“THE MORCHARD MESSENGER”

THE INDEPENDENT VILLAGE NEWSLETTER

www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk

No. 294 December 2019

SPONSORED THIS MONTH BY A.E. PARTRIDGE AND SONS

Season’s Greetings Morchard Bishop, tucked away A sleepy village some might say From its heights, ’s in view Old cob and thatch, plus houses new All go to make a lovely place A country dream of gentle pace. Sleepy Morchard? Think again! Live wires run thro’ every vein There’s always something ‘on the go’ From weekly ‘meets’ to ‘annual show’ And clubs, that young and old support, Which cover interests, games or sport And thanks to all those volunteers Who make things happen through the years And give us all such lots of fun

So……..

Happy Christmas – Everyone!

A Very Happy Christmas to all our readers, both of the printed version

and the full colour on-line version, from The Morchard Messenger

Thank you to all our Sponsors, Advertisers , Contributors and everyone who has given up their free time to assist with the publication, distribution and delivery during 2019

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page1

Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

LAST POSTING DATES FOR CHRISTMAS Royal Mail will send a letter to Santa Claus for free. If you are hoping for a reply from Father Christmas, post him a letter by Friday, December 6. This is the address you need: Santa / Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ Make sure you include a full name and address so Father Christmas can write back. The Finnish post office employs elves full-time to sort the mail that children the world over, and a few adults, send to Father Christmas. In the Santa Claus Post Office in northern Finland two elves in red felt hats pore over the thousands of letters that arrive every morning. Fortified by little more than a tray of hot berry juice and spicy gingerbread, they spend hours sorting them into pigeonholes according to their postmark. For all other mail these are the last posting dates: UK Last Posting Dates • Wednesday, December 18 second class mail • Friday, December 20 first class mail • Monday, December 23 special delivery

Note: There will be no delivery and collection service from Christmas Day through to Boxing Day, Normal Service will resume on Friday December 27. International Standard (Airmail) • Monday, December 9 Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, Far and Middle East • Tuesday, December 10 Cyrpus and Malta • Wednesday, December 11 Eastern Europe (except Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) • Thursday, December 12 Greece, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand • Saturday, December 14 the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Canada and USA • Monday, December 16 Austria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Portugal, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland and Spain • Wednesday, December 18 Belgium, France, Ireland and Luxembourg

HM Forces International Standard (Airmail) Monday, November 25 Operational BFPOs Friday, December 13 Static BFPOs

SNOW WARDEN VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED As winter draws in and we look towards the first frosts, I am looking again for volunteers to act as road and path gritters and snow clearers throughout the village. Each year we have a group who are willing to volunteer but it is always important to have new people to lend a hand.

If you are interested, able and willing to help with gritting and clearing an area close to your home, please contact me on:-

Telephone 877631 Or at [email protected] Roger Field

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page2 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

VILLAGE NOTICES

ST. MARY’S CHURCH EMMANUEL METHODIST CHURCH Services in December Services in December st Dec 1 10.30 Morning Prayer Worship Group Dec 1st 11.00 Café Church, G Harry th Dec 8 10.45 C W Eucharist, Rev A Geering 15.00 Singing at Ridge House Dec 15th 10.30 Morning Prayer Worship Group 18.00 No evening service th Dec 19 Thurs 18.30 Carol Service, Mr R Vere Dec 8th 11.00 G Oliver Dec 22nd 15.00 Crib Service, Mr R Vere 18.00 Café/DVD, Jesus the Gamechanger th Dec 24 Christ 21.30 Christmas Eucharist at DOWN ST Dec 15th 11.00 C Down mas Eve MARY, Rev A Geering 18.00 Café/DVD, Jesus the Gamechanger th Dec 25 Christ 10.00 Christmas Family Service, Mr R Vere Dec 22nd 11.00 Rev J Wiltshire, All age worship mas Day Dec 29th 10.30 Mission Community Eucharist, 18.00 Candlelight Carol service and Christmas Rev M Grieg supper theme, “The Journey that changed everything” Dec 25th 10.30 Christmas Day Service th MEMORIAL HALL Dec 29 11.00 Miss C Pullen, All age worship 18.00 No evening service Saturday Coffee Mornings for December 7th December 11.00 – 15.00 Christmas Coffee Morning and Lunch, Hall Committee OPEN DOOR 14th December 9.30 Table Top Sale, Hall Committee You are invited to a meeting on Monday 2nd December 2019 at 2.30pm in the Emmanuel Chapel To book a table ring Robert Moore on 877821 or 07455 896589

For Memorial Hall Bookings When we will think about “Jesus the Word” Please contact Jo Eames preferably by E MAIL at led by several members [email protected] (or 01363 877407)

ROAD CLOSURE – MORCHARD ROAD TO MORCHARD BISHOP

Notification of Road Closure – Work Ref: LM501 NC7902011

Kier have applied for a road closure to complete SWW Utility works near to Sharland Farm, subject to approval from Highways these works will take place 20/01/2020 – 24/01/2020 All Efforts will be made to maintain access to properties within the area of the closure and minimise disruption. If you require further information please call us on:

01726 224400 between 9:00am and 5.00pm (Mon-Fri), or contact the South West Water Helpline on 0344 346 2020 at all other times.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your co-operation Andy Liesse Customer Services Kier

LORDS MEADOW SWIMMING POOLS The pools and wetside facilities at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in will be closed from 1:00pm on 29 November 2019 to 2 January 2020.

This work is being scheduled as part of planned upgrades to replace the swimming pool infrastructure. The improvement works will include new infrastructure within the plant room, resin flooring applied to all the pool surrounds and the installation of a new epoxy liner for the learner pool.

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page3 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

DECEMBER 2019 DIARY DATES

** Reminder – Saturday 30th November – Christmas Bazaar – Memorial Hall 14.00 – Father Christmas –Grand Raffle – Many Stalls - Proceeds to St Mary’s Church**

Sun 1 15.00 Carol Singing Ridge House Mon 2 14.00 Open Door Emmanuel Church LR Christmas Celebrations – Diana Farrant Mon 2 19.30 Parish Council Memorial Hall

Tues 3/10/17 10.00 Coffee Morning Emmanuel Church LR 3/10/17 14.00 Table Tennis Emmanuel Church UR 3/10/17 19.00 Bridge MBSSC

Weds 4 10.30 Coffee Morning London Inn Coffee, Cake & Chat 4/11/18 19.30 Community Rock Choir London Inn Skittle Alley

Thurs 5 10.00 Can’t Sew, Won’t Sew Emmanuel Church UR Drop in 10.00 - 15.00 5/12/19 16.00 Pilates Memorial Hall 16.00 – 17.00 All abilities welcome

Fri 6/13/20/27 13.30 Visiting Post Office Inside London Inn 13.30 -14.30

Sat 7 11.00 Christmas Coffee Memorial Hall 11.00 – 15.00 Soup- Mince Pies - Morning & Lunch Mulled Wine - Grand Christmas Hamper Draw

Sun 8 17.45 “Next Stop Christmas” Bus Shelter & afterwards Lighting of the Nativity Scene at the London Inn Parish Council Event

Mon 9 18.35 P3 Committee London Inn

Wed 11 12.30 WI Christmas Lunch Venue to be confirmed. Note the starting time 11 19.30 Gardening Club Memorial Hall Christmas Garlands - Roberta The Good Florist

Fri 13 19.00 “Prime” & “Edge” Joint Celebration Youth Clubs

Sat 14 9.30 Table Top Sale Memorial Hall Hall Committee

Mon 16 19.30 Morchard Maids London Inn Social Evening

Weds 18 12.30 Over 60’s Lunch Club London Inn Christmas Lunch & Get Together

PLEASE NOTE: The diary dates are maintained by Pauline Chater, Pepperlake Cottage. 01363 877096 Email: [email protected] PLEASE LET PAULINEHAVE DETAILS OF JANUARY 2020 BY 8TH DECEMBER. It would be helpful if you could also let her have details of 2020 events at all village venues as far as possible in advance. This will help village groups in their planning. She is happy to accept details up to twelve months in advance.

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page4 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

LETTERS We welcome articles and letters. However we would like to point out that the views expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily the views of the Morchard Messenger

Whilst we may, albeit somewhat reluctantly, withhold names on request, we regret that we will NOT publish letters that have been submitted anonymously.

Thanking everyone for their cards and messages of sympathy following our sad loss of Geoff on 7th November.

From Alison and family.

Dear Editors

Thank you to everyone who supported the Cream Tea afternoon. We made an amazing £900 for three of my grandchildren who are going to work in a school in Zambia next year. I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of some wonderful people.

Thank you. Pauline Nott.

ST. MARY’S WILDFLOWER VERGE

The Devon Federation of Women’s Institutes will be celebrating their centenary in 2020 and have challenged all WIs to come up with “100 projects for 100years” to showcase the WIs commitment to protecting and improving our surroundings and environment for all to enjoy – including our wildlife. With this in mind, Morchard Maids WI (it’s our 10th birthday this year!) are planning to plant and maintain the verge between the school and St Mary’s Church with the kind permission of the Yendell family. We are going to plant it with native bulbs (snowdrops, bluebells, Lenten Lily) and wildflowers (corncockle, cornflowers, Calendula etc.) to benefit bees, butterflies and hoverflies. Our first “planting” is 4th December at 2pm. If anyone would like to join in this village project please do come along in appropriate clothing and clutching a trowel or bulb planter. We will supply the bulbs and tea and cake afterwards!

The Morchard Maids

DELAY REPAY SCHEME Get Money Back if your Train is Delayed by 15 minutes or More

The GWR has recently issued the following information concerning claiming money back for delayed train journeys when you are travelling with a single, return or weekly ticket. Visit their website at this handy short web address! (be careful to get the correct – and _ separators) (https://www.gwr.com/help-and-support/refunds-and-compensation/delay- repay/?utm_source=Advocate&utm_medium=email&utm_term=our_website&utm_content=EB1061842&utm_campaign=Delay_ repay_rem ) and use their online form within 28 days of your delayed journey.

Length of Delay Compensation

15 to 29 minutes 25% of your single ticket cost or 12% of your return ticket cost

30 to 59 minutes 50% of your single ticket cost or 25% of your return ticket cost

60 to 119 minutes 100% of your single ticket cost or 50% of your return ticket cost

120 minutes or longer 50% of the cost of your ticket cost whether single or return

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page5

Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

If you are having difficulties with working from home please consider the Morchard Bishop Memorial Hall. • Quiet upstairs room • Peaceful surroundings • Fast internet 20Mbs + • Wonderful vista

Try it out for just £10 per day, £40 per week or £120 per month

See www.middevonworkhub.co.uk Please Email [email protected] or contact Steve Watson on 01363 877808

PHONE NOW FOR A COMPETITIVE QUOTE

DELIVERIES IN YOUR AREA 01363 777595

For all your domestic, agricultural and commercial Crediton & District pest control needs. Third Age Trust From Rats and Mice to Wasps and Fleas contact me for a quick,

convenient solution to pest problems. I am fully qualified and insured. NO MONTHLY MEETING IN DECEMBER Based in covering all of and surrounding areas. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 15th January. www.middevonpestcontrol.co.uk Peter Dare - Cathedral: restoration and conservation 07725520466 / 01363 881473 1969 - 1985 Email: [email protected]

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page6 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

ACE ARCHAEOLOGY CLUB

On the 2nd of November we had our Annual General Meeting so now seems like a good time to look back on the past years events and successes and to look forward to next year. Part of the AGM is devoted to sorting out our excavation dates and to setting up our ACE days. The ACE days take place on the first Saturday of every month and we try to get a variety of activities. After several years of having to cancel outdoor activities in the winter months we are going for indoor activities, mostly around sorting out our finds from the Moistown dig but also including a talk on Iron Age enclosures from one of our members. From March we hope to be able to get outside again and will be looking at finding and recording medieval graffiti in churches and old houses, some experimental archaeology, a few walks and preparation for our summer dig.

For more information on these and for dates please do have a look at our website. https://acearchaeologyclub.wordpress.com

This year was our 6th working at Moistown. We are gradually opening up more and more of what is quite a large site of a medieval, we think, farmhouse.

There is a lot of measuring involved, especially in the last few days, but not sure what our director had done wrong with meter square grid. We have uncovered a large hearth area bordering a concrete floor. Next year we hope to be able to go through the concrete floor and see what is underneath. We will also be opening more trenches so who knows what we will find. We hope to be able to get some more diggers next year as we were rather short of them this year.

Although we did welcome some new diggers some of whom had never dug before and who want to come back next year, which is great. The more diggers the more we can open up. It isn’t all about digging though and we can also use people to help us with what we find. We also have to do some precision drawing towards the end of the dig, perhaps you might be good at that.

Do get in touch if you think archaeology is something that might interest you. Erica Williamson ACE Archaeology. (November 2019) [email protected]

Morchard Bishop Sports & Social Club

Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year to all.

The Club is now closed until Easter apart from functions. We are still hosting the Bridge night each Tuesday Eve from 7pm. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year.

You can follow us on Facebook or E mail [email protected] for further information

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page7 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

www.masflooring.co.uk Storage Unit

Available from November

Morchard Bishop

Secure with Good Access FLOORING SPECIALISTS CARPETS/HARDFLOOR FINISHES/WOOD 24/7 Carpets supplied and fitted • Phone 01363 877255 / Free Estimates 07817114148 • Sand & polish of existing wood floors • New wood floors installed • Both domestic & contract work undertaken

J&R Builders TEL: 01363 877730 MOBILE NO: 07976 603041 Very competitive prices EMAIL: [email protected]

MIDDLE LEIGH, MORCHARD BISHOP, No Talking All Day on Mobiles DEVON EX17 6RH Extensions, Brickwork, Plastering, All types of gardening work Block paving, Chimneys, etc. undertaken;

Borders, Hedges, Lawns, MB Sports & Social Club Planting, Pruning, Strimming, Hire of Sports Club

Weeding, and more. Afternoon or evening hire ..... £30.00

Afternoon or evening hirewith Call Anthony on; Licensed Bar ..... £51.00 “Arcadia”, Road, Tel. 01363 877828 Morchard Bishop, Mob. 07774 804195 For more info please contact Angie Devon EX17 6NZ [email protected] Tel: 01363 877527 07955 087361 (Mobile) Or Email:[email protected] 01363 877507 (Home)

ELECTRICAL SERVICES Viv Pulford Quality Work by Fully Qualified Tradesman Foot Health Practitioner All Electrical Work Undertaken Diploma in Foot Health, and BSC in Adult Nursing. Domestic, Industrial, Commercial & Agricultural Installations Tel No 01884 861306 or 07827 779559 Fully Compliant to Part P Building Regulations All Work carried out to 18th Edition Wiring Regulations • Nail Cutting and filing Over 30 Years Experience In electrical contracting • Corn Callus Removal

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT • Deal with Fungal Infections /Thickened Nails Tel. 01363 881002 Mob. 07710 673270 • Discounts for 2 or more people in same house

For Treatment in the comfort of your own home www.tuxelectrical.co.uk

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page8 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

MOBILE PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICE LOCAL RATES FOR Jo McDougall MCSP, LOCALPEOPLE HCPC registered

Need Physiotherapy Treatment? Have it in the comfort of your own home. Are you looking for comfortable I am a qualified, Chartered Physiotherapist with more than 30 affordable accommodation for years experience and I will come to you to treat you at home. visiting friends & family?

Conditions treated: • Back and Neck pain, • Sprained joints e.g. Ankles, Knees Nymet Rowland EX17 6AW • Pulled muscles, • Shoulder pain, Quote us:local-svr09 • Hip pain, • Rehab after injury and operations e.g. Fractures, Knee For up to 15% off your online replacement, Rotator cuff repair….. booking

Pilates and appropriate exercise programmes given to assist in recovery and prevention. Contact 0748 492768 Contact : home 01363 877803 Mobile 07597160558 Web Site: enfield-house-holiday-cottage-devon.uk email [email protected]

An Alternative Venue

Beech Hill Community at Morchard Bishop

is the perfect venue for family events and celebrations, alternative weddings and camping breaks

We have indoor and outdoor space for hire at our beautiful six-acre site

Email: [email protected]

THE New Service to DEVONSHIRE DUMPLING Morchard Bishop

Gary and Laura welcome you to the Tuesday mornings The Devonshire Dumpling. Before 7.30 am

We are a family friendly pub serving great home cooked food. Friday Evenings We can cater for functions and partiesand we welcome all. Between 4-8pm Food served Tues to Fri 12 - 2.45pm and 5.30pm - 8.45pm Sat 12 – 8.45pm and on Sun 12 to 2 pm.

Our Winter SpecialTues – Thurs evening Free range Whole milk 2 course special offer £9.95 t & c (certain dates excluded, please book to avoid disappointment) doorstep refills

Tel: 01363 85102: Please call 01363 779134 or email

email: [email protected] [email protected] for more information.

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page9 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

TWO MOORS ADVERTS ACCOUNTING Open the door to new Chartered Management Accountant business by advertising in

Lapford the Bookkeeping, accounts, tax returns and Devon Morchard Messenger tax advice for any size business.

Advice on setting up your own EX17 6QT

bookkeeping arrangements. Tel: 01363 83373 Advertisements are welcomed at a cost Very reasonable rates. Fixed fees Our professional workmanship is of £5 per issue – so £60 for the whole agreed in advance. Personal and year of 12 issues available in all of the following friendly service. disciplines: Please send or Email your draft to the

Call Stephen or Tracy to arrange a free, MOT class 4 & 7 Editors (details on Page 10) no obligation initial meeting at a time and place to suit you (Motorhomes &Transits) Servicing Charlesworth Nicholl & Co 01363 877001 Diagnostics SOLICITORS Air Conditioning

YOUR LOCAL ACCOUNTANT Tyres Your Friendly Local Lawyers

Exhausts Ø Residential Ø Leases Batteries Ø Agricultural Ø Landlord & Ø Commercial Tenant We offer courtesy cars for your Ø Family Ø Probate convenience, subject to availability. Matters Ø Wills

ATA & Bosch Accredited Diagnostic Free initial half hour’s advice Copy for Publication Technicians. Easy access and parking

www.lapfordcrossgarage.co.uk “THE MORCHARD MESSENGER” Telephone: 01363 774706

The deadline for articles, adverts and 31 High Street, Crediton www.charlesworthnicholl.co.uk notices for the next issue is:

11th December COMPUTER PROBLEMS? 2019 Friendly, helpful support for crashes, The Editors retain the right to reject, virus, email, internet connection, edit, alter or correct articles which are networking, printers, tablets, sent in for publication. websitesetc. Copy should be sent by E-mail to Reasonable rates for all individual [email protected] users and small businesses.

Hard copy may also be left at Please ring Richard on Church Street Stores 01363 85154 Postal Service. This newsletter can be posted to you monthly at a cost of £10 per annum. Please contact Keith & Christine Davies Rixey Cottage, Broadgate Lane Morchard Bishop EX17 6PL Phone: 01363 877690

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page10 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

COUNTRYFILE The Holly and the Ivy when they are both full grown of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown

Trad.

MORCHARD BISHOP Green groweth the holly, so doth the ivy. PRE-SCHOOL Though winter blasts blow never so high, green

groweth the holly

King Henry VIII Set in the heart of the village, this Governor run early years setting offers a Ilex aquifolium (common holly) is one of our few native evergreen broadleaf fun filled approach to pre-school education for children aged 2-4years. trees. Being dioecious, like one of our other evergreen natives, the yew tree, there are separate male and female trees. Only the females have the classic red berries, Situated in the grounds of Morchard but they can only do that if there is a male tree nearby to pollenate them, otherwise Bishop Primary School, this purpose built they will flower their little white flowers but fail to fruit. Given good conditions and facility also has access to fantastic without pruning a holly tree can be 7m x 4m in just 20 years. There are many hybrids and cultivars for the garden with silver margins, or thornless leaves, but somehow the outdoor space, and regular visits to school ensure smooth transition to the Common Holly with its dramatic spikes and contrast between dark green glossy leaves and vivid red berries is always still the quintessential xmas holly. reception class. Ivy, Hedera helix, the climbing evergreen is associated with eternal life or fidelity, it OPEN too makes for lovely midwinter wreaths and decorations, but rather better it also 9.00am - 3.30pm, Monday - Friday serves a valuable service outside providing shelter and food for birds and other creatures from its umbels of dark berries (not food for us, the oxalate crystals see to For full details and to arrange a visit call that). Its stems with their adventitious roots clinging to all surfaces as it climbs us on 01363 877328 covered in lobed leaves, and the mature stems sticking out with the cordate (heart shaped) leaves and flowers.

www.morchardbishoppreschool.org.uk In the Christian tradition the holly leaf spikes represents the crown of thorns with their sharp savagery, and the red bright berries, the drops of Jesus’ blood.

In celtic/neo-pagan tradition the holly is not paired with ivy so much it is associated with the archetype of the holly king. Holly acts in balance against oak (Quercus rober). The oak king is lord of the summer, the holly king reigns over winter, twice a year they battle to gain supremacy, alternating back and forth as the wheel of the year turns.

For some folk traditions the holly boughs are meant to provide winter shelter for fairies, who in return will be kind in the following year and be less inclined to curdle Toddler Group milk or steal babies. Morchard Bishop Memorial Hall Whatever the associations we chose to attach to our own holly boughs and wreaths, Every term-time Wednesday bringing greenery into the house over midwinter is a very long standing way of 9.15 –11.15 brightening the dark times, of connecting with an outdoors that might be a bit cold to For ages newborn to 4 be out in right now, and reminding ourselves of the returning light and life which we can’t yet see, but which are still there, and will only be increasing once we are • Staff supervised past the darkest times of midwinter. • All-ages toys Jo Coffey • Arts and crafts • Healthy snack-time • Sing-songs IS LOOKING FOR and.... MICRO BUSINESSES, SOLE-TRADERS AND Chat, tea and a warm welcome for grown-ups FREELANCERS!

Devon County Council has launched a new trial looking at how to better support rural micro businesses in Devon. If you run a micro business in a rural

Please bring fruit for snack time! area, help to shape the future of business support by joining their Engaging Rural Micros research trial. www.morchardbishop.devon.sch.uk Businesses can sign-up until the end of December 2019 at Call 01363 877328 for more information www.engagingruralmicros.com

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page11 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

MESSENGER LATEST Grahame A’courtDip.S.I.A.D.

SUBMISSION IN DECEMBER Architectural Services

House Design Extensions The Closing Date for submission of Copy for Barn Conversions Planning Applications

publication in our January Edition will be If you have ideas and would like them drawn up for the th Local Planning Authority Wednesday 11 December call me on 01363 877496

JOSH NOON TREE SERVICES

Fully qualified and insured Christmas Coffee Morning Tree surgery, low impact forestry, log and kindlingsales th and Lunch - Saturday 8 December Friendly, reliable and tidy

Hamper Tickets are being sold by 24 hour emergency service VERA See advert on Page 22 (01363 83908 07792 906258 8 [email protected] £1 a go!!!! WPE QUALITY PAINTING & DECORATING

Quality Works, Free Quotes, Fully Insured Interior & Exterior Painting

Local, Friendly, Reliable and Competitively Priced

Special Rates for OAP’s

Contact Wayne on- TEL: 07741087156 or 01363 877760

Or visit our website www.wpequalitypaintinganddecorating.co.uk

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page12 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

Overworked or Stressed? Achey muscles? S&H JOINERY Tense shoulders? of Eggesford Stiff back? 01363 894041 Bespoke maker of staircases, Massage Therapy in Lapford windows, doors & furniture Microneedle facial For the treatment of; Penny King Tel: 01363 877718 VTCT level 3 diploma in 07413 706376 Wrinkles and sagging skin Acne scars Holistic Therapies, The Linhay, Broadgate Farm Pigmentation Aromatherapy, Morchard Bishop EX17 6RU And much more; Book and pay for your course of 3 in Sports Massage Email: [email protected] December and receive £100 off! Combine LED light therapy and receive £150 OFF* Please feel free to contact me to find out more, discuss your needs or book an appointment.

M!y Christmas FB page Nails Tanning 'Penny King Complementary Therapist' Lashes Waxing Semi permanent Brows Tel 01363 83091 Unit1, Oakfield, Bow, Crediton make-up Scar treatment Mob 07851 726791 Computer & Laptop repairs & virus removal Microneedle facials Training New & Used computer & Laptop stockists

Crossways IT support & Website design Open 6 days a week Printers & Consumables BOOK ONLINE Woodland OR DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP Prompt & Reliable Call-out service Burials

T: 01363 881157

e: [email protected] Geoff Thatcher If the existing choice of funerals does www.edworthycomputing.co.uk not seem appropriate nor meets your Plumbing and Heating Services wishes maybe we can help. DIARY DATES Gas Safe Registered Phone 01647 24382 You can now send Pauline Chater Any job considered and speak to Martin or Julie Diary Dates for The Messenger up to Chatfield M 07779 515829 12 months in advance.

T 01363 877522 www.crosswayswoodlandburials.co.uk Email Pauline [email protected] or phone 01363 877096 or 07701086784

KERRY PLANT

Complete Excavation Services

For Hire Self Drive Hire with Driver

JCB Wheel Digger Mini Diggers Mini Diggers Dumper Foundations Wacker Plates Landscaping Trailers Septic Tank Rollers etc.

Please phone for more details Mobile: 07976 641606

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page13 www.edworthycomputing.co.uk Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

MORCHARD BISHOP GARDEN CLUB Ponds-Building and Maintenance. Andrew Rawlins

Andrew, a qualified horticulturalist, has a passion for ponds which he came to share with us at the Gardening Club. His company ‘Pondman’ constructs ponds all over Devon and Cornwall of all shapes and sizes from small informal garden ponds to lakes. He has even done a Victorian restoration project for Toby Buckland. A new trend he is pursuing is to build ecological swimming ponds. He is keen to create ponds which sustain their own eco-systems which encourage wildlife into the garden. In terms of starting from scratch or using a pre-formed shape which can be bought at garden centres, Andrew prefers the former as it allows more flexibility. In answer to the first of the questions from the floor, Andrew described how he goes about the process using heavy duty underlay and thick lining. It is important to leave some margin for the underlay. Better too wide than narrow! He fills the pond half full with water and then adds sand which he washes away. If you are feeling very energetic, you can make a stream out of the soil excavated. He also said that it is preferable to create shelves or shallow and deeper parts to plant marginal plants, oxygenators and lilies. Asked by one member if you could use old carpet to line a pond. Andrew was sceptical but diplomatic. It is possible but not advisable as the carpet will eventually rot down. If you are tempted to go along this route, please Hoover the carpet first to get rid of pins and safety pins! There was quite a lively to and fro with the audience, some of whom asked technical questions about solar pumps, aeration and air stones which lost me a bit but I think I heard kangaroos mentioned at one stage. Anyhow, the member who had asked this question seemed to be doing well as his pond once had 8 fish and now has 60. Susie Carr

Ash dieback disease is

spreading throughout Devon Losing one of our most abundant native trees will have

The time for action is now! Over 90% 448,000 ash 99% of these trees are the private landowners My Tree? My Responsibility!

ASH DIEBACK – My Tree? My Responsibilty! Landowners have a duty to manage trees on their land and take appropriate action to minimize risks to public safety from diseased trees Replant and replace trees Please encourage new trees of other native species to grow to help reduce the affects of Ash Dieback on Devon and follow the “rule” –at least 3 new trees for every large one lost, 2 for every medium sized one and 1 for each small one.

Find out more about Ash Dieback and get advice and support from: www.devonashdieback.org.uk

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page14 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

FOLK TALES CORNER

The Pile Of Tinsel

Crackling fires, candles, stars, and strings of fairy lights. Trees with piles of presents, rows of cards and tables groaning with heaps of food. Holly, ivy, snow, reindeer, mummers, socks, sheep, cake, Scrooge, kings, The Snow Queen, donkeys, Julie Andrews and somewhere amongst it all a newborn baby. It must be Christmas again!

I don’t know where I will be for the festive week: I have had an offer of possible work for

Christmas day on the other side of the country, as yet unconfirmed, and thus may be far away from home and possibly even people I know. I’m pretty sure there will be fine food, drink and good company though, that much is compulsory, isn’t it?

Of course, the things that make Christmas depend very much on who you are, where you have come from culturally and what stage you are at in your life. Every family does it a little differently: Presents before breakfast or after dinner? Cook all morning or do it the day before? Games after dinner or dozing in front of the TV? Midnight Mass or Carols from Kings? Massive row over Christmas Dinner or get it out the way on Christmas Eve?

All sorts of people over the years have tried to sift out “the real meaning of Christmas” or to construct a purer version of the midwinter feast, struggling to disentangle the assorted threads of Pagan, Christian and corporate tradition, or extract the literary, folk or media elements, like you or I battling with a box of last years fairy lights, though rarely with as much success.

Coming to my keyboard once again, trying to find this year’s approach to the big, tangled pile of tinsel; to decide which colour to unravel and hang before you... I found myself, instead, entranced by the intensity of the interwoven wonders. No other festival, time of year, event or part of our lives is quite so clearly made from such differing strands, such incompatible ingredients, and yet is so tightly and inextricably intermeshed that the majority of us do not even know that our traditional celebration is a bizarre snowball that has rolled across continents getting random bits of foliage and aggregate stuck in it for centuries.

Whether it’s the star followed by some Magi, the Yule Log saved from the year before, a special candlestick or just the lights on the tree, we all respond to the symbols of the light in the darkness, warmth in coldness, comfort in hardship. New born sons, reborn suns and evergreen trees are all signs of life in the desert of winter. Then mashed in alongside all that are the stories of kindness in adversity, care for family, friends, strangers, even enemies, soldiers playing football where they fought the day before. Tale after Yuletide tale are reminders of our mutual fragility, that we survive by sharing and supporting each other, huddling together against the cruel winter wind. The endings also come again and again to the same triumphant point: The longest night is passed, light returns to the world and we are still alive!

So whatever it is that you do for midwinter, I wish you a very good one: Peace on earth! Blessed be! Fill the mead cup! Good will to everything! Happy Traditional Thing-a-majig! ...here's to living happily ever after, until the next adventure. The Travelling Talesman www.thetravellingtalesman.co.uk

MORCHARD MAIDS Morchard Maids WI October meeting

It was our 10th anniversary and all shared a slice of carrot cake after the speaker!

Keith Davies stepped in at short notice to give us a talk on protecting our coasts. Keith presented a very interesting talk on how coastal erosion took place depending on the shoreline profile, the geology, the wave action and the changing prevailing winds. He described the various methods used both in the UK and abroad to address coastal erosion and the various advantages of building sea walls, revetments, breakwaters and groins etc. Important financial decisions have to be made as to whether to protect homes and businesses, from erosion and flooding with consequent economic and social considerations, especially if they are used for tourism or industry.

Contributions were made to the Christmas Box Appeal for St Mary’s co-ordinated by Sue Gales.

th th Our December meeting is our annual Christmas dinner-social at the London Inn on 16 . We will be having a 10 Anniversary photo taken as well! Frances Anson

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page15 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

PARISH NEWS

A busy few weeks! The Council met on Monday 28th October to discuss the initiatives they would like to take during the remaining 3½ years of their term. A full note can be found within the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting dated 4th November on the Village Website https://www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk/ or on the Parish Council Notice Board. It sets us up for a busy few years but hopefully you will appreciate our efforts. One major event that we would like to bring back to Morchard Bishop is the Carnival – we are researching to see if this would be possible. We want there to be better communication around the village with regard to events, local businesses and sharing of ideas. We aspire to maintain and encourage the strong sense of community, the friendly and welcoming attitude that goes towards making Morchard Bishop a thriving and desirable place to live. We need your ideas and comments so that we know we are meeting our aspiration. Do speak to me or any of your councillors.

On 4th November the Council held its monthly meeting, we were addressed by Alasdair Cameron and Bob Robinson about their proposal to build a new Sports Hall on the site of the existing Sports and Social Club, the idea is that the new building would offer all that the present club house offers but with a substantial indoor Sports Hall. Nothing they are doing is designed to detract from what goes on in the Memorial Hall and all that the hall offers and the Memorial Hall is not threatened in any way. Alasdair and Bob have had good feedback from those they have consulted with so far. The Council asked questions of Alasdair and Bob and generally gave supportive comments.

With regard to the area by the Bus Shelter where the Spruce had been removed, it was agreed to leave this as an open grassy area. The Council supports the Morchard Maids who are hoping to plant wild flowers in the bank opposite the School.

Councillor Elizabeth Wainwright addressed us with regard to the Climate Change Emergency, there are a number of initiatives for us to consider and groups to feed back to. Steve Watson and John Lewin have agreed to be our Climate Change Champions so do let them have any ideas. Mid-Devon will be offering FREE trees (many varieties) to anyone wanting to plant trees next year.

Three planning applications were considered all for applications that we had seen before; a variation of plans to a Q-Application property which we opposed in keeping with our previous decision; Revised plans for Retention of use in relation to an area to the NE of the A377 where the site of the buildings is in the Parish of Down St Mary – due to this we did not pass a resolution but made a comment about the good work that this charity does; finally we Opposed an Appeal relating to another Q-Application. Financially we spent £304.79 in the past month none of the invoices were over £100:

Finally on behalf of the Parish Councillors and myself, may I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, - Have a good one. David Parker. Parish Clerk Contact Details for the Parish Council: David Parker: 01363 877008 / 07794 362591 [email protected]

CREDITON FOOD BANK OPEN DOOR

A huge "THANK YOU" to all who have donated groceries and Colin opened the meeting and we all signed a card to wish money from their Harvest Festivals. The Foodbank shelves are Frances Preece well in her new home. A birthday card was looking well-stocked and we are able to give generously to also given to Rosemary.

people which is very positive as the evenings shorten and the Colin then jokingly introduced a renowned speaker who had cold weather comes. Newton St. Cyres Young Farmers have come a great distance to speak to us - namely our own also given us a very generous cheque from their fundraising Diana. Her subject which was the problem of suffering and events this past year. This will be used to buy fresh food such very often the reason why some people cannot believe in as mince, chicken, spread, cheese, eggs, milk and bread that God.

we give out with each food parcel. We are one of the few Why does God allow suffering when he could prevent Foodbanks to give out fresh food. it? Some people blame God for suffering but Paul tells us September was the first month this year where we have not that God is only good. He created man not as robots or seen an increase in footfall, however, the past 2 weeks have puppets but to be free to make choices, but Adam made the been especially busy. wrong choice and brought sin into the human race. We don't

Current Foodbank needs: Strawberry jam, sugar, shampoo, understand why some people suffer more than others even shower gel, deodorant, washing-up liquid. Everything else we good people. Christians are not exempt from trouble and have enough of this month, thank you. Peter warned us not to be surprised if we go through "Fiery trials”. Life is short and we must remember eternity is for Thank you everyone for your on-going ever and not far away. We must be ready to stand before support of the Foodbank. God with a strong faith in Jesus Christ. with best wishes Chris Parsons Doreen kindly served us with tea and biscuits and our next Crediton Foodbank Coordinator & Community Support Worker meeting on 2nd December will be a group effort to present 07740 202721 "Jesus the Word" in the Lower Room at 2.30pm.

Rosemary Taylor Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page16 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

Morchard Bishop Sports & Social Club

Quiz Night & Buffet

Friday 17thJanuary, 7 for 7.30pm start. Yew Woodland Services Teams of four, Barn stored seasoned ready to burn now at new low price! £5 per person, including buffet. Soft/hardwood £80, Hardwood £90 A load Prizes £50, £30 & £20 respectively. A load in my trailer is slightly bigger than a single cab pick up. Please book early, limited tables. Delivery to Morchard Bishop and Contact Angie 01363 877527 or surrounding areas free E mail [email protected] Kindling now available Everyone Welcome, Please call Nick for more information £1 yearly club membership 07742 081170 or 01363 82925

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page17 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

WI—PROSECCO AND SHOPPING!

Forget Jam and Jerusalem!---WI Members were invited to John Lewis open evening last month. Six intrepid members went along and joined in with some eight hundred [yes 800!] WI members from all over Devon, all packed into the Exeter store. We were given a warm welcome by a charming young gentleman, who did not appear to be overwhelmed by his audience. All the staff were so pleasant and helpful.

We started off with a glass of prosecco and collected a bag with a sample of perfume and a £5 voucher. There was a fashion show, wine and cheese tasting, a duvet cover changing class, someone showing us how we could arrange potted plants to best advantage[I think most of us had worked that out years ago!] Cosmetics on the ground floor was especially busy, as most counters were giving away samples, so ladies were going home with even more little bags!

This is an example of what can be done through WI. We also had a fascinating tour of the glass factory at Thelbridge last month as well as a most enlightening talk on Lifeboats at our usual monthly meeting.

WI meets in the Memorial Hall on the second Wednesday of the month at 2.30 pm. New members always welcome------just come along---not in December though as we are going out for our Christmas lunch.

GARDENING TIPS FOR DECEMBER

Check your winter protection structures are still securely in place Check that greenhouse heaters are working Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing Fleece insulate any vulnerable plants which can’t be moved to protect from frost Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and transplanted Take hardwood cuttings Keep mice away from stored produce Reduce watering of houseplants

Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls) If you’re not sure about apple pruning either hire in a gardener (like me) or Orchards Live have an apple pruning course first weekend in December

Jo Coffey

Christmas Better Brussels Sprouts! Wishes David & Gillian would like A seasonal must for many, Brussels sprouts are good when served with cranberries. to wish all their friends in Choose smaller sprouts and trim off the outer the village A Happy leaves, score the base and cook in boiling Christmas & a Prosperous salted water until just tender. Drain and then cut in half – top to bottom. New Year Melt 25g (1 oz ) Devon butter - enough for A donation will be sent to 450g (1 lb) sprouts, in a frying pan until DAAT. golden in colour, add the halved sprouts and shake them in the butter with 50g (2 oz) dried With many thanks to the cranberries. Season with freshly ground black editors at the Morchard pepper. Messenger.

Paul Cleve

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page18

Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

MORCHARD BISHOP PRIMARY SCHOOL

Bikeability.

Eighteen children took part in Bikeability this year under the supervision of David Godwin from Devon County Council. Despite the changeable weather the children enjoyed the experience and as a result have become better cyclists. All the children passed the level one course which is very similar to the older cycling proficiency which involves riding a bike safely round cones and stopping on command and becoming aware of other road users. The level two course enables the children to ride on roads and become familiar with road signs, junctions and riding bikes in traffic. This helps the children to become more confident and safer riders. Hopefully a number of the children will now ride their bikes to school. Chris Sargeant

CHRISTMAS 2019 @ CHURCH STREET STORES

We are BURSTING with local delights and gorgeous gifts come and take a look! From locally made chocolates, soap, candles to Award winning Lyme Bay wines.

We have homemade soup and cakes on the menu, so why not come with a friend have lunch and shop together!? This year we will have a variety of hamper boxes to choose. If you’d like us make up a hamper please talk to Clare and we can arrange a time to suit or come along to our late night shopping evening…. This year we will be holding the evening on Friday 29th November. Come and enjoy a sample of the Lyme Bay Christmas Mead and a mince pie!

As usual, we will be making our homemade tarts, available to order for the Christmas period. Choose from:

• Goat’s Cheese, Pesto & Caramelised Red Onion • Chestnut, Leek, Sundried Tomato & Mature Cheddar • Local Brie, Cranberry and Spinach • Roasted Squash, Red Onion & Stilton • Local Ham, Cheddar & Tomato • *Gluten- free option available.

£2.75 each or 5 for £12.75 These will be cooked fresh on Xmas Eve (collect from 10.30 am) and will keep for 5 days (or freeze).

We can also take orders for Chinn’s sausages (made in Crediton) Chipolatas, Cocktail, regular, flavoured & sausage meat; Fresh vegetables-make sure you have your sprouts! Cream, Bread, Homemade Coleslaw, etc.

Over the Christmas period our opening times will be as follows:

We will close at 1pm on Christmas Eve (Tuesday) and reopen on Friday 3rd January 2020.

Our usual opening times just to confirm are: Sun & Mon 8.30am-12pm and Tues-Sat 8.30 am-5.00pm.

Just a reminder, if you’d like to vote for us for a ‘Rural Oscar’ for Best Village Shop please go to www.countryside-alliance.org/caawards or ask to sign the hard copy in store.

We would like to wish all our customers a very Happy Christmas and very Merry New Year!

Clare & Matthew

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page19 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

DP Bookkeeping Services Are you in need of a Bookkeeper?

Bookkeeper available to work part time, at times to suit you, either at your business or remotely.

Formerly an office manager, I can offer the following services: • Balancing accounts (also known as ‘double book

keeping) All Aspects of Tree Surgery Stump Removal • Crown Lifting Crown Reduction Processing sales invoices, receipts and payments • Completing VAT returns Grounds Maintenance Hedge Cutting All types of Fencing Grass Cutting • Preparing invoices for the Inland Revenue Garden Maintenance Turfing • Checking company bank statements Private & Commercial Customers Wood Chip • Preparing Cash flow statements Seasoned Logs Fully Insured • Dealing with financial paperwork and filing • Preparing profit and loss sheets for annual accounts Free Quotations www.fourseasons-treeservices.com Oliver Vernon [email protected] Call David on 01363 877008 or 07794 362591 for a friendly chat 01884 563021/07766168162 Discreet and Reliable Competitive rates

Want to know Struggling how to save with energy energy this bills? winter?

Light Up a Life – throughout December

Hospiscare are inviting local people to join their Light Up a Life Services, where people remember loved ones through a Book of Memories and local remembrance services. The services are taking place across Exeter, Mid and . The venues FREE personalised advice from and dates are as follows – fully trained advisers on:

Axminster, St Mary the Virgin Church – Monday 2 Dec, 6.30pm Energy debt Energy savings , Fairplace Church – Tuesday 3 Dec, 7.00pm Switching suppliers Exeter, Broadclyst&Pinhoe, Hall Church –Wednesday 4 Dec,3.00pm , St Peter’s Church – Wednesday 4 Dec, 6.00pm We can come to your community group or Crediton, Parish Church – Thursday 5 Dec, 7.00pm arrange 1-2-1 consultations. Tiverton, St Peter’s Church – Friday 6 Dec, 7.00pm Topsham, St Margaret’s Church – Sunday 8 Dec, 3.00pm Contact: [email protected] , The Deer Park – Monday 9 Dec, 6.30pm [email protected] Exeter, St Thomas Methodist Church – Monday 9 Dec, 7.00pm 01392 248919 www.devoncommunities.org.uk/pro- , St Mary’s Parish Church-Wednesday 11 Dec, 7.00pm jects/big-energy-saving-network Seaton, St Gregory’s Church – Friday 13 Dec, 6.00pm 1 in 10 households in Devon are classed as ‘fuel poor’. Help us Exeter Cathedral – Sunday 15 Dec 6.30pm

To put your dedication in your local Book of Memories Hospiscare – BURNS NIGHT at Huntsham Court please pick up a leaflet at your local Hospiscare shop, Traditional Supper, Ceilidh, Address to a Haggis, Bagpiper visit our website Arrival:7pm, Carriages 11.30 www.hospiscare.co.uk/light-up-a-life Venue:Huntsham Court, EX16 7NA or contact Hospiscare on 01392 688020 or Dress Code: Black Tie [email protected]. Tickets: £55 from Hospiscare website https://www.hospiscare.co.uk/events/burns-night-at- huntsham-court

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page20 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

MORCHARD BISHOP Morchard Bishop Sports & Social Club GARDENING CLUB PRESENTS FUN WHIST AFTERNOON

XMAS GARLANDS Calling all whist WITH players. “THE GOOD FLORIST” ROBERTA Wednesday 22nd ON January TH THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER 7.30PM 2pm to 4pm * WEDNESDAY 11TH* MEMORIAL HALL * BECAUSE OF ELECTION * Please register your interest with Angie

01363 877527

GARDENING CLUB XMAS HAMPER E mail [email protected] RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN or LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE A TICKET Follow us on Facebook MINCE PIES AND CREAM ANNUAL JOINING FEE ONLY £15.00 Everyone Welcome

OVER 60’s LUNCH CLUB AND GET TOGETHER Emmanuel Methodist Church

The next Luncheon Club and Get Together at the London Inn is Wednesday 18thDecember at 12.30pm. The menu for this lunch will be Roast Turkey, Roast Potatoes and Vegetables followed by Christmas Pudding or Baileys Cheesecakeand tea/coffee. The cost is £7.50 inclusive.

Please fill in the slip below and return to me by 17thDecember or email me at [email protected] or phone me on 01363 877459 or just pop into me at Harries. Candlelight Carol Service Regular members please let me know if you cannot make it, thank you. Please let me know if you need transport.

Name------

Tel No: ------

The next COFFEE, CAKE & CHAT is www.emmanuel-morchard-bishop.org Wednesday 4thDecember at 10.30am

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page21 Sponsored This Month by A. E. Partridge and Sons

Morchard Bishop Celebrates VE 75 in Next Stop Christmas May 2020(more details next month)

Morchard Bishop Parish Council invites you to the lighting of The Nativity in the Bus Shelter

Sunday 8th December at 5.45 pm

followed by

soup and chips at the London Inn.

Visit your local website www.morchardbishop-pc.org.uk Page22