Issue 5
October—November 2010
CHAIRMAN CHARLES CHATS...
Horses have featured in Highampton in the last few weeks, back in August the Hatherleigh & Highampton Horse show at Warren Farm was a great success and for once the weather was fine for it. Later it was not such good news with the arrival of swamp fever at Hole Station, which is Highampton postal, but in the Black Torrington parish. This brought back to me all the horror of the foot and mouth crisis and I hope for all who have horses that it does not spread, you all have my prayers and best wishes. I have recently been to the annual general meeting of the Devon Association of Local Councils where the dominant theme was the financial situation. It is likely that the government will want parish councils to take on more responsibilities and the meeting thought that this would be impossible if funding did not accompany any extra duties. However, we must work hard to achieve the aims of our parish plan that resulted from our consulting you. If you have strong views on how the BIG SOCIETY will work here please let me know, our problem is that we are a small community. The new recycling system is due to start and I hope that you will all cooperate, it may seem a lot of nonsense but in the long run it will help to keep your council tax down. The fact is that land fill sites are being used up and rubbish not recycled will have to be taken further for dumping when the pit at Heathfield in Newton Abbot becomes full, this is already an expensive process, this is on top of any green advantages of recycling. Our food waste will be going to Holsworthy to produce electricity. The 100 Year Reunion for all associated with the Primary School is taking place on Saturday 9th October (see inside for further information) and I would like to thank all the organisers for their efforts and express my hope that the School will survive to serve the community for another hundred years. We are very lucky to have our School with such an excellent staff and governing body, we should all do everything we can to help them and support their work. If you know of any children moving in to the area be sure to promote our wonderful School. The Ruby Trail is open and I would like to recommend it to any walkers or cyclists you think would enjoy its peace. Charles Dumpleton (Parish Council Chairman)
As always, thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue.
If you would like to submit an item or an advert for publication in the next issue please email
Alternatively please hand in any Newsletter items to the Village Post Office.
Deadline for submissions for next issue: Wednesday 24th November 2010
If you have missed any of the previous issues please visit www.hatherleigh.net/highnews.asp HIGHAMPTON MESSENGER HIGHAMPTON
Page 2
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
There is not a great deal to report on for this Issue of the Messenger. I hope that some of you have enrolled in the Community Messaging Service as featured in the previous Issue. With the clocks going back in October there could be more scope for the criminal fraternity to go about their business. Everyone can play their part in keeping their eyes open for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary taking place. A recent programme on the television drew our attention to the number of thefts occurring of farm equipment and even animals. If everyone is especially observant during the hours of darkness particularly on Thursdays and Fridays for this is, according to the Police, a prime time for thefts to take place. The reasoning being that such stolen items are sold over the weekend. The Police, we are told, are experiencing cut backs to their operations, the full extent of which we have yet to be advised of. Our Neighbourhood Beat Manager is at present P.C David Hoar, his contact details are: Telephone - 08452 777444 or 01837 658426 Email – [email protected] If the situation is urgent dial 999 Mr M Puckey (Tel: 01409 231651)
Devon & Cornwall Police NTL‘s Newsletter The police have tried in the past to identify ways to keep the public up to date with what has been happening and what they have been doing and in recent times this has been reflected through feedback to Parish Councils, Community Groups, Town Councils, Local Newspapers, Neighbourhood Website and the Police Newsletter. Unfortunately, as finances become tighter and support staff capacity becomes smaller we need to identify appropriate methods to update you. With regards to finances and structure there are no definite plans in place for how policing in Devon and Cornwall will be shaped in the coming years. The ‗Blueprint‘ project team has evaluated a number of different proposals and we are now awaiting the Government Spending Review in October. The updates to this will be passed by the Chief Constable in due course. We continue to work hard in our investigation of crime and now have access to dedicated Interview Teams at Exeter and Barnstaple to assist with Domestic Violence related crime. We hope that this will be expanded to all crime types freeing up more of our officers time so they can be out on patrol. Crime has reduced in West Devon by 13.1% (Apr-Aug) compared with the same period last year. Devon‘s overall reduction is 7.7%. Our detection rate is currently 22.4% compared to Devon‘s 28.7% and steadily rising. In addition to this we have a further 4% of our offences which have been dealt with by the restorative justice route. This is where an offender (under certain criteria) makes reparations with the victim that they both agree to. Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) has continued to be reduced throughout the year and we attribute this to both High Visibility and Covert Patrols in known Hot-Spots. Throughout some of the stops we have found that some individuals are in possession of Cannabis. Although Okehampton and the surrounding towns and villages do not have a serious drug problem I would ask all parents ―Do you know where your children are, who they are with and what they are doing?‖ To support this work our Youth Intervention Officer (YIO) PC Fry attended ‗Room 13‘ and had a question and answer session with local youths. In the past two months two of our local youths have been charged with a string of offences relating to Criminal Damage, Violence and Public Order. One is currently in prison and the other has now moved to Exeter. However, this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and we have laid information to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in order to have Criminal Anti-social Behaviour Orders (CrASBO) for both of these males. [email protected] PS 1637 Lee Nattrass
Page 3 HIGHAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
A BUSY START TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR We would like to welcome William Bridges who joins us in Reception this year.
Churchyard sketches The children at Highampton Community Primary School spent a sunny afternoon in the Holy Cross churchyard sketching the plentiful and varied autumn berries and nuts. This follows on from their summer visit and sketches of the flowers last term.
Rag – Rugging
All the children had an opportunity to try their hand at the traditional skill of rag rug making from an expert who visited the school recently. They learned a bit about the history of the craft, and then everyone produced their own flower pictures using the rags and prodders provided. Some of the children have become so enthused by the day that they are now busy making rag rugs at home!
Life Skills on Dartmoor The children in Year 6 spent an exciting afternoon on Dartmoor at the Junior Life Skills event organised by West Devon Borough Council. They learned how to deal with life threatening situations, what to do in an emergency, and how to keep themselves safe on the moor and on the beach.
Macmillan Coffee Morning The school would like to say a big thank you to everyone in the community who helped to make the Macmillan Coffee Morning a resounding success. Over £150 was raised for the charity through the raffle, cake stall and donations for coffee and biscuits. The children were particularly delighted to welcome visitors from Burdon Grange to the school.
Treasure your School With the forthcoming village school reunion, it is sad to report that over the weekend of the 25/26 September the school’s PE sheds were vandalised and litter, including smoking materials, was left in the grounds and the recently built shelter. Mrs Sandra Barnett, Headteacher, said: ‘The school grounds, particularly the playing field, are used from time to time by youngsters in the village for enjoying sport. It is a shame that the thoughtlessness of a few people should jeopardise those who respect and enjoy the school and its facilities.’
OAKWOOD KENNELS AND CATTERY LOCAL LAMB Individual care and attention for your pet Purebred Devon Closewool lamb, great flavour, from our small traditionally managed Highampton farm Proprietor Paul Collins lamb boxes half lamb cut to your requirements, ready to eat/freeze New Farm Highampton EX21 5LU 8-10 kgs £55-65 Free Delivery Tel: 01409 231320 Beef from our pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd also sometimes avail- Email:[email protected] able Sally Vergette 01837 810349 [email protected] www.oakwoodkennels.net Coombe Farm Highampton
Page 4 HIGHAMPTON MESSENGER
MOBILE LIBRARY 2010 DATES, TIMES AND PLACES:
8 October, 22 October, 5 November, 19 November Gents Barbers and Ladies Hairdressing 13.10 to 13.30 at the Village Hall No Appointments (Except for colours & perms) 14.30 to 14.50 at the village end of Telephone 01837 53653 Church Road
14 Fore Street Okehampton Highampton WI Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at the Village Hall on the second Wednesday of each month. If you would like to come along we would be delighted to see you We have had a busy summer this year with members visiting Torquay to see Calendar Girls, which was enjoyed enormously by all, and a visit to the Lost Gardens of Heligan. We also visited Cherubeer Gardens in Dolton which was open for charity. It was truly beautiful and inspiring. The Village Garden Party in aid of Shelterbox went with a swing and was very well attended. We were delighted to be able to send a cheque for £200 to the charity. Many thanks to all who supported us. Next on our agenda was entering the Holswor- thy show. We had terrible weather again this Mel Stride MP – Central Devon year but our spirits weren‘t dampened and we Mel will be holding a local surgery on Saturday 9th October achieved 4th overall and 3rd in display. 2010 between 11am -1pm in the Hatherleigh Community Coming up we have another theatre visit to Centre. If you would like to make an appointment please see Dreamboats and Petticoats and we are call his constituency team on 01392 823336. If you are not looking forward to our Christmas Dinner. available to attend at these times please email [email protected] or write to House of For more information please ring Jane Bull Commons London SW1A 0AA (01837 810372) or Jackie Ridge (01409231286)
FRESH LOCAL
BEARA CROSS GARAGE VEGETABLES
CHILLA ROAD: HIGHAMPTON DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR!
ALL VEHICLE MAKES . SERVICING & Veg Boxes or specific orders of fresh seasonal vege- REPAIRS FREE FIT EXHAUSTS & TYRE SERVICE tables from just £5. Our own farm raised pork, beef & M.O.T. TEST STATION : FREE RETEST lamb. Hallwood Farm, Petrockstowe B.P. AUTO GAS FLO-GAS BOTTLED GAS SALES 01837 811762 ACCESSORY SHOP NUMBER PLATES ETC. www.hallwoodfreshveg.co.uk Tel: 01409 231 275 : Mobile: 07887871169 NEW FARM SHOP RED LION YARD Email: bearacrossgarage.co.uk OKEHAMPTON
I ssue 5 Page 5 HIGHAMPTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
100 YEAR SCHOOL REUNION SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER 2010 2pm till late at Highampton Village Hall Timetable of Events
Opening Presentation ...... 2pm
Performance by Highampton School pupils ...... 2.30pm
Burial of Time Capsule followed by Guided Tours of the School ...... 3pm
Cream Teas ...... 3pm-5pm
Guest Speakers ...... 5pm-6pm
Barbecue ...... 7pm onwards
Guest Speakers ...... 8pm – 9pm
Prize Draw ...... 10pm
A licensed bar will be open throughout the event.
We would like to extend an invitation to all members of the local community who would also like to attend: please get in touch for more information contact us: via email: [email protected] or via phone: Kate Bowden 01409 231324
For up to date information also please see our group page on Facebook: ‘Highampton School 100 Year Reunion’.
Page 6
Highampton Church Services
Wednesday 13th October 2.30 pm School Harvest Service
Sunday 24th October 11.15 am Morning Prayer Mrs Margaret Taylor & Mr Tony Lobley
Thursday 28th October 9.30 am Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts
Sunday 31st October 10.30 am Benefice Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts
Sunday 31st October 6.30 pm Service of Remembering at BLACK TORRINGTON
Sunday 14th November 8.00 am Holy Communion at BLACK TORRINGTON
th News from our area – Halwill Junction Sunday 14 November 10.50 am Remembrance Day Service The organising team of the Halwill Community Thursday 25th November 9.30 am Market would like to say a very big thank you to Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts everyone who supported them on Saturday 18th Sunday 28th November 11.15 am September. The market was run especially to raise Morning Prayer Mrs Dorothy Chandler funds for the charity “Devon Air Ambulance Trust”. All the profits and money raised from the raffle, the stall holders and visitors, including A service will be held at St Mary's, Black Torrington on 31st October at 6.30 pm specifically to remember donations, totalled £300.00. people dear to us who have died, whether recently or sometime in the past. We welcome you to join us for the service. Names of people who have died will be All the profits from the market, which is held on read out and candles will be lit to honour their the second Saturday monthly, are usually donated memory. If you would like to add a name, there will to organisations within Halwill, but this month the be lists available at the back of both Highampton and Black Torrington Churches. organisers wished to make it a bit special. It was a wonderful morning with generous support from the We warmly invite you to join us for this service. Re- stall holders and local communities. The date of freshments will be available afterwards and an oppor- the next market is 9th October, please come along tunity to talk together. We do hope to see you there. and support your community. Revd Kathy Roberts
Page 7
News from Burdon Grange Care Home
Summer Fete
The Summer Fete was another great success, opened by Dr Al-Doori who said some very kind and positive things about those who live and work at Burdon Grange. The residents really enjoyed the day and raised another £420.78 for their resident‘s fund.
Burdon Grange Holiday period The Holiday started on June 21st and ended on July 10th . On most occasions the residents were on the road very early in the morning and not back until dark. All the trips were enjoyable and had been chosen by the residents, destinations included: Newquay Zoo, Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary, World of Country Life in Exmouth, Paignton Zoo, Plymouth Aquarium and the Hoe, Churchtown adult pursuit centre, World of Country Life, Lynton and Lynmouth, Screech Owl Sanctuary, The Eden Project, various garden centres and many, many more......
Sponsored Swim On Wednesday 8th September Burdon Grange Care Home held its latest fundraising event. A sponsored swim held at Parklands swimming pool in Okehampton. The residents swam an amazing 56 lengths of the pool in a very impressive accumulative total. £731.50 was raised for the residents, thanks to all the villagers who donated and Mr Puckey who worked so hard to drum up support.
Forthcoming Events:
BBC Children in Need Day at Burdon Grange Care Home on Friday 19th November: Val Letheren is organising the event and all staff are to come into work in fancy dress on that day. Forfeits will be due from those who don‘t arrive in fancy dress (and to those who deliberately swap their off duty so they avoid the event!). We really enjoyed the day last year and raised over £150.00 for children in need.
Christmas Fete: Saturday 27th of November at Highampton Village Hall.
Page 8
Highampton Local History Group
Hatherleigh Manor The Steward to the ancient Manor and Borough of Hatherleigh, Mr Geoffrey Cleverdon, gave a most interesting talk on its history and that of Hatherleigh Moor at the August meeting of the Highampton Local History Group. Mr Cleverdon was well versed to give this talk as he is also the Secretary of the Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee, a position he has had the honour of holding for over fifty years.
Deborah Laing Tengrove is the present Lord of the Manor. Her family acquired the title from Sir William Molsworth Bt, back in 1791. The members were interested to learn that the Manor once belonged to Tavistock Abbey, and in 1220 a charter was granted by Henry III for a weekly market that is still in existence today.
In the fourteenth century, the householders of the borough were given the right to graze stock and to gather furze for their fires hence the name “Potboilers”. These rights of usage continue to the present day but nowadays they receive an annual payment of their share of the rents paid by the farmers who use the Moor but who live outside the borough. The Moor is said to measure one acre for every day of the year but in reality it has been calculated to span well in excess of 400 acres.
The Moor has been used twice in war time. The first occasion was during the English Civil War when the Royalist and Parliamentarians were fighting over political and religious issues. On 14 September 1664 there was a clash in Bloody Pot Lane that spilled over onto the moor.
The second occasion was in World War II during the 1940s when the land was requisitioned by the Government in order to grow crops to assist the war effort. Since then the Moor has had a reasonably peaceful existence apart from the time when a group of travellers decided to camp illegally and became bogged in so deep they eventually had to be winched out by the Highampton timber merchant, Gerald Sanders, for which he is said to have levied a charge of £5 for each vehicle retrieved.
To view further photographs of Hatherleigh Moor and the re- enactment of the 1664 Civil War Battle, please visit the HLHG website at www.highampton-lhg.co.uk
Page 9 Highampton Local History Group
Springwatch For the October meeting the members were entertained by an illustrated talk by Peter Walters relating to his work on the Fishleigh Estate, Hatherleigh, and in the making of the original BBC Springwatch programmes that were presented by Bill Oddie and Kate Humble which emanated live from the estate in 2005 after broadcasting Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie from the same venue the previous year.
Peter Walters commenced working as the farm manager in 1998 and became associated with the making of the acclaimed wildlife television series by advising the producers of the varied wildlife that abounded the farmland as a result of the conversation work at the farm in the year 2001.
The then owner of Fishleigh, Mr Ian Sargent, kindly permitted the BBC access to the estate in January, so that they could install somewhere in the region of 3 miles of cable and the special nest boxes that were fitted with concealed miniature cameras in readiness for their live transmission to go out at the end of May when the nesting season was well underway.
Four months later the tranquil scenery at the entrance to Fishleigh would transform into a village of cabins containing mobile studios, canteens and the much needed kitchen facilities that were required to cater for a crew of some 100 people; plus all the other necessary heavy equipment such as electric generators etc. Quite a sight for travellers approaching Hatherleigh from the Meeth direction!
The Springwatch series was judged a tremendous success, beating rival reality television series Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island in the ratings, pleasing Ian Sargent and Peter Walters no end!
Due to the change of ownership at Fishleigh Estate farm, the fourth series of Springwatch moved to a new location at the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk and Peter Walters was awarded a position at the Duchy College of the countryside in Cornwall, as a Lecturer in countryside matters.
Halwill History Society
Fun & Games Evening In aid of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust Canine Cuts at Halwill village hall on Tuesday 5th October at Professional Dog 7.30pm Grooming for all Breeds Light refreshments , "helicopter" racing,a mile of Clipping Hand Stripping Bathing Nail Trimming pennies & a short presentation by the Trust . Etc Will do local collection or delivery If you need more info. please contact Jenny Hardman 01409 231139 or Anne Reading 01409 221894. 07850123900 Jane Bridges, Sheepwash
USEFUL INFORMATION
Name Telephone No. Email / Website
Parish Council
Chairman Charles Dumpleton 01409 231302 www.hatherleigh.net/highcouncillors.asp
Parish Clerk Chris Lockwood 01409 231227 www.hatherleigh.net/highcouncillors.asp
Doctor’s Surgery Dr Asad Aldoori 08448151362
Playgroup Wendy Rose 01409 231609
Post Office Dudley, Jackie, Tina 01409 231239 and Jon Ody
Member of Parliament Mel Stride 01392 823336 [email protected]
Neighbourhood Watch Mike Puckey 01409 231651
Local History Group Maurice Thomas 01409 231460 www.highampton-lhg.co.uk
Devon County Council General Enquiries 0845 155 1015 www.devon.gov.uk
West Devon Borough Council 01822 813600 www.westdevon.gov.uk
Primary School Mrs Barnett 01409 231339 Headteacher
Holsworthy Mobile Library Enquiries 01409 253514 Service
Editor Michelle Ody 01409231239 [email protected]
And finally ...... my Mum’s recipe (with a little help from Gary Rhodes) for : Melted Chocolate Brownies
100g (4oz) butter 3 Mars bars 75 g (3oz) rice crispies 100g (4oz) plain chocolate
1. Lightly grease a 15 cm (6 inch) shallow square tin with butter. Cut the Mars bars into thin slices and place in a large pan with 75g (3oz) of butter. Leave the mixture over a low heat until melted and then beat until smooth. 2. Stir in the rice crispies then spread the mixture into the prepared tin. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour or until set. 3. To finish, place the chocolate and rest of the butter into a small bowl and rest over a pan of simmering water until melted. Spread on top of the set brownies and return to fridge until set. 4. Cut into squares and serve.