March 2021 Vol
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FOCUS ON THORVERTON March 2021 Vol. 52 No.2 50p Focus on Thorverton Vol. 52 No. 2 March 2021 FOCUS MAGAZINE INFORMATION Chairman Michael Ayre, Ratcliffe Farm, Raddon. Secretary Geoff Bulley, 17 Broadlands, Thorverton. Invoicing Maggie Dunlop, Kibby Yew, School Lane, Thorverton. Tel: (01392) 861185 Treasurer Bob Swaffield, Schiehallion, School Lane, Thorverton. Tel: (01392) 860309 Editor John Slater,Ye Olde Pounde, Bullen St, Thorverton. Email: [email protected] Tel: 07899894663 Back issues (courtesy of Rob Purvis): thorvertonfocus.wordpress.com Assistant editors Eileen Mason, Fiona Harrison and Jules Jeffreys Printed by Sarum Graphics At the present time Focus is produced each month except January. The Editor welcomes interesting news items, reports etc. for publication. Items for inclusion in Focus should be accompanied by the name of the originator, which may be withheld from print if requested. The aims of Focus are: • To produce a non-political monthly magazine serving the people of the parish of Thorverton, providing them with information on activities in the parish; • For the magazine to be one that villagers are proud of; • To provide a window for those outside Thorverton to see what the village has to offer; • To promote local businesses through advertising; and • To run at a small annual profit, but with surplus funds put to support village organisations for the benefit of Thorverton residents. Items for publication, adverts, changes to adverts, Diary entries, changes to Thorverton Information lists should be sent to the Editor, preferably as plain text in an email, or as a Word doc file or a pdf file email attachment (to [email protected]) by the 20th of the month prior to publication please. All items received are acknowledged, so if you don’t receive an acknowledgment within a few days, please assume not received. Advertisements and Notices Poster Type Advertisements. Text for advertisements should be prepared as near as possible to how it is intended to appear. Pictures must be supplied as required on the advertisement. Focus reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or notice at its sole discretion for any reason whatsoever. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS The following advertising charges apply: Maximum dimensions COST per ENTRY FULL YEAR (11 entries) Full page 18.2 cm x 24.4 cm £14.00 £140 Half page 18.2 cm x 12.2 cm £7.00 £70 Quarter page 8.5 cm x 12.2 cm £4.00 £40 One-eighth page 8.5 cm x 5.8 cm £2.00 £20 Please note that colour advertisements can be accepted at double the charge for black and white adverts. LOCAL ORGANISATION and CHARITIES ADVERTISEMENTS COST per ENTRY Half page £3.00 Please make cheques Quarter or one-eighth page free of charge (for up to 3 months) payable to “Focus” Front Cover: Thatchers End Cross – Neville Lane The opinions and views expressed by contributors within the magazine are not necessarily those of Focus producers or of the Focus Committee. Focus on Thorverton 1 Vol 52 No. 2 March 2021 Editorial Hello all, In this world where everyone seems connected to Well, we’re still not out of the woods yet with some sort of screen, instead of receiving an email or Coronavirus, but, with the success of the vaccine text, a hand-written note seemed really personal and I roll-out and with Spring around the corner, there’s loved reading it, as I’m sure Sylv loved reading her definitely a growing sense of optimism that things kindness card. could get back to normal sometime soon. As per last month, there still isn’t much happening in Although the last 12 months have been a struggle for the village but there’s a wide range of stories and everyone, I think there are some positives we can articles in this month’s edition of Focus to keep you draw from this experience, and I’m sure when we get entertained. Also, just a reminder that the Focus through it, we’ll cherish the simple times that we AGM is on 3rd March (see notice on page 2), and if used to take for granted like going to the pub or there’s anyone that wants to join, please email me having a coffee with friends. and I’ll give you the meeting link. I also get the feeling that people are a little bit kinder All our welcome to join the AGM, and with each other these days, which leads me on to a representatives of any village organisations are lovely story following a note I received recently. It particularly welcome as a key aim of Focus is to was from Sylv Gregory who I’ve not had the pleasure work with these groups for the benefit of Thorverton of meeting but I’m sure a lot of you know her as residents. This is even more important now where we she’s lived in the village for more than 50 years. She could all do with a boost. Focus may be able to play a wanted me to thank the kind person who popped an part in this but we do need to hear from people how it ‘Act of Kindness’ card through her letterbox. She can do that. The AGM provides a perfect mentioned that it was the little things and the opportunity. thoughts of others that matter most – how right she is! I also want to say thank you to Sylv because in John Slater this note, she welcomed me to the village and wished Focus Editor me well in the new role of Editor. In this Focus Nature Notes ............................................................ 22 The Garden in March ............................................... 23 Editorial ..................................................................... 1 Legal Eagle .............................................................. 24 Letters ........................................................................ 2 Covid Catapult ......................................................... 25 Funding from Focus................................................... 2 Adverts ..................................................................... 26 Thorverton Parish Council ......................................... 4 The Sky at Night ...................................................... 29 Notices ....................................................................... 6 Puzzles ..................................................................... 31 Church Services and News ...................................... 13 Thorverton School ................................................... 32 The Good Old Days? No.9……………………… .15 Adverts ..................................................................... 33 Joy of Serendipity .................................................... 17 Thorverton Parish Information ................................ 49 An Intruduction to Shakespeare .............................. 20 Thorverton Organisations ........................................ 50 History Society ........................................................ 21 Doctors’ Surgeries ................................................... 51 Waste Collection Dates............................................ 53 Road works .............................................................. 53 Bus Services ............................................................ 53 Focus on Thorverton 2 Vol 52 No. 2 March 2021 Letters From Helen Ratcliffe Funding from Focus With the anniversary of the start of the first Do you need some assistance with funding? Focus is in the fortunate position of having some money lockdown looming later this month, I'm sure I'm available, which the Focus Committee would like to not alone in the village in wanting to express make available to help the village. heartfelt thanks to Heather and Royston Kershaw for their dedication and organisational skills in If you want to apply for funding, please write or preparing and delivering newspapers and email the Focus Editor. The Committee will take into magazines (and Focus itself!) for so many people consideration the benefit to the village (although this in and around our village. Of course, there's an will not necessarily just be the number of villagers army of willing volunteers to help with the likely to be positively affected) and what other deliveries, and thanks to them too, but between sources of funding the requester might have. The them, Heather and Royston haven't missed a day. Committee would not normally expect Focus to They have certainly gone above and beyond in provide all of the funds for a project. Please do not incur any expenditure before any decision has been helping to keep our village safe. Thank you both. made on your application. The Focus funding committee recently pledged £500 towards the purchase of a second defibrillator for the village. Have Focus delivered to your door Yes, you can have Focus delivered to your door each Focus on Thorverton month and at a price of just £5 for a year's worth of 11 fantastic editions. AGM 2021 We have delivery rounds covering Broadlands, rd Bullen's Close, Cleaves Close, Lynch Close, Lynch Wednesday 3 March, Road, The Glebe, The Bury/Berry, Dinneford Street, Bullen Street, Berrisbridge, Raddon, Latchmore 7.30pm Green and Upexe. So, if you live in one of those roads/areas please let us know if you would like to be added to the delivery round. by way of Zoom: Meeting ID: 889 6324 3450 But if you live in another not too far outlying road, Passcode: 201346 such as Jericho Street, Silver Street or Court Barton https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88963243450?p Close, do contact us and we will see if we can make arrangements for delivery. wd=aVhBdW4rTlJCOFltay90c0JVRUc0Zz09 Please contact either Fiona Harrison (01392 966861) or contact the Focus team at or Neville Lane (01392 861062) or send an email [email protected] for a link. to [email protected]