The Special Online edition of the Parish Magazine for , Harpford and Colaton Raleigh

During the time of Coronavirus Emergency our volunteer distributors are not able to get out and deliver the usual printed version of the Parish Magazine – it will be back as soon as possible, but meanwhile this monthly online edition hopes to inform and entertain you during the period of lockdown.

days out walking and enjoying all the Editorial Ramble flowers, butterflies and birds as well Cover Picture – 1st August is as the splendid local scenery have traditionally Lammas Day, been an absolute boon to our mental celebrating the bread made from the well-being. first wheat harvest of the year. (Old Yesterday, after some splendid views English. lammas = loaf) all round from Cadbury Castle, we couldn't get to our next planned hillfort, so we had an afternoon's walk alongside the Grand Western Canal at Halberton. Thrilled to see a mob (gang? swoop?) of six red kites following a tractor-drawn hay rake to pick off the small animals exposed by raking the hay into rows ready for baling. We hadn't seen so many red kites outside of Wales before. A pair of buzzards were also circling ready for the left-overs. Coupled with some jokes and funny stories, a puzzle and some general interest items to keep the brain active, I hope you will find this a worthwhile No Apologies – very little news from read from cover to cover. Do let me the villages in this issue; that is know if you're a crossword addict, a because not much is happening, with wordsearch fiend or maze puzzler none of the local clubs functioning and I will try to oblige. except for the Tennis Club in the open air and suitably socially Next month we'll be back with a full distanced. printed magazine for September, which will also be available on-line. Lots from our Ward Councillor – The School will be starting up again administration is still going on – and and some of the societies will be particularly about GESP. It may planning for their futures, even if still seem boring, but I'm sure none of us unable to meet. Please contribute any wants to see our green and pleasant forthcoming dates, interesting land covered in houses that articles, plans for the future of your satisfy none of the needs for local club, etc, to make the magazine local, young people, and bring no extra interesting and useful. facilities into the area (except traffic jams!). Copy deadline th Also no apologies for lots of wildlife 15 August, please and countryside content – our weekly Haylor 2 August 2020 Popplemag

Many may not want to come back Church into the churches at present, due to a The Sunday services on 'Zoom' have mixture of safety reasons and the been popular, both with regular feeling that church would not be the churchgoers, those who could not get same without singing, close to a church building, and a few from fellowship (and sharing coffee around the county – typically 50 - 60 together). people each week are part of that BBC One has sadly now stopped virtual congregation, so that is not broadcasting a TV morning worship going to stop overnight or for a long service, but continues with a Radio 4 time yet. Every Sunday at 10.00am service at 8.10am and TV Songs of email Mark, Praise, around lunchtime. And there [email protected], if is lots happening online, YouTube, you'd like to be sent the link on a Facebook and elsewhere – probably Saturday for the next day. more church 'availability' than there Colaton Raleigh church is open for has ever been. private prayer for a couple of mornings a week – see the notice on Community the church gate for days and times. Delighted to hear that Ken Winfield Mark is hoping to re-open St Luke's of Newton Poppleford reached his Church for a quiet (no singing) 100th birthday on 30th June – and service at 11.00am, to follow the made the local Telly news. zoom service. Perhaps starting for Congratulations. the second half of August. In the Also sad to hear of a number of local coming weeks the vicar, church people have passed away during the wardens and PCCs will be exploring Lockdown, without the opportunity manageable ways in which the for us to attend funeral or memorial churches may open alongside the services. The magazine carries Sid online service, without putting any Vale Association's tribute to Handel pressure on people to attend. There Bennett on a later page. The editor may be very good reasons why you would be pleased to include other may need to continue to worship in a obituaries submitted so others can different way online or simply at share in the celebration of lives well home. lived. Under the current rules, this will So, although the traffic on the A3052 involve at least hand sanitising, social has increased enormously with the distancing and face masks. And holiday season and business activity, anyone ill or vulnerable is asked to we await with some resignation the stay at home. restarting of the local societies. Popplemag August 2020 3

panic; and the panic is produced by From the Vicar fear. Several years ago the Christian Now, as the lockdown is loosened musician Matt Redman wrote a song and we can do more and travel called ‘The Friendship and the Fear’. further, there is a new fear that seems I was reminded of this title recently to be gripping many people in when I re-watched the sci-fi film Devon—it is a fear of aliens. These ‘Arrival’. Arrival is set in the present aliens are not from outer-space but day and imagines aliens with from out-o’-Devon. The fear is that technology vastly superior to our own people from other parts of the country visiting the earth. The aliens have will bring their Covid-19 and share it come in friendship, but the human with us. When we start using words race responds with fear. The heroine like ‘hordes’ or ‘flocking’ or worse of the story is a linguist, who ‘invasion’, it is a sure sign that we are manages to put aside her fear and leaning towards fear instead of reach out in friendship. In one key friendship. scene she literally reaches out with When we see pictures of traffic jams her hand. or crowded beaches, it is tempting to The human race as a whole, though, see a mass of people who are is portrayed as driven by fear. invading. Although logically we Among the politicians and military know that thousands of people have leaders around the world there is an not organised themselves to go to the urge to attack the alien spaceships— south west all on the same day, we shoot-first-just-in-case is the often talk as if that were the case. temptation. Among the general But of course the invading hordes are public the reaction to the alien arrival actually individual families. is panic. Quickly the roads are Much of my early childhood was gridlocked and food and fuel run out. spent living in south London. There There is looting and violence. This is were a few years when we lived in a not just over-the-top drama on the flat. I am the oldest in the family, I part of the filmmakers; it is have a brother fifteen months completely believable—not the younger, and our baby brother was aliens, you understand, but the human born when we lived in the flat. I also reaction to fear. have a sister, but by the time she was In comparison the reaction of the born we had a house with a garden. British public to the coronavirus was Living in the flat was not awful. I relatively mild. But do you was blessed with loving, caring remember those days back in March parents, and we were a happy family. when the supermarket shelves were But we did not have much money and stripped bare of rice, pasta, tins and we did not have a garden. There was of course toilet-rolls!? We call it a park nearby but no countryside. ‘panic-buying’ because it is driven by continued next page 4 August 2020 Popplemag from the Vicar, continued and the sacraments in in What we did have once a year, more than 800 years.” though, was a week in Devon. My She said also that there will have dad’s mum, my grandma, knew been “real joy” as people began “to someone who knew someone who come together again – if even at a owned a cottage near Luppitt, not far physical distance – but I also know from . For a few years, when that many will be understandably I would have been five, six, seven cautious at this news. years old, we had what to me were “We will not be returning to idyllic holidays in this old cottage in normality overnight - this is the next this beautiful place called Devon. I step on a journey. We’ve been can I still remember the local farmer planning carefully, making detailed bringing milk on the back of his advice available for parishes to tractor and giving my brother and me enable them to prepare to hold a ride. He offered friendship. services when it is safe and practical So I want to put in a plea on behalf of to do so. It is important to say that the aliens from out-o’-Devon. Yes, the change in Government guidance is Covid-19 virus has not gone away, permissive, not prescriptive. and yes, other parts of the country "I would particularly like to thank have got it worse than we have; but clergy and lay leaders for all they the holiday-makers are not an alien have done during the time our invasion, they are people like us, buildings have been closed.” many of whom have had a tough few Bishop Sarah warned that there will months, coming in search of a break still be restrictions, “and we must all and some fresh air. still do everything we can to limit the Can we overcome our fear and extend spread of the virus… The online a socially distanced hand of services and dial-in worship offerings friendship? we have got used to will continue. Mark “This has been an incredibly difficult wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw time for the whole country, especially Reopening of church for those who have been ill, who have buildings for public worship suffered financial hardship, the loss of livelihoods and indeed, for many, We are living in extraordinary times: those they love. We know that is not the first worldwide pandemic for 100 over and the Church has a task ahead years, and as the Bishop of London, to bring consolation and hope. Sarah Mullally, who leads the Church “The challenge before us now is to of England’s Recovery Group, says take the next steps carefully and “The months since lockdown began safely, without forgetting all that have been an extraordinary time - the we’ve discovered about God and first period without public worship ourselves on the way.” Popplemag July 2020 5

Melanesian Mission The Bishop of Vanuatu and New Caledonia has just returned from Melanesia a very long way away, on visiting communities on Pentecost the other side of the world, but with recovering from the tropical storm. close links to our locality, as the first A six member team from ACoM are Bishop of Melanesia came from following up with training and / Alfington and we have kept spiritual encouragement to equip ties through support of The Anglican clergy, school principals and Church of Melanesia (ACoM) members of the churches in the Melanesia – islands full of people of distribution of relief supplies great love and joy, but with huge including food and gardening tools, problems: and Covid 19 handwashing In July the Solomon Islands awareness – not easy when nearly nd celebrated the 42 anniversary of its everything you have has been either independence. ACoM’s General washed away or blown away. Secretary reports: With the news full of COVID-19 “We did have a wonderful related stories, the fear is that climate celebration at the St. Barnabas change issues may be forgotten, and Cathedral. The Public celebrations progress reversed as countries plan normally organised and hosted by the their own economic recovery at the government were cancelled due to the expense of more fragile nations. COVID-19, but the parishioners of Most of Melanesia is very vulnerable St. Barnabas Cathedral organized a to sea-level rise and increased storm thanksgiving service followed by flag ferocity. ACoM is committed to raising, feasting and entertainment. continue its work on recording The Governor General, His climate change through its Church Excellency, Lady Mary and some Observatories. national government ministers also Please continue to pray for the people attended. The Archbishop presided of Melanesia as they live with these over the service.” issues, and if you can please make a Earlier in the year, large parts of the donation to our Emergency Appeal. islands were devastated by Cyclone Also Gift Aid your donation if you Harold. can. Our mailing address is: The Melanesian Mission 21 The Burlands, Feniton Honiton, Devon EX14 3UN Tel: +44(0)1404851656 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity 1104551

6 August 2020 Popplemag Coleridge Medical contact TALKWORKS Devon on 0300 555 3344. They are a free, Centre confidential, NHS talking therapy Coleridge Medical Centre has been service for people in Devon. working hard behind the scenes to We will be sending invitations out begin to open our doors safely and over the forthcoming months for appropriately for our patients as we routine health screening, long term cautiously step back into the new condition reviews and our annual flu 'normal' way of life. vaccination programme. We intend We would like to thank our patients to keep you safe when you visit us for their adaptability and stoicism and social distancing measures and over the lockdown when there was infection control measures are in such a massive shift in the way we place. delivered our services. The use of There will be some physical changes video consultation, telephone you will notice to the layout of the consultation and online consultation practice. We ask that you wear a has rocketed, limiting exposure for mask when you come to the surgery. both staff and patients, and has These can be homemade and the largely been well received. Government has produced helpful Our community teams have been guidance for how to make your own working tirelessly to deliver care to face covering at home. our vulnerable, housebound, sick, If you do need to visit us, there will elderly and frail patients, along with be plenty of information and sterling support from the voluntary signposting about how to stay safe sector. and we will make this as efficient as We have been fortunate in Devon to possible for you and our staff. We have had low levels of COVID 19 are here to guide and support you if and this was in no small part due to you have any queries or concerns. people being safe and sensible during Keep safe and stay alert. Emi Witt lockdown. But we shouldn’t be wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw complacent and we must remain Body parts vigilant. We also recognise that for A doctor in our village surgery often certain individuals their livelihoods plays a game with his younger have been threatened and their patients to put them at ease. And so support networks removed. These one day, while pointing to my young factors, amongst others, have led to a son’s ear, the doctor asked him massive surge in mental health issues, solemnly, "Is this your nose?" which we are trying to address. Alarmed, my son glanced over to me If you are struggling to cope, feeling and said softly: "Mum, I think we'd low, anxious or overwhelmed by your better find a new doctor!" thoughts and feelings, you can Popplemag August 2020 7 raising her children and supporting her husband’s ministry by providing music and Bible classes.

9th August: Mary Sumner – When in 1876 Mary’s eldest daughter founder of the Mothers’ Union Margaret, gave birth, Mary was The Mothers’ Union is now nearly reminded how difficult she had found 145 years old. It has accomplished a the burden of motherhood. Soon she staggering amount in that time, and decided to hold a meeting to which nowadays numbers more than four she invited the local women not only million members, doing good work in of her own class, but also all the 83 countries. That is a far cry from village mothers. Her aim was to find the modest circle of prayer for out if women could be brought mothers who cared about family life, together to offer each other prayer which is how it all began with a and mutual support in their roles as rector’s wife, Mary Sumner. wives and mothers. That meeting at Old Alresford Rectory was the first Mary was born in late 1828 in meeting of the Mothers’ Union. Swinton, near Manchester. When she was four, her family moved to For 11 years, the Mothers’ Union was Herefordshire. Mary’s father, limited to Old Alresford. Then in Thomas Heywood, was a banker and 1885 the Bishop of Newcastle invited historian. Her mother has been Mary to address the women described as a woman of “faith, churchgoers of the Portsmouth charm and sympathy” – qualities Church Congress, some 20 miles which Mary certainly inherited. Mrs away. Mary gave a passionate Heywood also held informal speech about the poor state of ‘mothers’ meetings’ at her home, to national morality, and the vital need encourage local women. for women to use their vocation as mothers to change the nation for the Mary was educated at home, spoke better. A number of the women three foreign languages, and sang present went back to their parishes to well. While in her late teens, on a found mothers' meetings on Sumner's visit to Rome she met George pattern. Soon, the Mothers’ Union Sumner, a son of the Bishop of spread to the dioceses of Ely, Exeter, Winchester. It was a well-connected Hereford, Lichfield and Newcastle. family: George’s uncle became Archbishop of Canterbury, and his By 1892, there were already 60,000 second cousin was William members in 28 dioceses, and by 1900 Wilberforce. Mary and George there were 169,000 members. By the married in July 1848, soon after his time Mary died in 1921, she had seen ordination. They moved to Old MU cross the seas and become an Alresford in 1851 and had three international organisation of prayer children. Mary dedicated herself to and good purpose.

8 August 2020 Popplemag There are other social distancing Stagecoach Bus measures in place for added safety, so you can download your 10-steps to staying safe when you travel here. wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw On a bus a man gave his seat to a woman. She fainted. On recovering, she thanked him. Then he fainted. As you may know, not only is it wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw compulsory to wear face coverings onboard our buses, but now you must wear your face covering when using indoor public transport hubs in England. This includes any enclosed bus station areas. A face covering doesn’t need to be a mask. You can keep it summery with a brightly coloured bandana or scarf. As long as it covers your nose and mouth and ties snugly behind your head, you should be able to breathe comfortably when wearing it. You may be exempt from wearing a face covering and feel more comfortable showing something that says you do not have to wear one. This could be in the form of an exemption card and there are a few wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw ways to get yours: • Visit the Government website What am I? where you can find full guidance A teacher gave her young class a on travelling safely and access lesson via Zoom on the magnet and exemption cards. what it does. The next day in a short • You can apply for an exemption test, she included this question: "My card via the Stagecoach Journey full name has six letters. The first Assistance Card Scheme. one is M. I am strong and attractive. I pick up lots of things. What am I?" Our drivers are aware of the exemption card options and so will When the answers were sent in, the accept whichever card you choose. teacher was astonished to find that more than half her students had Click here to view the full range of answered the question with the word: FAQs on face coverings. "Mother." Popplemag August 2020 9 5 representatives from each council; Ward Councillor's this was raised to 10 representatives Report from each council in 2019. Here is a link to the consultations document. EDDC residents and https://www.gesp.org.uk/consultation Business weekly Corona -phases/stage-two-policy-and- Virus update options/ https://eastdevon.gov.uk/coronavirus- In terms of housing development, covid-19/latest-updates/east-devon- GESP is concerned with sites of over residents-coronavirus-update-24-july- 500 houses. Land is also put forward 2020/ for employment. There were no Devon County Council newsletter specific funds for infrastructure as I of Friday 24th July wrote last month but we were told This has links to the following that the government would look favourably on funding for authorities • New powers to help us respond who were working collaboratively quicker to cases with their neighbours and that • Care homes start to open carefully developers would also be making to visitors contributions. There were also some • Face coverings to be worn in very inflated figures for projected enclosed public places economic growth which lacked the • Eid al Adha guidance for our evidence required to show why this Muslim communities should be. One can only imagine the • One in five targeted by COVID impact that all this ‘growth’ would scammers have on the environment when we are • 31 August deadline for 30 hours facing a climate change emergency. funded childcare The Strategic Planning Committee rd • Support available for farmers met on Thursday 23 July to discuss officers recommendations to progress https://content.govdelivery.com/accoun with the GESP and to go out to public ts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/29729a5 consultation starting on 21st The Greater Exeter September and running until 4th Strategic Plan (GESP) November. A range of views were put forward I have raised concerns for a number on GESP in a meeting that lasted of years about the GESP. The GESP nearly 4 hours. Some of the concerns you may recall is a partnership I put forward were about the plans to between Exeter City Council, Mid improve transport and travel to work Devon Council, Teignbridge Council policies. and District Council. However all discussions until very continued next page recently were held in secret with just 10 August 2020 Popplemag Ward Councillor, continued GESP and so it couldn’t be I found a lot of contradictions in the completed until GESP was. background documents, some It is worth remembering that EDDC’s extremely outdated evidence often local plan elapsed in 2006 and it took from studies done between 2002 to a full 10 years before a new plan was 20011, not least that the A3052 has finally signed off. In the meantime less traffic on it now than in 2005, there was a presumption in favour of which is hard to believe. development which was exploited by There was a concern that if one some, not least of course CDE at king authority didn't meet its targets, its Alfred Way as we found to our cost. neighbours would have to pick that Should EDDC not go forward with up. There were threats that East GESP it does not mean that EDDC Devon would not be eligible for can avoid development. The government grants for infrastructure Conservative government has set a if they did not join GESP. hugely over-inflated number of houses that must be built between A summing up of the meeting giving a range of views was also published now and 2040. Those targets still by East Devon Watch: have to be met, though there is lobbying for them to be corrected, not https://eastdevonwatch.org/2020/07/2 least from the Campaign to Protect 6/eddc-strategic-planning- Rural England. Some hold the view committees-recommendation-to- that it is time we started to build leave-the-gesp-now-getting-wider- differently from just building in the publicity/ open countryside in the traditional ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ way and that we should be doing The recommendation of the Strategic more to build housing that genuinely Planning meeting to withdraw from meets the needs of local people. GESP must go to Full Council (60 The government wants local ward members) for a final vote. If authorities to work together and says there is a majority vote with that is how to achieve major withdraw from GESP it means that infrastructure funding, there were East Devon will concentrate on threats last night that withdrawing updating its own Local Plan, which from GESP would means EDDC should be revised and updated every cannot get grants for major 5 years. As the Local Plan came into infrastructure. Cllr Arnott pointed being in 2016, it is time that work out he didn't see the government was being done on the revisions now. funding a second line from London to One of the concerns raised by Exeter anytime soon with or without councillors was that EDDC officers GESP, which I think is a very good would not review and update the East point. Devon District Local Plan as this continued next page would sit below the umbrella of Popplemag August 2020 11 Ward Councillor, continued or health benefits or equality, or affordable housing in any way. DCC Councillor Claire has put a summary of the sites put forward for Travel Plan housing on her blog: In the Travel Plan documents Jacobs Her full review and analysis is here: produced a report in 2016 which said Proposals for thousands of houses in predicting growth and traffic East Devon, as part of new plan to movements even 5 years ahead was 2040 difficult and that for 2045 was Suggested GESP sites virtually impossible but that it was dependent on 3 things: for East Devon include 1,300 1. A naturally occurring disaster – I dwellings plus industrial/business use consider CV-19 to be of such at Higher Greendale; 10,000 houses significance to fulfil that criteria plus industrial use at Hill Barton; 4,000 dwellings plus 2. An aging population – the CPRE industrial/business use at Oil Mill predicted figures show that not Lane, adjoining Crealy; 1,050 only was the local population dwellings at Sandy Gate and aging but people were retiring to extension of Sowton industrial estate; the West Country and that 2/3 of 1,500 houses at Topsham; 1,600 the major new housing estates dwellings at West Clyst and 540 were occupied by residents from dwellings and small scale business out of area. south of – and so it goes 3. Digital technology and changes in on for Feniton, Honiton, , working patterns – again CV-19 Exeter Airport etc. has had a major effect on that. Within GESP there was a target of People no longer need to live 53,260 houses to be built across East where they work. Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and Some of the background reading that Teignbridge between 2020 and 2040. fed into the GESP document was The GESP promised much in the way very contradictory and what made it of infrastructure but in practise there into the final document for was no funding for infrastructure and consultation was very selective in my we are heartily sick of being opinion. Plus many councillors felt promised infrastructure that the that the wide ranging effects of CV- developers then turn around and 19 need to be taken into decide they cannot provide after all consideration. owing to 'financial viability'. The next Full Council meeting will Anyway anyone who has lived in the be interesting. The date is yet to be home counties or any big city knows set. that building masses of houses does continued next page not mean you get great infrastructure, 12 August 2020 Popplemag Ward Councillor, continued a serviceable condition. They are keen to do work that will extend the Red Bridge over the life of the bridge in its current River Otter, Harpford position. Firstly thank you to all residents and In order to carry out this work DCC respondents to our petition, which will need landowners consent to was aimed at showing Devon County move machines and plant across the Council that the bridge is widely used land to reach the bridge, which and highly valued and that its closure hopefully will be agreed. on safety grounds would be highly I am so grateful to DCC Councillor detrimental to our villages and Claire Wright for liaising with DCC residents. officers and also to the officers at There has really been a magnificent DCC themselves who have had to try response to the survey, nearly 2,500 to squeeze this urgent work into their responses online and in addition we already busy schedules. I will post have paper petitions which some more updates as we receive them. residents are signing. This really Road Closure – Tipton shows Devon County Council for Thanks to a resident for this: once and for all that this is not just a I have been chasing for more info bridge used by a few locals. The about the road closure, which is benefits are far reaching both for scheduled to start on 27/7 and practical journeys in safely continue until 4/9. The first part of connecting our villages, for the health the job is between Tipton School and and well-being of residents out Court Place, and second part is walking and running and for the between Court Place and Footpath 17 wider economic benefits to more (which joins Lynch Road at the top of occasional visitors and tourism. I was the hill towards Newton Pop). The interviewed on Air last section of pipeline after Bowhayes Sunday as the story has interest from Farm runs through the fields so wider afield in East Devon too. hopefully will be less disruptive, DCC have agreed that the Western although Wales & West vehicles will bridge abutment and steps are now at be parked on the road in some places. risk of failure due to the ongoing Residents living along the main river bank erosion and they would stretch of road affected, i.e. The Old like to extend the existing rock Vicarage to Bowhayes Farm, will armour in this area. If funds allow always be able to drive into and out they would also like to extend the of their properties, however their existing rock armour at the Eastern direction of travel east or west will end of the footbridge to protect the vary depending on where the work is footpath from further river bank actually taking place. erosion in order to keep the bridge in continued next page Popplemag August 2020 13 Ward Councillor, continued Parking Prohibition Anyone living in the main part of orders Venn Ottery, or in Southerton will A resident sent a very eloquent letter NOT be able to drive direct to and supporting photos re the lack of Tipton, instead diverting south via yellow lines at road junctions in Newton Poppleford or west via West Newton Poppleford. This was Hill. excellent evidence for the reasons we I understand that there is no plan to need them. I was able to explain that bring mains gas into central Venn these have in fact been ordered and Ottery. agreed for all the side roads along the I hope this helps with planning your High Street, Newton Poppleford but journeys during the 6 weeks that DCC Highways have not yet disruption. Please update any brought them to fruition or in some neighbours who might also like to see cases started the work but never this info. finished it (Otter Reach, Capper wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Close). DCC Cllr Claire Wright chased this up again last week and Parish Council was assured that it is on the list. Vacancy for a Harpford Ward information Councillor on the parish council. New signs at Webbers A resident has called for an election Meadow for this place to be filled. Unfortunately, the government has Following concerns from the public said there can be no elections until the parish council has put up new May 2021due to CV-19. The signs at Webbers Meadow asking Harpford ward extends beyond the drivers not to park in front of the village of Harpford, it runs along the gates and that no horses or motor village north of the A3052, for vehicles are permitted on the example through the Bovis Estate and meadow. westward along to Burrow. You can Play Park now open watch parish council meetings online The play park at the playing field is if you want to get a flavour of the now open for use – with guidance on meetings where decisions are made, playing safely, parents may need to although of course the actual work of assist younger children with reading the parish council takes place outside and interpreting this!: of the meetings themselves. Unfortunately, there has been some Val Ranger, Ward Cllr, Newton vandalism caused by burning to some Poppleford and Harpford of the wood structure which has had Tel 07475 201 340 to be repaired. Email [email protected]

14 August 2020 Popplemag valuable archive, Andy will be selecting a number of contributions which he feel communicate something personal and individual. He'll then be Do you have a picture that adding his own photograph in response captures the ‘Spirit of the Heaths’? and bringing images and words This summer, as many of us have together into a series of pieces for an enjoyed more time to explore and exhibition next year. connect with the landscape, the With most people having access to Pebblebed Heath Conservation Trust camera or a mobile phone we hope this (PHCT) team are excited to launch a will make it easy for as many people as new and exciting project, asking for a possible to contribute and take part. photo that captures what is so special Whether you are an experienced, about our heaths. amateur or a smart phone snapper; ‘The Heaths and Me’ aims to explore whether your photo captures den- through photography, the range of building, sunrises, swimming dogs, a experiences and feelings we have on or favourite stream or wildlife close up, about the heaths and asks our many on the open heath or deep in a visitors to define exactly what this plantation, all contributions will build place means to them. up the story of this much-loved As land managers, alongside our landscape. We hope everyone will be heathland colleagues at the RSPB and inspired to share their own image of Devon Wildlife Trust we understand their heaths. what makes the Pebblebed Heaths Between now and September look out special; the habitats that are present, for our social media posts and pop-up the wildlife they support and the reminders across the site to prompt you historical features that are under our to contribute different types of image. care. We also put a good deal of This isn’t a typical photography thought into how we engage with competition and we are not looking for people to enable them to understand the 'perfect shot', rather the sense of why the heaths are important and how place or the moment or feeing it to help us care for them. captures. So, snap a photo next time But with this project we want to dig you are out on the heaths, scroll back deeper into why the heaths are on your phone or dig out something important to the people that choose to older from the album! spend time here. We recognise the Share your photos on Facebook, strong sense of connection between Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag local communities and the heathst. #TheHeathsAndMe, or alternatively by The project is being led by Kim and emailing Kate at the PHCT helped by volunteer, [email protected]. Andy Thatcher who is also studying for Further details of the project can be a Masters in Photography, at Falmouth found at www.pebblebedheaths.org.uk. University. As well as providing a

Popplemag August 2020 15 Devon Wildlife Wildlife windows... Trust As it was National Meadow Day last week, we thought that you'd enjoy Glorious Devon – here we have not this wonderful meadow guide. What only the coast and sea that the visitors will you spot? Click here to flock to, but also hills and moors, download your guide today. meadows, woods and hedgerows teeming with all sorts of wildlife, both native and visitors. Nature news! Have your ever heard a peacock butterfly? When it’s alarmed, this butterfly makes a hissing noise by rubbing its wings quickly together and its eye pattern gives predators the hard stare. Gillian Day One of the biggest summer joys is watching the butterflies flit from flower to flower. Want to find out what they are? Take a look at this useful guide...

Did you know, around this time of year (summer), cuttlefish eggs will start hatching and the juveniles will start emerging? Awwww! Click here to find out more about Ever wondered what that rustling was these incredible creatures! in the hedge? How many of these creatures you can spot? Hedges offer food in the form of leaves, nectar-rich flowers, berries, fruits, seeds and nuts, and are good hunting grounds for predators seeking insects and other invertebrates. Click on the picture guide on the next page > > > > 16 August 2020 Popplemag Insects. Packed full of advice, tips and information for existing and new community groups to help insects, wildlife and nature thrive in their neighbourhood. This guide complements our Action for Insects at home guide and both are free to download here. (Image credit: Chris Gomersall)

Go wild at home! From dragonflies to water boatmen, ponds are important sources of water and nourishment for insects. They don’t need to be large. Even a small, shallow pebble pond, or upcycled washing up bowl, will be beneficial. Download our free booklet 'Big or Small Ponds for All' (Image credit Mark Hamblin 2020Vision

Good people! We all know that little things make a BIG difference. COVID19 has Working hard resulted in a crisis for charities, at a for nature! time when the work of charities is Are you active in your community? more vital than ever. That is why Big change often starts with just a we're supporting the campaign for few passionate individuals. And we #GiftAidRelief, which would give are encouraging communities across much needed funds during this Devon to make their patch a little difficult time. It would mean Gift wilder. To help, we have launched a Aid rises from 20% to 25%. If you new free action guide for are able to, please spread your communities as part of Action for message of support. continued > > Popplemag August 2020 17 Lily Wheeler’s legacy has welcomed made you smile. Email us at more dormice into Andrew’s Wood [email protected] or as vital work in the woodland was post to our Facebook, Twitter or made possible by this kind legacy. Instagram pages. If you think that Thank you to everyone who gives your friends or family would enjoy gifts in their wills. hearing from us, encourage them to sign up to these e-mails through this link wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw

When I was last in touch, we were Well it has been a busy week! A new just beginning the process of report from The Wildlife Trusts was reopening our nature reserves in published, ‘Reversing the Decline of England and Northern Ireland. Since Insects’ which highlights how people, then we have welcomed back in every part of society, wherever thousands of you to many of our sites they live, can take action to bring and we are now in the final stages of back insects. Find out why we are readying the rest for opening, so that calling for everyone to become an you can once more enjoy the amazing insect champion and what you can wildlife that calls these places home. do at home or in your community. Restrictions on what we can do, and We're told that hot weather is on its where we can go, have also changed way - so providing water for thirsty across the UK and as a result, our wildlife visitors is really important. nature reserves are now beginning to Read about pond above for some open in Scotland and Wales as well. great advice on how to create water I would like to thank you again for sources for wildlife at home. We your considerable patience, love hearing about your wildlife understanding and support during this encounters when you are out about - time. It’s not been easy, but it’s vital so do keep sharing those wildlife we have the right measures in place stories and pictures with us and enjoy to enable as safe a visit as possible the sun (safely!) for everyone. During these difficult times it is not always easy to stay connected to What to expect nature so please share with us what When you visit, things may look a you are doing at home to help little different. wildlife or what you have seen that continued next page 18 August 2020 Popplemag RSPB continued In Scotland, we are just launching an ambitious project to protect Carparking may be reduced and some corncrakes with the help of a paths may be closed or operating as a generous grant from The National one-way system. We’ve tried to strike Lottery Heritage Fund. Meanwhile, the right balance between caution and right across the UK we’ve been busy access as we’ve made these changes. fighting to ensure that nature sits at We know the most important the heart of our recovery from the question for many hoping to visit has pandemic. been access to toilets and we’ve now These stories are only possible been able to open these wherever because of your amazing support and possible. We’re now starting to the incredible efforts of many introduce further visitor facilities at dedicated staff and volunteers. There our larger sites, such as ‘grab & go’ are many more inspiring stories like catering and opening the shops at this from right across our nature Minsmere and Sherwood. There will reserves network and we can’t wait to be more to follow, but as ever please share them when you visit. do check our website for the latest information about a particular reserve Welcoming you back before you visit. Like me, I know many of you will be Sharing the joy of nature excited to visit these newly opened nature reserves. But before you do, Thank you to the many of you who please check our website for the latest have been in touch to tell us how information. Every RSPB reserve is nature has helped during lockdown. unique and on our website you will It’s been truly heartening for all of us find the most up-to-date information at the RSPB to share the joy you feel on which sites are open and what when connecting with wildlife. facilities are available. We’ve also got stories to share In the meantime, please look after ourselves. In Wales, we’ve been yourselves, keep following all thrilled to see the first bittern chicks Government guidelines, and we all fledging from two separate nests at look forward to once again Newport Wetlands – the first time the welcoming you to our amazing nature bird has successfully bred in South reserves. Thank you again for all the Wales in more than 200 years! support you continue to give to our Thanks to timely conservation work and shared endeavours for efforts, Northern Ireland’s only pair nature. It means a lot to us. of breeding roseate terns have Wishing you and your loved ones the returned to Blue Circle Island on very best of health. Larne Lough and have successfully Beccy Speight hatched young. Chief Executive, The RSPB

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Popplemag August 2020 21 “We really want to encourage people to use our digital platforms as a way of reaching us, as well as coming to our clinics and ward or having visits at home. Using these platforms Hospiscare goes digital during allows us to support our community the coronavirus pandemic safely in many different ways. It is Hospiscare has launched a series of instant, confidential and effective; we new digital services to increase look forward to growing the number access to its specialist end-of-life care of people we support in this way.” during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospice charity for Exeter, Mid and East Devon launched a new website this week; the culmination of a year of technical improvements. The site’s revised design makes it radically easier for users to navigate and it provides vital resources and advice for healthcare professionals, patients and their families, and Recent technical upgrades have also anyone in need of support and advice enabled the hospice charity to during the pandemic. securely share medical records with The charity has also launched a free patients’ healthcare teams in real time digital service for care home staff that and to use secure video calling offers virtual clinic appointments and software. This allows the hospice’s multi-disciplinary team meetings specialist doctors and nurses to with Hospiscare’s specialist palliative communicate face-to-face with medicine and end-of-life care teams. patients and carers without risk of The service also provides a seven- spreading the virus. day-a-week telephone advice line to support care home staff in the area, And while the charity has had to staffed by a specialist nursing team restrict the number of visitors to its offering expert advice on end-of-life ward in line with government care for people with confirmed or guidance, due to the generous suspected COVID-19. donation of an iPad, they have been Hospiscare’s use of digital able to use video calling software to communication has meant that almost ensure in-patients can stay in touch 1,000 local people have been with their loved ones. supported over the last three months To access advice and information during the height of the coronavirus about COVID-19, click here. pandemic. For bereavement support and Tina Naldrett, Director of Clinical information, please click here. Services at Hospiscare, said: 22 August 2020 Popplemag Our Hospiscare Heroes are truly whopping £3443! Paul will soon be super; week after week, they increasing that total as he recently support our charity with their held an auction for an Exeter Chiefs fundraising endeavours across rugby shirt and he is continuing to Exeter, Mid and East Devon. clean windows, mow lawns, trim From all of us at Hospiscare, we hedges and offer his services to the are sending a huge thank you to all vulnerable people and key workers in of our Hospiscare Heroes. Read on and around his home town of Ottery. to find out how they have been We are so grateful for his support. flexing their super powers.

Thank you to Anne Bate who held a plant stall outside her house during We are sending our thanks to Gaynor May and June and raised an amazing and Peter Daniels in Whimple for £908.30 for our patients. supporting Hospiscare by making scarecrows in their village.

A huge thank you goes to Paul A huge thank you to Cantilena Choir Godfrey, pictured above with for their amazing lockdown song Hospiscare fundraiser Toni Hiscocks. released in support of Hospiscare Paul has been raising funds for after we cared for their colleague. Hospiscare during the coronavirus The song has raised an incredible pandemic and to date he has raised a £1,380!

Popplemag August 2020 23 a spacious yard, round which is a History Group very convenient range of buildings, Newton Poppleford Silk Mill consisting of a dwelling house, There were many water powered counting-house, porter’s lodge, wash- mills along the River Otter in the house, ware-rooms, works-shops, past, most, modest in size, and store-rooms, and lofts over. In the grinding grains for flour and animal fields are a good drying kiln, a loft feed, but two, situated at Ottery St for drying wool, and a large linhay. Mary and Newton Poppleford, were Also to be sold are all the utensils of working factories that started out the trade and the machinery.' processing wool and moved on to There were several more changes of silk. owner / tenant over the next 40 years. The original factory at Ottery still White’s Directory for 1850 shows the stands, but scarcely a trace remains of factory as unoccupied but by 1852 the one at Newton Poppleford. The the mill is again to let and the rent for factory stood beside the River Otter the last tenant is quoted as £190, at the eastern end of the town, on the although there are some additional west bank. Present day Millmoor rent charges. This advertisement Lane which leads off the A3052 was describes the water wheel as being the route many of the mill-workers breast-shot, 16 feet in diameter and would have taken to work. This is 10 feet 6 inches wide. called Factory Lane on the Ordnance It is possible Newton Poppleford mill Survey First Edition series map of had been built as a speculative 1888 (where the mill is labelled venture, although a grist mill had ‘Victoria Silk Factory’). The factory been working there, as the 1826 lease site is now fields. granted to Walter Brind and others states, “All those houses, outhouses and buildings now made use of as a Silk Manufactory and standing where Newton Poppleford Water Grist Mills formerly were”. So it seems a new mill was built which became a woollen working mill. With the demise of the woollen industry, mills might turn to silk. In The mill was newly built around 1861 James Bayley is a 24-year old 1790 at a cost of £1200 with the Staff Man in Congleton, Cheshire. contents valued at £800. It was By 1871 James Bailey is listed as called Newton Mill at this time. In ‘Staff Man at Silk Factory’ in June 1806 the lease of the ‘Worsted Newton Poppleford and his eleven and Yarn Manufactory’ is offered for year old son works in the factory. By sale and the advert read: 1881 this son is a carpenter and 'The mill, which is built of brick and James Bailey is now Manager at the stone, contains three floors, stands in Silk Factory. 24 August 2020 Popplemag By 1891 he has moved back to Wood, one of the mill lessees, tells Congleton in Cheshire and is listed as that he died in 1874 and for the last a Licensed Victualler at the Royal 18 yrs of his life was connected with Oak. As census details become the silk mills nearby. available from 1841 onwards it is possible to trace the movements of mill workers. By 1847 the Factory Act introduced a 10 hour day for women and under eighteens. How did the mill in Newton Poppleford observe these rules? A full study of all census years would be needed to arrive at a statistical analysis but a snapshot of certain years gives an idea. Looking at the census for 1861 in a few households we can also see the very young age of some of the workers. The Pring family, who were all locally born, had five children and To pinpoint the exact end of the the eldest three Emma, Edwin and working mill is difficult, but again Mary (aged twelve, nine and seven turning to census returns shows the respectively) are listed as silk rise and fall of the population of spinners. Another family the Newton Poppleford mirrors the times Foxwells had eight children, six of when the miltt is thriving or closed. them worked at the factory with the The mill was closed in 1850 and only youngest working daughter being six working again in 1852; 1861 and years old. The Bolt family had six 1871 are good years but by 1881 the children with four working at the workforce is much reduced and by factory, the youngest being eight the 1890’s Mr. Lipscomb, the Rolle years old. The Dovey family Estate Agent, is writing to the Devon comprising mother and five children County Council “the mills have been all worked in the factory with the closed for some years and there is a youngest William just five years old. probability that they will be pulled Researching an ancestor who worked down”. at the mill, a Colyton man discovered There is a claim that some of the that in 1856 William Gorman was six building was used to build Newton years old and working a 72 hour Poppleford village hall which was week (starting at 6 am) for 1s 6d formerly a chapel. (7½p) per week. It would seem that the Factory Acts were pretty well Researched by Sue Dymond, © ignored at this mill. 2010 A gravestone in St Luke’s churchyard For a full article, and the references Newton Poppleford for Thomas and credits visit www.ovapedia.org Popplemag August 2020 25 Sid Vale Association would stand outside the council offices carrying a placard. We learned earlier in the third week It was during Handel’s time as of July that Handel Bennett (86), ex chairman that Keith Owen came Chair, and ex-President of the Sid forward to transform the Association Vale Association has died. He will almost overnight with his £2.3 be greatly missed, not only by the million endowment, which forms the SVA but throughout the Sid Valley as Keith Owen Fund, administered by a significant and much-loved person the SVA. The income from this fund in the area. has hugely benefited the life of so There have been many major many in the Valley, and Handel contributors to the Sid Vale played a very important part in Association’s 175 year history, bringing that fund into being. Every starting with John Carslake, at the grant made from the fund, whether to founding of the then ‘ organisations benefiting young Improvement Society’ in 1846, but it people, local sports, or whatever, is a measure of Handel that we can recalls those days when Handel had mention him in the same breath as long discussions with Keith to decide such characters for having had a how the fund would operate in transformative influence in the Sid practice. The £1 million plus Valley. awarded to a huge number of It seems fitting that he became SVA recipients since then is a tribute both chairman at the beginning of the new to Keith Owen’s beneficence and millennium, and he immediately Handel’s administration. showed great vision and drive, and He will certainly be missed, but his almost limitless energy. He was contribution will be an enduring one. proud of the achievements of the SVA Committee SVA, and worked hard to ensure they wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw would be maintained and developed. Some miscellaneous observations Handel was a man of vision, but he on financial life... was also very hands on, and many Fools rush in where fools have been will have fond memories of him, such before. as his leading the excursions for It's called ‘take home’ pay because many years, always researching them you can't afford to go anywhere else thoroughly, providing an illuminating with it. commentary during the coach drive – Success is relative - the greater the and always arranging a cream tea! success, the more relatives. Or, leading by example the public demonstrations of concern about Misers aren't much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors. planned incursions into the green fields of the Area of Outstanding The real reason you can't take it with you is that it goes before you do. Natural Beauty, when he himself 26 August 2020 Popplemag experiences are all of touch. The Otter Vale Art Society strong hands of the midwife, We have been busy during lockdown. mother’s excited and loving embrace, Members have enjoyed on-line tiny hands reaching out to feel demonstrations by Phil Creek, our mummy’s face. We touch our way President, Hannah Twine and Chris into life. Forsey. And then it goes on. Holding hands In addition members have been able with friends, being hugged by to exhibit their work on-line through grandma, your first serious kiss, and competitions held in May and June. perhaps a last tearful one at the end of This has resulted in some sales. a much-loved life. Something we are looking forward to We greet each other with a holy kiss, is our annual exhibition. This year it the Bible says. And why not? will be on-line live for the whole of st st Sight, smell, hearing and touch. Four August 1 to 31 . senses. And I think lockdown has You are invited to go to our web site taught me that the greatest of these is www.ottervaleartsociety.com and touch! click on heading “exhibition”. Canon David Winter All entries will be displayed with wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw details of artist, size, medium and the price if the work is for sale. As usual Fewer young men die the public will be invited and told Ironically, lockdown actually saved a how to vote for their favourite picture number of lives. Recent five-year and of course how to make a averages have revealed that the death purchase. rates for young men aged 20 to 24 wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw plummeted by more than 30 percent What have you missed this spring. Of course, mortality rates across the most during lockdown? population rise steadily with age, but It's a good question, because it is there is normally a significant spike about the things that make us tick. for younger men. But it seems that When I examined my list, I found coronavirus has smoothed out the obvious things - going to church, live curve, because fewer young men sport on TV, meeting up with friends have been dying in car accidents, or for a coffee or a beer. from alcohol-related or risk-taking But as I thought more deeply about it, incidents. I realised that what I missed most So something good came out of fewer was TOUCH. For nearly four months drivers on the road, and all the bars, I have not touched another human pubs and clubs being shut: far fewer being! admissions to accident and That is an astonishing deprivation. emergency units. When a baby is born, its first Popplemag August 2020 27 All in the month of August 40 years ago, on 14th August 1980 that Lech Walesa led a strike by 250 years ago, on 22nd August 1770 shipyard workers in Gdansk, Poland. British explorer Captain James Cook This led to the formation of the discovered eastern Australia, named Solidarity movement. it New South Wales, and claimed it nd for Britain. 30 years ago, from 2 August 1990 to 28th February 1991 the Gulf War 150 years ago, on 4th August 1870 took place. On 2nd August Iraq the British Red Cross Society was invaded Kuwait. On 7th August the founded. USA launched Operation Desert th 125 years ago, on 10 August 1895 Shield, and then Operation Desert that the Proms (Promenade Storm, to prevent Iraq from invading Concerts) began in London. Saudi Arabia. st 100 years ago, on 21 August 1920 t 20 years ago, on 5th August 2000 Sir Christopher Robin Milne was born. Alec Guinness, British stage and film He was son of the author A. A. Milne, actor (The Bridge on the River Kwai, and was a character in his father’s Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, Winnie-the-Pooh stories. (Died 1996.) A Passage to India, Star Wars,) died. th rd 90 years ago, from 16 to 23 August 15 years ago, from 23rd to 31st 1930 the first British Empire Games August, Hurricane Katrina hit the (now the Commonwealth Games) Bahamas, Cuba and the southern US were held in Hamilton, Canada. states. New Orleans was badly 80 years ago, on 13th August 1940 affected, and 80% of the city was the main phase of the Battle of Britain under water for weeks. Florida and began. The German Luftwaffe Mississippi were also badly hit. launched raids on RAF airfields and 10 years ago, on 5th August 2010 a radar installations. cave-in at the San Jose copper and 75 years ago, on 6th August 1945 the gold mine near Copiapo in northern US Army Air Forces dropped an Chile trapped 33 workers 700 metres atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, underground. An international rescue Japan. The centre of the city was operation was launched, and they totally destroyed, and 80,000 people were brought to the surface on 13th were killed immediately. A further October after being trapped for 69 60,000 died by the end of the year. It days. Around one billion people was the first city in history to be hit by watched the rescue on TV. a nuclear weapon. a second bomb wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw was dropped on Nagasaki on the 9th I never thought the comment, "I 70 years ago, on 15th August 1950 Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, wouldn't touch you with a six- was born. foot pole" would become 60 years ago, on 8th August 1960 the national policy, but here we are! pop song Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie wvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvwvw Yellow Polkadot Bikini by Brian Popplemag is produced for the Hyland became a worldwide hit. (and community and is published by St became summer beach music) Luke's Church, Newton Poppleford.

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