the whiddon parishes -...
TRANSCRIPT
TheThe
Whiddon ParishesWhiddon Parishes
Communicating the good news of Jesus and demonstrating care forCommunicating the good news of Jesus and demonstrating care for
the vulnerable, our communities and the wider creationthe vulnerable, our communities and the wider creation
Free to the villagers of Chagford, Crockernwell, Drewsteignton,Free to the villagers of Chagford, Crockernwell, Drewsteignton,
Gidleigh, Hittisleigh, Murchington, South Zeal, SouthTawton,Gidleigh, Hittisleigh, Murchington, South Zeal, SouthTawton,
FROM THE ASSOCIATE VICAR
3
Contents:
Useful information 2, 4
From the Associate Vicar 3
Readings 5
Whiddon news 5-17
Nature Notes 19
World Wide Church 21
Young People 23
Calendar and Church
Services 24-26
Parish news:
Chagford 27-33
Drewsteignton 35
Gidleigh and
Throwleigh 37-39
Hittisleigh and
Spreyton 41-43
South Tawton and
South Zeal 45
Advertisers’ Directory
46-47
Cover photograph:
Courtesy Lucy Dickens
The beginning of the second month of the new yearbrings us to the festival of Candlemas on 2nd
February. Then we remember the Presentation of thebaby Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem forty days afterhis birth. This festival marks the end of the Christmasseason and it was also traditionally the day when thenew year’s candles were brought into the church to beblessed. It is therefore a celebration of light but, likemany Christian festivals, it also has some pagan roots. Itcoincides with the mid-point between the wintersolstice and the spring equinox. This was also the timeof an ancient pagan festival of light celebrating the factthat the days are getting longer, the sun is rising a littlehigher in the sky and winter’s grip on the world isbeginning to loosen. In rural places like our parishes it ishardly surprising that the two have become intertwinedand associated with weather lore. There is an oldproverb that states:
If Candlemas Day be fair and brightWinter will have another fight.If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,Winter will not come again.
So, perhaps I should be wishing you a soggy Candlemasin the hope of hastening the arrival of spring and thereawakening that comes with fresh growth and thepromise of new life and new beginnings!
Candlemas, like Christmas, has a fixed date which isunchanged from year to year. Easter, on the other hand,moves in accordance with the phases of the moon likethe Jewish festival of Passover and the Islamiccelebrations of Ramadan and Eid. Easter Sunday iscalculated to be the first Sunday after the first full moonafter the spring equinox! This year that full moon will beon 11th April so Easter Sunday will be on 16th April. AsEaster is relatively late this year, Lent will not begin until1st March.
Lent is often seen as a time to give up things likesweets or alcohol. These may be useful and healthyexercises in themselves but the season is not really somuch about shrinking the waistline as about growing thesoul! It is intended to be a time for improving one’sspiritual health. Fasting may have a place in helpingspiritual growth but prayer and study and acts of charityare rather more important. Lent is therefore a goodtime to get into the habit of regular prayer ormeditation or Bible study or perhaps some other formof spiritual reading.
On this year’s Lent Course we will be exploring thelessons we may have to learn from the ancienttraditions of Celtic Christianity which date back to theearliest Christian traditions of these islands. Traditionswhich have their spirituality deeply rooted in the naturalworld. We will be using a book called “Restoring theWoven Cord” by Michael Mitton. We hope this willprovide the basis for some interesting and wide-rangingdiscussions and the opportunity for us to deepen ourunderstanding and our fellowship – a real chance togrow!
Revd Harriet
ASH WEDNESDAY
1st MARCH
10am Holy Communion with
Ashes
at Chagford (Book of Common Prayer)
7pm Ash Wednesday liturgy with
Ashes
at Holy Trinity, Drewsteignton
7.30pm Holy Communion with
Ashes
at St Mary’s, South Zeal
LEARNINGTOGETHER
Five evening sessions with
refreshments and space for
discussion and prayer. This year
we’ll be using ‘Restoring the
Woven Cord’ by Michael Mitton
to explore Celtic Christianity for
our lives today.
Mondays
6th, 13th, & 27th March
3rd April, 7.30-9pm
at Whiddon DownVillage Hall
EVERYONE WELCOME
WHIDDON NEWS
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Morecare - ChagfordNo means of getting to a medical appointment?
Need a hand with something you just can’t manage?
Don’t know how to arrange a service you need?Could do with a friendly visitor to chat or read to you?
Help with shopping , changing library books, etc.?
Morecare - Chagford is here to help!Call: 0791 485 3726
In order to give you the best possible service,it is vital you contact us as soon as you know
you will need our assistance.
Sunday 5 February, 20174th Sunday before Lent
1st Reading: Isaiah 58.1-9a2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 2.1-12
Gospel: Matthew 5.13-20
Sunday 12 February, 20173rd Sunday before Lent
1st Reading:Deuteronomy 30.15-end2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 3.1-9
Gospel: Matthew 5.21-37
Sunday 19 February, 20172nd Sunday before Lent
1st Reading: Genesis 1.1-2.32nd Reading: Romans 8.18-25
Gospel: Matthew 6.25-end
Sunday 26 February, 2017Sunday next before Lent
1st Reading: Exodus 24.12-end2nd Reading: 2 Peter 1.16-end
Gospel: Matthew 17.1-9
Wednesday 1 March, 2017Ash Wednesday
1st Reading: Joel 2.1-2,12-172nd Reading: 2 Cor. 5.20b - 6.10
Gospel: John 8.1-11
Sunday 5 March, 20171st Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: Genesis 2.15-17, 3. 1-72nd Reading: Romans 5.12-19
Gospel: Matthew 4.1-11
Sunday 12 March, 20172nd Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: Genesis 12.1-4a2nd Reading: Romans 4.1-5, 13-17
Gospel: John 3.1-17
Sunday 19 March, 20173rd Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: Exodus 17.1-72nd Reading: Romans 5.1-11
Gospel: John 4.5-42
Sunday 26 March, 2017Mothering Sunday
1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1.20-282nd Reading: Colossians 3.12-17
Gospel: Luke 2.33-35
Sunday 2 April, 20175th Sunday of Lent
1st Reading: Ezekiel 37.1-142nd Reading: Romans 8.6-11
Gospel: John 11.1-45
Readings from Sunday 5th February to Sunday 2nd April
CHAGFORD HEALTH CENTREPATIENT GROUP
During a PPG Committee meeting in early autumn thepossibility of adding brightness and colour to the walls inthe corridor leading to the Consulting Room used byDoctors Claridge and Hart was explored. After somediscussion a suggestion was made that perhaps an artcompetition involving the children of Chagford PrimarySchool could be arranged with the winning artworkmounted and exhibited in the corridor.
A member of the PPG made contact with the schooland met with a most enthusiastic response and as aresult the whole school (divided into combined yeargroups) took part in the competition in the AutumnTerm. The theme was ‘Colourful Chagford’ based onMeldon Hill, the High Street and the Parish Church.
The standard of artwork which the children producedwas stunning, making the task of choosing very difficultfor the doctors and the Practice Manager, who were thejudges, but the winners were finally selected and amember of the PPG kindly contributed towards theprizes.
The winners received a W.H Smith voucher andchocolate coins and the two runners up in each categoryreceived chocolate coins. In addition they were allawarded a certificate and a bone or syringe shaped pen.
The winning entries have now been framed and hungup in the Health Centre and we would like to thank allthe staff and children of Chagford Primary School forhelping to make this happen.
FOOD BANK
Many Thanks to all who so generously donated to theFestive Food Bank and to all those who helped make itsuch a success.
The response was truly amazing with so manywonderful things that filled two big cars when taking it allto the Food Bank.
The wonderful array of food, crackers, treats andpractical gifts were guaranteed to brighten many familiesand individuals Christmas time.
Apparently they had many new referrals and some indesperate need just before Christmas, so every donationwas appreciated and made a difference .
We can keep our support going throughout the year,with the Globe Inn Chagford being a collection point forany tins, dried food stuff or personal hygine items.
If you are in need of some extra support or knowsomeone who is, then please get in touch with theBaptist Church in Okehampton Tel no 01837 55956or http://www.okefoodbank.org.uk
Dartmoor Decorative & Fine Arts Society
The Charter Hall, Okehampton
Tea/coffee and home-made Brownies from 9.45:
Lecture at 10.25
Wednesday 8 February 2017
Monica Bohm Duchen:
Not so gentle? War & Conflict
in the Art of Henry Moore.
Wednesday 8th March 2017
Louise Schofield
In search of the Queen of Sheba
Pre-booked guests are welcome. Voluntarycontribution of £10 payable at the door. Space islimited so please phone Cindy Telfer Smollett on
01837 871 481 to book your place.
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WHIDDON NEWS
WHIDDON NEWS
PILGRIMAGE NOTES
The Whiddon Mission Community Pilgrimage to the HolyLand has taken place! We flew out to Tel Aviv on 20th
November and, during the ten days we were in the HolyLand, our party of 24 pilgrims had a packed itinerary. Weexplored the holy sites in Galilee, the Jordan Valley,Bethlehem and Jerusalem. As we have just celebratedChristmas, it seems appropriate to tell you something aboutour time in Bethlehem.
The little town of Bethlehem is not so little these days. It lieswithin the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bankand is largely surrounded by the ugly scar of the hugeseparation wall. It towers over the neighbouring houses andrestricts the movement of the people who cannot leavewithout the appropriate permit.
We were able to worship at the Shepherds’ Fields in BeitSahour, where there is a very beautiful modern church withwonderful acoustics and some vivid frescoes of the nativity. Itis lovely spot but as we looked across the valley we could seeone of the large new settlements built on occupied land.
Our next visit was to the Bethlehem Baby Hospital which is amajor centre for paediatric medicine in the West Bank – it isa lovely hospital supported by the Catholic charity Caritasand it has some excellent facilities. We were able to meet acouple of the young patients and to pass on some gifts ofbooks and crayons but even here we could see the wall –
stark and greyand covered ingrafitti.
For all theisolation ande c o n o m i cd e p r e s s i o nassociated witht h e w a l l ,Bethlehem isstill the site ofthe nativity andthere is a sense
that it is always Christmas in Bethlehem. We stayed in a hotelin Manger Square adjacent to the Church of the Nativitywhich is one of the most ancient places of Christian worshipin the world. It is currently undergoing much neededrenovation and repair so there is scaffolding both inside andoutside the church. During the day, it is usually crowded withpilgrims and there is a constant buzz of chatter in manylanguages. At these times it is easier to appreciate it as anancient monument than as a place of worship.
But, because we were staying nearby, it was easy to get upearly and creep into the church just before 6am when thefirst mass of the day begins. Then the only sound is thechanting of the Orthodox priests when the only people in thebuilding are gathered there to pray. The congregation for themass are nuns and local people who pop in for a few minutes’prayer on the way to work and children stopping to praybefore the school day begins. At that time, you can sit orkneel in silence and feel the church as a truly sacred space
hallowed by many centuries of prayer. One gains some senseof fellowship with all those other worshippers who have feltthe presence of God in that place across the ages.
Revd Harriet
WHIDDON WIDECOMMUNITY CHOIR
At the time of writing - and having participated in a happyround of festive celebrations, the Community Choir islooking forward to singing at the New Year’s Eve annualcharity ceilidh in South Zeal. Sadly this year we will bemissing one of our members, Juanita, who died just beforeChristmas. We send our love and thoughts to Lorinda.
This year we have sung and eaten very good cake across theparishes from Gidleigh to Hittisleigh, Whiddon Down toYeoford and finished the year with an antler and tinsel jumpersession at St Michael’s in Chagford. Despite maintaining a noperformance agenda we’ve ‘performed’ at an art exhibition, abirthday party and are already booked for a couple of eventsnext year (we are easily persuaded by cake). If you’reinterested in singing for fun, sharing coffee and cake androaming around the Whiddon Parishes, then you’re welcometo join us generally on the third Saturday of each month from10-12.30pm.
Forward dates and locations:
18th February: Yeoford Village Hall18th March: Hittisleigh Village Hall
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHThe Fellowship Lunch, about which an advance notice was inthe previous magazine, will take place on Tuesday7th February at 12 noon for 12.30pm at Fingle Bridge Inn.
As you may know Ann Hall has been the prime mover inorganising the previous such lunches which were sosuccessful. The aim of the lunches is to get to know otherswho live locally and to have a pleasant meal together in lovelysurroundings. Ann and Michael are leaving this part of theworld shortly to move nearer their family, but they arehoping to be with us on 7th February.
The cost will be £14.95 (excluding gratuity) per person for a2 course lunch plus coffee or tea, and buy your own drinks atthe bar.
I am taking up the organising baton. Please contact me if youwould like to join us for the February lunch which is open toanyone living in any of the Whiddon parishes. Please spreadthe word to others who you think might like to come.Transport can be arranged if necessary. Places must bereserved by Wednesday 1st February at the latest.
Marian Barnes 01647 432098
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WHIDDON NEWS
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Mission Community
CHORAL EVENSONG
Sunday 19th February at 6.30pm
St Andrew’s,
Sampford Courtenay
Harry PriceI am preparing a talk on Harry Price and the Angler’s
Rest at Fingle Bridge.
If you have any memories, photos or mementoes of
the Price family and the Angler’s Rest (now the Fingle
Bridge Inn) I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Please contact me on 01647 441 083 or
e-mail: [email protected]
Bill Hardiman
Moretonhampstead History Society Chairman
U3A
Wednesday February 1st 10am Wednesday March 1st 10am
“Tutankhamun The Boy King” “British Red Cross & International Red Cross”
Speaker: Janet Diamond Speaker: Susan Tribble
Venue: The Union Inn, Moretonhampstead
New Members and Visitors Welcome
Mothering Sunday
26th March
Family-friendly services at
your local church:
South Zeal: 11.15am
Chagford: 9.30am
Drewsteignton: 11.15am
Gidleigh 11.15am
Spreyton: 11.15am
Hittisleigh: 11am
WHIDDON NEWS
In late 2014 St Michael’s Church generously raisedfunds to build a well in Diangoudia. This was built in
early 2015 and has completely transformed the village.The well not only provides clean water, but brings vastother benefits. It means that : children go to school as collecting water no
longer takes all day; people can wash their clothes and have time to
go to the market to trade their goods; the men can make compost; nomads bring their cattle to the village to draw
water, the fields will be grazed and manured andvillagers can buy milk;
the men can make bricks to build houses; they can get married, as no women will marry
into a village without water; young people no longer have to migrate to
survive.
In the words of Moila Dara: resident“We were living in a water crisis. If we wanted water tocook with we got up at 5am and spent the next 5-10 hourscollecting water from neighbouring villages. We were unableto eat more than one meal a day, or fulfil our domestictasks, or make a living.Now we have water at any time that we need it. Now wehave time to make money spinning cotton and have set up asavings group for the women to begin to start smallenterprises.We thank everyone at St Michael’s who supportJoliba”.
We are delighted that in Lent StMichael’s will be raising funds again forthis very remote part of Mali, which isone of the poorest parts of the world.We are hoping it may be possible toraise the funds for another well atSibo.
SIBO used to have an excellent well with abundantwater. Unfortunately it was destroyed and filled in by alandslide. There is a second well, but it has no properspring and is dried up for most of the day. It is alsounstable. This has put the village of Sibo into an urgentwater crisis.
“I am a member of the family of the village chief. Every daypeople ask about rebuilding the well as the water problemhas become so acute. After March all surrounding pools andwater catchment areas are dry. Our village has more than athousand inhabitants who are desperate for water. We arelooking everywhere for some help with technical support andthe cost of materials so that we can rebuild our well.The village is on a hill with the well in a valley. We havetried digging in other areas of the valley to find waterunsuccessfully. We need to rebuild the original well wherethere is a good spring to resolve our crisis.”
Adama NAPO“There was a lot of water in our original well. It was herethat the animals, especially herds of cattle came to drink.from specially built special water troughs..Only one point of supply is insufficient for our large village.As there is so little water, there are families who do not talkto each other because they cannot gain access to the limitedwater. We were a united village, but today the village isdivided because of our water crisis.”
Daouda Napo: Farmer“In the rainy season we have plenty of water as manysprings appear in low lying areas I cannot collect watermyself and have to wake my daughters at 4am to be first inthe queue otherwise there will be no chance of finding water.Whether we will be able to collect water is our main dailypreoccupation and dread. I have had to take my twodaughters out of school. My eldest daughter is shy anddoesn’t push herself in the scramble, loses her place in thequeue and is nearly always too late to go to the market 20kms away. This is the nearest market where we can buyprovisions and where we need to sell our produce..If we were able to rebuild our old well, we would haveenough time for our daily activities and a chance to earn ourliving. Please help us to rebuild our well so that we havemore water.“
Haoussa NAPO : Head of the Women’s AssociationBefore the landslide the children could draw water from theold well safely themselves. But we will not allow them todraw water from the second well as it is at the point ofcollapse and is far too dangerous
Boubacar NAPO : TeacherJoliba Trust: tel 01647 432018 [email protected]
www.jolibatrust.org.uk
For details of the forthcomingLent Appeal please contactTonyMilton at [email protected]
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St. Michael’s Chagford - Lent Appeal for a second well in Mali with JolibaTrust
TONY McCRUM
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'WORSETHINGS HAPPEN AT SEA'
I can no longer stand for any length of time and wassitting down in preparation for standing throughout
the two minutes Silence on Remembrance Day,11.11.16 . I turned to a friend to explain my feebleness.
"I many not be able to stand during the Silence"
She replied by reminding me of that old saying"Worse Things Happen At Sea" and we both laughedas she remembered that I had spent many years on theoceans as a naval officer. But it also stirred theslumbering embers of my brain and out of that dustbincame these memories WHEN WORSE THINGS DIDHAPPEN AT SEA.
The drowning of boy seaman Campbell
It was my first sea voyage as a 17 year old cadet in thebattleship HMS Royal Oak when this 15 year old boyseaman was caught in the 'bight' (loop) of a wire beingreeled in on the foc'sle and was knocked overboard.
"Man Overboard" was broadcast; lifebelts weretossed into the sea; the ship was stopped and thelifeboat launched but there was no trace of him. Thiswas his first ship and only 2 years younger than me. Itmade a great impression on me.
A typhoon at sea
When I was in command of my first ship HMSConcord we were hit by a Force 11-12 typhoon in theSouthern Seas off Western Australia.
We had had plenty of warning and the ship wasbattened down hard, ready for the gigantic wavessweeping over us and the ferocious wind tearing atthe rigging. I was confident we could ride out thestorm until my Engineer Officer arrived, whitefaced, onthe bridge:
"There is a leak in the engineer's messdeck (livingspace): a 6 foot gash below the waterline".
I went down to assess the damage with my heart inmy mouth. The messdeck looked more like aswimming pool than a messdeck and I realised wewere in deep trouble. Despite the best efforts of theengineers a waterfall of water was squirting throughthe gash in the hull plates, but the engineers weredoing all they could to staunch the leak and my placewas on the bridge so I left them to their struggles.
Typhoons can sink ships and the United States Navyhad recently lost three destroyers in one typhoon.The Engineers eventually plugged the leak and welimped back to harbour. Quite a fright.
HMS Skipjack at Dunkirk
Off the beaches at Dunkirk my ship HMS Skipjack hadbeen under attack by divebombers for over half anhour. She had been hit by 5 bombs and was stopped in
the water, her guns were out of action and all hercommunications had been silenced. A blanket of blacksmoke covered the bridge. Quite slowly she began tocapsize and by the time I had got off the ship and swumaway she was lying 'bottoms up' with the sunlightshining on her hull. Then she sank gracefully beneaththe waves.
Over 100 of the soldiers we had rescued drowned.
Sinking of HMS Bangor
Bangor was our sister ship in the 9th MinesweepingFlotilla which was sweeping mines in the Moray Firthoff the east coast of Scotland in the winter of1941.We were attacked by a German bomber andBangor was hit below the bridge in the early evening.The whole of her foredeck peeled back as far as thebridge. Her bows were diving into the sea and therewas no hope of saving her and a rescue operation wasmounted. The wind was rising and our wireless officereported a gale force 9 imminent.
It was a hazardous operation and HMS Rhyl, the firstrescue ship to go alongside took off a few of the crewbut the ships were riding up and down on the wave sofast that rescue was difficult.
Then quite suddenly she listed to port and quicklycapsized. She hovered upside down for a short timeand then the mounting seas engulfed her and shedisappeared. Many lives were lost
We fell silent on our bridge as she sank. Many goodfriends were lost.
'WORSE THINGS DO HAPPEN AT SEA' - in peaceand war.
Tony in his new buggy
WHIDDON NEWS
17
CHAGFORD YOUNG PERSONS DEVELOPMENT TRUSTWe would like to thank all those who, on December 17th 2016, came to the Coffee Morning for the above and so helped to raise the sum of £425.50 a sum we felt was par� cularly generous so near to Christmas
Rupert & Simon Deane; Lyn Evans; Brian & Zelda Lambert; Mary Parker; Nigel Price; David & Michael Rhodes;Tessa Rubbra; Jo Williamson; Lorna Young.
THANK YOU.
We have an impressive line-up for Chagword 2017 – Dartmoor`s third Literary Festival - to be held in Chagford in theJubilee Hall (children's events at Chagford Primary School) from 17-19 March. Tickets available from mid-February.See website for details of programme and tickets www.chagword.co.uk Here is a brief outline of the programme
FRIDAY 17 MARCH
7.30pm Matt Harvey and friends – Adventures in Words and Music
SATURDAY 18 MARCH
10 -11am Shaun Hill, Michelin-starred chef, sharing his experience of 30 years at the oven with hisnew book Salt is Essential
10 -11am Jason Beresford with The Fabulous Four Fishfingers at Chagford Primary School11.30am - 12.30pm Simon James drawing pictures and reading stories at Chagford Primary School11.30am - 12.30pm Hisham Matar with his powerful memoir, The Return, a moving insight of exile, loss and
life in Libya under Colonel Gadaffi2 - 3pm Alice Oswald, internationally recognised poet, reading from her new collection Falling
Awake3.30 - 4.30pm Patrick Gale, one of the country`s best-loved novelists, leads A Great Read - a discussion
on his latest book A Place Called Winter7.30 - 9pm Michael Morpurgo – a telling of War Horse with music performed by Ben Murray from
the National Theatre
SUNDAY 19 MARCH
10.30 -11.30am Peter Moffat in conversation with Marnie Dickens on the challenges and rewards ofwriting for the small and big screen
12noon -1.00pm Max Porter reading and discussing his widely-acclaimed debut novel Grief is The Thingwith Feathers
1.45pm Prize giving for the Very Short Story Competition2.30 - 3.30pm Kate Adie, who was the BBC`s Chief News Correspondent, talking about her distinguished
career as broadcaster and author4.00 - 5.30pm Sophie Hannah, best-selling writer of psychological crime fiction, introduces Closed
Casket – a new Hercule Poirot Mystery — including afternoon tea
CHAGFORD SHOW - CHURCH TENT
Is there anybody out there that could take on the organisa� on of the Church rest tentat the Chagford Show in August?
The volunteers provide a hot drink, biscuits and a well earned rest for a vast number of others
Please phone Phil Tucker (01647 432948) and she will explain what an easy job this can be.
WHIDDON NEWS
Seeing an otter whilst you are walking by a river indaylight is not very likely, as otters are secretive and
mainly nocturnal, with the best chance being at dusk orjust after dawn. “TARKA THE OTTER” was one of theinspirational books for me as a boy, written by HenryWilliamson, along with “SALAR THE SALMON,” bothhelping to fire an interest in wildlife at a young age.Living in Kent then, the nearest river for otter presencewas unfortunately polluted by paper mills upstream anddevoid of fish and consequently otters. I did not see onein daylight until I was in my forties, moving along theeastern bank of the Upper Tamer Lake early onemorning. This was quite an event for me, having waitedsince boyhood to see one in the wild. Signs of otterscan be found fairly easily if they are present. Theirtracks in snow or soft mud betray their five pointed toemarks in front of the foot pad. Sometimes, as indeepish snow, marks of the tail may also be seen. Theother sign revealing their presence is spraint, ordroppings usually left in sheltered places such as under abridge or on a convenient rock where otters leave orenter water. They remain for a long time so that otherotters are aware of their presence. Spraints are usuallyblack, around an inch or more long, often revealingsmall bones of mammals or fish, which the otter hascaught and eaten. Spraints are usually deposited eachtime the otter passes, marking it’s territory. I havefound spraints along the Teign. Fresh spraints arealways a good indication of otter presence, whilst theotter itself is an indicator of a clean healthy river. Theymay hunt a length of river territory of up to 20 mileslong, working up and down the stretch, perhaps restingup at times during daylight, concealed under cover in aplace called a hover, under tree roots or log pilesperhaps, but safely out of sight.
When the dam at Roadford Lake was constructed inthe 1980’s, provision for the passage of otters wasincorporated. A tunnel was built at both ends of thedam, under the road which crosses the dam, so thatotters could pass safely up or down stream withoutcrossing the road itself. Road kill is an otter hazard.Once the reservoir filled, otters would use the tunnelfurthest away from the people, which was about 50 feetlong, emerging on the bank behind the dam and enteringanother tunnel which led down to the River Wolf,offering safe passage. On the lakeside entrance to thetunnel, otter spraint was deposited on a tussock ofcocksfoot grass, a black pile nearly a foot high!The favourite food of the otter is eels, followed by fish,frogs, small mammals, wildfowl and crayfish. They donot kill for fun, like the mink, but just to sustainthemselves and their young. The female otter, slightlysmaller than the dog, or male, will raise 2-4 young, orkits, in a safe hole on the river bank called a holt. They
can be born at any time of the year, as there is nospecific breeding season. These are looked after by bothparents until the young can fend for themselves. At thispoint the dog otter will enter a solitary life away fromthe family until mating occurs again. Otters will playwith their young, activities might include sliding down amuddy slope into the river, as well as teaching them tofish.
The otter is about 2½ feet long and its brown coat iswaterproof. Of necessity, it is a wonderful swimmerwith webbed toes and able to shut its ears and nostrilswhen diving. Next time you are walking along a river,look under any bridge you may cross and see if you canfind a spraint on a convenient ledge or rock. Spraintsare quite sweet smelling and dry.
Otters were much persecuted in the past, hunted forsupposed damage to fisheries, although this was endedin more enlightened times.
Ken Spalding
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NEWS FROM THE WORLD - WIDE CHURCH
ETHIOPIA
In January last year I travelled to Ethiopia to seesomething of this fascinating country and to learn a littleabout the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. We visited theEthiopian holy sites like Axum, which is said to be thehome of the original Ark of the Covenant, and Lalibelawith its amazing rock hewn churches carved into thelocal sandstone. We visited schools and churches andtheological colleges.
We were at Bahir Dar, at the southern end of LakeTana, for the festival of Timqat, the Ethiopian Epiphany,which is celebrated on 19th January. It is a very joyousand colourful occasion which also commemorates theBaptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Priests from allover the region gather at an appointed place wherethere is a river or pool of water. The congregation ofeach church comes in procession with singing anddancing as they escort their local priest who carries onhis head, wrapped in rich cloth, the Tabot belonging tohis church. The Tabot represents the Ark of theCovenant and contains the tablets of the Law.
When all the Tabots are assembled, an all-night liturgybegins. The water in the pool is blessed and the Tabotsare sprinkled with the holy water, then the crowds arealso sprinkled and some choose to immerse themselvesin the pool as they renew their baptismal vows. Afterseveral more hours of singing and dancing theprocessions re-form to escort the Tabots back to theirrespective churches.
Ethiopia remains a very poor country and, like much ofsub-Saharan Africa, it has suffered two years of droughtand correspondingly poor harvest. In many places food
is in short supply and people are struggling, but it is notthe place of misery that it was during the famine in the1980s. Then the military government of the Derg wasstill in power and famine was used as a means of controland subjugation. Despite the challenges it faces, Ethiopiatoday seems to be a country filled with hope. Wevisited some projects funded by a small charityPartners for Change Ethiopia. This organisationprovides educational support through literacyprogrammes and libraries, agricultural training and,
perhaps most impressively, micro finance to supportlocal co-operatives of women. It enables these womento set up their own saving schemes and small businessesgaining a degree of independence and status in whatremains a very patriarchal society.
Revd Harriet
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Tabots at the Timqat celebrations
VILLAGES IN ACTION PRESENTS
PANTA REI DANSETEATER
in
‘LULLABY’in Lustleigh Village Hall - Friday 24th February - 7.30.pm
Do not be misled by the gentle title of this show. ‘Lullaby’ is a striking dance theatre production with a cast of
three dynamic young male dancers which explores friendship, joshing, friction and aggression, and the dynamics of
mediation. Honest and thought-provoking, this performance, accompanied by live music, is an astonishing display of
physicality and commitment.
This internationally renowned Norwegian dance company was a huge hit when they last came to Lustleigh a few
years ago and this date, the only one in Devon, is part of a short South-West tour.
Tickets £10 adults (£5 children) can be booked on 01647 277498
23
We can always get into the habit of starting lots of newthings despite running events and groups that currentlywork well. Because of this, I thought I would write alittle bit about a couple of things I am doing and havebeen doing for a while (just in case you’d forgottenwhat they were!). Please also make a note of the otherdates for the various groups.
Chagford Messy Church…Over the past few years, something that has continuedto grow is our Messy Church community. Twice a term,with help from a dedicated team of volunteers, we bringout the glue sticks, paint, glitter and an endless supply ofcrafting materials to make all sorts of lovely thingsrelating to a bible story or seasonal theme! Each eventis run in Chagford School hall and attracts around 30children and their parents or guardians. Most recentlywe have looked at the stories of David and Goliath,Jonah and The Christmas Story. If you haven’t been toMessy Church before, come along and see what it is allabout.
Next Messy Church:11th February & 1st April
Youth Film Nights…Every first Wednesday in the month, a group of youngpeople come together to share a meal and watch a film.Afterwards, they look at some of the themes present inthe film, some of the characters or the main story itselfand discuss how these things can relate to being aChristian or the teaching we find in the Bible. This timeof sharing together is really important for those whoattend and especially when we look at what being aChristian actually means for them and how they can‘live out’ their lives of faith. The films we watch vary andI try to cater for lots of different genres. More recentlywe have watched: The Secret Life of Pets, Edge ofTomorrow, Brave, Nativity and the live action JungleBook. I also ask for suggestions from the young peopleabout what they would like to watch. The group is foranyone in Year 7 or above. They don’t have to go tochurch or have a faith or even contribute to thediscussions if they don’t want to – there is no pressure!We will, however, be looking at the bible and what itmeans to be Christians in our world today. The FilmNights are held at Chagford Gospel Church from6:00pm-8:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month.
Next Film Nights: 1st February & 1st March
South Tawton Sunday School - 11:00am @ Church
House…
It is held on the first Sunday of each month: next
ones are on 5th February & 5th March
Mini Church, South Zeal – 11:30am @ The Pavilion
Mini Church is held on every 3rd Sunday of the month at11:30am at The Pavilions in South Zeal for children ages3-11 years old. Please do come along and check it outand spread the word to anyone you think might beinterested. There is a story, craft and lunch provided forall who attend!
Mini Church South Zeal: 19th Feb & 19th MarchSouth Zeal Messy Church: 4th March
The Mess, Chagford MONDAY @ 4-6pm
Years 8, 9 & 10
The Mess, Chagford TUESDAY @ 3:30-5:30pm
Years 6 & 7
The Mess, Chagford THURSDAY @ 3:30-5:30pm
ALL YEARS (6+) – Video Making
Chagford Film Nights in the Gospel Church –
WEDNESDAY @ 6pm-8:30pm – 1st Feb & 1st Mar
Youth Bible Study, SUNDAY @ 9:45am-10:45amon 26th February & 26th March
Contact detailsEmail: [email protected]: 07540127827Website: www.ote-chagford.org
YOUNG PEOPLE
FEBRUARY CHURCH SERVICES
5th SUNDAY 4th Sunday next before LentChagford: 9.30 am Holy Communion with Gidleigh and ThrowleighHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PrayerSouth Tawton: 11.15 am Holy Communion + Sunday School at Church HouseSpreyton: 11.15 am Sunday WorshipDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Morning WorshipChagford: 6.00 pm Choral Evensong
12th SUNDAY Sunday before LentDrewsteignton: 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) At Hillside, DrewsteigntonChagford: 9.30 am Sung Holy CommunionSouth Tawton: 10.00 am Iona Service with south ZealHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PraiseSpreyton: 11.15 am Said Communion (BCP)Throwleigh: 11.15 am Morning Prayer with GidleighDrewsteignton: 5.00 pm Family ServiceChagford: 6.00 pm Compline
19th SUNDAY 2nd Sunday before LentGidleigh: 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) with ThrowleighChagford: 9.30 am Holy CommunionHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PrayerDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Holy CommunionSouth Zeal: 11.30 am Mini Church at the Pavilion with South TawtonSouth Zeal: 6.00 pm Evensong with South TawtonChagford: 6.00 pm Encounter at Endecott HouseSampford
Court.enay: 6.30 pm Mission Community Choral Evensong
26th SUNDAY Sunday next before LentChagford: 9.30 am Christmas Holy CommunionHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PraiseGidleigh: 11.15 am Matins (BCP) with ThrowleighSouth Zeal: 11.15 am Holy Communion with South TawtonDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Morning PrayerSpreyton: 4.00 pm Sunday Tea in the Village Hall
24
25
MARCH CHURCH SERVICES1st WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday
Chagford: 10.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) + AshesDrewsteignton: 7.00 pm Ash Wednesday Liturgy + AshesSouth Zeal: 7.30 pm Holy Communion + Ashes with South Zeal
5th SUNDAY 1st Sunday of LentThrowleigh 8.00 am Said Holy Communion (BCP) with GidleighChagford: 9.30 am Holy CommunionSouth Tawton: 11.15 am Holy Communion + Sunday School with South ZealSpreyton: 11.15 am Sunday Worship + BaptismDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Morning Worship with HittisleighChagford: 6.00 pm Choral Evensong
12th SUNDAY 2nd Sunday of LentDrewsteignton: 8.00 am Said Holy Communion (BCP) at HillsideChagford: 9.30 am Sung Holy CommunionSouth Zeal: 10.00 am Iona ServiceSpreyton: 11.15 am Said Communion (BCP)Hittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PraiseThrowleigh: 11.15 am Morning Prayer with GidleighDrewsteignton: 5.00 pm Family ServiceChagford: 6.00 pm Compline
19th SUNDAY 3rd Sunday of LentGidleigh: 8.00 am Said Holy Communion with ThrowleighChagford: 9.30 am Holy CommunionHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning PrayerSpreyton: 11.15 am Holy CommunionDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Holy CommunionSouth Zeal: 11.30 am Mini Church in the Pavilion with South TawtonSouth Zeal: 6.00 pm Evensong with South TawtonChagford: 6.00 pm Encounter in Endecott House
26th SUNDAY Mothering SundayChagford: 9.30 am Sung Holy CommunionHittisleigh: 11.00 am Holy CommunionSouth Zeal: 11.15 am Mothering Sunday Service with South TawtonDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Mothering Sunday ServiceGidleigh: 11.15 am Mothering Sunday Service with ThrowleighSpreyton: 11.15 am Mothering Sunday Service
2nd SUNDAY PassiontideThrowleigh: 8.00 am Said Holy Communion (BCP) with GidleighChagford: 9.30 am Holy CommunionHittisleigh: 11.00 am Morning Prayer + BaptsimSouth Tawton: 11.15 am Holy Communion + Baptism + Sunday School with South ZealSpreyton: 11.15 am Sunday WorshipDrewsteignton: 11.15 am Morning WorshipChagford: 6.00 pm Choral Evensong
February calendar dates:
1 Wednesday Chagford Gospel Church 6-8.30pm Youth Film Night [p 23]3 Friday Throwleigh Village Hall 7.30pm Quiz & Curry evening [p 39]5 Sunday South Tawton 11am Sunday School [p 23]5 Victory Hall South Zeal 3pm Malina’s Dream [p 45]7 Tuesday Fingle Bridge Inn 12pm Fellowship Lunch [p 9]8 Wednesday Okehampton 9.45am Fine Art Lecture [p 7]11 Saturday Chagford School 2-3.30pm Messy Church [p 23]11 Hittisleigh Village Hall 10am-12pm Produce Market [p 43]11 Endecott house 7.30pm A Puzzling Evening [p 31]11-19 Sat - Sun Castle Drogo 11am-4pm Half Term Fun [p 44]12 Friday Fingle Bridge Inn 12.30pm Bishop Nick Fellowship Lunch [p 33]14-18 Tue - Sat Chagford Church 7.15pm Romeo and Juliet [p 5]18 Saturday Yeoford Village Hall 10am-12.30pm Whiddon Wide Community Choir [p 9]19 Sunday Sampford Courtenay 6.30pm Mission Comm. Choral Evensong [p 11]19 South Zeal 11.30am Mini Church [p 23]20 Monday Throwleigh Village Hall 7pm WI with speaker Jon Bell [p 39]22 Wednesday Hittisleigh Village Hall 7.30pm Camera Club [p 43]24 Friday Lustleigh Village Hall 7.30pm Lullaby - Norwegian Dance Co. [p 21]26 Sunday Chagford 12.45pm Sunday Lunch Club [p 27]28 Tuesday Victory Hall South Zeal 7.30pm Church Bingo [p 45]
March calendar dates
1 Wednesday Chagford Gospel Church 6-8.30pm Youth Film Night [p 23]5 Victory Hall South Zeal 3pm Egil [p 45]5 Sunday South Tawton 11am Sunday School [p 23]7 Tuesday Fingle Bridge Inn 7pm Ladies Dining Club [p 31]8 Wednesday Okehampton 9.45am Fine Arts lecture [p 7]10 Friday Chagford Church 6-7.30pm Choral Music evening [p 33]11 Saturday Hittisleigh Village Hall 10am-12pm Produce Market [p 43]13 Monday Drewsteignton 7.30pm Gardening Club [p 35]17-19 Fri - Sun Chagford Various Chagword [p 17]18 Saturday Hittisleigh Village Hall 10am-12.30pm Whiddon Wide Community Choir [p 9]19
Sunday South Zeal 11.30am Mini Church [p 23]19 Chagford 12.45pm Sunday Lunch Club [p 27]20 Monday Throwleigh Village Hall 7pm WI with speaker Geoff Norman [p 39]23-25 Thu - Sat Throwleigh Village Hall 7.30pm The Miss Varwells Throwleigh [p 39]25 Saturday Chagford Church 7.30pm Chagford Singers’ Concert [p 33]28 Tuesday Victory Hall South Zeal 7.30pm Church Bingo [p 45]29 Wednesday Hittisleigh Village Hall 7.30pm Camera Club [p 43]29-10Apr Castle Drogo 11am-4pm “Dear Cedric…” Trail [p 44]
April calendar dates
1 Saturday Chagford Church 11.30am Re-dedication of the Bells [p 29]1 Chagford School 2-3.30pm Messy Church [p 23]4 Tuesday Chagford 12.30pm Ladies Dining Club [p 31]26
Saturday Coffee Mornings - Endecott House, Chagford 10.00 am -12.00 noonFebruary March
4th No coffee morning 4th Castle Drogo11th Chagford School PTFA 11th Hospiscare18th History Society 18th Literary Festival25th Youth Worker Project 25th Chagford Combined Charity
26
CHAGFORD
27
NEWS FROM St. MICHAEL’S
Dear Friends,
By the time this letter reaches its readers, it will bealmost too late to wish you all a Happy New Year; but I
will do so, all the same.We all enjoyed the Advent and Christmas season, with thehighly successful Christmas Fair (for which thanks must goto all organisers), Kris’s lunchtime Advent concerts, whichwere thoroughly enjoyable, Chagford Singers’ “Carols byFirelight”, the “Glorious Chorus” concert, the preparationtime afforded by the “Advent Contemplations” eachThursday, the delightful Christingle service, Carol Servicesfor the School and the general Congregation and thewonderful Christmas Eve and Day worship. Sadly there wasno festive peal of bells this year but, by the time you readthis, hopefully the bells will be back in place and will soon beready to greet our worshipers every Sunday once again.Thanks are due to the immense help given by our “parishlabourers”, Chris Smallwood and his happy band ofassistants, without whose hard physical work in the re-hanging we would not have been able to afford therefurbishment.
Ongoing, we can look forward to a splendid succession ofevents to celebrate our refurbished and historic 8-bell peal,starting with a service of re-dedication of the bells by BishopRobert on 1st April at 11.30am (and that is no joke!),together with an open ringing session and buffet lunch. On30th September, in conjunction with the Ringers’ CoffeeMorning, there will be a rare “Scientific (Steadman) Peal”and, on 28th October, a Devon Call Change Peal celebratinga number of Ringers’ and Church Members’ importantanniversaries.
Before all that, we can look forward to the performance ofa truly ambitious production of Shakespeare’s famousromantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet” during half-term week(13th to 18th February). This tale of bloody retribution,where killing begets more killing until, in the finaldenouement, the deadly foes are reconciled in grief, tells ussomething about the futility of our present bloodthirstyworld order, with a hope that we can look forward to more“common sense” being exercised by world leaders during2017.
In looking forward in peace, during Lent, St. Michael’sChurch is embarking on a further life-giving project in Mali,again under the Joliba Trust banner, to construct a villagewell, this time in the village of Sibo (full details on page 13).Please do your best to support this important project.
It is true that we all start 2017 with a sense of uncertainty,not felt for many a New Year, but then our confidence inoutcomes during 2016 was finally and spectacularlymisplaced all round, so what’s new? Many in the world, inthis country and even in this town, will look forward withtrepidation and foreboding, but Christians with faith can feelcomforted throughout, whatever the future brings, both asa community and as individuals. Personally I always like toovercome my fears and doubts, on a daily basis, with this
famous little prayer written by Minnie Louise Haskins andused by the late King in his broadcast before the outbreakof the Second World War.
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of theyear:“Give me a light that I may tread safely into theunknown.”
And he replied:“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in theHand of God. That shall be to you better than lightand safer than a known way.”
May 2017 bring to all the readers of this magazine as happy,prosperous and successful year as they can hope for.
Timothy Garratt (Churchwarden)
ST MICHAEL’S SUNDAY
LUNCH CLUB
is a monthly
get-together for those who
live by themselves.
Coming up:
Sunday 26th February
& Sunday 19th March
at The Ring O’Bells,
Chagford at 12.45pm.
To join us please contact Maureenon 432399 or Eileen on 432775 to
book a place.
29
Parish news
BELLS REDEDICATION
The service of Thanksgiving and Rededication
following the refurbishment of the bells
and installation of the new frame will be on
Saturday 1st April 2017 at 11.30 am
by the Bishop of Exeter
followed by Open Ringing from 2.30pm
(contact Julia Endacott 01647 432550
BELL RINGERS’ TRIP TO TAYLOR'S OF LOUGHBOROUGH!st December 2016
A condition of our Lottery Granttowards the rehanging of St
Michael's bells was that we visited thefoundry when Chagford's bells werethere. Unfortunately we were unable totime our visit when casting of otherchurch’s new bells was taking place - ourbells not needing recasting.
A long day was envisaged. The coach leftChagford School at 6.00am. picking upothers at Whiddon Down, Exeter andWorcester. A grand total of 28passengers. We breakfasted at Gloucester ServicesNorth then made our way to Holy Trinity Stratfordupon Avon to ring their light 10 cast by Taylor's in1948. All agreed they were wonderful. For the non-ringers it was a wonderful sunny winter's day. Thechurch is the burial place of the Bard and 5 of hisrelatives.
The misericords are spectacular and as the church ison the banks of the Avon there was pleasant walking.Our lunch was pre-ordered at the Three Nuns inLoughborough where we were joined by MargaretPeirce and Rachael Hurdle. Unfortunately, we werelate arriving but Mary from Taylor's postponed thestart of our tour and to help us find the foundryescorted us through a maze of flats! The tour wasconducted by George. After a short video he explainedthe process involved in casting bells pointing out thiswas largely unchanged over 100s of years.
We saw our bells along with those of numerous othertowers. We did espy two of our new headstocks andsome parts of the new frame. George explained theconstruction of wheels and how they now used beechand not oak. The virtues of stainless steel screws tosecure the flanges results in a longer life for the wheel.We then moved on to the tuning room where thetheory of tuning bells and the five constituent notes inthe ring of a bell were explained. A demonstration ofthe tone produced by other metal and alloys left us inno doubt that gun metal could not be bettered. Finally,we descended in to museum and shop. We could havestayed longer in the museum but were due to ring atAll Saint's at 4.30pm. Alas, through lack of time wewere unable to ring the light 12 in the foundry tower.
All Saints and Holy Trinity Loughborough are Taylor'scast in the late C19. The tenor is 30cwt and althoughthey went 'quite well', Stratford came out on top. Non-ringers in the main body of the church were alarmedat the movement of the beams below the ringingchamber but were reassured all was safe!
We boarded the coach at 5.30pm. depositedRachael at the Railway Station and headed forthe South West, a snack at GloucesterServices South with 'drop offs' at Worcester,Exeter and home to Chagford around11.00pm.
Our thanks are due to our drivers from Tawand Torridge Coaches, Mary and George atTaylor's and the staff of the Three Nuns. Asthe trip was a requisite of the LotteryHeritage Grant, St Michael's P.C.C. kindlyunderwrote the payment for the coach and all
the party wish to express our thanks for theirgenerosity. Whilst the Lottery grant appeared to giveand then demand, we had to spend over 8% of thegrant on this trip but those on the trip would agree itwas a wonderful experience.
The day was tempered with the news of the possibleclosure of Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Maybe there isnot enough work for two independent foundries.However, the closure of the oldest and the loss ofcompetition within the industry is a concern, as is thedisquiet in York, and 'Countryfile' has recentlyhighlighted the overall shortage of ringers. We hopethis trip has fired the imagination of many and that thetradition of ringing in the Whiddon Parishes will liveon.
Chris Smallwood
Some of our
new headstocks
31
THANKYOU
As I was gently ambling through Chagford lastWednesday (7 December) I became aware of
activity all around me as some 16 members of theChagford Conservation Group gave the town a pre-Christmas clean. Leaves (some 20 bags) were beingswept up, moss cleared off potentially dangerous paths,drains were cleared, dog poo spirited away (!) andeverything generally tidied up. The whole operationwas typical of these people – quiet, unselfish, utterlyprofessional and thoroughly public-spirited.
I just want to put on record our appreciation for allthey do! Tony Milton
_____________________________
Chagford Dining Ladies (CDL)
(aka: The Chagford Dinner Ladies)
A ll members of the CDL will join me in heartfeltthanks to Anna Imrie, our Coordinator for the
past six years. However, Anna has now decided that itis time for her to step down. We will, of course, do ourutmost to keep up the high standards that Anna has setus.
We are a friendly group of women from Chagford andsurrounding districts who get together once a month(over most of the year) to dine out together at localpubs, restaurants and hotels in a convivial atmosphere.It is a wonderful way to meet and make new friends,and to stay in touch with others. It is a most welcominggroup and I personally have found it to be a really goodway to meet new people having been living in Chagfordfor only three years.
I hope that all our current members will continue tojoin our monthly ‘get-togethers’ and can encourage newmembers to come along too. A very special warmwelcome is extended to any ladies who are new toChagford and district who wish to join us.
I shall be taking over from Anna and the next meetingswill be:Tuesday 7th March: Fingle Bridge Inn7.0 for 7.30pm (£14.95: 2 courses & coffee)Tuesday 4th April, 12 for 12.30pm, an informal,bring & share lunch at my home, Windrush, StoneLane, Chagford, TQ13 8JU. There we will pool a fewnew ideas and suggestions regarding timings and venues.
Please book with me by phone or e-mail
Vicki JamiesonTelephone: 01647 432781
e-mail: [email protected]
Parish news
The
Well
A time of stillness and
re� lectiontwiceamonth
on 2nd & 4th Sundays
7pm - 8pm
@ St Michael the
Archangel, Chagford
CHORAL MUSICAs we move into an exciting new year, in which choral music continues to take off more throughout the globe,
there has never been a better time to give choral singing a go.
Be it for the first time or to revisit memorable music-making from times past,St Michael's Church, Chagford on Friday 10th March from 6-7:30pmis the place to be to come and discover some of the finest sacred music ever written.
With the church choir, we will explore the music of Stainer,Vaughan Williams and John Rutter.
You don't even have to be able to read music to take part and there will betea and coffee afterwards!
For those wishing to stay on with the church choir you'll get ongoingindividual singing tuition along with weekly professional vocal coachingin a really warm and welcoming environment.
What level of commitment do we ask for? Only two Sunday services amonth, plus rehearsals.
For more information do drop an email to: [email protected] call 07903150552. Kris EmmettWe very much look forward to seeing you there! Director of Music"
33
encountermodern worship & informal prayer - come and join us
sundays 19th february and 19th march 6pm
Parish news
CHAGFORD SINGERS’ CONCERT
The Chagford Singers next concert
will be on
Saturday 25th March
in St. Michael’s Church , Chagford.
at 7.30 pm. and will include
‘Feel the Spirit’ by John Rutter.
Tickets will be available on the door, from Sallys
Newsagents or Sue Glassfield 01647 433770
For further details or information about the choir
please contact the secretary Jan Baker 01647 221363
BISHOP NICK,THE BISHOP OF PLYMOUTH,
will be joining us for a
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH
on Friday 12th March
at 12.30pm
at Fingle Bridge Inn
with a Q & A Session
over coffee
35
DREWSTEIGNTON
NEWS FROM HOLY TRINITY
2016 was a typical ‘curate’s egg’ year for Holy Trinity.Slightly lower weekly attendance was offset by thesuccess of the monthly, evening family service and byincreased support for Festival occasions. Thanks toRevs. Paul, Harriet and our lay worship leaders we stillhave weekly services although winter 8.00am HolyCommunion is now held in house rather than in churchto mitigate the cost of heating the church for 5 hoursfor what may be a small congregation.
This year we had three stalls at Teignton Fair which alldid really well and, thanks to the new fundingarrangements and a generous donation by the TFcommittee, was both profitable and enjoyable. InSeptember we had a successful Craft & Flower Festivaland, following on from the appeal of the craft side ofthe event, we substituted a two day Craft Fair in thevillage hall, with all day refreshments in the church, forthe Christmas Bazaar. 15% of the revenue from thecrafts, in lieu of table fees, was given to the churchresulting in just over £1,000 being raised for the ChurchRenovation Fund. A huge thank you to Jane Hockingand Sue Honeybone who were the prime movers andorganisers of these events.
Thanks to the support of the Friends of DrewsteigntonChurchyard we were able to fund some long overdueclearance work at the bottom of the churchyard, whichhas hugely improved the whole area, and to continue toemploy David Page and, occasionally, Ashley Whatley tokeep the grass and shrubs under control.
Over the course of the year we were saddened by thedeaths of many old friends, in particular that of CicelyDrewe, a long time loyal and ‘hands on’ supporter ofHoly Trinity who was much loved and respected by thewhole community.
We are fortunate to share our beautiful church withmany visitors from home and abroad. Over the periodfrom 1st May to 1st September alone, visitors from 15different countries signed the visitor’s book, the largestnumber being from Germany with others from suchdiverse countries as Tasmania, Switzerland, Chile andMadagascar, to name but a few.
Our thanks to all who support Holy Trinity in so manydifferent ways, from fundraising to flower arranging,gardening to organising worship and for attendance atservices. We wish you all a very happy and peacefulNew Year.
Norma and AngelaChurch Wardens
Wanted – Help to distribute ourwonderful Parish Magazine.
We are very grateful for the help of many currentmagazine distributors but we are looking for some newhands to help in the future.
If you live in the Whiddon Down, Drewsteignton, orClifford Bridge area we would love to hear from you.Hopefully, we can make the task not too onerous if youare kind enough to help us to get this excellentpublication out to as many people as possible.Please contact either of the Church Wardens (telnumbers on page 2) if you think you might be able tohelp.
Fellowship lunch Tuesday 9th February
- please see page 9 for details
Drewsteignton Gardener’s ClubJanuary-May 2107
Monday February 13th
Vegetables
Monday 13th MarchAGM & NGS talk
Saturday May 6th : Plant Sale 10-12noon
All mee� ngs held in our Village Hall 7.30pmAnnual Membership £ 5.00 or £ 1.00 per
mee� ngEveryone most welcome
37
GIDLEIGH AND THROWLEIGH
NEWS FROM HOLY TRINITY,
GIDLEIGH
W ith the joys of Christmas past and the new yearahead, we reflect on the importance to us of our
church families – the building too of course, and theworship that has continued throughout many centuries.Now it is our church family that we think of which, in oursmall rural churches, is of such great blessing in our lives.However, when one member dies we are all bereft and soit is with the death of Sheila Ford who died on December11th. For me personally I have known Sheila since I wasabout 20 as we went to the same church in Surrey. Wecame to know and love the family and they were thereason for Alan and me coming to Devon seven yearsafter the Fords moved here. Sheila’s remarkable life storywill be documented in other places but now I want tomention the time in Gidleigh when she and Stanley movedinto Hollow Meadow. They took time to decide that HolyTrinity was the church they wanted to attend. Stanleyplayed the organ and Sheila became Churchwarden – arole that she and Monica Alford carried out for yearstogether and they had the gift of making everyone whocame into the fold feel special. In those days, thecongregations were good and the drift away from churchhad hardly begun. Sheila died almost a year to the dayafter Monica. To the end of her life she would make thejourney up the hill to church – latterly often confusing thetime but remaining so faithful, and before she became illfor the last time she was worrying that she wouldn’t beable to get to Gidleigh for the 8 a.m. service on Christmasmorning. The front row is going to seem very empty now.
Her funeral was held on 6th January and as expected was avery moving service with Joanna, Tim and Simon allcontributing to creating a picture of Sheila’s life, Joannaspoke about the friendship they had, Tim about the family,past and present and Simon, very movingly, read a Haikuwritten by Sheila many years ago. Revd Paul read a letterto her mother in law written by Linda, Tim’s wife, whohad to remain in America. Kris Emmett played the TeDeum composed by Stanley and the singing by a churchfull of family and friends sounded wonderful.
On Christmas morning Revd Paul took our service of HolyCommunion and Kris Emmett came to play the organ.There is nothing quite like being able to sing the last verseof O come all ye faithful on that one day of the year andthe church looked very beautiful in the candlelight. On amore practical note, our parishioners will be glad to hearthat we were finally granted a Faculty to do the work onthe vestry roof and owe such a debt of gratitude to SirPeter Squire for his skill in sorting this out for us. We areobtaining quotations for the work which we hope willbegin in the Spring. It may mean that the church has to beclosed on some Sundays but we will know more when thebuilders have been agreed. We hope The Devon Historic
Churches Trust will agree to give us a grant towards thecost. We also owe thanks to Allen van der Steen for hismaster minding of all the plans.
So now, it just needs Chris and me to say thank you to allour church family who contribute so much in so manyways and to wish everyone a peaceful 2017 in which we allkeep well.
Lyn Evans
NEWS FROM ST MARY'S
THROWLEIGH
We held a successful Bazaar in Gidleigh Village Hallwith Gidleigh hosting us this year, raising a record
sum to support both our churches. It was fun and great tocatch up with each other, quite apart from enjoying goodsales! The Carols at the Northmore with the Rector, andMichael Brown at the keyboard, with support fromenthusiastic others, was uproarious but with a quiet centreand Nikki's hospitality was much appreciated.
Our annual Candle-lit Carols was almost too popular,with our medieval church bursting at the seams with awonderful congregation of families and friends, old andnew. Some had even come from South Africa! We shallensure we have more copies of the service and, hopefully,a bit more space next year - but the atmosphere wastremendous and everyone was so good-natured aboutstanding.
Our singers and readers led us beautifully, well-supported by Michael Brown at the organ and DaveHatton's well-timed team of bell-ringers. We have sent agenerous collection to St Petroc's centre for the homelessin Exeter.
Future Events:Our usual Morning Prayer will be on Sunday, 12thFebruary at 11.15am.
We return to our normal Early Service of HC on Sunday,5th March (the First Sunday of Lent)at 8 am.
March 26th Our joint Mothering Sunday service willbe held in Holy Trinity, Gidleigh, at 11.15am. Lyn,Chris, Penny and I look forward to welcoming as manyfamilies as possible to this family service, complete withposies and Simnel Cake.
Kit Newsom
Parish news
The Miss VarwellsThrowleighThe story of a traditional Dartmoor village in
pictures, songs, music and memories
In 1909 two unmarried sisters, the Misses Varwell, arrived toset up home in Throwleigh where they were to spend therest of their lives.
In 1938 one of them, Emmie, wrote a book, ‘Throwleigh, TheStory of a Dartmoor Village.’ In it she describes her love forboth the landscape and the history of the area, but especiallyfor the village people that she had known and the stories thatthey had told her, both of the recent past and of long-ago. Wemeet key ‘characters,’ such as the influential Rector/cumproperty developer; the ‘jack of all trades’ blacksmith; the lastof the Devon wrestlers and an old lady whose family’smemories stretch back as far as the English Civil War. Alongwith Emmie Varwell, we enjoy the village celebrations, thestories that are told, the songs that are sung and we share hersadness as an older generation departs.
In March 2017, the Emmie and her sister Michael will returnto Throwleigh. For just three evenings they will tell us theirstories of Throwleigh; the old songs will be sung once moreand, via pictures from the Throwleigh Archive, we will see thevillage that Emmie Varwell knew, meet the characters thatfilled her world and re-create the place that she so loved.The Northmore Arms, telephone 01647 231428, will providepre-show suppers for those who want to make the most oftheir evening (booking is essential).
Frequently moving, often hilarious and always fascinating,The Miss Varwells Throwleigh will be a unique event not to be
missed.Presented by The Throwleigh Archive in Throwleigh Village Hall
March 23rd, 24th 25th at 7.30pm
Tickets £10 including refreshments (£5 under 18)More information at www.throwleigh.org
or ring 01647 231051 or 07971 770842 to book your seats
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ThrowleighVillage Hall
Quiz Curry evening
Friday 3 February 2017
£30 for team of up to four
Advanced booking only:to Mike at 01647 231359 or
THROWLEIGH WI
Monday 20th February-Dramatising Throwleigh's PastSpeaker: Jon Bell
Monday 20th March -The Native American FluteSpeaker: Geoff Norman
Meetings are held on third Monday ofeach month: at 7pm at ThrowleighVillage Hall.
New members always welcome.
Please ring 01647 433719 for details.
HITTISLEIGH AND SPREYTON
SPREYTON NEWSVery best wishes for 2017 to all our readers andfriends from everyone at St Michael’s!
CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2016
Christmas celebrations at St Michael’s began withthe Spreyton School Nativity and Christingle
Celebration on Tuesday 13th December. Theproceedings were led by Revd Paul and Mr MartinMarriott, Head of the school. The church was full forthe occasion. Children from the school sat in the pewsin the chancel and the children from the Tots andTeddies group for pre-school children and their carerssat in the middle of the chancel and were obviouslyenjoying the experience of ringing handbells andsinging. Each child was presented with a Christingleorange and candle.
The Service of Readings and Carols on 20th Decemberwas led by Mrs Elva Hodgson and the organist was MrsShirley Gillard. A striking feature of the service wasthat the Spreyton Singers, directed by EmilynneBerkeley-Hann, sang three unaccompanied songs. TheChurch had been decorated by the Friends of SpreytonChurch with numerous lighted and decoratedChristmas trees – this was the third year when theFriends organised a Christmas Tree Festival in church aspart of our Christmas celebrations. Thanks to theirhard work the Festival raised £1000 towards the cost ofnecessary repairs to our electrical systems and variousother features of the Church. The service wasfollowed by mulled wine, mince pies and cheesybiscuits arranged by the Friends – a very pleasant andChristmassy way to finish the evening. The PCC arevery grateful to the Friends for all their help andsupport.
Our Chrismas Eve Crib Service, which was led thisyear by Revd Dr Harriet Every with Judith and TonyTalbot, was very well attended by children and theirfamilies and each child had a part to play during thetelling of the Christmas story as models of the angels,the wise men, the Holy Family and the animals wereplaced in the Crib. This lovely service was followed byrefreshments and lively conversation within andbetween families.
The Christmas Communion Service was well attendedand led by Revd Noel Walter. As in recent years, halfof the money kindly given in the collections at ourChristmas services will go for the work of St Michael’sChurch and the other half will be divided between twoother charities – The Children’s Society andHospiscare.
LENT AND EASTER SERVICESEaster Sunday this year will be on Sunday 16 April.Details of services in Holy Week will be included in theApril magazine. Mothering Sunday will be celebratedon Sunday 26th March - come and join us for a Family-friendly service at 11.15am led by the Rector.
MONTHLY DRAWWinners for October, November and DecemberK Toms, N Cox, T Baker, A Palfrey, A Jewell, I Farley; PPasquet, M Sylvester, H Knight, J Cork, C Wyatt, JHoneychurch; J Ponsford, K Toms, K Howard, A Jewell,C Wyatt, J Hawkins
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Draw in2016. During the year the Draw raised £1600 for ourfunds. That is a very useful contribution towards thecost of maintaining the church and churchyard in goodcondition. We hope that all our supporters (and someother people as well) will support us in 2017.
For the past two years Eric Osborn-Hodge has takenresponsibility for organising the Draw and managing thefinances. He has been generously assisted by Ken Vileand Ken Whitaker in collecting subscriptions. Eric hasdecided to give up his management responsibility butwill still be helping to collect subscriptions. We arevery grateful to him both for what he has done in thepast and for his willingness to continue with the visitingand collecting task. Please contact Eric, Ken Vile, KenWhitaker or myself if you have not heard from themfor some reason and wish to renew your subscription.Please remember that your name cannot be entered ina draw unless you have paid the subscription.
John Williams
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Spreyton Royal British LegionTotal raised this year £ 704.05With thanks to those who contributed belowSpreyton Shop £ 45.05Tom Cobley £ 24.05Mr Gillard – area collector £ 556.51Remembrance Service £. 55.68Spreyton School £ 22.76
SPREYTON COMING EVENTSSaturday 4th February 10.00am to noon.Farmers’ and produce Market with Big Breakfastsand other refreshments.Thursday 9th February 7.30pm WI at Village HallMeeting Room. Eric’s Holiday slides.Saturday 4th March 10.00am to noon. Farmers’ andproduce market at Village Hall. Big breakfasts andother refreshments available as usualThursday 9th March 7.30pm WI at Village HallMeeting Room
Tuesday 21st March 7.30pm Parish Council meeting
at Village Sunday 26th March Mothering Sunday
Service at St Michael’s 11.15am Everybody very
welcome. Refreshments afterwards.
Tuesday 28th March 7.30pm Annual meeting of
Parish Council at Village Hall
Saturday 1st April 10.00am. Farmers’ and produce
at Village Hall with Big Breakfasts and other
Refreshments as usual.
CHURCH NEWS HITTISLEIGH
St Andrew’s was full for the traditional Christmas EveCrib service, led by Elva Hodgson and Joseph Attard
re-telling the Christmas story. With the churchdarkened children, each holding a candle, stood at thefront of the church and sang 'Away in a manger'. Aftermore congregational carols, tea and mince pies wereserved at Church Cottage. The proceeds from thecollection are being donated to Children's HospiceSouth West.
Village Hall NewsIt was a buoyant final market of 2016 with many peoplestaying the whole two hours to drink tea, exchangenews and gossip and enjoy bacon and sausage bapscooked by our catering crew. Our catering volunteerswork so hard every month and contribute so much tothe success of the market. And it was great to see anumber of our younger residents showing off their craftskills with Christmas decorations made to order duringthe morning. Well done and thank you, everyone.
On the Tuesday before Christmas 30 people gatheredin the Village Hall to sing carols round the tree andenjoy mulled wine and home-made mince pies andsausage rolls. A great start to the festivities.
Parish Council NewsThe chairman and the prospective road warden met thehighways manager Steve Tucker and Nick Way, DCCcouncillor, to discuss roadway flooding. Following a very
productive site visit the blocked pipe and ditch betweenthe church and the village hall is to be cleared. This isbeyond the resources of the parish. AdditionallyHittisleigh residents have raised concerns following therecent flood outside the chapel in Yeoford, whereanother car has had to be written off. A depth indicatoris needed and a temporary measure is in hand. Theparish council will be marking the location of pipes andditches on a map for the benefit of the highwaysmanagement. Local knowledge is essential as recordsare not available centrally.
Good wishes for 2017It’s New Year’s Day as I sit down to put the Hittisleighnews together for this edition of the magazine and thefew days between Christmas and New Year alwaysleave me with a slight feeling of uncertainty. Somepeople are still away, my usual routine is disrupted andit’s as if the days of the week are somehow in thewrong place. No matter. Instead let me take theopportunity of a relatively slow news month to thank allthose in Hittisleigh who provide me with stories,information and pictures. My best wishes to you all for2017.
James
Other dates for your diary
Produce Market in the Village Hall:11th February and 11th March 10am to noon
Camera Club in the Village Hall:22nd February and 29th March at 7.30pm. Contact JohnPainter 01647 24069 [email protected]
Philosophy Group at Hill Farm:Usually once a month on a Wednesday 7.30pm.Contact Chris Wood for [email protected]
Film Night at Hill Farm:Usually third Friday each month 7.30 for 8.00pm.Contact Chris Wood for details
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Parish news
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SOUTH TAWTON AND SOUTH ZEAL
St ANDREW’S and St MARY’S NEWS
I t was with great sadness that we learned of the deathon December 23rd of Juanita Legge, sister of our
former churchwarden, Lorinda Legge. Juanita trained asan NHS nurse in London before moving intoaccountancy work in later years. Although a quietperson, she loved being with people and participating inlife to the full. She and Lorinda enjoyed many interests,activities and holidays together and were very close.Juanita moved to Devon with her sister and mother in1973 and had latterly been living in Okehampton. Shewas fortunately staying with her sister for Christmas.Our thoughts and prayers are with Lorinda at this timeof loss. Juanita was laid to rest in the churchyard atSouth Tawton on January 11, following her funeral ledby Rev Chris Grasske at St Andrew’s.
We would like to thank all the considerate visitors toour churchyard who thoughtfully take their flowerwrappings and other non-biodegradable material homefor disposal, just leaving dead flowers on the compostheap. It would also be very helpful if Christmas wreathscould be removed from loved ones’ graves, and takenhome for disposal by the end of February. This wouldbe an enormous help for our small band of hardworking volunteers who keep the churchyard in goodorder for the rest of us.
We are pleased to report that our churchyard bees areoverwintering successfully. They should help topollinate our wildflower meadow areas this comingseason.
We are grateful to the ‘Friends of St Andrew’s’ forprogressing plans and fundraising for the provision ofadditional glazing of the bell ringing chamber and alsothe porch door at the church. This will help to make itwarmer inside whilst allowing in more light. The PCChave also contacted the electrician about improving theoutside lighting for safer access to St Mary’s, South Zeal.
Evensong will continue to be held at St Mary’s onFebruary 19 and March 19 at 6 pm. Our MotheringSunday worship will be held on Sunday March 26 at11:15 am, also at St Mary’s, South Zeal.Church Bingo at the Victory Hall South Zeal will beheld on Tuesday February 28 and also Tuesday March28 at 7:30 pm. All are welcome.
John Candler (Church Warden)Will Pyne (Assistant Church Warden)
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE IN SOUTH ZEAL AND SOUTH TAWTON
Villages in Action, a Devon charity which brings professional theatre, dance and music to village halls are bringing
two shows to South Zeal/South Tawton this season.
The first, Malina’s Dream by Angel Heart Theatre is a puppet show suitable for the whole family (recommended
minimum age four). With live music it tells the story of a young girl who lives with her Grandpa in the land of the
midnight sun and is inspired by true-life encounters between 19th century Scottish sailors and the Inuit communities
of the Artic).
The second show, Egil, tells the tale of a Viking poet who sails around the North Sea, fighting, escaping and
delivering unforgivable insults in thunderous verse. Based on one of the greatest Icelandic sagas and accompanied
by guitar, percussion and mandolin, Egil is suitable for adults and older children. It has previously been performed at
Shakespeare’s Globe and York Minster and now comes to South Tawton!
Malina’s Dream – Sunday 5th February, 3pm, South Zeal Victory Hall
Egil – Saturday 4th March, 8pm, Church House, South Tawton
For more information see www.southzealinaction.co.uk or search for South Zeal in Action on Facebook.
Tickets are available now by contacting Helen on 07980837156, via the website and will be on sale in The Store,South Zeal from two weeks before each show.
