February—March 2014 Issue 25
Chairman’s Report
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Highampton Messenger.
Colin Pound, Post Office Area Manager for Devon & Cornwall, attended the January parish council meeting and we are hoping to open a post office in the village hall twice a week. The parish council will be working with the village hall to set this up.
The following roads have been reported to the parish lengthsman due to standing water leading to a possibility of ice if the weather turns colder:
Pulworthy Cross, Northlew Road and Burdon Lane. Please take care when travelling on these roads in hazardous weather conditions.
Many thanks to Highampton PCC for another enjoyable Carol Service.
Happy new year to you all
Glenn Rose— Parish Council Chairman
HIGHAMPTON CHURCH WINE & WISDOM at Highampton Village Hall Saturday 15th February 2014 7.30pm for 8pm Start Teams of Six £5 per team member Price includes a bottle of wine and cheese and biscuits per table! To book a table please contact Alma or Mary on 01837 810435
If you would like to submit an item for the next issue please email [email protected] or leave items at the Village Shop. Deadline for next issue: Wednesday 19 March 2014
Would you like to advertise your local business in the next issue? Please get in touch via [email protected] for more information about advertising fees and advert sizes .
HIGHAMPTON MESSENGER HIGHAMPTON
Page 2 Legge Farm Coarse Fishery Highampton Area Pre-school Church Road, Highampton (at Highampton Village Hall) 01409-231464
Come and visit our small and friendly pre- [email protected] www.leggefarm.co.uk school and see what we are all about! Coarse Fishery - Five well stocked Coarse Lakes Everyone Welcome Self Catering Accommodation Toddler Sessions Caravan & Camping Site Caravan Storage Wednesday & Thursday 9.15 to 11.45
Now open for morning & afternoon sessions & LOCAL LAMB full day care Purebred Devon Closewool lamb, great flavour, from our small On Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday For 2 to traditionally managed Highampton farm lamb boxes half lamb cut to your requirements, ready to eat/freeze 5 year olds 9.15 to 3.15 8-10 kgs £55-65 Contact us for more details on 07837357815 in Free Delivery pre-school hours Or 07801581054 out of Beef from our pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd also sometimes avail- able hours. Sally Vergette 01837 810349 [email protected]
First two sessions FREE Coombe Farm Highampton
VILLAGE HALL TIMETABLE
EVERY MONDAY BALLROOM DANCING 7 – 9PM
EVERY TUESDAY BALLET CLASSES 7.30PM
EVERY THURSDAY BADMINTON 7.30PM
EVERY FRIDAY PAINTING GROUP 2.30 PM — 4.30PM
EVERY SATURDAY KEEP FIT 10AM—11AM
1ST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 7.30PM
3RD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH LADIES GROUP 7.30PM
4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH HISTORY SOCIETY 7.30PM
HANDYMAN REQUIRED
Someone who would be willing to take on some painting and small general maintenance jobs as the Hall when required. If you are interested please telephone Jane Bull : 01837 810372
VILLAGE HALL CHRISTMAS BINGO
The Village Hall Committee recently held its annual Christmas bingo and hope that everyone enjoyed the evening! Thanks to all who helped and took part. £400 was raised and the profit will help towards the recent replacement of the lights and emergency lighting system.
T C M Plumbing
Burst pipes? Taps dripping? Valves leaking? Radiators not getting hot? Gutters blocked? Based locally at Inwardleigh we cover the surrounding areas helping you with your plumbing need no matter how small
Contact Tim Morgan on 01837 810599 Or visit our website www.tcmplumbing.org.uk To see what we can do for you
Helen Squire Independent Phoenix Trader Affordable greetings cards, gift- wrap, invitations, stationery, posters and accessories for all occasions.
Please contact me if you would like a free brochure, if you are interested in hosting a coffee and cards/wine and cards or to raise funds for your favourite charity. Come and see my range of stock at the Highampton table top events. Free delivery in Highampton area on all orders. Helen Squire 34034, [email protected] 01409231503/07791177029, Stewdon Farm, Highampton, Beaworthy EX21 5LU
NEWS FROM HIGHAMPTON C.P. SCHOOL
Although it seems a long time ago now, the children had a festive end of the Autumn term with a visit from a magician who stunned them all with a variety of tricks and in addition encouraged a few budding prospective members of the Magic Circle to demonstrate their skills to others in the audience.
The end of term play, starring a postman on a bicycle visiting all those involved in the Nativity with invitations to Bethlehem for a celebration on the 25th December, was a great success and enjoyed by parents, family and visitors alike – thank you to all who supported and attended the performance and also to those who joined us for our Christmas Nativity Service in the Church. We hope everyone enjoyed the performances by our brass band who worked hard at perfecting their skills in time for Christmas!
This term we are learning about endangered habitats and species, beginning with the Rainforest and then the Arctic and Antarctica as well as discovering the habitats and natural life around our own coastal areas.
During the term we will be visiting the Living Coast centre in Torquay to gain first hand knowledge of our own local area. The younger children are also doing their own studies of dinosaurs, while the older ones are finding out about Space.
The school Netball team is continuing to go from strength to strength, with a win against St Giles on the Heath last week to add to their other successes this year. Working together as a team is their particular strength, and they have certainly proved so far that their teamwork proves dividends.
Page 4 HIGHAMPTON MESSENGER Who are your wild neighbours? In North Devon’s rural parishes we value community and we like to feel that we know our neighbours and that we can (and do!) support each other.
That statement is true but thinking more deeply, do we know enough about the place in which we live and that we share with a wonderful variety of wildlife? Just like our neighbours, it supports us but do we know enough to look after it?
The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project (www.northerndevonnia.org) covers the parishes in the catchment area of the river Torridge and is set up to make our local environment better for wildlife, and of course in turn, for us.
As a first step, the Project has brought together all the published information we can about the habitats and species in the area and mapped it on a parish by parish basis to produce a series of Parish Biodiversity Audits. Contact us to get a copy of yours.
Nationally, only 25% of land is protected for wildlife leaving 75% that isn’t. A parish Biodiversity audit will show you where is and isn’t protected in your parish. Is it less than the national aver- age?
Have we got it right for where you live? Quite possibly not, we can’t visit every field and hedge- row! Perhaps you or your friends can help us fill in the knowledge gaps? Contact us to find out how.
The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is working to help communities make where they live and work better for wildlife and to maximise the benefits that high quality environments can bring such as improved community wellbeing, water purification, flood prevention etc. Perhaps you would like to take some positive action for wildlife in your parish, and have some ideas for practical wildlife improvements that we can help you put into practice.
We are happy to visit your parish council, gardening club or other organisation to explain more about this and who knows, to work with you to help make a difference.
Matt Edworthy (01271 3888508, 01409 221823) or Clare Manning (01271 3888508, 01409 221823)
Highampton Ladies Club
We will be holding our Annual General meeting on 19th February.
On March 19th Caroline Munn will be giving a demonstration on Sugar Craft. Showing us how to make Easter Primroses and other goodies for Easter.
Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Committee Room at the Village Hall on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Refreshments are available. Visitors £2 For more information please ring Jane Bull (01837 810372) or Mary Greenhill (01837 811804)
I ssue 25 Page 5 The Community Projects Group
To enhance community life in Highampton Parish Well it’s a new year and one the Community Group is looking forward to as marking the start of a number of new projects along with the continuation of others we have pushed in 2013.
Our monthly pub lunches are going from strength to strength with a full programme for 2014 being planned. We have already enjoyed the first 2014 lunch at The Laurels in Petrockstowe which was well attended. If you haven’t yet been to one do look-out for future dates either in our monthly e-mail or on our web-site. These lunches are very enjoyable and give residents a chance to socialise together in an infor- mal and friendly atmosphere.
Our web-site, www.highampton.com is becoming ever more useful to residents not only highlighting future local events but also as a source of local information and links to further useful sites. If you have a local event, information or site then let us know and we will include it too.
We continue to press for high speed broadband for the village. We have the full support of the Highampton Parish Council and our district and county Councillors in this and we will, of course, bring any developments to you as they occur. We have provided all the village postcodes to the Council project team and now await their response as to the viability of extending the Council project to include us.
We are planning a social event at the village hall on Easter Saturday which we’re calling the Bunny Hop, followed by an Easter Egg hunt for the children on Easter Sunday. We have a top-rated local band lined up for the Bunny Hop which we hope will be supported by local school bands as well. Its early days but do put this down in your diary as it should be an excellent evening out. Also if you have kids then the Easter Sunday egg-hunt should be a must-attend outing. We will further publicise both events nearer the time so be sure to keep an eye out for dates and times in our e-mail newsletters and on the website.
Later in the year we are planning a very ambitious Summer Solstice event at the Village Hall that will be an overall occasion for a number of different activities. This will be held on Saturday 21st June and run from early afternoon right through to midnight. Again we will be publicising this further nearer the event but do make a diary note for that day.
If you don’t receive our monthly newsletter but would like to then please get in touch with me, it’s entirely free and carries all the local event information that we know of, not just our own. We also try to keep you informed of any local urgent developments as they occur, just call me to join up.
Steve Male (Chairman Highampton Community Projects Group) [email protected] Moorland Lodge, Burdon Lane (01409 231646)
Page 6
HIGHAMPTON HOLY CROSS CHURCH Services Sunday 23rd February 11.15am Holy Communion Revd Liz Norman Thursday 27th February 2.30pm Burdon Grange Revd Kathy Roberts Sunday 23rd March 11.15am Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts Thursday 27th March 9.30am Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts Thursday 27th March 2.30pm Holy Communion Revd Kathy Roberts Sunday 30th March 11.15am Mothering Sunday Family Worship Revd Kathy Roberts
Thank you to everyone who attended and helped with the annual Church Christmas Bingo. £385 was raised for Church funds. We look forward to seeing you at the Wine and Wisdom evening please see the front page for details.
A special thanks to Linda Bosianyi for the generous donation of new gates for both entrances to the Church.
Highampton Local History Group
www.highampton-lhg.co.uk
For our December meeting, the group had a social evening, where we were joined by the Highampton Community Group, and enjoyed a buffet generously provided by the landlord Tony Knight. The evening was well attended by friends, neighbours, and children alike.
In January, our members joined with the Hatherleigh History Society, and the Old School was full to capacity as David Ramsden gave a most interesting illustrated talk on how the Barn Owl Trust based in Ashburton was set up and is working to halt the decline in barn owl numbers. Afterwards, both groups had the opportunity to chat to David over a cup of tea and refreshments, kindly provided by Hatherleigh History Society.
DANCE 2014 HARDCORE WANTED Highampton Village Hall Friday 7 February Stone, brick, mortar, but no rubbish 8pm – Midnight Live Music with Big Al & The Bandits Northlew - Highampton Buffett, Bar & Raffle area Admission on the door: Adults £10 each Tel: Margaret or Les 01409 221982 Under 16s: £6.50 each ( B uffet included in admission price ) Email: [email protected] Organised by South Tetcott Hunt Contact Liz Brown: 01409 231266
Page 7
Canine Cuts BEARA CROSS GARAGE Professional Dog Grooming For All Breeds CHILLA ROAD: HIGHAMPTON Member of the British Dog Grooming Association and Pet Care Trust ALL VEHICLE MAKES . SERVICING & REPAIRS FREE FIT EXHAUSTS & TYRE SERVICE Clipping, Hand Stripping, Bathing, Nail Trimming Etc M.O.T. TEST STATION : FREE RETEST Will do local collection or delivery B.P. AUTO GAS FLO-GAS BOTTLED GAS SALES Call Jane Bridges on 01409 231139 ACCESSORY SHOP NUMBER PLATES ETC. If necessary, wait for the answer phone and I’ll call you Tel: 01409 231 275 : Mobile: 07887871169 back Email: bearacrossgarage.co.uk
Concerts in the South West Saturday 22 February 8pm Lower Pulworthy Highampton EX21 5LQ HANNA HOPP (MEZZO-SOPRANO) EMMA ABBATE (PIANO)
Eight English Songs, A Charm of Lullabies Op 41, La Soiree dans Grenade from Estampes and Seven Spanish Folk Songs
Box office 01837 810940—Solar Gallery 18/20 bridge Street Hatherleigh
Tickets £14—children over 12 half price Interval drinks, parking available, disabled access.
Advanced booking advisable
www.concertsinthewest.org
Mel Stride MP Advice Surgery
Saturday 15 February 2014 at the George Hotel Hatherleigh
Due to demand Mel's Advice Surgeries are strictly by appointment only. For times and to book an appointment call 020 7219 7037
Chips for dogs and advice for owners Four-legged and two-legged West Devon residents will find expert assistance on offer at an information and advice road show which is touring the borough in February. West Devon Borough Council’s Connect service has once again teamed up with the animal welfare charity, Dogs Trust, to offer free identity microchips for dogs. Residents wanting to take up the free offer should take their dog along to one of the sessions next month. It normally costs around £20 to have a dog microchipped and from 2016 it will be compulsory. The procedure is quick and painless. The Connect dates for our area in February are: February 4 – Hatherleigh Market – 9.30am-12noon with Parklands, CAB and Action on Hearing Loss (AOHL). February 7 – The Burrow Cafe, Exbourne – 10am-12noon with free microchipping by Dogs Trust. February 18 - Hatherleigh Market – 9.30am-12noon with CAB and Call24. For more information about West Devon Connect visit www.westdevon.gov.uk or call 01822 813600.
Page 8 COMING EVENTS IN OUR AREA:
Music at St Mary’s An evening of fantastic songs from around the world in exhilarating harmony with North Devon choir Ploughcappella
Friday 28th March 7.30 p.m. St Mary’s Church, Black Torrington
Tickets including refreshments Adults £6.00 in advance of £7.00 on the door Children half price
Tickets available from: Sheila Grabham 01409 231581 Kate Inniss 01409 231234 Anne Gray 01409 231231 Val Letheren 01409 231430
WINE, QUIZ & SUPPER In aid of Ashwater Village Hall, Church & Children’s Hospice SW Ashwater Village Hall Saturday 22nd February 7pm for 7.30pm when casserole will be served (beef or chicken casserole with baked potatoes and French stick—vegetarian option on request when booking team) Quiz starts at 8pm with cheese & biscuits, bottle of wine for each table Tea & coffee served in break—refreshments also on sale £9 per person Teams of 6 To book telephone Sue 01409 211 452 or Lin 01409 211 212
St Mary’s Church, Black Torrington BRUNCH (all day breakfast) Saturday 15th February Black Torrington Village Hall To help with catering tickets will be available for: 10.00 am - 11.00 am~~~~11.00 am - 12.00 noon 12.00 noon - 1.00 pm~~~~1.00 pm -1.30 pm Tickets: £5.00 Children under 11 years: £3.00 Available from: Avril Priest - 01409 231378, Sheila Grabham - 01409 231581 Anne Gray – 01409 231231 or Val Letheren 01409 231430 PLEASE BOOK TICKETS BY Monday 10th February
Page 9
Whatever our age, or situation we cherish our independence above all. But what if we become vulnerable for any reason, does it mean we have to rely on family and friends? Call24 helps people keep their independence in a wide variety of situations associated with illness, disability or old age, ranging from epilepsy to simple medication reminders. Call24 supplies clients with a portable pendant that allows them to raise an alarm, from anywhere within their home or garden at any time of the day or night. Call24 can also remotely monitor and respond to environmental risks such as those from fire, flood or carbon monoxide.
Peace of mind for less than the cost of a pint of milk a day!
Freephone: 0800 085 0407 Email:[email protected] or visit our website: www.call24hour.com
Highampton Community Primary School
An Outstanding School Ofsted inspection September 2012
Come along to see the opportunities available for children Meet the Headteacher – See the children’s work Hear about our trips to enhance learning in the classroom After school activities Join our free Monday Movers and Friday Fun sessions for under fives Please contact the school to arrange a visit. Church Road, Highampton, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5LE
Telephone: 01409 231339
email: [email protected]