Oke links mar apr17 issu

OKE LINKS

March / April 2017

Issue 2

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Okehampton • Chichacott • Stockley • Belstone • Bondleigh • North Tawton • Sampford Courtenay Taw Green • Sticklepath • South Zeal • Throwleigh • Wonson • Lydford • Lewdown • Bridestowe Sourton • Meldon • Boasley Cross • Bratton Clovelly • Portgate • Lewtrenchard

. Tavy

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A community magazine full of local people and local stories...

A FREE bi-monthly magazine delivered by the Royal Mail

INSIDE: Local People • School Spotlight • What’s On • Gardening • History • Noticeboard SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Exercising and getting active at Lew Trenchard

GARDENING Preparing our gardens for the coming months

WHAT’S ON

From Ladies of Laughter to May Fair duck races!

DELIVERED FREE BY YOUR POSTMAN TO ALL EX20 1, 2 AND 4 POSTCODES

1 See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk (a guaranteed circulation of more than 8000 homes and businesses)

COMMUNITY IS AT THE

heart OF

EVERYTHING WE DO

We’re not a company that just gives a donation, shakes a hand and then does the same the year after. We actively engage in our communities, not just supporting them financially but in participation – with many of our staff actively helping with local charities, clubs and initiatives.

Bridge House, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1DL 01837 52371 okehampton@mansbridgebalment.co.uk

www.mansbridgebalment.co.uk

mansbridgebalment THERE’S MORE TO US THAN JUST BEING YOUR LOCAL ESTATE AGENT

WELCOME & CONTENTS

Looking forward to a healthy and productive spring….

I hope when you sit down with a cuppa to read this, the second edition of Oke Links, you won’t be suffering with the colds, coughs and sniffles which so many of us have suffered from this winter, but like us are now looking ahead to spring.

In this issue, farmer, Stuart Luxton certainly has his eyes on the months to come, with lambing just around the corner and the acquisition of a lovely new bull. Also in our new Food and Drink feature, the family at Alder Vineyard are looking forward with happy anticipation to sampling the latest vintage, as they prepare for a busy summer tending the vines. And lighter, drier days will certainly be welcomed by the children at Lew Trenchard Primary School, where exercise forms a core part of their school day.

For our Charity Focus article, I had the pleasure of meeting Karen Percival and Allenton Fisher of Okehampton United Charities (OUC) — what an amazing institution this is! I certainly hadn’t realised quite how many people are helped by the OUC every year, or to such a considerable financial extent. See the full article on pages 20 & 21.

CONTENTS 5. NOTICEBOARD

A spotlight on the Inner Wheel, community knitting and getting as fit as a fish!

12. LOCAL PEOPLE

This issue we meet two ladies with very different roles in the community

14. SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Exercise is a top priority at Lew Trenchard Primary School

19. SPORTS ROUND UP

Goings-on at Okehampton Cycle Club — and a coaching award

20. CHARITY FOCUS

The amazing work of Okehampton United Charity

23. HEALTH

Like me, you may have noticed mini buses from schools all over the South West dotted around moorland car parks — yes, it’s Ten Tors training time again! Our feature looks ahead to this great event when we hope the weather is kind to all those involved in this year’s 2017 challenge.

Advice to combat eczema and hay fever

I have been even more delighted at the very positive reception our magazine has had, from readers, contributors and advertisers alike and I am looking forward covering more fascinating stories and meeting interesting people for our next issues. Do keep me posted with any ideas or stories you may have and also don’t forget to send us your event listings for our What’s On section. (All listings are FREE).

A round-up of local events in March and April

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!

Jane Jane Honey - Editor Please contact me via email at: editorial@okelinks.co.uk or 07971 917 071

The deadline for any inclusions in the May/June issue is Friday 1st April We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our many contributors for so kindly giving us their time and expertise, in helping keep our magazine so interesting to all.

THE OLIJAM TEAM: Editor: Editorial Director Publisher: Design: Advertising:

Jane Honey Lizzie Watt Tim Randell Terri Reeves, Julian Rees Jane Daniel, Victoria Smith

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

28. FEATURE

Looking ahead to the big challenge — Ten Tors 2017

30. WHAT’S ON

45. MUSIC & ART

There’s a busy programme of events at Bratton Clovelly

52. HISTORY

The ancient church house at South Tawton With thanks to Tony Cobley Photography for his wonderful front cover image (see page 18 for details)

Incorporating Moor, Tavy and Oke Links magazines dartmoorlinks.co.uk

ALL Advertising enquiries

Contact Tim, Jane or Victoria on 07450 161 929 / 01822 615627 to disuss your advertising enquiries.

Email: advertising@okelinks.co.uk or visit our website: www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk to view our rate card.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the editorial team.

We have done our utmost to ensure that all the content is correct and accurate at the time of print, but we emphasise that Oke Links or Olijam Communications Ltd accepts no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. All data contained in advertisements are subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines and are accepted by us in good faith at the time of going to press. Reproduction of editorial is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved copyright © 2017

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N N ew O W offi O ce PE N

Local legal & financial advice • Agricultural Law

• Financial & Investment Services

• Buying & Selling Property

• Landlord & Tenant

• Business Sales & Purchases

• Land Sales & Purchases

• Commercial Litigation

• Later Life Planning

• Estate Administration

• Wills, Trusts & Tax and more

• Employment Law • Family Law & Mediation • Residential Conveyancing

Call our Okehampton office on: Legal Services Financial Services

01837 51 21 00 01837 51 20 90

Rosemerry House, Market Street, EX20 1HN

FREE

20mins

consultation

Visit us online for more information

gilbertstephens.co.uk

Gilbert Stephens LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no: 536070) and Gilbert Stephens Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (no: 579899)

NOTICEBOARD Community Noticeboard: If you, your club or organisation would like to share what you do with others or have some specific news to tell - do let us know and we will include it here on the noticeboard in the next issue of the magazine. Send info via email to: editorial@okelinks.co.uk

New bell ringers required!

Have you ever wanted to play a musical instrument, but never quite achieved it?

Okehampton Handbell Group is currently recruiting new members, following the departure of some of its ringers. They use two styles of ringing, four in hand, which uses a numerical system of music so you do not need to be able to read a music score and an ‘off table’ style — this does need a little more knowledge of the music score, but help will be at hand to support new ringers.

The group holds practices on a Tuesday afternoon from 1.30pm until 4pm with a tea/coffee break between 2.15pm and 2.30pm in Castle Road, Okehampton, between the Post Office and Castle Ham Lodge. There is no charge for attendance.

Members go out several Saturdays throughout the year performing and socialising with other handbell groups in the South West.

If you would like to come and give it a try, please contact Ian on 01837 52269 or 07810 301155 or email mellsbells@onetel.com

Improving quality of life The Healing Hub in North Tawton, run

by Jean Hutchinson, offers healing and other therapies. Jean says healing is a gentle, loving way of helping you to improve the quality of your life in whatever way is best for you and for your highest good. It comes to you with love through your Healer who is the channel for the healing energy.

Jean said: ‘Healing is love and love heals. Hugs are healing and hugs also heal. Just remember how you felt the last time someone gave you a hug. If we had more hugs going on in the world it would be a happier place!’

For a healing appointment you will remain fully clothed and be sitting on a

chair or lying on the couch. It will last about 20 – 30 minutes with time before and after for any questions or queries to be answered.

Various therapists visit The Healing Hub. Rebecca Millar works with Flower & Vibrational at Essences to assist with many areas of life. She will be at the Hub on Saturday, March 11 and Saturday, March 25 between 10am and 1pm. Julie Boxall-Tully, an equine and canine massage practitioner and teacher, will be with there on Saturday, March 18 from 10am until 1pm.

All are welcome at The Hub for an informal chat over a cup of tea.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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NOTICEBOARD

The Inner Wheel - A thriving town club The Inner Wheel movement was started in 1924 by Margarette Golding, nurse, businesswoman and wife of a Manchester Rotarian. The objects of the club was twofold, to foster friendship and to offer much more in the way of service. Over the following years Inner Wheel Clubs were formed throughout the UK and overseas, to become the international women’s organisation it is today.

Okehampton Inner Wheel Club was founded in 1965 and today’s membership is around 25. The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month in friendship and to serve the local community by supporting ‘good causes’ in Okehampton and surrounding areas in a variety of different ways. Recently members have provided equipment for the children’s area in the library and given funds to the children’s sections of the hockey and gymnastics clubs, also financial support for The Forget Me Not Café, which supports dementia sufferers and their families. Speakers attend meetings; lately members heard from 16-year-old Ryan Harnell, Youth Parliament representative for North Devon, just before he spoke in a debate in the House of Commons. The club also supports organisations that work mainly in third world countries too.

Connections with the Okehampton Rotary Club remain strong, although you don’t have to have a Rotary husband or partner

these days to be an ‘Inner Wheeler’. You are most likely to have seen members at the May Fair Rotary organises in Simmons Park each May Bank Holiday weekend. The club provides a refreshment marquee offering teas, cakes and sandwiches. This is one of Inner Wheel’s main fundraising events along with regular coffee mornings in the Charter Hall.

Lunches are held from time to time and a summer garden party.

Inner Wheelers meet socially with other clubs in Devon when food and friendship seem once again to be in evidence.

Membership is open to all women over the age of 18. To join or find out more please contact Sandra Moppett, telephone 01837 840372 or email sandra@stonelynk.com

Fit as a fish!

This fitness group for the over 50s meets every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm in the pool at Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton.

You do not have to be able to swim as the exercises take place at the shallow end, meaning less stress on achy joints.

Frequently, tummies ache not from the exercises but from all the laughter. At the same time as exercising, there is chatting and singing to the music. After the class there is even more time to chat as the small charge of £2.30 covers both the exercises and a cup of tea or coffee.

So, if you are over 50 do please give it a try and reap the benefits of exercising with a friendly group of like-minded people.

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To promote your business to 20,700* readers - call 01822 615627

editorial@okelinks.co.uk

NOTICEBOARD

Knit and chat!

There’s an opportunity for enthusiastic craftspeople to enjoy the company of others at the weekly Knit Club in Okehampton.

The club takes place every Thursday and Friday morning, 10am until noon and every Saturday afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. The location is on the first floor of The Woolly Beader in Okehampton’s Red Lion Yard.

Wide Knit in Public Day is on Saturday, June 10 when there will be more outside knitting – or perhaps in a local coffee house if the weather is unkind.

Donna Tombs from The Woolly Beader said: ‘There is no need to book and no need to knit. We have knitters, crocheters, beaders, embroiderers – it is a group for people who want some company while they enjoy their craft. There is a nominal charge of £1 to cover tea and coffee and raise money for charity – our current charity is CHICKS.’ Some of those who attend the club are pictured on ‘World Wide Knit In Public Day’ last year, when the Knit Club was outside the shop, despite the less than clement weather. This year’s World

Spring cleaning your finances Starting 2017 with debt is something that many people face, but how many of us are successfully managing those debts by spring? Not as many as you think.

Credit Unions take an active approach to money management and as community financial organisations, they build stronger communities by providing an alternative to high-interest loans and worse still illegal money lending. Plough & Share Credit Union knows that once you have taken the first step in managing your money, you will feel more positive about finding financial solutions that actually benefit you, Importantly, you will start to feel in control and less stressed.

— they can’t help if you don’t talk to them. Thirdly, if you are at the point where you cannot face picking up the phone, there are organisations which Plough & Share can point you towards — you don’t need to struggle alone.

For more information email info@ploughandshare.co.uk or call 01837 658123.

Firstly, work out what money is coming in and out of your bank each month — know what you owe! Secondly, if you have missed payments don’t hide the problem, talk to that company

Your local wool and bead shop • Learn to knit or crochet today • Locally made gifts • • Supplies for knitting, crochet and jewellery making • Previously ‘rockin beads’

Red Lion Yard Okehampton EX20 1AW www.thewoollybeader.co.uk 01837 657614

Handm in Dev ade on

Ultrasound Therapy , Deep Tissue Release Gait Analysis, Strapping and Taping Relieving muscle tension Recovery from injury Enhancing muscle recovery Improving circulation Injury Prevention

07711200894

www.sportsmassagedevon.co.uk See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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