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September 2000THANKS: Hazel Keen would like to thank everyone who came to the Coffee morning at wards Cottage on 26th July. Many thanks to all who gave and helped in any way to make the event a success. To date we have raised £370-50 for Church funds. THANKS: Tom and Freda Loosemore would like to thank everyone for their cards and kind wishes on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. THANKS: High Bickington School PFA would like to thank everyone for their support at the Annual Summer Fayre. A grand total of £372-28 was raised. We would also like to thank everyone who saved their Free Books for Schools tokens, special thanks to Richard and Margaret at High Bickington Stores for holding our collection box, we are hoping to obtain over thirty books for the school. THANKS: Roy and Aileen wish to thank those neighbours who helped so much with the preparation for the tea party and barbecue for the Queen Mother’s birthday celebration, and the clearing up afterwards. It was a memorable day for us and we hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. THANKS: The High Bickington Millennium Committee would like to express their thanks to Peter May and the High Bickington Cricket Club for all their hard work in organising the recent children’s tea party and games held in Poplar terrace. Special thanks also to all the parents attending with their children who helped and supplied refreshments. A good time was had by all. It seemed that the wetter the games became, the more they were enjoyed. As for the food eating competitions.... Many thanks to all concerned. FARM PROJECT PILOTED IN HIGH BICKINGTONDevon County Council is offering the people of High Bickington the chance to be involved in a pilot scheme involving their farm properties. This is one of three pilot projects in the county. A farm property in the village could come into the community’s ownership in the next few years if the people of High Bickington can find a sustainable use for the farm. This is a departure from the County’s normal way of disposing of such properties, but it relies on the farm being put to good community use. The District and Parish Council are also supporting the exploratory phase of the initiative. All groups in the community will be contacted soon and a meeting with representatives from all those groups (and any other interested people) will be held on TUESDAY 12 SEPTEMBER at 7.30pm in THE CHURCH HALL Keith Brown, from the Community council of Devon, is helping with the project. He said “This is an exciting venture for the village. There are so many ways this project could benefit everyone, but it will need the support and energy of a lot of people to take it forward.” LIFE IN THE BUS LANE IN NORTH DEVON!A GROUND-BREAKING pilot project aimed at providing improved bus services for rural areas and encouraging young people to view public transport as a viable alternative to the car is to be launched in North Devon and Torridge this September. Following a successful Rural Bus Challenge bid for £640,000 to central Government by Devon County Council and First Red Bus, the ‘Life in the Bus Lane’ scheme will hit the road at the beginning of the September term and will see most post 16 to 25 year old students entitled to discounted bus travel. Those students from North Devon College, Bideford Community College and Ilfracombe Community College who qualify for the scheme will enjoy free or half price travel on their journeys from home to college and from college back home. They will also receive half fare bus travel after 6pm, at weekends and during college holidays. A Smartcard instead of the normal bus pass will be available for just £100 per annum and is all that is needed to allow access to this great initiative and also to receive discounts from various local businesses. The scheme is the first of its kind in the county and will mean an upgrade to the local bus network especially in rural communities. It is also hoped that it will encourage more young people onto the buses and help to reduce car dependency and congestion and, for the longer term, help to protect the environment. In addition, for the first time ever, students who live within three miles of their college may be able to benefit from this new scheme. Councillor Brian Greenslade, Leader of Devon County Council warmly welcomed the scheme: “Journeys to schools and colleges now contribute up to 20 per cent of all peak hour car journeys and if we are to halt the worrying trend of car dependency, young people must be targeted now. “Life in the Bus Lane is an extremely exciting venture which will not only provide students with discounted travel and therefore give them the opportunity to realise the benefits of public transport, it will also provide improved access to work and services for people who live in rural settlements. “A recent study centred on North Devon College confirmed that transport affordability and availability is often an obstacle to people taking part in further education. Life in the Bus Lane aims to tackle the root of the problem by providing affordable and attractive public transport through partnership working between Devon County Council, First Red Bus and the colleges.” Students should look out for more information explaining how to apply for Smartcards. To find out more about the scheme and entitlements please contact Marcia Clayton at North Devon College. "CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AND CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS."Is the message from the Chief Fire Officer of Devon. "With Spring, upon us and the start of pleasant lighter nights, what better time than now to check that small item in your home, which could save you or your family's lives?" "Smoke alarms have been responsible for detecting, many of the 60,000 house fires the Fire Brigade are called to each year ... but many of the hundreds of deaths that occur each year could be avoided if you look after your smoke alarm. "Recently there has been a 30% increase in cases -where a smoke alarm didn't work because the battery was disconnected, missing or needed replacing. "Smoke alarms are cheap at less than £5 and available in DIY stores and at many supermarkets. Always make sure that they meet the BS5446 Part 1, have a 'KITEMARK' and that they are fitted in accordance with the instructions provided. How Do I Look After My Smoke Alarm?
Whatever happens - never remove the battery to use it for other purposes. In closing Mr Young said: "We know that smoke alarms save lives. They can give you and your family the necessary warning to get out in the early stages of a fire, which should in turn allow us to get to you more quickly. Once fitted they do require testing and some annual maintenance. The one sombre message I would leave you with is dead batteries can be replaced; dead families cannot. ATHERINGTON & UMBERLEIGH WIJudith Domleo There was no meeting in August but we have had several outings. Another Rock Pool Ramble was arranged in glorious sunshine at Lee Bay. In May 1994 the coastline between Hangman Point and Woolacombe Sands was declared a Voluntary Marine Conversation Area. The main aim is to raise awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the marine environment and to encourage people to explore the seashore. The Marine Ranger found many creatures and different seaweeds for us to look at and explained their ‘life history’. Lee WI provided a delicious tea. An excellent lunch was enjoyed at Exeter University to celebrate the 80th Birthday of the Devon WI. It was followed by Beryl Maile a well-known Oxfordshire artist and after dinner speaker. She had an effortless way of demonstrating her unique painting talent whilst giving an amusing anecdotal talk. Her talk was suitable for those who paint, for those who are just beginning and for those who don’t paint at all!
Several members entered the Umberleigh Flower Show winning prizes and two members went home with a silver cup! Thank you
to all members who have NCH collecting boxes. When opened the grand total was £130-83. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 12th, 7.30pm at Umberleigh Hall when Mrs Edith Badham will give a talk and demonstration on ‘Spinning’. Visitors very welcome, just come along and join us. We are thrilled that Atherington has won the ‘Best Kept Village’ competition in the past winners section. Well done! A small class of pupils in a science lesson were asked what happened when the whole body was immersed in water. Up shot one little boy’s hand: “Please Miss, the telephone rings!” Sure God created man before woman, but then you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece. Ed. Not sure about this sentence above – some may consider it sexist. Anyway after He made a woman – was a cat next? From the archivesResearched by Richard Lethbridge HIGH BICKINGTON, DEVON TO BE SOLD, BY AUCTION, by Mr JOHN GOULD, at Nethergrove, in the above Parish, on Wednesday, the 3rd of April next, the following: LIVE STOCK & FARM IMPLEMENTS The Property of JOHN BREMRIDGE, Esq., viz:- HORSES – 1 Grey Cart mare, eight years old;1 Bay Mare, four years old, 15½ hands high, by Merrylegs, fit for Saddle or Harness; 1 Dark Grey Filly, rising 4 years old, by Mustapha. Nethergrove is situate about a quarter of a Mile from the village of High Bickington, and 2½ Miles from the Umberleigh Station. Sale to commence at half-past 2 o’clock precisely. Dated 19th March 1861. HIGH BICKINGTON, NORTH DEVON FREEHOLD LAND TO BE SOLD, by Public Auction, by MESSRS. HANNAFORD and SON, at the Golden Lion Inn, High Bickington, on Thursday, the 2nd of August next, at 4 p.m., a very Desirable Freehold Messuage, Tenement, and FARM, called “North Park and Graddon’s.” otherwise “Berrie’s Ground,” situate in the Parish of High Bickington aforesaid, containing 20a.1r.30p. or thereabouts, of productive Meadow, Pasture, Orchard, and Arable land, with a convenient Dwelling house and necessary Outbuildings, in the occupation of Mr. Thos. Gooding, the Owner. The above Premises are distant about 2 miles from Umberleigh, and 2½ miles from the Portsmouth Arms Station, and offer a good opportunity for investment. To view, apply at the Farm House, and for further particulars to The Auctioneers, at Chulmleigh, or to Messrs. Geo. DOL and SON, Solicitors, Great Torrington. Dated July 8th, 1888. Thought for the month...Don Chitty At last a long awaited family Wedding had arrived! A glorious day greeted the guests arriving at the beautiful and historic settings. The obvious anticipation and joy as we waited was fully rewarded as bride and groom stood together, to publicly make their promises, and declare their love for each other. Two separate people demonstrating the ‘oneness’ that binds them together for the rest of their life.
Reminding us the God regards marriage to be a reflection of His own LOVE for His own Church, and the foundation of all
‘happy and successful’ relationships. (Ephesians 5:22-33) Marriage is such a blessed state before God that He uses it to illustrate the ‘oneness’ we may have with Himself. Showing just how much God LOVED and GAVE HIS BEST – even Christ who LOVED us and GAVE Himself for us. We thank God that true love is unselfish, even as He has shown in order that we might have life and have abundantly! Marriage reminds us also of a ‘Day’ when God will present His people to Himself as His ‘Beautiful and Glorious Bride’. We can in the meantime know His Love working out in principle and practice for our relationships, by ‘giving’ ourselves to Him, for His service to others. Council for the Protection of Rural England (Devon Branch)BEST KEPT VILLAGE COMPETITION Co-ordinator, Margaret Squire Friday, 4th August 2000 was one of those days you dream of but don’t expect could possibly happen. Having worked the previous night on night duty I dropped onto a kitchen chair and looked at the post on the table. My eyes almost came out on stalks – there was an envelope with the unmistakable writing of Rosalyn Kriteman, organiser of the Best Kept Village Competition. I started to open it and thought of the Queen Mother and said to Tony, “All I need is a guard with a long sword to open this letter.” (He laughed and said, “Well don’t look at me.”). I peeped inside and the short message read: Many congratulations on your result well done all round Atherington had won the Best Kept Village for the second time. But this was different. After winning in 1998 – in the Small Village Group, we had to move up to the Past Winners Group which consisted of winners from the Small Village Group – up to 500 population and Large Winners Group – with population between 500 and 2,000. To be honest I don’t think anyone thought we had a chance but we had to defend out 1998 title, didn’t we. ‘All winners stay in this group for five years then if not successful drop back to the Small Village Group again.’ The next day we celebrated the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday with a village tea party and barbecue. It went on into the night – we had a wonderful day. The flags were flying for the Queen Mother that weekend, but then stayed up for the whole village! It was truly a concerted effort and it showed. Thank you everyone - well done all round. Ed. All at Ramblings also send our congratulations to Atherington on your achievement. NOTE: The runner up in the Past Winners Group this year was Sidbury. St. Mary's GuildRosemary Munson We had a successful day at the North Devon Show with our stall. I would like to thank everyone who supported it and made our crafts, and to thank the ladies who manned it on a dreadful day. We will have to think of crafts to do through the winter months for the next event. Our next meeting is on the 11th September at 2.00 pm at Miss E. Thorne's home, the Parsonage. Atherington Award Many congratulations to Atherington for keeping the village so pretty and tidy. Take note High Bickington and follow their example. Christine England THANKS: I sincerely wish to thank all my friends very much for my lovely birthday cards and good wishes, which were much appreciated. Eileen Lansley THE RAINBOWBorn of the raindrops and bright sun R. Domleo. 1.8.00 High Bickington Methodist NewsHazel Pearce Once again we enjoyed lovely weather for our annual picnic / barbecue at Landacre. Thanks to Graham and Carole Sanders, our very able chefs. Although cold, the children were able to have fun in the water. Sunday School re-starts on Sunday, September 10th 10.40am – 12 noon, all children are welcome – just turn up on the day. Look out for the posters around the village, for the return of the Children’s Clubs after the summer break. Congratulations to Mrs Doris Pidler on reaching her 90th birthday on August 21st. Readers LettersDear Readers,
We have been able to grant the Church School permission to use two areas of the Churchyard. One as a “quiet area” and the
other as a Conservation exercise. If anyone has now, or at a later date, any problems or complaints concerning the Churchyard, please contact the Rev John Carvosso who will be only too pleased to help.
Rev John Carvosso THANKS: I am sure that all the parents of children who attended the Children’s Millennium Street Party at the end of July would join me in extending their appreciation of the work and efforts put in by Peter May, High Bickington Cricket Club and friends. All the children seemed to thoroughly enjoy the games before the tea in the school playground and the veritable feast that awaited them after, in Poplar Terrace. The good weather held on and all had an enjoyable day. Thanks also to Peter Worrell for becoming the “Jelly Sales Supremo” of High Bickington. Waste paperMany thanks to all who save their paper for this three times a year Collection. Paper may be left at Jen Goodings, South View; Robert Domleo, Fisherton or Eric Booth, Week Farm, at any time.
Those who make things happen HIGH BICKINGTON TRAFFIC CALMINGIn last month’s Ramblings I stated that the Parish Council suggested residents should write to the Local Service Officer with their feelings about the road calming. I forgot to mention that the Council felt that comments should also be passed on to Councillor W Brook with copies of all letters to me please. Diana Lunn, Parish Clerk
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