June 2020
South Tawton South Zeal Belstone Sticklepath
June 2020 No. 462 [3] Hello, Life goes on in lockdown! Compiling and editing The Beacon is one of the few things that I am able to do ‘working from home’ as so many of you are too. I have been busy too - I am proud to announce the arrival of www.Thebeacon.website A huge ‘thank you to the latest recruit to our Beacon Committee - Fi Reddaway. The Beacon remains available on TheKingsarmssouthzeal.com too and I have an ever increasing list of email subscribers to which you may add yourself by requesting a copy via email to me. But I must reassure everyone that The Beacon will return and continue in it’s bright yellow cover made of paper just as soon as our wonderful printers - Liz at Inkprint - are back and our distributors are permitted to distribute! In the meantime I do hope you will enjoy this ‘electronic’ format for The Beacon.
Stay safe, stay well, stay in Fiona
The deadline for copy for inclusion in the July 2020 Beacon is 19th June You can email material to [email protected] or deliver it to Larksmead Cottage, South Zeal EX20 2JP or contact anyone on the committee (see inside back cover). The July issue of The Beacon will be available on www.thebeacon.website and thekingsarmssouthzeal.com and email from 1st July Beacon Committee update I am sorry to tell you that Barbara, our Committee member responsible for distribution has had to leave us, but fortunately Louise is taking on the role. My heartfelt thanks go to Barbara who has done a fabulous job. Louise will be in touch with distributors in due course. We also welcome to the committee our latest recruit, Fi Reddaway. Fi has been fundamental to setting up our very own website and has offered to ‘manage’ it in the future too. Thus ensuring that I don’t do irreparable damage. If you live in South Tawton we would welcome you onto our committee to ensure that your village is represented and we retain a balance. Duties are vague and minuscule; generally one chatty meeting per month. Please email me if you are interested.
Forgotten Gates received from Eleanor Pitts-Tucker and attributed to her mum I was level once and hung with pride, Two stout posts on either side, My hinges oiled and latch was tight, I kept stock in by day and night, The ewes and cows would rub and scratch, But I never once released my catch, Over the years my colour lightened A coat of paint and hinges tightened, But seasons passed and folk forgot, No maintenance and left to rot, A heifer jumped, my bars all bust, The paint all flaked, I began to rust, Old Fordson tractors passed through with ease, But John Deere’s now my gateposts squeeze, Their wheels move my posts with every hit, My latch and hinges no longer fit, And now the most degrading thing, They tied me to the post with string.
Dave Denford
Dave Denford was the first person I remember meeting in South Zeal. When I moved in on my first night I went to the Ox when it was run by Jim and Pat Henry, and there he was. I introduced myself as an incomer and bought him a Jail Ale. Dave was characteristically gracious, welcoming, and bantering, and our conversation was punctuated with his frequent and resounding laugh. As we drank together he regaled me with tales of the Folk Festival I’d just missed and the upcoming Fireshow (for which he masterminded the fireworks for many years), and gave me a thousand and one tips on the village. On my first evening I felt that South Zeal was home. That was in a great part down to Dave. Over the years we spent a great deal of time chatting at the bar, at the forge, and on the moor. He was full of country wisdom and had keen eye for nature, whether spotting a hare in the next field or frog spawn at one’s feet. He was a crackshot with a rifle (deer), a shotgun (pheasant), and air gun (snails), and a regular at Okehampton Smallbore Club – indeed, he had spent time serving with the military as well as with Dartmoor Rescue. And he could fix pretty much anything, from a fifty-year old beer stillage to the lock on a sixteenth-century chest. Ever practical, Dave made a great deal for Joanne and me, from everyday items such as cupboard handles, candlesticks, bannisters, and gates to offbeat designs such as a special tool for beating down bracken, a hook for retrieving a set of keys inadvertently locked inside a shed, an exquisitely modelled musician playing a hurdy-gurdy, and of course many of the swords for the mummers. Thankfully we still have his presence in our everyday lives – as do so many people in the village. But although Dave was a master blacksmith (and rightly won many Devon County Show prizes for his craftsmanship), it was music that really brought us together. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him perform with Walter Shortage and the Hosepipe Banned: I would like to say it was one of the most memorable – and funniest – evenings I’ve ever had, but they only got better. I treasure every one of those performances of Walter Shortage Mob Handed: Sam, Bob, Richard, Bill, Dave, and Shirley (and on one or two occasions, me as well) – Dave and Shirley setting a galloping rhythm on the bodhran, as well as Dave occasionally playing lead triangle(!), and of course singing. He had a rich and resonant voice and carried a wealth of songs in his memory, and was the cornerstone of singarounds in the King’s at the Folk Festival, as well as with the shantymen. In fact, his voice was so strong I have heard it fill the Church of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol (a building larger than Bristol Cathedral) when with Bill Murray he sang at a recital for a conference I had organized. Typically, the two of them spent the afternoon in the pub, arrived in the church with just seconds to spare, and then casually launched into a pitch-perfect performance that drew gasps of amazement from the classically trained musicians there – and thunderous applause from the audience. They then spent the rest of the evening singing to the delegates in the conference bar, pausing only to drink it dry. Dave was a true Devonian and a remarkable, larger-than- life figure, ever the staunch friend. In many ways, Dave was a figure from an earlier time – a time of skill, craftsmanship, experience, reliability, and integrity: he embodied these old values. It was a privilege to have known him, and to have shared so many things together. Dave Denford is unforgettable, and my deepest condolences go to Shirley. The world is a smaller, less colourful place without him. Nick Groom
Bluebells in Skaigh Woods - Pauline Taylor
Who’s who? Shared by Adie Shilston Update from Dartmoor National Park Authority COVID19 Further to the briefing that we circulated on 24 April 2020 and the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday 10 May 2020 please find below a short update on how the Authority is responding to the announcement. Offices and access to services I can confirm that our offices at Parke and Princetown remain closed and staff continue to work at home. We are currently reviewing guidance for staff about site visits. Our Rangers have been patrolling – often with Police support as required. Visiting Dartmoor As from Wednesday 13 May the Government is encouraging people to “take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise” providing you practice social distancing. The Prime Minister’s statement is clear “you can drive to other destinations” but you must obey the rules on social distancing (with increased fines for those who do not). This is not the approach that we (all the National Parks in England) nor organisations like the National Trust, RSPB, Woodland Trust, Forest Enterprise and Natural England were advocating. Since late April we have been in discussions with Defra about the ‘re- opening’ of the countryside and all of the above-named organisations, and others with countryside facilities, have advocated a staged approach with an initial ‘stay local’ message to avoid unnecessary travel and minimise any conflict between visitors and local communities. There was also a request for advance notice so that our partners and ourselves could re- open car parks and toilets – particularly important for those who have furloughed staff. We are aware that the Government statement will pose some challenges and raise concerns but our top priority is to help people remain safe – those who come to exercise and the people who live and work in the National Park. We await further detail and guidance from Government on what this means and we are currently reviewing how we can open our car parks and toilets safely whilst supporting social distancing. Until then we are continuing to ask people to stay at home, avoid unnecessary journeys, exercise locally and follow social distancing and hygiene rules. Please find a link to our website here. We will keep this updated with the latest information. We have no plans to open visitor centres in the immediate future. Coronavirus Community Support Grant (CCSG) – this scheme provides grants of up to £500 to voluntary and community groups to help tackle the impacts of the outbreak and help those who are most vulnerable is still open. Find out more on our website https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/living-and-working/community Business Survey – we are keen to understand the impact of Coronavirus on local businesses and to help us support recovery. The survey is now live on our website. https:// www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6RY2P9Z We will continue to provide regular updates as the detail of the Prime Minister’s announcement become clearer and the promised guidance from Government is published. If you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely Dr Kevin Bishop Chief Executive (National Park Officer) Email: [email protected]
BEVA Zoom meeting First Thursday of the month as usual, 4th June. 7pm until the NHS/ support worker solidarity clap-in. Including a presentation by Nicky Scott and the CEO of Proper Job ,Alison Sallis. All welcome - for log-in details contact [email protected]. 840316, [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] Or Facebook page: Beacon Environmental Action Group BEVA
Lockdown Egg Free Fruit Cake
Place dried fruit, sugar and juice or water in a pan and bring to the boil Reduce heat and 500g dried fruit simmer for 5mins. Pour into a 75g caster sugar large bowl and leave to cool. 150ml water or orange juice About 30minutes. Butter for greasing & to serve Preheat oven to 180o.. Grease 250g self raising flour and line a 500g loaf tin. (1lb). 1tsp mixed spice Stir the flour and spice into the ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda cooled fruit mixture. Add the ½ tsp vinegar bicarbonate, vinegar and milk, 3tbsp milk gently fold it in, trying not to knock the air from the mix or the Makes a 500g loaf cake cake will become too heavy. Spoon into the cake tin. Smooth top. Bake for 45minutes, until golden brown. Leave in tin for 5.mins. then turn out. Serve, sliced and buttered, accompanied by finger sandwiches and sausage rolls. Not forgetting a large pot of tea.
St Andrew’s and St Mary’s News for June 2020 Rev Mark led the funeral of Mrs Marilyn Errington of Park Cottage, South Tawton which was held at the graveside on Tuesday 12 May. The service was attended by her husband, Michael, daughter Carol, sons Nick and Ron and her sister Sue. Marilyn and Michael moved from Kent to South Tawton a few years ago. Marilyn was subsequently diagnosed with terminal cancer from which she sadly died earlier this year, aged 64 years. Our churches may be in lockdown but our church services continue via YouTube which provides the opportunity to worship from several different and very beautiful locations. We are blessed to live in glorious surroundings and what better time or place to experience the awakening of the natural world as spring moves into summer. Wez Cutler, Rev Paul and Rev Mark have delivered many on-line services from outdoor locations such as St Andrew’s churchyard, Chagford rectory or sometimes the moor itself. We praise God to the lovely accompaniment of birdsong. Services may be found on YouTube by Googling Chagford Church Online. These services are inclusive with contributions from young and ‘not so young’ parishioners within the Whiddon Mission community and are regularly gathering a remote congregation of around one hundred worshippers each Sunday. Whilst church buildings may be inaccessible for the time being, our churchyards and gardens are still open for gentle exercise and thoughtful reflection. Many thanks to our volunteer gardeners at both St Andrew’s and St Mary’s. I am writing this in early May following a spell of lovely fine weather, during which we have been able to make a good job of mowing the edges around both spring and summer meadows at St Andrew’s. So the churchyard looks loved and well cared for despite Covid 19. Thanks go to Andy Stone and Derek Mortimore for their careful and very effective maintenance work. Possibly one of the effects of lockdown is that the peace and quiet heightens our awareness of the natural world. Some swifts have returned to South Zeal, joining the martins which arrived several weeks ago. Unusually late (early May), the swallows have yet to appear, they normally predate the swifts. Very sadly this year, thousands of swallows and swifts perished in strong winds across Greece in early April. The daily call of the cuckoo reminds us that fortunately they have returned safely – which is always a relief! Our churchyard bees are back in business. I was called out on 6 May to recover a swarm from Higher Stiniel (about a mile beyond Chagford rectory). These, a reasonably good-sized prime swarm, were hanging very conveniently from a shrub in a tidy garden border (would that all swarms were that considerate). That evening they were duly dropped into the straw skep and accompanied me back to South Tawton where they were hived in the churchyard at around 8pm. They are now happily taking in pollen so the queen will be laying and raising a new brood. One more hive left to fill, which won’t take long!! Blessings to all and keep strong through these strange days. John Candler and Paul Snell (Church Wardens) Will Pyne (Assistant Church Warden)
Okehampton Food Bank This is a difficult time for many people and the Okehampton Food Bank has seen an unprecedented demand for food. Rev Mark is therefore opening Church House, S Tawton on Fridays between 11am and 12 noon for the collection of donations of food.
They are in great need of: • Cereal • Tinned tomatoes • Meatballs • Mince and Onion • Tinned Sausages • Tuna • Potatoes (tinned or powdered) • Soup • Baked beans • Pasta Sauce • Rice • Pasta • Milk (UHT or powdered) • Tea bags/coffee • Jelly • Tinned rice pudding • Custard • Jam • Fruit juice • Sugar • Biscuits • Toiletries Financial donations can be made in the following ways – By internet banking, to: Lloyds Bank Account Name: Okehampton Foodbank Sort Code: 30-96-23 Account Number: 26894460 Or using the Food Bank’s new Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/okefoodbank2020
The Beacon Junior! Hi everyone! Another month into the Coronavirus lockdown. At the time I am writing this, no one really knows when lockdown will end, when people will be going back to work and when children will be going back to school. But we are not losing spirit... Creativity in lockdown I am seeing lots of wonderful windows and beautiful artwork on the theme of VE day. The villages are brightening up with banners and bunting. It seems we have a lot of time on our hands to be creative, and to take time to do something. I am sure that this creativity does not stop at artwork, so to any inspiring poets, here is a link for a poetry competition... https://causleytrust.org/ the-2020-charles-causley-young-persons-poetry-competition/ Riddles What are two things people never eat before breakfast? I have holes in me yet I can still hold water. What am I? What can't be used until it is broken? The more you take away, the larger I become. What am I? Answers at the end The Girl books 5 recommended books starting with The Girl... The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. The Girl Who Walked on Air by Emma Carroll The Girl Who Wasn't There by Karen McCombie The Girl With the Lost Smile by Miranda Hart The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson (These are all books for children but many can be enjoyed reading with adults too.) This brings this month’s article to an end! Thank you. Answers: lunch and dinner, a sponge, an egg, a hole. Church Services June 2020
All church services are currently suspended during the imposed restrictions due to Covid 19 virus.
Church of England
St Andrew’s South Tawton, St Mary’s & Pavilion South Zeal Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, Church Services at St Andrew’s South Tawton and St Mary’s, South Zeal will be suspended until further notice. Exeter cathedral will be open without charge from 10am to 4pm every day
St Mary’s Belstone & St Mary’s Sticklepath Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, Church Services at St Mary’s Belstone and St Mary’s Sticklepath will be suspended until further notice.
Sticklepath Community church Unfortunately, due to Covid 19, Sticklepath Community Church Services will be suspended until further notice.
Methodist Church Minister: Rev. Liz Singleton Tel: 01837 52302 FairplaceChurch , Okehampton
Roman Catholic Church Parish Priest: Father Darline Marianathan. Tel: 01837 52229 St Boniface Okehampton Holy Family church Chagford
Okehampton Quaker Meeting Ockment Centre Okehampton Regular Events - June 2020 ALL EVENTS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE please check for alternatives and online classes
For more detail please contact organiser
Every MONDAY Yoga, SUFN 7pm Belstone Village Hall Sarah 849 110
Pilates 7.00-8.00pm Sticklepath Village Hall Yvonne 07712 611 670
Knit & Knatter (1st & 3rd) Bert Stead Room, 1.30-3.30 Sticklepath Village Hall Men’s Probus Club Every other Okehampton Louis Baycock Monday Conservative Club (The 10.30am Old Drill Hall) Mill Road Okehampton
Every TUESDAY Belstone Arts & 9.30-12.30 Village Hall Crafts Group SUFN Art Group (STAG) 10 am karimcgowan.com Kari 840695 ON LINE SoulSpace 11-11.30am St Mary’s, South Zeal
Yogalates 9.00am, Whiddon Down Village Sarah 849110 Hall. Dartmoor Nordic 2.30 - 3.30 Different location every Denise 07944 630677 Walking week Hatha Yoga 7 - 8.30pm vivekagardens.com Fiona Law 880050 ON LINE South Zeal Players 7.30 - 10pm Meeting via zoom Robin 840654
Every WEDNESDAY Moor Harmony 7.45-9pm Meeting via Zoom Jeremy 840 741 SUFN Reuters Coffee 9.30-11.30 Sticklepath Village Hall Club, Pilates, 8.45-9.45am Belstone Village Hall. Lynne 07827 787867
Yoga 10am Belstone Village Hall, Angela Blezard 07809 427 991 Meditation 6.30-8.00pm Church House Alison Hutton evening Every THURSDAY Mariners Away 8.30-10pm Kings Arms Shanty singers Meeting via Zoom Yoga, SUFN 7pm, Belstone Village Hall Sarah 849 110
Belstone Cafe 10am-noon Belstone Village Hall SUFN except 26 Dec Belstone Barter & 10am-noon Belstone Village Hall Rowena Bishop Crop Swap SUFN 840109 Pilates 9.30-10.30 Ockment Centre, Yvonne 07712611670 Okehampton Nordic Walking 9.30-10.30 A different location every Denise 07944 6307677 week Cogs & Wheels 7.45 - 10.00pm Victory Hall Donna Ladies Morris Meeting via Zoom 659 190 Dancers SUFN
Every FRIDAY Sticklepath & 10am Finch Foundry car park Mike 840183 Okehampton Ian 840435 Conservation www.stocgroup.org StOCs Pilates, 9.10-10.10 Belstone Village Hall. Lynne 07827787867
Every Saturday Nordic Walking 10 - 11.30am A different location Denise 07944 6307677 every week
Every SUNDAY Games Night SUFN 6.30pm Kings Arms Tinner’s Morris SUFN Victory Hall
Coming Events - June June Subject to change.
Thurs 4th BEVA Zoom meeting see article for details & contact
Sun 7th Kings Arms Virtual Quiz (see website)
Sun 21st Kings Arms Virtual Quiz (see website) Coming Events - July July Subject to change.
Thurs 2nd BEVA Zoom meeting see article for details & contact
Sun 5th Kings Arms Virtual Quiz (see website)
Sun 19th Kings Arms Virtual Quiz (see website)
DEFIBRILLATOR For Sticklepath & South Tawton Parish Councils Volunteer Emergency Telephone Scheme (VETs) In case of emergency, on finding a casualty who may need the Defibrillator, FIRST CALL 999 You will be reminded of the location of your nearest defibrillator. If you are unable to leave the casualty, call VETS on Sticklepath PC: 01837 500523 South Tawton PC: 01837 500999 This will connect you to a local resident who can bring the defibrillator to you. Enter this as your ICE no. in your mobile or in your speed-dial
Hedgehogs There was another dead Hedgehog in South Tawton today. I have it on good authority that it was one more casualty of slug pellet poisoning. If it was a female, it may well have had babies to feed, and they will all be dead by now too. The irony is, of course, that Hedgehogs are extremely efficient predators of slugs, so if they were not being wiped out by poisoning, they would be able to get on with it and eat the slugs. This is yet another example of human interference causing loss and imbalance. It is possible to use pellets that are harmless to animals other than molluscs. The person who is responsible for this is invited, is welcome, to join the rest of us who have realised the importance of maintaining balance and protecting wildlife. Sarah One days ramblings during Lockdown in Sticklepath
Thursday 14th May 2020 6.30am. Woke up early. Too chilly to have tea in the garden so will sit and wait for the newspaper to be delivered. With the lack of traffic noise you can hear more bird song, lambs and even nearby chickens. Classic FM becoming a firm favourite. Just heard on the radio that some garden centres are opening. 10.00am. Breakfast over and cleared away. Whoopee the postman has delivered the book ordered on Amazon about tunnel escapes under the Berlin wall. Will answer my e-mails today. The telephone doesn't often ring now. Family calls only. 2.00pm Made curried carrot soup for lunch. Exercise walk was to take me along back lane to collect lobelia plants, but due to Ron's escapade with a ladder, hedge and trimmer, he escaped with scrapes, cuts and bruised pride, I just went and fed the birds in The Foundry. Plus lots of self distancing chats of course. 4.00pm. Tea break....Time to talk to grandchildren. They want to know how to make pom-poms the old fashioned way with two circles of cardboard etc. This will keep them amused for a while. 6.00pm. Dinner in progress. Have laid the fire in case the temperature drops later. Good job this pandemic wasn't in December. It would be very dull and gloomy. Not good for mental health. It is said " don't cast a clout till May is out" Now is that the month or the blossom??? 8.00pm. Clapping in support of the NHS, in my case ringing a bell. It has become quite a social event. 10.00pm. Given up on crocheting for today. Reading instead until bedtime.
I will echo a comment heard on the television, where a lady was wishing for a hairdresser to pop out of the bushes and tend to her unruly hair !!!!!! My sentiment exactly. Also welcome home to Morris Pritchard after a long stay in hospital with a broken hip. PBT
Beacon Windows trail #2 Across the VE75 early may bank holiday weekend the villages windows took on a colourful appearance once again. Showing what people are thankful for, along with bunting, family mementos of the first VE day and lots of union flags. So now we know people are thankful for key workers, the NHS, farmers, delivery drivers, horses, sport, teddy bears, family, friends, music, lego, marmite, bees and plenty else besides. Well done and Thank you to all the contributors older and younger.
Sticklepath Parish Council - Press release Amid the continuing Coronavirus crisis, more mundane issues dominated the Sticklepath Parish Council meeting held on the 13th of May. The accounts for the financial year just ended have been audited and the Council needed to approve these and the associated documents ahead of their public review later in the year. Also on the agenda were the annual tree inspection report and the safety inspection report for the play equipment in the playing field. In both cases, minor works were suggested and approved by Council. The play equipment inspection also recommended that we start to plan to replace the popular basket swing. Major costs like replacing equipment in the play area are usually funded over several years by events such as the Village Day, which is unlikely to happen this year, so the Council will try to identify ways of making up the funding shortfall. If you have any ideas/expertise in fund raising whilst social distancing can be maintained, or would like to volunteer your help, please get in contact with any member of the Parish Council. The current coronavirus crisis has made everyone stop and assess what is important to them, what is good about life in the village and what could be changed. We all know that there are lessons to be learnt and an opportunity to shape the new “normal” as we move forward into the future, but the Council are also aware that a community is not just about the “here and now”, we have a history. What will we leave future generations to appreciate and understand? Future generations will want to know what the village was like and how their families lived. Projects such as the Heritage Diaries will leave a treasure-trove of information and human-interest stories, so if you are keeping a diary, please keep it going! Sticklepath Parish Council is continuing to use Zoom to hold its meetings while physical meetings are not possible. As before, members of the public are still very welcome to attend Council meetings with all of the information required to log in, shown on the meeting Agenda. Many Councils are reporting increased public attendance at their meetings as “virtual” meetings are very convenient and easy to attend, as you do not even have to leave the house! The Parish Council represents your views, so we are always open to hearing new ideas, suggestions, and feedback. Andi Wyer Clerk to Sticklepath Parish Council
The Dawn Chorus The sun has hardly gone in since lockdown began and I reckon I’ve been up early to witness more lovely sunrises in the last two months than in all the previous years of my life. It wouldn’t have occurred to me to head out before dawn day after day (sunrise changes from 6.30am in mid March to 5am in mid June) if Ian Solomon hadn’t suggested I film some dawn chorus birdsong to share on the Belstone village website, to compensate for having to cancel the usual early morning bird walk around the parish. Once the idea was sown I couldn’t stop waking at some ungodly hour and heading off up Watchet or down Skaigh or along Taw Marsh in the dark. The first songsters were usually the blackbird and robin while finches and warblers favoured a bit of a lie-in. Song thrush and blackcap took the prizes for most tuneful. Woodpeckers drumming, sparrows squawking, cuckoos near and far, swifts screaming over rookeries, I’ve heard them all in solo performances or full orchestras of sound that fill the valley. Some of these encounters can be viewed as short three-minute films on www.vimeo.com (search for ‘dawn chorus belstone’) or www.belstonevillage.net (on the Belstone Blog page). Chris Walpole
Into the Twenties – June 1920 On the first Sunday in the month fire swept through the wooden locomotive shed at Okehampton Station, completely gutting the building and causing damage worth between £6000 and £7000 including the destruction of the two engines inside, one of which was almost new.
There was an unusual news report from South Zeal, at least for present-day readers, where the death was announced of 73 year old Richard Lentern; he was a labourer and copper miner who almost certainly worked at Ramsley Mine and was well known over a large district as a well sinker. The death was also announced of 85 year old George Seymour, who lived in Okehampton all his life and worked as a stone mason. He too had an unusual second career; deceased for many years acted as Moorman during the Artillery practice season, and mounted on his Dartmoor pony and dressed in a staring red tunic, was a familiar figure to tourists. His duty was to drive the cattle out of the range of bursting shells, and in this pursuit he obtained extensive knowledge of the Moor. He frequently acted as guide to parties of tourists, and had a wonderful fund of Dartmoor lore at his command.
During work by Okehampton builders Sleeman and Son at the Old Rectory (now Old Rectory Farm) in Belstone the following note appeared in the press, the story being repeated by many papers across the country, some under the headline ‘Rector’s Strange Discovery on Dartmoor’; during the work of making alterations and additions at the old Belstone Rectory it was discovered that a building which was used as a stable was originally a chapel. Windows which had been walled up were all built in the form of pointed arches, and some were filled with very old cathedral rolled glass. The old windows are being re-opened, and the stable converted into a hall. Open granite fireplaces which had been walled up were found in the rectory itself. In fact, this ‘discovery’ had nothing to do Rev Herbert Wilson Milner, Belstone’s rector at the time, as he made clear when writing his reminiscences in 1927; when the Old Rectory was being altered, some keen amateur archaeologist investigated, with the result that a paragraph appeared in The Times announcing wonderful discoveries at Belstone of an ancient chapel, specifying in particular an ancient walled-up window that had been uncovered revealing the original glass of unknown antiquity, and also an old aumbry in the wall. I was beset with letters from various learned societies about the matter, and had hard work writing to them to explain to them; 1. That the walled-up window was one that I had had walled up myself about 10 years before the discovery, and that the glass that it contained had been put in at my orders about 15 years before; 2. That the ‘aumbry’ was simply the niche in the wall of the old stable, made for the horseman to stand his lantern in when he tended his horses at night. I never found out with certainty through whom the report had been sent to The Times: I think the person who did it hardly cared to own up. But such is the love of human nature for mystery that there are still those in the village who prefer to hold to the ‘discovery’ rather than admit the plain uninteresting and prosaic truth.
If Rothay Reynolds (1872-1940) had known of this discovery he might have been the one to tell the papers. Mr Reynolds, then foreign correspondent of the Daily News and a well-known author, was staying in Belstone this month. Between 1921 and 1939 he was the Daily Mail’s man in Berlin, was one of the first journalists to interview Adolf Hitler and described life in Germany during that period in When Freedom Shrieked (1939).
Okehampton’s ex-soldiers, members of the National Federation of Demobilised and Discharged Sailors and Soldiers, sent a protest resolution to the authorities; that this meeting view with deep misgiving the action of Okehampton Town Council in refusing to sanction the use of Simmons Park for a meeting to explain the aims and ideals of the League of Nations, on the grounds that it was a contentious subject, and as such was a violation of the bye-laws … We, of this Branch, comprising men who have tasted the horror of war, and some who have been maimed for life in their efforts to overthrow militarism, call on the Council at their next meeting to reconsider their decision and allow the meeting to be held.
Lately many of us have been singing We’ll Meet Again. Something similar was performed when a concert party from the YMCA visited Princetown to entertain most of the convicts at Dartmoor Prison; the programme consisted almost entirely of sacred and classical music, and the soulful rendering of the various items appealed very effectively to the audience who were tremendously appreciative. Perhaps the most pleasing item of all was a concerted number by the whole party, given at the suggestion of the chaplain, entitled ‘Till We Meet Again’. The tuneful air of the chorus constrained the audience to join in, and at the close this item was most enthusiastically encored. The lady artistes were particularly pleased to be the first ladies who had ever performed before a similar audience at Princetown.
Chris Walpole (unless stated otherwise, quotes are from the Western Evening Herald, Western Gazette and Western Times).
Nature Notes – June 2020 Summer 2020; we travel on in hope. Coronavirus (a very nasty product of the natural world, that has probably jumped species as a result of human meddling), is still very much with us although, thanks to lockdown and the heroic work of the nation’s NHS and care workers, infection rates and deaths appear to be decreasing. Let us hope that this trend continues as the lockdown is gradually lifted and life in our communities can begin to resume.
The natural world in general has probably benefitted from the Covid19 associated reduction in human activity. The BBC News has shown how the air quality in our major cities has improved. Reduction of industrial activity, land, sea and most notably, air traffic has resulted in an unprecedented fall in global CO2 emissions. People have commented that birdsong seems much sweeter and more easily heard in the comparative peace of reduced traffic. We are of course very very fortunate to live in this beautiful part of Devon, having access to the countryside, the moor and often also a garden. Our thoughts must be with the people who have been spending lockdown in a high-rise flat trying to keep the children amused.
The natural world carries on, oblivious to Covid19. I enjoyed the Cornish farmer’s comment that his ladies, (a fine looking heard of dairy cattle) weren’t on Furlough and carried on eating the new spring grass and needing to be milked just as normal. The bees also are oblivious to the virus. We are just coming out of the peak swarming season, typically late April to midsummer’s day, with manic activity in early to mid-May. Last year was crazy, I had taken eleven swarms by this time, most from my own bees. Just about the last one was Whitsun bank holiday, when Malcolm (our swarm liaison officer) and I spent an interesting evening extracting bees from a post box at Inwardleigh. It is again Whitsun as I write this year and so far I have myself only taken one swarm, a lovely big prime swarm easy to collect from a low shrub in a garden at Higher Stiniel. These have now been happily hived at South Tawton churchyard and are doing well.
Returning to topical issues and mankind’s impact on nature, I am reminded of another ‘species jumping’ incident which occurred last century and has had a drastic impact on the word’s Apis Mellifera honeybees. The varroa mite had for millions of years existed as a parasite of the Asiatic bee, Apis Cerana. Improved world communications, probably the construction of the trans- Siberian railway facilitated movement of managed beehives from Eastern Europe to the Far East and enabled contact between Apis Mellifera and Apis Cerana colonies. Some varroa mites jumped species to Apis Mellifera. Apis Mellifera pupae spend longer in the sealed cell than Apis Cerana. The varroa mite breeds in the sealed pupa cell so the longer duration afforded by Apis Mellifera turned out to be great opportunity for the parasite. And the rest, as they say is history. Beekeepers have been battling against varroa ever since.
A more recent non-native species threat has arisen from a chance accidental import of (probably) a single Asian Hornet queen overwintering in a consignment of pots from China. These were delivered to a garden centre in France in (it is thought) 2005. The queen set up a nest and raised a colony which would have produced dozens of new queens the following autumn. And now some fifteen years later France and much of Spain and Italy are overrun with these hornets, which are a serious threat to the indigenous insect population including bumble bees, dragonflies, butterflies and honeybees. The Channel Islands which are quite close to France have also had serious incursions. There have been several Asian Hornet incursions into mainland Britain during the past few years with colonies being detected and destroyed in Cornwall, Devon and Hampshire. These are probably all linked with human activity as they have been associated with caravan movement or shipping. Now it is summer, hornet nests will be increasing in size. These can number several thousand insects by the end of the season and nests, which can be up to two foot diameter, are generally well concealed, high up in trees. The hornets themselves are slightly smaller than our native European hornet and are darker with an orange and black face, a dark band at the top of the abdomen and distinctive yellow legs. If you think that you have spotted one of these beasties, you need to report it either to your local Asian Hornet Action Team (AHAT) leader, Simon O’Sullivan ( [email protected] ) or directly to the non-native species secretariat. An App is available which you can download onto you’re ‘phone from:- https://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/asian-hornet- monitoring-takes-flight-new-app-developed-ceh-scientists
This enables you to photograph the suspected hornet and send the picture straight off, with the location for assessment by the National Bee Unit.
Keep your eyes peeled anyway. Much less serious than Covid, but there is the similarity that again we all need to work together to overcome both!
South Zeal Players keep on playing! Notwithstanding the lockdown, and the postponement of the great show we had lined up for you on the 5th and 6th of June, we, the South Zeal Players, are carrying on with our play readings on Zoom - usually every other Tuesday. If you had been at them you would never have heard such a variety of extraordinary accents being tried out! If you would like to have a shot at being somebody other than yourself - usually in a comedy or farce, but now and again in some of those amazingly well written serious plays - then let me know and join in on these occasions! Give me a call on 840654 and I will give you the details. Robin
St Mary's Sticklepath The array of wild flowers in the church garden are now over for another year, the slow- worms are still enjoying the warmth of the compost bin and the busy mole has now moved onto pastures new! The little piece below seems to echo the strength of our communities during these difficult times. Start small and watch the ripples grow……
Our Tiny Corner of the World 'Do what you can, with what you have, where you are' Theodore Roosevelt 1858 - 1919
Life can be overwhelming. We see problems all around us, and it's easy to just throw up our hands. We need to stop feeling responsible for changing the world. We are only responsible for our tiny corner of it. If everyone took care of their tiny corner, that would change the world. taken from Positive Quotes for Every Day, Patricia Lorenz
We are here for you. The Church has not closed, it has changed. Get in touch with Steve Cook [email protected] 07790909442 In the garden with Aisling 2020 has turned out to be an unexpected and challenging year, and whilst it has brought many things to a standstill, life in the garden as ever, goes on. Many gardens across the country are receiving more attention and appreciation now than they ever have before and it’s a great opportunity to explore new garden ideas, There’s plenty to be getting on with to keep you occupied, no matter the size of your garden.
Lift and store tulip bulbs and plant up summer bedding displays, remembering to feed and deadhead throughout the season to prolong flowering. Prune late spring and early summer flowering shrubs such as Weigela and Philadelphus and summer prune Wisteria. Keep fruit crops protected from birds by covering plants with mesh or netting. When mowing lawns leave areas of grass to grow longer to provide food and shelter for wildlife. Clear ponds of duck and blanket weed using a scoop or fishing net leaving the debris very close by so that any creatures can return to the water, and keep them topped up, along with bird baths.
Water house plants more regularly and move them outside if possible, they’ll appreciate the fresh air. Cut Geraniums back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers, feed and deadhead Roses leaving some spent flowers to form hips. Continuously sow Lettuce and other salads and Spring Onions. Carrots and Radishes can still be sown now. Harvest Onions and Garlic when their tops start to turn yellow and die back. Prune trained Apples and Pears and cut back summer fruiting Raspberries once they’re finished. Check hedges before trimming, some birds such as Blackbirds and Thrushes can nest until August. When controlling pests such as slugs in your garden find hedgehog friendly, non toxic alternatives. Encourage hedgehogs into your garden if you can with little gaps in your hedge or fence and small hidden log piles lined with dried leaves and they’ll do some of the work for you! Sow Foxgloves, Wallflowers and Queen Anne’s Lace (wild carrot) and plant Autumn flowering bulbs. Strim and mow areas of long grass and wildflowers once their seeds have been scattered, checking to make sure there are no hiding hedgehogs, leaving the seedheads for a few days before cleating up. As always, carry on composting!
I hope these jobs, amongst many others keep you distracted during these difficult times and that your gardens provide some much needed solace.
South Zeal on V.E. Day
Mike Boother plays Last Post & Reveille. Sticklepath on V.E. Day
Whilst Sticklepath had to cancel its planned events for V.E. Day, Sticklepathonians made the most of the glorious day under social distancing rules. Union Jacks and red, white and blue flags were raised throughout the village, and many a family could be seen picnicking in their gardens. From a roadside sandwich to a full-blown teatime treat, families ensured VE Day wasn't a complete loss. A socially- distanced tea party was held by residents of the cul-de-sac in Oaktree Park, where wine supplemented the tea and cakes. At 6pm a glass or two was raised around the village to cheer our neighbours. The Parish Council held a low-key 2 minute silence beside the War Memorial at the village hall to honour the servicemen and women who fought or were killed during World War Two, and in support of those who were suffering loss during the current Coronavirus crisis. Ali Cruse Belstone on V.E. Day
Kevin and Chris raise a glass on VE Day Belstone claps it’s ‘Thank you’
The Currie family say thank you to the NHS at the 8pm Thursday ‘clapping’ in Belstone Circular Bike Ride Wherever you ride from South Zeal there are hills. I am so old that I bike with the aid o f e l e c t r i c i t y nowadays. But this though hilly-ish is non the less as flat as it gets here! So lets go. Starting from the village car park ...enter Ramsley Lane and head into the village and the up the main street as far as the shop which is an opportunity for collecting refreshments. Turn right down school lane where you can see theblovely old Victorian School and the splendid new buildings on the other side of the road. At the end of school lane turn left up to Moons Cross where your lane meets the ripoad coming from Zeal Head. Turn right here into the village of South Tawton, past the Telephone box on the left and St Andrews Church. Continue straight on over the A30 and then past Wood Estate on the right and then down the long gentle hill and over the little bridge into Taw Green. Here you are riding with the Taw River on your left. At the little corrugated chapel turn sharp left and then over the little bridge over the Taw. Soon after this BEAR LEFT . Then along a lovely flat stretch on what is obviously the flood plane foe the river. To your right here the Webber’s used to have a small small private airfield. Then as you continue you gently go right and then follow the road through woods till you come to a three cross way. Here you turn left down the hill and you see the farm by the A 30 and Sticklepath and Cosdon ahead. Follow the road past the farm over the A30 and then down Willey Lane coming into Sticklepath by the Taw River Pub. Turn left here and follow the road out of Sticklepath and turn left on the Croft Road and on to where it joins Ramsley Lane then back to the Car Park. Its about 5 miles ...well done. Tom Bell
Lockdown in Belstone
Margaret Martin passes her shopping bag to Marion Walpole while observing social distancing rules in Belstone
Anna Chalcraft of Holland Park Farm delivers eggs to Belstone
Congratulations to Christabel on receiving her Mayoral Award Refuse and recycling collections JUNE Mo Tu We Th Fr
Recycling, food waste and garden waste subscription week 1 2 3 4 5
Recycling, food waste and refuse week 8 9 10 11 12
Recycling, food waste and garden waste subscription week. 15 16 17 18 19
Recycling, food waste and refuse week 22 23 24 25 26
Recycling, food waste and garden waste subscription week. 29 30
Village shop opening times The Stores, South Zeal Sticklepath Stores M 8.00 to13.00, 14.00 to16.45 7.00am to 6.00pm T 8.00 to13.00, 14.00 to16.45 7.00am to 6.00pm W 8.00 to13.00, 14.00 to16.45 7.00am to 6.00pm Th 8.00 to13.00 7.00am to 6.00pm F 8.00 to13.00, 14.00 to16.45 7.00am to 6.00pm S 8.00 to13.00 7.00am to 3.00pm S Closed 8.00am to 1.00pm
Village Post Office opening times - outreach post office service suspended Sticklepath Belstone South Zeal Stores Throwleigh Village Hall Village Hall St Mary’s Church Mon 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.45 Tues 9.30 - 11.30 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.45 13.30 -15.00 Wed 9.30 - 11.30 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.45 Thur 09.00 -13.00 Fri 09.00-13.00 14.00-16.45
Mobile Library Service - Wednesday SERVICE SUSPENDED Belstone Green 10:15 - 11:00
Sticklepath Oak Tree Park 11:15 - 11:45
South Tawton Seven Stars 11:50 - 12:10
South Zeal Zeal Head 12:20 - 12:50 The Beacon ___ [email protected] Robin Tilley (South Zeal) 01837 840 654 Pauline Baker (Sticklepath) 01837 840 858 Jane Lehni(Belstone) 01837 840 087 Distribution-Louise Weller 01837 840168 Treasurer-Jane Messer 01837 840 405 Advertising- Alison Cruse 01837 840 070 Editor- Fiona Elsworth 01837 840 894 Website - Fi Reddaway 07850 305040 Village Emergency Telephone System VETS South Tawton Parish 01837 500 999 Sticklepath 01837 500 523 Police Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Emergencies 999 Okehampton enquiries 101 PC Dave Pickles 101 Local Authority Belstone Parish Council 01837 840 307 South Tawton Parish Council 01837 890 95 Sticklepath Parish Council 01837 840 367 Okehampton Town Council 01837 531 79 Devon County Council 08451 551 015 West Devon Borough Council 01822 813 600 Dartmoor National Park 01626 832 093 Okehampton Library 01837 528 05 Medical and Dental Okehampton Medical Centre 01837 522 33 Oke Community Hospital 01837 658 000 Chagford Health Centre 01647 433 320 North Tawton Dental Practice 01837 822 61 MyDentist Okehampton 01837 527 45 Taw Valley Dental Care 01837 880 096 Veterinary North Park Veterinary Group 01837 823 27 Okeford Veterinary Centre 01837 521 48 North Park (Oke Surgery) 01837 658 777 Equus Vets 01837 214 004 St David’s Equine Practice 01837 849 096 Stringer Equine 01647 231 246 Schools South Tawton Primary 01837 840 242 Okehampton Primary 01837 528 66 Okehampton College 01837 650 910 Adult & Community Learning 01837 659 436 Chagford Primary 01647 432 412 North Tawton Primary 01837 822 84 Transport Okehampton Taxis. 01837 53555/840841 Ring&Ride/Community Cars 01837 550 00 Bus timetables. www.travelinessw.com Churches & Chapels Church of England - Belstone with Sticklepath Rev. Stephen Cook 01837 659 297 Church of England - South Tawton with South Zeal Rev. Paul Seaton-Burn 01647 432 880 Methodist Church Rev. Liz Singleton 01837 523 02 Roman Catholic Church Fr. Darline Marianathan 01837 522 29 Okehampton Baptist Church Jeff Jacobson 01837 318 563 Sticklepath Community Church Philip Dennis 01837 840 144 Society of Friends - Quakers Ann Dickman 01837 840 966 Advisory Agencies Citizens Advice 03444 111 444 Cruse Bereavement 01392 272 406 Samaritans 116 123 Relate 01392 275 681 Age UK Devon 0845 296 7810