WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS
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SUMMER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY
WIN A FAMILY TICKET!
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BLOOMING LOVELY! RHS GARDEN ROSEMOOR
FLOWER SHOW
WRESTLING WITH ROSIE
THE UPS AND DOWNS OF A FALCONER’S LIFE
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EDUCATION
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Getting out and about this summer! Looking out of the window as I write, the scene isn’t exactly seasonal it’s teeming with rain and the heavily-leafed trees are swaying alarmingly! Let’s hope that the weather in July and August is more clement, as there are masses and masses of events to visit and activities to get involved in this summer. The local people I interviewed for this edition are all outdoor types - Roadford Lake’s activity centre manager Matt Lennox is never happier than when skiing or windsurfing; Andy Oliver, despite being retired, is busier than ever with outdoor pursuits a-plenty and Dartmoor falconer Martin Whitley never has time to stop working - unless Rosie the eagle has a particularly bad day...
The deadline date for any inclusions in the September/October issue of Oke Links will Our charity focus on page 20 and 21 puts the spotlight on two brilliant facilities, be 9th August 2019. the open air pools at Chagford and Moretonhampstead - how lucky are we to have such great swimming opportunities so close together?
For all editorial enquiries please contact me via email at: jane.honey@ linksmagazines.co.uk or 07971 917071. THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Jane Honey Design: Sara Venner and Julian Rees Customer Services: Rachel Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard, Claire Pearce
01822 615627 Congratulations to our Chagstock competition winner Andrew Meardon of Okehampton
And this issue’s feature concerns the fascinating new heritage trails which are being put in place on historic Dartmoor. I for one never realised what an important site internationally the moor is, in terms of its historic significance - the new trails provide a great opportunity for the whole family to get out and about and learn something new. August of course is the month for agricultural shows - and there’s an opportunity for you to win a family ticket to the biggest one in the area, Okehampton Show. You can read all about this great day out on pages 32 and 33. Then there are the festivals, from local fundraisers to big established events such as the folk extravanganza at South Zeal and the big names at Chagstock let’s hope wellies won’t be essential footwear this year! The effort put into the hundreds of events staged in our area by local people is tremendous - take a look at what’s on offer in our listings and try and visit as many as you can. Many are free or really great value - enjoy your summer!
Jane ,
Jane Honey - Editor Don’t forget to email your forthcoming events, news and feature ideas to jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk or call 07971 917071.
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7 Contents 5 NOTICEBOARD 12 LOCAL PEOPLE 17 SPORT 18 EDUCATION 20 CHARITY 23 HEALTH 26 GARDENING
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32 54
29 FARMING 31 FINANCE 32 OKEHAMPTON SHOW 35 KIDS WHAT’S ON LISTINGS 36 WHAT’S ON LISTINGS 44 WHAT’S ON EXTRA 52 MUSIC AND ART
58 FEATURE 60 WALKS WITH WINNIE 62 FOOD & DRINK 65 HISTORY 70 TRADE SECRETS
Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns and villagers: Okehampton • Moretonhampstead • Chagford • Chichacott • Stockley • Belstone • Bondleigh • North Tawton • Sampford Courtenay • Taw Green • Sticklepath • South Zeal • Throwleigh • Wonson • Lydford • Lewdown • Bridestowe • Gidleigh • North Bovey • Sourton • Meldon • Boasley Cross • Bratton Clovelly • Portgate • Lewtrenchard Front Cover image courtesy of Hazel Mansell Greenwood Photography.
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NOTICEBOARD
Cuckooflower and Orange Tips Greenhill’s first ever BIOBLITZ! Participants spent an inspired day finding out about the living world hidden in the burial ground of the Unitarian Chapel in Moretonhampstead recently. With the blessing of the parish council, the church was set up with microscopes, tables, identification sheets, books, drawing materials, bug pots, magnifying glasses, butterfly nets and a huge sheet to catch ‘bug life’ shaken from a tree. There were experts on hand to help: Bird Man (David Leader), Lichen Lady (Nicola Bacciu), Spiderman (Matt Prince) and Doris the botanist – all from Mid Devon Natural History Society. A spokesperson for Greenhill Arts, which organised the event, said: ‘We had young families totally engaged and fascinated by discovering tiny insects and then making them big under the microscope; watching Spiderman hoovering up bugs into a big plastic bowl and exposing all kinds of creepy crawly creatures from the meadow area; these he will name, and identify for us. We found the eggs of the Orange Tip Butterfly on Honesty and Lady’s Smock (Cuckooflower) and a common lizard.’ Survey sheets gave a snapshot of how healthy the habitat is. No-one can be unaware of the crash of insect, plant and mammal species world-wide. The church yard is like an old pre-war meadow, because it hasn’t been ploughed or sprayed with insecticide, it is a unique and healthy place. Some 80 wild flowers, grasses and a wood rush, 32 species of insects not counting the spiders were found; 25 species of birds were seen and heard, and 21 species of shrubs and trees and one reptile were noted. The Greenhill spokesperson added: ‘One of the things we learned is that strimming does much more damage to plants and animals than the conventional lawn mower. Insects, upon which birds feed and which pollinate flowers, get mushed
T US H G T AU 15
to a pulp. Keeping the grass longer in certain areas not only encourages pollinating insects, but also helps to feed swifts, swallows and martins as well as fly-catchers, all of which have plummeting populations.’ Notes and habitats were compared at an evening talk in Chagford, where an increase in species diversity has been noticed since management of the churchyard has become more wildlife friendly. The swifts in the church nest boxes have been tagged and tracked, showing journeys to Madagascar and back home to the same nest site. Greenhill would like to thank the National Trust for lending their child friendly naturalist equipment and to all who came or contributed in any way to such a wonderful day. A FU F GR N AM EA DA IL T Y Y OU T
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NOTICEBOARD
Improving wellbeing with exercise Tea, coffee and water will be available on the group’s return to Parklands. If the weather is bad, the group still meets over a cup of tea.
FORCE cancer charity is stepping up its free programme of exercise and activity in Okehampton. The charity already runs a support and information service at Okehampton Hospital every Wednesday (10am-4pm) and also funds the delivery of chemotherapy there. It is also now offering physiotherapy assessment clinics in the town, as well as a gym-based exercise programme and a weekly walking group – all free of charge. FORCE’s specialist oncology physiotherapists Louise Ballagher and Becky Bailey are visiting the hospital once a month to meet cancer patients looking to improve their general wellbeing through exercise. Each patient has a one-to-one appointment to determine their individual level of fitness. Louise said: ‘Everyone is seen individually, so even if you are not particularly mobile or have concerns about other medical conditions, you can still exercise safely.’ Patients are then signposted to an appropriate exercise programme at Parklands Leisure Centre, overseen by Karen Edworthy. She is a specialist in cancer rehabilitation and one of the longest serving members of FORCE’s Get Active team. The Walking with FORCE group meets every Wednesday afternoon at the Parklands Café at Simmons Park. It’s an initiative designed to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients, their families and friends. The walks, led by qualified volunteers, are on the flat with occasional gentle slopes and last 30-45 minutes. Everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace.
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Louise added: ‘This will hopefully give people the confidence and the opportunity to get active with the added bonus of a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.’ For more information any of FORCE’s exercise opportunities, call 01392 403094 or 01392 406151.
Sampford Courtenay Parish Council Defibrillator Appeal The provision of a defibrillator within the parish of Sampford Courtenay has been highlighted at public parish meetings, and was one of the issues raised from the recent Parish Survey. Sampford Courtenay Parish Council has set up a Just Giving Page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ sampfordcourtenayparishcouncil-scpc and hopes to raise £999 to help fund this piece of life saving equipment. The parish council will also be holding fundraising events in the coming months for this cause - so please keep an eye out for more details. Or if you have a good fund raising idea - please get in touch.
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NOTICEBOARD
Moretonhampstead Scarecrow Trail Running between July 27th and September 1st, the Moretonhampstead Scarecrow Trail is a fun activity for all the family to share and enjoy during the school holidays. The trail is this year’s funding initiative by Moretonhampstead Information Centre which relies on a staff of dedicated friends and volunteers and has needed to generate its own income since it lost the majority of its grant support in 2010. Local groups, families, businesses and organisations in Moretonhampstead have been asked to make a scarecrow
based on a film character of their choice, and the finished scarecrows will form a trail through and around Moretonhampstead. To join in the fun, just buy a map and entry form for ÂŁ3.50 from Moretonhampstead Information Centre. Follow the trail, identify the characters and choose your favourite. Then return the completed form to the Information Centre. All the correct entries will go into a prize draw in September and the scarecrow with the most points will win a prize and the Moretonhampstead Scarecrow Cup.
The money raised will go towards running the Information Centre for another year. For further information contact Moretonhampstead Information Centre on 01647 440043 or email moretonvic@yahoo.co.uk or margaret. spittles@gmail.com
Summer is here and the moor is getting busy! So it must mean that it is the time to start clearing some of our 450miles of Public Rights of Way network! Our remit, on behalf on Devon County Council, is to make sure that all surface vegetation is cleared. All overhanging and side vegetation is the legal responsibility of the landowner to clear, although we do sometimes help with this. Each ranger across the moor will have a vegetation clearance list and, at the beginning of the new financial year each April, will look through the list and start organising any groups or contractors and raise purchase orders to start the work from July onwards. The paths are normally prioritised depending on how close to a village or town they are and how frequently they are used by the public.
events, hosting archaeological volunteer days, to name but a few. Also with the school holidays the amount of visitors to Dartmoor increases significantly, which in turn increases the amount of time we spend on picking up litter, clearing away abandoned tents and barbecues and educating and advising the public about our byelaws such as off road driving, sheep worrying by dogs and camping inappropriately. I hope you all enjoy the moor this summer. Simon Lee Ranger Team Manager, Dartmoor National Park Authority
If you do find a problem on the Rights of Way Network you can now report it online using the new Report a Path Problem section on our website www.dartmoor.gov.uk. This all happens alongside our other duties, including patrolling at weekends, attending various local shows and
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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NOTICEBOARD
Mansbridge Balment on the move in Okehampton As part of their expansion and development in Okehampton, Mansbridge Balment have moved to new premises. Now to be found opposite Waitrose at the entrance to Red Lion Yard, Mansbridge Balment have a high profile office in a prominent position in one of the busiest parts of the town centre. As they approach 50 years as one of the leading independent estate agents in the Westcountry, they are well set to offer their comprehensive range of services to the property market. The Okehampton team is headed by Associate Directors Jonathan Mansell and Martyn Cox, both extremely well known in the Okehampton area and integral to the firm’s success over the years. ‘This is a great move for us’, says Martyn. ‘Having been in the town for a number of years, it was important that
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we took this opportunity to better showcase our properties and make ourselves more accessible to greater numbers of people. We look forward to welcoming friends old and new as we take the business forward. Since we moved in the response from people has been really positive – we are delighted to be here!’ Mansbridge Balment have more offices than any other estate agent in the West Devon area covering Dartmoor, towns, villages and rural communities throughout the region. For your FREE market appraisal for sales or letting, contact the Okehampton team today – (01837) 52371. Nick Henderson MNAEA MANAGING DIRECTOR MANSBRIDGE BALMENT LIMITED
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NOTICEBOARD
Improving skills and safety Volunteers who undertake environmental and archaeological conservation work for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) at its moorland site at Bellever Tor and Forest, Postbridge, have benefited from stone wall repair and construction training. The training will enable the team of DPHT volunteers not only to improve the bordering stone walls to keep them in good order in a traditional way, but also to help reduce the risk of the Bellever pony herd escaping when walls become damaged by deer or simply fall into disrepair. DPHT runs a herd of up to 26 Dartmoor ponies – included a number of pedigrees - providing free grazing and management for animals belonging to several farmers who are members of the charity’s Recognised Pony Keeper Scheme, on the site. Most are youngsters who are able to develop and grow on until ready to be sold. They are vital to the management of the land at Bellever and demonstrate the hardiness and steady temperament of the Dartmoor pony that make it so suitable for conservation grazing. The stone walling training was made possible for volunteers in Dartmoor National Park from a programme called Funding for Capacity Building sourced through Historic England. The initiative was co-ordinated by the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project and Andy Crabb, one of the National Park’s Archaeologists, and involved a wide range of groups helping to conserve the area’s historic landscape. Training ranged from formal qualifications in chainsaw and brushcutter use, to 4 x 4 driving and heritage skills such as walling and hedge steeping. If you are interested in learning new skills, getting out on to the moor to do something constructive to help with the
management of the environment and our amazing archaeology, please find out more about joining in with our conservation work at Bellever. Contact Paul Rendell at paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net DPHT also offers free guided walks at Bellever – suitable for people of all ages and abilities – to have an easy-going half day out learning about Dartmoor, its history, archaeology, myths and legends – and hopefully to see the herd of Dartmoor ponies. Email admin@dpht.co.uk or call 01626 833234. For free advice on conservation grazing and whether land/ environments are suitable for ponies, or to find out more about the work of the DPHT, see the website www.dpht.co.uk or call the DPHT Centre on 01626 833234. The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project runs walling courses: please email hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk if you are interested.
Strange technique? Some eagle-eyed Oke Links readers may have noticed that cello teacher Tim Pratt appeared to be playing the cello backwards in the May/June feature on Okehampton Music Centre. Tim was definitely not doing so - the picture was flipped for design purposes!
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Could you help an exciting new project move forward? The Dartmoor Way, a 100-mile walking and cycling route around the perimeter of the national park, is set to be improved this summer - and the group driving the project forward is on the lookout for volunteers. Using the Dartmoor Way is a free, sustainable activity available to all and takes walkers and cyclists past monuments, architecture, tors, wildlife and of course spectacular views. The Dartmoor Way helps to preserve parts of Dartmoor, promote the area, encourage tourism, and raise the profile of the moor while creating jobs and supporting the local eoconomy. Dotted along the route are pubs, cafés, tea rooms and shops run by local people, many selling local products. This provides a steady stream of regular, local and tourist customers to the many businesses on and near the route. The Dartmoor Way was conceived 20 years ago by local cycling and walking enthusiasts. A company called Dartmoor Towns was set up with funding from the EU but unfortunately, this dried up before the project could fully get off the ground. However, a joint partnership between the newly formed Dartmoor Way Community Interest Company, Dartmoor National Park Authority and the cycling charity Sustrans was
set up in 2010 and the cycle route was completed and opened in 2013. Then, during 2018 and 2019, the Dartmoor Way steering group raised over £80,000, enabling the whole of the 106-mile walking route around Dartmoor Way to be completed. Now it is hoped volunteers will start installing appropriate signage and way-marking along the whole walking route, making it easier to use and access. Okehampton-based funding specialists the DR Company helped the Dartmoor Way Steering Group to source and successfully apply for the nine separate funding streams that meant the Way could be established and further worked on. The Dartmoor Way is a classic example of how social enterprises, community interest companies, trusts, charities and volunteer groups keep costs down and productivity up in local rural areas, plus a stark reminder that opportunities for, and access to, public funding are vital for local initiatives. If you would like to join the volunteers completing the Dartmoor Way this summer please contact: michael.owen@ dartmoorway.co.uk or for more information go to www.dartmoorway.co.uk or www.facebook.com/dartmoorway
Learn new skills and protect the community Are you interested in earning an extra income whilst learning valuable new skills and working as part of a close-knit team to support and protect the community in the Chagford area? On-call firefighters come from all walks of life and are highly trained to provide a vital emergency response service in rural areas such as ours, responding to fires, floods, road traffic collisions and other emergencies. The fire service offers flexible contracts providing 42, 63 or 84 hours of weekly cover. Each of these includes a paid retainer fee plus an hourly rate for training and attendance at incidents. The service also offers the opportunity to join the firefighter’s pension and paid annual leave. If you live or work within five minutes response time of Chagford Fire Station and would be interested in learning more then please feel free to come along to a drill night on
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
a Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm or call Watch Manager Mark Shears on 07881 745314. Further information about becoming an on-call firefighter can be found on the DSFRS website 11
LOCAL PEOPLE
Martin Whitley Riding and flying - they can’t be beaten, says the Dartmoor falconer Martin Whitley said his first experience with a hawk, while still in his teens, was a real ‘wow’ moment. Martin grew up just outside Widecombe and after leaving school in North Devon, he worked on the family farm with father. Birds of prey soon became a passion. ‘Back then there weren’t people like me around teaching, so I read everything I could about it, persuaded someone to sell me a bird and it all started from there,’ he said. ‘I suppose I did it for around 15 years as a hobby, fitting it in around farming.’ After first wife died of cancer, Martin embarked on a lifestyle change and decided to earn a living from falconry, setting up business in 2001. He currently has 14 birds, the smallest a barn owl, the largest a bald headed eagle, Rosie, who’s also the most challenging, to put it politely.
Prising her off an unsuspecting golfing guest at Bovey Castle and explaining he’d been ‘got’ by a bald eagle could have been a dodgy career turn - the very understanding and fortunately unharmed golfer has apparently dined out on the tale many a time since! ‘Rosie put me in hospital five times in the first six months I worked with her,’ said Martin. ‘As you can imagine, not many people fly eagles with the public, you have to manage it really, really well.’ Martin said his worst experience with Rosie was when she latched on to his shoulder with her talons, trying to bite him. He freed himself and carried on working with her before taking himself off to hospital where he ended up staying for two days. On another occasion her talons went straight through his gauntlet and hand, emerging in his palm.
‘A stroppy moment with an eagle is really quite frightening, but you must never be seen to be bullied by one,’ said Martin. ‘I feel sorry for her actually. She’s a human-made problem. I was her fifth owner - I just try to give her the best quality of life I can. I think she’s quite happy in her nastiness!’ Martin’s other love is horses and riding. Since 2016 his business has combined riding with flying birds of prey and he is the only person in the UK flying an eagle from a horse. Re-training thoroughbred retired racehorses - he joked his mid-life crisis was fast horses, rather than fast cars came about thanks to his wife, a keen rider and integral part of his falconry business.
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LOCAL PEOPLE
‘When they come to me they’ve only ever walked - or galloped. Race horses are bred for their flight ability, as herbivores they are the bottom of the food chain and we are training them to work with the ultimate predator, a bird of prey it’s quite something.’
AMBER & MALLOW ‘She’s a huge part of it all, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without her,’ said Martin. He explained that training a racehorse to slow down and work with a flying killing machine takes hundreds of hours to get right. ‘When they come to me they’ve only ever walked - or galloped. Race horses are bred for their flight ability, as herbivores they are the bottom of the food chain and we are training them to work with the ultimate predator, a bird of prey - it’s quite something.’ Martin recalled an early incident when he was doing a riding falconry display at a big showring in Cornwall. He said: ‘It’s always nice to make a bit of an entrance, cantering in with an eagle in hand. Tommy, my horse, was on home ground and he got a huge cheer as we went in. This particular ring had white rails all round it, and with all the cheering, he went into racehorse mode. As Tommy went faster, the cheering got louder and he went faster again! The eagle put her wings out, I was trying to hold her down while standing in my stirrups - apparently it all looked
fantastic but it was very disturbing for me - luckily I managed to keep my mouth shut as I was hooked up to the loudspeakers!’
Lifestyle
He said he couldn’t pick a favourite from his menagerie - the birds made more financial sense but horses and dogs were friendlier! ‘Probably none of my birds would miss me,’ said Martin. ‘I am just a convenient means to an end, providing them with food. It’s a really hard relationship to define. They make a noise when they see me in the morning, but they probably wouldn’t miss me as such. The horses would, and the dogs I hope! As a self-employed falconer, his hours are long and there’s no time for holidays or illness - but it’s a job he wouldn’t swap for anything. ‘I look very much for quality of life rather than my bank account. If I ever had a perfect afternoon it would be to jump on a horse, get one of my falcons and head out across Dartmoor. It’s the most special thing in the world for me.’
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Jane Honey
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LOCAL PEOPLE
Andy Oliver Retired - but forging a busy new career! From the mines of Redruth to the mountains of Tanzania, Andy Oliver, who lives happily in Okehampton, is definitely an outdoors kind of man. Born in West Cornwall, he trained in civil engineering and started his working career surveying at the Wheal Concorde tin mine at Blackwater. A stint with Cornwall Highways followed before a complete change of career beckoned and he joined the police force in 1988. As a policeman he has worked in Barnstaple, where he met his wife Wendy, Liskeard, Newton Abbot and ultimately Okehampton, but throughout his working life he has maintained close links with the RAF, having first become a cadet in 1978. Training young people, whether new recruits to the police force, Air Training Corps cadets, students involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme or in Ten Tors preparation, is Andy’s favourite role. Having retired from both Okehampton ATC and Devon and Cornwall Police in the last few years, Andy, now 53 and happily married for 30 years, is leading an increasingly busy life as a freelance outdoor pursuits instructor, specialising in mountains, Duke of Edinburgh Award training, high ropes and team development. ‘I find it so rewarding to help young people and see them develop and flourish,’ he said. Andy is particularly interested in providing support to youngsters with special needs - having been diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia at the comparatively late age of 48, his final role with the police was with the training department,
liaising with other forces to improve policies relating to learning difficulties. He said knowing and understanding his own challenges has made it a lot easier to identify with others in the same boat. ‘It’s so interesting to take young people out of their normal environment and see how much better they perform. You can spot the ones that need extra the extra support, but getting them outdoors, seeing them realise they might be slightly different, but they still have fantastic skills - for example they are often very good at problem solving - it’s really very rewarding to invest that time in them.’ Andy recalls one memorable training trip to the Drakensburg Mountains in South Africa with a group of 20 air cadets. ‘We did battle field tours, a safari, multi-day walks in the high mountains with wild camping - it was all very reminiscent of Zulu and Rourke’s Drift - but the most dangerous day was at the end when we were on this petrol station forecourt with five wild hippos wandering around us! I bumped into one of the lads two years later and he was still raving about the trip!’ This summer Andy will be spending nearly all of August with teenagers from three different schools at Mt Meru, 70 kilometres west of Mt Kilimanjaro. When we met he’d just returned from Brecon, where he’d been training with another group of young people. ‘I think I’ve only got a handful of days off between now and the end of September!’ said Andy, who recently qualified as
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LOCAL PEOPLE
‘It’s like Okehampton Carnival on speed x 100!’ he said. ‘There are something like a million spectators, you get kids high-fiving you along the route, giving you sweets and bits of cake, people get their three piece suites and barbecues out in their front gardens to watch - it’s phenomenal, they really know how to party!’
an international mountain leader in the Alps and completed winter UK mountain leader training in Scotland - although the assessment was cancelled when the snow melted! ‘The winter training was interesting, camping in a snow hole for two nights in the Cairngorms. The wind was screaming but three foot under, you are protected and insulated - although a bit cold!’ He and his wife Wendy will be joining one of their two sons, Christopher, for the Nijmegen Marches in Holland this July, the biggest marching event in the world. It’s fifth time he’s taken part in the event and the first time he’s done it as a civilian his previous experiences being in RAF uniform as part of the Reserves.
Love of the great outdoors obviously runs through the whole family - four years ago, Andy along with his other son Tom and father-in-law Barry trekked to the Everest Base Camp. Andy and Wendy are volunteers for the Royal British Legion’s annual poppy appeal and are co-ordinating this year’s event for the Okehampton area. And if he didn’t have enough to do, Andy is an active member of Okehampton Rotary and of the Moorland Guides, taking people out on Dartmoor Walks and explaining the history of the iconic landscape we are lucky enough to live near. He and Wendy also have an allotment - the only problem is getting enough time to spend there! Jane Honey
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LOCAL PEOPLE
Matt Lennox Roadford Lake Activity Centre manager Watersports enthusiast Matt Lennox has been connected with Roadford Lake since he was 17, when he first learned to windsurf. An outdoor education graduate of Marjon University in Plymouth, he started seasonal work at the lake as a teenager, began teaching there professionally once he qualifed and became chief instructor, before being offered the role of activity centre manager three years ago. He said: ‘I’ve always loved being on the water - there are so few jobs around in this field, so I do realise how lucky I am to be doing this!’ Over the years the sports offered at Roadford have increased - now available are windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, archery, climbing, high ropes and raft-building. Matt’s activity centre team is also responsible for safety on the lake - the main reason why the lake isn’t available for swimming, apart from the odd, major organised event. ‘There are all sorts of safety issues,’ he explained. ‘We have a lot of powered craft using the lake, that’s one risk, there’s the potential for cold water shock, the potential for hidden dangerous structures under the water and it’s a big area, we can’t keep an eye on it all.’ Much of Matt’s work as manager now involves a computer and office desk instead of wetsuits and windsurfers. His role encompasses building the commercial prospects for the activity centre.
‘We are involved with the National Citizenship Service for the first time this year,’ said Matt. ‘It’s a government scheme for 16 to 19 year olds, to improve their life and job prospects. It involves a residential week with a choice of activities that we deliver, there’s a personal development week and another week working in the community on voluntary projects. The young people have to do it miles away from their own home, they will be housed here in tented accommodation, about seven groups of them between June and July, so it’s about 80 people.’ It’s taken a lot of organising - but Matt is hoping that he will be able to step away from the computer and get onto the water for at least some of the summer. ‘During what you could call the delivery phase, I tend to fill in the gaps. Last year, when we had the heatwave, I was out every day, which was brilliant,’ grinned Matt, who is 27 and a keen snow skier as well as watersports enthusiast. ‘I could be handing out the wetsuits, showing people round the site, or if we are short on instructors I will step in and teach, which I find very rewarding.’ Jane Honey
All sorts of groups and individuals use the centre and there’s capacity for corporate team building events which Matt is keen to develop.
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SPORTS CLUB NEWS
Columbines centenary celebrations Okehampton Columbines Ladies’ Hockey Club has received a National Lottery grant of £7,400 for its centenary celebrations and club heritage exhibition, taking place in September. The exhibition will depict the history of the club and past and present hockey players, along with the community will be invited to a celebratory weekend on September 7th and 8th. Club volunteers are producing an archive to be exhibited in The Pavilion in the Park and afterwards in the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton. This will include past hockey equipment, committee minutes, treasurer’s records and fixture cards from over the years. Past photos and match reports can be seen as well as recordings of memories from past players. The club is liaising with the England Hockey Museum in the hope they can contribute to the exhibition and provide information on how hockey has evolved. Club history will also be researched in the Devon County and West of England archives. It is hoped a current international player will attend the celebrations and run coaching sessions for junior players on September 7th. Matches are also planned for this day. There will be the opportunity for past and present players to join in with a game and skills on the all-weather pitch and grass pitches, followed by an afternoon tea in The Pavilion in the
Park. In the evening there will be a centenary dinner and dance for past and present players and friends. On Sunday, September 8th the club will stage a hockey tournament involving teams from all over Devon. A centenary website will be created enabling a wider range of people to engage with hockey heritage. Club Chairman Sandra Houston said: ‘We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and look forward to researching and investigating the heritage of the Columbines Hockey Club and then sharing it with past and present players as well as the community’. For further details please email okehockey100@btinternet.com
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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT EDUCATION
Time for the next step Year 6 prepare to say goodbye As we come to the last few weeks of the summer term, it’s time for Year 6 children across the county to reflect on their time in primary school, say their goodbyes and prepare to move on to new schools in September. For the children at Moretonhampstead Primary, it is an enjoyable time, tinged with sadness, as they try to ensure they get the very most from their last days at the school.
This year has certainly been a busy year for the children, from the academic demands of the SATs tests, which they have not long completed, to the excitement of the Body Language Dance, which they created and performed for packed audiences at South Dartmoor Community College back in March. They also spent three days away on a residential, trying new and challenging activities, as well as developing their
teamwork skills. They still have a ‘final farewell’ to produce before the end of term, as well as a whole school feast to organise! It is easy for the children to focus more on what they have experienced and achieved over the past year, but, in reality, it is the culmination of a seven year journey and all of the rich and exciting experiences they have had
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SCHOOL EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
during that time have helped to make them who they are. For the children at Moretonhampstead, creating contributions for their Leavers’ Books has really focussed their reflections. Talking about teachers and staff who have been part of their journey and have contributed to their learning over the years and looking at photos taken during their time at the school has prompted the sharing of half-forgotten memories - and provided much hilarity! It has really helped open their eyes to the amount of time and effort that staff at the school have put into ensuring they have become well-rounded and independent Your about New the world they live in. learners, who are curious Your New Okehampton Are they well prepared for secondary Okehampton College Uniformschool? When I asked Collegeto Uniform them, they certainly seemed think they were. They told me I’m made using I’mplastic made 36 using bottles! 36 plastic bottles!
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that the pace and standard of the work they were expected to complete had increased year on year and that they had learnt about a really wide range of subjects during their time at the school. They feel that extra responsibility and roles they have taken on this year have helped them to mature and some of the skills that they have developed in the last seven years they value and feel will support them next year are resilience, determination, team work and perseverance. It will be with a sense of great pride that we wish them well on the next step of their educational journey, although their contributions to school life will be much missed. Anne Burns Assistant Headteacher Moretonhampsted Primary School
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CHARITY FOCUS
Make a splash this summer! Dip your toe into a beautiful open air pool
Chagford Pool 1933
Outdoor swimming pools have been enjoying a resurgence in the past few years thanks to a resurgence in wild swimming and outdoor living. Last year the long hot summer encouraged many local and visiting water lovers to use them, so the season was particularly encouraging for everyone involved with running the fabulous pools on offer across Dartmoor.
grounds, lifeguarding and manning the shop during the season. They are the heart of the pool. Each season prepping begins in March with pool scrubbing and painting and continues with pavilion and ground maintenance until the opening at the end of May. It’s a lot of work, but totally worth it when the doors open to a long queue of eager faces each year.
Moretonhampstead Community Swimming Pool at Court Street is a volunteer-run open air swimming pool on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, open from May to September. It offers a grassed social area, hot and cold refreshments, outdoor showers and a timetable that offers something for everyone; lane swimming, swimming lessons, technique coaching, aqua fitness, water polo, early morning lane swims, night swims and private hire. From the end of July, a kayaking club will be held on Friday evenings. The 25-metre pool is heated using air source heat pumps and solar power, and is kept at around 27 degrees so that even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds swimmers can carry on enjoying the water. There is absolutely no excuse to not jump in!
Moreton Pool also invests in young people by offering opportunities for lifeguard qualifications and essential pool maintenance training. It’s not a bad paid summer job to have and each season a steady stream of local teens apply to join the team - chance to learn new lifeskills, get a sun tan, and obviously a little bit of wet rot when the weather changes!
Without volunteers the swimming pool cannot survive; from the trustees that work all year round to run the facility and plan for each season to the volunteers helping maintain the
Chagford Swimming Pool was opened in 1933, dug out by hand by local residents on land entrusted to the town by the Hayter-Hames family, who still generously support the facility. The pool is fed by the mill leat, a small stream diverted from the main river, originally to power the water wheel at Rushford Farm. The site of the pool was once an apple orchard and the mill pond was for the farm. It is well reported that the pool was dug out because local children swimming in the river would too often disturb local fishermen further downstream. In the early years, the pool had a mud bottom, the water
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CHARITY FOCUS Chagford Pool
was unfiltered and several times each year the pool had to be emptied into the river, sluiced clean by the fire brigade on practice nights and refilled. Much has changed since the 1930s - however, Chagford Swimming Pool remains the largest, freshwater, outdoor pool in the West Country, holding nearly two million gallons of river water. In 2014, the pool was lined and for the 2016 season, airsource heat pumps, UV filtration and PV panels were installed which also provide hot showers. The pool strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible, using as few chemicals, cleaning agents etc as possible, while maintaining the strict standards demanded by current environmental regulations. There is an environmentally friendly waste processor, installed under the car park in 2017, due to the pool’s close proximity to the river. Many hundreds of local children have learnt to swim in Chagford Swimming pool and it remains a vital part of the community, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. With the newly renovated toddler pool, refreshments facilities, wooden decking, a grassy sunbathing area and idyllic setting on the banks of the River Teign, the pool has become Chagford’s biggest attraction.
Moretonhampstead Pool
The pool is run by a committee of volunteers, who meet and fundraise throughout the year to keep the pool open. In addition to public sessions running every afternoon (starting at 2pm) from late May until early September, the pool also provides swimming lessons, adult lengths and even moonlit swims throughout the season. The pool is also available to hire for parties and private gatherings. Last year trustees at Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Chagford and Moretonhampstead got together to form 5 Moor Pools. The aim was to meet each month to support each other in the running and marketing of their facilities. A successful joint venture was created with the 5 Moor Pool Passport which encouraged swimmers to visit all of the pools by collecting stamps at each pool and entering a prize draw. This year the group hopes it will encourage even more visitors. Follow the Facebook pages @ChagfordSwimmingPool or @ MoretonhampsteadSwimmingPool to keep up to date with pool activities, events and fundraising. Or you can visit www. chagfordpool.co.uk or www.moretonpool.co.uk to find out more about what’s on offer at both pools.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Ways to access help and advice at Okehampton Medical Centre Here at Okehampton Medical Centre we are embracing new technology to help you access medical care and advice quicker and more efficiently than before and to avoid having to wait to get through on the phone to speak to someone or to wait weeks to see your own GP. eConsult Our eConsult service is an online tool that allows you to complete administrative tasks such as request a sick/fit note, request advice and treatment from our practice online, as well as getting self-help advice for hundreds of common conditions. You can also request test results, letters or look up general advice for you or your child. Contact your doctor online and you can get help by the end of the next working day. You can access eConsult at any time of day from wherever you are which makes it easy and convenient for you. eConsult can be accessed via the practice website. When you access the portal on our website you will be asked to complete a few questions and you will be guided through the process. Once you have submitted your consultation this will then be viewed by a clinical member of staff who will action your request by the end of the next working day, this can include providing a prescription,
answering your questions, providing test results or giving you advice.
Automated telephone appointment booking We have an automated telephone appointment booking system for GP and Nurse appointments, which is available 24 hours a day. Call 01837 52233 and follow the prompts to book, check, change or cancel your appointment. Please ensure we have your current contact details before using the system. To use the system you simply need your date of birth and your telephone number.
Patient access - online appointment booking We have a 24 hour online appointment booking system which allows online access to book, cancel, check or change your own appointments. You can also request repeat medications, view your medical records or send secure messages to your GP. To use this service, please come to reception
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with two forms of ID, one of which must be photographic, to complete the registration forms.
 The NHS App The NHS App is a new, simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. You can use the app to check your symptoms, find out what to do if you need help urgently, book and manage appointments at your GP surgery, order repeat prescription, securely view your GP medical record, register to be an organ donor and choose how the NHS uses your data. You can download the app via the App Store or Google Play.
Ways we can contact you via text We now have ways to contact you via text messages using the MJOG or accRx systems. We can send quick messages to let you know certain information. It is important that we have an up to date mobile number and that we have your express consent to contact you in this way.
Reception If you would prefer to speak to a trained receptionist, please contact the surgery on 01837 52233 or come in to reception to make an appointment.
Okehampton 01837 55482
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Okehampton Medical Centre
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HEALTH HEALTH & WELLBEING & BEAUTY
Physiotherapy - Rehab and Prehab Is it worth the effort? One of our knee class attendees recently wrote: ‘A massive thank you to the team for helping me feel confident enough, firstly, just to leave the house, and now, I am even back climbing mountains! ‘Your knowledge and expertise, knowing just how far to push us. Helping get me through my fears, while building strength and confidence in our abilities. All with your cheerfulness and sense of humour throughout. Thank you also to my fellow knee class “heroes” for your comraderie and helping to keep me motivated with my rehab.’ The most enduring relationship you have is with your body. When your body is causing you pain and frustration, don’t despair, there is so much you can do to restore this relationship and enjoy life. As we get older, pick up injuries, or undergo surgery, we frequently become less mobile and move less. Muscles become tighter, causing joints to become stiffer and painful.
However, by doing simple supervised rehab exercises, this can be improved and even reversed, resulting in increased mobility and suppleness, and in turn reduction of your pain, and a better quality of life. Why Prehab? Quite simply, the stronger you are prior to any planned surgery, the better the likely outcome post-surgery. Whether it’s individual treatment and rehab or group therapy sessions, give yourself the chance to fulfil your potential. Work with your body rather than against it and achieve your dreams. Get back to your hobbies, improve your sport or just enjoy your walks again!
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GARDENING Digitalis in Cottage Garden sown from seed ©RHS Sheila Wearing
Now’s the time for cuttings Making sure you’ll see your favourite plants again next summer
Here at Rosemoor, July sees us out with our bags collecting material for semi-ripe cuttings of many garden plants, this is followed in August when we are taking cuttings of all of our tender perennials ready for next year’s displays.
cuttings, so I fill enough pots or modular trays depending on the required quantity of cuttings of each plant and the space available. Fill the pots with a good quality seed and cutting or multipurpose compost, tap the pot/ tray down on the bench to ensure there are no large air pockets. Finally, water well and allow to drain.
Semi-ripe cuttings use slightly more mature stems that have more resistance when flexed between finger and thumb than early season growth, but has not yet become woody.
When preparing the cuttings use a sharp knife, the final length should be about 10cm. Trim to below a leaf node at an angle, then carefully remove lower leaves with the knife, trimming close to the stem, leaving about 3-5 leaves at the top.
You can take cuttings from many shrubs such as Cistus x argenteus ‘Silver Pink’, herbs such as Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ AGM, as well as the more tender perennial plants such as Argyranthemum foeniculaceum. Cuttings are best taken in June from those plants that lose their leaves in winter so that they have time to build up reserves.
Getting started Cutting material is best collected early in the morning while the plants are still fresh and cool. You need to select healthy non-flowering (if possible) shoots about 15cm long, cutting just above a leaf node or bud. When we are collecting for the day’s work at Rosemoor we have lots of carrier bags to put material in and write labels as we go along. We keep our collected material in the fridge to keep it cool and in the best condition until we are ready to work on it. I like to get everything ready ahead of preparing the actual
To help ensure rooting, we use a proprietary rooting hormone; just dip the base of the cutting in the powder or liquid and remove any excess with a light tap. Make a hole of a similar size to the diameter of the stem with a dibber into the chosen pot and insert cutting to just below the remaining leaves and firm gently. Water well and then cover with either a plastic bag supported with a small cane or if you have one, use a propagator, this prevents excessive water loss. Keep in a well-lit place out of direct sun. Check your cuttings regularly to give some fresh air, reduce condensation and water as necessary. Have a look to see if there are roots beginning to emerge from the bottom of the pot and remove any leaves that have died. When you see roots emerging from the bottom of the pot, gradually wean your new plants from the protected atmosphere of the bag or propagator, by opening it up
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GARDENING
Inserting cuttings into compost ©RHS/Tim Sandall
gradually over a few days until they are growing in normal ambient conditions, in a week or two’s time when they have rooted well they can be potted individually to grow on. Our tender perennials stay in the cell trays they were rooted in as we don’t have the room and are unable to provide the conditions over winter needed to keep them growing well. We feed them a little over the winter and trim them to make bushy plants ready to pot up mid-March. Then they are ready for planting out after the risk of frost has passed at the end of May.
Top tips: •
Sow biennials such as Digitalis purpurea ‘Pam’s Choice’ AGM, Sweet William (e.g. Dianthus barbatus Auricula Eyed Mixed), Wallflower and Forget-me-not (e.g. Myosotis sylvatica ‘Bluesylva’ AGM) for a colourful spring show.
•
Continue to feed and water flowering plants and tomatoes.
•
Continue deadheading flowering plants to prolong flowering into autumn.
•
Carry out summer pruning of fruit trees.
•
Arrange for watering cover while away on holiday.
•
Collect seed from your favourite plants as seed heads ripen. Catherine Venn Horticulturist
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
Putting plastic bag over cuttings ©RHS/Tim Sandall
Tender perennials grown from cuttings make a colourful display ©RHS/Jim Wileman
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FARMING DIARY
Shearing’s all done and Mr Bubbles has a new home News from the farm Hello again everyone. Firstly my apologies, in the last issue of Oke Links I told everyone that we would be hosting open Farm Sunday, but unfortunately the plans had to be postponed. There are a number of reasons for this - we will be doing something another time but we are not sure when it will be yet. By early June calving is nearly over, in fact, as I write, there is only one cow left to calve - Bubbly Maid is the last one for the Spring group. Having said that, it won’t be long before the next group starts giving birth. This week and next week we are TB testing. We usually have to do it every two months, but we haven’t had a test for 12 months which is fantastic. However, since we usually use the TB test as an opportunity to perform our management tasks like blood tests, pregnancy scanning and vaccinations and we haven’t had one for a while, we have got a little behind. Once we have caught up the cows can then be left in peace and quiet with the bulls, any stress at this time can reduce the fertility so it’s good to get everything done before the bulls go in. We sell Aberdeen Angus Bulls from our herd to other farmers and the last six weeks have seen a nice lot of sales. It is really interesting meeting other farmers and trying to match what you have for sale to their needs. There is such a cross section of customers this year, they have ranged from the man who wanted two bulls for his dairy cows - his main criteria was price, the cheaper the better - to the man whose bull had to be destroyed due to TB and he needed a replacement ASAP.
He trusted me to dispatch a good bull and didn’t even want to come and look. When Mr Bubbles arrived in South Devon he rang my dad to tell us how delighted he was. On a slightly disappointing note, one of the young bulls we purchased last summer for use in our own herd has been fertility tested, and the results were not too promising, his testicles were under-sized and his fertility is not great. We are waiting to check again, so fingers crossed. It has been sheep shearing time on the farm recently. The photo is of the 12 lads who were being taught how to shear by the Wool Marketing Board. They run some really good training courses so anyone interested can learn how to shear correctly. We provide sheep and facilities, they provide the training. Sheep shearing is hard work, but it is a great way for lads who don’t mind the work to earn a good living. The adventurous ones can also travel to the southern hemisphere to shear in our winter, seeing the world at the same time. Our shop continues to go from strength to strength, this May half term was a bit of an eye opener. We are being found by more and more holiday makers as a result of the internet. It’s lovely to meet new customers. Speaking to them, they like to buy local while staying in Devon or going to on Cornwall. We are all so lucky to live in such a lovely part of the world. Let’s just hope that we get some lovely summer weather to match, so we can all enjoy it.
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For experienced, local advice you can trust www.peterslaw.co.uk 01837 52379 B i d e fo rd | B u d e | H o l s w o r t h y | O k e h a m p t o n
Looking for a feeling of family and belonging? We can offer: • A daily programme of activities and entertainment • Nutritious home cooked foods and regular themed menus • Easily accessed lakes, natural meadows and woodland • Treatment room for hairdressing, chiropody, manicures, pedicures and massage • Wireless internet access for everyone • CQC Rated GOOD
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WHAT’S ON FINANCE
Thinking of moving? How to choose a mortgage broker Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving house, it is always a good idea to use a mortgage broker. They can make sense of all the different products on offer and help you choose the right deal for you. The problem is there are different types of brokers charging different fees. So what should you look for? The first point is you don’t have to use a broker. You can go direct to your existing bank and they will be very happy to talk to you about their own products. While they might have a good rate on offer, they are under no obligation to point out a better deal with the bank next door. That’s where a mortgage broker can help. Mortgage brokers fall into three categories. The first is independent, or ‘whole of market’ in industry jargon. They can search the whole market for a suitable deal, reviewing a huge range of products to find the one that best suits your situation. Then there are tied brokers, who can only offer mortgages from one lender. Like your bank, they might be able to get you a good deal, but they won’t tell you how it compares to other lenders. Finally, there are multi-tied brokers. They have more flexibility than their tied cousins by offering deals with a few lenders, but they don’t have access to the whole market, like the independent broker.
When it comes to fees, all brokers should tell you up front what it will cost. Some still charge nothing and rely on commission from the lender, but you should be wary of such an arrangement as different commission levels can influence the deal they offer. Most brokers set their fees as a percentage of the amount borrowed, and while rates may vary, you shouldn’t expect to pay above 1%. Almost all lenders pay some level of commission, so check with your broker how that effects your fee. The mortgage broker’s job is more than just finding the best deal. They should also take on the burden of applying and dealing with the lender on your behalf. That can be a long road, so before choosing make sure you meet the broker to ensure you can work with them. Craig Davidson, Davidsons IFA
Let us help you make the right move... We provide a comprehensive financial advice service, offering specialist guidance best suited to your needs.
PENSIONS | MORTGAGES | INVESTMENTS See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
23 Fore Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AN 01837 53855 www.davidsonsifa.com
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OKEHAMPTON SHOW 2019 A fabulous day out for all the family! THURSDAY 8TH AUGUST Work is well under way for the 112th Okehampton & District Agricultural Show on Thursday, August 8th, to be held at its usual Stoney Park site, set against the beautiful Dartmoor backdrop. This traditional countryside event, where animals take pride of place, is a very popular day out with a chance to meet friends from far and near. With all day entertainment and approximately 200 varied trade stands, there is plenty to see and do throughout the day. The entertainment ring provides an all-day programme from 10am with a wonderful array of displays, including falconry, sheep dog displays, North Devon Gundog Club, Ozzy D - the ever popular magician - and this year introducing Dangerous Steve with his dangerous, but hilarious, juggling and balancing act! The ferret racing which never fails to entertain will be running alongside this. At 12.30pm the focus switches to the family dog show
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- always well supported and keenly anticipated by competitors! Down the field, just past all the magnificent cattle, you can find a huge number of vintage vehicles. When you’ve had a nostalgic walk through those, you can move on to the wonderful Devon food hall, packed full of delicious food and drink, all made locally. Once you’ve savoured those delicious delicacies, why not pop into the ‘shed’ and be amazed at the handiwork in the open section.
Elsewhere on the showfield you might just bump into the very tall but elegant Cirrus Stilt Queens who will be strolling around - but away from the animals, who might not be quite so pleased to see them! How about listening to the harmonious sounds of the Ploughboy Jazz Band at their normal site near the top main gate, or even join in with the Morris Dancers and the Cogs & Wheels side, who not only perform in the entertainment ring but can also be found ‘doing a turn’ just about anywhere. Okehampton Primary School PTFA have facilities for baby changing/feeding, also activities for toddlers on their usual site at the top of aisle A. For older children, OCRA will be providing all day sport and art at the bottom of the field. Then there’s the climbing wall, rodeo, archery and pyramid smash games, bouncy castles and for a particularly thrilling experience, why not try the amazing Red Arrows Simulator? New this year, situated along from OCRA at the bottom of the field, the show committee is excited to be introducing a
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music stage with the emphasis on local artists ranging from country and pop through to folk and even a sea-shanty group all the way from the port of South Zeal! Also, coming to this new stage is a Dartmoor Step Dance competition.
This is followed by the vintage vehicles doing a lap around the ring before the Grand Parade and trophy presentations. And even then, there is more to be seen, with terrier racing, Dartmoor Hill Pony displays and Pony Club games.
In the next field, there are still more trade stands, but also a vast selection of animals - sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits and even bees, as well as the enormous craft marquee and the Young Farmers’ marquee where the Haldon group hold its annual rally. The shearing competition is also held in this field again, always popular and this year will include demonstrations as well as a fun team event.
Advance tickets are £11 for adults and £4.00 for children with family tickets at £25, available through the website or from Mole Avon, Okehampton and Crediton, Okeford Vets and Donald’s Menswear (both in Okehampton) or the show office in Station Road, Okehampton. Prices on the day are £14 for adults and family tickets will be £32.
In the top field there are four equine rings which have a selection of classes, from miniature shetlands all the way up to the gentle giants that are the heavy horses, and of course show jumping from 1pm. At 2pm in the Main Ring is the wonderful spectacle of several hound packs, this year joined by beagle hounds, can be seen mingling together.
Day membership is available in advance, two tickets for £30 which also gives admission to the members’ marquee, with seating adjacent to the main ring and food and drink can be purchased. These tickets are only available from the show office, email info@ okehamptonshow.co.uk or call 01837 659965.
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
WIN A FAMILY TICKET FOR OKEHAMPTON SHOW! Oke Links has teamed up with the organisers of this wonderful annual event to offer one lucky reader a free family ticket to the show. Just answer this simple question: What’s the name of the Okehampton Show site? Email your answer to jane.honey@ linksmagazines.co.uk. Make sure you put Okehampton Show Competition in the subject box and provide your name, email address, home address and telephone number so we can contact you, or send your answer to Okehampton Show Competition, Oke Links, The Sanctuary, Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock PL19 0EP. The winning entrant will be drawn out of the hat on Friday, July 26th. Good luck!
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The heart of Three great venues at the heart of our beautiful bustling market town
TAVISTOCK TOWN HALL Whether you’re holding a gala dinner, a wedding, sales fayre, or even an exercise class, our facilities and friendly and experienced staff make our elegant Gothic building the ideal place for your event.
01822 617232
townhall@tavistock.gov.uk
VOTED AS ONE OF THE ‘BEST TOWN WEDDING VENUES’ IN THE SOUTH WEST
UPCOMING EVENTS
July
6th Tavistock Arts Market (free entry) 13th Miss Ivy Events The Artisan Food & Gift Market 14th Antiques & Collectables Fair (formally Flea Market) 16th Tavistock’s Community Festival of Food & Craft 19th – 21st Butchers’ Hall Summer Fair (free entry) 27th Vintage & Salvage Fair 28th – 4th Aug Drawn To The Valley
Tavisto Commu ck’s n Festival ity Food & C of ra
August
28th Jul – 4th Aug Drawn To The Valley 10th Tavistock Arts Market 11th Miss Ivy Events Summer Fete 17th – 18th Heritage Craft Fair (free entry) 24th Antiques & Collectables Fair 25th – 26th Butchers’ Hall Summer Fair (free entry)
Tues 16th 10am – 4 July pm
Butchers’ Hall is available to hire for private functions andOPEN events: 01822 616134 TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9am - 4:30pm
OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9am - 4.30pm OPEN •TUESDAY - SATURDAY
Tavistock Pannier Market
‘Shopping heaven in the heart of Tavistock’ ‘Shopping heaven in the heart of9am Tavistock’ - 4:30pm
What’s On WHAT’S ON
‘Shopping heaven in the heart of Tavistock’
What’s On
OCTOBER
Goose Fair, 10th OCTOBER Open 9am - 6pm
Open Mondays throughout the Summer Open 9am - 9pm 22nd July to For more details Traders in visit our website Victorian costume 26th August TavistockMarket Goose Fair, 10th DECEMBER Open 9am - 6pm Dickensian DECEMBER Evening, 7th Open 9am - 9pm Traders in Dickensian Evening, 7th Victorian costume
www.tavistock.gov.uk 01822 611003 www.tavistock.gov.uk 01822 611003
www.tavistock.gov.uk • 01822 611003 34
9am - 4.30pm
For more details TavistockPannierMarket visit our website
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KIDS WHAT’S ON
Summertime activities 13 JULY WOODLAND SCULPTURES At Lydford Gorge. Make a piece of wild art to take home using hand tools, natural materials and your imagination. Create one as a family or make one individually; not just for kids! 1pm - 3.30pm. £5 per sculpture, booking advisable.
13 JULY - 7 SEPTEMBER SPACE CHASE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE At Okehampton Library. Each child who reads six library books to collect the special stickers and complete the Space Chase Summer Reading Challenge by September 7th will be given one free ticket for entry to the Milky Way Adventure Park at Clovelly, a certificate and a medal, and be able to have a photo taken in the library’s ‘flying saucer’ and add a space rocket to the finishers’ board. Free event, no booking necessary.
20 JULY MUSEUM ACTIVITIES There is loads to do at the Museum of Dartmoor Life throughout the school holidays including trails, letterboxing, dress for the Bronze Age and loom weaving. The activities run throughout the day and are included in the admission price. The museum is open Monday to Friday 10am - 415pm and Saturday, 10am - 1pm.
20 JULY - 7 SEPTEMBER OKEHAMPTON LIBRARY ACTIVITIES The following activities will be available throughout the summer during library opening hours: Treasure Hunt – Find Space Chase characters hidden around the library, free activity.
Badge Making – A different character each week, six to collect, 30p per badge. Guess how many Flying Saucers in the jar, 20p per go.
for children aged 0-8 years and their families. 2.30pm-3.30pm. Tickets in advance £3.50 per child over 6 months (adults free).
29 JULY RUBBISH TO ROCKETS
9 AUGUST GANGSTA GRANNY
At Okehampton Library. Re-cycling rubbish into rockets, UFOs, planets etc. Library staff will provide the materials for an out of this world craft session! Suitable for children aged 5+ Free event, donations welcome. Please book in advance as spaces are limited.
By David Walliams. An outdoor production at RHS Rosemoor, 5pm. To book call 01805 624624.
14 AUGUST ALIEN ANIMALS
At Lydford Gorge. Build a den in the orchard with the help of the rangers. 1.30om - 3.30pm. £2 per child, booking advisable.
At Okehampton Library. An amazing ‘Animal Aliens’ encounter exploring how weird and wonderful creatures are and their adaptations that allow them to survive in a range of habitats. Suitable for children aged 3+. Tickets in advance £3.50 per child (adults free). 2pm-3pm or 3.15pm-4.15pm.
3 AUGUST & 4 SEPTEMBER MINI RAFT MAKING
23 AUGUST SPACE SHADOW LANTERNS
1 AUGUST BUSHCRAFT DEN BUILDING
At Lydford Gorge. Make your own mini raft then launch it on the river Lyd to see how well it sails. £3 per raft, booking advisable. 1pm until 3.30pm, £3 per raft, booking advisable.
7 & 21 AUGUST MAGIC MARTIN After being judged on his originality, skill, entertainment value and magical skills, Martin is now recognised as the UK’s number one family entertainer. A family show not to be missed AT RHS Rosemoor, Torrington. Nominal charge for this event of £2.50 per child. Book tickets for all children other than babes in arms. Tickets should be booked online to avoid disappointment.
7 AUGUST SPACE CATS Space Cats is an interactive and multisensory show brought to Okehampton Library by Boo to a Goose Theatre
At Okehampton Library. Design and create your own space-themed shadow lantern complete with electric tea light. Perfect for bedtime. 2pm-3pm. Suitable for ages 8+. Tickets £1 per child, bookings in advance.
27 AUGUST SPACE LEGO ANIMATION WORKSHOP At Okehampton Library between 2pm and 2.30pm or 3pm to 3.30pm. Create your own animated space story using the library’s Lego.You will need to download the Aardman ‘Animate it!’ app from the App Store onto a tablet or smartphone that has a camera. Please bring your device with you to make the animation. These are 30 minute taster sessions - look out for more animation in September. Suitable for ages 7+. Free event, donations welcome. Please book in advance as spaces are limited. 35
WHAT’S ON
July 10 JULY MILITARY ON THE MOOR Tea and talk at the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton. Well known local speaker and walking guide, Paul Rendell will talk about how and why the military have used the moor over the last 150 years. 2pm, £4 per person including refreshments. Booking advisable. 13 JULY LYDFORD SUMMER FAIR Incorporating Safety on Dartmoor Day. See What’s On Extra for more information.
markets for ore, mining equipment and other goods. Paul Blowey explains how the canal was built and how it transformed the fortune of Tavistock. Tavistock Heritage Trust runs guided walks on Saturdays starting at the Visitor Information Centre, Court Gate, Bedford Square, Tavistock at 2.00pm (unless notified otherwise on the THT website.) Each walk introduces a facet of the history that has shaped the town, now inscribed as a World Heritage site. A charge of £5 per person (children under 16 free but must be accompanied by an adult) is payable on the day or walks can be booked on PayPal through the Heritage Trust’s at www.heritageintavistock.org 13 JULY - 7 SEPTEMBER SUMMER QUIZ SHEETS
13 JULY TAVISTOCK CANAL Tavistock’s 19th century mining and manufacturing boom owes much to the completion of the canal linking the town the Morwhellam Quay and world
Available from Okehampton Library. These book related quiz sheets have been compiled by the Friends of Okehampton Library. Adult quiz sheet £1 each,
children’s quiz sheet 50p each. Prize of a £10 book token for the first correct adult entry drawn, and a £5 book token for the first correct children’s entry drawn after September 7th. 13 JULY BRIDFORD VILLAGE FETE Stalls, games, face painting, circus workshop, competition, raffle life music and of course a beer tent and barbecue. Fun for all the family between 2pm - 5pm. 13 JULY WOODLAND SCULPTURES Make a piece of wild art to take home at Lydford Gorge. See page 56 for more information. 15 JULY FLORAL WONDER An exhibition of art and ceramics made by children from Okehampton Primary School opens today at the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton and will run until the end of the school holidays. 15 JULY OKEHAMPTON SPORTS AND FITNESS FESTIVAL
GREAT FUN PLAY & PARTIES. ONLY £2.00 ENTRANCE FEE (
01837 54936
UNIT 2, NORTH ROAD IND EST DEVON OKEHAMPTON EX20 1BQ
OPENING TIMES 10.00am to 6.00pm 7 days a week
FIND US ON ½ for latest events & news
Day one of this annual sporting extravaganza. See What’s On Extra for more information. 19-20 JULY CHAGSTOCK The annual music festival. See Music and Art for more information. 19 JULY DARTMOOR SOCIETY SUMMER BBQ
• Fully bespoke designs and colours to suit your home • Infill sides or front with the installation or at a later date • We supply the trade, supply only or supply and install FOR FREE QUOTATION OR BROCHURE CALL: Chagford 01647 432321 www.allweathercanopies.co.uk 36
This year’s event will be held at Langaford Farm near Bovey Tracey between 5pm and 8.30pm. There will be a walk and talk on a butterfly theme before the barbecue. Book through the Dartmoor Society at www. dartmoorsociety.com 20 JULY NORTH BOVEY FAIR Stalls, entertainment, cream teas -
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WHAT’S ON
everything you would expect at a village fete. The fun begins at 2pm. 20 JULY OPEN GARDEN At Hole’s Meadow, below Cosdon Beacon, within a two acre burgage plot. The garden features plant heritage National Plant Collections of Monarda and Nepeta. Also many herbs and a large naturalistic planting area. The garden is open between 12.30pm and 5.30pm, refreshments including cream teas are available. Admission £4, children free. For more information go to https://www.ngs. org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/33089/
Art Group including original watercolours, acrylics and pastels as well as prints and greeting cards. There will be a pop up café with cake, coffee and tea and a raffle of three original paintings. The exhibition is open 10am until 4pm each day at Lifton Community Centre.
on Dartmoor. Runs Wednesday’s during the school holidays. Call Adventure Okehampton on 01837 53916 for information.
28 JULY TOTNES AND DISTRICT SHOW
1 AUGUST SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS WATER SPORTS DAY
At Great Court Farm, Berry Pomeroy. A traditional summer country show with animals, displays, crafts, horticulture, trade stands and refreshments. Enjoy a great day out for all the family. For more information go to www.totnesshow.com
21 JULY SUPER SPORTING SUNDAY
31 JULY TALK BY MICHAEL JECKS
The final day of Okehampton’s sports and fitness week. See What’s on Extra for more information.
At Okehampton Library. The author will be giving a talk on his latest book, ‘The Dead Don’t Wait’, the fourth in Michael’s Jack Blackjack series. Michael will talk about his books, his career, and the life of a writer in the 21st Century. If you want to know what writing is like, don’t miss this talk! Doors open 7pm, talk starts at 7.15. Tickets in advance £5 each or £6 on the door, to include refreshments.
24 JULY DOGS TRUST TALK At Okehampton Library. Join Amy from The Dogs Trust for a presentation about the charity’s work. Tea and cake included. 2p until 3pm. Space is limited, so book in advance to avoid disappointment Tickets £2.50 booking in advance, £3 on the door. 24 JULY ROTARY CLUB GOLF DAY At Ashbury Golf Hotel, Okehampton. See What’s On Extra for information. 27 JULY & 17 AUGUST BIG OKE ABSEIL Dare to take the challenge of the ultimate free-fall experience in Devon? A thrilling 100 foot drop from Meldon Viaduct to the valley floor below, brings fantastic views on the countryside around. Time slots between 10am – 2pm. Call Adventure Okehampton on 01837 53916 for information. 27-28 JULY ART EXHIBITION A free entry exhibition of art plus sales of work created by members of Lifton
August Family day at our lakes in the beautiful Devon countryside, where we have a variety of different watersports on offer, from kayaking, canoeing and build your own raft. Suitable for those age 5 and upwards. Thursdays during the school holidays. Call Adventure Okehampton on 01837 53916 for information. 3 AUGUST SPOON CARVING COURSE Learn age-old axe and knife techniques to safely carve green wood spoons at North Bovey. Cost per person £75. For more information go to www.sharifadams.co.uk 3 AUGUST BRIDESTOWE RAM ROAST
31 JULY MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Family fun for everyone. See What’s On Extra for more information.
When a young novice nun is compromised by a corrupt official, who offers to save her brother from execution in return for sex, she has no idea where to turn for help. When she threatens to expose him, he tells her that no one would believe her. Shakespeare wrote this play in the early 1600s, yet it remains astonishingly resonant today. Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs this new production at Exeter Phoenix. 7pm. Book tickets online at www. exeterphoenix.org.uk
3 AUGUST WI PRODUCE SHOW
31 JULY FAMILY ROCK DAY A day out on Dartmoor visiting some iconic places. A session of bouldering, rock climbing and weaselling, on granite to give a real rock climbing experience
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
At Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall. Viewing entry at 3pm. Featuring home grown produce, wine, bakes, flowers, handicrafts and art. Entries should be received by August 1st. Admission to show £1, children free. 3-4 AUGUST VINTAGE AND CLASSIC WEEKEND At RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington. Reminisce about the good old days at RHS Garden Rosemoor’s Vintage & Classic Weekend. There will be an eclectic range of classic cars, motorcycles, tractors, machinery over in the Lady Anne’s Garden from 10am–4pm. The organisers are 37
WHAT’S ON pleased to be welcoming local band End of the Road on Saturday between 12noon–3pm. They will be entertaining you with the sounds of swing, jazz and blues. Between 2pm and 4pm on the Sunday, Torrington Town Silver Band will be playing. 5-7 AUGUST COMICAL CAPERS Three day youth theatre and craft workshop in South Zeal for children aged 7+. Create your own comic performance for the Dartmoor Folk Festival with Entertainly Different and Fireshow. For information email fireshowarts@gmail. com
10am starting from Pork Hill car park. Four hours, eight miles visiting ten tors. Cost is £8, please book with Paul Rendell, 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net more information from www. paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk Sorry, no dogs. 8 AUGUST OKEHAMPTON SHOW The area’s largest country show. See feature on pages 32 & 33. 8 AUGUST PRIVATE LIVES A performance of this Noel Coward classic at Castle Drogo. See page 57 for more information.
6 AUGUST WINNIE’S WALK
9-11 AUGUST DARTMOOR FOLK FESTIVAL
A guided walk from Meldon Car Park. Please see page 60 for more information.
At South Zeal. See Music and Art for more information.
6 AUGUST DARTMOOR TEN TORS WALK
10 AUGUST INTREPID ADVENTURES
The ultimate challenge day on Dartmoor. Cycle out along the Granite Way, to Meldon Quarry where there are a variety of different adventures on offer, from Gorge Scrambling to Rock Climbing. Suitable for those age 8 and upwards. Runs Saturdays during the school holidays. Call Adventure Okehampton on 01837 53916 for information. 10 AUGUST BARBECUE AND SKITTLES An evening of fun and food, at Sampford Courtenay Village Hall, hopefully in lovely summer evening sunshine (indoors if raining!). Vegetarian option available. 7pm start. For more information please call 01837 880483. 11 AUGUST LOCAL PRODUCE SHOW Enter your homegrown produce into RHS Garden Rosemoor’s very own local produce show. There are categories for both adults and children, ranging from fruit and
RHS members go free
Garden Flower Show 16–18 August
Discover specialist plants, be inspired by our experts and enjoy delicious food and drink Early admission VIP tickets available Great Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH Non-members can book online and save 10%
Supported by
rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
Your visit supports our work as a charity RHS Registered Charity no. 222879 / SC038262
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WHAT’S ON vegetables and flower arranging to home baking and craftwork. Go to www.rhs.org. uk/gardens/rosemoor/ for more details
First day of the flower show and launch of RHS Rosemoor’s new Cool Garden. See What’s On Extra for more information.
13 - 17 AUGUST CHAGFORD ART GROUP SUMMER EXHIBITION
17 AUGUST MORETONHAMPSTEAD FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND DRINK
Opening hours 10am to 4pm daily. Free admission. Many original works for sale as well as prints and greetings cards.
This event is the first in Moreton’s Carnival Week. See What’s On Extra for more information.
14 AUGUST ADOPTION INFORMATION DAY
17 AUGUST LEAWOODSTOCK
At The Plough, Torrington, run by Families for Children, between 4pm and 6pm. To book a place please call 01271 612004 or email devon@familiesforchildren.org.uk
Fundraising music festival. See Music and Art for more information.
14 AUGUST FREE DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING Oke PADS (Okehampton Public Access Defibrillators) will be running free training to the public on how to use defibrillators stationed in publics areas. The two hour training sessions will enable participants to carry out effective CPR in an emergency. This session takes place at 7pm - 8pm at the Baptist Hall, Fore Street, Okehampton. To book please email okepads@gmail.com or visit okepads.wixsite.com/okepads for more information. 15 AUGUST CHAGFORD SHOW A wonderful country show. See What’s On Extra for more information. 16 AUGUST ROSEMOOR FLOWER SHOW
17 AUGUST BOVEY TRACEY GARDEN CLUB SUMMER SHOW Traditional horticultural show with a large marquee, brass band, stalls, refreshments and bar. 1pm until 5pm. 18 AUGUST THROWLEIGH FETE Incorporating Throwleigh Horticultural Show. Enjoy all the fun of a traditional village fete with games, activities, cream teas, Pimms and refreshments. The fete will take place in the Providence Fields between 2pm and 5pm. The Horticultural Show will be staged in the Providence Chapel between 1.30pm and 3.45pm. 18 AUGUST OPEN GARDENS Two gardens will be open to the public at Moretonhampstead as part of the National Gardens Scheme. Marden is a four acre
garden based on an Edwardian design with herbaceous borders and terraces. Sutton Mead is a similar size with unusual planting, a pond, bog garden and lawns. Refreshments available at both gardens which are open between 2pm and 6pm. www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden 22 AUGUST MORETONHAMPSTEAD CARNIVAL DAY Fun for everyone at this traditional carnival. For the information, look up the carnival on Facebook. 24 AUGUST SAMPFORD COURTENAY FLOWER AND PRODUCE SHOW See What’s On Extra for more information. 25 AUGUST REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Family adventure day based at YHA Bracken Tor, on the edge of Okehampton. There are four different activities to experience, with the Leap of Faith on High Ropes, test your marksmanship at Archery, start a fire during Bushcraft and glide down slopes on Mountain Boardings. Suitable for those age 5 and upwards. Call Adventure Okehampton on 01837 53916 for information. 25 AUGUST ROTARY CLUB FAMILY CYCLE A great day out! See What’s On Extra for more information.
Farm Shop & Kitchen
Seasonal Roasts Every Sunday 12pm - 3pm Lezant, Launceston Open 7 days a week: 8am - 6pm Mon -Sat 8.30am - 5.30pm Sun
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
Reservations: 01566 706527 contactus@trepolandpen.com www.trepolandpen.com 39
WHAT’S ON
26 AUGUST LUSTLEIGH SHOW
28 AUGUST DROGO TURBINE TOUR
31 AUGUST COFFEE MORNING
A quintessentially English country show, with lots to do for all the family. Enjoy animals, crafts, stalls, games, refreshments and all the fun of the fair. Doors open at 10am and close at 5.30pm. See www.thelustleighshow.com for more information.
See the hydro turbine at Castle Drogo with a specialist guide. See page 57 for more.
Okehampton Friends of Hospiscare invite you join them in the Charter Hall, 9.30am until 12noon. Raffle, cakes, bric a brac and books. All proceeds will support the end of life care provided by Hospiscare specialist nurses in Okehampton and North Dartmoor.
27 AUGUST BELLEVER THROUGH TIME A walk from Bellever Forest car park at Postbridge, leaving at 10am. Three hours, four miles. Explore Bellever and learn about how bronze age man lived on Dartmoor. Free walk but donations invited for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. Please book with Paul Rendell, 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net more information from www. paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk Dogs allowed on leads only.
31 AUGUST BELLEVER LETTERBOX WALK Leaving Believer Forest Car park at 10am. Three hours, four miles. Explore Bellever and learn about Dartmoor Letterboxes. Free walk but donations invited for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. Please book with Paul Rendell 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net more information from www. paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk Dogs allowed on leads only. 30 AUGUST-1 SEPTEMBER LANGALAND Festival of music and performing art. See Music and Art for more information.
We have included as many events as possible here in the magazine but for a full and comprehensive list please see our new community website: www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
All event listings are FREE. Send details to editorial@ okelinks.co.uk or upload directly to our website by pressing the SUBMIT button
THE NEW INN RESTAURANT & BAR
We only use the freshest ingredients from local suppliers and farms from fish to meat and game lovingly created into mouth-watering dishes by our Michelin Chef Malcolm. Booking highly recommended.
OPEN HOURS
Lunch Every Day 12-3pm Dinner Every Day 6pm ‘til late Last food orders 9pm
Breakfast Morning Coffee
Sat & Sun 9-10.30am From 10am
Open all day Saturday & Sunday
BOOKINGS & RESERVATIONS 01837 82247 . WWW.NEWINNSAMPFORDCOURTENAY.CO.UK
SAMPFORD COURTENAY . OKEHAMPTON . EX20 2TB 40
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www.granitetransformations.co.uk/exeter
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Box Office: 01805 624624 or online at www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
Open Air Theatre Summer 2019
Rude Mechanicals: Ikarus Inc
Illyria Theatre Co: Ali Baba*
Illyria Theatre Co: Frankenstein
Illyria Theatre Co: Frankenstein
Heartbreak: Wuthering Heights
Illyria Theatre Co: Ali Baba*
Fri 12 July 7pm Tapeley Park, Instow
Sat 13 July 5pm Yarnscombe Village Hall
Fri 19 July 7pm NT Fyne Court, Somerset
Tues 23 July 7pm Lapford Mill
Thurs 25 July 6pm Castle Hill, Filleigh
Fri 26 July 5pm RHS Garden Rosemoor
Box Tree: Legend of King Arthur
Illyria Theatre Co: Ali Baba
Box Tree: Legend of King Arthur
Box Tree: Legend of King Arthur*
Heartbreak Prod: Gangsta Granny*
Heartbreak Prod: Gangsta Granny*
Sun 29 July 6pm NT Arlinghton Court
Wed 31 July 5pm Hartland Abbey
Thur 1 Aug 5pm RHS Garden Rosemoor
Fri 2 Aug 5pm Hartland Abbey
Sun 4 Aug 6pm Tapeley Park, Instow
Mon 5 Aug 5pm Harttland Abbey
Immersion Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Pantaloons: Sense & Sensibility
Heartbreak: Private Lives
Heartbreak Prod: Gangsta Granny*
Wed 7 Aug 6pm NT Arlinghton Court
Thur 8 Aug 7pm NT Castle Drogo
Fri 9 Aug 5pm RHS Garden Rosemoor
Festival Players: Much Ado About Nothing
Festival Players: Much Ado Fri 16 Aug 7pm Vicarage Garden Torrington
Tues 6 Aug 7pm Tawstock Court
Thurs 15 Aug 7pm Hartland Abbey
Performances marked * Drama Workshop for 6—11 yrs £5 Please check website for timings
Tickets: £13 Full £10 Plough Supporters/Families Three Inch Fools: Macbeth
Illyria Theatre Co: Frankenstein
Three Inch Fools: Macbeth
Illyria Theatre Co: Frankenstein
Wed 21 Aug 6pm Castle Hill, Filleigh
Thur 22 Aug 7pm Hartland Abbey
Fri 23 Aug 7pm Vicarage Garden Torrington
Sat 24 Aug 7pm RHS Garden Rosemoor
Tickets will be available on the gate - cash only Bring low back seating, blankets, picnics if desired. Refreshments available at all venues. Free entry to gardens 2 hrs before 7pm performances (1 hr before 5pm/6pm performances)
For full details of each performance please check our website: theploughartscentre.org.uk
Coming Soon! Alistair McGowan’s Classical Piano Tour - Gigspanner Big Band - Limehouse Lizzy - Hungrytown Sounds Like The Seekers - Chico Chica - Al Murray - Lindisfarne - Gareth Gates - Jo Harman - Mad Dog Mcrea Andy Fairweather Low & The LowRiders - Claire Teal Duo - Paul Young with Los Pacaminos - China Crisis
EAT & DRINK LOCAL DIRECTORY
Eat & Drink local...
West Devon has some wonderful spots to eat, drink and while away those balmy summer days. Take your pick from our selection
EAT & DRINK L CA L
THE RACEHOSRE INN A haven for walkers and wildlife lovers on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Fresh, locally sourced seasonal fare with a great wine list and luxurious rooms Open: Tues-Sat 12.30am-11pm (see website for food service times) North Hill Launceston PL15 7PG www.racehorseinn.co.uk 01566786916 cdf
BEARSLAKE INN 13th Century Dartmoor Inn with Rooms - Good food, real ales, restaurant, large garden, dog friendly, cream teas, families welcome. Open: Mon - Sat 11am ‘til close; Sun 12am ‘til close. Food served Mon-Thurs 12am-3pm & 5pm-9pm and all day Frid; Sat & Sun (12 to 9pm) Lake, Sourton, Nr Okehampton EX20 4HQ www.bearslakeinn.com 01837 861334 cdf
Eat, Drink & Sleep on Dartmoor
MARIONS Okehampton’s favourite café - now under new management. Serving lots more home-cooked food for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a fabulous roast on Sundays 12 ‘til 5. Nothing is too much trouble for Clare and her friendly staff. Open 7 days a week 4 Church Court, St James Street Okehampton EX20 1DJ 01837 54236 c
THE TORS INN The Vogan family welcome you to their traditional village inn. Well-kept Devon ales and good food makes the perfect base to explore the north of Dartmoor. Walkers and riders all wlecome. Open: 11am -3pm & 6-11pm . All day Sat & Sun Belstone EX20 1QZ www.thetorsinn.co.uk 01837 840 689 cd
WHITEHOUSE RESTAURANT Newly refurbished, family run restaurant with views across Dartmoor. Home style cooking, wide range menu, indoor and outdoor seating, family and dog friendly. Daily roast dinners. Open: Daily 7am - 8pm Whitehouse Services, Exeter Road Okehampton EX20 1QJ 01837 840101
BRITAIN’S BE
ST CDELASSIC
STINATION IN ASSOCIATION
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2018
Voted in the Top 10 Classic Destinations 2018 Now with over 135 vintage andmotorcycles classic vehicles including cars, Over 130 vintage and classic vehicles including cars, motorcycles and light commercials from pre-1920s to the 1990s, plus automobilia and light commercials from pre-1920 to the 1990s
plus motoring artefacts and automobilia
Opening Times: March 21st - May 27th and Oct 3rd - Oct 28th Thursday to Monday inclusive, 11.30 - 4.30 (last entry 3.45) Open 7 days a week from Thur 30th May to Mon 30th Sept The Old Bus Depot, Court St, Moretonhampstead TQ13 8LG The Old Bus Depot, Moretonhampstead TQ13 8LG 01647 440636 www.moretonmotormuseum.co.uk Tel:01647 440636 www.moretonmotormuseum.co.uk
The Old Bus Depot, Court St, Moretonhampstead TQ13 8LG Tel:01647 440636 www.moretonmotormuseum.co.uk
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON EXTRA
July 15 - 21
Okehampton Sports and Fitness Festival As summer hots up, Okehampton Community and Recreation Association (OCRA) is planning the annual Sports and Fitness Festival for the people of Okehampton, the Hamlets, Dartmoor and beyond. It all kicks off on Monday, July 15th with local clubs, Okehampton College, Fusion’s Parklands Leisure Centre and OCRA working in partnership to provide the opportunity to try new sports and activities as well take part in the annual competitions that prove so popular. From traditional activities like badminton, five-a-side football and hockey to archery, sword play, fitness
classes and walking, there is something for everyone. New for this year will be walking football on the Tuesday at 6.15pm - a sport that has been a fabulous addition, for all ages and paces. The sessions throughout the week utilise some of the incredible facilities Okehampton and surrounding areas have to offer, with OCRA’s Pavilion in the Park the central hub. The week culminates with Super Sporting Sunday, a family fun day that incorporates family activities and sporting activity and the annual hockey and five-a-side football
competitions, plus food and drink! OCRA provides opportunities for all to access the sporting, recreational and wellness programmes for Okehampton and the surrounding community. The charity delivers everything from music projects, holiday schemes during school holidays, walking football and Tai Chi, as well as the school sports role across the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, Tavistock and wider. For the latest information on OCRA has to offer, visit ocrasport.org.uk.
July 20 & 21
Could you go over the edge for the hospice? If you’re looking for your next challenge, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has one with a difference. On July 20th and 21st, the charity has places available for you to enjoy an exhilarating experience – abseiling down England’s highest waterfall! Just a 40-minute drive from Okehampton, Canonteign Falls is a hidden gem. Situated within Dartmoor National Park, the waterfall descends more than 70m.
Participants will need to be physically fit as part of the day includes a 20-minute walk up a steep ascent to reach the top of the waterfall. Full instructions will be given and you’ll be provided with a wetsuit. Kate Green, who works at CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice near Bristol, took part in the abseil last year. She said: ‘I am not at all comfortable with heights, but I wanted to face my fears, take on a challenge and feel a sense of achievement. It was a terrifying and thrilling experience and one I’ll never forget!’ It costs just £44 to take on this extreme challenge and you are encouraged to raise sponsorship to enable CHSW to continue providing the highest level of care to children and families in the South West. Visit www.chsw.org.uk/ abseil for more information
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WHAT’S ON EXTRA
August 16
Garden launch and flower show A new Cool Garden, designed by Chelsea gold medallist Jo Thompson, opens at RHS Garden Rosemoor during July, with the official launch on the first day of the Rosemoor Garden Flower Show (August 16th to 18th). The new garden, centred on the use of water, features plants with blue, white and pastel coloured flowers complemented by grey foliage, providing a calming contrast to the fiery colours of the nearby Hot Garden. The main theme is how gardeners can deal with heavy rainfall, a typical occurrence in Devon but also an increasing challenge elsewhere in the UK because of climate change. It is the first garden at Rosemoor to be designed around an ornamental water feature. A curved terrace will allow visitors to look down across the plantings, and the terrace wall will have water blades which feed rills running through the garden to a tear-drop shaped pond. The Cool Garden replaces the spiral garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith in 1991, shortly after Rosemoor was gifted to the RHS. The new design builds on the relaxed planting of the former garden, with its subtle pastel tones and silvery foliage. Many of the original plants will be incorporated into the new Cool Garden, but the portfolio of plants, especially those with blue and white flowers, will be increased. Jo Thompson said: ‘In a location with some of the highest recorded annual rainfall in the UK, we wanted to harness the abundance of water by channelling it to a particular part of the site, to create a bog garden. This is a good example of how
gardeners need to embrace the conditions they have to work with and turn a potential problem into a focal point.’ Jonathan Webster, Rosemoor curator, said: ‘Although we have natural streams at Rosemoor, we want to show our visitors how a designed landscape can help to deal with heavy rainfall. As well as the rills, the lower section of the garden will be a permeable resin bound gravel to help reduce water run-off, showing how visitors can be inspired to find solutions at home.’ Rosemoor garden flower show is different from the traditional flower shows like Chelsea and Hampton Court and is an altogether more relaxed experience. The nurseries taking part each have their mini show garden and marquee spread through the 65 acres of gardens. In addition there will be flower arranging demonstrations by top florist Jonathan Moseley and a floral display trail with a theme of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. There will food and drinks as well as live music all three days. Normal garden admission applies, which is free for RHS members. For more information visit rhs.org.uk/rosemoor.
Wine Tasting Evening
Friday 12th July Join us for our fabulous wine tasting and dinner. £75.00 per person for a four course dinner with paired wines
Summer Jazz Event
Sunday 25th August Join us for a fantastic lunch accompanied by live jazz from the Dart Valley Stompers £35.00 per person
A Family Run Hideaway in Devon See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
LEWDOWN, OKEHAMPTON, DEVON EX20 4PN TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 1566 783 222
EMAIL: INFO@LEWTRENCHARD.CO.UK WEB: WWW.LEWTRENCHARD.CO.UK
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WHAT’S ON EXTRA
July 13
Lydford Summer Fair Held between 11am and 4pm at Lydford Sports Field, the fair guarantees fun for all, with a great line up of entertainment as well as a chance to win a ride in a hot air balloon. Drengskapt Hird Viking Re-enactment Group will be reenacting a spectacular battle where audience participation will definitely be required! You can even take the opportunity to create your own Lydford Penny, like those produced at Lydford mint back in 973-1066, an era when over 1.5 million silver pennies were made in the village. The climbing wall will be returning, as well as various stalls and games. There will be a bouncy castle, ice cream, candy floss, cream teas, licensed bar, Pimms and a barbecue, as well as an auction in aid of Lydford Primary School. Margaret Green Animal Rescue from Wingletang will be running the ever-popular dog show, with rosettes to be won from 2pm. Also on the day will be the five-mile cross country run, The Lydford Dash, over an undulating course offering beautiful view of the moors and village. To enter go to lydfordparishcouncil.com/lydforddash.
Local emergency and rescue services should be on hand to chat about the valuable work they do in and around Dartmoor. The Western region of the British Balloon Club will be carrying out morning and evening flights throughout the weekend. They will also be doing a static night burn on the Saturday evening at approximately 9pm. Come to the fair and purchase a £2 raffle ticket for the opportunity to win a flight (restrictions and weather permitting) There will be evening entertainment from The Hummingbirds, a ‘modern vintage/swing’ band who will perform two sets. The licensed bar and bbq will remain open, so please stay on to watch the amazing hot air balloons from a very close distance. Free entrance and free parking is available in the adjacent field.
Dartmoor
14 September 2019
• 16k Mountain Bike • 8k Run • Gorge Scramble
or
Mountain Bike
Wild Run
Gorge Scramble
Sign up now at www.tridevon.co.uk
Sponsored by:
Because every day matters www.hospiscare.co.uk Registered charity no. 297798
• 30k Mountain Bike • 13k Run • Gorge Scramble Extreme
Because every day matters www.hospiscare.co.uk Registered charity no. 297798
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WHAT’S ON EXTRA
August 15
Chagford Show The Chagford Agricultural and Horticultural show is a traditional one day country show that is now entering its 119th year. It’s held each year on the third Thursday in August and with competition classes for agricultural produce, horses, sheep, cattle, dogs and a vintage section, the Chagford Show embodies the best traditions of a proper country show. Not too big, not too small, and easy to get around. There are more than 200 trade stands, a rural crafts area, a food hall displaying the best of local producers, a beer tent and lots of live music throughout the
day. The main ring carries a full day of special attractions – this year it’s the Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Display Team and a bird of prey flying display. There is also terrier racing, a parade of vintage tractors and cars and a lot more. Chagford Show has something for everyone and is a great family day out come and see for yourself. The show ground is situated on the beautiful banks of the River Teign at Mill End (TQ13 8JN), Chagford, courtesy of The National Trust, Mr M Malseed, Mr P Morrish, Mr H de Ferranti and Miss B Hayter-Hames. There is ample
free parking, and free buses run from Moretonhampstead and Chagford all day. Full details of the 2019 Show appear on the website www.chagfordshow. co.uk. The organisers look forward to welcoming you all.
September 14
Calling all extreme event fans: Wild Tri is on its way! An exciting new event comes to Devon for the first time on September 14th, when Hospiscare hosts Wild Tri and its big brother, Wild Tri Extreme. This wild take on a triathlon will take participants across Dartmoor by bike, on foot, and even scrambling through gorges – all while raising much-needed funds for local charity Hospiscare. Wild Tri consists of an off-road cycle on a route that skirts Meldon Reservoir and then climbs to the windswept heights of the moor. The route of the cross-country run will also challenge the fittest runners, taking them across rocky terrain, bog and water course. If that doesn’t satisfy those who like their sport muddy and wet, the gorge scramble through rocky pools should keep them happy! And if that sounds a little too easy, give Wild Tri Extreme a go – with longer cycling and running routes over the
highest Tors on Dartmoor, High Willhays and Yes Tor, it will challenge even hardcore extreme event enthusiasts. The event is sponsored by Kitsons Solicitors. Partner Cameron Caverhill said: ‘We are excited to be sponsoring and taking part in this new event, as well as raising money for a fantastic charity. Personally, I am looking forward to the challenge!’
GOOD ADVICE IS PRICELESS
For more information or to sign up go to wildtridevon.co.uk or phone 01392 688020. Hospiscare provides outstanding specialist care for adults with terminal illnesses, and support for their carers and families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.
A William IV silver stirrup cup. Sold for £2,200
St. Edmund’s Court, Okehampton Street, Exeter EX4 1DU T: 01392 413100 W: www.bhandl.co.uk E: enquiries@bhandl.co.uk
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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WHAT’S WHAT’S ON EXTRAON EXTRA
August 3
Bridestowe Ram Roast Roll up, roll up to the Bridestowe Ram Roast at Bridestowe Village Hall, from 1pm onwards. Apart from roast ram (cooked on site) there will be burgers, cakes and ice creams, a licensed bar courtesy of The White Hart and teas, coffee and soft drinks, all served throughout the afternoon. There will be entertainment for all the family, with music from Okehampton Steel Pans, magic (obviously!) from Magic
Martin, children’s races and games galore with prizes to be won. Raffle tickets with a draw at 4.30pm will also be available to buy. There will be a variety of stalls run by local groups, Splat the Rat, Skittles and much more will fill the hall itself and the field surrounding the building. Come rain or shine, good fun is guaranteed.
August 17
Moretonhampstead Food and Drink Festival Since 1921, on the fourth Thursday in August, Moretonians have been celebrating carnival. This year is no exception and carnival day will be on August 22nd. A small committee works extremely hard to keep this tradition alive. This year organisers are hoping to build on the success of last year’s food and drink festival and kick-start carnival week off in style. This exciting new event will be held on Saturday, August 17th from 10am until 4pm. A spokesperson for the committee said: ‘We have many of last year’s favourites returning, including Papillon Dartmoor Gin and Passion for Pie with many new additions such as Dartington Dairy and
Canbury’s wood-fired Italian pizza! We will also have a small number of local craft stalls joining us in in the recreation ground. ‘We have a variety of exhibitors eager to showcase their goods who are awaiting you to taste the very best local food and drink that Devon has to offer. Come along and join us, as we are extremely proud of our town and carnival and we are looking forward to showing you what we have to offer. ‘ Throughout the day there will lots to keep the children entertained. Funlands Funfair will be open throughout the day and into the evening and there will also be face painting. When the food festival winds down, there will be live music until late with more food and drink on offer!
All proceeds from this event will go to Moretonhampstead Carnival which supports local charities such as Moretonhampstead Primary School. Entry to the festival is free of charge for everyone. The festival will be held on Cross Street leading into the Sentry. There are two public car parks in Moretonhampstead and additional parking will be signposted. To keep up to date with all stalls and acts go to Moretonhampstead Carnival Food and Drink Festival on Facebook.
no
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Visit our new Tavistock shop to discover an eclectic mix of unique and inspiring items from around the world.
77 West Street Tavistock PL19 8AQ Accessories • Lighting • Mirrors • Furniture • Gifts and more... 48
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01822 611000 sales@cabanainteriors.co.uk www.cabanainteriors.co.uk advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk
WHAT’S ON EXTRA
July 14, August 11, September 8
Chanting in the labyrinth If these Sunday evenings happen to be beautifully warm, balmy evenings, there is an opportunity join in with some chanting at Sourton at 6.30pm. Clare Pargeter, one of the chanters, said: ‘Weather permitting, we will be holding our regular Taize chanting in or around the labyrinth in the churchyard of St Thomas a Becket, Sourton. Come and soak up the beauty of this peaceful spot, join in with the simple and very lovely Taize chants and feel free to walk the labyrinth while the singing continues.’ The Taize community, near Lyons in France, was set up towards the end of the Second
World War by a young 22-year-old Swiss visionary, Brother Roger, to bring about reconciliation between young soldiers of all nationalities. Over 70 years on, it still provides spiritual nourishment for people from all over the world. While keeping its Christian focus, the community has always had a very inclusive approach to faith and belief and everyone is welcome, whatever their culture or background. Taize chants form a major part of the services held in the French Community and it is these same chants, or sung prayers, which are chanted at the Sourton Taizeprayer. Simple and meditative, they
offer a real opportunity for reflection and contemplation. The Sourton group of singers, male and female, sing in four part harmony. It’s not a church group, but all love the peace that comes with chanting. If it’s cool and the singers are not in the labyrinth at 6.20pm, you’ll find them inside the church. Everyone is most welcome.
July 24, August 25, September 29
Okehampton Rotary Club A Golf Day courtesy of the Ashbury Golf Hotel is planned for July 24th. The Kigbeare course will be used, with a Shotgun start at 1.30pm. The fee is £60 per pair which includes green fees; lunch on arrival; buggy hire; prize giving buffet. The club welcomes entries for one, two, three or four players (or more!) for either or both days. Play will be in fours, but the competition will be scored in pairs. You may enter as many pairs as you like. Places will be allocated on a strictlyfirst-come-first-served basis, up to the maximum of 36 pairs. All proceeds go to
local good causes with a focus on schools, youth and sport. For entry forms contact Sarah Watts on 01392823974 or email sarahlwatts@sky.com On Sunday, August 25th the Rotary Family Cycle takes place on the Granite Way. This is a new event for this year - bicycles are available from Adventure Okehampton and there will be events and activities along the route. For full details contact Ian Courtney on 0333 301 2233. The Rotary Dartmoor Autumn Challenge
takes place on Sunday, September 29th. Enter a team to walk a challenging route across Dartmoor starting from Meldon Village Hall. For full details and to enter a team please visit www. autumnchallengeok.org.uk/ Rotary’s May Fair and duck races were a great success raising £2,500 on the day. Thanks to all for their support.
Award-winning Fish & Chips We are a local family business who pride ourselves on our quality food and excellent customer service. Come and try our tasty succulent Cod coated in light crispy batter accompanied by golden crunchy chips, prepared by us from fresh locally sourced potatoes.
Red Lion Yard, Okehampton • 01837 54662 • Open Mon-Sat 12 - 10 • Sundays 12 - 9pm See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
49
www.orchard-windows.com We supply and install quality Timber, Timber Alternative, PVCu and Aluminium Windows, Doors and Conservatories as well as other products and services. Visit us at our Tavistock showroom to view the next generation of timber alternatives.t
Call us or leave your details on our website, to arrange for your free quote CALL 01822 614277 Unit 1F Westbridge Ind Estate Tavistock PL19 8DE
Beautiful windows & doors to suit your home
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WHAT’S ON EXTRA
August 24
Sampford Courtenay and Honeychurch Flower, Produce and Craft Show. There are usually more than 300 exhibits of flowers, vegetables and various crafts and produce to view at this popular show - plus a chance to buy some of them at the auction at 4pm. Last year, the scarecrow competition proved very popular, so it is being repeated again this year - with fantastic creations erected around the parish for viewing from August 1st.
As last year, all of the children’s classes are ‘Open’ classes - so if you have a child or grandchild who would like to enter have a look at Sampford Courtenay website for more details. There are also a few open classes for adults. Doors open at 2pm for the public to come and view exhibits and enjoy some refreshments.
August 31 - September 1
TaviFest 2019 With the rise in obesity and diabetes, it is set to become one of the biggest cancer killers. It has the lowest survival rate of all the major cancers of just 4% - many die within a few weeks as there is little awareness of the symptoms and diagnosis is often too late.
Fantastic music featuring the fabulous Mad Dog McCrea and a brilliant Take That tribute band are the headline acts at the TaviFest charity music festival this summer, raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer Action. All the organisers of TaviFest have been affected by pancreatic cancer - the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer.
Saturday, August 31st sees a fabulous Take That tribute show with Gary & Robbie headlining, sponsored by Dartmoor Brewery. Also performing are Chris Bailey, Lorraine, Leo the Michael Jackson dancer and 9 Yards (sponsored by Dartmoor Photographic) will be playing rock favourites. A full bar and food will be available.
On the Sunday you can see the ever popular Mad Dog McCrea supported by blues artist Russell Sinclair. Refreshments will be available on both days with a full bar from the White Thorn at Shaugh Prior. A selection of food options will be on offer with pizzas from The Firefly, Hog Roast from Hungry Hog SouthWest and Tavistock Lions will be cooking burgers and hot dogs. For tickets, email: tavifest@mail.com or message the Facebook page: Tavifest Tickets for the Saturday are £5, under 16s free. Gates open at 3pm. Sunday tickets are £15, under 16s free. Gates open at 4.30pm.
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www.wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk info@wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk 01822 258529 Chapel Lane, Horrabridge Yelverton Pl20 7SP
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
tavifest Saturday 31 August
Gates 3.00pm - Live music from 4pm ‘til 11pm
Sunday 1 September
Gates 4.00pm - Live music from 5pm ‘til 10pm
See c Tavifest for line-up
Tavistock College, Crowndale Road 51
MUSIC & ART
July 19 - 20
Festival gets tough on plastic Chagstock festival will be waging war on single-use plastics this year. Organisers have teamed up with campaign group Plastic Oceans UK and will also working with The Green Goblet company to provide reusable plastic mugs. Plastic Oceans UK - which raises awareness of the growing issue of plastic waste in the oceans - have been working with Chagstock in a number of areas. The group became famous for their award-winning documentary A Plastic Ocean - a massive hit on Netflix. Christian Brighty of Plastic Oceans UK said: ‘We need to reduce the production of plastic and eliminate the use of all but the most essential single-use plastics. That’s why we’re so pleased to partner with Chagstock. Festivals are wonderful places where people live in a different way to their day-to-day lives.
What better place to start re-imagining a world with less consumption and one that instead values nature, community and experience.’ The charity will be advising Chagstock on how to reduce plastic in a number of ways, including the site build and take down, and other innovative methods during the festival. The festival will also operate a reusable cup system provided by The Green Goblet company. A £1 charge is paid with the customers first drink, for their next drink, they bring back their empty cup to the bar and it is exchanged for a clean one. Festival goers are then free to return their cups, or keep them as a souvenir of the weekend. Unlike many other music festivals, Chagstock doesn’t
suffer the issue of revellers leaving tents behind. Festival organiser Simon Ford said: ‘Chagstock has never had an issue with abandoned tents. We’re really proud to see that everyone makes the effort to clean up.’ Headlining this year’s festival are Fun Lovin’ Criminals and From The Jam, Mad Dog MCrea, Noble Jacks and a host more bands and musicians. Go to www.chagstock.info or social media @Chagstock or #chagstockfestival, for the most up to date news and announcements. Chagstock Festival is a Not For Profit Organisation, proud to support Devon Air Ambulance Trust.
Grants available for music and arts In its fourth year, Bratton Clovelly Festival is pleased to be offering small grants for community music and arts projects in the region of Bratton Clovelly and the surrounding area.
societies, groups or other interested parties, including schools, who are engaged in a project or would like run a project that promotes or advances education in music and the arts.
These grants are available to local
Examples of such projects might be
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workshops, performance, specialist tuition, acquisition of materials for community use, creation of village artwork or development of a community group focussed on music, dance or similar. This is by no means an exhaustive list and any music and art project that benefits the local community will be considered. It’s expected that applicants will match fund the amount granted. For further information on criteria and applying, please visit the Bratton Clovelly Festival website at: brattonclovellyfestival.com/events/ or email: brattonclovellyfestival@gmail. com
Stannary Court, 57 Exeter Road, Okehampton EX20 1QF 01837 657460 • Email info@sapphirepictureframing.co.uk 52
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MUSIC & ART
August 9 - 11
Dartmoor Folk Festival Fun for all is assured at the 42nd Dartmoor Folk Festival, with all events at modest prices or free-of-charge. The weekend festival takes place at South Zeal near Okehampton with a packed programme of events and activities suitable for all ages, including a hugely-successful dedicated children’s festival running alongside the main event. There will be concerts, a ceilidh, craft displays, dances, a Dartmoor Fayre, music hall, pub sessions and music, song and dance workshops and competitions such as the Dartmoor Broom Dance championships and Dartmoor Stepdance Championships. Dartmoor Broom dancing involves dancing with a broom, or rather over a broom and is for primary schoolaged children. The Dartmoor Step dance sees dancers step on a 15-inch square board showing the different steps to try and out-step the previous dancer, until a final champion is decided upon. Adult and junior champions will be selected. Dancing classes are held during the festival and anyone can take part. Free events include starter’s song sessions, shanty group singing, festival folk club sessions, a ramble on Dartmoor, folk church service and youth music session. The Grand Dart-i-moor Fayre, from 2.15pm to 5pm on Saturday,
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August 10th, will include an afternoon of family entertainment, free for children and £5 for adults. The Sunday afternoon programme from 2pm to 4.30pm is similarly priced. The headline festival acts include Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys (Friday), Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar, Sara Grey and Kieron Means, Moirai, The Jellyman’s Daughter, Kirkophany (Saturday), Luke Daniels (Sunday) and The Postman Poet Show. Also appearing will be The Stowes (Sunday), The Dartmoor Pixie Band, the Ramsley Minors, Entertainingly Different and The Pocketwatch Theatre Company, plus more to be confirmed. A campsite operates during the weekend - there were more than 200 pitches last year - with the festival attracting people from across the UK. For information or to buy tickets go to www. dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk call 01837 840102 or email: enquiries.dartmoorfolk@gmail.com
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MUSIC & ART
August 17
Leawoodstock Music Festival The second bi-annual charity fundraising music festival will be held at Leawood House, Bridestowe between 5.30pm and midnight. Cameron Mills and Jodie and The Motleys will be joined by Mitzy Irish and Rushwood & Co. More bands to be confirmed. Tickets will include entry and a pasty. Other food can be purchased from Okehampton Lions, who are providing a catering van. Various people in the village of Bridestowe and around have been unfortunate enough to get cancer; some are recovering and some are not so lucky, so a group of volunteers staged the first Leawoodstock in 2017 with the kind permission of Mrs Calmady-Hamlyn and Mr and Mrs B Coward, who provided the venue. It raised an amazing £5,000, split between FORCE and POOCH cancer charities, everyone volunteering their services free of charge.
On the day the heavens opened and it rained, rained and rained some more, but there was a great turn-out and the event was a huge success, so organisers decided they would make it a bi-annual event This year, money raised will go to FORCE, Devon Air ambulance and Devon Freewheelers (blood bikes). Tickets are available from from Bridestowe Village Shop & Post Office, Angela Coward (01837 861203) and Michaela Pyle (07512 734944). Tickets are £15 each paid in advance or £20 each on the gate. For the most up to date information follow go to Facebook Leawoodstock 2019.
August 30 - September 1
Langaland Art and Music Festival Langaland was formed in 2016, when The Langaford Trust contacted a team of friends and recent graduates, proposing a small one-day festival to promote the ecological and social mission of the North Bovey-based charity. Langaland is now home to a vibrant non-profitmaking programme of music, performing arts, workshops, talks and other activities with a focus on diversity, experimentation and collaboration. The vision is to break down barriers to support every artist and audience member equally, creating a society of tolerance and celebration that reaches far beyond one weekend. A spokesperson for Langaland said: ‘We’re also proud to support young people, students and the wider community through our work - providing paid positions for interns, creative opportunities, commissions, artist management and support, children’s workshops and a commitment to providing a platform for marginalised artists and groups.
Quit Yr Job Records have partnered with Uncollective to programme the flagship alternative stage, The Barn. The line-up includes headline sets from The Menstrual Cramps and Fever Dream, indie punk legends Vic Godard & Johnny Britton (Subway Sect/Orange Juice) and the hotly-tipped INDIGOs. Bristol collective Do-IY joins Langaland for the first time, with a custom-built stage showcasing the very best DJs and live electronic sounds - combined with workshops, late night games and art installations across the weekend. Current highlights on the Do-IY line-up include London DJ El Choop and Bristol newcomer GINS.
‘Since 2016, we have programmed a line-up that equally represents all genders, providing a platform for female artists and developing a programme of live performances, talks, workshops and commissioned pieces that champion the LGBTQIA+ community.’
Cornish Red Van Records is bringing an extensive line-up of singer songwriters and bands, including headline acts L I P S and Tugboat Captain. Punk poet T.S. IDIOT and Cardiff-based producer Danny Muir present a rich tapestry of theatre, spoken word and workshops. Alongside local talent, award- winning theatre company FRISKY will be there with their latest immersive piece, Junkyard Utopia.
After establishing a new site at Whitmoore Farm at Kentisbeare near Cullompton, to accommodate the increasing size of the festival, preparation for Langaland 2019 is in full swing.
Local promoters PRIZMA are yet to roll out their line-up for open air stage The Glade, but from previous experience it’s guaranteed to be an exciting slice of emerging Westcountry talent. For more information go to www.langaland.org.uk
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NATIONAL TRUST
Reclaiming a cottage garden... Many people come to Finch Foundry to see the large machinery in the forge and the waterwheels, but visitors are often pleasantly surprised when they discover the cottage garden at the rear of the buildings. The area where the picnic tables are sited was land that was always used by the main building for a long time, back to before it was a mill. The garden alongside used to belong to Foundry House, next door to Finch Foundry. Foundry House was owned by the Finch family for a long time and many different people lived there. According to photographs we hold in the archive, up until the turn of the 20th century, it was full of cabbages. Joyce Barron (sister of Bob and Richard who started the museum here) really worked hard on the garden and was the last person to live at Foundry House before the National Trust purchased it.
made at Finch Foundry
Today our garden volunteers, along with the garden team at Castle Drogo, have worked to tidy up the garden and improve the soil quality, adding compost and mulch. This has now been replanted with the aim of bringing Joyce’s quintessential cottage garden back to life. Look out for little surprises which will evoke the spirit of the burning forges, sparks and hot metal from within the foundry.
© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \Ian Shaw.
Time to think
When Joyce was in residence, the garden really reflected the perfect cottage garden, with small trees and beautiful flowering shrubs. Somehow Joyce, with her green fingers, knew exactly what would grow well on this neglected piece of land. Since the National Trust have been here we have had mixed fortunes with the garden. Surveys showed that the soil was of very poor quality in places and there was also a lot of buried rubbish.
Visit Finch Foundry this Summer and discover our cottage garden. These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/finchfoundry See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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NATIONAL TRUST
Family fun in the gorge With summer here, how about a hike along the most captivating section of the River Lyd? If that doesn’t wear the family out there are also loads of activities to get involved in. For tasty treats - from pasties and paninis to the full cream tea - head to the tea-room. The shop has a new range of outdoor clothing from Jack Wolfskin - perfect for those less summery Dartmoor days. WOODLAND SCULPTURES - Saturday, July 13th, 1pm until 1.30pm: Make a piece of wild art to take home using hand tools, natural materials and your imagination. Create one as a family or make one individually; not just for kids! £5 per sculpture, booking advisable ANIMAL TRACKS SUMMER TRAIL - Tuesday, July 23rd to Sunday, September 8th, 10am until 4.30pm: Can your family discover which wild animals have left their footprints all around the gorge? FANTASTIC FLAGS - Friday, July 26th & Wednesday, August 7th, 11am until 1pm: Make natural paints and brushes to decorate a ‘Lydford explorer’ flag. £2 per flag, booking advisable.
MAKE A LYDFORD PIXIE DOOR - Saturday, July 27th, Tuesday, August 13th & Sunday, August 18th, noon until 3pm: Doors for other magical creatures are also encouraged. £4 per door, booking advisable LAUNCH A BOTTLE ROCKET - Monday, July 29th, Thursday, August 29th & Monday, September 2nd, 10.30am until 1.20pm: See how high you can make a fizzy pop bottle fly using just water and air. BUSHCRAFT DEN BUILDING - Thursday, August 1st, 1.30pm until 3.30pm: Build a den in the orchard with the help of the rangers. £2 per child, booking advisable. MINI RAFT MAKING - Saturday, August 3rd and Wednesday, September 4th, 1pm until 3.30pm: Make your own mini raft then launch it on the river Lyd to see how well it sails. £3 per raft, booking advisable. MAKING MINI WOODLAND FACES - Thursday, August 15th & Sunday, August 31st, 12.30pm until 3pm: Create your own mini face sculpture using local wood and basic hand tools. £2 per sculpture, booking advisable. Normal admission applies to events, for more info visit the website or call 01822 820320.
made at Lydford Gorge
© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \John Millar.
Moments to remember
Looking for an adventure this summer? Visit Lydford Gorge to wander through wild woodlands filled with whirlpools, wildlife and watery cascades. These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge
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NATIONAL TRUST
A spectacular place to be! Whether you’re soaking up the sunshine or sheltering from the showers, Castle Drogo is the perfect place to be this summer. Throughout the summer holidays families can follow the trail around the garden (£1), play games on the croquet lawn, go wild and explore the woodlands of the Teign Gorge and join in with craft activities on a Tuesday (small charge applies). The gardens look spectacular at this time of year as the roses and herbaceous borders show off their colour - you can find out more in an Evening garden walk and talk on Thursday, July 4th between 5pm and 6.30pm (£5 per person, visit the website to book). The gardens will also be the venue for Heartbreak Productions performance of ‘Private Lives’ by Noel Coward on Thursday, August 8th, starting at 7pm (booking is via The Plough box office, 01805 624624. Prices: £13 (full), £10 (concessions). HYDRO TURBINE OPEN DAY: Sunday, July 7th, 11am-4pm The knowledgeable guide will be able to tell you about the history of this building, along with how it was restored and how it works. (Free event).
PRUNING WORKSHOP: Thursday, July 18th, 2pm-4pm - Join the garden team to look at how to prune your garden plants. Come armed with all your pruning questions. £5 per person (normal admission applies). Booking essential. WILD TRIBE: Sunday, July 28th, 11am-3pm - Join the Wild Tribe at Castle Drogo for bushcraft activities for children aged between 5-12. Drop in event, no booking required, National Trust members free, non-members will need to pay normal admission. HYDRO TURBINE GUIDED TOUR: Wednesday, August 28th, 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm - As part of the Dartmoor walking festival, join this guided walk to the Hydro Turbine on the River Teign. The tour is over very steep and uneven ground and includes 100 metres of vertical climb so you must be physically fit. Timings are estimates. £5 per person. Booking essential.
© National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. © National Trust Images \John Millar.
Unforgettable summer holidays made at Castle Drogo These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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FEATURE
Discovering Dartmoor Become a history hunter this summer ... Dartmoor has always been an amazing place to visit for its stunning scenery and unique wildlife. But it’s also an internationally significant area in terms of its history - it’s one of the most important sites for Bronze Age archaeology in Western Europe, containing more than 8,000 historic features reflecting human activity on the moor for some 4,000 years. And thanks to the Moor Than Meets the Eye (MTMTE) Landscape Partnership Scheme (www.moorthanmeetstheeye. org), working in conjunction with the local community, the Forestry Commission and Dartmoor National Park Authority, there’s a great new way to learn more about the land our ancestors knew as home. A series of easy to follow trails will lead walkers on a variety of routes during which they can discover classic Bronze Age features: ancient stone rows, hut circles and even burial cists, all made from Dartmoor granite. One of the walks, starting from the Visitor Centre at Postbridge, takes less than an hour and only takes you a short distance from the main road and forest tracks, yet these historic remains are clear to see and very accessible. Children can make their own ‘brass rubbings’ from the History Hunters waymarkers around the route, which have simple symbols to spot such as arrow heads and hut circles. Complementing the new Bronze Age displays and information inside Postbridge Visitor Centre, new interpretation boards are being installed around the trails with one smaller board at
nearby Powdermills, site of the gunpowder factory. Each board will also have a QR code which can be accessed via a smartphone, enabling visitors to the moor to learn more about the Dartmoor Story at their leisure (https://www. dartmoor.gov.uk/wildlife-and-heritage/dartmoor-story). The Visitor Centre itself is being modernised and will ultimately include a display concentrating on the amazing finds from the cist, or burial chamber, at nearby Whitehorse Hill, dating from 1750-1600BC. Archaeologists discovered the chamber had been lined with grasses, all pointing in the same direction, on top of which was a bear pelt containing cremated remains. Beside this was a basket containing a bead necklace, a woven bracelet, a flint flake and wooden studs. It is believed the cremated remains were possibly of a female aged between 15 and 20 years of age. The remarkable finds have thrown a new light on early Bronze Age life, skills and trade on Dartmoor. Mark Allott, MTMTE scheme manager, said: ‘The Postbridge and Bellever Trails project improves our understanding and physical access and provides something for visitors to do for a range of durations, whether it’s a half hour coach trip, to morning, afternoon or all-day visits exploring the amazing Bronze Age landscape.’ The £3.843m Moor than meets the Eye Scheme has been made possible by £1.9m funding from the National Lottery
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FEATURE
FEATURE
Photo credit - Peter Lorimer, DNPA, Bronxe age scene
Heritage Fund and contributions by the scheme’s partners. The Postbridge and Bellever Trails follow other similar projects improving physical access and understanding in other areas of Dartmoor, such as tinworking at the Brimpts Tin Trails and trails around Fernworthy Reservoir. Mark added: ‘Moor that meets the Eye has helped people get closer to our heritage; to undertake archaeological surveys, community heritage projects, restore a medieval longhouse, improve wildlife habitats and share information about Dartmoor’s heritage with more people, to name just a few.’ The scheme ends this year and the team were hosted a free Wildlife and Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 6th at Manton Church Field, celebrating the achievements over the last five years. Jane Honey
New easy access routes in the pipeline Exploring Dartmoor via Tramper and mobility scooters As a new assistant access and recreation officer with Dartmoor National Park, one of Tim Russell’s initial projects is to create a series of easy-access ‘Tramper routes’ within the Park. These will hopefully provide those with access disabilities more choices of interesting places to explore across the moor. The routes will be available to download from the National Park website and via a series of cards with route descriptions and maps. Tim said: ‘I would like to establish ten or so routes with a range of access options across the area. I will initially be focusing on some straightforward routes so that I can promote them fairly quickly. I am working closely with Gordon Guest from the Wheelchair Access Group who knows the area well and is advising me on the technicalities/abilities of Tramper use. I am also liaising with sector rangers from the Park, as they know their own areas very well and have been involved in access provision for some time.’ The four initial routes are at Bellever Forest, Haytor Quarry, Okehampton Military Ring Road and Princetown Railway. The easiest route to get established is likely to be the newly created triangular route in Bellever Forest, currently being waymarked as part of the Moor than Meets the Eye Project. This starts just south of Postbridge and follows well-made tracks through this fascinating area in the heart of the moor. Recent improvements have made the tracks here easier to use and this means that they are also suitable for push chairs etc. A more demanding route will be the five and a half mile circular route following the military ring road south of Okehampton Camp. This will allow access to the area close to Yes Tor and High Willhays, the highest part of the moor, indeed in Southern England! Tim said: ‘Trampers provide an excellent opportunity for those with access disabilities to get out into our wonderful countryside and to enjoy some of our most stunning wild places and wildlife.’
See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk
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DOG WALK WALKS WITH WINNIE
Walks with Winnie This walk has been kindly written (and walked) for us by Denise Horner of Dartmoor Nordic Walking with her dog, Winnie. www.dartmoornordicwalkng.co.uk www.pentranger.co.uk ‘Dartmoor Nordic Walking’ and ‘Walks with Winnie’ are on Facebook. Distance - Approximately 3.5km Time - Approximately 1 hour Start- SX552912 Meldon Reservoir Car Park. Difficulty level - Varied terrain with a hill or two. This is a circular walk starting at Meldon Reservoir Car Park, taking in Meldon Quarry and the viaduct. The limestone quarry, first opened in the 1700s, was originally owned by London and South West Railway and supplied track ballast. This area was featured on an ITV show with Bear Grylls and David Walliams on May 14th, when it was described as ‘wild and remote’. If you would like to try this walk, you will see how ‘wild and remote’ it isn’t! Park at Meldon Reservoir car park. There are toilet facilities here. This is now a pay and display where your donation
goes towards helping the upkeep of Dartmoor National Park. There are some great swimming and camping spots along this walk for both yourself and the dog, although sadly this does not include the reservoir!
Stay on this path until it becomes wider and makes its way downhill where the path will open out at the base of the limestone quarry, which will be on your right. The face of this quarry is the one that David Walliams abseiled down.
Leaving the car park, take the steps by the toilet, head out of the small gate and turn immediately left heading toward the reservoir and the dam. The dam is the opening scene of the recent TV programme. Cross over the dam, go through the gate, again turning left and take the path in front of you with the stream down the valley to your left. You will see the viaduct ahead and in front of you - we will be walking under this later.
Cross over the stream. If you are looking for a place for a dip, turn right and walk upstream where you will find a lovely natural pool, the dog will love it! After your dip, walk back downstream, passing the huts and weighbridge which will be on your right and head towards the trees, keeping the stream on your left. There are lots of old workings here so the ground does become uneven.
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Keep following the stream until you come to a small bridge with a gate. Cross this and turn right. This is now private property until you pass thought the next gate, where you will find a very deep pool know as Meldon Pool in the old flooded quarry. Continue on around the edge, heading slightly right, passing a small hut on your right and a lime kiln on your left. It was here that Bear Grylls cooked David Walliams a rat on a spit! Head out through the gate, passing under the viaduct and head through the woods, where you will come to a gate by a farm. Take care here as there are
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WALKS WITH DOG WINNIE WALK
Map for guide only.
a few ‘free range’ dogs that are very vocal and will approach you. Continue on the track now with the farm on your right until you pass Meldon Village Hall on your left. At the end of the road turn left on to the main road, head under the bridge and round to the left going back to the car park. If you would like to join us for a guided walk of this circuit, please book on www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk £6 per person, well behaved dogs welcome and free. We will meet on Tuesday, August 6th for a 2.30pm start at Meldon Reservoir Car Park. For more details please phone Denise 07944 630677 or email denise@dartmoornordicwalking. co.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
Pink is what you drink! Summer is the perfect time to enjoy rosé. Don’t let that pink hue fool you: rosé is for grown ups and serious wine drinkers love it. Rosé comes from red grapes and can be a blend of several different varieties or made from just one. In southern France, you’ll find Grenache-based rosés from appellations like Tavel and Cairanne and fuller bodied Mourvèdre-based rosés from Bandol. There are rosés based on Cabernet Franc from the Loire and France’s most expensive, exquisite rosé wine, rosé Champagne. The Italians make delicious rosés from Sangiovese, the main grape found in Chianti. The Spanish use Grenache as the French do (in Spanish it’s Garnacha) as well as Tempranillo - the main grape in Rioja. Another popular variety is Pinot Noir, used in Sancerre. Rosé from California is made from Rhône-style blends of grapes, such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and not forgetting Zinfandel, the ever popular crowd pleaser! Contact with grape skins gives rosé its colour - a wine becomes pink wine before fermentation actually begins. Here are a couple of different ways that rosé gets its colour, and its character.
Maceration After the grapes are crushed, they’re moved to a large stainless-steel vat, where the juice stays in contact with the grape skins. After the desired colour is achieved, the juice is drained into another vessel to ferment. Thick-skinned grapes, such as Syrah, Cabernet or Zinfandel have shorter skin contact time, while thinner-skinned grapes, such as Grenache or Pinot Noir are left with the skins for longer. The longer the maceration, the more colour, flavour and character are imparted to the finished wine.
Saignée or ‘bled’ The grapes and skins—usually a blend of dark-skinned, intensely flavoured grapes that would make a big, powerful red wine—are crushed and left in a large, stainless-steel vat.
After an hour or two, a certain amount of juice is drawn off or ‘bled’ and fermented into a delicate rosé - the juice that stays behind is made into red wine. Saignée allows a winemaker the option of making a delicate rosé wine from intensely flavoured grapes - it also concentrates the colour and the flavour in the juice that remains with the skins. The resulting rosé will be complex and flavourful, but lighter than the red wine.
Blending Many mass-produced blush wines are made by blending red and white varietals, which are great value for money. This popular seller also helps wineries stay in business so they can keep making their high-end products. Rosé Champagne is often made by blending and in France, it’s the only time blending red and white wines is legal. Here are some delicious excuses to crack open a bottle and enjoy the summer! Muga Rioja Rosé (£9.99) - a fresh, vibrant number that pairs perfectly with tapas and cold meats. Johann Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé (£9.99) - with delicate, refreshing notes of strawberry, grapefruit and melon this wine is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and a fantastic fish accompaniment. Miguel Torres Las Mulas Organic Cabernet Sauvignon (£9.39) - savoury with deep, red fruit flavours, this works well with spicy sausages. Barefoot White Zinfandel (£6.69) - medium sweet, bursting with strawberry and watermelon, a perfect match with fresh fruit. Have a fantastic summer whatever you are drinking! Jason Mules, Waitrose Okehampton
O
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Summer Roulade Jim Fisher, head chef / tutor and co-owner of Exeter Cookery School, offers tropical inspiration for a luscious, light dessert – perfect for those summer soirees and family celebrations. Serves 8
Roulade: Sunflower oil, for greasing 4 egg whites 250g caster sugar 45g flaked almonds icing sugar, for dusting
Filling: 300ml double cream, whipped to soft peaks 250g pineapple, cut into 1cm chunks Lightly oil a 20cm x 8cm Swiss roll tin and line with a sheet of baking parchment. Whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, and continue to whisk until all the sugar has been incorporated and the mixture is stiff and glossy. Spoon the meringue into the lined tin making sure the meringue goes right into the sides and corners, then level the surface. Sprinkle over the flaked almonds. Bake near the top of a preheated oven at 180°C for about 8 minutes until the top is golden brown. Reduce the oven temperature to 140°C and continue baking for 10 minutes or until the meringue has a slight crust and is firm to the touch. Remove the meringue from the oven and turn out on to a sheet of baking parchment. Peel the lining paper from the base and
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leave to cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whip the cream to soft peaks and rest until the meringue has cooled as above - the cream will continue to stiffen, so don’t over beat. Fold the pineapple chunks into the cream and spread evenly over the meringue. Roll up the meringue from a long side, using the lining paper to help lift it. Wrap the roulade in baking parchment and leave to chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Lightly dust with sifted icing sugar before serving. Exeter Cookery School is set in a beautiful, converted 1830s warehouse at the heart of the city’s historic and picturesque quayside area. Whether you want to learn the art of making perfect pastry or spun sugar shapes or would like to discover new cooking skills, Exeter Cookery School offers a full range of fun and friendly, hands-on cookery courses to suit every taste and ability. With a focus of having fun with food and cooking with the region’s finest produce, Exeter Cookery School is now in its third year of operation. As well as the cookery courses that owners Jim and Lucy Fisher brought with them from their previous cookery school in the Dordogne, Exeter Cookery School now offers classes in a variety of global cuisines, from authentic Italian cookery courses (with Valentina Harris no less) to Vietnamese street food. www.exetercookeryschool.co.uk
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HISTORY
Work nears completion on England’s youngest castle An amazing building now fit for the next 100 years Perched high above the Teign Gorge looking out over Dartmoor stands Castle Drogo. A windswept country home that looks as ancient as the landscape it’s set in, the castle was actually built 100 years ago by Sir Edwin Lutyens for selfmade millionaire Julius Drewe and is the last castle ever built in England.
of the project meaning that the castle that stands today is a third of the size of the original design. The biggest impact however, was in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War. More than threequarters of the skilled stonemasons building the castle went to war and very few of them ever returned.
Julius Drewe’s vision for Castle Drogo was to create a comfortable home for his family and future generations, but it had to be a medieval-style castle, emphasising his newly discovered ancestry. He asked Edwin Lutyens, one of the most important and influential architects of the 20th century, to design it. Edwin Lutyens, arguably best known for his First World War memorials, including the Cenotaph and the Thiepval Memorial, was equally successful in domestic architecture. Everything at Castle Drogo is thoughtfully designed and created: from its bold, sculptural exterior and formal garden to its distinct interiors with bespoke furniture, fixtures and fittings.
Julius Drewe’s eldest son and heir Adrian was also a casualty of war, when
Work began on the castle in 1911 and as with any major building project, was not without its problems. There were several changes in design during the early years
Bracken Tor House A beautiful countryside venue on edge of Dartmoor
Credit National Trust, Julius Drewe painting
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he was killed at Yypes in 1917. Julius and his family were devastated by the loss and Julius’s passion for his building project was never the same again. After the war ended, work resumed at Castle Drogo and the family were able to move into part of the castle for Christmas 1926, with the building finally being complete in 1931. One of the driving forces behind the completion of the castle was the clerk of works, John Coates Walker. He liaised between the architect and the builders for the duration of the project, and luckily for us kept a record of all the letters sent, giving a rich source of information about the building of the castle. He was a stickler for detail and quality checked every stone of granite used in the castle. Dartmoor granite is the hardest stone in England, so the skill needed by the stonemasons to give the clean, sharp edges required is remarkable. The granite for the castle came from two Dartmoor quarries, Blackenstone near Moretonhampsted and Merrivale near Princetown. Despite the high quality of the build of Castle Drogo, the castle has suffered from structural problems ever since it was built, resulting in major leaks and water damage throughout the building. This is mainly as result of the flat asphalt roof and lack of cavity walls, all non-negotiables for Julius Drewe in his quest for an authentic medieval castle. By 2012 water was also starting to rust the steel infrastructure making the need to save the building urgent. Following a massive fundraising appeal, the conservation building project begun in earnest in 2013 and now, seven years later, the end is in sight.
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HISTORY
Credit National Trust: Original stonemasons building castle
Credit National Trust: April Braund
To make the castle watertight, the asphalt across the roof has been removed and replaced with a Bauder membrane system. To install it, all the parapets and structure above roof level have been dismantled and rebuilt, which has meant removing 2,600 granite blocks weighing 680 tonnes. The granite has been stored along the drive of the castle and each individual block is numbered so that it can be put back in the exact same place. The walls have been cleaned and repointed using lime mortar and the 913 windows containing approximately 13,000 panes of glass have all had to be removed, stripped down, rebuilt and then reinstated. Over the last seven years the castle has seen many changes, as for each new phase of building work, the entire collection has had to be packed away and moved around the building to
keep it out of harm’s way. The empty rooms this resulted in means the castle has been host to several artists and partners over the last seven years, meaning the stories of Castle Drogo have been able to be explored in a whole new way. As the end of the conservation building work draws ever closer there is lots going on inside the castle. The rooms and spaces inside the building are being redecorated and redisplayed as the collection is gradually being unpacked. The main scaffolding over the north end of the castle will start to come down over the summer and the main part of the building work will be complete over the winter. The last seven years have been a pivotal moment in the history of
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the Castle Drogo, as it has gone from a building at risk of certain ruin to a building once again worthy of the skilled men who built it by hand - and Drewe and Lutyens’ vision. Thanks to the contractors, staff, volunteers and visitors who have made the building project possible the castle has been saved and will be standing for the next hundred years to come. For more information visit nationaltrust. org.uk/castle-drogo. Rebecca Glover Visitor Experience Manager Castle Drogo
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How to heat a 700-year-old Parish Church
St Eustachius, Tavistock Parish Church
What do you do if the boiler in your 700-yearold parish church stops working just before Christmas, arguably the busiest time of the year? And how do you find a modern boiler solution that will connect to a Victorian pipe system and an incorrectly sized flue? In the case of St Eustachius’, Tavistock Parish Church, you call DB Heating Ltd. This was the situation faced by the team at Tavistock Parish Church and these were just some of the many challenges that Tavistock-based heating and plumbing experts, DB Heating, had to overcome. “This was a big challenge for us; we had to find a solution that would integrate the new highly efficient 21st century system with the original Victorian network of pipes and also connect with the existing flue system to comply with all the necessary standards. Plus, we needed to complete before the Christmas services as the last thing we all wanted was to have parishioners sitting in a cold church in mid-December,” says Lawrence Barnes, Director of DB Heating. The previous British made boiler had lasted 40 years, which is very impressive for a heating system of this size, and interestingly, this was not the first time David Barnes,
Managing Director of DB Heating, had worked on the parish church’s heating system. David said: “I was an apprentice for John Philpott Sou West Ltd and one of the first jobs I ever had was to install an adaption to the Victorian system in the late 1970s. Here I am again, forty years later!” Fast-forward to December 2018 and time was of the essence to get the heating back up and running, so the DB Heating team set to work researching a boiler solution that would integrate with the ancient piping. Lawrence stated: “After analysing and researching the problem we eventually found another British manufacturer with a system that would meet the needs of the church. This new, modern, high-efficiency boiler with a heat exchange system means that the new boiler system can integrate with the Victorian pipes that run throughout the church. The boiler has a closed circuit and heats the water in the pipes through a heat exchange plate.” Next came a difficult and tense time, trying to get delivery of the system in time for installation before Christmas. Installation engineer Neil said: “The boiler room in the church itself was a challenge; the room is subterranean, and getting the old cast iron boiler out was very strenuous as it needed to be broken down before removal. Fortunately, the new boiler was small enough and light enough to get into the room with relative ease. All our team worked on the project installation and we managed to get the system up and running by mid-December. The manufacturers came down later and stated that it was
Promotional Feature
Lawrence Barnes demonstrates the new system to the Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick one of the best installations they had seen of its type.” Head of Fabric at St Eustachius’, Nick Clark, said: “We’re extremely grateful to DB Heating for delivering a quality system for the church, and for their dedication in ensuring it was up and running in time for the Christmas services.” Lawrence was delighted to be able to help and said: “This was one of our most interesting projects and we are so pleased that we were able to help our ancient parish church find a cost-effective solution so quickly. We hope the parishioners are toasty for another 700 years!” For those readers of a technical nature, the new boiler is 150kW. A domestic boiler would be 30kW, but it needed to be powerful enough to heat the whole church. The system is smart and efficient; it reads the temperature outside and heats the church accordingly, so it only ever uses the minimum amount of gas needed to heat the interior. Similar systems are available for domestic installation and can be integrated successfully into period properties. Call DB Heating to find out more.
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TRADE SECRETS
Charles Chalcroft THATCHER AND BUILDING SURVEYOR How long have you been a thatcher and building surveyor? I was thatching full time in Mid Devon from 1985 to 1999 - in 2006, I trained and qualified as a Home Inspector. Since then I have been surveying houses across the West Country. What made you choose thatching as a career? We were milking cows on a tenanted farm and we had a leak in the thatched roof - a friend was a retired master thatcher and he told me how to fix it. I went on to have my work approved to become a member of the Devon and Cornwall Master Thatchers Association. Do you need any particular qualifications for your job? I had a lot of help from several thatchers. You need a head for heights, have a fair amount of manual dexterity, a dedication to do the best job you can, a love of old buildings, be prepared for hard graft and not be put off by the weather. We have restored several houses - the oldest was built in 1250. That experience and thatching provided me with the ability to understand how houses tick. That is essential when you are surveying old houses. How would a typical day unfold? Having been instructed to do a survey there is a good hour’s research that you have to do. I will be checking any planning permissions; the geology; the presence of radon, check the Listed Building list; etc and then go to the house. I usually
start in the loft checking the condition of the roof frame which could be several hundred years old; seeing if the timbers or the chimney stack is damp. Then I check each bedroom, in the bathrooms I run taps, flush loos, check the shower and cubicle. The same happens downstairs - walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors plus electrics, gas/oil heating etc. I go through the whole house taking damp readings. Outside, I will check walls, render, windows and doors the roof coverings chimneys and drains, garden sheds and garages. I will take over 300 photos and make lots of notes. Then I return home to write it all up. What would be your favourite building to do a survey on? I think an old Devon Longhouse built of cob with a thatched roof. I love the symmetry of Georgian houses. What do you like best about your job? The combination of being a thatch consultant and building surveyor brings a lot of variety from dealing with thatch problems and thatched roof surveys, to reviewing building regulations for thatched buildings. What would you say to anyone thinking about becoming a thatcher? Come on one of my thatching weekend courses to see if you enjoy it!
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