Winter 2009

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Published quarterly by: Hoar Oak Publishing, Ivy Cottage, Martinhoe, Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4QT Tel: 0845 2241203 email: hoaroakpublishing@googlemail.com web: www.theexmoormagazine.co.uk Editor: Hilary Binding (hilary.binding@btinternet.com) Designer: Naomi Cudmore (naomi@naomicudmore.co.uk/ www.naomicudmore.co.uk) Colour management: Colin Matthews Advertising sales: Zara Media: Grant Harrison, Susie Walker.

Tel: 01392 201227; email: info@zaramedia.co.uk

contents

Issue 49 Winter 2009

34

64 4 12

FARMING TALK Albert Beer and Sean Beer

16

PROFILE Alison (Banger) Milton Val Sherwin

Printing: Warner Midlands PLC, Bourne IMPORTANT NOTICE We do our best to ensure that all advertisements and articles appear correctly. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by this publication. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor.

Copyright © Hoar Oak Publishing.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission. We welcome contributions that fit into the magazine’s general ethos but, while every care is taken, all such material is sent entirely at the sender’s risk.

FOR A SPECIAL

EXMOOR THE COUNTRY MAGAZINE

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER SEE PAGE 77

On opposite page: Autumn splendour, Mike Sherwin.

46 BOOKS: A Bumper Selection of Exmoor Christmas Titles 50 Where Angels Fear to Tread: Hugh Harrison Conservation Naomi Cudmore

18

Every Stone Counts Jane Mares

54 Spare A Thought For Christmas Heather Holt looks at ways to help others close to home this festive season

22

Photographerʼs Exmoor Neville Stannik

56 Not Just a Playbus!

Alison Mothersdale

26

Otter Resurgence Michelle Werrett

58 Walking the Wivey Way Malcolm Rigby

28

WALKING ON EXMOOR Sue Viccar: a circular route taking in the River Barle and Ash Hill

62 Keeping Cosy Sue Scammell Interiors

31

COUNTRY MATTERS Trevor Beer

32

PROPERTY James Green

69 EATING OUT Mary Gray and friend

34

A Chocoholicʼs Dream Brian Pearce

70 Well Being Elaine Pearce

36

RECIPES WITH CHOCOLATE Bob Deville

38

ASK BOB Bob Deville

41

An Exmoor Christmas Miscellany

45

Midnight on Lundy

18 Cover image: Snowy days at Upton by Naomi Cudmore.

In the News

26

64 GARDENS Rosemary Lauder 67 JONʼS JOTTINGS

72 IN THE STABLEYARD Cindy Cowling 74 EXMOOR DIARY 76 Searching for Footprints Endymion Beer 79 Memorials Quiz 80 TAILPIECE Norma Huxtable

22