17 minute read
Community News
All creatures great and small
The UK supports over 24,000 species of insects, all of which play an integral part in sustaining the diverse and healthy ecosystems that we humans rely upon for our water, food, energy, clothes, shelter, health, etc. Insects are often overlooked and tarnished with the term ‘pest’ particularly when they sting or bite us - believe me I’m not a fan of midges, mosquitoes and horseflies as they love me, but all insects have a role and are particularly vital for our food industry. They can break down and decompose organic matter to maintain healthy soils, pollinate our crops, fruit and vegetables; they break down livestock dung and provide natural pest control by feeding on aphids. In fact, the economic value of these pollination services to the UK crop industry is estimated at £500 million a year (UK insect declines & extinctions, UK Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology, March 2020). However, we are witnessing huge declines in insect numbers, changes in their distribution and even species extinctions which is threatening the viability of these ecosystems. The loss and fragmentation of species-rich habitats, the increase in chemical use, impacts of climate change and threats from non-native invasive species are all interconnected. Over the summer months we have been out and about across the Burrator catchment recording insects, and have been joined by professional entomologists (insect surveyors) to see whether the site supports any rare Dartmoor species such as: Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus intricatus), Bog Hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum), Marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) and Southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercurial). So far we have found Marsh fritillary. The Devon Fly Group have also been out on the ground to record flies, although the unseasonal cold and wet weather during May seems to have affected a few species
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Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary by E. Scotney
this year. By gaining a better understanding of what insects the site supports we can help rebuild these insect populations to ensure healthy ecosystems for humans and wildlife, as birds and mammals also rely on insects for food. Buglife is leading on a project to identify nationally or internationally ‘Important Invertebrate Areas’ and parts of Dartmoor are recognised for their important invertebrates and specialist habitats. More information is available at: buglife.org.uk/ our-work/important-invertebrate-areas I can’t imagine a world without the buzz of a bee as it goes from flower to flower or catching a glimpse of a butterfly or moth as it flutters by, and just learning about their complicated life cycles is so fascinating. We must all take responsibility to ensure that we farm and garden with nature not against it. Just leaving some wild areas in your garden for native flowers and allowing trees and hedges to flower and fruit, can provide food and a safe refuge for insects enabling them to perform these vital services that we all rely on.
Deborah Deveney Burrator Biodiversity Officer, South West Lakes Trust
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Serving Devon, Cornwall & Surrey
After 18 months of uncertainty within our communities, the pandemic has shown the importance of coming together and supporting the local independent businesses that take centre stage within our small towns.
Tavy Links, Moor Links, Oke Links and Plym Links magazines have joined forces with neighbouring magazines including Launceston Life, Bude Life, English Riviera magazine (Torbay) and By the Dart (Dartmouth) to form the South West Independent Publishers’ Alliance. The Alliance will work to ensure that quality, reliable publications will continue to serve their communities, promoting a range of fantastic independent businesses, reporting on local news and supporting businesses, organisations and groups within their communities.
The Alliance will cover Bude, Launceston, Tavistock, Okehampton, Yelverton, North Plymouth, and the South Hams including Dartmouth and Torbay. Tim Randell from Links Magazines said: ‘This is a great opportunity for local businesses to use neighbouring magazines and be guaranteed that the quality of publishing is of the highest level.’ In total the Alliance will cover 60,000 homes and businesses across Tim added: ‘I am really excited to have helped create the formation of this Alliance, which is the first established independent publishing alliance spanning the Cornwall-Devon border. The Alliance is all about local people publishing local community magazines for local people.’
For more information contact Tim Randell on tim.randell@ linksmagazines.co.uk
PLYM LINKS June/July 2021 | Issue 10 WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS Beryl & Brian spearhead a rewilding project Gr n Minds SAILGP comes to Plymouth
10 YEARS PUBLISHING LOCAL MAGAZINE S
NATURE The wonder of warblers GARDENING Plants to soothe and stimulate HEALTH
It’s hay fever time
MEET the locals
A Glenholt couple loving life on the park A Plympton nurse and talented artist
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JOBS £3.50 | WHERE SOLD CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE Providing vital respite time
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This year is our 10th anniversary of publishing local community magazines and we asked our advertisers what they thought of our service – here’s what a few had to say: I have been using Links magazine for a number of years, and have found it much the most useful publication… Philip Hartnoll DO FSCCO, Osteopath We have been advertising with Links magazines for nearly a year now and have been very impressed with the service from Joanne and the team. Jessica Sampson, Alliance Garage Doors Ltd
We have been advertising with them for a while and we fi nd them to be informative, high quality and a great vehicle for our advertising. Will Giles, Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors
Our family of local magazines are delivered to more than 32,000 homes and businesses by the Royal Mail
Rock Methodist Church window vandalised
To everyone’s horror the window of Rock Methodist Church in Yelverton was vandalised on May bank holiday Monday night. Large rocks and pieces of breeze blocks smashed large holes in the precious glass, and buckled the lead holding it in place. The window is over 100 years old, depicting the Road to Emmaus and is very unusual for a Methodist church. Many people know the beautiful stained-glass window, and whilst it obviously means a lot to the church congregation, it also holds a special place in the hearts of the Yelverton community and beyond. The window has been lit virtually every night for the last 25 years, providing a focal point for the village. People comment that they love to see it and it provides comfort and reassurance in difficult times, and that they know they are home when they see the light at night. The window is badly damaged and will have to be removed for repair and renovation. A stained-glass window expert has quoted around £20,000. Whilst insurance will pay for some of the work, there will be a shortfall, so if anyone would like to make a donation to help restore this iconic window, we would be extremely grateful. Any excess monies will be used to repair the wall in
The Yelverton night landing site on the field between the tennis club and the Memorial Hall has now been commissioned and is ready for use should the air ambulance need to land to respond to an emergency. The parish council coordinated fundraising to pay for the lights and local donors included
Buckland Monachorum village hall
which it sits. Please send donations as follows:
Bank transfer: Rock Methodist Church; sort code: 205040; account number: 10047295
Cheques: made payable to ‘Rock Methodist Church’ can be put through the letterbox or posted to Rock Methodist Church, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6DW
Buckland Monachorum village hall management committee has vacancies for two volunteers to join and help run the hall - one for the post of treasurer. If you are interested in helping run this important community asset, please contact the secretary, Nigel Rendle on 01822 853260. It is hoped that with the removal of lockdown rules, the monthly coffee shops can restart, probably in September. The committee is also planning to organise some film shows and talks, following the purchase of a brand-new projector. Those wishing to play snooker can now book the table. For further information see bucklandmonachorumvillagehall.co.uk.
Devon Air Ambulance
Mansbridge Balment and the Rapid Response Team. Yelverton Tennis Club permitted the lights to be installed on their lighting poles and connected to their power supply. The lights will be operated remotely by the helicopter crew. Well done to all involved!
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Enjoy Tavistock this summer!
There are lots of reasons to visit your local town this summer and you can be assured of a safe visit, with all the open spaces to escape to and explore, plus plenty of ways to continue being COVID-secure. The hanging baskets around the town look blooming marvellous and there are a number of new businesses to discover.
Our brand new and exciting summer trail – Tavistock Time Traders – is a family adventure for all. The Duke of Bedford needs help finding items for Goose Fair – located on trader cards throughout the town. Everyone receives an exclusive Tavistock Trader Card and goody bag plus 5 lucky participants will find prize-winning golden cards! In collaboration with Learn Devon, there will be workshops to design your own family coat of arms, and rounding off the holiday, the amazing Bubbleman and Bubble Faerie come to town on Monday 30 August. Moving into September, the town will be hosting a Cream Tea Festival on Sunday 12 September. Set to become an annual event, this is an occasion not to be missed with our very own Tavy tuff taking centre stage in the town’s first ‘Tuff-off’! Now is also a great time to redeem those Tavistock gift cards from Christmas! Or pick one up for that special occasion from any participating business – using the ‘load this card’ scheme. Find out more and where to spend at: tavistockgiftcard.co.uk
Family Coat of Arms workshops
Tuesday 10 August & Monday 23 August, 10:30-12:30 Workshops with Learn Devon - free entry but tickets must be reserved: 10 August at The Alexander Centre, Tavistock: eventbrite. co.uk/e/family-coat-of-arms-workshop-tickets-163021466595 23 August at Bedford Square, Tavistock: eventbrite.co.uk/e/ family-coat-of-arms-workshop-tickets-163024690237
Bubbleman and Bubble Faerie
Monday 30 August, 11:00-15:00 The amazing Bubbleman and Bubble Faerie face-painting in Bedford Square, Tavistock
Tavistock Cream Tea Festival
Sunday 12 September ALL DAY festival in Tavistock
Rotary helps with children’s safeguarding
Buckland Monachorum Parish Council
The Rotary Club of Yelverton has provided our local primary schools key stage 2 pupils with a book entitled ‘Watch Out’. Children growing up today face more than the problems of developing relationships, safety in the car or by water, good hygiene etc. They also have to deal with diversity, the benefits (and otherwise) of social media, drug usage and the possibility of being exploited by criminals, amongst many other facets of modern life.
Written by experts and illustrated by primary school children, ‘Watch Out’ helps children, families and teachers talk about these things in an unalarming way and provides accurate information on where to go for help. The book is accompanied by a ‘snakes & ladders’ type game for up to six children to play together - and helps promote discussion of the issues. The book has been published by the charity ‘OK Our Kids’, whose mission is: ‘To help our young children deal confidently with the challenges and dangers of staying safe at home, school, and in the community: to empower them with the skills they need to face everyday situations knowing what is the right thing to do and leading others by their example’. The Rotary Club of Yelverton has distributed 230 books along with the board game, to four local participating primary schools in Meavy, Horrabridge, Walkhampton and Princetown, at no cost to the schools or pupils. If you would like to find out more about Yelverton Rotary Club visit www.yelverton.rotary1175. org or contact president@yelverton.rotary1175.org
Buckland Monachorum Parish Council would like to hear residents’ views on two issues. If you would like to comment, please contact clerk@bmpc.info. Devon County Council is currently considering measures to limit the use of Meavy Lane by large (40 tonne) lorries. However a weight limit would apply, not only to lorries, but possibly to vehicles such as removal vans and other vehicles delivering heavy cargo. Additionally, requiring the current heavy traffic to use main roads would increase their mileage and therefore their carbon footprint. So, do we save Meavy Lane or the planet? The forecourt car park in Yelverton is owned and maintained by Devon County Council but the car parks at St Paul’s and Leg of Mutton are owned by Maristow Estates. The estate derives no benefit from them and not unreasonably questions why the cost of providing car parks falls to them. The parish council’s view is that as the car parks offer a service to all those using Yelverton (for shopping, going to church, or using the bus services) then perhaps the parish should ‘step up’ and maintain them. This would require a modest increase in the precept (the amount the parish council receives from its share of the council tax). Do you think a few pounds each year is a price worth paying for decent car parking facilities or are you happy navigating the potholes?
AMANDA RANDELL COX
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Sanctuary in Walkhampton, 1941-43
It is 75 years since Plymouth’s blitz - the heaviest period of bombing occurred in March and April 1941. I remember living through it as a small boy, hearing the sirens at night and running down the road to the shelter. With planes overhead and bombs exploding it was very frightening. Not surprisingly, my grandparents, who my mum and I lived with while my father was in the Royal Navy, leapt at the chance to be evacuated to Dartmoor. Thus I moved from war-damaged Hyde Park to Walkhampton School. I was happy there, but it was different - just two classes, under-nines and overnines. We had slates and chalk rather than pen and paper. The adjacent field was great for playing and older children especially were encouraged to grow veg on the large allotment. A succession of rabbits in hutches were always a source of interest as well as a supplement to the meagre meat ration. In summer we picked rosehips – for the war effort! Mr Govier was the headteacher, and kids were expected to be seen and not heard so classes were subdued and the building was cold. A coal range heated the air - as well as our daily 1/3-pint milk bottles. Home was a rented, detached bungalow, between Dousland and Peakhill, shared with two other unrelated families. It was a nice property, but without electricity, gas, phone or running water. And no car! Cooking and lighting were powered by oil, and water was pumped from the well. We had a radio powered by large accumulators and my mother played a piano for sing-songs and village socials. Of course the war dominated everything. Soldiers under training were frequently in the area, as were armed sentries guarding the approach to Burrator, and wooden posts on Yennadon Down deterred invasion by gliders. In Walkhampton rural life continued much as ever. The stream powered the water wheel which drove the machines in Mr Veale’s workshops. Farm implements and machinery continued to be made and repaired, with the staff categorised as essential workers and exempt from call-up. They included Clarence Woon, the wheelwright who had been asked to let and maintain our bungalow by the Oldham family in New Zealand – hence its Maori name, ‘Te Whare’, The Homestead. He brought us heavy shopping in the works lorry and smaller
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Crapstone R0ad, Yelverton PL20 6BT 01822 853386/07447 744427 modwan@sky.com
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advance. Visit c @theKnightstone for booking details. items were bought from the village shop or Trathens Post Office when mother met me from school. Once we’d passed the interesting horsey activity at the blacksmiths, it was a long way for tired 5-year-old legs past Dousland soldiers’ barracks to home.
My father had been away at sea for over 3 years, with infrequent letters delivered by our postman on horseback. As an engineer, he entered the airlock for each watch and descended the vertical iron ladder knowing if the ship was hit, death by scalding steam was the likely outcome. To say he, and we, were pleased when he came home in 1943 was a gross understatement! But we appreciated the sanctuary of Walkhampton and ‘Te Whare’.
Colin May
