Oke Links Jan/Feb 2022 by Links Magazines

OKE LINKS Jan/Feb 2022 | Issue 29

WIN Dinner for Two

Meet the locals

Winter things to do

Okehampton Street Pastor Helping the vulnerable

Snowdrop Festivals Exhibitions Theatre History Talks Crafting

A rising star from Lifton - Finley is taking the motorbike world by storm

Your GP Services Explained A Letter from your GP

Okehampton Food Bank Plans to expand

Food miles!

Local farmer asks us to think twice before buying

THE

DARTMOOR LINE

OKEHAMPTON • CREDITION• EXETER Delivered free by your postman to EX20 1,2 & 4 and TQ13 8, postcodes. Guaranteed circulation of 10,233 homes and businesses

HISTORY

A diary from from a Dartmoor farm

EDUCATION

Okehampton Station and the Meldon Circuit

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GARDENING

Making the most of snowdrops

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Happy New Year everyone! As we start 2022, our thoughts turn to what this new year will have in store for us. After a difficult couple of years due to the pandemic, people are hopeful that this year will be a positive one. Maybe we will be able to see more of our friends and family? Or that businesses will see a boost with more customers being able to shop in the town and surrounding areas? Whatever the future holds, I really hope that it’s a positive one for all.

The deadline date for any inclusions in the January/ February issue of Oke Links will be January 28 2022. For all editorial enquiries please contact editor Lindsay Turpin: lindsay.turpin @linksmagazines.co.uk

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Lindsay Turpin Design: Sara Venner, Julian Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard,

Tim: 07450 161 929 Jane: 07772 619 808 Contact Lindsay Turpin, Editor on 07738 231933 lindsay. turpin@linksmagazines.co.uk Front cover picture by Becky Bettesworth. The limited edition poster of the Dartmoor Line is available at www. beckybettesworth.co.uk

Contents

I believe that one positive for the town last year was the re-opening of the Dartmoor Line. It had been 13 years of hard work to get this re-opened so I am sure a lot of people have breathed a sigh of relief that locals and visitors are now enjoying the line whether to come to town to shop, enjoy some food, or see family. Fingers crossed this helps boost the trade in Okehampton even further. You can read more about the Dartmoor Line on pages 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this magazine. Like in my previous - and first - Editor’s note in November / December, I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me with open arms to my new role. Your kind words have been greatly received. I would also like to thank the team at Links Magazines for making me feel so welcome, they probably have more faith in me than I do myself. At the beginning of November we marked the tenth anniversary of the first Links Magazine and pictures from the celebration can be seen on pages 46 and 47. Moor Links was created by Lizzie Watt in 2011 and since 2014 it has grown to include Tavy, Oke and Plym under the watchful eye and creative skills of publisher Tim Randell. I have admired the magazines for many years, they have always been full to the brim of great local people and events and have always been beautifully presented. It’s an honour to now be part of the team. In this magazine, you can read about one street pastor who dedicates her time to keep the people of Okehampton safe at night; read how 20 year old Finley has become a rising star within the motorbike scene in a short space of time; and read how Okehampton Food Bank is working hard to keep the people of the town fed during winter and throughout the pandemic. One reminder that spring is on its way is the snowdrop. See What’s On Pages to find out where you can see some displays of this delicate flower. Lots to read in this magazine, so grab a cup of tea, snuggle up away from the winter air, and enjoy this issue of Oke Links.

Lindsay

Lindsay Turpin, Editor

6 Feature

43 Farming News

10 Local People

45 Sport

15 Noticeboard

46 Community News

26 Charity Focus

48 What’s On

29 Health

53 Music and Art

34 Business

55 Readers’ Survey

36 Gardening

56 Food and Drink

24 45

41 Education

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Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns and villages: 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 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to Olijam Communications Ltd the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by such material. The opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. All content is fully covered by copyright laws and reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

FEATURE

Rt Hon Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport.

Regular train services are back!

‘The Dartmoor Line will make a positive difference to many people’s lives’ After nearly 50 years, daily passenger rail services have returned to Okehampton.

November 20, becoming the first line to be reinstated under the Department for Transport’s ‘Restoring your Railway’ initiative.

The Dartmoor Line – which received £40.5-million of government funding in March — opened officially on

After a huge team effort to make the reopening a reality by Network Rail, Great Western Railway (GWR), and the Department for Transport, alongside project partners Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and Dartmoor Railway Association (DRA), the line was reopened ahead of schedule and £10-million under budget. To make the restoration possible, Network Rail’s team of engineers worked tirelessly to deliver a huge programme of work to physically reopen the line in just nine months, including laying 11 miles of new track and installing 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a recordbreaking 20-day period.

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FEATURE

Repairs have also been made to 21 structures along the route including four bridges. Other infrastructure work has included level crossing improvements and the installation of railway communications equipment. Vegetation clearance, earth and drainage works and fencing have also been completed and further infrastructure work will continue to take place to increase the line speed to enable an hourly service in 2022. Michelle Handforth, Network Rail’s Wales and Western regional managing director, said: ‘This is something that the local community and our partners have wanted for a very long time and I am thrilled through the close working of the project partners, the Dartmoor Line is opening ahead of schedule and under budget.’ Mark Hopwood, GWR Managing Director, said: ‘The support and advocacy of the local campaigners over the years has helped deliver a fantastic new service for customers, which we hope will grow from strength to strength.’ In attendance at the official launch was the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport. He said: ‘There has never been a more proud moment in my two-and-a-half years in this job than pulling into this station to see this line reopened.’ Dr Michael Ireland, chair of OkeRail, a campaigning group made up of interested parties who fought tirelessly for the railway to come back, said: ‘This has been 13 years of work underpinned by customer research. Destination Okehampton was a precursor to OkeRail and this came into existence after the Dawlish sea wall crisis (2014).

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

FEATURE

‘The reopening is a marker in the campaign but it isn’t the end. What we now need to do is get the link from Okehampton to Plymouth via Tavistock and get the link from Okehampton to Bude. This will be really important in the present climate with the sea levels rising and climate change being addressed; we have to have this link for the benefit of future generations and for young people and employment.’ The reopening of the route is expected to boost local businesses, the tourism sector, and provide greater access to education and work for thousands of people who live locally. Town councillor Christine Marsh, and chairperson of Everything Okehampton, said the line will attract more people in to the town to visit local attractions or to shop.

’This is a huge opportunity for the town and will allow for more prosperity for businesses. We need to get the town going again and bring people into the town and welcome them.’ The route connects Exeter St Davids, Crediton and Okehampton, providing a launchpad for visitors to explore Dartmoor and regional links for local commuters. Around half of services, including at peak times, will also carry on to Exeter Central. Passengers travelling between Crediton and Exeter will also benefit from an increase in service frequency. Visit www.dartmoorline.com to read more in the project. Lindsay Turpin

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Timetables valid from 12 December 2021 until 14 May 2022 OKEHAMPTON TO CREDITON AND EXETER MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS

Notes Okehampton Crediton Crediton Newton St Cyres Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Exeter Central

d a d a a d a

0720 0746 0750 . 0800 0802 0805

0924 0950 0950 . 1003 1004 1007

1125 1151 1156 . 1208 1215 1218

1324 1350 1351 13x54 1402 1404 1407

1524 1550 1550 . 1600 1602 1605

1820 1846 1848 . 1858 1900 1903

2025 2051 2052 . 2104 2125 2128

2219 2245 2248 . 2300 2306 2309

Notes Okehampton Crediton Crediton Newton St Cyres Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Exeter Central

d a d a a d a

0720 0746 0749 . 0800 0802 0805

0925 0951 0952 . 1003 1004 1007

1125 1151 1152 . 1204 1205 1208

1325 1351 1352 . 1403 1405 1408

1525 1551 1552 . 1604 1605 1608

1825 1851 1852 18x55 1905 1916 1919

2025 2051 2052 . 2103 2117 2120

2219 2245 2246 . 2258 2300 2303

Notes Okehampton Crediton Crediton Newton St Cyres Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Exeter Central

d a d a a d a

0925 0951 0951 . 1002 1004 1007

1127 1153 1153 . 1204 1206 1209

1325 1351 1351 13x54 1404 1415 1418

1526 1552 1552 . 1603 1605 1608

1817 1843 1844 . 1855 1925 1928

2025 2051 2052 . 2103 2125 2128

2201 2227 2227 . 2239 2253 2256

EXETER AND CREDITON TO OKEHAMPTON MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS SATURDAYS SUNDAYS a d x

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Notes Exeter Central Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Newton St Cyres Crediton Crediton Okehampton

d a d a a d a

0616 0620 0630 . 0640 0641 0708

0834 0837 0839 . 0849 0850 0917

1032 1035 1037 10x44 1051 1051 1118

1221 1224 1234 . 1246 1250 1317

1432 1435 1437 . 1447 1448 1515

1705 1708 1710 . 1720 1721 1748

1907 1910 1912 . 1922 1923 1950

2052 2055 2115 21x22 2128 2129 2156

Notes Exeter Central Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Newton St Cyres Crediton Crediton Okehampton

d a d a a d a

. . 0632 . 0642 0643 0710

0835 0838 0840 . 0852 0852 0919

1033 1036 1038 10x45 1051 1052 1119

1233 1236 1238 . 1248 1250 1317

1433 1436 1438 . 1449 1450 1517

1704 1707 1709 . 1719 1720 1747

1854 1857 1910 . 1921 1922 1949

2042 2045 2110 21x17 2123 2125 2152

Notes Exeter Central Exeter St Davids Exeter St Davids Newton St Cyres Crediton Crediton Okehampton

d a d a a d a

0836 0839 0842 . 0852 0853 0920

1032 1035 1039 10x47 1054 1055 1122

1232 1235 1239 . 1251 1252 1319

1421 1425 1437 . 1448 1449 1516

1702 1705 1708 . 1718 1719 1746

1852 1856 1908 . 1919 1920 1947

2040 2043 2118 . 2129 2130 2157

Arrival time Departure time Calls on Request only

0720 Through train 1215 Connecting train

LOCAL PEOPLE

Juliana Bailey Looking after the people of Okehampton

Juliana and David

Juliana Bailey from Sampford Courtenay has been involved with Okehampton Street Pastors since its inception in 2017 — providing care to the people of the town when they are most vulnerable. Street Pastors was pioneered in 2003 by Les Isaac when a group of church volunteers from South London went out on the streets to talk to people and try to make a difference to the volume of knife crime. Since then over 12,000 street and prayer pastors have been trained and play an active part in strengthening community life and working for safer streets. Street Pastors is run by Ascension Trust, a Christian interdenominational organisation, whose mission is ‘to mobilise the Church to make a positive contribution to society and to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged and vulnerable’. Okehampton Street Pastors was set up in February 2017. Meeting on alternate and Saturdays, a typical night for the Okehampton team starts at 10.30pm at Fairplace Church when the pastors get together for prayer before they patrol the streets. The first patrol is where the team gauges how busy the town is and to check for any items that may cause harm to people, including broken bottles. Once their tour is over, it’s back to the church for a bit of respite before heading out for their second patrol with their iconic backpacks. It is during the second patrol where they witness people who may have had a little too much alcohol and / or need some assistance. Within their backpacks they carry bottles of water, a dustpan and brush and bags (to sweep up and dispose of any broken glass), a basic first aid kit, the ever popular lollipops and flip flops for people who have taken off their stiletto heels and 10

run the risk of hurting their bare feet. The night ends when it quietens down which can be anywhere between 3am and 3.30am. Despite the long nights in all weathers. Juliana, who became a Christian in 1997, says she greatly enjoys her patrols and is so thankful for her ‘accidental’ inclusion into the patrol team: ‘It’s a great opportunity to meet people who we normally wouldn’t be able to engage with. We are there to care, listen and help; we are particularly looking for people who are upset or angry, stumbling, or if they are vulnerable adults, underage children or unwell. ‘I was with Street Pastors from day one but I just thought I would do admin — before I knew it, I was part of the patrol team!’ Juliana was born in Birmingham in 1958 and moved to Devon in 1994: ‘I have personal experience of the effect that alcohol abuse can have on a person and their family so if I can help anyone to not go down that road then that’s what I will do. I am not stopping people from having fun but it’s a hard road back from alcohol dependency and I don’t want to see people go down that slippery slope. A night out is a night off from the reality of life and if we can help them and keep them safe then that’s what we will do. ‘After our patrols, we are on a high as we have been able to help and meet new people — that’s so rewarding. ‘We often find that people are very protective of us as well, they offer us coats and hot chocolate, even though we have thick coats on and they aren’t wearing a lot! People are so caring and lovely.’ Street Pastors work closely with the councils, police and many other organisations, although information disclosed by the

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LOCAL PEOPLE

public remains confidential unless there is a legal requirement to share it. Juliana is the group’s secretary, she said they are happy to host a talk for any local group wanting to hear more. For more information, or if you would like to enquire about volunteering, contact her at secretary.okehampton@streetpastors.org.uk Lindsay Turpin

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LOCAL PEOPLE

The future is bright for Finley In a short space of time, one local lad is taking the world of motorbike racing by storm. Finley Arscott age 20, from Lifton, has had a very short career so far with no previous experience in riding a motorbike but has already progressed to a very high level. In only his second year of competing he came 6th in the Thundersport Superteens in 2019 which is club racings highest level of Junior Championship. Finley then went on to finish second in the Thundersport Superteens Championship in 2020 and 1st in the Thundersport Junior Cup. This year, Finley moved up to the 600cc Class in the No Limits Pirelli Elite 600cc competing in 4 of 7 rounds finishing 8th in the championship out of 47, after a collarbone injury at the

first round resulting in him being unable to race until June. Finley also competed in 2 of 7 rounds in the Thundersport 600 Elite Championship finishing 16th out of 61. Finley was fortunate to also compete as a wild card in three rounds of British Superbikes in BSB National Superstock 600 Championship where he finished on his highest position to date — 20th out of 45. Next year Finley will be joining the BSB Team — a huge achievement and has paved the way for more success in the future. ‘I am definitely proud of myself,’ said Finley. ‘I’ve come along away in the short time I’ve been riding but the biggest part for me is the people around me. I’ve had such a journey throughout the years and I’ve had the greatest support ever and not just from family and friends.

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LOCAL PEOPLE

‘I strive to do the best I can and even when I have such limited experience, all I want to do, is do my absolute best.’ Finley’s Mum and Dad, Polly and Paul Arscott, are also super proud of his achievements — and they know the best is yet to come. Polly said: ‘His Dad, Paul, and I are really proud of what he’s achieved so far with so little experience, he is definitely talented. ‘He was only allowed to start riding a bike if he passed his GCSE’s so we kept our fingers crossed that he might fail. I think we were the only parents who were not happy that he passed all of them!

‘It’s really great that we spend time together as a family at weekends when he’s racing.’ Finley has Signed with Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki powered by JR Performance Racing in British Superbikes in the National Junior Superstock 600cc Championship Class. JR Performance Racing was started in January 2019 by Team Owner Joe Richardson who has worked for the majority of big team names in the British Superbike Paddock. They won the BSB National Superstock 600 Championship in 2020 with Ben Luxton and in 2021 Joe Talbot came second only 7 points adrift of First position. Lindsay Turpin

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NOTICEBOARD

Supporting Okehampton residents since the 15th century Okehampton United Charities can be traced back to the 15th century and has been supporting residents of Okehampton and its four Hamlets (Brightley, Southcott, Meldon and Stockley) ever since. 2021 was an exciting and varied year for the Trustees of Okehampton United Charity. Grants in excess of £370,000 were awarded to local organisations and individuals in 2021.

which ‘avoids investments in companies with unacceptable environmental, social and governance behaviour’.

The trustees awarded grants to local groups and organisations including OCRA, Okehampton College, Community Links, Tor Support Services, Okehampton United Ecclesiastical Charity, Okehampton Friendly Circle, Good Grief Café, Wren, Okehampton Primary School and St James’ Primary School, Everything Okehampton, the Work Club, Dartmoor National Park, Hospiscare and Citizens Advice.

The trustees look after three allotments sites and two almshouses within the area and the beautiful Ball Hill Woods. The trustees also facilitate the Community Garden and Men in Sheds activities as both are on land owned by the charity.

Funding was awarded for specific projects like Wren’s lantern procession or to support ongoing running costs for organisations benefiting residents of Okehampton and the Hamlets. For example, Tor Support who offer free counselling to young people. The trustees awarded 168 young people with bursaries and scholarships to support post 16 education, apprenticeships and further education. Bursaries usually support young people with travel costs who are attending post 16 courses not available in Okehampton. Scholarships are available to young people taking a full-time level 4 course.

In December the trustees purchased five plots of land at Kempley’s and Tramlines (totalling 33.17 acres). The trustees have purchased the land as a social investment and are looking to work with other local organisations to ensure the land is preserved for the benefit of local residents, to develop the environmental benefits and enhance educational opportunities. 2021 saw three new trustees; Jo Morgan, Phil Murray and Philip Davies joined the board and have been a valuable addition to the charity. Andy Ewen, William Cornish and Derek Webber retired during 2021 and their past hard work is greatly appreciated and has helped to grow the charity.

ALBERY & REDSTONE

ONE

The trustees areDirectors looking forward to 2022 and would be very Funeral interested to hear your ideas for projects for groups and Established 1850 organisations within Okehampton and the Hamlets. For more information on the charity, visit www.okehamptoncharities.org. uk or call 01837 55179.

ALBERY & REDSTONE

The trustees award grants primarily from the income earned on the charity’s investments. In the summer the trustees moved the investments in to an ethical investment fund

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NOTICEBOARD

Hatherleigh Carnival 2021 was a resounding success The floats have been returned to their sheds, the fires have been put out, the streets are empty once again, and just like that, Hatherleigh Carnival is over for another year. The whole weekend was supported by people of all ages and the weather was kind for the children’s afternoon procession. Carnival Queen Charlotte Reddaway and Princess Alicia-Rose Janowski were crowded by President Deb Laing-Trengove before a celebratory mini parade of all the entries at the Community Centre. Streets were packed ahead of the kick-off of the main evening procession, with an impressive set of floats entered the evening procession, which once again filled the town with the usual display of colour, music, and laughter. The crowds stayed busy for the second run of the flaming tar barrels (the first one being at 5am), which were followed by even more live music from Eat The Rich, James Monkman, and Hatherleigh favourites, Lionstar. The decorated House and Decorated Shop Window competitions were also great successes, congratulations to the winners: Decorated Shop Windows: 1, One Market Street Cafe; 2, Sapphire Framing; 3, Salar Gallery. Decorated Houses: 1, Sam, Adam, Anya and Jonah Hill with ‘Hather-sea’; 2, Hatherleigh Community Primary School with story

book characters; 3, Marion Southwick in conjunction with Beachwood Trinkets with ‘Woodland Wonders’. Despite making the difficult decision to suspend the usual judging this year, a virtual vote was held for the Jacky Entwistle Cup for ‘Best Visual Impact’ with members of the public voting via an online link. With over 650 votes cast, the top three were: 1, Hatherleigh Housewives Unlocked, Hatherleigh Jolly Boys; 2, Clarkson’s Farm, Emma EdwardsBrady; 3, Mad Max, Deb Laing-Trengove (Carnival President 2021). The date for next year’s carnival will be Saturday, November 12 and the carnival’s annual meeting will be held in March 2022.

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NOTICEBOARD

Bench installed to honour Home Guard A new bench was recently installed in Lydford to replace one erected by the Home Guard at the end of the Second World War. Lydford resident Helen Hardy paid for the bench to be installed as a memorial to her late husband Ian Hardy who died of a rare form of dementia in 2019. Helen recalled that Ian always wished ‘to eat his packed lunch on a bench in Lydford watching the world go by in his dotage’.

Ian worked at Kelly College from 1989 until his retirement in 2009. Described by former Headmaster Christopher Hirst as a ‘Headmaster’s dream and a consummate Schoolmaster’, Ian is remembered at Kelly as a house-tutor, a teacher and head of maths and a talented musician. Ian had a passion for Dartmoor and trained Ten Tors teams for 35 years.

The inscription on the bench reads ‘Ian Hardy 16/11/53-01/10/19 invites you to sit and watch the world go by’.

Church clock ticks again St Andrew’s Church clock in Moretonhampstead is once again ticking away and striking the hours and quarters after having been silent for a few years. The clock was installed in 1937 and was originally wound by hand, but an automatic winding mechanism was installed over 50 years ago to eliminate the need for someone to climb the church tower regularly to wind the clock. Over the years the clock and its winding mechanism had been maintained and repaired as necessary, but the automatic winding mechanism had become increasingly problematic as the years took their toll with repairs becoming increasingly expensive and spare parts more difficult to source. It then became

impossible to repair three years ago and so the clock fell silent. Since then the church and the community have been working to have the clock restored and thanks to the generosity of the Friends of St Andrew’s and a grant of over £10,000 from Viridor Credits the clock mechanism has been completely stripped, cleaned, repaired, rebuilt and a new automatic winding mechanism installed by church and public clock specialists Cumbria Clocks. The church, the people of Moretonhampstead and visitors to the area are delighted that it is now ticking away again and that the bells sound out the hours and quarters from its prominent position on The Sentry in Moretonhampstead.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

NOTICEBOARD

Gilbert’s Big Belstone Tor Challenge The previous issue of Oke Links reported on the wonderful day when Belstone resident and multiple sclerosis sufferer Gilbert Taylor was carried to the top of Belstone Tor by North Devon Search and Rescue team. An 18 minute film of this inspiring story can now be watched on YouTube by searching ‘Gilbert Taylor Belstone’ or visiting https://youtu.be/LTpAHP5upwo. If you would like to donate to the team please visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/gilbert-taylor1

New plan will set out vision for North Tawton North Tawton Town Council recently approved a new business plan, with the aim of setting out the council’s vision for the parish, its purpose, values, objectives and key priorities. The plan was produced over a series of meetings where councillors considered all of the council’s objectives under a number of headings. Many of these objectives are being undertaken on an ongoing basis anyway, but the remainder were prioritised by members of the council, and the highest priority matters formed the basis of the plan. Cllr Jean Trewhitt, chair of the council, said: ‘We want to give our residents a clearer understanding of what the town council does and what it is trying to achieve. The business plan is intended to be a live document under ongoing

review and will help us monitor our progress against the priorities within the plan. Having an agreed plan enables the council to operate in a consistent and co-ordinated way – one of our major aims is to be proactive rather than reactive in our decision-making.’ Cllr Steve Whiteley, chair of the North Tawton Town Council finance committee, said: ‘The business plan will be used to inform our budget process, and to help us plan activities for the coming financial year and beyond. The fact that the plan is a ‘live document’ means we can consider the unexpected – already since the publication of our plan we have found that we have to spend a considerable sum of money on unexpected emergency repairs. Our approach means that we can adjust our planned expenditure accordingly.’

ARE YOU MOVING HOME? Planning to buy or sell property is exciting, but there’s a lot to it! Be as prepared as you can be by getting conveyancing advice early. We offer face-to-face appointments every Wednesday afternoon in Okehampton. QualitySolicitors Charlesworth Nicholl

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It had always been intended that robust public consultation would take place as residents are likely to have many ideas as to what the Council’s priorities should be. The restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic have made this very difficult, but the vouncil will certainly attempt to hold at least one public consultation session during 2022. In addition to responding to feedback from public meetings, we intend to regularly consult through our website, social media, noticeboard, at our regular meetings, and in our page within the local newsletter (The Roundabout). The business plan can be viewed on our website, northtawtontowncouncil.gov. uk, a link is on the home page.

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Would you like to help people in the local community with online skills? Health and wellbeing charity Wellmoor, based in Moretonhampstead, is looking for volunteers to help people in the local area become more confident with technology.

need help with online, such as booking doctor’s appointments, ordering shopping, and video calling friends and family. They also help clients get connected to the internet in the first place, and can provide a device if needed.

With the move towards an increasingly digital world, many older people in the local community feel gradually more excluded, as so many services have now moved online. Furthermore, many digitally excluded people don’t want to keep asking family for help with their devices.

Lori, one of Wellmoor’s current Digital Befriending volunteers, said: ’It’s lovely to be able to help people become more confident with using technology. I understand the challenges of living rurally and connecting to the internet can sometimes be difficult – I helped a lady do her shopping online and she was so grateful!’

Wellmoor’s Digital Befriending volunteers are patient and friendly, helping clients with whatever they

The training to become a Digital Befriender is offered for free with Wellmoor and can be completed online and in your own time. Travel expenses are provided when volunteering. Some IT experience is beneficial and a calm and patient manner is essential. To find out more, call Edmund on 01647 440775 or email Katie on katie@wellmoor.org.uk

Future expansion for OMiS Okehampton Men in Sheds (OMiS) more than doubled their storage capacity recently in one slick move. Thanks to Alro, a sewage and drains specialist, which offered them two surplus storage containers, the steel cubicles have provided OMiS with an extensive and secure new storage facility which will reduce pressure in the shed and allow for future expansion of the group’s activities. The positioning of the enormous storage

containers was provided by South West Crane Hire, which gave its services free of charge. The whole process of picking up the cubicles and delivering them to the OMiS base at Fatherford Lane was not an easy one for all involved. Due to ground conditions only one container was delivered to the base with the

second one waiting at a farm at Folly Gate until it is needed. The group expressed its sincere thanks to Alro and South West Crane Hire.

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NOTICEBOARD

Controlled burning on Dartmoor Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all had a good festive period. If you are out and about on the moor in the New Year you may see some controlled burning (swaling). Swaling is practiced as part of the moorland vegetation management by landowners and commoners. Swaling encourages a flush new spring grasses (great for livestock) together with the creation of a ‘mosaic’ of different ages of vegetation which is beneficial for wildlife. Swaling also helps with overgrown vegetation on open moorland which can restrict public access and, during the warmer months, presents a significant risk of wildfires.

Dartmoor a voluntary code ends burning on the March 31 to allow for the ground nesting bird season. If you see a fire on the moors around this time and are at all concerned, then please call the Fire service on 999. The fire service should be notified by anybody intending to carry out a planned swale, so will be able to check if it is planned or un-planned (wildfire). Simon Lee Ranger Team Leader

Nationally controlled burning takes place between October 1 and April 15, but usually the conditions are more favourable in the New Year. On

Dartmoor — 70 years of being a National Park 2021 marks 70 years since Dartmoor was formally designated a National Park — one of the first in the country, coming in the same year as the Peak District, the Lake District and Snowdonia.To mark this milestone, DNPA is holding an exhibition at its National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown. The authority has teamed up with the Dartmoor Trust, a charity run entirely by volunteers, which

holds a rich archive with thousands of images, audio recordings and videos of Dartmoor’s past. The exhibition is on during usual opening hours until April 24, 2022. The exhibition celebrates the many aspects of Dartmoor: living, working, visiting and the natural environment.

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‘Save our Services’ Appeal launched by local hospice Hospiscare, the local hospice for Exeter, Mid and East Devon, has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to keep its specialist services open. The charity is calling for support to save its services after losing vital income due to the pandemic, while simultaneously facing unprecedented pressures and challenges. Hospiscare now needs to raise an additional £1-million by March 2022 to stabilise its finances and ensure its ward beds can stay open and its weekend care services can continue. Having remained open throughout the pandemic, Hospiscare is still delivering care to some of the most vulnerable people in the local community, but it costs £22,794 every day just to keep its vital services going. The hospice relies upon the support of the community

to fund its specialist services, with just 18% coming from the NHS. Hospiscare’s clinical director and deputy CEO Tina Naldrett said: ‘Our doctors and nurses provide specialist end-of-life care to patients and families across 1,028 square miles of Devon’s heartland. If the funding shortfall continues, there is a real risk that Hospiscare will have to close beds on our ward and reduce our vital weekend services in patients’ homes.

has not recovered enough to keep pace with the cost of care.’

‘Hospiscare was built by the community, for the community, nearly 40 years ago. The last 18 months have been the most difficult in almost 40 years of caring for local people and the charity’s income

Katie Chantler, Hospiscare’s director of fundraising, added: ‘Regular donations of £5 a month would provide a sustainable and reliable source of income for the hospice and help to safeguard our services. However, any donations, of any size, could help us to continue to provide our essential care to our patients and their families.’ To make a donation visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/sos or call 01392 688020.

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Don’t miss latest drama on Dartmoor by MED Theatre Dartmoor based MED Theatre are busily preparing their annual touring community play, ‘Peat’. Rehearsals are well underway in Moretonhampstead with their talented multigenerational community cast. Temperate rain forest or peat-blanketed moorland? When an immersive theatre company seeks to encourage one more than the other, they get tangled up in local conservation politics on Dartmoor. In this comedy of oak and peat, featuring botanist Dr Ebenezer Pollen and archaeologist Beryl Cairns, can site-

specific theatre and science somehow agree on the best route to protecting the future of Dartmoor? Once again, MED Theatre seeks to bring communities together to consider pertinent social, scientific and environmental themes that affect the National Park and beyond. ‘Peat’ aims to engage and educate audiences about this current multifaceted issue facing the people, places and wildlife of Dartmoor. ‘Peat’ performances will take place between 11th- 19th March in Manaton

and Moretonhampstead Parish Halls and other venues to be announced shortly. Visit medtheatre.co.uk for more information and how to book your tickets.

Marathon for Mortimers November as he wanted to help the organisation after the turbulent two years experienced under the pandemic.

Medieval historian and Dartmoor resident Ian Mortimer recently ran a marathon with his two sons — raising more than £5,000 for Green Hill Arts based at Moretonhampstead. Ian, a friend and patron of Green Hill Arts, ran the Exeter Marathon in

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‘Small arts and heritage organisations have been under tremendous pressure for the last two years,’ said Ian. ‘We have sadly seen many go under, with loss of amenity and cultural joy to many communities and a sense of being creatively “stranded” among artists and writers. Online meetings do not make up for talks and exhibitions – indeed, they serve to keep people apart in their homes, rather than bringing them together, which is one of the great things about art, music and heritage

events. Therefore I was keen to do what I could to support Green Hill Arts.’ If you would like to donate, visit www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ianmortimer Ian added: ‘Not just two Mortimers but three of us ran the whole way. I ran it in 3:38:48, which is a new personal best. Alexander was about an hour behind me, which was a splendid result, and my younger son Oliver was about half an hour behind him. We are all very pleased with how things went, and I am especially proud of my sons. ‘It hardly needs to be said that it wasn’t easy but all three of us found it immensely satisfying.’

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Tom O’Flaherty, of Exeter Chiefs, supports Devon Carers Exeter Chiefs Winger, Tom O’Flaherty, is working with Devon Carers to raise awareness of the vital role unpaid carers play in helping their family, friends and neighbours across Devon. His involvement is part of a new unpaid carer campaign, commissioned by Devon County Council and run by FamilyCarersNet, that will be reaching out to people who may not see themselves as an unpaid carer, so they become aware of the tailored help and support available from Devon Carers. Tom said: ‘It’s great to be involved with Devon Carers and raising awareness to so many people who are unpaid carers about the support that is available to them. I hope that through this partnership and my additional efforts, we can increase carer-awareness to a new audience and reach people who may not necessarily consider themselves to be a carer.’ The campaign has a greater focus of awareness due to the impact of Covid, with the number of unpaid carers in Devon increasing to approximately 130,000. It is also hoped that those in

Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter Chiefs), Suzie Walters-Jeffries (Devon Carers) and Patrick McCann (Unpaid Carer)

some under-identified groups of carers, particularly working age carers, male carers, LGBT+ carers and carers in ethnic minority communities will be encouraged to register for free support. Cllr James McInnes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health services, said: ‘As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we know that more people are caring for loved ones than ever before, the number is estimated to be as high as 130,000 in Devon but worryingly only 20,000 are getting the vital support available to them through Devon Carers. ‘You might think it’s just a bit of cooking, a few lifts here and there or a shoulder to cry on, but caring can bring a whole host of responsibilities and worries and can have a real impact on your own

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health and wellbeing.’ Andy Hood, head of carers services at Devon Carers, said: ‘We know that many people wouldn’t think of themselves as a carer, but rather that they are helping a family member, a friend or a neighbour. Through this new relationship with Tom, we are hoping to break down misconceptions about what a carer is, and in turn, reach more people who need our support.’ Devon Carers provide unpaid carers with a range of support, from self-help through the website, to training and workshops, support following a stay in hospital or peer support at a group. For more information or to register with Devon Carers, contact 01392 307720 or visit www.devoncarers.org.uk/support

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NOTICEBOARD

Fire service opens safety consultation Draft plans to develop services to prevent fire and rescue emergencies and improve how the fire service responds to incidents are being consulted on by Devon and Somerset’s Fire Authority. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, which delivers services on behalf of the Fire Authority, is carrying out a consultation on its five-year Community Risk Management Plan. The plan outlines the risks that communities are currently facing, or likely to face, in the next five years and sets out the proposed actions the fire service will take to help keep people, homes, communities and the environment safe from fire and other emergencies.

Members of the public, businesses and organisations representing residents across the two counties are being asked for views on the draft plan. Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: ‘We live in an amazing, diverse place, with a mix of rural, coastal, urban and small market towns. This variety is what makes up to the character of our two counties – and is why they are such great places to live and visit. ‘But it also creates a range of different risks with may lead to an emergency, which we will need to respond to, but will ideally like to prevent happening in the first place.

‘Our Community Risk Management Plan will focus our work over the next five years on reducing the likelihood of these risks and also being able to respond effectively should those risks cause real incidents. That’s why it’s important that people let us know whether we have identified the right risks and have effective plans in place to manage the risks.’ To read the plan and complete a short survey, by January 14, visit dsfire.gov.uk/ community-risk-plan

Firefighters take part in Movember Firefighters from Okehampton raised more than £1,500 for the Movember fundraiser. Nine firefighters from the station took part to raise money for the leading charity which is aiming to change the face of men’s health.

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A special congratulations went out to Captain Tim Stevens who took part in and completed a sponsored walk from Newton Abbot to Plymouth to raise extra funds for Movember. If you wish to donate, visit uk.movember. com and search for Okehampton Fire Station

Pictured left to right, top to bottom, are: Captain Tim Stevens, Tom Beagent, Billy Spence, Stephen Cleave, Craig Patrick, Steve Essay, Bryan Evans and Ricky Wooldridge. Not pictured is Austin Kiely.

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NOTICEBOARD

Let Devon’s nature be your Valentine’s this year

RSPB in Devon is encouraging people to show themselves some love and care this Valentine’s Day by reconnecting with their local wildlife and green spaces. Enjoy a walk in a nature reserve and take part in National Nestbox Week from February 14 to 21.

Morwenna Alldis, spokesperson for the RSPB said: ‘Last year many of us probably missed out on our Valentine’s hearts and flowers because it was difficult to spend time with the people we love and care for during lockdown. Relationships of all forms have really been challenged. So, this February the

RSPB is encouraging everyone in Devon to let nature be their Valentine because we think, by taking some time to reconnect with nature, you can help your physical and mental wellbeing and show yourself some much-needed love too.’

New bus service links locals with rail services A new bus service has been launched by Devon County Council to coincide with the re-opening of the railway line to Okehampton. Service 118 links Tavistock to Okehampton, via Mary Tavy and Lydford, to provide an integrated connection to the rail services between Okehampton and Exeter during the day. As the 118 runs hourly and the rail service approximately every two hours, buses which operate in between the rail service times won’t serve the station, but instead will stop nearby in West Street and Fore Street in Okehampton. The only rail services which will not have a connection with the bus service will be the evening journeys, due to the 118 finishing around 6pm; the last bus journey from Okehampton Rail Station leaves at 1755. A maximum fare of £3, single or return, has been introduced

for passengers on the 118 who have a valid rail ticket. There is also a flat fare of £1 for those travelling from Okehampton town to the rail station. The new service is operated by Dartline and fully funded by Devon County Council. Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: ‘We wanted to ensure that there was an integrated bus service to coincide with the re-introduction of the Okehampton rail services and the County Council is demonstrating its commitment to

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CHARITY FOCUS

Working hard to provide food and help to those in crisis Okehampton Food Bank has been helping provide food to people in need since 2008. Run by one part time coordinator and six volunteers, Okehampton Food Bank is an independent service working to combat food insecurity in and around Okehampton. Last year Okehampton distributed more than 2500 food parcels to families experiencing food insecurity. The food bank, stationed at Okehampton Baptist Church (OBC) on Fore Street, is open to all on Fridays between 10am and noon. It was in 2011 that Okehampton Food Bank found itself at the centre of helping those in crisis. Following the closure of desserts firm Polestar, Robert Wiseman Dairy and Sprung Slumber mattress factory more than 300 people lost their jobs affecting 20% of the population of Okehampton. The call for donations then rocketed from one or two parcels a week to between 40 and 50 in the same period.

Even before the pandemic, the number of food parcels distributed by the Trussell Trust, the largest Food Bank organisation in the UK had increased 74 per cent in five years, to a record 1.9-million parcels in the year to the end of March 2020. Three-million people in the UK went hungry in the early weeks of the Covid pandemic. Disrupted earnings, lock down and reduced supply chains forced more and more people to turn towards their local food bank for help. Even with the emergency cash injection from central government and mortgage payment breaks, the recordbreaking surge in redundancies across the country, up to 314,000 in the third quarter of 2020, meant that food banks were struggling to keep up. Malcolm Hamilton, coordinator of Okehampton Food Bank, said it was thanks to the volunteers that the service

was able to meet demand during this time. ‘Okehampton Food Bank was is blessed to have a wonderful team of volunteers working full time in the church, carrying on the important work of providing emergency food parcels to those in need during the Covid 19 pandemic. The pandemic forced more and more local families, many with young children into food insecurity. At its height, Okehampton Food Bank was distributing food to over 40 families a week. ‘However, it is too convenient to say Covid is to blame. The underlying problem is simple; people’s incomes aren’t enough to cover the cost of living. UK inflation made its biggest jump on record in August 2021, adding to pressure on households as the government ramps up taxes on workers and the removal of the £20 universal

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credit bonus. Today, one of the major reasons people turn to our Food Bank is the implementation of Universal Credit. Having to wait more than five weeks before any payment is having a detrimental effect on many low-income families.’ In Okehampton, the food bank has been funded by private donations of food and money although several local companies have been very generous with their giving. Malcolm added: ‘The use of food banks should be an emergency stopgap, but in Okehampton, we have people who have been using our food bank for a considerable time, certainly longer than the average of 12 weeks and this has surely compounded the issue of poor diet. So, at Okehampton Food Bank we are undergoing a process of improving the food we supply. We are keen to provide nutritionally balanced food: that

is not difficult to prepare, but which provides most if not all the major food nutrients. Fresh meat and fish are obviously not something we can supply but, over the coming months, we will be working hard to redefine what our food parcels contain and ensure that a good proportion of fresh fruit and vegetables are included in every parcel we supply. ‘Whilst in the past we have supplied enough food for three days we are also working towards supplying enough food for one week, where our Food Bank Families are able to collect from the church. In addition, we are considering opening our doors one evening a week,

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

to support low-income families where one or both adults work full time during the day.’ If you need help in obtaining enough food to support your family or if you wish to volunteer with Okehampton Food Bank contact Malcolm on 07483877378 or email contact@ okehamptonfoodbank.co.uk Lindsay Turpin

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HEALTH

A letter from Okehampton Medical Centre Over the last couple of years we have seen a massive change in the way we run our surgery. In 2020 primary care commissioners (the CCG and NHS England) pushed for GP surgeries to use a more digital triage model within general practice, accelerated by the COVID pandemic. This was put in place to protect vulnerable patients and safeguard staff and therefore we have continued and been encouraged to carry on using this model throughout 2021. This new system that we, along with many other surgeries in the UK, have undertaken has made some people feel as though they can’t see a GP. The recent media coverage on this issue hasn’t helped. The media tends to highlight the difficulties and very rarely shares information about the millions of patient contacts that have happened despite the extreme and unfamiliar pressures that we have been under. With the online and telephone first system playing a massive part in the

way we run, we have really invested in our multi-disciplinary team over the last year. It has grown and expanded in ways we never imagined, and we have gained and developed an amazing group of professionals such as advanced clinical practitioners, pharmacists, paramedics, physician associates and prescribing nurses; all of whom are qualified and trained to help and provide you with the care you need at the time that you need it. By having such a team, it enables us to manage patients’ health concerns in a more timely, convenient and effective manner. If we relied only on GP face to face appointments for all health concerns, we would be unable to provide the large scale and breadth of health services that we do. With this being said, if one of our clinicians feel you need a face-to-face appointment, you will be offered one. Along with our day to day primary care work we have also played a huge part in providing the covid and flu vaccinations

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Award-winning care from Home Instead Doubtless we are all wishing that 2022 will see the end of Covid restrictions and a long-term solution to managing this disease. Without wishing to sound gloomy, the widely reported challenges with care provision for elderly and vulnerable people remain at large. Lynn Roddy, Home Instead is proud to be a small Director of Home Instead part of the solution. We are rated Outstanding by CQC and are a Top 20 Care Provider in the South West. Our approach centres firmly on our clients and our whole team share common values, best summarised as changing the face of ageing and bringing joy to our clients’ lives. We believe that most people prefer to remain at home for as long as possible.

Through companionship and award-winning care we help our clients and their families navigate a sometimes daunting

spectre of needs, diverse agencies and services. We go far beyond a task oriented ‘tick list’. We have excellent relationships with local health professionals as well as contributing actively to life improving charities. Through these links we aim not only to understand the art of the possible, but also actively to campaign to shape policy and delivery of relevant services for elderly people in our community. For readers considering a job in care; yes, we are recruiting! Our CAREGivers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and bring a variety of experience. It is not necessary to have worked previously in care – we provide comprehensive training and proactively nurture our staff. All we ask is that you are genuinely a caring person. We would be delighted to hear from you, whether as a potential client or employee. You may have questions about how care works, funding, the growing availability of technology to assist care provision, our recruitment process, or a career in care. Please do get in touch.

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H E A L Y O U R P A I N

HEAL YOUR PAIN has just launched the Tools for Carers exercise video, fully illustrated instruction book, block and belt – all designed specifically for nonspecialists to use to support those for whom they care. The exercises use carefully constructed postural alignment techniques, are gentle, designed to be done daily and can easily be initiated and overseen by a Carer. When used regularly, they have been proven to impact positively on peoples physical and mental wellbeing, as well as independence and confidence.

This package has been developed with those who have reduced mobility in mind, for those who wish to remain mobile for as long as possible and to maintain their independence in their own homes for as long as possible. I would be delighted to talk to you about the package and how it might benefit your organisation. Do have a look at our website for more information as well as a wealth of testimonials, and do not hesitate to make contact. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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BUSINESS

From Wimbledon to window cleaning Bonds Window Cleaning will soon celebrate its fourth birthday and at its helm is Okehampton resident Nick Bond. Working full time, all year round, Nick works hard to provide his clients across West Devon with a first class service, providing window cleaning (domestic and commercial); UPVC renovation; doors and conservatories; soffits, fascias and gutter suck cleaning and jet power washing. Nick prides himself on providing a professional service using professional equipment with a professional attitude which he says his customers really appreciate. Nick, originally from London, was an apprentice window cleaner in his younger years but his profession for most of his life had been as a car sales manager. One aspect of his life that is a conversation starter with his customers is that he has played tennis at Wimbledon. He was able to play on the world famous courts for the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Senior Circuit. An experience he found fantastic.

He started playing tennis when he was five and is now a tennis coach and captain of the Devon County 45s. He used to teach far and wide but now concentrates his teaching within the Okehampton and Exeter areas. Nick, who runs his business all by himself, said: ‘I took up window cleaning after I left car sales as it went hand in hand with teaching tennis but now I am concentrating more on my business. ‘I run the business professionally and that’s what makes a difference as people are looking for someone reliable.’ Nick’s business motto is ‘clean windows let you see the world brighter’, something he is very passionate about. One customer said: ‘Nick is full of character, and we will be using him for all of our external cleaning. Great service Nick Thanks.’ Lindsay Turpin

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GARDENING

Making the most of Snowdrops Snowdrops are a favourite at Rosemoor as they herald the coming of spring and bring hope that the dark days of winter are numbered. Once you have found a place where they are happy, snowdrops will easily multiply and it won’t be long until you are able to divide clumps and spread them around the garden – you can never have too many snowdrops. Eventually you will have a ground cover of these delightful plants at a time of year when the borders can look very bare. There are many cultivars available, but for large swathes, we tend to favour the wild snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis AGM as well as cultivars with larger flowers such as G. ‘Atkinsii’ AGM and G. ‘S. Arnott’ AGM. These can be relied upon to bulk up to spectacular displays in just a few years. At Rosemoor, we plant snowdrops in amongst the colourful stems of Cornus and Salix. One of the most striking combinations, which we repeat throughout the garden, is Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ AGM with the bright red stems of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ AGM. Yellow Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ AGM forms a more muted display but is no less impressive.

‘Arnold Promise’ AGM is one of the best with bright yellow flowers. Those of H. ‘Brevipetala’ are intense orange and H. x intermedia ‘Rubin’ AGM displays ruby red flowers. Try planting your snowdrops beneath a tree with ornamental bark, for example Prunus serrula with shining red bark. Other trees with ornamental bark, including the paperbark maple (Acer griseum AGM) with peeling, papery chestnut bark and the snakebark maples displaying striated bark, available in greens, reds, browns and white combine well. Snowdrops also look great planted beneath silver birches. If these are planted in front of evergreens, then you have a combination that shines from the border on the dullest of winter days. Hellebores are a must when choosing plants to combine with snowdrops. Reliably free-flowering if planted in a sheltered position, H. x hybridus comes in a wide range of colours, from smoky purples through reds, pinks, whites, pale

Snowdrops and crocuses

lemons and apricots so you can have almost any colour combination that takes your fancy. Many bergenias flush red in the winter, intensifying with the cold. Those with small leaves such as Bergenia ‘Wintermärchen’ AGM make a lovely contrast with the pure white of the snowdrops. Try naturalising snowdrops in an area of lawn that you can allow to grow wild. Combine the wild snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis AGM, with early crocuses, species Narcissus, winter aconites and cyclamen beneath the canopy of a tree, to give a charming mid-winter display. Snowdrops are wonderfully versatile, bringing life to the winter garden and when combined with other winter flowering plants, lift the spirits on cold, dank days and on sunnier days, shine from the borders.

Snowdrops between and beneath deciduous winter flowering shrubs will create an unrivalled winter display. Hamamelis produce fragrant flowers on bare stems, which can produce a brightly coloured backdrop to the pure white snowdrops. H. x intermedia 36

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GARDENING

Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ AGM and Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ AGM (5).

Jobs for January/February Prune apples and pears Apples and pears need to be pruned in winter when the leaves are off the tree. Aim to take between 10-20% of the overall canopy off in any one winter, creating an open centre.  Clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring Cleaning the greenhouse, greatly improves the growing environment for plants. It lets in more light and helps control pests and diseases.  Start forcing rhubarb For an early harvest of tender and pink rhubarb, cover the crowns with a layer of straw or bracken then cover with an upturned bucket or traditional clay rhubarb pot to exclude light. Stalks will be ready to pull two-three weeks earlier than uncovered crowns but do not pull stalks for the rest of the season.

Rhubarb growing under a forcing pot Neil Hepworth

In February, chit potato tubers. It is important with earlies, and a good idea with maincrops, to ‘chit’ the seed potatoes before planting, allowing them to start sprouting shoots.   Prune winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering. Deciduous shrubs that flower in late winter need annual pruning when they have finished flowering to encourage strong, healthy shoots and to improve flowering the flowing season.

Al your Winter Need ...

Cut back deciduous grasses. When these grasses start to look scruffy and battered by the winter weather, and before new growth starts, it is time to cut them back. It is also the right time to remove dead foliage from evergreen grasses. Sheila Dearing

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Life in the 21st century places complex demands on young people, and we know that when GCSE-level students are considering which step to take next, it can feel like they have to make a choice between pursuing academic excellence or learning the vocational skills that will best prepare them for their future careers. That’s why, in addition to our creative UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Creative Practice, we’re the first non-private education provider in the South West to offer students aged 16 to 19 the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) alongside their Extended Diploma. The IBCP gives students a competitive advantage when entering Higher Education or moving directly into their chosen industry. Lauren Pemberton, who studied IB English Literature, IB Psychology and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design, said: “Since coming to Plymouth College of Art instead of staying at Sixth Form at my old school, I feel like I really fit in. You’re allowed to be your own person here, whereas school felt restrictive.” Our students go on to establish careers across a range of disciplines - from writing their own bestselling books like Florence Given, who graduated in 2017 from our Fashion & Textiles course, to producing music videos for Cardi B, Dua Lipa and Kanye West like Pablo Jones-Soler who graduated in 2010. Other graduates have gone on to study at world renowned universities - Xanthe Burdett completed a UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Plymouth College of Art in 2014, and went on to study Education, English and Drama at Cambridge University.

On Results Day in Summer 2021, Robyn De Jager, who studied IB Environmental Science and Systems, IB Psychology, and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design, said: “Studying at Plymouth College of Art has been great. Compared to friends who stayed on at grammar school for Sixth Form, we’ve felt like we have been treated like adults and have developed better relationships with our teachers here at Plymouth College of Art.” The results our students achieve demonstrate the positive impact our creative learning environment has; in 2021 52% of Plymouth College of Art UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma students obtained a Distinction, which is equivalent to 3 A*s at A-level or 168 UCAS points.

CHOOSE A COURSE UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas

We offer six different pathways to specialised creative qualifications, designed by artists, designers and performers. Awarded by University of the Arts London (UAL), they are equivalent to three full A-Levels or a maximum of 168 UCAS points, and are recognised by UCAS, and by creative industry employers. Pathways include: Art & Design Photography Film, Animation & Media Production Graphics, Illustration & Game Arts Fashion & Textiles Performing and Production Arts

UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design If an Extended Diploma is not quite right for you, we also offer a Foundation Diploma. This is a chance for students to spend a year discovering, experimenting and exploring across a wide range of disciplines – as well as maximising their chances of gaining a First if they decide to progress on to degree-level study.

Find out more about our Post-16 courses at one of our upcoming Open Days, or visit our website: www.plymouthart.ac.uk/study/pre-degree 40

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EDUCATION

St Joseph’s, like every child, is unique At St Joseph’s we focus on excellent outcomes for all children: across the school we show the value of committed teachers, small classes and ensuring excellent pastoral and academic provision for all of the children in our care. When is a good time to look at joining the school? As ever, the right time is now — even if it seems a ‘non-traditional’ transition point, there has never been a better time to think about joining the school. With maximum year group sizes of 30 pupils for Year 8 and Year 9 in September 2022, and maximum Tutor Group class sizes of 15, we ensure no child is overlooked – academically or pastorally. Behaviour is excellent across the school, lesson time is maximised, no time is lost to disruption: pupils are

genuinely focused, genuinely engaged, and genuinely valued as individuals. Central to our ethos are care, compassion and community: not only are GCSE results excellent but children are happy learning, and are fully engaged in learning in its broadest sense. If you would like to find out more why not come along to our Senior School Open Evening on Wednesday, February 5, 2022 or Whole School Open Day on Friday, March 4, 2022. stjosephscornwall.co.uk/admissions/ senior-school-open-evening/ Rebecca Walker Registrar

A ﬁrm foundation for life Senior School Open Evening Wednesday 2nd February 2022 5pm

Open Day

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School Cornwall Independent Day School for boys and girls See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Rebecca Walker - Registrar Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8HN 01566 772580 registrar@stjosephscornwall.co.uk

stjosephscornwall.co.uk 41

EDUCATION

Mount Kelly - Embedded in Dartmoor The mountaineer Conrad Anker wrote that ‘the summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters’. Inspired by this, at Mount Kelly we believe that our achievements lie not only in the outcomes - examinations passed and races won - but in the long hours of preparation, practice and training that leave deep and positive impressions, long after the dust has settled. At Mount Kelly we focus as much on the ‘how’ and the ‘why’, as on the ‘what’; our staff understand that each step they take with a pupil informs more than the final outcome. Our new school film captures that journey of achievement, one that is literally and symbolically taken up each year by every member of our community on the Cox Tor Walk. It is

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www.mountkelly.com 42

appropriate that this journey is set on the Moor: Mount Kelly is embedded in Dartmoor; we would not be what we are without our surroundings - the spirit and ethos of our School is inextricably linked to our location, not just in terms of what it allows us to do, but in shaping our attitudes, values and appreciation of the hidden challenges that lie in apparent tranquillity. The dual nature of our surroundings – the beautiful and the challenging – reflects the comfortable bedfellows of warmth, good humour and gritty, combative determination that exist in our pupils; the Devon bedrock that anchors a national ambition and global outlook; the desire to conquer the summit through understanding the unflinching endeavour required to do so.

#ItsTheClimb

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FARMING NEWS

Think of where your food comes from... Happy New Year everyone. I hope you had a great Christmas. The weather this autumn has been fantastic for farming, not too wet, not too cold no autumn storms. It has been lovely that the leaves have stayed on the trees whilst they changed colour. Normally they are blown off long before now. The land is still dry under foot which makes day to day tasks much easier, as we enter December, we still have two bunches of cattle on the pasture. This is very rare. Whilst the weather has been kind, farming in general has not been immune to the spiralling energy cost. Directly, fuel for the tractors has obviously risen in price. The largest cost increase is the fertiliser which will be used to grow next season’s crops. Recently the costs are £200-£300 per ton, this year they have been nearing £700. There aren’t many crops grown without fertiliser, after next harvest it is quite likely that agricultural produce and therefore food will be significantly more expensive.

The grass uses the nutrients in the manure and the carbon is incorporated into the soil where it stays. In other countries such as America cattle are reared in feedlots. They receive little or no forage. Much of the feed is grown in other countries including areas like the Amazon, facilitated by cutting down of trees. The feed is then transported to the cattle. The land used to grow feed for the cattle could be used to grow food for humans. Also cultivating, ie ploughing, land weakens the soil leading to erosion and carbon release.

There has obviously been much press coverage of global warming. No matter where you read or watch it there is some mention of the part played by farmers. The message to consumers is quite simple, stop eating meat. Obviously for a beef and sheep farmer, who runs a butchery-based farm shop this is a worrying situation.

Growing crops year after year makes the soil poorer and spreading artificial fertiliser, because infertile soil can’t grow crops without it has a massive environmental impact.

I am not a scientist, but I feel the press oversimplifies the issue. I accept that ruminants produce methane, a greenhouse gas, which is not good. There is little mention of the fact that the way we farm animals in this country is not all bad.

Also ask yourself the impact of buying tomatoes from Spain, avocados from Israel and asparagus from Tunisia, all of these will be transported to the UK by jet plane.

There are many different styles of farming. In the United Kingdom many livestock farms are small family run affairs utilising marginal land that is not very suitable for growing crops but is very good at growing grass. The animals are reared on a mainly forage diet. The natural manure, high in carbon and rich in other nutrients, produced by the animals, is then spread back on the land as a fertiliser.

I feel that we as UK livestock farmers are much more environmentally friendly than some other areas of the world.

I can accept the concept of eating less meat and animal products but please be aware where your purchases come from. Please eat locally produced products that have a lower impact on the world than imported goods. Please also remember that local products provide local jobs for local people who could be supporting you. I’ll get off my soap box now. Until next time. Stuart Luxton

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SPORT

A shared love of running helped ORC members in 2021 (ORC) Okehampton Running Club has more than 180 members who are all passionate about their sport. Formed in 2009, ORC members are of all ages and abilities who meet on a Tuesday and Thursday. 2021 has been a very different year. With group runs not permitted, head coach Rob Richards re-instigated the lockdown challenges from 2019 to keep members active and motivated. One of the most memorable was in February in memory of Captain Sir Tom Moore. It was based on the statistics of him walking the 25m round his garden 100 times. Runners were asked to run 2.5k or more along this theme and a target was set of 100 runners to take part. This seemed like a small ask to people who normally run much greater distances, but the bitter cold and wind on Saturday, which was replaced by a milder but equally strong wind and rain on Sunday meant venturing out at all was quite a challenge. There were lots of very ingenious interpretations of the theme and great

fun was had by all. The original idea for this challenge came from a new member Mike Saywell, and not only did he complete a 2.5k run but went on to ‘write’ the name Tom using what’s known as Strava art. This resulted in him running a total of 12 miles and passing the same man digging in his garden four times! March saw the last challenge of lockdown which was inspired by Joseph (Joe) Lynch in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, which is held every year on March 21. The challenge was to feature as many 21’s within a run as possible, whilst wearing odd socks, and as usual the ORC’s came up with some great ideas. Joe totally embraced it; his own personal challenge was running 7km on 3 days – giving him a total distance of 21km. By the end of March runners were able to take part in races again and many were excited to be back racing: Marilyn’s Meldon Madness in June in memory of past club member Marilyn Cooper which is a popular race from

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Meldon taking you to the highest point in the south of England. The Cosdon Hill Race in July where runners take their own line on the 3 mile 300m climb run from Belstone Village to the beacon on top of Cosdon Hill, then back to the finish on the green. Then the Sourton Tors race in September, a traditional fell run of 2.6 miles ascending 300m to Sourton Tors and looping back round the valley. The club has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, with the inclusion of a Junior Athletics section which started in 2019. For people new to running or wanting to restart, the popular Couch to 5k takes place in September each year. New members are welcome at any time, for more information visit www.okehamptonrunningclub.co.uk

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Links Magazines 10th Anniversary Lunch

4th November at The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock The Links Magazines team celebrated 10 years of publishing local community magazines in the presence of the Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr Bob Tolley, the Mayor of Tavistock, Cllr Andy Hutton and Mrs Sue Hutton, and the Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Caroline Mott, with magazine contributors and advertisers. Kindly supported by The Bedford Hotel, SW Bottle Shop and Sovereign Wines, Porsham Cakes and Flowers et al.

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WHAT’S ON LISTINGS

January January 14 to February 27 Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Visit www.thegardenhouse.org.uk for more information.

January 15 Come, buy and chat at Sampford Courtenay Village Hall from 10.30am to 11.30am. Cake and produce stall, bring and buy, book exchanges, raffle, tea / coffee and cake. Please bring donations of cakes and produce to the hall from 9.30am. All proceeds from the event will go to the village hall roof appeal.

January 21 Curry night is back by popular request at Sampford Courtenay Village Hall at 7pm. There will be a choice of curry, plus rice,

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poppadom and mango chutney all for £10. Drinks from the bar, additional side dishes and dessert are available at an extra cost.

talk on the subject of Swifts at Belstone Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm on Friday, February 11. Admission is free; donations are invited.

Last orders no later than 6pm on January 18. Call Nicky on 01837 880300 or email nickyvhmc@gmail.com

Malcolm has monitored the swifts of north-east Dartmoor for 14 years and is a principal scientist at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science where he works on migratory birds. He therefore brings to his talk both detailed local knowledge and scientific expertise.

February MED Theatre’s Mothers Who Make group is meeting once again in Moretonhampstead in February. This wonderful network brings together those who care about creating and create whilst caring. You can expect a heart-warming morning connecting with fellow mothers whilst making. For more information contact Abby Shepherd on 01647 441356.

February 11 At the invitation of Greener Belstone, Dr Malcolm Burgess will give an illustrated

Local history talks programme Chagford Local History Society’s programme of talks for 2022 January 17: John Mather: The whetstone mines in the Blackdown Hills February 24: Emma Cunis: Ancient tracks on Dartmoor March 31: Mark Hailwood: The alehouse in early modern Devon

BUSINESS SUPPORT Be part of something bigger

Devon & Plymouth Chamber is the leading business support organisation in Devon. Our team are committed to ensuring that all our members thrive even in the challenging times we face. We do this by administrating a range of support programmes alongside articles, hints, tips and videos all aimed at improving your business performance and potential. We can also direct to you the best places to go for the knowledge, training or bespoke advice you require with our immediate connections to local authorities such as Devon County Council, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HoSWLEP), British Chambers of Commerce and our very own network with over 500 business'.

Kickstart Job Placement Scheme

Guides, advice and thought leadership

Digital transformation to help you thrive

Since the start of the year, the Devon & Plymouth Chamber has seen 708 approved Kickstart placements and helped to fill 308 of those vacancies with local businesses.

Browse our library of articles, including how to guides, thought leadership and step by step advice from some of the region’s industry leaders such as the Bank of England.

This is about more than simply offering digital upskilling, but about taking every aspect of a business into the digital world.

73% of the Chamber applicants have gone into employment and 11% have gone back into Further or Higher Education.

The support provided will be in the form of events, seminars, training, programmes and one-to-one sessions that show demonstrable value and outcomes.

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WHAT’S ON LISTINGS

April 28: Todd Gray: Devon’s last slave owners, 1834 May 26: Janet Tall: The Acland family – bringing agriculture to schools

Shocktopus! February 11, 2.30pm: No! Said Rabbit February 19, 10.30am: The Whales on the Bus

All talks are held at Endecott House (next to the Tree Crowns), starting at 7.30 pm. Free entry for members, non-members most welcome, £4 per talk. For more information contact enquiries4clhs@gmail.com or visit www. chagfordlocalhistorysociety.org.uk

Doing online transactions course, February 4 from 10am to noon. This is a 2-hour course from Learn Devon, which will give you the confidence to make online transactions. Free course, booking essential. Book with Learn Devon on 01822 613701 or call into Okehampton Library.

Poetry Competition January will be your last chance to submit an entry to MED Theatre’s poetry and creative writing competition running in conjunction with The River Teign Restoration Project. The competition invites writers of all levels to pen a piece of creative writing in response to the natural world. The project aims to raise awareness of conservation of the River Teign, centred around improving its tributaries for migratory fish species, particularly Salmon and Seatrout. The closing date is February 1. Check out medtheatre.co.uk for details.

Okehampton Library January and February Enjoy six brilliant new stories and activities at Okehampton Library for free, no booking necessary January 10, 10.30am: Arlo: the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep January 18, 2.30pm: Lenny and Wilbur January 26, 10am: I Really Really Want a Wee February 3, 10.30am: Octopus

online, connect to WiFi and how to use things like Word or Zoom. Free course, booking essential. Book with Learn Devon on 01822 613701 or call into Okehampton Library. January 21 and January 28 from 10am to noon.

Regulars Regular events at Okehampton Library

January 18 Walk & Talk 10am start from the Band Stand in Simmons Park, finishing at Okehampton Library for coffee and cake at about 11am. Contact Pat on 01837 83487 for details.

January 27 The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2022 is One Day. There are many ways to interpret the theme, we will be putting together a display to mark HMD. First steps to getting online course This is a short workshop, from Learn Devon. It is a great place to start if you are new to computers and getting onto the internet. You’ll be shown how to get

Digital Fridays – by appointment: A member of staff will be on hand to assist with digital devices. Whether you are a complete beginner or just need a few tips, book a short session for help with your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Booking in advance is essential. Call 01837 52805 for more information. Knit & Natter - Tuesdays, 1.30pm to 2.30pm 13:30-14:30 Bounce & Rhyme - Tuesdays 10am to 10.20am and 11am to 11.20am. Suitable for under 5s, booking essential. Duplo Builders & Storytime Wednesdays, 9.30am to 10.15am, 0-5 years. Lego Builders - Saturdays, 10.30am to 11.30am. Suitable for ages 5+.

Join Devon’s Holiday Letting Experts If you’re thinking of joining a new holiday letting agent for the 2022 season, now is the perfect time! 01647 401615 (select option 2) - Owners help@helpfulholidays.co.uk helpfulholidays.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

Celebrating the beauty of Snowdrops Snowdrops of all varieties offer fascinating curiosities and give great pleasure to amateur gardeners, galanthophiles and photographers alike. The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum on the western edge of Dartmoor, can certainly attest to this with visitors in their hundreds arriving each year to view what is now one of the favourite collections of snowdrops in the country. Lionel and Katharine Fortescue moved from their home at Eton College in the summer of 1945, to retire to this former vicarage where Lionel then spent his retirement developing the garden. From its early days snowdrops would certainly

have featured within the eight acres of gardens, but over the past 75 years and under the guidance of various Head Gardeners, The Garden House collection of snowdrops has grown in interest. In response to large visitor numbers, an official annual ‘Snowdrop Festival’ has now become a highlight at The Garden House. Specialist snowdrop nurseries visit on certain dates and the garden and café are open with a dedicated snowdrop exhibition, with various artists and photographers exhibiting. The Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House will run from Friday, January 14 to February 27 — open Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week from 10.30am to

3.30pm. However, these winter months are not only about snowdrops at The Garden House, as other delights give visitors a true winter wonderland to explore. Nurseries will be at The Garden House on the following dates: Avon Bulbs: Saturday, February 5 Millwood Plants: Saturday, February 12. Elmworthy Plants: Saturday, February 19. For more details of The Garden House Snowdrop Festival, visit www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

February 3 to March 26

An exhibition to reinvigorate the senses An exhibition of contrasting contemporary work by artists Neil Beech and Jeremy Speck at Green Hill Arts.

hallucinogenic evocations of space, time and place that contain an other-worldly sense of beauty.

Neil Beech travelled the world as a textile pattern and T-shirt designer for 20-years before returning to Devon and using his skills to investigate landscape and its relationship with memories and fiction. He uses mixed media digital collages, with elements of photography and painting, alongside oil and acrylic on board and canvas. His landscapes are strangely familiar with slightly

By way of contrast, Jeremy Speck is strongly influenced by the abstraction of natural forms, as well as the work of 20th century British artists, in particular the St Ives school. Starting with a loose design of cut paper or sketch, Jeremy uses the printmaking techniques of lino, woodcut and screenprint to create enigmatic works, layer by layer, attempting to achieve a fine balance

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between form, colour and texture. Entry is free. The Green Hill Arts Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm weekly from Thursday to Saturday. The Gallery is situated at the top of Fore Street, Moretonhampstead, close to the Parish Church. Parking is in the Court Street and Station Road car parks.

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WHAT’S ON

ANTS’ pantomime is back after two years ANTS presents ‘Cinderella, the Pantomime’ in Association with NODA. Directed by Twiggy Lake, show dates are Tuesday, April 12 to Saturday, April 16 at North Tawton Town Hall. ANTS is excited to bring its pantomime to the people of West Devon after having to put plans on hold for the last two years. With an amazing cast of members both new and existing, including some Young ANTS - and even a dance troupe - tickets for the pantomime will be available from North Tawton Post Office from March 1. Doors for the show open at 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are £8 adults and £5 for children aged 12 and under.

The backstage crew is lined up ready and waiting to bring the production to life, but ANTS would welcome with open arms anyone who is interested in helping - as more hands on deck always makes for a smoother run. The group is especially seeking someone for follow spot and props/painting. On the subject of new, ANTS is also looking for a new chairperson; perhaps someone who has been involved in theatre somehow and wants to take a step back from the limelight. The role would involve chairing meetings which are held roughly every three months. As a group, it holds a monthly get together in the local pub on a Thursday evening to read through plays (and

socialise). This is a fantastic way to get involved in the group if the thought of getting on stage scares the life out of you, no commitment required. Finally, Young ANTS will be recommencing next spring with monthly workshops. This is open to children aged 10 to 17 years (up to 18th birthday). For more information on the pantomime/ helping/read through nights contact Hayley on gills_finwood@btinternet.com For more information on chairperson contact Nigel on njdavies03.nd@gmail. com or for more information on Young Ants please contact Sarah on sarah_ cacchio@hotmail.com

www.wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk Traditional, investment & contemporary ﬁne art . prints . ceramics . jewellery . glass . textiles

Dartmoor’s Art Gallery After the Rain Yar Tor. Oil by Simon Fowler

Foggintor Quarry in Oil by Simon Fowler

Representing the region’s ﬁnest artists Chapel Lane, Horrabridge, Yelverton PL20 7SP • info@wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk • 01822 258529

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WHAT’S ON

Garden opens for National Garden Scheme Higher Cherubeer Garden is scheduled to open on Friday, February 4, 11 and Saturday, February 19 from 2pm to 5pm. The garden, near Dolton, is owned by Jo Hynes, who has over 400 snowdrop varieties in her one and three quarter acre garden. Jo has also bred some new snowdrops including Daisy Hynes named after her daughter and Spottie Lottie named after her dog. The garden is opening for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) which raises money to support Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK, Carers Trust and other nursing and caring charities.

The woodland paths are lined with named snowdrops, hellebores and winter flowering shrubs. As well as many other spring flowering plants, Jo has a National Collection of cyclamen species. In poor weather the alpine house provides refuge and is used to display plants in season. There is also a kitchen garden, orchard, large greenhouse, gravelled courtyard and paths, raised bed, lawns, and herbaceous borders. There will be refreshments and plants on sale including snowdrops. Admission is £5 and children are free.

Higher Cherubeer (EX19 8PP) is 2 miles east of Dolton. From the A3124 turn south towards Stafford Moor Fisheries, take the first right and the garden is 500 metres on the left. Please check the website for the latest Covid information prior to visiting: www.ngs.org.uk. The yellow booklet, ‘Devon Gardens Open for Charity 2022’ full of all the beautiful gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme will be available in garden centres from early March. Or visit www.ngs.org.uk.

February 13

Snowdrop Sunday – Andrews Corner Belstone Question: where can you meet Dionysus, Lavinia, Titania, Ophelia, Cordelia, Tiny Tim, Merlin, Robin Hood and Little John – all at the same party? Answer: among the multitude of different varieties of snowdrops in the garden of Andrews Corner, where the Belstone and Area Group of Friends of the Children’s Hospice South West are, once again, hosting the popular Snowdrop Sunday.For those galanthophiles (snowdrop fanatics)

among you, there are over 100 different varieties of snowdrop in the garden, many of which will be in flower at that time, as well as an assortment of hellebores and crocus – some of which will be for sale. And, for the younger members of the family, there are fairy doors to seek out and a children’s playhouse to enjoy.As usual, there will be CHSW promotional goods for sale, as well as bacon baps, hot soup and bread, cheese scones, hot drinks

and cakes. Indoor space available for those who prefer to view the garden or consume refreshments in relative warmth! The event will take place from 11am to 4pm at Andrews Corner, Skaigh Lane, Belstone EX20 1RD. Entrance is £5, children free. Parking in nearby field. All proceeds go to CHSW.For further information or directions contact Edwina and Robin Hill on 01837 840332 edwinarobinhill@outlook.com or visit andrewscorner.garden

Charity Lunches Supporting Devon Air Ambulance Fridays and Saturdays between 12.00 noon and 2pm Two course lunch £21.50 Three course lunch £28.50 Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours £3.50 Charity envelopes will be provided for donations

A Family Run Hideaway in Devon 52

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MUSIC AND ART

Time to get creative If your New Year’s resolution is to ‘get creative’ then why not try one of the popular, fun Art for All courses on Wednesday afternoons at the Ockment Centre? Funded by the National Lottery and Okehampton United Charities, these four-week courses will introduce participants to a wide range of different art techniques and are a great way of meeting new likeminded people. The courses are led by a skilled tutor from West Devon Art Workshops and at just £8 for the whole course they are

affordable to all incomes. In January there is a course exploring collage and mixed media painting to create fun, decorative townscape images. In February there is a course introducing the basics of watercolour painting and in March you could explore combining collage with stitch.

For more information contact West Devon Art Workshops by email: westdevonartworkshops@gmail.com or phone 07724 153381.

Name change for craft makers Devon Guild of Craftsmen has changed its name to MAKE Southwest to best represent and reflect what it does. MAKE Southwest represents over 250 makers throughout the entirety of the Southwest; it promotes making practice through its craft education charity, and it champions creativity through its programme of free craft exhibitions. Its new name not only incorporates all

current activities but also symbolises the progress within the charity and the start of some exciting projects it has lined up for the future. A spokesperson said: ‘This name change signifies something momentous for us and we hope you will join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter.

same great people and ethos, same great location; still offering the highest standard of craft!’ The galleries and shop at Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays are 11am to 5pm; the office is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9am to 5.30pm; the café remains closed.

‘We want to reassure you that we are the same great organisation with the

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READER SURVEY

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2022 Reader Survey We’d love to hear your feedback on Oke Links! Your thoughts and opinions are really important to us, so here follows a short questionnaire about Oke Links magazine. Your answers will help us to make decisions on how we edit and collate future editions.

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6. Do you find the advertisements useful? Yes o No o 7. How long do you spend reading the magazine? 5 Minutes o 10 Minuteso 15 Minutes o 30 Minutes o 45 Minutes o 60 Minutes o Longer o 8. How long do you keep the magazine for? 1 Day o 1 Week o 2 Weeks o 1 Month o Many months o 9. What other content would you like to see in the magazine?

We hope you’re able to find time to give us your feedback. To thank you, we will enter your name into our Reader Survey Prize Draw to win dinner for two with a bottle of wine at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock.

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FOOD & DRINK

Champagne was a ‘happy accident’ Champagne plays a part in most Christmas festivities, so I thought I’d relate the history of this famous wine, which almost certainly began with a happy accident! The Romans began organising viticulture in Champagne in the 3rd Century. Because it’s only just warm enough to ripen the grapes the wines tended to be acidic, so Champagne was still and acidic for centuries. Legend suggests that Dom Pierre Perignon, a French Benedictine Monk, ‘invented’ the drink at the abbey of Hautvilliers in 1697. He apparently discovered a bottle of still wine that had fermented again in the bottle, trapping carbon dioxide and creating bubbles. ‘Come quickly I am tasting the stars!’ he apparently called to his fellow monks before deciding this was too good not to repeat! It’s a lovely story and may even be true, but in fact sparkling wine was first properly recorded in 1531 — though once again monks were responsible! Benedictines at the Abbey of St Hilaire produced Blanquette de Limoux at that time, by the simple expedient of bottling the wine before fermentation ended.

Champagne was quite sweet for many years. It wasn’t until 1846 when PerrierJouet decided not to sweeten his wine when exporting to England that drier wines became fashionable — he even coined a new term — Brut. The latest trend is for NOT adding any sugar to the wine during second fermentation. This results in a very dry, even austere, style of wine with between 0 and 3 grams of sugar (Brut is 6-12 grams) so be wary as they’re not to everyone’s taste. Champagnes and other sparklers are normally labeled ‘Brut Nature’ or ‘Brut Zero’. Curiously, the term ‘Methode Traditionelle’ (the practice of fermenting a wine in a barrel or tank and then fermenting it a second time in a sealed bottle) was coined by an English Physicist called Christopher Merrett several years before Dom Perignon even arrived at his Abbey. This was the time when glass-blowing in England produced bottles capable of withstanding the pressure contained in a fermenting bottle of wine. The French couldn’t produce such bottles and some historians even believe the English may be the real inventors of sparkling wine (just don’t tell anyone French!).

Global warming has caused significant problems in Champagne. Temperatures have risen by 1.2 degrees in 30 years. To put this in perspective the harvest has moved forward 2 weeks, and the balance of acid and sugar in the grapes is becoming harder to achieve. Those of you who have been watching the rise of English Sparkling wine may be aware that the south coast of England is now arguably the best place to grow grapes for Champagne - is that a silver lining or not?! Dave Anning

CUPCAKE BOUQUETS & BOXES Stunning & delicious!

Perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, congratulations and thank yous • Baked with all natural ingredients • Hand-decorated • Okehampton based • We also offer Boxed Blooms, Petal Cakes & Cupcake Boards

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Find out more.. www.sweetblossomsbakery.co.uk • fc 56

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FOOD & DRINK

Chow Now Steak Slimming World Ready in 15 minutes This recipe comes from Jacqui Reed the Slimming World consultant for Okehampton. Jacqui runs groups at Okehampton Rugby Club every Wednesday at 6pm and 7.30pm and Thursday mornings at 9.30am.

Method First put all the sauce ingredients and 5 tbsp cold water in a small food processor and blitz to a smooth sauce. Set aside.

Ingredients Low-calorie cooking spray 4 large pak choi heads, stalks and leaves separated 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2.5cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and shredded

Spray a non-stick wok or large frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a high heat. Add the pak choi stalks, garlic, ginger and bouillon powder and stir-fry for 3 minutes, then add the pak choi leaves and cook for 1 minute or until just tender. Tip into a shallow serving dish and cover to keep warm. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper.

2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder

Spray the pan with more low-calorie cooking spray, add the steak and stir-fry for about 4 minutes, then transfer to a bowl.

for the sauce

Add the sauce to the pan and bring to a rapid simmer. Add the steak to the sauce and heat through, tossing to coat well in the sauce. Spoon the meat and sauce into the middle of the pak choi dish and scatter over the sliced chilli, if using. Serve hot. This is also delicious with rice, although it won’t be suitable for Extra Easy s that way. Serves 4

750g lean sirloin steak, visible fat removed, cut into cubes sliced red chilli, to serve (optional) 1 roasted red pepper in brine from a jar, drained 1 tsp tomato purée 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp dark soy sauce or tamari 1 tbsp oyster sauce

Free, SP,

Okehampton Rugby Club

Wednesday 6pm & 7.30pm Thursday 9.30am Contact : Jacqui 07961 975690 See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

her d but ha mind an ays on account very ticklish an ndsome, beautifu d l tempe d great k o ught he limb else. Could f it, failed in he i c k e r; worke r hind r grandnever ge d in l d e t a foal g am from s , ly for rid p e r fectly so from her Mr. Nos ing, she und . … w . died. Cal My Gr G orthy, F 0 years ord, Man led ‘Fan r old; a be n aton and andfathe y a ’ at 33 utiful ha ddam of used her years old ck, very the best . b c I ad ob ms on N r ew Year s for miles arou to catch when ode her huntin g ’s Day i n t n the sn d…Tidy was foa urned out to gr ow and as led over f a e t t ched in Drewsto A rare diary from a cart. n 130 years ago gives insight into working life on a farm HISTORY

As there’s no one alive to tell us, the next best thing are diaries kept by farmers of their working day. These are a rarity, but recently one fell into the hands of the Chagford Archive: a small battered notebook, recording three years of farm work, from 1888 to 1890. It’s anonymous, but written, it seems, by a farm manager who gives a detailed account of all the work that went on in a large, mixed and apparently prosperous farm near Chagford at that time. Our diarist names the farm labourers and the jobs they do (noting their absences), as well as the thatchers and tradesmen, merchants and shopkeepers that he does business with. He writes of crops being sown and harvested: wheat, barley, rye, turnips, mangolds, apples and apple trees, cabbages and tons of potatoes, reminding us that at that time potatoes were an important cash crop around Chagford and Moreton. The men are ploughing and liming, walling and hedging and comb rye straw which is sold off in bundles for thatching. Pigs are slaughtered, sheep sheared and cattle moved around, many ending up at local markets, although there’s no mention of dairy or milking. Bees are attended to, ducks and chickens are sold, along with rabbits by the score. Catching rats is almost a daily occupation. So let’s look at some of the things he’s written about over a few days in May 1890 – 131 years ago, starting the week on the 4th and being a Sunday it’s left blank: no work is done on a Sunday. I’ve retained the original punctuation, abbreviations and spelling.

4. Sunday 5. Dung to Broadpark. Combing reed. Rolling meadows. Ewes and lambs finished turnips, out to grass. Daniel spars and bee buts. Mr Waldy here. Pony served by bay colt ‘Bobbie’ by Secret of the Valley. 6. Polly and Darby tried to Secret of the Valley. Cut and drew hay from Gt. Close and dung. Aggett absent ….Pleasant had inflammation of kidney vein, rubbed in lotion (nitre, turpentine and oil). 7. Daniel spars. One bundle hay 40lbs. Drawing dung to Broadpark. Cleared away hurdles. Aggett absent. Two masons indoors. 8. T wo masons. Daniel cut thatch over our room. 1 plow and 3 men Broadpk. wo rollers and drags Broadpark. Clear Hurdles etc. and mangel, John T Hutchings 1lb mangel seed. Daniel ¼lb. Mr. A. Rowe 12lbs. 9. R Hill castrated 62 lambs. (3 rams saved) Drilled part Beanpark mangel. 1 plow Broadpark. Daniel thatching. 10. S ent away 4 tons Bonums [kind of potato] to Carline. 1 plow finished Broadpark. Mangel ground. Flatpolls [cabbages]…in Yonder Garden. Daniel thatching. Large keg ale from 3 Crowns. 11. Sunday. Horses lay out. 13. D rilled Broadpark mangold (2lbs Tucker’s Druid) Joe making reed. Wm. Ball and Daniel absent. Countess foaled, light bay stallion, Star, two white feet behind. Polly tried to Secret of Valley.

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ollection

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Throughout the diary the animal most mentioned are horses and usually by name: for ploughing, for riding, for carts, for hunting, for feeding, grooming and docking. This is the time when the horse was central to rural work and to the life and leisure of people of his class. Significantly, the one occasion when he strays strictly from an account of quotidian farm work is when he writes about the death of a much-loved mare called Tidy and its pedigree: ...jet black mare 14.2 h.h. 25 years old; very handsome, beautiful temper; very quick plucky and safe but very ticklish and great kicker; worked in team all her days on account of it, failed in her hind legs, perfectly sound in mind and limb else. Could never get a foal from her.…. My Gr Grandfather bought her grand-dam from Mr. Nosworthy, Ford, Manaton and used her solely for riding, she died. Called ‘Fanny’ at 33 years old. I rode her hunting at 30 years old; a beautiful hack, very bad to catch when turned out to grass, granddam of the best cobs for miles around…Tidy was foaled over at Drewston Bottoms on New Year’s Day in the snow and fetched in a cart. There’s a passion for horses, certainly, but among all the detail in the diary he says very little else about himself. But we do learn that he loves hunting, with 30 different occasions mentioned in the three years of the diary and that having a haircut was important enough to mention – nine times in three years. So our anonymous diarist must have been well turned out.

Scything at Drews

rtin Perryman Colle

ction

The diary is in a very fragile condition and is now in the care of the Devon Record Office. But over the next few months we’ll put extracts on the Chagford Local History society website. The website is worth a look at any time as it contains a wealth of information about local history: www. chagfordlocalhistorysociety.org.uk Ralph Mackridge

See What’s On Listings on pages 48 and 49 in this edition for a list of Chagford History’s schedule of talks.

WALK

Okehampton Station and Meldon Circuit This walk has been kindly written and walked for Oke Links by Lisa Harris As the Dartmoor Line from Exeter has recently re-opened to great rejoicing, I thought a celebratory walk from the railway station was called for! This route takes you steeply up to the moor, past the Army camp, across the high ground with amazing views in all directions, down to Meldon Viaduct, and then back through the golf course in parallel with the railway line.

Leaving the station, turn left and climb the hill passing under the railway bridge. You’ll shortly see a signed footpath to your left heading into a wood. Follow the path through the wood, bearing right to cross the footbridge over the A30. Turn immediately right and then bear left up the steep hill towards a gate in the top corner. Continue climbing and follow the road which soon skirts the army camp and bears left over a cattle grid. Turn immediately right and keep following the road with the lovely Moor Brook on your left hand side. Where the road turns away from the stone wall surrounding the army camp, leave it via a track to your right heading for the summit of Black Down. The track climbs gradually and passes to the left of a large crater, while lovely views to Row Tor, West Mill Tor and Yes Tor open up across the valley. Pass the flag pole on the summit keeping the line of red

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As the track descends into the valley you’ll pass two grey military boxes to your left, and views of Meldon Viaduct open up to your right. This amazing feat of engineering is 165 metres long and was built in 1874. Nowadays this part of the old railway line carries walkers and cyclists along the Granite Way which runs for 11 miles to Lydford. In the distance you will see Cornwall to the west and the hills of Exmoor to the north. Head straight downhill towards the Red-a-Ven Brook, where the path bears right. You’re now looking directly at the viaduct. Pass some buildings to your left and cross straight over a crossing track, heading downhill through the old

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and white posts to your left – this is the boundary of the military zone. Walking straight ahead towards the south west you will see Black Tor in front of you with Sourton Tor just behind it.

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WALK

Okehampton Station

Castle West Okement River

East Hill Army Camp Meldon Viaduct Black Down

Meldon Reservoir

Red-a-v en Broo k

The Archangel’s Way is a new pilgrimage route of 35 miles across the north of Dartmoor from Brentor to Chagford. It’s an ancient and remote landscape that connects you to the people who have lived here via the buildings and artefacts they have left behind.The circular walk described here follows part of Stage 3. Distance: Approximately 5.75 miles Difficulty:There’s quite a challenging climb up onto the moor at the beginning, but from then on it’s plain sailing Time: 2 - 2.5 hours

mine workings. The track winds its way down to a fork where you bear right, still heading for the viaduct. Pass through a five bar gate with lime kilns to its right, climb up a short lane, cross the road and climb the steps opposite. At a T-junction of tracks you can turn left to follow the line of road and river down the valley through the aptly-named Bluebell Wood. The path drops steadily to join the road by a small car park. Turn right to cross a bridge over the A30, and then follow a farm track to your right, heading back towards Okehampton. Just before the farm entrance take the waymarked route to the right of the

farm, and head straight through two fields to a gate onto the golf course. Nowahead only Continue straight following the waymarked Now bridleway.only Ahead you Now only * will see Okehampton Castle amongst*trees * in in the foreground. Continue over a for a fully cattle grid through the wood, then take a fully fifor tted electric fully a right handfor pathawhich leaves the fi tted electric garage door. road heading back towards the station. fi tted electric WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. On reachinggarage a road, turndoor. left downhill garage door. WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT. £1,354 INCLUDING then almostWAS immediately rightVAT. along an unsurfaced road where you’ll pass the start/end of the Granite Way.

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Oke Links Jan/Feb 2022

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