Bigbury News December 2016 by Bigbury News

BIGBURY ON SEA HOLIDAYS Bigburyonsea.co.uk

The site for great holidays in a great community; now gives the accommodation, holiday activities, many useful links and maps.

Now features community events and dates. Send any ideas for the site to

John@BigburyOnSeaHolidays.com

Front Cover: Elise Wilson 2

What’s on and Dates for your Diary

Editors Page News, Views & letters

Church Service times for Bigbury, Kingston and Ringmore

Message from the Minister from Neil Barker

Parish Council Draft Minutes from the monthly meeting

The 19th Hole Report from the Golf Club

Your handy pull-out Guide to Local Business

Musings from Weekend Wendy

Bigbury Memorial Hall Reports and Diary of events

Shack Splash News from the Oyster Shack

News from all your Regular Social Meetings

National Trust report from Lorna Sherriff

Ruminations from Resident Ronnie

Where’s Alfie ?? He’s hiding somewhere in the pages!!

Bigbury News is published monthly by Editor - Rose Owen at Lucerne Ringmore Drive Bigbury-on-Sea Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 4AU Tel: 01548 810815 email: bigburynewseditor@gmail.com Treasurer: Trudy Smith, 20 Hilltop, St Ann's Chapel, TQ7 4HG Tel: 810185 tsbookkeeping@btinternet.com All contributions and requests for advertising to the Editor Bigbury News is a voluntary run publication which is supported by a grant from the Parish Council, advertising rates and donations from readers DISCLAIMER - Whilst every effort has been made to ensure adverts and articles appear correctly, Bigbury News cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are

Dates for your Diary December… 1st 7th 7th 9th 14th 14th 10th 24th

Book Club Meeting Book Club Christmas Lunch Korniloff Christmas Fayre, for St Lawrence’s at Korniloff Care Home Christmas Wine Tasting - see below Bigbury Ladies Christmas Lunch Parish Council Meeting - Memorial Hall at 7.30pm Neighbourhood Plan - Pop in Session between 10am & 12 noon (p.9) CAROLS ON THE GREEN - 6.30pm

January…. 13th 27th

Quiz Night - Bigbury Memorial Hall at 7.00pm (see p. 12) Sound & Vision 3 - Ringmore Parish Room at 7.00pm (see p.18)

Look out dates of

for other events in

CHRISTMAS WINE TASTING by Richard Taylor Friday 9 December 2016 7.00 pm

The Master

His Assistant

BIGBURY MEMORIAL HALL Tickets £10.00 per person From Holywell Stores

BRING TWO GLASSES EACH!

Bigbury News Tel: 01548 810815 email: bigburyewsedtor@gmail.com You can now find each months issue at www.bigburyonsea.co.uk

in ‘The Community’ section and also on the Bigbury Community website www.bigburycommunity.co.uk in the documents Section of the Bigbury News Group Cricket We wish Good Luck and a "Straight Bat" to Norman Botton of Bigbury on Sea, who has been chosen to play for England's Over 60 Cricket Team at present touring Australia. Diane Lyne It is with sadness this month we heard the news that Diane Lyne of Folly Hill, Bigbury on Sea, passed away on November 11th, aged 81. Diane and husband Dennis have lived in BoS for over 20 years. The funeral will be held at St Lawrence Church, Bigbury on 2nd December at 3pm, with a private internment after. (Black ties please).

Pair Cosyfeet Extra Roomy Ladies' Slippers, style Olivia, wine floral pattern, velcro fastening, size 7/40.5. In original box, virtually unworn, £4. Ladies' Dannimac Classic short Raincoat, light green, 4 button front, 2 pockets, size 14 -16? Hardly worn, £10. Ladies' Windsmoor winter Coat, pure new wool, magenta pink, single button front, 2 deep pockets & button up lapel neckline, size 14 16? Good condition, £25. Ladies' Windsmoor lightweight double-breasted Coat, 80% wool, 20% nylon, royal blue, size 14? Good condition, £25.

CHURCH SERVICES FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY BIGBURY - KINGSTON - RINGMORE ST. LAWRENCE - BIGBURY All services start at 11.00 a.m. DECEMBER - 4th

Family Communion

11th

Christingle Service

18th

Sunday Worship

Christmas Day - 25th JANUARY - 1st

Christmas Communion* Family Communion

8th

Sunday Worship

15th

Sunday Worship

ST. JAMES THE LESS - KINGSTON All services start at 9.30 a.m. (unless otherwise stated) DECEMBER - 4th 11th 18th Christmas Eve - 24th Christmas Day - 25th JANUARY - 1st 8th 15th

Family Communion Christingle Service (4.00pm) Carol Service (6.00pm) Communion by Extension (11.00pm) Christmas Communion (10.00am) Family Communion Sunday Worship Holy Communion

ALL HALLOWS - RINGMORE All services start at 9.30 a.m. (unless otherwise stated) DECEMBER - 4th 11th 18th Christmas Day - 25th JANUARY - 1st 8th 15th 22nd

Sunday Worship Holy Communion* Carol Service (6.00pm) Christmas Communion (10.00am) Sunday Worship Holy Communion* Village Service Family Communion *Service in Traditional Language

Korniloff Carols - Tuesday 20th December at 2.30pm

Message from the Minister

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU! This will be our last Christmas here in Modbury. We arrived eleven years ago and have enjoyed making our home here. So, a big “Thank you!” to friends and neighbours who have welcomed us into their homes and helped us to feel at home. In April we will be moving to Stonecot, Aveton Gifford, which will actually be the first home of our own to live in. Since Caroline and I were married, thirty nine years ago, we have always lived in “tied accommodation” – the house that went with the job, curates houses, Vicarages and Rectories. All of them have been “home” to us although none of them have belonged to us. Many of you will be welcoming visiting family and friends into your homes at Christmas and New Year and maybe you’ll say “make yourself at home” or in Spanish they would say “mi casa es su casa” – my home is your home – extending open hospitality to others. A former Archbishop of Canterbury said: “Hospitality is making people feel at home…..when you wish that they were at home.” Perhaps you are going away to visit others and enjoy their hospitality, and then coming back you realize once again that there’s no place like home. Have a thought for the homeless this Christmas and marvel that in Jesus, God chose to make his home with us so that welcoming him into our lives and following him, we might find our way home to heaven. Happy New Year!

Neil Barker

Team Rector: The Revd Neil Barker (830260: any day except Mondays)

DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING HELD ON 9th NOVEMBER 2016 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, ST. ANNE’S CHAPEL, AT 7.30 PM

Present: Cllr Bryan Carson - Chair BC Cllr Rose Owen RO Cllr Sharon Smith SS Cllr George Rosevear – Vice chair GR District Cllr Lindsay Ward LW – Arrived during the evening. County Cllr Richard Hosking RH – Arrived after an early meeting finish. Acting Clerk:

Cllr George Rosevear Members of the Public present 7

1 / Apologies:

Cllr Cathy Case Cllr Beth Huntley

CC BH

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – OCTOBER 12TH

the minutes having been previously circulated were taken as read. Pro posed SS, seconded by RO and approved unanimously for the Chairman to sign. 3/

MATTERS ARISING Several matters were raised, as follows: Minute 4: the visit of Steve Radford has been deferred. Minute 4: the Royal Oak site looks set to have four houses. It is unlikely the Public house side will re-open, but the owner has thoughts about Guest house facilities. A counter idea was to make the facility more commercial all the year round, rather than a guest house in the season. Also, it would be appreciated if currently the site was kept tidy and clean. Minute 4: The Green. Recent work on and around the Green had left it somewhat untidy. The Parish was asked to look into the ongoing maintenance of the Green. Minute 6: Locality Fund £400.00. Projects were still needed to be brought forward to take advantage of this fund. Ideas, please. Minute 9: Parish Council Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. These would be tabled afresh on the December 2016 Agenda. Minute 10: GUTS (Get Up To Speed) After discussion it was agreed that RO would look into this further so that any FOC IT training was capitalized on, but did not cut across the local independent specialists work scope. Action Chairman. 4/

OPEN SESSION:

Resident B: Commented that there was, in their view, no conflict between the GUTS IT programme and the local provider. Resident C: Wished to have recorded a thank you for the recent skip provision. Resident D: Noted that in some places, adjacent to sheep fields, where hedges had been cut recently, they had been overcut, risking a loss of vegetation and sheep/lambs able to escape. Resident D: continued confirming that the fence on Cleveland Drive would be re-aligned with its original boundary line, with the cooperation of the land owner. Action Rose Owen. Cllr Rose Owen: reported the possibility of using a specialist Hawk Team to be used to persuade Gulls to move on. This approach has been used successfully elsewhere. Follow-up Action Rose Owen. Cllr Rose Owen: The litter bin at the top of the Cliff path has been removed, but the remaining brambles had enveloped the seat. It was agreed to have the area cleared. Action Rose Owen. Items 5 and 6 taken where they arose. 7/

PLANNING There were no applications. The following was noted.  Burgh Island application. Any response needs to be considered at the next meeting, unless the deadline dictates otherwise.

MEMORIAL HALL IT TRAINING This, in effect, been covered in Matters arising and the open forum. No further comment.

FINANCE  There were no prior prepared payments presented for approval and signature.  Lloyds Bank no longer offer “rotating linked” deposit accounts.  On presentation, It was approved unanimously to donate £100.00 to the RBL.  On presentation, It was approved to make the payment to Auditors Grant Thornton of £120.00

10 /

CORRESPONDENCE The following items were covered: 

 

There was to be a Wind Surfing event on 5-7 December, (West side of the river mouth), for which the group concerned would secure clearance from SHDC and not BPC. Watersmeet dwelling. Enforcement had confirmed that the building was in line with the consent granted in April 2010. Town event Wednesday 30th November 6:30 p.m. attendance to be notified by 25th November. Action Clerk.

557

ii. iii.

A thank you was recorded for those who attended and supported the Planning Training event, given by a SHDC planner. The IT Digital Workshop planning would await the Clerk’s return. Joint Local Plan (JLP). Shortly there would be a “Topical Paper” published by SHDC to report on the progress of the JLP to date and advise on its direction of travel. Links would be provided to both the Clerk and the NHPG Chair Val Scott. Questions taken:

 

The Topical paper would be concentrating on the local Parishes The Kingston site: Following the local consultation the site had not moved to a planning application yet.

COUNTY COUNILLOER RICHARD HOSKING Cllr Hosking arrived after the meeting closed, but stayed awhile to talk informally to parishioners and parishioner councillors.

11 /

ANY OTHER BUSINESS/BUSINESS FOR THE DECEMBER AGENDA The following were noted for the December agenda:  Use of Hawks as a gull deterrent.  NHP Up-date.  A questionnaire and Housing Needs Survey would be in circulation by the end of November in tandem with the Bigbury News.

12 /

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

PARISH CLERK. The Parish Clerk is Richard Matthews of 10 Lower Brook Park, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9TZ; Tel: 07987 130599. clerk.bigburypc@btinternet.com

Potholes If you want to report any potholes, over 40mm deep and greater than 300mm wide, you may access the Roads and Transport page on the Devon County Council website following this link https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/

FOR SALE: Good Quality BACKPACK / RUCKSACK with laptop compartment - As New, £30 o.n.o. please phone Rose on 810815

Bigbury Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire Informal consultations on the Bigbury Neighbourhood Plan were held during the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 90th birthday celebration in June 2016. Following on from this the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has now prepared a Questionnaire to obtain the views of all parishioners prior to the preparation of the Draft Plan. This Questionnaire, together with a Housing Survey, is being delivered to all parishioners with this December edition of the Bigbury News. MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO WHERE YOU LIVE, HAVE YOUR SAY NOW Once you have filled in the questionnaire please return it to the Bigbury Neighbourhood Plan posting box which has been set up at the Holywell Stores.

Bigbury Housing Survey 2016 There is a separate posting box at the Holywell Stores for the Bigbury Housing Survey. This survey has been prepared by South Hams Council. Its purpose is to establish the private and affordable housing needs of the parish over the next 10-20 years. The results of this survey are important in being able to plan for the future housing needs of the parish and to allocate sites as part of the Neighbourhood Plan where any future housing should be accommodated, if required. Free Raffle Free raffle tickets are attached to the questionnaire. Please detach one half and retain this. The other half needs to be left on the questionnaire, or detached if you prefer, and also posted in the Neighbourhood Plan posting box. The questionnaire and housing survey need to be completed by 8th January 2017 and the raffle will take place shortly after this. There are 12 bottles of wine which have been provided by the Parish Council as raffle prizes and as a further incentive for completing the questionnaire. The results of the raffle will be posted in the Holywell Stores and in the next edition of the Bigbury News. Only you will know if you are a winner and will then be able to collect your prize.

Mulled wine and mince pies on Saturday 10th December at the Memorial Hall The Steering Group are holding a pop-in session between 10am and 12noon on 10th December at the Memorial Hall. This will be a festive occasion including mulled wine and mince pies and will give parishioners a chance to meet members of the Steering Group, to discuss the questionnaire and the housing survey or to have help in completing these, if required.

THE NINETEENTH HOLE December The seniors recently played for the NSPCC Putter and Bob Lawrie Trophy on a late autumn day, with little wind and a field of 47 players. The victor, David Fox, recorded a score of 34 points to win the NSPCC Putter on count back from second placed Derek Cornish who also scored 34 points, David Thorne came in third with 33 points. This event raises money for the NSPCC and on this occasion Bigbury Seniors were able to forward a cheque for £150 to the society. Running concurrently with the Putter competition was the Bob Lawrie Trophy for the more mature seniors over 75 years old, the winner being the venerable Richard Jemmett who had scored 31 points explained Stuart Green, past captain. Tony Hobbs was the only player to score in the Twos which he achieved on the 3rd. Both the ladies and men’s sections run a Turkey Trot stableford competition prior to Christmas, and in fact the men hold two competitions. In the first of the men’s competition Gordon Harper came away winning a turkey with his impressive 40 points, but he wasn’t able to repeat his win the following Wednesday when it was Roger Hurrell who was the lucky winner of the turkey having matched Gordon’s score with his own impressive 40 points. The pot for the Twos had to be shared by 11 players. Gary and Keith Olver, owners of Palladium Builders held their annual charity golf day and auction at the club at the end of the summer and it is fair to say that all the contestants were treated to a very enjoyable day with over three thousand pounds being raised and divided into three for Gary and Keith’s chosen charities, The Devon Air Ambulance, The Kingsbridge Triangle Centre and our own Development fund. The juniors held their Prize presentation evening and dinner last month. Sandra Westlake started the evening by reading a congratulatory letter from Tracy to the audience and then she introduced Sally Errett, our ladies' vice Captain, who after a short speech began the presentation of the cups and trophies to the winners, starting with our juniors ' Captain Ben Sly who had won three prizes, the John Bowman Trophy (a medal competition played over two rounds), the Frank Ferris competition and the Bigbury Junior Cup. The Joanne Hurley Trophy was presented to Philip Taylor; Adam Keates was awarded the Club Championship Scratch Cup and also the Sharron Germain Bowl; with Jessica Leach receiving the Club Champion Teenage Cup. Vice Captain Luke Westlake received two prizes, firstly the Vic Jay Bogey, played against the course and secondly prestigious Order of Merit Accolade. Past Captain and stalwart supporter of the juniors, Barry Milner, was, in the absence of Peter Lawrence our Club President, asked to read a letter of encouragement from Peter to the young golfers and was invited to present another prestigious prize,

Retiring Junior Captain, Ben Sly, gave the last speech of his captaincy and formally introduced his successor Luke Westlake as the new Junior Captain, Luke in turn gave his first speech as Captain and introduced his new Vice Captain, Jessica Leach. We wish both Luke and Jessica well, and hope that they both enjoy their year to come. Thanks also go to all the helpers and supporters of the juniors, of whom there are many, who have helped, not only on the presentation day but also continuously throughout the year. This Autumn we welcomed Adam Keates into the professional team at Bigbury following his decision to turn professional and to start his PGA training, a three year foundation degree course via the Belfry through Birmingham University, with all his practical training being done here at the course. Many of us have seen Adam flourish since he started as a junior here, at the age of 13 years old, where he has progressed through the ranks, becoming Junior Captain last year and Junior Club Champion this year. During his time with the juniors, Adam has represented Devon County Juniors as a member of the Devon squad. This year he has represented Bigbury Juniors in the team which made the finals in both the West Devon Junior League and the Basil Steer Interclub Knockout Competition. Adam’s winning streak within the club this year’s prizes has included the President’s Trophy, the Sharon Germain Bowl and the crowning glory of being Junior Club Scratch Champion and it should also be noted that he narrowly missed out on

Our bronze free-range turkeys are traditionally reared and prepared in the time-honoured way to give a moist, www.turkeysfromdevon.co.uk flavoursome meat for the centrepiece of your Christmas table. They meet the Golden Promise standard with welfare a top priority. For further information or to place your order please ring the Walters family in Kingston on (01548) 810259 or order online.

Home-reared sausages, bacon, hams and other meats

BIGBURY QUIZ NIGHT 2017 We’ll supply the questions, a pasty each and one bottle of wine per table of 6 people; you provide the glasses, brain power any extra drink required.

Bigbury Memorial Hall 7.00pm Friday 13th January 2017 Tickets £6 from Holywell Stores Carols on the Green December 24th 6.30pm The tree will be up on the green soon! Preparations are going well so please do come along and join us for some traditional carols, mulled wine and mince pies on Christmas Eve on the Green in Bigbury. This year we are using a different company to supply the weather. We’re still looking for musicians to help us so if you play any musical instrument please could you contact me or Angie Carson who will pass on your details to me. Otherwise you might get me on the recorder… you have been warned! Hope to see you all there on Christmas Eve in good voice and good heart! Fiona Barker, at fiona.barker@windsor-ent.co.uk

Our winter Warmers are now on for those chilly days & nights, come and get that cosy feeling

Beef Cheeks in Guinness, D'Argen Prune, Prosciutto, Mash or Crisp Pork Belly, Boston Beans, Black Pudding or Buttermilk Chicken, Roast Sweet Potato, Smoked Chilli Mayonnaise £12.95 (some dishes may change) Christmas opening times: Christmas Eve all day till 11.00pm Christmas Day from 12 - 2.00 drinks only Boxing day from 12 - 4 closed evening Tues (bank holiday) 12 - 3 and 6 - 11 rest of the week usual opening times New Years Eve 12 - 3 then 6 till the party stops…….think 1930 ! come and join us to bring in 2017 with a bang New years Day (Sunday) booking essential we are filling up fast 12 - 4 we are open for lunch Monday 12 - 4 Tues normal hours until the 13th of January Wishing you a fabulous Christmas and New Year from

MATTHEW BISSEX ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS LTD PLANNING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS APPLICATIONS PLANS DRAWN FOR EXTENSIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS, CONSERVATORIES, NEW BUILD HOUSING, LISTED BUILDING APPLICATIONS. Visit our website at

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For a free quote on plans for your build project contact Matthew on 01761 436861 or mobile 07843 286857

8 8

BIGBURY ON SEA PROPERTY SERVICES Tel: 01548 811137 Email: bigburypropertyservices@gmail.com

Local Trustworthy couple offering a first class Management / Maintenance Service. Services Offered: Changeovers and laundry - Key Holding / Property checks Deep Clean - Window Cleaning - Garden Services

We also offer: Complete property maintenance from decorating to a new bathroom. We will liaise with local tradesmen for plumbing, heating and electrical problems. Holiday / Second Home and Residential. Contact Elaine or Andy to discuss your requirements

The Dolphin Inn Kingston Traditional 16th Century Inn Open all Day Beer Garden Cask Conditioned Ales Traditional Pub Food Lunch 12-3pm Dinner 6-9pm Cream Teas Bed and Breakfast Tel. 01548 810314

Under Refurbishment during November Craig and Leah Worthington ( formerly of The Bay View Café) are delighted to be new Proprietors of the Dolphin Inn and look forward to welcoming you

Collection and Delivery Service with Courtesy Cars Available 

Mechanical Repairs that include

Servicing, Tyres, Exhausts, Brakes, Batteries, Clutches, Cam Belts, Diagnostics, Safety Checks, Full Bodyshop, Air Conditioning, MOT’s arranged

t 01752 898632 f 01752898659 info@howardsarc.com W www.howardsaccidentrepaircentre.com Strashleigh View, Lee Mill Industrial Estate, Nr. Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9GS

Open: Mon - Sat 8.30-5.30 - Sun 10.30-2.00 (Sun car sales only) 

Every car that passes through our doors receives a complementary wash and vac

3 Comfortable bedrooms available all year round, with stunning views overlooking Dartmoor and surrounding countryside. Near to beaches and local facilities. Dane & Hilary Vanstone St. Annâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel, Kingsbridge, TQ& 4HQ T: 01548 810308 www.holywell-bedandbreakfast.co.uk

01548 830250 OR 07925306853

www.cpmr.co.uk Sharon@cpmr.co.uk

December 2016 What a year it has been! There has been Brexit and Trump and we’re probably about to see Ed Balls win Strictly Come Dancing. 2016 has been a year of predictions and surprises, at least for those who did the predicting! For the Weekends, 2016 has been a year of ups and downs. To kick things off, my first picture book was published. I’m saying ‘my first picture book’ because obviously it is going to be the first of many *hollow laugh*. I have learned a great deal about the children’s publishing industry this year; some of it good and some of it less appealing. I have met some fantastic people though including the lovely booksellers at Plymouth Waterstones who do great work in supporting authors who have a link to our lovely county. You could do a lot worse than ask their advice about bookish Christmas presents. Hot on the heels of my publishing triumph came the successful completion and defence of my PhD thesis. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my life. When I started, it felt like I was being asked to eat the proverbial elephant. I really did learn that you can do it one bite at a time and polish the whole pachyderm off. Don’t be scared of big challenges Bigbury! I’m having a break from academia now though. Maybe I’ll return to it one day but certainly not over Christmas when I plan to have the biggest rests of biggest rests. William Weekend also got a publishing deal this year. He writes adult fiction or, as he likes to call it, ‘proper books’. More updates to follow in 2017 as we near publication date! Weenie Weekend graduated to ‘big school’. School disco angst, mobile phones and Instagram here we come. The big down of the year was that the matriarch of the Weekend clan, Nan, was very poorly throughout 2016, finally passing away peacefully in October. I’m so pleased that before her illness really took hold she was able to come down to Bigbury with Grandad Weekend and spend some time enjoying the sea views. Although this was a really sad time for all of us, I was so proud of Grandad Weekend who looked after Nan brilliantly and enabled her to fulfil her wish to die at home surrounded by people who loved her. She was an amazing person and we will miss her in 2017 and beyond. We’re determined to show Grandad how lovely a Bigbury Christmas can be even without Nan to share it. I’m sure 2017 will hold ups and downs for everyone. Hold those who are dear to you close and celebrate the ups with them so that you are all stronger when the downs come. Much love and very best wishes for a peaceful and happy Christmas.

BIGBURY MEMORIAL HALL Bringing the Community Together

On November 16th we staged the first in our Winter programme of events, a Film and Food Night. Over thirty people came along to watch a very entertaining film, Suffragette, starring Meryl Streep, and enjoy an excellent curry – both meat and vegetarian were available - supplied by the Pickwick Inn. This was the first Hall event at which our new state of the art sound and vision system was in operation and most who attended felt it made a big difference. On the 25th, we put on a Villages in Action event when Cosgrave & Banks brought their sublime acoustic music to the Hall. At the time of writing, this had not yet taken place, but hopefully a good time was had by all. On Friday December 9th at 7.00 p.m. the latest in the twice yearly Wine Tasting Evenings, which have become such a popular feature of the Hall’s social programme, will take place. Local wine expert Richard Taylor, ably supported by Alice, will be presenting eight “Classics for Christmas” wines, accompanied by the usual delicious nibbles. Ticket details are on the poster elsewhere in this issue. This event normally sells out fast, so contact Holywell Stores now if you’d like to go. We greet the New Year on Friday January 13 th with our popular annual Quiz Night. This is huge fun and also great value. Tickets are only £6 and include a pasty and free bottle of wine per table of six. You don’t have to come in a made up team of six; we can sort out a team for you on the night if you wish. See poster for details. Finally, looking ahead a little, on Wednesday February 15 th we are staging something new for us when the Opera Dudes bring their unique combination of top quality singing and music making, slapstick comedy, ridiculous impressions and audience participation to the Hall. Comprising a Cambridge graduate opera tenor and an ex bricklayer, these two modern day Mario Lanzas will provide a show the like of which you will never have seen before. Ticket details will appear in February’s Bigbury news.

Charles Harrington. Tel. 810023. Email charles_harri@yahoo.co.uk

Bigbury Memorial Hall Calendar of Events December 2016 - January 2017 Day & Time

Activity

Contact name

Tel. no

Mon.

Body Boost

*Jill Gubbins

810651

10.05 – 11.05

Pilates

*Jill Gubbins

810651

19.00 – 20.15

Yoga

Fi Baker

Tues.

17.30 - 19.30

Youth Club

Louise Pitt

07786860440

Wed.

9.30 – 11.45

South Hams Shrimps

Beccy Phelan

811179 / 07789111200

Thurs.

9.15 – 10.00

Body Strength

*Jill Gubbins

810651

Pilates

*Jill Gubbins

810651

Strong & Steady (plus tea & chat)

*Jill Gubbins

810651

9.15 – 10.00

10.05 – 11.05 11.15 – noon

831599

* Please note that Jill’s exercise classes will finish for the Christmas break on Thursday 8th December and restart on Monday 9th January 2017 Future Events: December events: Friday 9th December: 7.00pm. Wine tasting with Richard and Alice Taylor. Tickets (£10) from Holywell Stores. Future Events: Friday 13th January Quiz Night (see posters); Wed 15th February Opera Dudes (ViA) . 50:100 Club (Promoted by Dane Vanstone). Tickets (£8 for the eight monthly draws from December 2016 until July 2017) are available from Holywell Stores. Buy

   

Seichem Reiki Reconnective Bengsten Method

My house or at yours Contact: Beth 01548 810385 huntthe-

Dear Shackers, This Winter it’s cosier than ever here at The Oyster Shack and we have some incredible local’s offers and cracking events not to be missed, plus you can bring your own wine too! Our newly launched Sunday Roasts are great for all the family – with classic meat options such as roast chicken alongside baked catch of the day with all the trimmings. Newspapers and regional magazines if you wish to while away the afternoon. Mussel Mondays are becoming very popular as is our seasonal set menu which runs until the 16th December. Not forgetting Flash Fridays (special offers of the day) plus our classic winter warmers such as fish pie, crab soup and grilled lobster thermidor featuring on the menu all winter. Shhhh… we have a secret offer too just for locals. It’ a winter warming seafood sharing feast, three tiers of local seafood with a glass of bubbly for just £19.50 per person. Just quote “Seafood Feast” to redeem. Saturday 3rd December, from 10.30am – 5.30pm The Shack will become a magical winter wonderland with over 25 artisan stalls, cookery demonstrations at 11am and 3pm, open grills, mulled wines, The Shack Christmas Shop, children’s activities, raffle prizes and much more… New Year’s Eve is set to be as frivolous as ever – you decide how festive you wish to come. We’ll have our a la carte shack menu so that you can choose your usual favourite dishes and we’ll be serving complimentary bubbly at midnight to toast in the New Year with cheers and dancing! With Christmas not too far away… you can pre order your Christmas Trees from us with 10% discount quoting BIGBURY. We really hope to see you soon, Chris, Joe, Andy, Heather and the crew

WHAT’S ON AT THE OYSTER SHACK THIS WINTER Nestled into the Avon Valley, The Oyster Shack – aka “Seafood Paradise” will be as warming and cosy as ever this Winter. Serving an array of mouth-watering catch of the day seafood and shellfish, depending on what’s been landed daily and what’s in season, it’s a must visit for any seafood lover. The menu is written daily depending on what has been caught in the surrounding waters and what’s in season, together with foraging locally. Head Chef Andy Richardson curates a menu of dishes that are handcrafted from fresh, sustainable and local ingredients, in keeping with The Shack’s long heritage. Shack Sunday Roasts have just launched (hey, Sundays are for feasting). There’ll be roast seafood options alongside a meat option of the day served with all the trim-

Starting out as an Oyster Farm 27 years ago, “shackers” would rock up with their own furniture to shuck their oysters all washed down with a bottle of wine or two that they brought with them. So paying homage to the early days, The Shack has launched a BYO wine and beer option this Winter… there’s not many award winning restaurants that look after their local customers this much… With a mouth-watering seasonal set menu at just £14 for 2 courses and £16 for 3 courses combined with the BYO you can really dine like a royal (they’re shacker’s too) this Winter whilst saving the Christmas pennies. On Saturday 3rd December, The Shack will be turned into a winter wonderland for a magical Christmas Barrow Market, a great family day out with over 25 stalls, cookery demonstrations, choir singers, open grills, Christmas trees and much more… And if you’re looking for a unique setting to host your Christmas party, there are bespoke menus, seasonal set menus at a great price and private cookery classes that you can create for your own party. Booking before driving out is highly recommended – plus don’t forget to check the tide times to make sure you are on the best route. Events at The Oyster Shack… 

Christmas Barrow Market, Saturday 3rd December, 10.30am – 5.30pm, Free to attend:

The Shack will be turned into a winter wonderland, with over 25 stalls, Noble Fir Christmas Trees for Sale (pre-order in advance to receive 10% discount and to select your size and tree), Open Seafood Grills, Live Cookery Demonstrations (11am and 3pm) mulled wine, hot cider, take away seafood. Featuring an array of local artisans from food producers to local artists, plus The Shack Christmas Shop with hand designed aprons, tea towels, shack wine, gift cards, cookery demonstration vouchers and more, plus raffle prizes to raise money for our local charities The Lobster Hatchery & Fisherman’s Mission. Menu Offers… 

Seasonal Set Menu – runs daily until 16th December, 2 courses £14, 3 courses £16 - Featuring an array of mouth-watering local seafood and seasonal produce, vegetarian and meat options. Check out the sample menu here.

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Mussel Mondays - Every Monday until Dec 19th, £10 all day - 1lb of mussels either shack or traditional style & skinny fries

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Flash Fridays – Secret dish of the day at a special price, check social media pages for current offers 01548 810876 | www.oystershack.co.uk | bigbury@oystershack.co.uk Facebook: The Oyster Shack Bigbury | Twitter @theoystershack | Instagram @theoystershack

Bigbury Beach Shop The Bigbury Beach Shop would like to say a huge thank you for a fantastic first season of trading since we took over the shop this March. As you might know Hannah grew up in Bigbury -on-sea so it has been lovely to be back. We would like to thank the Bigbury and Challaborough community and all our staff, friends and family for supporting us. Thank you to everyone at Venus cafe, Discovery and Burgh Island for making us feel welcome. We would like to give a very special thank you to Dane and Hillary at Holywell stores and John and Jane Tucker at Mount Folly Farm for going out of their way to help us. We don't think we could have done it without you! A very Merry Christmas and a Happy new year

ARTWORK NEEDED PLEASE CAN I MAKE AN APPEAL FOR SOME NEW ARTWORK TO GRACE THE FRONT COVER OF BIGBURY NEWS? I am seriously short of artwork for the front cover, to the point that I am having to recycle drawings from past issues! They need to be pencil/pen line drawings that would look good in b/w. Come on people, I know there are some really good artists out there, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be hiding your light under a bushel !!! Please send them to Rose

On Wednesday 2nd November the Korniloff Coffee Morning raised £250 for the South Hams Hospital League of Friends , many thanks to all who attended, helped and gave so generously. On Wednesday 7th December we will be supporting St. Lawrence Church with our Christmas coffee morning. Please come and support our last coffee morning for this year, between 10.30 and noon. We would like to give our grateful thanks to Gina and Gordon, their staff, who are so helpful and of course, the residents of Korniloff for welcoming us into their lovely home and for their continuing support. BIGBURY LADIES For our November meeting we visited Cotehele – the National Trust property not far from Saltash. Fortunately, the Christmas garland had opened to the public from Saturday 12th November so our November meeting was timed exactly right. Rita, Rose, Hazel, Jane, Chrissie, Lynn, Jean, Mo and myself set off from Bigbury about 10.45 We were all very grateful to Chrissie, Lynn and Jean who drove the rest of us to this absolutely glorious property. Jean was an absolute star for she collected Mo from Plymouth – Mo lives on the Park Dean site from its opening at the beginning of March each year and is resident there until the first week of November when she returns to her house in Plymouth but she does enjoy our Wednesday meetings so much and Jean was not going to let Mo miss out on this one. Of course, when we all arrived, our first trip was the restaurant for some late elevenses. From there we headed for the building which housed the fabulous garland. As this year is the 60th anniversary of the Christmas garland, it consisted mainly of white flowers – the closest thing to diamond – that being the diamond anniversary. Between the garland (suspended from the ceiling and from one end of the room to the other) and a lovely old oak doorway also framed completely, there were nearly 40,000 flower heads, all of which were grown and dried on the estate. Jean told us that the garland starts off with rope which then has pittosporum wired to the rope. The dried flowers are then painstakingly added by various volunteers. There was a room displaying items honouring Cotehele’s role during the First and Second World Wars and of course, I think we all visited the gift shop. Sadly the main house is now closed for the winter. We finished up in the restaurant again before returning home. The December Christmas lunch will be at the Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove on Wednesday 14th. 12.30p.m. for 1.0 p.m. meal. Rita Baker has the menus and it is important that the hotel receives everybody’s choice for the meal prior to the event. Anybody is welcome to join us and I think several gentlemen will be coming along

Our November Meeting was held at Lyn's house but we were unable to fully discuss our book for the month "The Muse" as not everyone had finished reading it, although those who had thought it a thoroughly good read. We discussed informally other books we had read and lots of books were passed round for others to enjoy. For our December book we have chosen "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson. This and the other outstanding book will be discussed on 1st December when we will meet for coffee at 10.30 at Liz's house. Then on 7th December we are going to Turtley Corn Mill at Avonwick for our Christmas Lunch.

December has sneaked in already, lots of work has been going on scrub cutting, footpath repairs, access works, woodland work and moving ponies. On 3 November we were joined by Year 6 pupils from Wembury School who got stuck into some willow thinning, pampas grass and bamboo cutting and even bat hunting at Mill Meadow Wembury, they did a fantastic job so thanks to each and every one of them. The School will continue to be working with the National Trust over the next year to turn Mill Meadow into a usable nature education space. Thank you to everyone that helps keep Ayrmer Cove clean of beach litter. It is getting to that time of year again when storms become more frequent and more litter is washed up onto the beach and your help with looking after this beautiful cove is greatly appreciated. As the year comes to an end we have still have a few events: Sunday 18th December – Festive Fun. Join the rangers at East Soar Outdoor Experience, near Malborough to start off your festive break. Get creative and make your own wreath from natural materials. Make your own festive lantern to take away. Have a go at campfire cooking and ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ activities. All with the warmth of a camp fire and café for refreshments. All activities are free; there is a charge for refreshments in the café. 12noon – 3pm Sunday 08 January – Countryside Ranger Day at Wembury Beach. Come and help the rangers with some practical work scrub cutting and burning, booking required. 10am – 3pm. To book call 01752 346585. For further information please look on www.nationaltrust.org.uk We wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy healthy new year. Please stop and have a chat to the team if you see us out working or if you have any comments about the work of the National Trust. For further information please call Lorna Sherriff on 01548 562344 or email lorna.sherriff@nationaltrust.org.uk Lorna Sherriff Area Ranger

The Ruminations of Resident Ronnie -

My Neighbours

I was having coffee in Kingsbridge at the smarter café at the top of town, and found I was sitting on the next table to two people, who it gradually became clear were a psychiatrist and a nurse, or some such, perhaps after a home visit. The psychiatrist was saying that the only thing that Brexit seemed to mean for the prime minister was keeping every single nonBrit out and if she thought the NHS could run without foreign staff, she was suffering from delusions; and that xenophobia should be seen as an emotional disorder, just like social phobia and arachnophobia. After all, she could hardly run out of negotiations if she saw a spider, so she’d need treatment, and it was the same with xenophobia. They didn’t think that she could handle what they called ‘talking therapy’, so they started discussing what medication would most help her condition. As it happened, I finished my coffee about the same time as they did, and followed them out into Fore Street, with its Christmas decorations, and I heard the nurse say she was horrified by the treatment of the parentless children at Calais, leaving them for months in appalling squalor to be sexually abused or abducted – it’s so callous and so unChristian. Us Brits aren’t supposed to listen to other people’s conversations, so I couldn’t run after them and I was feeling rather warm-hearted and rather Christian as I walked down to Oxfam to buy a box of Christmas cards: for Brenda, for keeping an eye on me – not that I need it, of course, but it’s nice to know it’s there; for George and Joyce, but also one for my present neighbours, Ian and Chantelle, and one for my previous neighbours, Tim and Jenny, whom I actually knew better. That was because Tim had a long list of improvements he wanted to do before they sold up in East Surrey and moved down here. So, most Spring and Summer weekends, he’d be around, measuring, banging, drilling etc. Then, one evening, they invited me over for a glass of wine. Tim said he was very sorry, but the sums didn’t add up, and they’d have to stay near Guilford and unfortunately, and much against their will, it was this house that they would be selling. And Jenny poured herself a large glass of Morrisons Select Chardonnay for herself, and gave me the remaining dribble, and obviously needed this fortifying, because tears started rolling down her cheeks, and she leant across the table and cupped one of her husband’s hands in hers. She said it was so upsetting after the thousands of hours Timmy had spent and, perhaps I couldn’t appreciate fully the artistry and the masterly skills he’d brought to the project, and gently, and, of course, very carefully, stroked one of the master builder’s hands. Well, I didn’t know what to say. All I could come up with was the rather lame ‘South Hams’ loss will be East Surrey’s gain’ and she said that was so true. So they sold up to Ian and Chantelle, who didn’t seem to think much needed changing, probably because they used the place much less. Except Chantelle created a rockery for ‘hardy exoticas’ – odd-looking cacti that didn’t need much watering, which was a good thing, as they wouldn’t have got it. And she would trip down to the beach in her designer sunglasses, a gaily coloured Indonesian dress, gold, open sandals and a bucket. If she met me and Wellington out walking, she would proudly let me look into her bucket, at the bottom of which were funny shaped stones, preferably with a hole in them, some shells and some straggly pieces of shrivelled black seaweed. She patiently explained to me that these were ‘objets trouvés’. I wondered why she was talking in French, but when I looked it up in my old school English-French dictionary, it translated as ‘found things’, which didn’t have quite the same ring.

I don’t know whether Timmy had experienced an artistic block, or just not read the instructions on the tin, but what had happened was that, after three days’ rain, his pebble dash had slid down off the wall. Worse still, it had blocked the drains, turning most of the garden into a pool. The hardy exoticas were missing, presumed drowned, and the objets were nowhere to be trouvéd. The matter, as they say, is in the hands of solicitors. In fact, I’m not sure I should be telling you this as the dashed pebbles might be sub judice. Going back to that scene with Jenny and Tim, I remember being vaguely bothered by Morrisons ‘Select Chardonnay’. Maybe it’s my age, but to my mind, Morrisons made their reputation as Northern grocers who drove a hard bargain for cabbages and cauliflowers, frozen chickens and jars of instant coffee, which they passed onto the consumers. But surely, having expertise in the wholesale purchasing of basic goods did not extend to the soft, Southern habits of drinking wine? Perhaps they did have a chief wine buyer, who prided himself on his grasp of the French language. Scene 1. A village a few miles outside Bradford: we see him in the ferret shed. He opens a cage and gently, lovingly lifts his favourite ferret up in his arms, strokes her along her length, tickles her behind her ears and whispers ‘Don’t fret now, Lily. I’ll be back as soon as I can and then we’ll go and find you a fat rabbit’. He goes indoors, shakes hands with his wife, picks up his holdall and heads off for the ferry. Scene 2. At the vineyard, he is tasting a red, and says to the owner, who is, of course, wearing a beret: ‘Monsieur, cette vin rouge a un tres jolie boucquet. Je veux acheter cinq mille bouteilles. Voici les ‘Morrisons Select’ labels. Quand je retourne a mon lit-et-petitdejeuner, je vais texter à Messieurs Côté du Derriere et Fils dans Halifax et ils will send un HGV avec un chauffeur le demain. Moi meme, je dois retourner toute de suite a Angleterre et a ma petite Lily’. ‘C’est bien. Permettez-moi de remplir votre verre. Cette Lily – c’est votre femme? ‘Non, non, ma …, ma …‘ ‘Ah, pardonnez moi. Je comprends – votre maitresse. Quelle tendresse!‘ ‘Mais non, non, non, elle est ma favourite …, elle est une (thumbs through his pocket English-French dictionary) … une furet’. ‘Une furet!! Vous anglais! Puis-je vous demander: comment?’ I’ll also be taking a card down to Ruby. You probably don’t know Ruby, as she rarely comes out of her home and spends most of her time looking out from behind her net curtains. And the problem is her front window looks directly over the bottle bank in the beach car park; and, as the Bard put it, there’s the rub. As a thoughtful, environmentally-aware citizen, I, of course, wish to use the bottle bank and the logical thing to do would be to put each day’s empty bottles, if required, in a plastic bag and take them down when I walk Wellington. The trouble then is that Ruby would come to the conclusion I am a regular tippler. So I tried waiting a few days, packed them all in a larger plastic bag and headed on down. The trouble was I couldn’t both hold the bag open and put the bottles through the holes at the same time. Just didn’t have enough hands. And then the bag’s handles ripped. So I gave that idea up. I thought of waiting and then taking them down in the car and backing it up against the bottle bank, so that she couldn’t see what I was doing. But that would just prove to Ruby how desperate my consumption had become. So what I do is to take a medium sized bag every few days, and try and be as quick as possible to show there’s not much in it.

What annoys me is that most of my empty bottles are not drink-related. I have thought of stopping in front of Ruby’s window and showing her: ‘Look, Ruby, an empty coffee jar; and here, Ruby, digestion medicine and a bottle of tonic’ etc., but the trouble is that it could look rather odd to someone passing by: ‘You know that Ronnie – the old fellow you see wandering around with his dog. Well, I think he’s gone a bit odd. I found him on someone’s lawn, producing empty bottles from a bag, dancing around, waving them about and shouting and there wasn’t anyone there. Shouldn’t we be trying to get him to see someone?’

QUIZ & CURRY NIGHT 11 NOVEMBER 2016 The hall was full of fun and just over 40 all ready to get stuck into Telboy’s devilish quiz. Michael Poynter cooked two fabulous curries – a Beef Rendang and a vegetarian Aubergine curry – with all the trimmings of rice, chutney, poppadoms and Richard’s lovely raita. It was a close finish with the Great Dane’s (guess whose team that was!) beating the Courtiers on penalty points. Thunderbirds fans did well with Scott the pilot. Funds raised were not as good as last year

Operation Christmas Child With so many harrowing stories concerning children in the news in recent times, it is heart warming to think that through your generosity we are able to make a difference and bring some happiness to a few of them at Christmas. Thank you so much to all those who supported this appeal by covering boxes, providing items, such as hats, gloves, cars, toothpaste, pencils etc., or a filled box, as well as generous monetary contributions. I was able to send 43 boxes. For those of you who like to collect items for the boxes throughout the year, you might be interested in the number of boxes for the different age ranges that we sent. 2–

4 years

Boys 2

Girls

5–

9 years

Boys 8

Girls 15

10 – 14 years

Boys 1

Girls 14

Obviously the boys don’t do as well as the girls, so if you are undecided perhaps you would like to collect, with them in mind.

An update on the destination of the boxes will follow in the New Year.

PICKWICK INN

HOLYWELL STORES