St Luke St Gregory the Great St John the Baptist Newton Poppleford Harpford (BCP) Colaton Raleigh "Normal" Sunday services are unlikely to be happening for some while yet. A Sunday service on 'Zoom' is held at 10.00am each Sunday mainly for the congregations of Mark's 'patch' – the parishes of Newton Poppleford, Harpford, Colaton Raleigh and Tipton St John with Venn Ottery – though anyone with internet access is welcome to join in. Email Mark Ward to receive the link to join in. There will be some zoom services to celebrate Christmas – a carol service on a date to be announced, a young people's service on Christmas Eve afternoon and possibly a Christmas Day service – keep in touch. At the time of preparing this issue during Lockdown 2 we have no idea about what will be permitted after 2nd December. If possible, we hope to have some simple said services over Christmas in St Luke's Church with limited numbers. – see posters by the church or look on the church website Of course, these will have to follow the safety rules – hand sanitising on entry and exit, social distancing and wearing of face covering. No singing is permitted, so it won't be 'returning to normal' At present, chairs are set out at 2 metre distancing, so there is only space for some 20 people (depending on how many come as couples or family groups). You'll be welcomed if you do come, but please obey any instructions from the steward, and don't be disappointed if there is not enough room to fit you in safely. Colaton Raleigh Church is open for private prayer a couple of mornings a week – Tuesdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm, and Fridays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm – please respect the safety and distancing rules. St Luke's Church website is at www.newtonpopplefordchurch.org.uk

The Vicar is the Reverend Mark Ward on 01395 568390, [email protected] also at www.facebook.com/revmarkward. Please respect the Vicar's day off which is Tuesday. Rector for Otter Vale Mission Community is currently vacant, – contact parish office 01404 812062 St Luke St Gregory the Great St John the Baptist Church Contacts Newton Poppleford Harpford Colaton Raleigh Churchwardens Haylor Lass 568786 Brian Bartlett 568718 Nick Higgins 568074 Jaclynn Baker 567665 John Russell 579986 Alan Hulse 567064 Funerals Admin Sandra Duffin 567665 Hon. Secretary vacancy Jane Bartlett 568718 Susan Tyrrell 568166 Hon Treasurer John Slade 567152 Hendrik Vollers Brian Turnbull 567339 Capt. of Ringers Bob Pearce 568628 David Pester 446043 Safeguarding Jaclynn Baker 567665 Mark Ward 568390 Mark Ward 568390 Prayer Coordinator Audrey Callis 568742 Musical Director Flower team organiser Flower co-ordinator

Ruth Lass 568786 Lorraine Frost 567521 Gill Townshend 567460 Holy Baptism, Holy Matrimony, Funerals, Sick Communions at all three Churches Please get in touch with one of the churchwardens who will liaise with the Team clergy.

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR screen. We may in our spirits try to touch the screen, but we cannot break through. But…! Welcome to Christmas! AM WRITING this in mid-November and already looking forward to Christmas. The Gospel According to Matthew supplies us I Today, as I write, the news is about care- with: Joseph, virgin birth, marriage, star, wise homes. Perhaps by the time you are reading men and gifts. Luke brings: Gabriel, Mary, virgin things will have changed. But today the debate birth, census, Bethlehem, manger, shepherds and is about how to protect care-home residents the heavenly host. We put all the bits in the from contracting Covid-19 whilst meeting their right order and get the great nativity story. real need for family visits, social interaction and These two gospel writers tell us what we would loving touch. Sadly (in my opinion) family visits have seen and heard if we had been there to have had to take place behind a window or witness it for ourselves. screen to separate the visitor from the resident. The Gospel according to John is different. He In some homes floor to ceiling screens have brings to the Christmas party wonderful, deep been installed. They prevent the virus, yes, but spiritual reflection on what it all means. John they also prevent any real contact between the “sees” (but not with his physical eyes) that this one who wants to bring love and the one who little baby is the God who made heaven and needs to be loved. earth. John calls him ‘The Word’ ‘through In the ancient world people imagined the sky to whom all things were made’. It fits with the be a screen, a domed screen separating the earth creation in Genesis, which came about when from what was above. If you go out and look God spoke words, “Let there be…” up at the sky, especially a clear blue sky, you can And then John says: easily understand how people would see it as a The Word became flesh and made his dwelling vast dome. And “up there” above the visible among us. sky must be heaven. Much of the poetic This is deep stuff, but we are talking about the language of the Bible imagines the heavens God who invented and made bodies becoming above and the earth below. a human being with a body. And… In our age of space travel, we now know that he made his dwelling among us. the blue sky is not a solid surface but refracted The baby Jesus broke through the screen. Jesus light entering the atmosphere. We know that did not content himself with sitting in heaven breaking the outer reaches of the atmosphere waving at us through a screen. He broke right does not bring you face to face with God in through whatever separates heaven and earth. heaven. That does not mean that there is no He became one of us humans and made his heaven; it simply means that God’s creation is home among us. more complex than humanity first imagined. In fact, the history of science is that it always raises Wherever you are this December, I hope and as many questions as it answers. For Christians, pray that you will know the comfort and joy of science is the joyful exploration of God’s the God who came to Bethlehem many years creation. And each new discovery reveals the ago and now wants to make his dwelling with creation to be even more wonderful and you, and to bring his love. complex than we had previously thought. Happy Christmas, Mark Nowadays theoretical physicists speculate about other dimensions, not just the three we can sense—four if you include time. So maybe heaven is very near but in another dimension that we cannot yet detect. But wherever heaven is, one thing in sure, there is a separation between heaven and earth. There is some sort of screen between us and heaven. In prayer, worship and devotional

Bible reading we may get glimpses through the

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

The School continues until the end of term on 17th December. It will Sadly, our normal pre- probably not be possible to have the usual Christmas shows, carols etc for Christmas cheer is a bit parents and friends due to the distancing requirements; but look at the school strained this year. Once website for updates. again our churches are The Tennis courts are closed again for Lockdown 2 and are hoping to re- closed, until who knows open subject to social distancing and not sharing equipment – wait and see when. It's hard and so what the new rules will be (from week to week, or day to day!). strange to be living in a community but unable to Young People's football training is back on the Playing Field on Saturday mornings. celebrate with local people, and to walk past the church The Wednesday Wanderers were back – and hope to be back again before and know that it may be long to get that vital fresh air and exercise. empty for weeks to come. The Otter valley Association (OVA) restarted countryside walks in a limited way – but is now shut down again. See their website www.ova.org.uk for the latest details. December walks are listed later in case they are permitted to restart before next year. The talks for winter evenings are in abeyance. The Village Halls at Harpford, Newton Poppleford and Colaton Raleigh and the NP Playing Fields Pavilion remain closed. These halls are maintained by volunteers and the required deep cleaning between users less than 72hours apart make it impracticable to restore the wide range of village clubs and societies at present. Probus Club was looking to have monthly meetings for the rest of this year, but the rule-of-six, particularly for older people, has scrapped this idea. The idea of giving its monthly talks by Zoom is being worked on Most music and theatre performances, have already abandoned plans for the rest of this year and will review in January/February .... Whether the village pantomimes will take place next February will await events, second waves, rule changes, etc over the next few months.

The Parish Council has information on its website: This issue of the Magazine www.newtonpopplefordpc.co.uk plans to remind you that If you hear of any other clubs or organisations starting up again, even in there is a reason for hope – a small way, do let me know. It's encouraging good news for sharing in lots of articles and graphics this magazine. Haylor Lass 01395 568786 to remind you that the message of Comfort and Joy vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv is still brought by the baby Welcome born in Bethlehem. And some good cheer with jokes WE are pleased to welcome all new and cartoons. residents to the villages. We wish you every happiness in your new homes. Useful general information can be found at www.eastdevon.gov/welcome We hope the magazine will be of interest and the listing of events useful to you. Most of the many clubs and If anyone should require a copy of the societies will not be starting magazine, please feel free to get in up again until next year. touch with Haylor Lass, If in doubt or to find out Sunnyhill, Littledown Lane, Newton more, get in touch with the Poppleford tel.568786 contact person – listed on page 6

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

DIARY for DECember Due to the on-going Covid situation, there are not many village events to list but here are the few I have been told about. If you run a local club or business or are having a charity event in the area, please let me know by the deadline below if you have reports for the next issue– Editor; [email protected] or tel 01395 568786 ------Tuesday 1st monthly Mobile Library, 'choose & collect' - see timetable on page 32 Wednesday 2nd New Social distancing rules should be available Saturday 5th 7.00pm South West Carols : Live online www.southwestcarols, Facebook and YouTube ------Sunday 6th 11am - 4pm Clearing & Wildflower planting Webber's Meadow morning Christmas Trees available in Newton Poppleford, ring 01395 7.00pm South West Carols : Live online www.southwestcarols, Facebook and YouTube Wednesday 9th 9.45am Wednesday Wanderers Walk? 9.45am Probus Meeting by Zoom 10.00am OVA 5 mile walk from Colaton Raleigh Church: Friday 11th Maybe Mothers' Union small groups times & venues tba ------Sunday 13th 9.00am Christingle online; see The Children's Society on Facebook morning Christmas Trees available in Newton Poppleford, ring 01395 11am - 4pm Clearing & Wildflower planting Webber's Meadow Tuesday 15th * LAST DAY for January MAGAZINE ITEMS PLEASE * Wednesday 16th 9.45am Wednesday Wanderers walk? Thursday 17th end of School term 7.00pm Hospiscare 'Light up a Life' online Friday 18th 10.00am OVA 5.5 mile walk from Joneys Cross: see website ova.org.uk ------Sunday 20th morning Christmas Trees available in Newton Poppleford, ring 01395 2.00pm Colaton Raleigh Christmas Art Walk-Aroound Monday 21st Winter Solstice Thursday 24th Christmas Eve

th Friday 25 Christmas Day

------Wednesday 30th 10.00am OVA 7 mile walk: see website ova.org.uk ------wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw This Christmas, if your family gets together, remember: In the build-up to Christmas, remember: a certain friction between the generations is inevitable. After all, the young and the old have all the answers and Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be those in between are stuck with all the questions. recalled by their maker.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Here are some Useful Telephone Numbers if you want to know more about Local Organisations (prefix 01395, unless otherwise listed).( Art Group, Tuesdays ...... Geraldine Swan ...... 567450 Bridge Club...... Gill Potter ...... 01404 371174 Brownies …………...... Nicola Rose ...... or 07928 209 980 ... 222549 Care for a Cuppa ...... June Smith ...... 562994 Cats Protection Area Rep Shelagh Morse ...... 568716 Cemetery (Newton Poppleford) ...... Paul Hayward (Clerk) ...... 07711 929227 Colaton Raleigh Focus group ...... Rowan ….………...... 567339 Colaton Raleigh Lunch Club ……… Gillian Forward ……………………………………… 568818 Colaton Raleigh Parish Council ...... Clerk, Susan Tyrrell ...... 568166 Colaton Raleigh Players ...... Claire Blackwell ...... 07775 921063 Cricket Club ...... Matthew Raistrick ...... 567962 Dance Exercise/Keep Fit classes...... Sally Sinclair ……………………………………. 07837 570011 Dance, Otter Squares ...... Ron Peppin ...... 578306 Footpaths, Newton Poppleford ...... Ted Swan …...... ….... 567450 Footpaths, Colaton Raleigh ...... Ed Suttie ...... 567046 FORCE Cancer Charity ……………. Fiona Gunn ……………………...... 567077 Funerals at St Luke's Church ...... Sandra Duffin ...... 567665 Garden Club ...... Colin Campbell ...... 568343 Hospiscare ...... Exeter Office ...... 01392 688020 Hospiscare, Colaton Raleigh rep ……. Sheila Pink ………………………………………… 567719 Junior Sports Club, Sid & Otter Vales Ian Hosker ...... ****** Later Life Forum, Ottery & district ... Elli Pang ...... ****** Little Popples, pre-school ……...... Mel Burns ...... 568300 Living With Cancer (self help group) .. Sue Walters ...... ****** Mothers' Union ...... Ruth Lass ...... 568786 National Trust Sidmouth Centre …… [email protected] ……..……… 01404 811295 Newton Poppleford Football Club …. Ken Woodsford ………………………..……….. ****** Newton Poppleford History Group … Terry Gregory ……………………………………….. 568848 Newton Poppleford Primary School... Office / Reception ...... 568300 OSM Hospital, League of Friends ..... Dr G Ward ...... ****** Otter Valley Association...... Newton Poppleford rep Haylor Lass...... 568786 Outlook4Friday ……………………. Audrey Callis ………………………………………... 568742 Parish Council: Newton P & Harpford Paul Hayward (Clerk) ...... 07711 929227 Parish Magazine, Managing Editor..... Haylor Lass...... 568786 Distribution – vacancy, via Haylor: Advertisement Manager – Wendy Lee 567715 Pavilion - Bookings...... Geraldine Swan ...... 567450 Playing Field Foundation...... Paul Hayward (Parish Clerk) ...... 07711 929227 Prayer Matters ...... Audrey Callis ……………………………………….… 568742 Probus Club ...... Haylor Lass ...... 568786 Riverside Players …………………… Tricia Barclay ……………………………………….. 568897 Royal British Legion ...... Area Organiser, Peter Eagles ...... 516060 Scouts, Tipton St John ...... Graham Leah ...... ****** Short Mat Bowls, Newton Poppleford John Tanner...... 568680 Table Tennis Club ………………….. Steve Filer ………………………………………….. 567756 Tap Happy, adult tap dancing ...... Barry Easter ...... 567897 Tea & Toast ………………………… Lisa or Fiona ………………..…… …...... 567381 or 567077 Tennis Club ...... Steve Filer ...... 567756 Village Hall Bookings, Colaton Raleigh Rowan Turnbull ...... 567339 Village Hall Bookings, Harpford ……. Nick Howe ………...…………………………………. 568679 Village Hall Bookings, Newton Pop.... J Drake ……...... 568571 Wednesday Wanderers …………….. Elizabeth Austing ...... 568903 Whist Drives, Newton Poppleford...... Judith Raymont ...... 568865 Young Church ...... Maria Pinney/Angela Slade ...... 568627/567152 Zumba, dance exercise ……………… Wendy Anderton ………………………………… ****** (Revised October 2020) Devon and Cornwall Police National Number 101 GDPR the ****** mark those who haven't confirmed agreement to publish - please help make this list complete!

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Christingle on-line

Share Joy - A National Christingle Service from The Children’s Society Sunday 13 December at 9.00am We know Christingle won’t look or feel the same this year, but there’s no reason why it can’t be bigger and Comfort and Joy is the Church of England's Christmas brighter than ever. The Children's Society are hosting an theme this difficult year when comfort has been in short online family Christingle service in collaboration with supply and joy is badly needed, together with hope for The Church of England. This will be a joyful celebration the New Year. that brings people together to share the light of Jesus and Everyone in the three parishes should be receiving a spread a message of hope. The service will include a few greetings card wishing them well and giving details of words from HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, soprano where you can find further prayers, reflections, Bible singer Joanna Forest and young people lighting the verses, Family activities and much more. Christingles. It is set to be a special service. There will also be services on YouTube and Facebook as Click here for the Facebook event. well as the broadcasts on the TV. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw More on. – www.newtonpopplefordchurch.org.uk www.achurchnearyou.com www.churchofengland.org/ComfortAndJoy Daily Hope is a free phone number (0800 804 8044) offering music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. We are delighted that the Comfort and Joy reflections, services and some of the music will also be available throughout Advent and Christmas.

wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw With a number of relatives visiting, I was struggling to get my wife's attention. So, I simply sat down and wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw looked comfortable. That did the trick.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Bishop Robert's Reflection

The Biggest Festive T HAS BEEN a tough 12 months and, for many of Carols and Nativity Event us, 2020 will be a year we shall be glad to leave Ibehind. The pandemic has cast a long shadow over in the South West the world and, although news of a vaccine is welcome, it There’s a lot of things up in the air will be a long time yet until we are out of the woods. December is normally full of festive cheer, with right now, but one things for sure: Christmas lights, shopping for presents, parties and carol Christmas isn’t cancelled! singing. It’s a great time for catching up with friends and Join with thousands all over the region tuning in for family, except that this year will have to be a different South West Carols on 5th & 6th December, 7.00pm. kind of Christmas. Something really special is taking place on 5th & 6th Family gatherings, if allowed at all, will almost certainly December, 7.00pm each night! be smaller. We may be joining in carols on Zoom or Thousands will tune into South West Carols which sets to Facebook rather than in church. Already beleaguered local shops will suffer, as Christmas shopping is done be the biggest festive carols and nativity event in the South West. We all know 2020 has been WAY different online. than anyone imagined but there’s one thing can all look What does not change, however, is the story and meaning forward to – Christmas! of Christ’s birth: God with us. God is with us in the mess Our first ever South West Carols event will be a as well as in the good, in the disappointment and the celebration of all the GOOD things that take place at this difficulty, in times of sorrow as well as times of wonderful time of the year as we remember the reason celebration. for the season. With regional and headline musical Deprived of the things that brighten up the long winter performances including from London Community Gospel nights, to quote the old carol, we badly need a dose of Choir, Wildwood Kin, Lucy Grimble, Exeter Cathedral ‘comfort and joy’. One shaft of light piercing the gloom Choir, South West Musicians, and more. is the way people are caring for each other, rallying Plus, the South West’s biggest ever nativity with round to give help, comfort and support, often going the participants from schools all over the region. Watch second and third mile. These things are the antidote to LIVE at www.southwestcarols also Facebook and cynicism and soften the abrasive edges of lockdown. YouTube. They bring hope. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw This December, hang onto the words of John from the opening of his Gospel: ‘The light shines in the darkness, How many Christmas carols do you really know? and the darkness has never overcome it’. God is with us. Here is a challenge: why not spend some time May we find in the birth of Jesus Christ both our comfort learning the words to traditional carols this and our joy. year? Polls have found that too many of us know + Robert Exon the title of a carol and the tune and the opening wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw line or so, but then we have to make it up. Christmas is a time of year when people get This year you probably have more time at home, emotional over family ties ~ particularly if they so get going! have to wear one.

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Because of Lockdown, our branch did not meet in November, but all being well plan to meet on Friday 11th December with an Advent theme. Ruth will be in touch with details nearer the time; 01395 568786. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Getting Behind the No More 1 in “God is with us in our pain and fear’ – 3 Domestic Abuse Campaign Bishop of London’s message of hope Churches in Devon are being encouraged to raise The Bishop of London, Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, awareness of domestic abuse and take action against it (formerly Bishop of Crediton) has said that despite this during a 16-day campaign organised by the Mother’s being a time of “great uncertainty and challenge” as the Union. The No More 1 in 3 campaign will run from 25th world struggles to “overcome a devastating pandemic November to 5th December. that has cut short earthly lives, destroyed livelihoods, and separated us from the people and activities we enjoy,” yet Globally, 1 in 3 women are believed to experience still “we are not without hope.” physical or sexual violence at home during their lifetime – a number rising yet further this year, in what the UN Speaking recently in St Paul’s Cathedral, she said: has called a “shadow pandemic”. “Through word, prayer, song and symbol, we are reminded that God’s love for us can never be destroyed. This year calls to the UK’s national domestic abuse God is with us in our pain and fear and will lead us to a helpline have continued to rise, with 50 murders yet more glorious day.” attributed to domestic violence estimated to have happened during the first lockdown. Bishop Sarah also praised the ongoing work of the “real heroes and heroines at work in intensive care units, the “These horrendous statistics represent the lives of real Emergency Departments, oncology and elderly care people, in all our communities.” wards.” The diocesan Church and Society Officer, Chris Keppie, These people have been “giving their all, and are said: “This is an issue close to my heart, having continuing to give their all, because we are still very previously worked in homelessness. I’ve encountered so much in the midst of the Covid pandemic.” many women – and men – needing housing and other support having escaped domestic abuse. “Sadly long- “Yet,” she went on, ‘The hope we have in our hearts as term homeless people with ‘complex needs’ often Christians is eternal. Hope that is in Christ will not be experienced ‘adverse childhood experiences’ including disappointed.” domestic violence, and/or subsequent exploitation and wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw trauma in county lines gangs or sexual slavery. These horrendous statistics represent the lives of real people, in all our communities.”

The Mothers’ Union campaign is highlighting the scale of domestic abuse worldwide. A new Domestic Abuse Bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Lords. There, five of our female Anglican bishops (led by Bishop Rachel of Gloucester) are working to support and strengthen the Bill, including in legislation around children as victims (rather than observers) and on cycles of criminality associated with abuse. The Mothers’ Union campaign will end on Saturday 5th December in a global day of action. It will include a special online service put together by the Mothers’ Union in Devon and featuring a message from Bishop Jackie and a blessing by Bishop Nick. vwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwv

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Living in Love and Faith

Christians in Devon are being invited to “listen and learn together” after the Church of England published its new Living in Love and Faith resources looking at questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. They include a book, study guides, podcasts and a powerful series of real-life personal story films. The resources, which draw together the Bible, theology, science and history are part of a new process of discernment and decision-making on issues which many in the Church find divisive. The Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Jackie Searle, is the Diocese of Exeter champion for the Living in Love and Faith process. Speaking on BBC Radio Hospiscare’s Light Up a Life will be a little different this Devon, she said, “The resources examine questions that year, but those at Hospiscare of course understand that go to the heart of our human identity, and most crucially, Christmas can be a difficult time when experiencing the people’s lived experiences. loss of a loved one, and is once again offering the “There are many people who would like to see some sort opportunity to remember friends and family through a of change in our attitudes towards marriage and same sex dedication in the Book of Memories. For the first time, relationships. There are many others who would not. there will also be an online gallery where one can upload “What is needed is really deep listening to one another photos and stories to remember those that are no longer and to God. I think Living in Love and Faith is an with us. excellent resource for people to use.” A Night of Celebration will take place on Thursday 17 Gracious Discussion December at 7.00pm, when Hospiscare will air their Light Up a Life broadcast on the charity’s Facebook page The resources are the product of three years’ work by and website. The broadcast will be a combination of more than 40 people, led by the Bishop of Coventry. hand-picked readings, poems, music and carols. The House of Bishops has appealed to the whole Church For more information on the above and where you can of England to participate in learning together, using the view the Books of Memories, please visit resources for “open, honest and gracious discussion, www.hospiscare.co.uk/support-our-work/remember-a- listening and learning.” loved-one/light-up-a-life/. The Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Nick wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw McKinnel, said “A great deal of work has gone into producing these resources, and those who have produced Here are some titles of carols, them have done their best to get a balance between as misunderstood by children… orthodox and progressive views. https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/living- Children's Christmas Carols love-and-faith Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw We three kings of porridge and tar Angels? On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to Two daughters had been given parts in a Christmas me pageant at their Church. At dinner that night, they Noel, Noel, Barney's the king of Israel. got into an argument as to who had the most important role. With the jelly toast proclaim Finally, the 14 year-old said to her 8 year-old younger Olive, the other reindeer sister, ‘Well, you just ask Mum. She'll tell you it's Sleep in heavenly peas. much harder to be a virgin than it is to be an angel.’

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Christmas Trees for sale in Newton Poppleford: December 2020 Come and choose a locally grown tree, cut to your requirements ready to carry away, none of this cutting of trees in November! We have a selection of Norway, Nordmann, Nobel and Frazer fir Christmas trees available again this year, very reasonably priced. We will be available on Sunday mornings of 6th, 13th, 20th December, ring Rachel/Toby on 01395 567520 or 07973 567520 for more details. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

The calendars are A4 stapled booklets opening out to an Thanks A3 sized wall calendar, with a different local wildlife I would like to thank everyone who sent beautiful photo each month. cards, sympathy, cake and prayers following Pat's Calendars cost only £10 each, and will make an death in September. To have such warmth was ideal gift for family, friends and of course yourself. such a comfort, typical of the kindly village we There may be some still available – contact Nick are lucky enough to live in. Howe:- tel: 01395 568679. email: [email protected] Maureen Newstead wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Sadness Outlook 4 Friday We are sad to report the deaths of; T SEEMS a very long time since we last met and I expect you members are wondering if we will ever Joyce Sparrow, who suffered a massive stroke I get back together again. I very much hope that we and died after a few days in RD&E, will, eventually, but at the moment of course any thought Jaine Drinkwater, after a long and debilitating of that is impossible, and we still have to get through the illness. winter. I do hope you are all keeping safe and well, and not The editor hopes to carry tributes to these two finding it too difficult to follow Government advice. ladies in the next issue. Meanwhile, please hold Some of us will be in the 'highly vulnerable' group, and I their families in your prayers. believe all of us, at over 70, and 'high risk', so we all need wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw to take care of ourselves, and each other. By the time you read this we will have passed the date Christmas cake when we would have had out Christmas Tea, and we don't yet know what people will be able to do for Every Christmas, composer Christmas. Perhaps this year will be the time when there Giacomo Puccini would have is more emphasis on the 'real Christmas' and less focus a cake baked for each of on the commercial. Whatever is possible I hope every his friends. One year, one of you has a happy, and healthy, time and that 2021 having quarrelled with will herald better things. Arturo Toscanini just Very best wishes to you all. before Christmas, he tried Audrey to cancel the order for the conductor's cake. But wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw it was too late, as the cake had already been Drive dispatched. He was a careful driver during the Christmas The following day, Toscanini received a telegram period. At the railway crossing he stopped, from Puccini: "Cake sent by mistake." looked and listened. All he heard was the car He replied by return: "Cake eaten by mistake." behind him, smashing into his boot. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

How Father Christmas got where he is today One person you are bound to run into this Christmas season is Father Christmas. If he looks tired, just remember that he has been around a long time and gone through a lot of transformations. Father Christmas wasn’t always the red-suited, white-bearded star of the retail trade that he is today. He began life as Nicholas, born way back about AD260 in Patara, an important port on the southern coast of what is now Turkey. When his parents died and left him a fortune, Nicholas gave it away to the poor. He became a bishop of the nearby city of Myra, where he almost certainly suffered persecution and imprisonment at the hand of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Nicholas was a serious theologian: he was a participant at the First Council of Nicaea, which formulated the Creed which we still say today. He even, reportedly, slapped another bishop in a squabble over the exact nature of the Trinity. Nicholas died in Myra about AD343, but the stories of his generosity and kindness were just beginning. One enduring tale tells of the three girls whom he rescued from certain prostitution by giving them gold for their dowries. When the father confronted him to thank him, Nicholas said he should thank God alone. In the UK, Nicholas became the basis for Father Christmas, who emerged in Victorian times as a jolly-faced bearded character. Meanwhile, Dutch ****************************** ****************************** and German settlers had taken him to From Clement Moore we discovered latest, up-to-date pictures of Father America with them as Sinter Klaas that St Nicholas is round and pink- Christmas: wearing a bright red, fur- and Sankt Nicklas. cheeked and white-bearded, and that trimmed coat and a large belt. It was in America that Nicholas he travels at night with sleigh, These days, it is good that Father received his final two great breaks reindeer and a sack of toys on his Christmas uses reindeer and doesn’t into real stardom. The first was when back. It was Clement Moore who also have to pay for petrol. In order to get the Rev Clement C Moore, a New revealed that St Nicholas enters around all the children in the world on York Episcopal minister, turned from houses down chimneys and fills Christmas Eve, he will have to travel his lifework of writing a children’s stockings with toys and 221 million miles at an average speed Hebrew/English lexicon, to write a sweets. of 1279 miles a second, 6,395 times fun poem for his children one So how did we find out that Father the speed of sound. For all those of us Christmas. His ‘The Visit of St Christmas wears red? That was the who are already exhausted just Nicholas’ is now universally known US Coca-Cola advertising campaign rushing around getting ready for by its first line: ‘T’was the Night of 1931. who finally released the Christmas, that is a sobering thought. Before Christmas’.

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Christmas throughout the Christian world For nearly four weeks leading up to Christmas Christians recognise a period called Advent. It means ‘coming’. It is a time of spiritual preparation. 'Coming' refers to Jesus’ first coming as a baby, but it also looks forward to a day when Jesus is expected to return in triumph at his ‘second coming’ to establish perfect justice and a new order of peace. Originally Christians marked Advent as a time when they refrained from excessive eating and drinking. Then Christmas Day reintroduced them to the joys of feasting. Christmas celebrations lasted for 12 days, with gifts exchanged as a climax at Epiphany (6th January). Today, however, Advent is more likely to be associated with accelerating festivity, with the days following Christmas something of an anti-climax until ‘twelfth night’, on which decorations are removed. Many Christians worldwide are trying to revive the spirit of Advent by setting aside time to pray and address global poverty. Christmas Day is celebrated as the anniversary of Jesus’ birth, although the actual date is not known. Most Christians celebrate it on 25th December. However, the Orthodox Church (the ancient churches in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia) follows a different calendar and celebrates on 7th January. Christians make a point of taking communion on Christmas Day. Many make it the first thing they do as the clock strikes midnight. On 6th January the Christmas festival continues with a celebration of Epiphany, which means ‘the appearance’. Christians ********************************************** remember the visit of wise men (magi) to Jesus, bringing not all the world is able to face the days with frivolity or gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Christmas joy. The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, was tradition of exchanging gifts originally honoured these historically marked as the feast of St Stephen. He was men, who were the first non-Jews (Gentiles) to worship the first man to be put to death rather than give up his Jesus. It forms a reminder that in Jesus God was giving belief that Jesus was God. himself for the benefit of the entire world. And two days later a day remembering the Massacre of Orthodox Christians use this day to recall the baptism of the Innocents recalls Herod’s attempt to destroy Jesus by Jesus as a grown man. The significance of Jesus being killing all male babies in Bethlehem. Although not so baptised was that he identified himself with human widely marked as Christmas Day, it gives Christians the beings in all their need. They mark the day by praying opportunity to pray for children in today’s world who for God’s blessing on rivers, wells and water sources. suffer as a result of the actions of adults. Christmas has never been just an escapist festival for This is from: https://christianity.org.uk/christmas- Christians. Those who treat it seriously recognise that throughout-the-christian-world/#.W9Ll_xNKhsM Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Ward Councillor's Report Car Parking TAFF A meeting is being held on 19th November to decide on EDDC Business support update the strategy going forward for car parking charges in East The EDDC website now has some really useful guides Devon. One item of importance is charging points for about grants and support for businesses forced to close electric vehicles in recognition of the climate change due to the latest lockdown. Here is a link to the website: emergency. Also what the council can do to meet the https://eastdevon.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/latest- needs of the increasing numbers of camper van users. updates/east-devon-business-coronavirus-update-13- There are issues around the use of local car parks for november-2020/ camper van owners who live in the area and have no off- street parking of their own and a separate issue about the 1. Introduction provision of stopping points for touring campers and 2. Business support grants visitors. There is also the balance of income for the 3. Adapt & Thrive – Lockdown Series council from parking fees but supporting local businesses 4. Takeaways extended for restaurants, pubs and and shops at the same time. No doubt the thorny issue of cafes free car parks will crop up again. The parish council are very keen to retain a free car park in Newton Poppleford. 5. Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme EDDC £2.00 for all day parking offer 6. Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Just a reminder that this offer is now on again for public extension car parks in East Devon and runs til March next year to 7. Apply for the Coronavirus Large Business encourage residents to shop locally for Christmas and Interruption Loan Scheme throughout the winter. 8. Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Shop Locally 9. Tourism and Hospitality Support Programme - I was delighted to see that the Veg Shed is running again have you signed up yet? in Southerton. I was able to pick up a few veg, home 10. Free training made jam and some bulbs on my dog walk. Just one road 11. Is your business ready for the end of the UK over is Fresh and Green the organic growers where you Transition period? can order a weekly bag of fresh organic vegetables to suit your requirements. If shopping in Sidmouth, 12. Scam alert Winchesters Greengrocer also stocks vegetables and fruit Here is the help that can be accessed via the website. from Mike Stone’s farm in Newton Poppleford and Edgar EDDC is contacting most businesses directly but if you Berry in Southerton (as well as from the major markets of think you might be eligible for some financial help but course). If you care about where your food comes from, have not been contacted, or if you simply have a query, these are great local businesses and make a local walk do get in touch with them, they are very approachable even more beneficial. and very helpful. This is the telephone number: On a different note, a number of shops in Sidmouth and Phone:01404 515616 other towns who are unable to open during lockdown are East Devon residents Coronavirus still able to offer an online or phone click and collect update - 13 November 2020 service. These are such tough times for local businesses it is nice to be able to support them when possible rather This is the telephone number to call if you want to have a than only supporting the multi-nationals. The Sidmouth chat about anything below Christmas lights look really beautiful this year. Phone: 01404 515616. Remembrance Sunday in Harpford 1. East Devon’s Services – Coronavirus restrictions update We were so lucky to have a socially distanced gathering and short service of prayers on Remembrance Sunday 2. Two grants schemes available again from East lead by a visiting Vicar (organised by Revd Mark Ward) Devon District Council for Coronavirus- related at the War Memorial on Sunday 8th November. Wreaths community projects were laid on behalf of the British Legion and Newton 3. Financial Hardship Fund Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council. It was a brief 4. We’re here to help you through the new national but lovely service and an opportunity to reflect on how restrictions fortunate we are that others gave service and their lives 5. Don't forget to return your Annual Canvass Form for us and to reflect on how fortunate we are despite current difficulties. 6. Dates of next East Devon virtual Council meetings Parking Prohibition Orders - DCC has managed to complete the double yellow lining 7. Recycling and waste update - cardboard in Otter Reach and Capper Close but not on any of the 8. Wild East Devon update other side roads. Were DCC a business, they would have 9. Trusted sources of information and advice long gone bust.

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Highways Matters newsletter that in addition to recycling our household waste we should be recycling our land and protecting Four Elms Hill – I finally found someone at DCC who open green space and the environment. Their latest was willing to discuss Four Elms Hill. They expressed report states that there is enough brownfield land for disappointment that work on the hill had fallen behind more than a million homes, and enough to meet schedule and said that they hoped to complete the work government housing targets for the next 5 years. Surely in January. Last year the excuse was the gritting lorries this is a far better policy than building on our green were out at that time of year so I won’t hold my breath. fields? Generally developers do not favour these as there Broadband – Fibre to the Premises are often hoops to jump through to ‘decontaminate’ sites. If you are not familiar with the work of the CPRE, it is BT Openreach are continuing to put up new poles in the well worth a look at their website, they are a charity and area to bring fibre to the premises in our area. This has work really hard on our behalf to protect our countryside. caused controversy in some cases as residents object to where some poles were to be erected but the team has There is also a really interesting article this month on our worked hard to come to a compromise with residents hedgerows through the season, which provide habitats for over the siting of these poles. Ideally the fibre would be wildlife, help tackle climate change and provide a food underground but this is just not possible at the moment so source for both humans and wildlife. the lines will still run overhead, via additional poles, in Venn Ottery Road allotments the same way the old copper wires did, but the signal I walked through these recently, they look magnificent should be stronger and more reliable. They confirmed this year, the community garden and orchard looks just this week that they hope the work will be carried out lovely. It's so peaceful and the views are stunning with in December. the autumn colours and harvests. Congratulations to all Red Bridge involved in managing the allotments and to allotment Now Red Bridge has been patched up DCC confirmed it holders for keeping their plots so well. is their intention to walk away from the red bridge in Complaints received future. A meeting was held with the DCC Public Rights • More complaints this month about missed of Way officer this week and the parish council and me collections of recycling in Millmoor Lane. to discuss their ambition plans for a new bridge that will span from Webbers Meadow to private land. The idea is • More complaints about development taking place it will be a multi-user bridge eg bridleway, cycleway and without planning permission in place. This does footpath. Various sites from Webbers Meadow were put not go un-noticed as residents walk/cycle/drive forward. My concern being that the land is no more around the village and will always be reported to stable there than the current site. The bridge will be far EDDC for investigation. bigger and higher than the current bridge for obvious • Numerous complaints about parking and lack of reasons of multi-users, flooding on the land below etc. finish on King Alfred Way. There are various legal requirements for paths that can be • Complaints about speeding through the village used by horseriders for example and the ramps will be especially motorbikes late at night. quite large on each side. The surface of the path to the bridge will also need careful considerable for grip Thank you for your continued support and for raising the underfoot for different users. The cost could be up to issues that are important to you within our parish. If you £200,000. would like to receive email updates from me, drop me an email at [email protected]. Harpford Village Hall – Local wildlife Best wishes photography fund raising Calendar Val Ranger, Ward Councillor Keen photographer Nick Howe has put together a Newton Poppleford and Harpford calendar of beautiful wildlife photos taken whilst he has Tel 07475 201 340 or email: [email protected] been out and about since the March lockdown. The final version of the calendar can be seen on the Harpford Post Script Village Hall noticeboard. The cost is £10.00 each and After I sent off my report, I noticed the air ambulance they come in an envelope suitable for sending for mailing land on Newton Poppleford Playing Field around to family and friends and perfect as Christmas presents. 11.00pm. It landed and was away again in a few https://harpfordvillagehall.wordpress.com/2020/10/04/vil minutes. The landing lights could be seen over the fields lage-hall-fundraising-calendar/ but were not as bright in the dark night as I thought they Contact Nick Howe on 01395 568679 or might be and they faded really quickly once the [email protected] helicopter left. We are so lucky our parish clerk Paul Campaign to Protect Rural England Hayward was proactive behind the scenes in talking to the air ambulance service about their requirements and As concern increases over the government White Paper helping the council bring this safe landing site to fruition. on Planning and the government’s policy of ‘Build,

Build, Build’ the CPRE this week stated in their

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

equipment was not sufficiently precise. He observed the Probus Club rings of Saturn and noted the shadows cast by the rings. Hooke observed lunar craters and performed experiments S BEFITS LOCKDOWN RULES, the Probus to study how they might have formed. In 1664, he th club met on 'Zoom' on Thursday 12 November, discovered Gamma Arietis, one of the first double stars A the first time we had 'gathered' since March. ever observed. In 1665, he was appointed Professor of Chair Malcolm Burge ran through the update notices – Geometry at Gresham College the AGM held off until next year; the sad death of John In pursuing his interest in astronomy, he Wheeler; Richard Swan has become an associate addressed himself to the science of member, finding it difficult to attend meetings, though timekeeping. 1657 he invented the Malcolm hoped that with Zoom for the next few (?) anchor escapement for pendulum clocks, meetings, anyone could join from home, or sickbed! He and in1660 invented the balance spring had spoken to (former member) Raymond Savage and demonstrated a pocket watch. recently, who is in a care home; he is well and cheerful and will be 101 next week! All of this was 10 years or more before Huygens published his account of the Member Alan Martin then gave us a most interesting balance spring and some 60 years and presentation on Robert Hooke which he had prepared more before the famous Harrison clocks came on the earlier in the year. Delivered in good time – Alan and scene. Linda move away from the area in 4 weeks time. Robert Boyle Robert Hooke, Polymath Boyle was born in Ireland, the 14th child of the Earl of Cork. He was educated at Eton after which he spent 28 July 1635 – 3 March 1703 several years travelling in Europe. When his father died Robert Hooke was the youngest of two boys and two in 1644, Boyle inherited several estates, including one at girls born to Cecily Gyles and John Hooke, a Church of Stalbridge in Dorset which he made his residence. England priest, the curate of Freshwater’s Church of All He moved to Oxford in 1654 to pursue his interests in Saints, IoW. He was frail in health as a child and partly chemistry and became a member of a group called the home-schooled. Invisible College. Boyle employed Hooke as his Fascinated by observation, mechanical works and assistant from 1655 to 1662. His role was constructing, drawing – his father noticed he was very talented at operating and demonstrating equipment. It was a fruitful intricate work – working on anything mechanical or partnership. drawing fine detailed pictures. He is said to have Boyle had read of an air pump developed in Germany by dismantled a brass clock and constructed a wooden Otto von Guericke. Hooke built a much-improved replica that ‘worked well enough’ version and performed experiments on air. From this Hooke goes to town –At the age of 13, on the death of work came Boyles Law (pressure / volume of gas). his father he inherited £40. He went to London with the Boyle went on to contribute to many fields of science and intention of beginning an apprenticeship but was is sometimes referred to as the father of chemistry. persuaded to enter Westminster School by Dr Richard Busby an Anglican priest who was head of Westminster Hooke’s Law for more than 55 years. Busby was an ardent royalist While in Boyles employ, who supported the spirit of scientific experiment Hooke also did research encouraged under Charles 1 but at odds with teachings of of his own and in 1660, the Protectorate. he had already Under Busby, Hooke became fluent in Greek and Latin developed Hooke’s law and also mastered Euclid’s Elements. He learned to play of elasticity, for which the organ and became interested in mechanics. he is perhaps best remembered (extension In 1653 he gained a chorister place at Christ Church, proportional to load). Oxford, and was employed as a chemical assistant to Thomas Willis. Here he met the great natural The Royal Society philosopher Robert Boyle and also Christopher Wren, The Invisible group started to hold lectures at Gresham both of whom became lifelong friends College in London and on 28 October 1660, following a Astronomy and physics lecture by Christopher Wren, they founded the very first ‘Learned Society’. This soon received Royal assent from Hooke was one of the first to build a Gregorian reflecting Charles II and became the Royal Society of London for telescope. He discovered the fifth star in the Trapezium Improving Natural Knowledge. Through the influence of asterism in Orion. First to suggest that Jupiter rotates on Boyle, Hooke was appointed Curator of Experiments of its axis. His detailed sketches of Mars were used in the th the Society in 1662 - a post he held for 40 years. His 19 century to determine its rate of rotation. work was important because the Society focussed on In the 1660s, he experimented with measurement of discovering science by experimentation and observation. distance of stars using parallax method – in reality his December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Probus Club, continued instrument – has a central shaft meant for use as a zenith telescope and for use The microscopic world in gravity and pendulum experiments Hooke’s interest in the biological world was stimulated that connects to an underground by his study of fossils. He invented the compound laboratory. microscope and an illumination system which he used in Sadly, even in those days, vibrations demonstration at the Royal Society, showing organisms from heavy traffic on Fish Street Hill as diverse as insects, sponges, bryozoans, foraminifera rendered the experimental conditions and bird feathers. In 1665, he published Micrographia, unsuitable. The steps in the shaft of the one of the most important books of all time. tower are all six inches high, allowing them to be used for barometric pressure studies. Other Architecture St Pauls Cathedral - Hooke engineered the dome: he designed Ragley Hall, Warwickshire and The Royal Observatory, Greenwich among others. And not only that! Few areas of science escaped Hooke’s active brain and energy – Gravitation; The wave theory of light; Combustion; Meteorology; Blood flow and respiration in animals; Developed an early form of respirator; Invented the universal joint and investigated the mechanisms of memory. His legacy One of the illustrations – a flea, showing Hooke's Much has been written about the unpleasant side of skills in both observation and drawing. Hooke’s nature. There is no doubt that he could be a In the preface he wrote: difficult man and it is probably true that he used his "...by the help of Microscopes, there is nothing so position with the Royal Society to pick up and develop small, as to escape our inquiry; hence there is a new other people’s ideas. He had a particularly fraught visible World discovered to the understanding...By relationship with Isaac Newton. After Hooke’s death, this the Earth it self, which lyes so neer us, under our Newton questioned his legacy. He became President of feet, shews quite a new thing to us, and in every little the Royal Society and is alleged to have destroyed the particle of its matter; we now behold almost as great only known portrait of Hooke. a variety of Creatures, as we were able before to Hooke never married, though he does not seem to have reckon up in the whole Universe it self." led a particularly celibate life. He had a succession of From his observations through the microscope, Hooke housekeepers whose duties seem to have included had grasped the cardinal principle of paleontology -- that keeping his bed warm. His niece was also his fossils are not "sports of Nature," but remains of once- housekeeper at one time and he is known to have had a living organisms that can be used to help us understand relationship with her. the history of life. Hooke realized, two and a half He died in London on 3 March 1703 and a chest centuries before Darwin, that the fossil record documents containing £8000 in money and gold was found in his changes among the organisms on the planet, and that room at Gresham College. species have both appeared and gone extinct throughout He was by far the greatest inventor and experimentalist the history of life on Earth. of his time, possibly of all time. Yet he is little known, The Fire of London except among scientists and engineers and then only for Following the great fire of 1666, Hooke was appointed his law of elasticity. Surveyor of the City of London. His great friend Was he ‘England’s Leonardo’? Christopher Wren was Surveyor for Royal Works and In science he has been eclipsed by Newton who did far together they set about rebuilding London. Both had less but had those key insights. Nevertheless, in my grand plans but implementation was greatly hampered by opinion, he is deserving of a place in the Pantheon of disputes over property rights. Hooke is said to have Truly Great Scientists surveyed personally 3000 properties (about half of the city). Wren has received much of the credit but Hooke’s Alan Martin mechanical skills were indispensable The meeting, with 14 members present was deemed to be The Monument a great success, so next month will be held on our normal th Designed by Wren and Hooke and built between 1671 second Wednesday – 9 December when vice chairman and 1677 to commemorate the Fire and celebrate the John Maynard will be giving a talk entitled "John Scott, rebuilding of London; it is 202ft tall and is still the Nelson's Secretary and Friend". This meeting will once biggest stone Doric column. Also built as a scientific again be held by Zoom.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Wildlife windows... This time of year, look out for jays! They can bury as many as 5000 acorns in autumn but prefer to do so by bushes or trees where their activity can be screened from observers.

The autumn rains have set in, and uncertainty still lingers, but the leaves on the trees are beautiful, and we are still busy working for wildlifeand lining up some autumn/winter events for you to enjoy in the warmth of your home! So watch this space and read on...

Photo credit, Margaret Holland We've all faced the challenge of a second lockdown. We know things are difficult for many people at this time, and we also know that throughout all of the ups and downs that this year has brought, nature has been there for us, and will continue to be there for us.

We've seen the first frosts of this winter creep through Working hard for nature! Devon - leaving places glistening and beautiful. During A beautiful, moving sculpture, the 'Chalara Tower', has this tricky period, please be kind to yourselves, to others, been installed in our Seaton Jurassic visitor centre. Made and to our natural spaces which will see us through! from 30 dead ash trees, and standing at 3.5 metres high, this artwork by Marcus Vergette, tells the story of the many trees lost to ash dieback. The bell will be rung on the hour to signify the dramatic loss of our beautiful ash trees

Frosty spider web, photo credit, Zsuzsanna Bird Young barn owls are leaving home around now in search of their own territory – good luck guys!

Go Wild at Home... Every year we pour harmful chemicals down our drains, or spray them in our gardens. Will you pledge to go insecticide free? Our guide can help, click here to download it and take action for insects!

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Devon Wildlife Trust News, continued You've been enjoying our fun(?) fungi posts on social media this week. Like this tiny holly parachute mushroom, found at our Andrew's Wood nature reserve, for December to February: which only grows on decaying holly leaves! INTER is closing in fast, although we have not Take a look at them here! had many clear nights yet, but hopefully this Wwill change between December and February, This is a time when we have constellations which people find easier with the naked eye. First we have the constellation of Taurus with the beautiful seven sisters near the top, as well as the crab nebula for those with telescopes, at the end of what looks like two long arms or maybe the bull’s horns. There is also an open triangle of stars called the Hyades, with the bright star Aldebaran. Rising just after that is the constellation of Orion with its big red star of Betelgeuse in the top left corner and the Orion nebula hanging off the three belt stars. Even in binoculars this is a wonderful sight. For those with larger telescopes there are also the flame nebula and the

horsehead nebula near the belt and the bright blue star, Nature news! Rigel in the bottom right corner. It’s a constellation of What we're all wondering: what are dormice doing at this many varieties. time of year? The dormouse may spend up to three Around the 13th – 15th of December you can also see the quarters of its life asleep. They spend summer months Geminids meteor shower, we have a new moon this year fattening up on berries and hazelnuts (sometimes so we should have a good view and hopefully many doubling in weight), before curling up in a ground nest as meteors you’ll be able to see. This is followed in January soon as temperatures drop beneath 15 degrees, to await by the Quadrantids meteor shower usually around the 4th the spring. Like hedgehogs, their body temperatures drop – 6th; this can be seen in the north in the space between to match their surroundings, and their hearts slow to a Ursa Major, Bootes and Hercules. Although meteor tenth of their normal rate! showers are generally named after the constellation the radiant is in, the constellation of Quadrans Muralis, which no longer exists, (Mural Quadrant, created by the French astronomer Jerome Lalande in 1795.) On the 14th December there’s a total eclipse of the sun visible at the South Pacific, crossing Chile and Argentina. On the 17th of December the thin crescent moon can be seen just to the left of Jupiter and Saturn. On the 21st of December not only do we have the winter solstice, when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, but Jupiter and Saturn are incredible close together. Although this is close to the horizon, grab your binoculars or telescope for the view. At present the NLO is still closed as social distancing is a problem, but we are hoping that by spring we may be able to open again so keep an eye on our website www.normanlockyer.com for more information.

Have a Happy Christmas and a peaceful start to 2021, Your social media highlights and remember to keep looking up. On social media, you enjoyed watching our beaver expert, Mark, talk about how beavers can reduce flood risk. Watch it here We are pleased to invite you to curl up on a chilly winter's evening and be enchanted by bewitching folk tales from professional storyteller, Lisa Schneidau. Hear the stories of the seasonal nature which surrounds us at this time of year and, for one evening, enter into a slightly magical world... Online on the 4th December. Book your ticket here.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

A complicated up and down wander with plenty of Wednesday Wanderers opportunities to test map reading, but it was enjoyed by th all who agreed it was good to be out in the fresh air and 28 October – Budleigh - Knowle - East warm sun. 4¾ miles Budleigh. An earlier start today to board the 157 bus to th Lansdown Road, Budleigh. We started off uphill, with 4 November – Very frosty morning, but all large houses on both sides, one of which had about four was gone by the time we met up for the short walk. Five bright red acers in a line in front of the house - our first walkers in all got the bus to Joneys Cross. The common autumn colour of the day. very autumnal, nice bronze and yellow hues at this time A footpath at the top of the road eventually revealed of year – the sunshine bright with a lovely blue sky. We Budleigh Golf Club where an exchange of 'Good walked down the road to Hawkerland, passing a house Morning' was made with a group of golfers. From here it with carved pumpkins left over from Halloween. We was on to a pebble-based path sign-posted 'Littleham stopped for a photo on the seat on the green. Continued Church Path', through a wooded area to emerge at a towards Stoneyford, passing a ram in a small field where junction – called 'Hearts Delight' – and on to an old there were turkeys the year before. We carried on, railway tack: attractive sunlit leafy trees, under a three crossing over the Exmouth Road and down Monkey arch bridge and later a smaller bridge, the latter showed a Lane, stopping to take in the lovely views. Then back notice warning people there was a road above the bridge. along School Lane to the village. A very pleasant walk This is a very popular area for dog walkers! We did enjoy of about 3 miles in the bright sunshine. shuffling through the golden leaves on the ground. After about ¾ of a mile we branched off left on to a permissive path which came to the Dalditch Lane. We remember this well as we passed our favourite 'Honey Bee' house with its side wall showing fancy ironwork patterns in the form of zigzag pipas, figures, animals, a miniature tractor, birds, etc.

The October short walk at Red Bridge ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Programme December 2020 (Subject to Covid-19 restrictions on the date) 2nd - SHORT WALK Bus to Sidmouth, footpath The Byes, Seafront, Jacob' s Ladder, coffee, bus Newton Poppleford. Next it was a climb up a bridle path to the screeches of 9th – Bus to The Bowd, Fire Beacon Hill, footpath to pheasants, then a walk beside pine trees which-gave off a Tipton, Seaway Lane, Harpford, Newton lovely scent. Passing this copse, we wandered over Poppleford. common land (Shortwood Common?). The only wild 16th – Northmostown, Burnt House Farm, footpath across flowers seen were the small pink campion and self-heal field, river walk to Otterton or Clinton Farm to (Prunella vulgaris). The latter flowers early summer and Colaton Raleigh for bus to Newton Poppleford. autumn. 23rd – School Lane, Monkey Lane, A3052, Stoneyford, Next over a stile into a large field, on to yet another Littledown, Newton Poppleford. pebble path which we crossed over quickly as a hedge th cutter was coming towards us, then through a gate where 30 – 9.15 at Memorial 9.20 Exmouth Road, 157 bus to after climbing up and down previously we were rewarded Knowle, wooded footpath to golf course, coast with beautiful views of sea, countryside and East path to Exmouth, bus back to Newton Poppleford. Budleigh village. About ½ an hour later found us sitting wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw on a bench in warm sunshine outside the Village Hall as The grandson had just taken a photograph of his there was a 3/4 hour wait for the bus back to Newton grandmother who’d come to stay for Christmas and Poppleford. However, there was a sudden change in the her 89th birthday. ‘Grannie, I sure hope I’m around weather and we endured a run for the bus shelter in a next year to photograph you on your 90th birthday,’ he heavy downpour of rain which flowed down the road and said tactfully. ‘Why not?’ his grandmother shrugged. into the nearby stream. ‘You look healthy enough.’

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

the editor's ramblings E managed a second mini-holiday to Dorset in the HIS MAGAZINE. Firstly, I make no apologies for W last week of October (half term). 2nd daughter, T hubby and twin granddaughters had booked the padding this issue out with plenty of Christmas stories, lighthouse cottage on the cliff top at Anvil Point, above jokes and snippets; even, perhaps, the odd recycled Swanage, as they have done in previous autumns. So we cracker joke (or groan!). Despite the government's took a small holiday flat in Swanage, and joined them for attempts to 'save Christmas' and encourage family and meals, walks on the coast path, nature trails in the party gatherings, we would be wise to 'do Christmas woodland and heath, and even a wet and windy sandy differently in 2020 to save Christmas in 2021'. So try to beach. have a non-traditional but still enjoyable Christmas by staying at home by the fireside (or under the duvet), and have a good read. Secondly, next year. The magazine made a loss of several hundred pounds in the previous full year, 2019, and looks set to make a loss in the current year also, though the final figures are not in yet. This cannot continue, as the church does not have a bottomless pit of money and nobody else is going to give us any grants. So the magazine team have had long discussions about whether we continue in printed form, or go on-line only: whether we can save by slimming down, printing differently or ... FTER our previous boating holiday, on the wettest It would seem that those who have responded have a A weekend ever recorded, we did see the odd patch of strong desire for a printed magazine – it can be put down sunshine. But there were plenty of showers and the wind and picked up again at will, and some like to keep it as a was a relentless force 6 plus, particularly up on the cliff handy reference of events, especially in happier times top, where it took two of us to shut the gate into the when village clubs are meeting. lighthouse compound against the gale. The waves crashing into the cliffs below impressively peaked at So the PCC have confirmed that there will be a printed about the height of my house. But we had a good time, magazine monthly for 2021, with a review again next with all sorts of activities with the girls, including November. Then there is the question of price. pumpkin carving. On our last morning we all walked out There are a lot of unknowns in forecasting costs – will to the cliff top overlooking Old Harry Rocks, and were we have the same number of advertisers, with small firms treated to a hovering display by the search-and-rescue going out of business due to the pandemic? Will a price helicopter. increase frighten off subscribers, so we get reduced sales? Will printing costs go up as a result of Brexit - most paper, ink etc is imported - and there look likely to be tariffs on trading come 1st January? We have stared hard into our crystal ball and set a price that should ensure that the magazine 'breaks even', unless there is an absolute disaster along the line. So the price is set at £12 for the year – £1.00 per copy. Hugely good value for money when compared with the £4 or £5 asked for other glossy publications. You can help by continuing your subscription, when your distributor comes knocking on the door after Christmas. If you have had a quiet Christmas, there should still be a few pounds in the kitty for the new year! You can also help by telling any friends and neighbours who don't yet have a magazine what great value it is for uniquely local interest, information and entertainment! ISTORY – The History Group's articles on the H history of postcards in the following pages were Finally, if you've got any good ideas about how to make held over from May and June as they couldn't be fitted the magazine even more interesting, or you are willing to into the slimline on-line only versions of the magazine contribute articles, please get in touch – full contact published in spring and early summer. I'm delighted to details on page 32. Happy Christmas and a better New make space for them now, and hope it may inspire others. Year! Haylor

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Nature’s comfort in hard times The latest restrictions and uncertainty may have impacted our normal seasonal preparations, inconvenienced

Christmas shopping, and prevented sociable festive get- th togethers. However, nature has continued unabated in its From the 18 century references mention kissing under annual readiness for wintertime. mistletoe, a tradition which you may continue to this day? Evergreens are symbols of life, being always green, even in the depths of winter. Anyone making the most of A parasitic plant, mistletoe takes up water and nutrients countryside walks will have noticed the wealth of fruit from its host tree. Although it can inhibit a trees growth, including rowan, blackthorn, hawthorn or the dog rose mistletoe rarely kills it and can be managed to ensure and it’s hard to miss the scarlet displays against glossy both stay healthy. The female plants bear the white, leaves on broom and holly. waxy berries which are favoured by thrushes and blackcaps who in turn help the future harvest by wiping Folk legends or old wives’ tales claim you can tell how the sticky seeds from their beaks into the bark of trees. harsh a winter will be, by the number of berries on rowan or holly. But plants cannot predict the future and this abundance has more to do with a combination of favourable conditions, such as the wet spring and a warm summer we experienced this year. So, whilst this natural bounty cannot help us forecast with certainty how cold or bleak the winter season will be, the splash of bright berries against bare or evergreen branches can hopefully bring solace in these dark times.

Ivy does not take from or damage trees but simply uses them, or other structures, in its climbing endeavour to reach the light. Ivy’s late season flowers enable butterflies to build up reserves of energy to overwinter. The small dark berries provide a valuable source of food for hundreds of species whilst its trailing nature and Holly produces a proliferation of red berries (or drupes dense ground cover provides a year-round refuge for for any botanical purists) to sustain wildlife especially small animals. mistle thrush and several mice species through the colder The slight toxicity of some evergreen fruits means they months. Garlands of holly were hung by our pagan will be consumed in lower numbers at any one time, so forebears to entice woodland spirits into their homes. supplies last well into winter. More palatable to humans Sacred to the Roman god, Saturn, who was worshipped at are those like rose hips, rowan berries or the fruit of the the midwinter festival of Saturnalia, holly keeps us warm blackthorn, used to colour and flavour sloe gin. If you as a good firewood when seasoned and can even provide are fond of foraging remember, like the birds, to take heat and a good flame when burnt green. This evergreen only a small amount from each plant, leaving plenty with its spiked leaves and blood red berries was then behind for other creatures to gather later. adopted by Christians to represent Christ’s thorny crown Whatever beliefs or symbolism you hold true and and sacrifice, forever securing its link to Christmas. however you choose to decorate your homes, bring some Mistletoe has long associations with fertility and links evergreen in too, so that hope and life may enter your with Ancient Greek and Druid mythology. The Romans homes this season. We wish you a very happy Christmas associated mistletoe with peace, love and understanding, and a healthy and peaceful New Year from all at Clinton hanging it over doorways to protect the household. Early Devon Estates. Christianity retained these traditions, hanging mistletoe Kate Ponting, Countryside Learning Officer 01395 for love, vitality as well as protection against witches. 443881 [email protected]

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

October 1st and March 31st, with the cooperation of the local fire department. We will put out notice before we intend to swale. Species feature: This month the species I want to highlight is the hen ESTIVE WISHES from the Aylesbeare Common harrier. There are historic records of hen harriers team! We hope you have a healthy and happy roosting on Aylesbeare over Winter, and although they F Christmas period. haven’t been recorded in recent years, we still go out The cows have left us. They have returned to their periodically in evenings throughout the Winter in hope grazier, to be replaced by the herd of Dartmoor and that one may make an appearance. The British Trust for Exmoor ponies for the Winter period. Around the same Ornithology run Hen Harrier Winter Roost surveys each time, clearance of the track sides down to Woolcombes year to try and gain a picture of the population of Hen th Plantation took place, primarily to allow our tractors Harriers in the UK, a project which is now in its 38 access down to the bottom, but with the added benefit of year, and we have been contributing for the past 33. opening up some lovely views across the mires. Hen harriers are one of our rarest birds of prey, yet Ash dieback is something at the forefront of our minds at continue they to be one of the most heavily persecuted. the moment. Along the stream on Harpford there are Smaller and slimmer than a buzzard, with narrower and nearly 50 ash trees, and sadly all of them have ash more angular wings in flight, adult male hen harriers are dieback. Ash dieback is an introduced fungal disease that light grey, with black-tipped wings and a white rump. is fatal to between 75-90% of the European Ash in the Females and juveniles are darker brown, with brown UK, as they have no natural defence against the fungus. banded markings on the tail, and paler on the breast and Young trees often die quickly, but older and larger ash rump. Both adults and juveniles have bright yellow legs may only succumb after repeated yearly cycles of and eyes, and a distinct facial disk (the bird equivalent of infection – this can lead to branches in the canopy dying cheekbones). Hen harriers nest on the ground in nests off and becoming brittle over time, which in adverse constructed mostly from heather, and, as with many birds weather are prone to falling. While the loss of ash trees of prey, the female is much larger than the male (around is a huge blow to the British countryside and represents a 400-600 grams compared to the male’s 300-500g), so tragic loss for many of our native species, where ash trees that she can defend her nest from other harriers that try to are present along public footpaths or tracks with severe invade her territory. Their diet chiefly consists of field dieback they can pose a safety hazard to our visitors. mice and other small rodents, but they will also catch lizards, amphibians, and large Where it is prudent to do so, we will leave what ash we insects when they can. Hen can (in some places that will only be as standing dead harriers pursue their prey flying wood), but those trees that we have identified as a health close to the ground, alternating and safety risk will have to be felled. Some felling of the between stretches of gliding and ash near the ford has already taken place; the brashy ends rapidly fluttering their wings. have been made into habitat piles to benefit the insects and reptiles on the reserve – nothing is wasted! Ash Find more information on Hen dieback can affect garden trees as well – but there are Harriers on the RSPB website plenty of resources available on the internet to teach you how to identify and deal with any dieback you might find on your property. Finally, I want to mention the possibility of controlled burns at some point during the Winter months. Swaling is the old English term for the controlled burning of large areas of heathland. Overgrown vegetation (particularly large stands of gorse) on the commons can detract from the value of the area for wildlife, and during the dry summer months can present a significant risk of wildfires. Wildfires are difficult to control and can destroy vast areas of sensitive heathland environment, Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, (female/juvenile) threatening wildlife, grazing animals, and potentially wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw human life and property. Swaling helps us manage leggy New Year’s Eve is coming soon… heathland vegetation, and clear the ground of dead The inventor of the bagpipes was inspired when he saw a heathers so that new growth can emerge. Areas on the man carrying an indignant asthmatic pig under his arm. Commons we intend to swale will have their fire breaks Unfortunately, the man-made sound never equalled the renewed to allow us to safely extinguish them once our purity of the sound achieved by the pig. - Alfred target area had been burnt. All our controlled burns take Hitchcock. place in an adequate period of dry weather between wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

This beautiful picture (previous column) by Amelia, aged 9, is our Junior winner. The glorious sunset is suffused with the colours of the rainbow as all the key characters assemble to celebrate Jesus' birth. Our challenge to young people was to design a calendar which features the colours of the rainbow as a reminder of and tribute to all of those key workers who continue to carry us through the pandemic. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Digital Christian Aid Week Quicker by Bike raises nearly 4 million Christian Aid Week 2020 was certainly a Christian Aid Week we won't forget! The coronavirus pandemic affected so much of your planned fundraising – but you triumphed, you persevered, and you went online. We have been so humbled by the dedication you have shown to supporting Christian Aid – not even a global pandemic could stop you from standing alongside the most vulnerable. In total you raised nearly 4 million pounds and we could not be more grateful for all your hard work and passion. Thank you. Christian Aid Week May 2021 We’re not sure what the coronavirus situation will be like next year yet but we’re currently developing a range of When I reach 94, I want to be like Ernest Slade. Not ideas and activities for Christian Aid Week 2021 that will only is he blessed with a large and loving family, which be suitable for whatever social distancing restrictions are extends to a great-great-grandson, but he leads such an in place then. These will include several digital active lifestyle that he regularly cycles four miles to a fundraising ideas and the return of our e-Envelope local lake where he sails a dinghy. We are proud to say that Ernest is our oldest cycle insurance customer. He came to my own attention when he recently made a claim for accidental damage to his trusty electric bicycle. I wrote to him and he was kind enough to invite me to his home for a cup of tea and a natter about the bike makes from a bygone era like BSA, Rudge and Hercules. wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw When Ernest retired 28 years ago, he wanted to save the Real Advent Calendars money he was spending on his car so he traded it in for a bicycle, which he now uses every day. When he isn’t off We are delighted to announce the winning entries for our to the local lake for a sail, he is using it for local errands Real Advent Calendar competition. – he even travels the one-and-a-half miles to his doctor. People often overlook the benefits of a bicycle as a mobility aid, but as Ernest explains to me, whilst he may not be able to walk too far, his electric-assist bicycle allows him to travel for miles. And as he points out, “It’s quicker by bike than it is by car”. ETA Cycle Insurance wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Present First man: ‘My wife doesn’t know what she wants for Christmas.’ Second man: ‘You’re lucky. Mine does.’ wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Electric Transport Mobility Scooters Colaton Raleigh News There are two categories of mobility scooter. Class 2 Colaton Raleigh mobility scooters can’t be used on the road (except where there isn’t a pavement) and have a maximum speed of 4 Remembrance mph. This type of mobility scooter does not need to be In the absence of a Service of Remembrance on 8th registered. November, (in accordance with current government restrictions) a wreath was laid at the War Memorial in the Class 3 mobility scooters can be used on the road, and th have a maximum speed of 4 mph off the road, and 8 mph church on 10 November by Christopher Pound (vice on the road. It's a legal requirement to register these chairman) on behalf of the Parish Council. larger class 3 scooters with the DVLA. "We in this parish will remember them." Either type of scooter needs to have lights front and back wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw if used on the road after dark. Colaton Raleigh Christmas Tandem mobility scooters are no different Art Walk-Around from a conventional th driver-only model, other 20 December 2.00pm than their stretched Long time no see. Hoping that we might manage an art chassis and additional event. Please enter your festive scarecrow garden entries seat. However, they are by 5.00pm Wednesday 16th December. Email not currently legal to use on British roads or pavements. [email protected] for entry forms. It seems obvious why tandem mobility scooters can be so Walk around 2.00pm on Sunday 20th December, I will useful for older couples – especially when one person is email out maps. If it’s pouring will reschedule for no longer able to operate a scooter on their own. 2.00pm on Tuesday 22nd. Electric Bicycles wvwvwvvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Pedal-assisted electric bicycles may be used on public roads and cycle lanes, provided they meet a set of requirements – the motor may only be operated to assist pedalling (no pedal, no power), the motor must be rated at no more than 250W and the power-assisted speed must be limited to 15.5mph. Bikes should have bells and reflectors and carry (working) lights at night. Electric bicycles which can be powered without pedalling, are not speed limited or have more powerful motors are classed as motor cycles – and must be registered, taxed and insured for use on the highway. No bicycle may be legally ridden on any footway Electric Scooters This year there is a huge advertising push to buy one for Christmas. Beware, it is not legal to use one in any public place – road, cycleway, footpath, carpark, sea- front esplanade, etc. The police are empowered to confiscate without compensation. There are some trial areas where the government is trying out hired electric scooters for local transport, but these models are speed- limited and location limited and are not allowed on pavements. In my view the experiment should not be extended more widely, without at least similar requirements to pedal- assisted electric bicycles – scooters are inherently less visible and less stable than bicycles. Electric Cars The environmental future? They must comply with the full construction and use regulations for road vehicles.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

imagination so much that in their heyday between Wish You Were Here 1890~1920 they even took the place of the traditional family photo album. Post-Card Collecting – 1 Virtually every country in the world produced cards in Why do I and other folk collect such trifles, most of ever increasing numbers. In 1902 Britain was the first which were produced in the 20th century? There are very country to divide the back of the card which allowed the many reasons why local-view postcards are so address and a message to be written, with a picture on the collectable. We collect them purely for nostalgia, to see front. the times of our grandparents or in our own childhood. The years before the first world war have been called 'the You can collect and research local scenes of piers, town golden age' of the picture postcard, as everyone used halls, churches streets and railway stations. them for messages before the telephone was widely used. Postcards are very wide-ranging. They embrace dress, Postcards of all description and subject were produced public and personal transport, entertainment, carnivals, and collections were popular. Many of these cards were outings, sport and domestic life. produced in Germany; of course, with the outbreak of Postcards have recorded aspects of post 1900 local hostilities this supply came to an end. history, how towns change, visits by royalty or other After the war the hobby never recovered: understandably, notables, celebrations, disasters, extreme weather or a nation trying to come to terms with the enormous merely life before the first world war, typical beach or casualties found it very hard to resume any pre-war high street scenes or just happy memories. trivialities. The role of the postcard changed, becoming Simple pleasures before the advent of TV, or before some increasingly associated with the seaside holiday. of our towns became the scene of more dangerous battles. One name that stands out is Donald Fraser Gould McGill, All these and many facts of history are well illustrated in born 1875 and became a legend in his own lifetime. often quite inexpensive picture postcards. There are When he died in 1962 his name and familiar signature many books that use postcards to illustrate interesting were already synonymous with the comic postcard. aspects of the history of our towns and villages. There were others, but McGill is the rare artist whose When we come to the non-pictorial postcard, the name became his trademark. McGill would joke that his amusing, comic or slightly risqué postcards of Donald 1875 birth place was near the monkey cage in Regents McGill and others, these too almost invariably featured Park Zoo, and said, "It was pure luck that I was outside the seaside – for a century, most Britons took a week at a the cage." seaside resort as their main or only holiday. Donald McGill, an extraordinary combination of serious In considering postcards you must remember that, just as student and renowned humourist, would have appreciated the population of any town was divided between long- a final ironic joke. In 1977 his place among the 'Great term residents and visitors, so postcards on sale were and the Good' was recognised by no less that the Greater likewise divided into different types, local features or London Council – one of their coveted blue plaques now views. Topographical cards were mass produced. In marks the large Victorian house where he lived from general, holiday-makers preferred a pretty picture rather 1931 to 1939 in the Greenwich/Blackheath area. than accuracy: after all they were only going to add a The plaque ceremony was somewhat unusual – young very short message of "Having a wonderful time!" men in striped blazers and straw boaters paraded outside In the late 1890s and early 1900s they became the email the house, together with scantily-clad bathing belles, of the time – convenient, brief and speedy message saucy maids, crestfallen curates and the sort of red-nosed carriers. characters which McGill had made his own. When the great moment for the unveiling arrived, the usual blue The present-day historian must bear in mind however that velvet curtains had been replaced by a pair of frilly pictorial cards were published or printed by large non- Edwardian bloomers. local firms; they enjoyed a long sale spread over years. For example, cards showing views of Worthing Pier, McGill enjoyed his school days, particularly sport, but an Sussex, as it was in 1910 were still on sale in the summer ankle injury became diseased and led to his foot being of 1913, by which time the pier had been destroyed in a amputated. He started his career by working at architects great gale. The same cards were most probably still on firms in London, doing little sketches on notes to family sale in 1915, after the replacement had been built and and friends. At the age of 30, and despite having a opened. family to support, he left his secure job as a draughtsman and set out in the postcard world. The timing proved Post-Card Collecting – 2 perfect, coinciding with the booming industry. He was When the world's first postcard appeared in Austria in still producing designs for cards well into his eighties. 1869, and in Britain a year later, the postcard began to appear more widely over the next few years. During the Paris Exhibition of 1889 they received a big boost in popularity as a means of sending messages. It triggered Even though the History Group is not meeting at present, off a craze for collecting and caught the public you can all keep searching for memorabilia or even postcards for our group.

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

90 years ago, on 2nd December 1930, in his second State Lockdown 2 – the History Group gets to the of the Union address, US President Herbert Hoover bottom of recent history-in-the-making. announced a huge public works programme to stimulate So here we are back in Lockdown until the 2nd of the economy and create jobs during the Great December and again toilet tissue is taking top spot on the Depression. household shopping list, supermarket shelves are being 80 years ago, on 29th December 1940, Germany dropped wiped clean of the items. What do people want with all thousands of incendiary bombs on London, causing the this cleansing material? There's a name for people with worst fire damage since the Great Fire of London in this obsession to stockpile so many rolls of toilet tissue – 1666. About 200 people were killed. 'Loo-oologist'. 75 years ago, on 27th December 1945, the World Bank, I wondered what they do with all the cardboard inserts? the International Monetary Fund, and the International Blue Peter have requested that they be sent to them, so Bank for Reconstruction and Development were formally that they can make this year's Christmas present – a founded. model underground tube link, that starts at 'Are You 70 years ago, on 14th December 1950, the United Nations Sitting Comfortably North' and ending at 'Crinkle Bottom High Commissioner for Refugees (also known as the UN South': stopping en-route at a station named after a world Refugee Agency) was established. war 1 publication 'Wipers Times'. Other stations on the th line are 'Cistern Citadel', 'Flushing Down South', 60 years ago, on 9 December 1960, the first episode of 'Shunters Yard' - alight here for 'Keep Running on the the TV soap opera Coronation Street was broadcast. Green' where there is an overflow car park. Then you 40 years ago, on 8th December 1980, John Lennon, rock arrive at your destination 'Crinkle Bottom' two hours late musician and peace activist and a member of the Beatles, as there was a blockage at 'Wet Wipe Halt', where an was shot dead, aged 40, outside his New York City absence of any movement was affecting the regular apartment by Mark Chapman, a deranged fan. steady and even service of the tube train. At 'Crinkle 30 years ago, on 1st December 1990, British and French Bottom' there is a supermarket that has toilet rolls on a construction workers on the Channel Tunnel broke BOGOF offer (Buy One Get One Free). through the last wall of rock separating the two halves, All the above is not true, and no toilet rolls were harmed and Britain and France were linked for the first time in in the writing of this article. Terry thousands of years. 20 years ago, on 13th December 2000 that George W Bush finally claimed the US presidency, 36 days after the election was held, following a legal battle over disputed History Help votes in Florida. Old stagers, rack your brains please. When we took our roof off last year to do our major loft conversion, I found one of the old joists had four names Congratulations inscribed on it – a common practice among builders at the time (mid 1950s?) to leave a mark. ONGRATULATIONS to Otter Valley Association member Patrick Hamilton who has They were – G. Spencer, H. BAILEY. ??ABNER, C been named Countryside Champion in the Radio and the fourth was completely illegible. Exe 'Pride of Devon Awards', for his tireless conservation If anyone can identify any of these chaps (assumed all work. men) and give any clues about which local builder they Patrick was nominated by CDE Countryside Learning worked for, I'd be delighted to hear. Officer Kate Ponting. In her nomination, Kate said: Haylor 568786 “Patrick plays a huge part in the Otter Valley Association running worthwhile projects and practical conservation work including annual litter picks and extricating Himalayan balsam – a plant that threatens the native All in the month of December biodiversity of the Otter Valley. st “This year, despite restrictions on group sizes, Patrick’s 400 years ago, on 21 December 1620, the first party efforts have not been diminished. He and a team of from the British ship Mayflower arrived at Plymouth volunteers have still managed to win the fight against the Colony. They began building houses two days later. invasive plant. The landscape and communities of the 300 years ago, on 31st December 1720 ,Charles Edward Lower Otter Valley are much indebted to Patrick’s Stuart, commonly known as ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ was tireless efforts. He is a true countryside champion.” born. Stuart claimant to the British throne and leader of The awards were streamed on Radio Exe’s YouTube the unsuccessful Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46. channel. 250 years ago, on 16th December 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer and pianist was born.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Newton Poppleford & Shop Co-op to support Harpford Tennis Club the Fairlynch Museum

THINK AUTUMN has now arrived with the weather E’RE DELIGHTED The Fairlynch Museum at getting colder and by the time you read this the Budleigh Salterton has been selected to take clocks will have been turned back. Winter will soon Wpart in the Co-op Local Community Fund. I You can help us by signing up for a Co-op card and be upon us. Still we continue to play tennis in a safe way outside. Let’s hope it is not too cold a winter and shopping at the Co-op – simple! certainly not too wet. Join Co-op for £1 and choose the Fairlynch to support. We had our Summer Competition and managed to get the When you buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p 4 rounds done in good weather conditions. The winner by for every £1 spent goes back to you. And the Co-op will 1 point was Chris Burhop with Steve Filer coming give the same amount to the Fairlynch! second. Jon Evans and Ann Kelly came joint third 1 point The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects behind Steve Filer. It was a great afternoon of tennis and across the UK and we are so pleased to have been everybody was appreciative of the work we put in to chosen. make it Covid secure and still have fun. Every time Co-op members buy selected Co-op branded At the moment it is impossible to plan any social events products and services, they give local causes a helping and it looks unlikely we will be able to have a Christmas hand. The Co-op also give all money raised from Dinner but things could change. In the meantime, all we shopping bag sales to the Fairlynch, to help even more. can really do is keep playing tennis The more members who select the Fairlynch and shop Our new coach is running various sessions both on our with the Co-op, the more funds we’ll receive –and this courts and in Exmouth, on an individual basis and for won't cost you anything! small groups. If anybody is interested in having coaching If you already shop at the Co-op and have a card, please please contact Steve File or myself and we will put you log in and select the Fairlynch as your cause. in touch with him. If you are not yet a member, you can join online at Our Monday Afternoon sessions continue throughout the coop.co.uk/membership or by downloading the Co-op year. If you are interested, we have a WhatsApp group app on your phone. where you will receive messages about who can play and at what time. You can also initiate an impromptu match Each time you shop, remember to have your card scanned just by saying “Anyone fancy a game”. If you are – at the lovely Co-op in interested in joining this group, just let me know. These Budleigh Salterton, or any other Monday sessions are open to all members and we play branch you may use. Please do every Monday afternoon from 2.00 pm to around 4.00 contact us at the Fairlynch if pm. So, if you fancy a game of tennis then just come you need any help with this – along any Monday. We also often play on Wednesdays we are also happy to collect a and sometimes on Sundays as well. form for you and even apply on your behalf if you are not If anybody is interested in seeing if the Tennis Club is for currently leaving the house. them, please call me contact details below. I am happy to meet anybody on the tennis court for a free session to see https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/48670 if those latent but rusty skills are still there, we even have wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw some spare racquets. "I didn't look much - I've only got little eyes!" David Zirker 7 year-old, about to be scolded for peeking at tel: 01395 567430 or mobile 07802 755411 her Christmas presents or email [email protected] December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

Tech Corner Heartfelt Thanks Do you really need a VPN? to the NHS… VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN allows I was chatting on the phone the other evening, when I you to connect to a remote network and behave as if you heard a sudden loud crashing noise upstairs. I ran to find were right there in the building. In the business world out what was going on, and was somewhat taken aback to this means you can sit at home but connect to your work discover a pair of bright blue trousers hanging through network and use features on your work IT system; things the landing ceiling. Pamela’s plan to do a bit of tidying like shared folders, business applications, mail servers, up in the loft had gone amiss, when the plank she was even printers. This technology has been around for standing on tipped sideways. Little by little her tummy decades and is, or was, a great way to allow employees to and then her whole torso emerged through the hole, work at home. before she leaped dramatically to one side in order to VPN software was always a bit clunky and tended to be avoid tumbling down the staircase below. used by a minority of more techie people. In the last 5 It was only the next morning that we decided a trip to the years or so home working has become much more RD&E might be called for. The diagnosis: a broken commonplace and systems have adapted to work well ankle. The result: a plaster cast from toe to knee. But the remotely without VPN software. Business email is now hospital couldn’t have been kinder, more thorough, or all hosted in the cloud such as Office 365, many business more efficient. Given all that they are facing during the applications have done the same such as QuickBooks and current pandemic, it is almost miraculous that they with collaborative platforms like Teams or SharePoint, should provide such fastidious care and attention. I know working fine without a VPN in sight. So why are we we keep saying how wonderful the NHS is, but so often seeing so many adverts for VPNs. when you encounter it at first hand, it goes far beyond With a normal internet connection, without a VPN, your your hopes and expectations. So this household for one, internet browsing is logged by your ISP. If you were to and I suspect that many of our readers as well, are truly browse some illegal material, such as a terrorism fan site, grateful to everyone who works for the NHS. it’s possible your activity on that site could be monitored The Very Revd Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter by your ISP. If they were issued with a court order, they wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw could link your computer to your own physical address and you would get a helicopter landing on your lawn. Modern VPN software is less about connecting to a work network and more about masking your activity on the internet. VPN software might link you to a network in another country to make it look like you are there. If you visit an illegal site the authorities can only see the end of the VPN tunnel, and have to go through another layer before they can find you. This is very useful if you’re selling drugs or human kidneys, but not particularly useful if you’re a normal user browsing the web, checking email and the occasional cat video. A VPN can actually cause problems to geographical sites like BBC, National Lottery, Sky TV, which will not work if they think you are located outside the UK. Of course this can also be an advantage: if you are staying out of the country and want to watch the BBC iPlayer then a VPN service can make it look like you’re back on the mainland and allow you access. Do you need a VPN? Nope. VPN software is pushed hard by companies like Nord, AVG, Norton, etc but it’s a total waste of money unless you’re a career criminal or drug dealer. I hope you find this information useful. If you would like to see particular subjects covered then please feel free to ask at www.alfindlay.com. Al Findlay | Freelance IT & AV Support Consultant |

Website design and Hosting | www.AlFindlay.com | 01395 542500 Mark receives the latest Christmas coronavirus Al Findlay regulations from the diocesan office

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

Wordsearch

All the word in bold in the following appear in the square. Can you find then all?

Silent Night. This much-loved carol comes from Austria, where it was first sung as Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht on Christmas Eve, 1818. It was written by Father Joseph Mohr, a young priest at St Nicholas parish church, in the village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg. As Christmas 1818 approached, he asked the local schoolmaster, Franz Xaver Gruber, to compose a melody for his carol. Gruber was organist in the nearby village of Arnsdorf, and so was happy to oblige. On Christmas Eve they presented the carol to the church during the midnight mass. The carol went on to become loved world-wide; and the version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best-selling single of all time.

Christmas Eve Winter Solstice st How do you celebrate Christmas Eve? It has its own 21 December customs, the most popular of which is going to Midnight A Midwinter festival has been a part of life since pre- Mass, or the Christ-Mas. This is the only Mass of the Christian times. When the hours of daylight are fewest, year that is allowed to start after sunset. In Catholic the warmth of the sun weakest, and life itself seemingly countries such as Spain, Italy and Poland, Midnight Mass at a standstill, our ancestors, the pagan peoples of Europe is in fact the most important church service of the entire and Western Asia, kept festival by lighting bonfires and Christmas season, and many people traditionally fast decorating their buildings with evergreens. beforehand. In other countries, such as Belgium and Perhaps they believed that the dying sun could be Denmark, people dine during the evening, and then go on enheartened by fire, and the life of the buried seed to the Midnight Service. assured by the presence of evergreen branches. The British are behind some countries when it comes to With the advent of Christianity, the Spring gods became exchanging presents: in Germany, Sweden and Portugal identified with Christ, and the birthday of the sun with the custom is to exchange on Christmas Eve. But the the birthday of the Light of the World. British are ahead of Serbia and Slovakia, where the The early church father Tertullian did not approve of Christmas tree is not even brought into the house and Christmas decorations. “Let those who have no light in decorated until Christmas Eve. themselves light candles!... You are the light of the Yule logs are not so popular since the decline of the world, you are the tree ever green....” But by the time of fireplace, but traditionally it was lit on Christmas Eve St Gregory and St Augustine, four centuries later, this from a bit of the previous year’s log, and then would be had changed. Pope Gregory instructed Augustine not to burned non-stop until 12th Night (6th January). Tradition worry about harmless outward customs, as long as the also decreed that any greenery such as holly, ivy or right God be worshipped through them. And so many mistletoe must wait until Christmas Eve until being Anglo-Saxon customs were never discarded, but simply brought into the house. endowed with a new significance. wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw By 1598 one John Stow of London wrote how: “Against Why begin at midnight with Holy Communion? the feast of Christmas, every man’s house, as also their parish churches, were decked with holme, ivie, bayes, The hour was first chosen at Rome in the fifth century to and whatsoever the season of the yeare afforded to be symbolise the idea that Christ was born at midnight – a greene.” mystical idea in no way hindered by historical evidence! No one knows the real hour of his birth. wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR

And there were shepherds Luke’s story of the birth of Jesus is brilliantly told – the angel’s visit to Mary to tell her she would be mother of the long-promised Messiah, the old priest in the Temple told by another angel that his wife would have a son to be called ‘John’, who would prepare the people of Israel for that event, and then Mary and Joseph making the 60 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, as required by the Roman census. When they got there, no room at the inn, and they settled instead for a convenient stable, where Mary gave birth to a boy child. Suddenly, Luke changes the tone. ‘And there were shepherds …’ – that’s what he actually wrote, just like that. ‘And there were shepherds’, doing exactly what shepherds do, looking after their flocks by night. But this night was different: yet another angelic message – a call to abandon their sheep and go into Bethlehem to see the baby Messiah. They were given directions and a ‘sign’ to identify Him. He would be lying in a feeding trough. Well, at least they would recognise that. And why the shepherds, in this glorious story of our salvation? Because the event needed witnesses, and the chosen witnesses would be this bunch of scruffy, smelly shepherds straight from the sheep-pen. Nothing could speak more eloquently of God’s purpose than that. This was not a Saviour for the strong, rich and powerful, but for everybody. The carpenter and his wife guarded the Saviour of the world, and the very first witnesses were not kings or priests but a handful of shabby shepherds. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ So, the Roman Empire achieved something it never Why the world was ready intended: it helped spread news of Christianity far and for Christmas wide for 400 years. After that, the Empire crumbled, and the borders shut down. Not until the 19th century would Ever wonder why Jesus was born when he was? The people again roam so freely. The time for Jesus to be Bible tells us that “when the time had fully come, God born, and for news of him to be able to travel, had indeed sent forth His Son…” The Jewish people had been ‘fully come’. waiting for their Messiah for centuries. Why did God send him precisely when he did? wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Many biblical scholars believe that the ‘time had fully Miscellaneous Christmas observations come’ for Jesus because of the politics of the time. The Putting on weight is the penalty for exceeding the feed Roman Empire’s sheer size and dominance had achieved limit. something else unique in world history: the opportunity Christmas: The time when everyone gets Santamental. for travel from Bethlehem to Berwick on Tweed without Christmas is the season when your neighbour keeps you ever crossing into ‘enemy territory’ or needing a awake playing ‘Silent Night’. ‘passport’. Father to three-year old: "No, a reindeer is not a horse For the first time ever, it was possible for ‘common’ with TV antenna.” people to travel wide and far, and quickly spread news and ideas. And all you needed were two languages - Every year, Christmas becomes less a birthday and more Greek to the east of Rome, and Latin to the west and a Clearance Sale. north. You could set sail from Joppa (Tel Aviv) and head Christmas is in my heart 12 months a year, and thanks to for any port on the Med. And the Roman roads ran credit cards, it's on my Visa card statement 12 months a straight and true throughout the empire. year as well.

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020

STOP PRESS Thanks Devon Library Services Margaret Kimber would like to say a huge thank you for all the good wishes, very many Mobile Library cards, abundant flowers, chocolates, bottles and cake ..... to celebrate her 90th birthday. And particular Tuesday 1 December thanks to the School Lane community who turned Colaton Raleigh out on their doorsteps at teatime to sing Happy Eden Way 10.30 to 11.00 am Birthday. Newton Poppleford Congratulations, Margaret! Brook Meadow 11.15 to 12.00 pm Burrow Lane 12.15 to 12.45 pm Venn Ottery Sunnyside 13.30 to 14.00 pm The Pudding Day This service is now being provided by the Exmouth Mobile Library. details at librariesunlimited.org.uk 61 people received a choice of pudding delivered to their home on Saturday 21st November in aid of Vision & wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Victory – a charity supporting the community of Karaiani in Kenya. £425 was raised: many thanks to all who Relatively Speaking supported this event at a difficult time when we couldn't If you see any of the family this Christmas, sit down to a cream tea together, and very particular huge remember this: thanks to Rosemary and David Zirker who gave so generously of their time and resources to make, package Auntie: one who has stopped growing at both ends, and and distribute all the puddings. who is now growing in the middle. Egoist: the relative who is usually me-deep in Many Thanks conversation. Handkerchief: cold storage by your cousin. Secret: something that you tell to only one member of the family at a time. Toothache: the pain that drives you to extraction, even on Christmas Day. Benefits of a good vocabulary Yawn: an honest opinion from an uncle, openly I recently called an old engineering buddy of mine expressed. and asked what he was working on these days. Wrinkles: something your relatives have gained since He replied that he was working on "Aqua-thermal you last saw them. You have character lines. treatment of ceramics, aluminium and steel under a wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw constrained environment." Love is what's in the room with you at I was impressed until, upon further inquiry, I Christmas if you stop opening presents learned that he was washing the dishes with hot for a minute and look around. water under his wife's supervision. wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

The Magazine aims to be of service in carrying news and articles of the wide The Magazine variety of local life and in providing a calendar and notice of forthcoming Editorial Group events. We welcome contributions from all, providing they are legal, decent Jaclynn Baker & honest and don't conflict with our charitable status. Copy may be placed in Haylor Lass the letterbox on the Church gatepost in the week before the closing date, or to Wendy Lee the Editor, Haylor Lass, at Sunnyhill, Littledown Lane, Newton Poppleford, Telsa Mace EX10 0BG –telephone 01395 568786, Revd Mark Ward e-mail [email protected] Advertising to Wendy Lee 01395 567715

December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR NEWTON POPPLEFORD VILLAGE HALL • Village centre • Comfortable seating • Small meeting room • Main stage • £8 per hour to include use of kitchen • Special rates for parties

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The Pavilion Back Lane, Newton Poppleford For events, mee!ngs, fitness and more # Hall seats 80 people with scope for a marquee # Commercial kitchen # Car parking # Playground and sports field # Projector screen Enquiries: [email protected] Geraldine Swan 01395 567450 or Paul Hayward 07711 929227

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020 33 Colaton Raleigh Village Hall meets all your private and commercial needs Wifi, projector & screen Premises licence for up to 130 people Main Hall with stage Fully equipped kitchen / Smaller meeting rooms Treatment room / Shower facilities Disabled parking & access Competitive session & 24hr hire charges For information & bookings contact Rowan 01395 567339, Lorraine 01395 567551 or email: [email protected]

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34 December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR Harpford Village Hall Bought by the community, run for the community • Pretty village location • Fully equipped Kitchen • Attractive wood panelled main room Domestic • Perfect for smaller groups, Contract meetings, meals, parties etc Commercial • Warm and cosy • £8 per hour Free Quotes 01395 273453 Information – Val Ranger 01395 568460 Free Measuring 07957 591270 [email protected] Bookings or to have a look around – Free Fitting Nick Howe 01395 568679 www.eastdevonblinds.co.uk Visit our website: https://harpfordvillagehall.wordpress.com

Philip Edwards: Gardener/Handyman * Fencing and gates * Gardening and grass cutting, Hedge trimming * Pressure washing * Seasoned logs Please call Philip on 07766 713031 and leave a message

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020 35 ‘Your Local Builder’ Specialising in EXTENSIONS, GARAGE CONVERSIONS & LOFT CONVERSIONS Also ALTERATIONS, GENERAL BUILDING & REFURBISHMENTS Visit our website at www.wightmanbuilders.com Mobile 07790 014449/01395 568946 West View, Southerton, Ottery St Mary Builders

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36 December 2020 Parish Magazine NP, H & CR Carly Rollason Extra accommodation needed? Professional hairstylist Bed and Breakfast at Have your hair cut, styled, coloured or Hillcrest, Exmouth Road permed in the comfort Newton Poppleford of your own home En-Suite Twin Room with glorious views, in a peaceful setting Call to arrange an TV/DVD and Hot & Cold Drinks appointment or a Please contact Alan and Helen Hulse free consultation Tel 07968 055776 or E-Mail [email protected] 07812 382290 or visit www.hillcrestbandb.com

Hatha Yoga Classes in Newton Poppleford Mondays from 6.15­7.45pm and Fridays 11.30­13.00 in a private home studio Aromatherapy, Holis!c Indian Head/Massage, Reiki Healing, Hot Stone Massage, Medita!on Available Tuesday/Wednesday a#ernoons – Tel: Helen Goodman­Payne on 01395 567096

Parish Magazine NP, H & CR December 2020 37 Climate Solutions

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The Parish Magazine is published by St Luke’s Church, Newton Poppleford EX10 0EG