Munson for hosting such a splendid barbecue and to all the members who helped supply teas at the Fete this year.

Our secretary reminded us of many events taking place including the Group meeting at Umberleigh on 24th October and a Quiz at Ashreigney on 18th. We had a discussion on the schedule for the Autumn Show at St John’s Nursery and decided to enter the competition in early November.

Stella Burrows, on behalf of the WI, has written a letter to Tony Blair pressing for a public enquiry and a full investigation into the foot and mouth scenario. She had a reply from Downing Street acknowledging the letter, more to follow we hope.

Mr Groves, a magistrate in the Barnstaple and Bideford area was then introduced along with his companion. We were given a questionnaire on magistrates and their work to se how much we already knew. I’m afraid many of us didn’t know all the answers! They explained much about their work in the courts and then five members took part in a mock trial while the rest of us ”magistrates” had to decide on a guilty or not guilty verdict.

It was all most interesting and very enjoyable. Jane Gibson gave the vote of thanks. The competition for a pen was won by Rosemary Munson. Greta Woollacott won the raffle. Josie Maskell won the flower of the month competition with a chocolate cosmos.

Next month Richard Lethbridge will be with us with some local films. Members were asked to bring a small plate of food for a bring and share supper. Visitors and new members are welcome to join us.

We would like to thank everyone who sponsored and encouraged us on our "marathon" sponsored cycle ride in aid of the DEVON HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST which took place on Saturday 8th September. We started out on our tandem just before 10am intent on visiting as many churches as we could in the time allowed. We headed towards High Bickington travelling uphill for three miles in driving rain which soaked us through.

We met several friends whilst up at the shop and were grateful for a few more sponsors. The rain stopped about 10:30 and we sailed downhill to Atherington. Then down past Chantry Garage to Chappleton and the Methodist Chapel. On to Bishops Tawton and a welcome coffee at the Methodist Chapel. On then to Newport and then through to Barnstaple. A fair bit of walking through crowded streets with a tandem alongside on a Saturday afternoon is not recommended. Then we went through Pilton and onto the Tarka Trail and headed out until we were about a mile off Heanton Court. Time for lunch with a view.

Back tracking was via the Tarka Trail passing by/through : Barnstaple, Fremington, Instow, Bideford, Weare Giffard, Great Torrington Puffing Billy, then through to the town of Torrington and after that we headed home towards Atherington again on the B3227. The walk up the hill into High Bullen caused us quite a laugh as our legs had turned to rubber and it was hard to get back on the tandem. On then we went and mainly downhill - wonderful.
The time was up for the church visits at 6pm, and we arrived home at about that time. Nearly eight hours in the saddle, 40 miles behind us and in desperate need of a good hot bath.

A total of about £90 collected from our parish is being passed on to the DEVON HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST.

Thanks everyone for all your support. Perhaps next year we might do a different route and have some company?

Mark & Mary Hopkin.

Judith Domleo

At our September meeting Jonathan Lomas gave an illustrated talk on the History of Devon Plaster Ceilings. He gave us names of several buildings locally that could be visited, including the magnificent ceiling in “The Bank” restaurant in Barnstaple.

The competition for an “Old Bottle” was won by Jean Lynch. Flower of the month equal winners were Mary Wilson with a hibiscus and Judith Domleo with a penstemon. Birthday plants were presented to Pearl Arscott, Jean Petts, Christine Clemens, Mary Martin and Cynthia Blows. Refreshments were served by Jean Petts, Ruth Phillips and Rita Rose. Speaker’s hostess, Wendy Waldon.

The Dance with Joe Kiff for our WI funds raised £237-00. It was a great success and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially the refreshments! Very many thanks to all who contributed in any way.

Twelve members had a most enjoyable day at the Museum of welsh Life, set in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, just outside Cardiff. It was opened in 1948 and shows how the people of Wales lived, worked and spent their leisure time over the last 500 years. The open-air section of the Museum has over forty original buildings moved from various parts of Wales and re-erected to show how the people lived during the past centuries. The buildings included a school, a chapel, farmhouses, miners houses and several workshops where craftsmen demonstrated their skills. There were also large indoor galleries with exhibitions of costume, daily life and farming implements.

The Group Meeting hosted by our WI will be on Wednesday, October 24th, 7.30pm at Umberleigh with a South American Theme. Come dressed in bright colours. The October meeting will be on Tuesday, October 9th, 7.30pm at Umberleigh Hall when Miss Barbara Maund will take us on a “Journey to Tibet”. Visitors are very welcome.

Poem for October

from North wind in October

In the golden glade the chestnuts are fallen all;
From the seared boughs of the oak the acorns fall:
The beech scatters her muddy fire;
The lime hath stripped to the cold,
And standeth naked above her yellow attire:
The larch thinneth her spire
To lay the ways of the wood with cloth of gold:
Out of the golden green and white
Of the brake the fir-trees stand upright
In the forest of flame, and wave aloft
To the blue of heaven their blue-green tuftings soft.

Robert Bridges (1844 – 1930)

From the archives

Researched by Richard Lethbridge

November 15th 1877 WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH BAR GOODS

In the next case the plaintiff was Mr. W. T. Burgess, maltster, of Umberleigh, and the defendant Mr. J. M. Scoines, the landlord of the White hart Inn, Atherington, and the subject of dispute was the sum of £2 15s., being the balance of an account for malt supplied. The plaintiff, for whom Mr. Thorne appeared, deposed that the defendant had on several occasions, when applied to, (the latest being on 20th April last,) promised payment of the balance now claimed, but had never paid it. The defence was that the malt charged for was of such very inferior quality that it was useless to defendant. The account was £5 15s., and he “gave” – he could not say “paid” – the plaintiff £3 in respect of it, thinking to hear no more about the matter.

His Honour: Of course you returned the malt? Defendant: No, sir, it was used before I knew it was useless. The defendant was proceeding with his statement when his Honour told him that if the malt was not returned to the plaintiff it was a waste of words to further discuss the case. Whereupon the learned Judge was commanded by the defendant, after the fashion of the “knights of the road,” to “Stop, sir.” However, the statement then interjected into his Honour’s pronouncement did not alter it, and the upshot of the case was that judgement was given for the plaintiff, the money was to be paid in monthly instalments of 10s.

10th October 1912 WEDDING AT HIGH BICKINGTON

The wedding was solemnized at High Bickington United Methodist Church on Monday of Mr. W. A. Wonnacott, of the North-road Stores, third son of Mr. J. Wonnacott and Miss L. C. Garnish, of Knowle farm, Atherington, eldest daughter of the late Mr. A. Garnish. The Rev. R. H. Little, of Barnstaple, officiated. The bride was prettily attired in a tailor made costume of Neuix rose face cloth, with Ivy satin collar and cuffs and trimmed with silk strappings, with hat to match. She was attended by Miss L. A. Wonnacott as bridesmaid, who was charmingly attired in a costume of navy blue whip-cord. The bride and bridesmaid carried shower bouquets of lilies of the valley, white roses, and maidenhair fern. The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr. J. Harding, of Knowle Farm. The service was fully choral, Mr. E. Down presiding at the organ. Mr. J. Wonnacott, of Bishopstawton, accompanied the bridegroom as groomsman. The bride and bridegroom, who were recipients of numerous presents, are spending their honeymoon at Bideford.

Clerk: Myc Riggulsford, Dadland High Bickington

NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR PARISH OF HIGH BICKINGTON

Notice is hereby given pursuant to section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that due to the resignation of Mr B Burke, formerly a member of the above named Parish Council, a vacancy now exists in the office of Councillor for the said Parish Council.

If within 14 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and other official non-working days) after the date of this notice being published (on the Parish Noticeboard), a request for an election to fill the said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QG by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

Myc Riggulsford, Clerk to the Parish of High Bickington, 24 September 2001

High Bickington Parish Council Meeting 12 September 2001

The Parish Council was sorry to hear of the resignation of Bernard Burke who is moving from the village. The council expressed regret, wished Mr & Mrs Burke well in their new home, and warmly thanked him for all his service to the parish. Anyone wishing to serve as a Parish Councillor should contact the Chairman Maurice Ridd or the clerk by Friday 12 October.

Barton Meadow Amenity Land public consultation on 20 & 21 July 2001

Members of the public were invited to put forward their views over a weekend in July to Parish Councillors on the best use of the Barton Meadow amenity land. The site has now been rolled, prepared and new grass seed sown.

Children's Play Area & Equipment

There were mixed views on the best location for a play area. Some people thought that the play area should be at the bottom of the site near the houses, allowing supervision. Others thought it would be better to put the play area at the top of the site, stopping balls and other play equipment or children from running off the natural slope of the site. A minority felt that there was no need for play equipment anywhere on the site.

Village Hall/Community Building

There were mixed views on buildings, roughly equally divided between people who thought the village hall should be built on the original proposed site, and those who felt the site is too small for the facility, although everyone was concerned about parking if the building went ahead. All agreed that a good use should be made of the site to safeguard it from future development and tidy it up, but no one could propose a good alternative use.

Conclusions

The Parish Council resolved to wait for the full findings of the recent Parish Appraisal carried out by High Bickington Project 2000 before making final decisions about the siting of community buildings, and to approach the Countryside Agency Vital Villages project to assist with funds for village planning.

In the meantime since most people want a play area somewhere on the Barton Meadow site, the Parish Council will go ahead, working with the Barton Meadow Residents Group and advice from Torridge District Council. Estimates will be obtained for fencing off the play area to protect it from dogs and dog mess, and costs of appropriate play equipment. Any incidents or hazards found on the site should be reported to parish councillor Mr Alan Clemens who has kindly offered to hold a report book.

Parish Footpaths

Parish councillor Mr Roger Keen, our Footpath Warden, reported that all parish footpaths and bridleways are now reopened by Devon County Council although the two footpaths passing through North Road Farm land have been closed by DEFRA as Foot & Mouth precautions.

Matters Raised by the Chairman

Chairman Mr Maurice Ridd has received complaints about overgrown hedges, and reminded householders that everyone should make sure that road signs and streetlights are not obscured.

Parish Council Grants for 2002/2003

Unfortunately there were insufficient disinterested councillors present to legally agree grant amounts, but in principle councillors proposed that only village organisations should receive grants, with the addition of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service for their meals-on-wheels volunteer service in the parish. As well as all the organisations supported last year, three new causes will be given grants: the Meeting Point to cover some costs of the village youth club and coffee shop for elderly residents; the Parochial Church Council towards churchyard maintenance for the school nature study area; and the WRVS. The finance sub-committee will meet before the next full council meeting on 14 November to propose amounts and to discuss the parish precept needed to cover parish costs. All organisations awarded grants will be informed officially after the November meeting.

Relief Funds & Grants

The Community Council of Devon is offering 'Help in Hand' grants up to £500 emergency relief for voluntary and community organisations threatened because of Foot & Mouth, and the Tarka Country Millennium Awards are offering grants to individuals for non-profit community projects from £2,000-6,000. Information on both these schemes is currently circulating amongst councillors.

The next scheduled Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 14 November 2001 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete The Parish Appraisal questionnaires. We had an excellent 71.5% return on the main questionnaire and just under 50% on the separate questionnaire sent to local businesses. The questionnaires are now being analysed and we are looking forward to receiving the resulting report shortly.

We shall be holding a Public Meeting in the Church Hall on Thursday 25th October at 7.30pm to present the results of the Appraisal and to commence discussions about how to move forward on implementing the findings. Copies of the full report will be made available at the meeting and we hope that a high percentage of Parish residents will be present.

On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October we are planning to mount an Exhibition and Consultation Exercise in the Village. There will be various Exhibition Stands covering issues such as:

• Rural issues
• Generating new employment opportunities
• Renewable energy
• Sustainable agriculture
• Sustainable housing

There will also be an opportunity to participate in a ‘Planning Exercise’ which will seek to link the results arising from the Appraisal to a current map of the Parish. This process will allow us to consider together what might be achievable both at Little Bickington Farm and within the wider facilities of the Parish.

Please book the dates in your diary, watch out for local posters about the event and plan to join in what promises to be another unique opportunity to help influence the future of our local community.

http://www.UKVillages.co.uk launched in April 2000 now covers all 27,500 communities across the British mainland with home pages for every Post Office.
We have also launched the UKVillages Community Kitty – giving back to community projects across the country.

www.UKVillages.co.uk is:

• The only truly national integrated, inclusive community website and portal
• Being visited across the UK on a daily basis (2.3 million page impressions a month average - July 2001)
• In a unique partnership with the Post Office – with active relationships with over 1000 sub-postmasters and home pages for the rest
• Able to offer a cost effective ‘quick win’ for organisations looking to establish effective, targeted, community biased online presence (ie The Post Office, Shell Direct (UK), Cheshire BS, County Councils, Calor Gas, Tesco etc)
• Now live and actively being used across Northern Ireland
• Working with Herts County Council to support rural transport, and road safety initiatives
• Recognised and supported by the DTI and the Postal Services Directorate
• Working together with various rural organisations (ACRE, AGRE, ViRSA, Countryside Agency etc)
• Attracting attention across the Media (Independent website of the week, Sunday Times list of Top 50 Best British Brands, Times top travel site, local news/radio)
• Not a traditional ‘dot com’ – we are still here a year and a half on, we work from a converted stable surrounded by chickens, every penny counts for the business
• In direct contact with members of local communities
• Interactive – individuals can post information directly to the site – societies and groups, local trades and services, events, items for sale
• Linked to over 9,000 existing local village websites
• An established, proven and recognised national UK entity
• Totally free to users and communities
• Able to provide a locally focused entry point to what is otherwise a very wide net
• Working with jobsin.co.uk and Active Hotels and other partners to enhance the local offering (Property, Accommodation and Jobs in the Area Channels)
• In partnership with the commercial radio group UKRD – radio stations around country allowing UKV users a further channel to promote their events
• Judging the IT category of the Village of the Year competition (sponsored by Calor Gas and The Daily Telegraph)
• Supporting the BHF – Family Heart Study – we built and host the www.familyheart.co.uk site around the study, also working with Health Unlimited the Blue Peter Charity of the Year
• The only website to cover ‘the last four miles’ around wherever you are looking to target in the UK

TORRINGTON REVELS – Saturday, 6th October – from 3 p.m. ‘til late

No, you are not dreaming if you think that the Torrington Revels are always held in August, combined with the Commons Fair!! They have been held in August for some years but as many of you will know, the tradition of a Fair in October goes back to the 19th century - and a Charter as far back as 1554 provided for two Fairs each year in Torrington. So Revels 2001 are going to be held in The Square on Saturday, 6th October - with a Cavalier theme and with the intention of raising money for charity at the same time as having fun. We need lots of support from you all to ensure that we achieve this.

Plenty for families and children during the afternoon:

AIR FUN BUS with bouncy castle
EXMOOR ZOOLOGICAL PARK with some of their animals
FACE PAINTING and MASK MAKING
DECORATED BICYCLES – Decorate your bike at home & bring it along to be judged
The chance to dress 17th century style
Music by: VALLEY BILLY POLK BAND and PLOUGH BOY JAZZ BAND

STREET MARKET from 3 p.m. ‘til late – The more stalls the better. Do you make and sell crafts? Do you sell books/ antiques/ home-made produce/ bric-a-brac or other interesting things? Or do you have an idea for a game or an activity that could raise money for your or your organisation?

DISCO for ages 7+ in The Plough from 6 – 8.30 p.m.

And in the Square, whilst your children are at the Disco –

LUKE CLEMENTS, master of “Extreme Juggling, Fire Eating and Absurd Antics”. Luke is in high demand, with previous appearances all over the world from the Royal Albert Hall, to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hiroshima Golden week celebrations, Pink Floyd Earl’s Court concert – and closer to home Dartmouth Regatta and Sidmouth International Folk Festival. Be there - 6 – 7 p.m.

PANTOMIME HORSE RACE – 7 o’clock the off! Will you accept the challenge to be a front end or back end?! Entries now invited.

Followed by dancing in the street to HOT PUNCH CEILIDH BAND.

YOU CAN ALL HELP BY BEING THERE. We need spectators as well as performers! So get in the mood and come along to have some fun. The Revels will be opened at 3 p.m. by the Mayor, Cllr. Roy Foster, with the Torrington Garrison providing the ceremonial and the Poet Laureate of Torrington taking part.

And if it is wet? – the Revels will still go on, with indoor venues available at the Torridge Vale Social Club and in the Pannier Market.

HASKINS COMMENDS DEVON'S FOOT AND MOUTH RECOVERY WORK

Devon’s Foot and Mouth Recovery partnership, led by the County Council, has impressed Lord Haskins, the Government's rural recovery co-ordinator. He was briefed on Devon's Foot and Mouth Recovery Plan during a meeting with members of the County Council's Rural Recovery team at County Hall, Exeter.
Lord Haskins described the Plan as very helpful and was impressed at how a strong partnership has been forged in Devon to support the Plan. He also welcomed Devon's approach to re-opening of public rights of way. He recognised that the Devon Recovery Plan is building on the aims and objectives of the Government's Rural White Paper. He also recognised that Devon needed short-term help and remarked on the similarities in the economy and landscape of Devon and Cumbria.
Devon Foot and Mouth Recovery Plan can be seen on http://www.devon.gov.uk/

FOOT AND MOUTH INQUIRY

Major agencies, including DEFRA, have applied for evidence submission forms for the Devon Foot and Mouth Inquiry which will begin holding hearings in public on October 8.
Information about the Inquiry - the only one to be launched by a local authority - and submission forms have been sent to 250 organisations. Details have also gone to 129 local authorities in England and Wales, the Local Government Association and the County Councils Network, the umbrella organisation representing county authorities.

COUNTY WELCOMES DECISION BY DEVON CARE HOME OWNERS

Devon County Council has welcomed the decision by nursing home owners to withdraw the threat of action made following a long-running dispute over fees.

DRIVE LAUNCHED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS

Job-hunters are missing out on rewarding public service careers because of a lack of awareness about opportunities in the public sector. There has been a 29 per cent fall in demand for County Council and other public sector employers' job application packs over the last 12 months. Devon County Council is the South West's largest employer, employing 20,000 staff in teaching, social services, highways and transportation, environment, consumer protection, libraries, community education, consumer protection, economic development, legal and administrative functions. The County Council advertises over 6,000 vacancies a year. The region's weekly public sector Jobs Bulletin which publicises hundreds of vacancies from public service organisations across the region has been re-launched and can be viewed free of charge at libraries, Jobcentres and health centres or via the County Council's website at www.firstopforjobs.devon.gov.uk. It is also available on subscription.