Oke Links January/February 2023

15 Charter Place Okehampton, Devon EX20 1HN 01837 53300 Stevens-property.com

15 Charter Place

Okehampton, Devon EX20 1HN 01837 53300 Stevens-property.com

15 Charter Place Okehampton, Devon EX20 1HN 01837 53300 Stevens-property.com

For over fifty years the name Froling has stood for state-of-the-art and e icient biomass heating technology

From the outset Froling has specialised in the e icient use of wood as a source of energy and is a pioneer of state-of-the-art wood heating systems. Today the name Froling stands for modern biomass heating technology.

Froling’s firewood, wood chip and pellet boilers are being used successfully all over Europe. All of our products are manufactured in our factories in Austria and Germany.

Chamings are the local supplier, installer and service agent for Froling biomass heating technology

Welcome to 2023

So, welcome to 2023. Normally a new year is greeted with joy and hope, but as I write this huddled under three blankets and wondering what exactly it costs me to boil the kettle for the hot water bottle that has taken up permanent residence on my lap, it’s hard to feel celebratory.

I’m not alone. In recent months that four-word phrase ‘cost of living crisis’ has become like a four-letter word in households up and down the land as people struggle to run their cars, heat their homes and even feed their families.

But, though my nether regions might be freezing, my soul is warmed through by the amazing people I met for this issue’s Charity Special. People like the Community Kitchen’s Rebecca Green, Immersion’s Ryan Arthur and The London Inn’s Simon Chudley; people who go above and beyond to help others; people who have opened their hearts and their businesses to keep us safe and sane this winter.

Meanwhile, it was a total joy to interview Tom and Sue Baxter of the Dartmoor Railway Association, who found themselves in the most extraordinary position as the project to reopen Okehampton Station and the Dartmoor Line for passenger trains got underway. They didn’t just observe the venture at close hand, they were a vital cog in the works!

And it was equally fascinating to chat to Town Clerk Emma James as she painstakingly explained not only what her job entails, but also what the Town Council does. Or, more importantly what it doesn’t do. No, it’s NOT responsible for the traffic. Or potholes.

I really hope you enjoy reading about these folk as much as I did talking to them.

And please don’t forget that this magazine is for and about you and our community. I’d love to hear from you - maybe you’ve got an event you want to promote, an article idea you’d like to read or know an inspirational local you think we should feature.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

In the meantime, the team here and I do indeed wish you a Happy New Year!

Tracks of their Cheers!

When the Dartmoor Line reopened, one couple had front row seats

Tom Baxter will never forget the vision of a man in a high vis orange jacket and bright white safety helmet slowly walking his way up the railway line outside Okehampton Station. For Tom knew that this could herald the news that he and countless others had been campaigning so long for: the reopening of The Dartmoor Line for daily passenger trains linking Okehampton to Exeter.

“I call it my Dr Livingstone moment, because the chap turned out to be a senior drainage engineer from Network Rail. I kept thinking that they don’t do this kind of survey for nothing!”

Tom and his wife Sue are, respectively, the secretary and chair of the Dartmoor Railway Association, a group of enthusiasts united by their passion for the railway.

Tom, who moved to Okehampton from the Midlands when he was 12, hated school dinners and vividly remembers bunking up to the station at lunchtimes to eat beans on toast in the buffet. Meanwhile, Sue, a retired teacher, used to take her geography pupils there on field trips to “make a sketch map of Okehampton showing how it grew where the East and West Okement Rivers meet”.

All aboard

For years the DRA’s seemingly inexhaustible volunteering efforts

were vital in running various heritage services, like the Dartmoor Pony and The Polar Express. While the actual line, the trains and the station buildings went through a number complex ownerships, the DRA was a constant. They did everything from refurbishing old rolling stock to being drivers and guards; maintaining the footbridge to keeping the lines clear of vegetation and trees; running a buffet carriage beside Meldon Viaduct and managing the small shop.

And when the pandemic struck in March 2020 and the nation was put in lockdown, Tom, Sue and a handful of nearby volunteers kept up as much of their good work as they could.

“We actually had an 11-carriage train stuck there on the platform - the Christmas Train,” Tom says. “We did a daily patrol of it and the station. We were so worried about vandalism.”

“There was a promotional polar bear in the ticket hall,” recalls Sue. “I used to

move him about, put a scarf on himanything that would make it look like people were around!”

“And it was when I was finishing up one day,” Tom chimes in, “washing the mugs - we drink a lot of tea on the railway! - that I looked down the line towards Fatherford and saw the man from Network Rail.”

Keys to the kingdom

Tom and Sue’s involvement with the regeneration of the Dartmoor Line for passengers didn’t stop with being endless suppliers of tea. Vitally, they had the actual keys to some of the buildings and the signal box.

“Everything had been at a standstill because the American railroad company who were then the leaseholders had gone into receivership,” Sue explains. “But the buildings we used weren’t owned by them - we leased them from

Devon County Council - so they weren’t subject to the administration. Network Rail, Great Western Railway and the council realised that we could facilitate people coming onto the station and still keep the place secure.

“In fact, the station proved a perfect meeting place because of its canopy - so people could be there in person despite all the Covid restrictions.”

Moreover, Tom and Sue, of course, had invaluable knowledge of the station and the line, built up over years.

“We tried to help with everything we could. We were there the whole time doing whatever was needed; sharing all the information we had. It was such an unusual situation we were all in. It’s not often a multi-million pound rail project has a couple of local individuals so involved!”

Ringside view

This involvement also meant that Tom and Sue watched the project’s progressand they were unbelievably impressed.

“It was such a privilege for us to be there,” Tom says. “Everything was pulled together by some amazing people from rail managers to construction workers. It was this whole idea of delivering a project not just successfully, but at speed. If problems arose then solutions were found - there wasn’t endless arguing or hold-ups. Everyone just got on with it.

“It was like there was a total alignment. Which had sort of been the case from

Engine Driver John Coxon by 08 Shunter

the beginning when the idea of the reopening was first raised - there were lots of individual people and bodies, from councillors to pressure groupswho all campaigned with one voice.”

And thanks to this spirit and hard graft, when the Dartmoor Line was reopened in November 2021, it wasn’t just on time, it was actually under budget. One year later there was a celebratory mood again when it was announced that there had been over quarter of a million

passenger journeys on the line, far exceeding predicted numbers.

Plus, there’s a shiny new cafe - the Bulleid Buffet - a visitor’s centre, museum and Dartmoor Railway Association shop - all resplendent in the platforms’ buildings.

As Sue concludes: “We hope that this is going to be part of a bigger story. It’s not just a ‘branch’ line here, it’s a former mainline which is once again a vital, much-used part of the national

and tourists. It would be great to see other lines reinstated - like the Tavistock to Plymouth one, and then eventually Okehampton to Tavistock so that we regain all the Northern route around Dartmoor.

“We’d also love to get the heritage trains up to Meldon Viaduct running again. They were so special and people loved them - a bit of railway magic for everyone!”

The Kindness of Strangers

When times are tough, the Okehampton community really pulls together

If you’re wandering down Okehampton’s East Street on a Friday afternoon don’t be surprised to see Rebecca Green handing out boxes of hot food to passing youngsters from her 3 East Street premises.

Or perhaps you’ll spot her unloading sacks of potatoes or upstairs in the kitchen teaching a bunch of teenagers how to make ‘mug bread’ or walking round Simmons Park in a high-vis vest giving out hot drinks and cheery chat.

For Rebecca, who runs the Community Kitchen, is one of Okehampton’s angels - a hero without a cape - who devotes every spare second she has to helping others. And in our current climes, with hardly a household in the land untouched by money worries, she’s busier than ever.

Food for thought

Rebecca had been running her cafe, 3 East Street, until Covid hit. “Throughout the lockdowns we were taking out meals and emergency food packs,” Rebecca explains. “What we came across was a lot of people who weren’t eating very well - or weren’t eating at all. Like elderly people trying to survive on just biscuits and sandwiches because they can’t afford to turn the oven on for just one person.

“That’s when we realised we could help do something. We could ‘sell’ food with the cafe and our accompanying catering business, and that would enable us to also ‘give away’ food.”

But Rebecca doesn’t want it to be only about hand-outs. She’s striving to create what she calls ‘community resilience’.

“We don’t just give people a can of tomatoes and some pasta, we give them a pack of herbs and spices. Or a slow cooker - that’s one of our main donations - so that people can actually cook well and effectively.

“We’re also going to try to set up community pantries - a foodsharing initiative - whereby people put a box outside their houses in which they put anything spare from their larders for others to take.”

At the heart of Rebecca’s philosophy is the idea that we should all look out for each other.

“That mum in the playground you think is doing so well with Slimming World? She might simply not have enough to eat herself after feeding her kids. That old man who gives you a smiley wave every morning as he shuffles past? He might not have had a proper meal in days.

“We all have the power to change the world around us, it doesn’t matter how much money we’ve got or what background we’re from. Community spirit costs nothing.”

The pub landlord

It’s not just Rebecca who is using her business to help others, and cultivate ‘community spirit’. Simon Chudley, proprietor of The London Inn makes sure his pub is more than just a place to go for a drink or to watch the football.

“I see it like a pub you might find on a city housing estate or in a village, somewhere everyone comes together. It’s a hub.”

And for the last few months Simon has been providing free teas and coffees, encouraging people to come in for some

warmth - both in terms of temperature and human contact.

“One of the real problems is loneliness. People can’t afford to go out any more. There’s one woman who comes in here who recently lost her husband. In the 13 years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen her. For the first couple of mornings she just sat on her own and had a coffee. Now she’s chatting away to people.”

Simon has been blown away by the reaction from local businesses and individuals keen to help.

“The other day we got given 4000 teabags - we’ll be making cuppas into the next millennium! And random people who’ve heard about what we’re doing walk in off the street and hand us £10 or £20 to put towards it.”

Mind and body

Over at the Wellbeing Cafe on St James Street, they’ve come up with another way of people helping others with a ‘pay it forward’ scheme, whereby those who have come in can add a little extra to the bill to go towards the cost for someone who can’t afford it.

And like Simon, manager Emma Hawkins, is deeply concerned about people’s mental as well as physical wellbeing.

Local magazines for local people by local people.

“People from all walks of life are really struggling: from the homeless to working professionals. And they can feel incredibly isolated.”

The cafe opened last October to help tackle such problems. It’s a sort of one-stop-shop which provides not just a listening ear, but also runs drop-in health sessions for those not registered with a GP, can help with things like benefits and housing, and give professional assistance for anyone suffering from mental health issues, such as the anxiety management course being run there this month.

“We’re really looking at the whole of our community - how we can actually support local people. But you can also just drop in for one of our great breakfasts or a slice of delicious cake as well!”

Escape from reality

Of course, it’s not just adults who can find themselves in need when times are bleak.

Ryan Arthur runs Immersion, a gaming and virtual reality arcade where he holds numerous ‘social clubs’ every week for youngsters to come in, play, and, most importantly, socialise with each other.

“We work very hard fundraising to make sure that as many of those sessions as possible are free. Kids feel the stresses and strains of life like everyone else. They feel low; they feel lonely. Immersion is somewhere they can escape for a while.

“It’s wonderful to watch a nervous kid come shyly through the door, and then two hours later leave having had real fun

- laughing and making friends.”

And Ryan even says that ten minutes on one of the virtual reality head sets can do anyone the power of good.

“You get to disappear into another world and it’s cheaper than an hour with a therapist!”

Dial-a-D og-Wash

Quiet corner

But if fantasy realms aren’t your thing, don’t forget there’s one place where you will always find a warm and peaceful spot: the good old local library. With free wifi, free hot beverages and even an ongoing jigsaw to lose yourself in.

This winter, Libraries Unlimited, which runs the libraries all over Devon, are running a special ‘Libraries for Life’ campaign.

“This is a difficult winter for many people,” says campaign organiser Colin Bray. “There is economic hardship coming off the back of the recovery from the challenges wrought by Covid. We want them to know libraries can help. We can keep them warm, give them

COMMUNITY

KITCHEN

3 East Street, EX20 1AS Tel: 07806 770926

THE LONDON INN

22 West Street, EX20 1HH Tel: 01837 54655

WELLBEING CAFE

14 St James Street, EX20 1DH Tel: 07455 156423

IMMERSION

40 Fore Street, EX20 1HB Tel: 01837 847761

OKEHAMPTON

LIBRARY

4 North Street, EX20 1AR Tel: 01837 52805

Town Centre

Meet the woman at the very heart of Okehampton…

To say that no two working days are the same for Emma James is something of an understatement. But first it’s important to understand what she really does for a living.

Emma is the Town Clerk for Okehampton Town Council.

“People think I just take minutes, do filing and stamp documents,” she laughs. “It’s because of the ‘clerk’ title, which is historical. But a good way to explain it is to imagine that I am a ‘chief executive’ reporting to the ‘board’ which is the council. The counsellors are strategic and I’m pretty much operational.”

And by ‘operational’ Emma means anything and everything.

“We could be checking the nameplate on a coffin, to make sure the one going into our cemetery is the one we’ve got the paperwork for; or dealing with damage in a playground; or organising something like the civic service and parade for Remembrance Day.”

Job lot

Emma took on the Town Clerk role five years ago - the first woman to permanently hold the post at Okehampton Town Council. Though, after leaving school, the 49-yearold actually began her career as an administrator in the police service.

“When my daughter was born in 2002, I went part time, but as she got older I wanted to increase my hours, but there weren’t any full-time positions with the

police in the area - I’d have had to move stations - so when a clerk’s job came up in a little nearby village I thought a few hours a week there would be perfect. Then another one came along which also fitted in fine. Then the position at Okehampton Town Council became free and I thought ‘why not?’.”

Of course, even if people wrap their heads around what a Town Clerk does, they’ve also got to figure out what the council does - what it’s responsible for. And this is where things certainly get a little confusing.

“It is complicated,” continues Emma, “because there’s us, the Town Council, who are sort of at the bottom, at grass roots, then there’s West Devon Borough Council in the middle and Devon County

Council at the top. But we seem to get the blame for things that go wrong!

“Traffic and potholes are the bigs ones - neither of which are under our control. But when people come in with issues like that then we’ll point them in the right direction or help them fill out a report.”

Team spirit

“We really want to look after the town and its people - keep public places like Simmons Park nice, provide toilets for welfare, make sure we have enough space for future cemetery plots. But like everyone else, we are limited to a certain budget. Maintaining buildings, cleaning the toilets - and, in the case of the ones on Market Street,

the locks which seem to be constantly vandalised - even emptying litter bins costs money. £3 every time!”

By ‘we’ Emma means her and her team of seven: an assistant clerk, two caretakers, two groundsmen, and their apprentice, and the admin officer who looks after reception, is also the mayor’s assistant and “does everything in-between”.

“We all work together and pull together. I’ve been out in Simmons Park in the pouring rain closing the children’s playground!

Personal touch

“There’s this sort of old-fashioned image of a Town Council - that it’s fusty

and aloof. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Don’t forget that all the Council meetings are open and we hold our own coffee mornings in the Charter Hall and monthly councillor surgeries.

“Though perhaps we are ‘old-fashioned’ in one way: we don’t have an automated phone system - it’s answered by somebody. With so many services you can’t talk to an actual person, but here you can. And that’s how we want to keep it. Anyone is welcome to pop by and say hello to us in the Town Hall. We’re here so people can talk to us; so we can help them. That’s our job.”

Generation Games

John Elson has brought adventure to thousands of youngsters over the years

John Elson can hardly believe that last year marked a quarter of a century since he first opened his activity centre, Adventure Okehampton, and the Youth Hostel up at the station.

The business man and his family moved to the area nearly 45 years ago for a change of lifestyle and so that he could indulge in his passion for rock-climbing.

“I’ve had various businesses over the years, but I was always a very keen climber - and a member of North Dartmoor Search and Rescue - so I was very involved in outdoor activities. But I wanted to set up a centre for young people to enjoy them too.”

Humble beginnings

John realised that Okehampton, with its position on the edge of Dartmoor, would be the perfect place and started to look around for premises, eventually settling on the abandoned goods shed at the railway station.

“I persuaded the council to lease it to me for a peppercorn rent so I could develop it. It hadn’t been used for 20 years and was completely derelict - there was even a platform in there. So we took out that and the railway line and built the hostel in the confines of the building. We took it over in April 1997 and it opened in August 1997, with a franchise agreement from the Youth Hostel Association.”

At that time the hostel had a modest 40 beds in six rooms. “But it quickly became popular because of the location. It’s particularly attractive to schools. I’ve got schools which have been coming to us for 20 years. We’ve built up wonderful relationships with various teachers and head teachers from all over the country - and the world, places like Germany and Denmark.

“We’ve now got 200 beds, 40 rooms and have about 35,000 over night stays a year!”

Not that it’s always been plain sailing.

“We’ve had our challenges! Like foot and mouth disease back in 2001, which closed the whole of Dartmoor. But we’ve always had good support from the council and have managed to keep going.”

Family affair

At 74, John isn’t running the place single-handed anymore. His son Paul is now in charge of the day-to-day management of the business with a core team of 20 which swells to over 50 during the high summer season.

But John still oversees any big projects. Like the shiny new bike hire - Granite Way Cycles - and cafe which opened in December.

“We developed that because of safe-guarding issues. We would previously have to shut the bike hire down when schools were there because we couldn’t let the public onto the site. So our new building is separate and fully open to everyone.”

Bigger and better

John is rightly proud of what Adventure Okehampton has provided over the years, whether it’s organising kayaking trips down the River Exe or hosting special holidays for the families of service men and women who are posted abroad.

And ten years ago he bought nearby Bracken Tor which he set up as a function room and wedding venue.

Though, John laughs that quite a lot of the team’s time is spent pointing people in the right direction.

“Just the other day a couple of young girls turned up in flimsy shoes with little handbags asking which way Dartmoor is! We’re sort like a Tourist Information - we help as much as we can, advising people what to do and where to walk.”

While, John could be putting his feet up and enjoying retirement, this is a man who doesn’t know how to sit still,

even donning his hard hat and wheeling a barrow to help with the recent build.

“I still like to get my hands dirty! But for me the most wonderful thing is seeing people come and enjoy this beautiful area we live in. Helping that to happen is what we’re here for and what really matters. Everyone deserves a bit of Dartmoor.”

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

Calling all budding journalists….

Here at Oke Links we’re aware that young people in Okehampton sometimes get a ‘bad press’ and we want to change that by giving them their own voice in the magazine.

So we’re running a competition for 11-18 year olds to write a 500 word feature under the heading ‘Young At Heart’, to highlight what life is like for you and your age group in this town and its surrounding parishes.

And the winner will see their work published in the next issue!

The feature could be a first person piece about you, or you could interview your friends or introduce us to an inspirational teacher or youth leader. Perhaps you’ve got an exciting hobby or a gripping story to tell.

Think carefully about the Oke Links readers. What do you think would interest them? What might surprise them? What don’t they know about the experience of being a young person in Okehampton?

Don’t forget to include two or three photos to illustrate your feature (making sure you’ve got permission for them to be printed).

The entries will be judged by Oke Links editor, Emma Messenger, and publisher, Tim Randell, Jane Fryer, a lead feature writer on the Daily Mail.

Send your entries in to Emma Messenger - emma.messenger@ linksmagazines.co.uk - by Friday 27 January.

We can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say. So get writingand don’t forget to have fun with it!

For full details got to www.linksmagazines.co.uk

Do you have what it takes to write a feature for Oke Links?

Well-known Ranger Ian Brooker has retired from Dartmoor National Park Authority after a long career in protecting landscapes.

Ian joined DNPA on 21 May 1990 and has spent the last 32 years serving communities in the north of the moor as well as raising the profile of being a Ranger on the worldwide stage.

On Dartmoor, Ian was instrumental in setting up the successful Voluntary Warden scheme and helped start the Sticklepath and Okehampton

Ranger Ian Brooker retires after dedicating 32 years to Dartmoor In Vogue

Local jeweller Corrine Eira Evans has grabbed the attention of the world’s most famous fashion magazine.

Corrine of course is well-known to Okehampton locals thanks Moon & Moor in the Victorian Arcade, the gallery and shop that she co-founded and where she is resident jeweller.

Last year she was one of 136 speciallyselected independent jewellers invited to exhibit their work at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Fair, in London. And British Vogue named her one of the best new jewellers to see there!

An alumni of Arts University Plymouth, Corrine says she’s hugely grateful for what she learned there.

“The tutors were so enthusiastic and encouraging and pushed me to achieve things I thought were impossible. It

Conservation Group (StOC) which paved the way for other community-led groups.

“Being a Ranger is a wonderful job,” he says. “You meet so many different people and organisations all the time. You can’t ignore people and if you do, it’s not the job for you! That involvement with the communities is probably what I will miss most when I retire from the ‘thin green line’.”

Simon Lee, Dartmoor National Park’s Ranger Team Manager, says: “I’m not sure how I can begin to convey

the commitment, enthusiasm, professionalism and passion Ian has given to his role over the last 32 years and he will leave a big hole in the Ranger team. Ian’s commitment and passion are clear to see when walking around his sector or talking with the communities and landowners that he has worked so closely with. We wish him all the very best for his retirement.”

set me up with the skills I needed at an early age of just 17 to start my career.”

As for her creative inspiration, that’s right on her doorstep.

“I love going up on Dartmoor and trying to capture the mood and the surrounding landscapes within my jewellery collections. It changes all the time, every day or even every hour.”

High Flyer

Shebbear College Sixth Former Jack had the experience of a lifetime over half term when he travelled to Alabama in the US to take part in The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy at the U.S Space and Rocket Center!

Jack, who is one of the Heads of School at Shebbear, was selected for the programme following a rigorous application and review process based on academic achievement and community involvement. He made it through and was one of just five successful applicants from the UK, joining 170 students from across the world to finish the academy as a Space Camp graduate.

The Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is aimed at encouraging students to pursue

science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers through realworld, hands-on activities in computer science, engineering, astronautics, and coding. The students learnt from some of the greatest aviation, engineering and scientific experts and innovations, developing STEM leadership skills through team-building challenges such as building, coding and testing rockets; simulated astronaut training; shuttle missions; and a low-gravity moonwalk!

“I feel incredibly privileged to have experienced Space Camp,” Jack says. “It was pretty overwhelming and inspiring

to be amongst the world’s top aviation and rocket experts including astronaut Robert Lee Gibson and it has inspired me to try and follow in their footsteps. I met students from across the world that have now become lifelong friends and the awesome memories made will last me a lifetime!”

The Museum of Dartmoor Life is closed until the 27th March 2023 but it is busy, busy, busy behind the scenes! We are currently working on our exhibition ‘Dyeing on Dartmoor’ funded by The Royal Society. We will be looking at the flora and fauna of Dartmoor, used by our ancestors to produce natural dyes. The main fibre dyed was wool. The whole wool industry had a huge impact on Dartmoor’s growth and centuries ago sheep were kept for their valuable wool not for meat which is why mutton (old sheep) was the main meat eaten. In fact, Okehampton was famous for its mutton.

In the exhibition we will be looking at how the fleece is taken and treated from rough shearings through to fabric. We will discover the beautiful colours produced by wild plants such as oak, nettles and dock leaves and look at how different colours can affect our mood. We hope to have days when

demonstrations of carding, spinning, weaving, knitting and felting can be seen and if you do any of these crafts please get in touch with manager@ dartmoorlife.org.uk and we would be happy to book you in to spend a day in our exhibition room demonstrating and selling your wares.We will also look at the environmental impact of synthetic dyeing and fast fashion.

Some of you may have seen us at various outdoor events this summer showing what colours we produced from wild plants. We have just repeated the same exercise with the same plants but picked in November. Interestingly the colours were quite different from their spring counterparts and it made us wonder if this is how seasonal shades began? However, one thing they all have in common is that they are all beautiful. It’s these unknown, magical results that make natural dyeing so addictive.

We hope to do more exciting outside events in 2023 so please follow us on Facebook or Instagram to keep updated. Another plan is to work with Memory Cafés to encourage people with dementia to knit squares using our naturally dyed yarn. Recently I visited The Natural Fibre Company in Launceston where they turn local fleeces into balls of wool. It is an amazing place and some of the machinery they use is almost a century old. They very kindly donated all the undyed yarn we need, which we have since dyed. Knitting needles have been supplied by the Woolly Beader shop in Okehampton. It is wonderful to have such great community partners.

We look forward to you visiting us in the Spring.

for local people by local people.

Kristy Turner, Manager/Curator at the Museum of Dartmoor Life

Beth Jenkins and Kristy Turner at The Natural Fibre Company

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Set in the Tamar Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Nearby shopping facilities.

• Pets considered.

• St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store.

Woodland surroundings with views of the rolling hills of Dartmoor.

• Good shopping facilities.

• Plenty to explore.

• Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.

Gardeners across the heart of Devon have made a vital difference to local end-of-life care by supporting a local charity’s Open Gardens’ scheme.

During 2022, 41 gardens opened to raise funds for Hospiscare, the local hospice charity for Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

Through the hospice’s Exeter-based ward and its services in the community, Hospiscare cares for over 2,500 patients and their families every year and relies upon the support of its community to generate 82% of the funds needed to provide this care at no cost to those in need.

Thanks to the incredible support of the community, this year’s Open Gardens have raised a whopping £41,568.31 for local end-of-life care.

Highlights for 2022 included a classic car and motorbike show at Beacon Downe, Exeter and one acre of hidden green beauty at Prospect House, Axminster – a garden that has been featured in Gardener’s World.

This year’s event would not have been possible without Otter Garden Centres, who kindly sponsored the Open Gardens campaign.

Laura Robertson, Fundraising Projects Manager for Hospiscare, says: “From all of us here at Hospiscare, we are so grateful to our wonderful gardeners who continue to go above and beyond for our hospice every year. After a difficult few years, it has been lovely to see so many people attending the Open Gardens and enjoying these beautiful green spaces whilst supporting our local charity.”

And the charity already has its plans for this year in motion.

“To anyone with a passion for the outdoors, we are looking for gardeners to join us for 2023. From city gardens and allotments to country cottage gardens, everyone is welcome to join next year’s Open Gardens and showcase their flora and fauna to raise vital funds for Hospiscare.

To find out more, please visit hospiscare. co.uk/support-our-work/fundraise/ open-gardens-2023/.”

NHS Hearing Aids

Ear Wax Removal

Help us to Help You

Here at Okehampton Medical Centre we do all we can to look after you. But you can help us to make it easier.

CONTACT DETAILS

It is important that we have up-todate contact details for you, so we can let you know about screenings, vaccinations and appointment reminders.

If you have changed your mobile, work or home number or email address recently, you can add it to your NHS record by following the guidance about managing your NHS account. Please search for ‘managing your NHS account’ on the NHS website for more information.

This is especially important because our duty team use sms messaging frequently, so keeping your mobile number up to date is essential.

You may also receive a text or email from the NHS asking you to do this.

If you are unable to update your details online or through the NHS app, please get in touch with us and we’ll update your records for you. You can update your details via Klinik, by selecting the ‘update your details’ tile and writing what you would like to be changed in the free text box.

KLINIK

When you are filling in an online Klinik form – please check the prompt on the page and enter your unsuitable times for communication. Inputting the times we CANNOT contact you will enable us to correctly organise the initial triage and so patients will be contacted at an appropriate and convenient time.

DISPENSARY PRESCRIPTIONS

Please ensure you leave at least 72 hours (not including weekends) for us to process your prescription.

Please note: this info is exclusive to Dispensary prescriptions

(Prescriptions for community pharmacy may take longer before being ready to collect.)

Please continue to be patient and understanding during this busy time.

REGISTERING WITH A GP SURGERY

If you have recently moved to the area and have not yet registered with a local GP surgery, we would encourage you to do so, so that the practice has your records when you need them, in order to provide you with safe and effective care.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SERVICE FOR YOU AND YOUR NHS

Self-care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries, like

hangovers, coughs, colds, grazes, small cuts and sore throats. A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-thecounter medicines and plenty of rest. Pharmacists advise and treat a range of symptoms. These include diarrhoea, earache, painful coughs, sticky eye, teething and rashes. This can avoid unnecessary trips to your GP or A&E department, and save time. No appointment is needed and most pharmacies have private consulting areas.

Our GPs and multidisciplinary team, which includes paramedics, pharmacists, physician associate, advanced clinical practitioner, mental health practitioner, young persons’ health coach, mental health care coordinator, dietitian, first contact physiotherapists and nurse subscribers have an excellent understanding of general health issues and can deal with a whole range of health problems.

Minor Injuries Units, Walk-in Centres and Urgent Care Centres provide non-urgent services for a range of conditions, such as, cuts, sprains, strain, bruises, itchy rashes and minor burns –and an appointment is not necessary.

A&E or 999 are best used in an emergency for serious or lifethreatening situations - like severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, severe chest pain and loss of consciousness.

NHS 111 - If you’re feeling unwell, unsure, or if you want health advice and guidance for non life-threatening emergencies, call NHS 111. (24/7 service)

NHS website - You can also access health advice and guidance or find your nearest service online through the NHS website

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Heather Atouguia

This is the time of year when our minds may turn to resolutions. Often these are health related. Lose weight, get fitter, stop smoking or drinking... The depressing truth is that less than 10% of New Year’s resolutions are still in place by February.

So how can we make sure that they see us through to next year and beyond?

• Make sure its something YOU want to change. Often people say they want to change something in their life because they think they “ought to” or because their family (or doctor!) have nagged them to. Motivation comes from within, so make sure it’s something that you really want to do.

• Here at Okehampton Medical Centre we do all we can to look after you. But you can help us make it easier. Understand why you haven’t done it yet. Smoking, alcohol or eating can all give us pleasure; perhaps we haven’t changed our habits because we enjoy them. Think about other things you could do to fulfil those needs.

• Make your goals specific. Saying “I’m going to lose weight” is very vague and almost certain not to work. Instead you might say “This week I am going to sign up for a weight loss app” or “I will start keeping a food diary and will aim to lose a 1lb a week”.

• Is it manageable or realistic? Setting an unachievable goal will mean failure is far more likely. If you are someone who does no physical exercise at all, aiming to run the London Marathon in a few months may be unrealistic. Why not set a smaller, more manageable short-term goal like completing the couch to 5K programme or going for a walk three times a week?

• Avoid the all or nothing approach. I often see patients who have tried something such as giving up smoking, but as soon as they cave in and have one cigarette, they think, “That’s it, I’ve failed” and ditch the whole idea. Accept that it may be two steps forwards and one step back. One bad day, or even several, does not mean that you should stop trying.

• Let other people know your plans. If you tell family and friends what you are planning, it makes it much less likely you will back out on your plans. It can also be helpful to have others around you willing you on. Why not get a friend or relative to do it with you? Backing out of that weekly exercise class becomes a lot more difficult if there is someone else to consider.

• Remove temptations. For example, If you are giving up smoking, make sure before you start that there are no cigarettes in the house, no ashtrays, no matches etc. If temptation strikes, this makes it much harder to fall off the wagon.

• Plan ahead. Read up on your goals and then then set a start day. Think about what you will do when you are tempted or feel like giving up. How will you manage it? How could you distract yourself? Phoning a friend, having drink of water or even walking around the block may help.

Good luck!

Dr Rachel Tyler

provides you with your own personal care lives with you in your home. And if unsettled nights, we also provide a service.

happy in my home your your your your

safe at home, every day and every night.

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peace of mind, our Live-in care provides you with your own personal care lives with you in your home. And if unsettled nights, we also provide a care service.

information on this ‘outstanding’ service, code or call us for a friendly chat.

westdevon@bluebirdcare.co.uk bluebirdcare.co.uk/west-devon

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westdevon@bluebirdcare.co.uk bluebirdcare.co.uk/west-devon

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information on this ‘outstanding’ service, code or call us for a friendly chat.

Stay safe at home, every day and every night. 01822 678111 westdevon@bluebirdcare.co.uk bluebirdcare.co.uk/west-devon

chat.

Ignorance Isn’t Bliss There’s still a stigma surrounding HIV

February 6th marks the start of National HIV Testing Week in the UK and much has changed in the decades since we first became aware of the condition. Patient treatment and prognosis has never been better. However, people still think that it’s not a condition they could get. But whilst some groups are more likely to be affected by HIV, the key message is that HIV can affect anyone.

1 in 20 patients with HIV are unaware of their status. This means they are missing out on treatment that can keep them healthy and also are at risk of passing the virus onto others. In 2020 42% of people first diagnosed were diagnosed late. And recent statistics show it is more often heterosexual patients and those over the age of 65 who are diagnosed late, perhaps reflecting the assumption that they were not in at risk groups.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and it is the virus that can lead to AIDS ( Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). If left untreated HIV infection can progress to AIDS and cause serious infections. HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, with smaller numbers of people being

infected by intravenous drug use or from an infected mother to her unborn child

Once on treatment, the vast majority of patients achieve an undetectable viral load. This means they are unlikely to pass the virus on and can live a healthy life free of symptoms, and If HIV is diagnosed early enough , life expectancy is the same as for those who are HIV negative.

Testing for HIV is easier than ever. A simple fingerpick test can now give you results quickly and confidentially .As well as testing, there is also treatment for people who think they may have been exposed to HIV to reduce the likelihood of infection. If you are at all worried, then don’t hesitate to speak to your GP. Or contact these organisations which offer testing and advice: The Eddystone Trust (eddystone.org.uk; 0800 328 3508); Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk; 0808 802 1221); Devon Sexual Health (devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk; 0300 303 3989).

It is far better to be safe than sorry.

Dr Rachel Tyler

With the turn of the New Year all gardeners examine optimistically for the first signs of spring, but it is also a good time to look at your garden with a critical eye and ask yourself if it can be improved for winter interest and colour.

A flower that is produced in the depths of winter is a special rarity. A single bloom at this time of the year can have the same impact on the senses as the myriads produced in summer. Winter flowering shrubs often give off a strong perfume to attract the few pollinating insects that emerge on warmer days. Cultivars of Hamamelis, Viburnum x bodnantense and Daphne are the best candidates.

A favourite at Rosemoor is Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ agm. It is a slow starter but in time, if planted in a sheltered position with free draining soil, it can develop into a large, evergreen shrub. In December

and January star-shaped, pale pink waxy flowers smother the plant and its scent is intoxicating, filling the air that surrounds it.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis) produces its flowers on bare stems, with no leaves to hide or protect its blooms, and this makes the flowers look all the more fragile and delicate. The sulphur yellow of H. x intermedia ‘Pallida’ agm, or the coppery-orange of H. × intermedia ‘Robert’ AGM give a fine display. If happy where they are growing they will eventually become large, shapely deciduous shrubs that also provide fine autumn colour. Like Daphne they require a free draining, humus-rich soil.

Viburnum x bodnantense cultivars are also strongly scented. All grow into large, upright shrubs. ‘Charles Lamont’ AGM has purple shoots and clusters of pale pink flowers. The pink flowers of ‘Dawn’ AGM open from red buds and

those of ‘Deben’ are white opening from pink buds.

Colourful stems are another way to introduce colour into your garden. Plant in groups if you can to make a bold statement and they will not fail to lift the spirits in the gloom of winter. Cornus and Salix produce the best stem colour; from bright red Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ AGM, to orange C. sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ and the golden stems of Salix alba ‘Golden Ness’ AGM.

These shrubs lend themselves to be under planted with snowdrops, the pure white flowers contrasting beautifully with the vivid stems. By Rosemoor Lake, we have a wonderful display of Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ AGM planted amongst the crimson stems of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’. G. ‘Atkinsii’ is one of the earliest snowdrops, one of the most vigorous and it is ideal for naturalising, eventually spreading to form large drifts.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ AGM ©RHS/Mike Winwood

Tasks for January and February

Other winter flowerers that look stunning against the backdrop of these colourful stems include Chionodoxa, Narcissus, hellebores or heathers (Erica).

This is the best time to start planning for next year to add a bit more colour and vitality to your garden in winter.

• Prune apple and pear trees. For a guide to pruning made easy, Visit www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/apples/ pruning-made-easy

• Start forcing rhubarb. Cover the crowns in January with a layer of straw or bracken and cover with an upturned bucket or a traditional clay rhubarb pot to exclude light. Stalks will be ready to pull 2-3 weeks earlier than uncovered crowns.

Crowns that have been forced for earlier harvest should be left without pulling for the rest of the season.

• Clean your greenhouse ready for spring. This greatly improves the growing environment for plants. By removing the algae, moss and grime it lets in more light and helps control pests and diseases.

• Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering to encourage strong, healthy shoots and improve flowering. Pruning immediately after flowering allows the maximum time for development of young growth to provide the following year’s flowers before the end of summer.

• In February, cut back deciduous grasses left uncut over the winter, remove dead grass from evergreen grasses.

• ‘Chit’ early potatoes before planting. Stand them up in egg boxes, rose end up i.e. the end with most small dents or eyes. Place in a light, frost-free place. The potatoes are ready to plant when the shoots are about 3cm long. With early potatoes, rub off the weakest shoots, leaving 4 per tuber.

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

Colourful Cornus and Salix stems ©RHS/Clive Nichols

Forcing Rhubarb ©RHS/Neil Hepworth

Happy New Year from Farmer Luxton

Happy new year everyone. I hope you had a lovely festive period with friends and family. After Covid it was lovely to have returned to normal. It seems odd as I’m writing this in early December, Christmas is not yet done, but it will be a distant memory by the time you read it.

On the farm it’s a quietish time of year. The sheep are off the moor for tupping, there is no lambing or calving going on. We have a daily routine of feeding, bedding and checking animals.

You may remember me telling you that I had purchased a small pedigree flock to breed some rams for my own use. We fertility test all of our bulls every year, our own stock bulls and all those that we sell. I’ve never tested a ram. Normally we ram ewes in large bunches. The recommendation is one ram per 50 ewes, we always put one ram in with every 40, that way if one ram isn’t doing his job properly there is a little slack in

the system and his mates will help with the workload!

As my three posh ewes were only going to see the one £1200 ram I thought I had better get him tested to avoid failures in the form of expensive ewes not being pregnant. Believe it or not the ram was not fertile and was never going to be. The farmer I purchased him from agreed a refund, then two days later the ram died. I’m not yet sure if I was lucky or unlucky, but it didn’t change the fact that I wanted superior genetics and now had none. We have since found an older proven ram for my special ladies. Next time I write there should be results from the pregnancy scanning.

I wonder what the weather holds for us over the winter? Part of me hopes for a nice cold spell, mud sets like concrete so you can travel around the farm with a tractor again without making a mess. It is also healthier for the animals, the cold kills parasites and worms.

Believe it or not pneumonia is much less common when its cold and dry. The only problem with the cold is that all the water freezes so the animals can’t drink. Sometimes we can spend half the day trying to defrost water pipes.

At the shop things have been very busy for it seems like forever. We felt the summer was good but the autumn would be tricky before a good Christmas. How wrong we were, the autumn was busier than the summer. We started a Sunday carvery in October that has just gone from strength to strength. If you want to come now we definitely advise booking. Its been so busy I haven’t got round to organising our staff Christmas party. Hopefully that will be in January, but if this keeps going it will be February!!!!

Bye for now, spring will soon be here.

Local magazines for local people by local people.

Stuart Luxton

Cashflow is the heartbeat of any business

Cashflow is a hot topic right now for many businesses. When times are hard and overheads seem to be increasing constantly, confidence in business can fall easily. Stability is the catchphrase being used in the press all the time, but what does this really mean for your business?

Here are some top tips for maintaining a stable heartbeat in your business:

• Monitor your cashflow regularly. Use a spreadsheet you can frequently update or a simple bookkeeping software such as Xero, Quickbooks or FreeAgent. It doesn’t need to be complicated, a simple money coming in, money going out and balance left should suffice. If numbers are not your thing, then work closely with your accountant or bookkeeper to check the health of your business often.

• Look at all your costs and see what you can trim out of your business at least quarterly. Fixing costs where possible is a great idea, whether this is energy, mortgages or business borrowings.

• Routinely review the pricing in your business in line with your ordering process for materials. As your materials increase, so should your selling price to ensure your margins are protected.

• Are customers are taking longer to pay than usual? If so, send statements by email but follow up chasing payments by telephone - those that shout loudest will be at the top of the list for payment.

• If you are outstanding large amounts of money and your customer is clearly struggling to pay, offer them staged payment terms. You’ll get what is owed but over a more extended time period.

• Stay on top of your invoicing – sounds so obvious but even doing it a day late will impact your cashflow later in the month. Implementing a simple order book/jobs-in progress system means you shouldn’t miss a penny.

• Also examine your current finance agreements. Could the term be extended, can a better rate be found? Could your existing plant and machinery be used to generate some cash for the business? A commercial finance broker is the person to speak to here.

• Remember, profit does not equal cash. It is possible for your business to make a profit even if cash is scarce. Profit doesn’t enable you to pay the bills though, cash does and so monitoring your cashflow is incredibly important.

• Managing cashflow is key to stability, but so is finding the tools and people to advise you. A great accountant, a superefficient bookkeeper and a knowledgeable asset finance broker are the three people who can help the most.

• There are various options available to businesses to raise cash for example, this could be a loan, raising finance against your assets within the business, against your invoices if they are to other businesses or even against your credit card takings.

Colin Chastey

At Chilcotts Law- It’s all about You.

Getting Prepped

Could Exeter Cathedral School be the right choice for you?

Founded in the 12th century as a choir school, today Exeter Cathedral School is a vibrant independent prep school which offers an outstanding educational experience to our 275 pupils, and which is proud to educate the Choristers of Exeter Cathedral.

Our ancient foundations and our wonderful location (in the heart of the city yet nestled safely in the lee of the Cathedral) sit harmoniously alongside our traditional values and our modern, forward-thinking approach, to deliver an education which focuses on developing the whole child.

Our small class sizes, our commitment to nurturing our pupils, our focus on individualised pastoral care and academic rigour, our exciting range of extra-curricular activities, our unparalleled heritage and history, our outstanding provision in sport, and the world-class musical education we offer all of our pupils means that Exeter Cathedral School is a place where children can flourish, aim high, discover, grow, and be happy.

Above all, we are a school where people matter, and one where we work with families to help our pupils acquire the right habits for life.

The perfect opportunity to explore Exeter Cathedral School…

We are pleased to announce that you can now book a place on our next Discovery Week, taking place on 20-24 March 2023, for your family’s chance to discover life at Exeter Cathedral School – Devon’s creative & forward-thinking prep school for boys & girls aged 3 – 13.

Your Discovery Day will include:

• A guided tour of Exeter Cathedral School

• A chance to meet our staff and pupils

• An exciting Taster Day for your child(ren)

We’re so proud to be the oldest school in Exeter and, since 1179, we have faithfully kept what families love so much about the school: our small class sizes, tailored learning and close-knit community feel.

If you think Exeter Cathedral School could be the right fit for your child, why not come along to our upcoming Discovery Week.

To find out more and to book your place, simply scan the QR code, visit our website, exetercathedralschool.co.uk/ discovery-week or contact our friendly admissions team on: admissions@exetercs.org | 01392 321 904

Jacob Hilton

Planning is well underway for the Tavistock Festival 2023. Over a period of fifteen days audiences and participants will enjoy a variety of concerts and workshops. Tavistock Library is hosting a number of events and we see the welcome return of The Wheelhouse Folk Choir. Helen Porter returns this time with her Big Jazz Choir and, by popular demand, we host again Nina Savicevic, a young concert pianist. Thanks to generous sponsorship we will be able to offer free entry to all the lunchtime concerts and some evening events but donations will be welcomed to offset costs.

Two new ventures this year include a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the Bedford Hotel and a large children’s choir, who are presently rehearsing in their own schools in preparation for their concert during the Festival. Dr Sean Sweeney (Chairman) and friends will also present

a lunchtime concert with a ‘Coronation’ theme and we hope Tavistock will turn out with flags ready to sing some wellknown songs!

The Festival commences on Saturday 22nd April and ends on Friday 6th May, a day before the Coronation. In preparation, three free lunchtime events have been scheduled in March and details of these and the full Festival programme can be found on the Festival website www.tavistockfestival.org. Tickets will be available on line and at the door.

We look forward to seeing you.

Festival Chairman

Dr Sean Sweeney

Friday 13th January marks both the first open day of our 2023 season and also the start of our popular Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House. With a collection of 350+ species and varieties housed here there is no better place in the South West to explore the intricacies and variations of these midwinter beauties.

The festival runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 3.30pm, starting from the 13th January and continuing through till Sunday 12th March. As well as the outdoor displays and vis is from specialist nurseries we also have talks from renowned snowdrop experts, Dr Julian Sutton (January 21st at 3.30pm) and former head gardener and inspiration behind the initial collection Matt Bishop (February 10th at 3:30pm).

There are also a number of other themed events on weekdays during the festival – so do take a look at the

What’s On page of our website, for details of these, admission and talks www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/whats-on

We look forward to seeing you all but beware, snowdrops are very seductive, and it’s all too easy to be lured into ‘galanthophilia’ - the love of them.

Snowdrops may be the stars of the winter months but they’re far from the only flowering interest in the garden. Look out for the carpets of crocus in the Acer Glade, cyclamen in pink and white mingling with the snowdrops, early narcissus and iris, early camellias and rhododendrons, and white flowered Clematis urophylla ‘Winter Beauty’ on the tower in the walled garden.

What better place for a weekend winter walk – especially if followed by a warming bowl of soup and delicious slice of cake in the café!

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

John Richmond

Sweet Smell of Success!

West Devon Borough Council have come up with an innovative - and incredibly fun - way to raise for Mountain Rescue’s North Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team: The Big Sniff!

The virtual game for all the family will see you help out rescue dog Tio in the hunt for Mr and Mrs Baggator, a couple who set off on a tour of West Devon and haven’t been seen since. You have to follow the trail of clues they’ve left to ‘sniff’ them out…and win a prize!

The adventure will take you all over West Devon, from Lydford to Okehampton; Chagford to Tavistock. But don’t worry, you don’t have to trek to all those places in person, you can do it digitally and on Google Maps Streetview.

“I hope people will enjoy entering the spirit of the game and that they enjoy visiting the various towns and locations across the borough,” says the Mayor of West Devon, Councillor Caroline Mott. “The search and rescue teams all work incredibly hard to raise funds and do

such a valuable job, often at great risk to themselves. I was lucky enough to be part of the team many years ago and the work they carry out is largely unrecognised. What is often missed is the work they carry out in the urban environment as their expertise is called upon by other emergency services. They receive no government funding and rely solely on public donations or other events such as this. Priced at £5 I hope this will make an activity for all the family to enjoy.”

virtual trail, available from The Toy Shop and Donald’s Menswear in Okehampton, The Original Pasty House in Tavistock or the West Devon Borough County councillors. And PDF copies are available from virtualtrail@ndsart.org.uk.

Setting Boundaries

Dartmoor is a nationally recognised landscape with its mix of moors, craggy tors and deep river valleys. However a unique and sometimes under valued stand that weaves its way across the landscape are the myriad of boundaries framing countless fields, newtakes and commons.

There are many variations on a similar theme across Dartmoor from single and double skinned drystone walls, corn ditches, stone faced Devon banks to our wonderful woody hedgerows. Many are ancient and some relatively modern, but all contribute to a rich heritage and perform a functional role in keeping livestock in or out of a field. They also create wonderful wildlife refuges and act as the ‘veins’ which connect different habitats forming corridors and highways throughout the countryside. In a world where a climate change and a biodiversity crisis have been declared these boundaries are an invaluable resource for key species, shade and carbon sequestration.

As part of Our Upland Commons a Lottery Funded initiative, the Hill Farm Project, has been running free 2-day training courses in a range of different

boundary skills. These are undertaken on working farms with common rights across Dartmoor and provide the core skills to construct a wall or to lay a hedge. As well as being social and informative participants get to discuss commoning and to contribute to the maintaining Dartmoor’s fantastic wealth of boundaries. The courses are designed to be inclusive and open to all.

Increasing we have seen a desire to go on from the training to fine tune skills and we have therefore launched a walling club. These sessions are free, informal and are open to all and the group meets monthly throughout the year working on specific projects such as restoring a corn ditch. As well as the practical skills we are now looking at recording hedges and the modern ‘farmscape’ and will be running some webinars this winter.

If you would like to attend a course or join the Walling Club, please drop an email to hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk or call 01822 890913 or do get in touch for details on our other events.

magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

David Attwell

OKEHAMPTON LIBRARY

4 North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR Okehampton.library@librariesunlimited. org.uk Tel: 01837 52805

SPECIAL EVENTS

MINI WINTER CHALLENGE - 1 DECEMBER - 20 FEBRUARY

A reading adventure from the Reading Agency, which encourages children to continue reading over the winter holidays with a free, digital platform offering rewards and prizes for continuing to read. Take part online via the Challenge website: summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

SEATED EXERCISE WITH FUSION

LIFESTYLE – FRIDAY 20 JANUARY, 2-3PM Libraries for Life – Health & Happiness Free session of gentle seated exercise and stretch - open to all - just turn up.

1-1 DIGITAL SUPPORT –JANUARY – FEBRUARY Libraries for Life – Opening the Digital Door

Book onto one of our free digital skills sessions to learn some basic digital skills or improve and refresh existing skills. Bring in your own device or use our public access computers. Contact Okehampton Library to have a chat about how we can help, and to book a digital session. Booking essential.

NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK - 30 JANUARY – 4 FEBRUARY

Join us for lively songs and stories based around this year’s Book Trust Storytime books. Collect stickers for your Storytime sticker book, vote for your favourite story, and enjoy fun activities. Just drop in. No booking necessary.

Monday 30, 2pm stories and activity

Tuesday 31, 10am & 11am Bounce & Rhyme plus a story and activity

Wednesday 1, 9.30am Duplo, stories, and activity

Thursday 2, 2.30pm Stories and activity

Friday 3, 10.30am Stories and activity

Saturday 4, 10.30am Stories and activity

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH

– WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY, 9.30AM-12.30PM Libraries for Life – Opening the Digital Door

Come along to our free session for advice on family history research and for help using the Ancestry website. For more information or to book a space please contact Okehampton library. Booking essential.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM –CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TBC

Regular Events

BUSINESS & IP CENTRE DEVON, OKEHAMPTON HUB

BIPC Devon provide free business support to Devon-based small businesses and start-ups. Through BIPC Devon you can access market research and funding databases, learn from our experts by booking 1-1 sessions, and join our regular webinars and workshops. Events – Resources –Guides – Expert help.

Staff at the Okehampton hub will be available to assist you with finding out how to access small business support.

Okehampton Library has a meeting room available for you to book so you can spread out and break the work-fromhome cycle.

Email roomhire@librariesunlimited.org. uk or call 0333 2342123

CUPPA & A CHAT – EVERY TUESDAY, 1.30-3.30PM

Enjoy a natter with other customers over a FREE tea, coffee or hot chocolate, kindly supplied by Waitrose Okehampton.

No booking necessary. Just drop in.

READ EASY – FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 10AM-12PM

Come and chat with Richard from Read Easy, the charity that helps adults learn to read. Richard would love to talk to you, particularly if you are interested to know more about what Read Easy do and/or if you would like to introduce someone to their free 1:1 and confidential service.

READING GROUP - FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH Please contact library for details.

BOUNCE & RHYME – EVERY TUESDAY, 10-10.20AM & 11-11.20AM

Suitable for under 5s. Free, no booking necessary.

BABY WEIGH – EVERY TUESDAY, 9.30-11.30AM

Free self-weigh facilities for parents to weigh their babies, are available in a screened area within the library. This is in partnership with Devon Public Health Nursing. Parents and babies welcome to stay for Bounce & Rhyme!

DUPLO BUILDERS & STORYTIME - EVERY WEDNESDAY, 9.3010.15AM

Suitable for under 5s. Free, no booking necessary.

LEGO BUILDERS – EVERY SATURDAY, 10.30-11.30AM

Suitable for ages 5+. Free, no booking necessary.

THE SECRET BOOK QUEST

A completely FREE year-round reading challenge for 5-12 year olds across Devon. To take part, children sign up in the library, read 50 library books at their own pace, and collect stickers to solve the secret code. Finishers will receive a certificate and a small prize.

Children under 8 must be accompanied to all events by a responsible adult

Please see our library website or Facebook page for any additional events and library services devonlibraries.org.uk

To promote your business to 25,730* readers - call 07450 161 929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

THE PLOUGH ARTS CENTRE

BIOFORM DANCE THEATRE WITH MIRANDA JANKOWSKA

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

ADULTS ONLY (COMEDY)

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

THU 26 JAN 2023, 7:30PM

TOMORROW BIRD

7TH, 8TH, 11TH, 12TH, 14TH JAN FAMILY (FILM)

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER

10:30, 2:00pm - The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

Bioform Dance Theatre aims to explore dance,movement,musicality and theatre practice through a series of regular 2 hour workshops exploring ideas with an aim to create unique material to use in performance or for your own creative expression. Focusing on bodies in space, form, musicality and playfulness. Using various techniques inspired by contemporary dance and 20th century theatre practices to help create material. These workshops are open to dancers and non- dancers, artists, musicians and those interested in composition and creative exploration of movement, theatre and bodies in space.

THU 26 JAN 2023, 7:00PM

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: ‘THE CRUCIBLE’ BY ARTHUR MILLER

A Gallery Gig with cabaret seating in the Gallery (via stairs or lift)The Gallery at The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

SAT 04 FEB 2023, 8:00PM

ADULTS ONLY (COMEDY)

GLENN MOORE: WILL YOU STILL NEED ME...

Will You Still Feed Me, Glenn I’m Sixty Moore

The Plough Arts Centre

Sat 04 Feb 2023, 8:00pm 01805 624624

TUE 14 FEB 2023, 8:30PM

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S NIGHT IN 1930S STYLE WITH MOSCOW DRUG CLUB

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

THURSDAY 12TH JAN

OPEN MOUTH MUSIC AND POETRY (IN THE GALLERY)

Thu 12 Jan 2023, 8:00pm

Thu 09 Feb 2023, 8:00pm

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

FRIDAY 13TH JAN BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Standing Gig + Bookable balcony seats £5.00, Under 18’s £3, 7:00pm - The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

TUE 17 JAN 2023, 7:00PM

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma).

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

SAT 18 FEB 2023, 8:00PM

JOE STILGOE: 100 YEARS OF THEATRE

The Plough Arts Centre 01805 624624

FRI 27 JAN 2023, 8:00PM

MARK WATSON: THIS CAN’T BE IT

“A truly remarkable singer songwriter, not to mention outstanding piano player... I thank you for creating that most exciting of moments when, as a lover of good music, you know you have seen and heard something remarkable.” Sir Michael Parkinson

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Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

What’s in a name?

It’s very satisfying when a customer announces they don’t like something – chardonnay or even French wine, for example –then later leaves with a bottle of French chardonnay! Often this follows a discussion about ‘terroir’, the French word used to describe every aspect of the environment in which grapes are grown. The same name does not equal the same wine...

‘Terroir’ literally means ‘land’, but in wine terms a great deal more besides. Soil is certainly vital – vines usually produce the best grapes when they struggle to survive, sending long, searching roots to find limited water and barely adequate nutrition. They grow best on loam, clay, and on sandy or volcanic soil. So the reason the vine you planted five years ago has never fruited, is probably because you treat it too well!

Sunshine and warmth are important, though the combination is not always obvious – you can grow great malbec high in the Andes because although there’s little warmth, there’s lots of sunshine. Vines can therefore be planted in areas of more or less sun as required. Chablis is a hill village in France that grows chardonnay (though it’s never called chardonnay, just Chablis). Exactly where on the hill, grapes are planted determines whether they will make Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru or Grand Cru wines – the prices of which vary enormously. The parts of the hill with the best exposure to sun, best drainage and the right soil type are the most valuable.

Proximity to water is frequently a decisive factor in the quality of wine. Large bodies of water moderate temperatures around them, allowing grapes to ripen evenly over a longer time, which is a very good thing (consider sea-swimming in

October – water warms slowly during summer and releases the warmth slowly when the weather cools).

Moisture and humidity encourage diseases and pests –especially moulds. Yet the world’s finest dessert wines are made by encouraging botrytis cinerea, a mould that depletes the water in grapes, intensifying the flavours. This requires cool, misty mornings and warm, sunny afternoons – a great example of how tricky ‘terroir’ can be.

Of course, there’s more to this, but in simple terms if the right grapes are grown in exactly the right environment, the result is perfectly ripened grapes and great wine. Naturally, few places are perfect, so the resulting wines vary! A chardonnay grown in French limestone soil will taste very different to one grown in Chile on volcanic soil. Other factors such as wine-making techniques (e.g. barrel ageing) are also very significant, but I’m afraid I’m out of space. The bottom line? The more wines you sample, the more you will properly understand the variety available!

Fridays

Two

Dave Anning SW Bottle Shop

A Fishy Tale

Okehampton, the gateway to Dartmoor, boasts a very special restaurant.

Over many years Graylings, the family run business, has acquired a well deserved reputation for quality.

Graylings famous Fish & Chips was first established in 1994 in North Tawton, then in 1999 the second takeaway opened in Fremington, North Devon and in 2018 our third, Okehampton, outlet opened.

Now a brand new addition to the Graylings empire is our stunning restaurant above the well-established takeaway in Red Lion Yard.

The project, which has taken two years to get ready thanks to the pandemic, is now a beautiful, modern, light & airy

space with views of the Red Lion yard and the edge of Dartmoor.

With full air conditioning and, more importantly at this time of year, heated flooring, there’s nowhere better for a warm get together for some lovely freshly-cooked hot fish and chips - or maybe just a morning coffee with some locally-made cake, or a light lunch with a freshly cooked panini.

Fancy a tipple? We are fully licensed, not only serving wine, but also Sam’s famous cider, Bays crafted lager and beer, Plymouth Gin and Riddestone Dew spring water - to name a few local businesses we support. Something sweet? We serve Salcombe dairy ice cream, Luscombe soft drinks and Cheeky Moo milkshakes.

We really do try to cater for everyone, so have a special gluten-free menu on Mondays when you can enjoy our fish and chips in a light crispy gluten-free batter or our homemade fishcakes with a choice of sides.

So whether it’s a mid-shopping break or a treat night out you’re after, you’ll find us the perfect spot - and you’ll be very welcome!

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

Lee Grayling

DON’T PANIC CAPTAIN MAINWARING…

A little sneak peak behind the scenes at Okehampton’s Conservative Club reveals some rather surprising facts. Not least that the store room, filled with bottles and boxes of crisps, is behind an impenetrable steel door with impressively solid locks. You’d have to go to some effort to break in and nick a can of Coke.

Chatting to local historian and Conservative Club veteran of 45 years, Mike Wreford, however, reveals that the room was designed for a rather different purpose than housing spare serviettes.

“It was an armoury. It’s where weapons and ammunition were kept - hence the secure door!”

Army manoeuvres

Most locals will be familiar with the Okehampton Conservative Club building, with its white facade and blue lettering, which has stood on the corner of Kempley Road opposite Simmons Park for over a century.

“But they probably don’t know that it was built on the original site of the old bowling green,” continues Mike. “And it was designed as a military headquarters and there was an opening ceremony on 4 July 1914.”

Okehampton has, as Mike points out, got a long tradition of being patriotic. After the Crimean War, the town, like many others, formed a ‘volunteer force’ made up of local people. And in 1908, that force became part of the Territorial Army.

“Lots of town built their own command posts, and Okehampton was no different. Throughout World War One it was used by the Territorial Army, but also for training of regular military troops.

“Then by the time of World War Two, it became the base for the Local Defence Volunteers, better known as the Home Guard, as immortalised in the sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’. One of the major targets which they had to protect was the airfield situated at Folly Gate.”

Much of the building remains just as it was, give or take a change of use or two…

“So there was a drill hall, the armoury and a rifle range, which is now the skittle alley. There were the billiard room - we’ve still got a wonderful antique table we use up there - and offices. And there was a flat above for a regular member of the British Army - often the rank of sergeant - to live for training and supervisory purposes. A real life Captain Mainwaring!

High society

Just like today where the original hall hosts all sorts of events from bingo nights to weddings, the space was used by more than just the Territorial Army - and everyone was welcome.

“It was immediately made use of by the leading citizens of the town as a venue for parties and dinners. And it became home to the Okehampton Small Bore Rifle Club. During World War

The Conservative Club was once home to Okehampton’s ‘Dad’s Army’

Two there were many dances attended by military personnel including the Americans and Polish. It was like some kind of Hollywood film, with a haze of smoke and sea of uniforms!”

Changing the guard

By the 1960s the government were selling off drill halls, as they were no longer required. In 1968 the Conservative Club, which needed bigger premises, bought the place, for about £14,000 - “Which would have bought you four or five houses back in those days!”

Although the outside of the building was left in tact, the inside

was updated, with renovations including a “deluxe bar”. But Mike is very keen for people to know that firstly, the Conservative Club is not actually a political club (“It doesn’t matter what you vote!”), and secondly, it’s a social club for everyone, where you can play darts, hold meetings or just have a friendly chat and drink at the bar. It even does a special ‘try before you buy’ membership rate so people can see what it’s all about.

And when you’re there, you can picture the scenes of yesteryear - minus, perhaps, the smoke and the uniforms!

Gidleigh, Kes Tor and Scorhill Stone Circle

This rewarding walk involves a fair amount of climbing, from steep river valleys to the edge of the high moor. It follows part of the Archangel’s Way, a pilgrimage route around the north of the moor from Brentor to Chagford. Gidleigh is a very small but charming village which actually boasts the remains of a castle dating from the 14th Century. The village itself is even older, being once owned by Alfred the Great. The Church is well worth a visit and it has the unusual feature of a delightful stream running through the churchyard.

To begin the walk, head east from the Church towards Chagford. You will pass a small post box and a red telephone box, (remember those?!) which is now a useful local information booth. At the T-junction, turn right heading uphill in the direction of Scorhill. After 100m turn left through a gate into Gidleigh Wood. Follow the wide track straight ahead until it opens into a large clearing. At this point, to the right of a large lump of granite, leave the main track following a narrow path towards the wood, helpfully signposted “Path

This section of the walk is following the Mariners’ Way, once the route of sailors travelling between work at the ports of Bideford in the north and Dartmouth in the south. Nowadays it’s incorporated into the Two Moors Way. There are lovely views on your left across to Chagford, and Gidleigh Tor is hidden away amongst the trees to your right. The path drops down through the wood and re-joins the main track, where you turn right, now walking parallel with the river Teign in the valley to your left.

After 1/4 mile cross the river via the footbridge, and climb steeply up the other side of the valley on a narrow path. Go straight over a wide crossing track, heading for a line of trees at the top of the hill, where you turn right. After 200m turn left, following a stony track up to the road, where you again turn right, still climbing to a cattle grid out onto the open moor.

Once over the cattle grid, take the wide grassy track to the left of the road, angling gradually away from it. You are now heading south up towards the summit of Kes Tor at 437m above sea level, with views opening up in all directions as you climb. A striking

feature of the tor itself is its rock basin, the largest recorded on Dartmoor.

From the top, take a well-defined track down on the far side towards the corner of a field which is surrounded by pine trees forming the boundary of Batworthy Farm. You’ll need to cross a stream here which may require a bit of rock hopping in wet weather. Alternatively, by taking a slightly wider loop around Batworthy Corner, you’ll be on drier ground and will also get to see an impressive collection of standing stones, cairns and stone rows looking south in the direction of Fernworthy (see diagram).

Our ‘official’ route now heads north, following the field edge and keeping the stone wall to your right. As you approach the end of the wall, you’ll see the clapper bridge slightly to your left, by which to cross the Teign river again. Then carry on straight ahead for 60m to a smaller bridge, which you cross and turn immediately right, following a track that leads uphill away from the river. This area can be a bit boggy! The track gets wider then curves left crossing yet another wide, flat bridge over a stream. From here you are looking directly towards Scorhill stone circle which is

This walk has been kindly written and walked for Oke Links by Lisa Harris

about 100m ahead of you. There are 23 stones still standing, the largest of which is 2.5m tall. The circle itself is 27m in diameter and dates from the Bronze Age.

Leaving the circle, take the path directly to your right which leads you straight up and over Scorhill Down. The wide expanse of the moor gradually closes in as the path takes you between the stone walls of two field boundaries, funnelling you downhill to a gate. Here you leave the moor and follow the narrow lane back downhill to Gidleigh village.

Distance: Approximately 4.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate, with a few steep climbs up and down

Time: 2.5 hours

Start point: Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh Village, Near Chagford.

OS grid reference: 671884

What Three Words: what3words.com/bedrooms. shampoo.flotation

Polly Arscott

Where are you based and how long have you been in business?

We are based in Tinhay Industrial Estate, Lifton and have been in business for 30 years. We started with Tavistock Blinds as a shop front in Paddons Row, Tavistock. Paul - the boss, and my husband! - then acquired a shop front in Bodmin, so the company became Tavistock and Bodmin Blinds. The ‘L’ was added in 1994 with the purchase of the unit in Lifton, so the Company became Launceston, Tavistock and Bodmin Blinds abbreviated to LTB Blinds.

You specialise in blinds and curtains, describe what kind of products and service you provide

We offer a measuring and fitting service covering most of Devon and parts of Cornwall and manufacture most of our products here in Lifton. Paul decided to add curtains to the mix 18 years ago and we haven’t looked back. We can offer a variety of blinds in any type, size, and colour and we specialise in conservatory roof and side blinds at very competitive prices. We also make and install made to measure curtains with

accessories such as curtain poles, tracks, tie backs, cushions, and more.

What size of jobs do you do?

Any size ranging from one small roller blind to fitting a range of blinds and curtains to every window in a house. We also deal with several local businesses, schools and South West Ambulance. We have a lot of enquiries for unusually-shaped windows which we can offer a range of options to suit.

How big a team are you?

We are a team of nine close friends and family - from me in the office to Paul’s step dad Steve on the manufacturing side.

What do you think makes LTB stand out?

We have been operating as a local family run business, offering good quality blinds and curtains, for 30 years and pride ourselves on being personal, friendly and professional. And we offer a warranty with all the products we supply and install - we have no desire to keep replacing or repairing inferior systems!

Here’s what our customers say...

As a small local business providing Upholstery Services & Bespoke Footstools, it is invaluable to make people aware of my business and the service that is offered.

Advertising with Tavy & Moor Links always brings a steady stream of enquiries from each issue, resulting in commissions & new customers. Together with the support that Tavy Links provides which is so friendly & efficient, I find it absolutely perfect for my business!

Linda Radford Fabric & Furniture

Advertising with Moor & Tavy Links has been worth every penny, with great response to the advert from the local community. I now have very loyal local customers and would like to thank them for their support. It more than pays for itself each time I advertise.

Paul Waycott Moor Warm

Oke Links Business Directory

In every issue of Oke Links we promote local businesses, conversely, these businesses support and enable us to continue writing and publishing your local community magazine. If you are looking for a great local business then please choose from the list below. Next to each business is the page number on which they appear in this issue, please go and look at their advert and, if you call them, mention that you found them in Oke Links.

Accountants

MBC Accountants 21

Arts, Galleries & Museums

Wildwood Arts 14

Attractions, Days Out & Events

Red House Mysteries 23

Tavistock BID 8

Bathroom & Tile Retailers

Tavistock Bathrooms & Tiles 56

Building, Construction & Maintenance

Dave Baskerville Builders 51

Okehampton Handyman 51

Care Services & Care Homes

Bluebird Care West Devon 28

Devon & Cornwall Care Services 29

Friendly Faces UK 28

Lakeside Residential Home 9

Sonia France 26

Carpentry & Joinery

KP Carpentry 53

Cleaning & Domestic Services

Cook IT CLean 51

West Devon Cleaning Services 51

Curtain & Blind Retailers

LTB Blinds and Curtains 50

Dentists

QueensWood Dental Clinic 26

Dog Groomers

Dial a Dog Wash Devon 12 Electricians

Coysh Electrical Services 52 Estate Agents, Lettings & Property

Godfrey Short & Squire 55

Stevens Estate Agents 3

Westcountry Homes Online 2

Financial Advisors

The Asset Finance Man Ltd 34

Fuel Suppliers

Moorland Fuels 53

Tricounty Ltd 51

Funeral

Directors

Albery & Redstone Funeral Directors 13

Furniture Restorations

Phil Credicott Furniture Restoration 53

Garage Door Retail & Repair

Alliance Garage Doors 9

Garolla Holdings Limited 53

Garden Centres & Retailers

Bow Garden & Aquatic Centre 31

Endsleigh Gardens Nursery 32

Garden Machinery Retail & Services

D H Services 32

Garden Services

D.H. Garden Services 30

Dartmoor Pond Services 32

Hedge to Hedge Garden Services 32 J A Francis Stone Walling & Patios 32

Men for All Seasons 32 Gardens to Visit

The Garden House 41

Stone Lane Gardens 39 Hair, Health, Beauty & Nutrition

Health Foods & Nutrition Okehampton 25

Source Point Community Health CIC 27

The Wellspring 26

Wood MediSpa 28

Hearing & Mobility

Alistair Kinsey Hearing & Mobility 24 Holidays & Holiday Lets

Helpful Holidays 43

Home Furnishings

Fabric & Furniture 39

Home Improvements & Interiors

Realistic Home Improvements 22

Shields Buildings 52

Hotels, Restaurants, Inns & Clubs

The Horn of Plenty 17

Lewtrenchard Manor 44

Okehampton Conservative Club 47 Jewellers

Moon & Moor 19 Local Authorities

West Devon Borough Council 18 Music

Clare White Piano & Theory Teacher 14 Opticians

Atlantic Home Eyecare 24 Paint Store

Posh Paint 52 Pets

Linsey Pet & House Sitting 12 Plumbing & Heating Services

Chamings Heating & Plumbing 4

DB Heating 40

Podiatrists

Cannon Barn Podiatry & Foot Pain Clinic 29 Whiteley Podiatry 26

Private Water Engineers

AquaTech Water Services 53 GWT Ltd 51

Residential Parks Berkeley Parks 22 Schools, Colleges and Educators

Exeter Cathedral School 37 Mount Kelly Foundation 37

Situations Vacant

Crediton Dairy 15

Solicitors

Charlesworth Nicholl & Co 23

Chilcotts Law 35

Sports Therapist

Sports Therapy & Massage Clinic 28

Takeaway Food

Graylings Fish & Chips 45

Travel Agent

Holsworthy Travel 38

Tree Surgeons

Adam of Eden Tree Care 32

Veterinary Practices

North Park Vets 33

Okeford Veterinary Centre 49

Weight Loss/Slimming

Slimming World Okehampton 26

Windows, Doors & Conservatories

Okehampton Glass 20

Woodburners, Stoves and Heating CBL Stoves 51 J K Woodburners 52

Delivered by the Royal Mail to more than 32,000 homes and businesses in West Devon, Dartmoor and North Plymouth.

To make sure your business is featured in the next issue of Oke Links magazine, call us today on 07450 161 929 or email tim.randell@linksmagazines.co.uk

Please mention Oke Links when responding to adverts. 54