Oke Links-May-June 2017

OKE LINKS

May / June 2017

Issue 3

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

f o l a v Festi Music & d o o F

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INSIDE: LOCAL PEOPLE • SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT • WHAT’S ON • GARDENING • HISTORY • NOTICEBOARD WHAT’S ON Festivals, Open Gardens, Live Music and lots more!

NORTH DARTMOOR SEARCH & RESCUE Busy times

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I can’t believe how the time is flying this year! Maybe it’s an age thing, but to be writing for the May/June edition of Oke Links already seems quite incredible.

May is my favourite month of the year, when the leaves on the trees are fresh and new and woods and hedgerows are full of brilliant bluebells.

These gorgeous flowers are a real celebration of spring and Okehampton Castle, which hosts Bluebell Sunday on May 14, is the ideal spot for a day out enjoying the natural spectacle, in addition to musical entertainment and a variety of activities.

May is also the time when we are getting out into our gardens and hopefully enjoying longer, warmer days. If you are looking for inspiration and advice, take a look at our gardening pages, where Tim Penrose of Bowdens Hostas tackles the subject of hanging baskets – and how to tackle mildew with milk!

Spring sees a rise in the number of people taking to the great outdoors to enjoy the stunning countryside in which we are lucky enough to live. The subject of our charity feature this edition is a group that knows more than anyone that while it’s great to explore the tors and moors, it’s an area that needs to be treated with respect and care – otherwise you can become unstuck. That’s when the volunteers of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group swing into action – read about them on page 20.

In June, there’s a real treat in store in Okehampton, when the fifth annual Food and Music Festival is staged on June 24.

Okehampton Chamber of Trade has pulled out all the stops to bring together a huge variety of producers and entertainers – an event which this year carries on partying into the evening at the Charter Hall.

Contact us today on (01837) 52371

I hope you enjoy the latest Oke Links – if you, your club, your organisation, would like to be featured in a future edition, or if you are holding events which you would like publicised, please do get in touch! Similarly, if you have a tale to tell, I’d love to hear from you!

Bridge House, 25 Fore Street, Okehampton, EX20 1DL

Jane

PL19, PL20 and EX20

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

The deadline for any inclusions in the July/August issue is Friday 2nd June We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our many contributors for so kindly giving us their time and expertise, in helping keep our magazine so interesting to all.

OKE Links is produced by Olijam Communications Ltd. THE OLIJAM TEAM:

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Editor: Editorial Director: Publisher: Design: Advertising:

Jane Honey Lizzie Watt Tim Randell Sara Venner, Julian Rees Jane Daniel, Victoria Smith

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

CONTENTS 5. NOTICEBOARD

Find out about the U3A, help on offer from the British Legion and a new support group for sightloss sufferers.

12. LOCAL PEOPLE

We meet an eclectic trio – a retired diplomat, an outdoor adventurer and a maker of artisan soaps.

17. FARMING DIARY

There’s a new arrival on the farm – but Stuart Luxton faces some bad news.

18. SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

The arts are an important element of life at Lydford Primary School.

20. CHARITY FOCUS

Hard work and dedication are key for the volunteers of North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group.

27. GARDENING

Tim Penrose has ideas for hanging baskets and tackling seasonal problems in the garden.

29. WHAT’S ON

A round-up of events in May and June.

46. FEATURE

The amazing work carried out by The Turning Tides Project.

50. FOOD AND WINE

We have some great suggestions for summer drinking from Jason Mules of Waitrose.

52. HISTORY

A landmark in the history of Okehampton Castle.

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

ALL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

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

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

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

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

All rights reserved copyright © 2017

3

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NOTICEBOARD

Variety is the spice of life If you have walked past the Ockment Centre in Okehampton on a Thursday afternoon and noticed a big yellow sign saying ‘Welcome to the U3A Monthly Meeting’ you may well have wondered what it was all about. Well U3A stands for University of the Third Age. So what is the third age? The first age is growing up and getting educated, the second age is work and raising a family and the third age is the rest of your life.

The U3A is not a University. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained. In fact if you look at the groups which form the Okehampton U3A you will find that most of them are what may be called leisure activities such as walking and reading, rather than being of an academic nature.

The University of the Third Age is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. It consists of local U3A groups all over the UK, all are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers.

in the Ockment Centre, when there is usually a visiting speaker who gives a talk, followed by refreshments.

The meetings are open to all members, the only charge being a £1 contribution to refreshments. Prospective members are also welcome to attend when they can pick up a copy of the newsletter and have a chat about what groups may be of interest to them. The monthly Newsletter is also available from the Library and the Ockment Centre and is a good overview of what Okehampton U3A has to offer.

For further information please go to U3A website. org.uk/okehampton or telephone membership secretary Sheila Johnson on 01837 54391.

Okehampton U3A was formed in 2001 and now has about 150 members. There are almost 20 different interest groups run by Okehampton U3A, ranging from walking, history and photography to singing, Mahjong and water colour painting groups. In addition to regular group meetings, a general meeting is held on the last Thursday of the month at 2.30pm

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The breeding season for moorland birds on Dartmoor coincides with the lambing season and, with the arrival of spring, the moorland will be full of new life, so it is particularly important for all of us to be Moor Aware.

round concern and the law requires that dogs be kept under close control at all times. It is a criminal offence for dogs to worry livestock. The dog owner can be fined and in some cases have their dog destroyed.

Many visitors and local people exercise their dogs when enjoying Dartmoor. Although a dog may not be actively chasing livestock, its presence can still cause disturbance. During the lambing and calving season, expecting ewes or cows are particularly vulnerable. A frightened animal may abort or abandon its young – a tragedy for the animal and a financial loss to the farmer. The worrying of livestock by dogs is a year

The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society funds the work of Livestock Protection Officer, Karla McKechnie, who is on emergency call-out to deal with incidents of sheep worrying, dog attacks, casualties from road traffic accidents and livestock in distress on Dartmoor. Call her on 07873 587 561 to report an incident. For further information visit www.dlps.org. uk or www.dartmoor.gov.uk

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

5

NOTICEBOARD

NOTICEBOARD

Lifton Local History Group Lifton Local History Group was founded in 1991, following a small exhibition of old photographs at a church fete, during the summer. So much interest was shown in the photographs that an inaugural meeting was arranged and the group was formed.

In the years since then, the group has held several exhibitions including those to celebrate the by-passing of the village in 1993, the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the Trafalgar Day Bicentenary in 2005.

In September 2008, the group staged a Celebration of Life in the 1900s which included a compilation of archive film, songs and reminiscences, an exhibition and examples of an oral history project, featuring local people’s memories.

During the summer of 2010, a two day ‘Liftoner’s Day’ exhibition of photos, maps, antique farm implements, books etc was staged by the group which proved to be very popular with the local community.

The next big project is an exhibition to help celebrate the ‘Centenary of AMBROSIA in Lifton’. See What’s On Extra for more information. Anyone interested in joining the group or finding out more should contact Jane Rogers at janeanne22@ btinternet.com

Celebrating 90 years of opening gardens for charity

Practical help and a sympathetic ear

The new Devon yellow book detailing gardens open in the area in 2017 under the National Garden Scheme is now in garden centres and tourist information centres.

If you have been out and about late at night on a Saturday recently, you may have seen the Okehampton Street Pastor team - a brand new, church-led initiative to the town.

Gardeners from across Devon met up recently to celebrate the 90th year of the National Garden Scheme. Devon also celebrated having raised over £2.2million (£160,000 of which in 2016) over the last 90 years for Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the other nursing charities the scheme supports. The money has all been raised from the generosity of the thousands of garden visitors and generous gardeners voluntarily opening their beautiful and diverse gardens - most of which are completely private and never otherwise open to visitors.

Okehampton Street Pastors are volunteers who provide practical help, sympathetic care and a listening ear to anyone enjoying the night time economy. While they don’t replace the police, national statistics have proved that the presence of Street Pastors on the streets reduces anti-social behaviour and makes the area a safer place for everyone.

This year there are over 90 gardens in Devon to choose from, with several in the immediate Oke Links area, so there is sure to be a garden open near you. With Mary Berry as scheme’s president, the cream teas and cakes are a highlight too! Many of the gardens allow dogs and have plants for sale.

To enjoy a great day out visiting a garden this year and helping Devon reach their next million for these important charities that touch all our lives just pick up a booklet or go to www. ngs.org.uk • Anne Swithinbank, Radio 4s Gardener’s Question Time panellist, is pictured cutting the birthday cake given by Exeter College for the 90th birthday celebrations.

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Julie Yelland, chairman of Okehampton Street Pastors, said: ‘The team are on patrol between 10pm and 3am every other Saturday night and are easily recognised by their distinctive uniforms. They carry a basic first aid kit, flip flops and lollipops.

The flip flops are offered to those in high heels as people can be very unsteady on their feet at the end of a long evening.

The lollipops are offered to the men as the sugar in the lollipops gets into the blood stream quickly and reduces the impact of alcohol.’

Anyone over the age of 18 who is an active member of a local church can become a Street Pastor. All applicants are interviewed and go through a DBS check, formerly a Criminal Record Bureau check, and references are followed up. The training covers subjects such as roles and responsibilities, working with the police, drug and alcohol awareness, safeguarding, knowing your community and First Aid. For more information go to streetpastors.org/locations/ Okehampton, call 01837 53944 or email okehampton@ streetpastors.org.uk.

‘In the meantime,’ said Julie, ‘if you should see the team while you are out and about, then please do say hello.’

Outreach from the Royal British Legion An outreach service run by The Royal British Legion (RBL) in Okehampton is celebrating its first anniversary this spring. The Outreach Hub allows direct access to The Royal British Legion services, providing lifelong care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past, present and their families, meeting with a member of the operations team face to face.

Support provided includes benefit debt and money advice and if this is having a fundamental impact on your life, the advisors have got the specialist knowledge to help you get back on your feet. There’s help with seaside breaks and family holidays, war pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Advice, Handy Vans Service, and an Independent Living Advisor. The Immediate Needs Grants Scheme is also there if you are going through a crisis and need help to meet sudden and unexpected expenses. The RBL can’t provide cash, but can help pay for the services or equipment that are needed.

There is also an outreach worker that works with the

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

extremely vulnerable, helping them to engage with the right services available for them to get them back on the right track. ‘Civvystreet’ is also part of The Royal British Legion and they have hundreds of job vacancies, as well as free online courses to help you improve your job prospects and help towards the cost of external courses.

The sessions operate on the first Friday of every month between 10am and 1pm at The Ockment Centre, North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR. The RBL can also be contacted seven days a week, 8am to 8pm, through its contact centre on 0808 802 8080 (free from Uk landlines and main mobile networks) where your call will be logged and then a member of the local area operations team will be in touch.

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NOTICEBOARD

I took 7 days off work for flu and my employer won’t give me sick pay. I usually work 21 hours in a warehouse but I’m on flexible contract so my shifts moved round. I called in sick and they took me off the rota for a couple of weeks, and are saying that I won’t be paid. Is this right?

Whatever your contract type, you’re entitled to sick pay if you meet certain rules around the length of your illness and your usual pay.

Statutory sick pay is paid from the fourth day you’d usually be working that you’re off sick. You need to normally earn £112.00 a week or more before tax, and to report your sickness according to your workplace rules like phoning in or filling in a form.

If you’d already agreed to those working hours before you took time off for illness, your employer removing you from the rota doesn’t change your rights - you’re still entitled to sick pay.

Your employer may not be aware of their responsibilities, or they may even be trying to avoid paying.

The first step is to ask your employer to fill in the government Statutory Sick Pay form explaining their reasons for not paying you.

Once it’s filled in, call the number for HMRC on the form.

They’ll clarify whether you’re entitled and if you are, make sure you’re paid.

If your employer won’t fill in the form, contact HMRC, who have a legal duty to solve issues around sick pay.

For further help and advice, contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

For the most up-to-date advice, please visit www. citizensadvice.org.uk pop into your local office or call Adviceline on 03444 111 444 Okehampton Citizens Advice (Ockment Centre) Tues & Weds 10-4pm and Fri 10-1pm www.ruraldevoncab.org.uk

SPORTS CLUB NEWS

New support group formed

Dartmoor Cup finals Day

A new support group aiming to increase the confidence and independence of people affected by macular degeneration has been launched in Okehampton.

The Macular Society, together with local people, has organised the group, which met for the first time in March.

The meetings offer information, encouragement and friendship to people affected by the condition. Judy Pride, Macular Society regional manager, said: ‘This new group is here for anybody affected by macular degeneration - we want to encourage as many people as possible to come along. Friends and family are also very welcome.’

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects central vision and is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. It affects more than 600,000 people, with another 200 new cases being diagnosed every day. At the current rate, around 1.3 million people will be affected by the condition by 2050.

At the first meeting twelve new members came along. Over a cup of coffee, there were ideas shared, knowledge gained and lots of laughter!

Judy said: ‘It’s good to be able to learn from each other’s experiences and get tips. Peer support can be so helpful because they really understand how life has changed.

Our groups can really help people increase in confidence and become more independent. The group will invite guest speakers on a variety of subjects, including macular conditions and their impact on our daily lives. The meetings are also social occasions.’

Okehampton Macular Support Group meets on the second Friday of every month – the next meeting is at 10am on Friday, May 12, from 10am until noon, at the Ockment Centre in Okehampton. Everyone is welcome to drop by, whether they have the condition or just want to find out a bit more for a friend or family member. If you need any information call 01837 52365.

For more information on macular degeneration, call the Macular Society’s helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org

Wednesday 24 May The Dartmoor Cup brings together more than 250 children to play cricket from OCRA sports schools all over West Devon.

The event is the brainchild of Chris Mount from Chagford Cricket Club, who wanted local clubs to work together across this large rural area and develop cricket for all.

The Dartmoor Cup, now in its seventh year, allows girls and boys of all abilities to have fun, gain skills, play games, develop confidence, engage in healthy activity and for individuals to come together from all over West Devon and Dartmoor. The event encourages schools to enter A,B and even C teams, as well as small schools to participate. The first round events are led and hosted by club coaches at Hatherleigh CC, Lewdown CC ,Whitchurch CC and Chagford CC. This leads to a finals event that brings at least 28 teams together with OCRA at Okehampton College and Simmons Park. Depending on where they finished in their local event, they play in a cup, shield or plate competition.

Last years winners, Chagford Primary, went on to win the Devon Schools event.

Stuart Lord of sports and recreation charity OCRA said: ‘This is a great cricket development programme and event – big thanks to Chris Mount and all the cricket clubs involved.

They offer fantastic coaching and fun for girls and boys of all abilities in the community. This event also helps us greatly in getting together Team West Devon for the South West Games.

‘The Dartmoor Cup also develops 25 young cricket leaders from the College. These help with the finals day, gaining experience in coaching and officiating.’

If anybody would like to sponsor this superb event, please contact stuart@ocrasport.org.uk

A thriving club for all abilities...

Okehampton Tennis Club is situated in a prime position within Simmons Park and boasts four floodlit courts as well as having direct access to the Pavilion in the Park. The club has been going from strength to strength in recent years and was voted ‘Community Venue of the Year’ by the Devon Lawn Tennis Association in 2015 and was runner-up in the same category last year. Membership has tripled in the last two years and the junior section continues to regularly welcome between 30-40 children to its ever popular Saturday morning juniors programme. This has always been one of the best value sporting opportunities in the town and from this year it has been made completely FREE for members.

The club also offers opportunities for after school tennis with a newly introduced junior club session on Tuesdays from 4pm until 5.30pm. Anyone aged between nine and 14 is welcome to come along with their own racket and play for as long as they want between the scheduled time. The sessions are supervised and balls are provided.

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

There are also plenty of opportunities for adults to get involved, with club sessions on a Tuesday night, Saturday afternoon and on the last Sunday of each month. Nonmembers are very welcome to try a few sessions before committing to join. For those who haven’t played for a while (or not at all), the club also offers a chance to play with others of similar ability and confidence with their weekly ‘Rusty Rackets’ sessions. This has proved a great success and everyone who wishes to join in will be made to feel very welcome.

For players seeking competitive tennis, the club enters teams in the Mens, Ladies and Mixed Divisions of the Exeter and East Devon leagues.

Full details about the club are at www.clubspark.lta.org. uk/OkehamptonTennisClub or by contacting Adam via email:arrnoosa@hotmail.com

9

NOTICEBOARD SPORTS CLUB NEWS

CONSTITUENCY NEWS

Belstone Cricket Club Twenty four years on from humble beginnings, Belstone Cricket Club is enjoying a third season in the First Division of the North Devon Sunday League, with matches against Bideford, Bratton Fleming, Filleigh, Hatherleigh, Newton Tracey, North Devon and Sandford.

During the week the club organises the Buckley Cup home and away evening T20 games against teams from Hatherleigh, Okehampton, Spreyton, Sticklepath, Tedburn and Yeoford.

Home games take place at Rew Meadow, the club’s scenic ground on the northern edge of Dartmoor, 950 feet above sea level and claimed to be the highest cricket ground in southern England. It is also the venue for two popular car boot sales every season, which this year will take place on Saturdays mornings on 10 June and 16 September.

Club secretary Chris Walpole said: ‘We are a really friendly club playing at a good standard. We’d love to welcome new players – because we have a small squad they can be pretty sure of getting lots of regular cricket. There are plenty of opportunities for youngsters too – our Colts section meets on Friday evenings in May and June and they have just been boosted by an award of over £300 from Waitrose’s ‘Community Matters’ scheme.’

To get involved contact Chris on 01837 840498 or chris. walpole@mypostoffice.co.uk and have a look at www.pitchero. com/clubs/belstonecricketclub.

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Now is the time to unite...

At the end of March I sat next to the Prime Minister at the despatch box in the Commons for an hour and half during her statement on Article 50 which she had just invoked, so commencing our withdrawal from the EU. No less than 110 MPs pressed their questions. Views were mixed as they are across the country - some felt it would be impossible to secure a reasonable deal with the EU given the time allowed, others that the rights of EU nationals should be granted by the UK unilaterally without simultaneously securing the same rights for our nationals living on the continent. Others that any final deal should be put to another referendum.

The Scottish Nationalists argued (with every single one of their MPs contributing) that leaving the EU goes against the will of the Scottish people - Scotland voted two to one to remain - and that there should now be a second referendum on independence. How much would we have to pay the EU on leaving in order to meet the future obligations that we have already entered into some asked? How much might this take away from public spending and public services? Others welcomed the triggering of Article 50 as the start of a process that might lead to the UK emerging as a stronger, more globally facing country, our economy fortified by new trade deals, renewed control over our borders, fishing grounds to ourselves, more UK law making and much else.

There were many views and clear divisions but one notion on which virtually all present agreed was that the result of the referendum must be respected. We are leaving the EU.

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News from Mel Stride MP (Central Devon)

As someone who voted and campaigned to remain (mainly due to my concerns about the economic impact of Brexit and its capacity to destabilise the UK as a union of nations) this was not a day I had relished. However, sitting there listening to the PM and sensing her resolve to fight for us with every fibre of her being I knew one thing for sure that it is by uniting and sticking together in the pursuit of the best possible deal that we can achieve the best possible

outcome. The alternative of on-going dogfights around trying to unpick what has now been done or seeking political advantage during a potentially difficult time for our country would be a destructive disservice to the people.

We trusted the people with the question and now we must unite in making the very best of their decision. The greatest of all challenges ahead is clearly going to be to secure a beneficial trade deal. Get it right and we can prosper - get it wrong and we will suffer across the board. Too much is now at stake to refight the arguments that should have been left behind on June 23, now is the time for us all, politicians and public alike, to pull together and row in behind our negotiating team with a united show of purpose.

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LOCAL PEOPLE

LOCAL PEOPLE

Alan Payne A diplomatic globetrotter whose heart was stolen by Devon Alan Payne, 83, lives in splendid isolation deep in the heart of West Devon, between Lewdown and Bratton Clovelly. It’s a far cry from the embassies of Budapest or Mexico City, or the offices of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and Kingston, Jamaica - yet this fascinating and articulate man, who has lived and worked all over the world, says his current home has been his best.

‘It was a wise decision to move here,’ says Alan. ‘The most wonderful thing about it is the extraordinary concern that people in this community show for every aspect of what you are doing, without in any way being nosey. It’s the most sensitive, caring community we have ever discovered in all our years of globetrotting.’

As a boy growing up in Enfield, Alan experienced the terrors of the Second World War blitz. “I think until then I was too young to be aware of the danger, but what really did make its mark on me was the intense austerity that the war imposed on everyone. Even now I absolutely hate waste. I don’t easily throw things away which drives my family scatty!” he laughs.

A graduate of Queens’ College, Cambridge, he joined record giant EMI and spent several years in Paris, before being persuaded to use his talent for languages in the service of his country, working first for NATO and then joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1965. More than twenty years of worldwide postings followed, including periods as First Secretary (Defence) in Kuala Lumpur, Head of the Mexico and Caribbean Department in the FCO in London, British Consul General in Lyons, British High Commissioner in Kingston, Jamaica and non-resident Ambassador to Haiti, during which time he was awarded the CMG (The Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) in 1988.

A modest man with a great sense of humour, it’s easy to imagine Alan sliding with ease between French, English or Russian languages, oiling the machines of diplomacy with eloquence, charm and liberal servings of gin and tonic - “noone has invented a better way of getting to know someone than gin and tonic!” Alan claims.

Throughout these years, his rock and stalwart was his wife, Letitia. “In the Foreign Office your wife is part of the team, a crucial part of it,” said Alan. “I was wonderfully backed up by Letitia.” They have three sons and are now also grandparents to two boys and two girls.

On moving to Devon, Alan and Letitia threw themselves into local life. Alan explained: ‘It was a bit like a new posting.

We joined our local church, we joined Red Spider, the local amateur dramatic group and I was invited to join the board of governors at Lew Trenchard Primary School. I later became a member of an independent review panel for West Devon Borough Council. That was very worthwhile and I am very glad I did it.’

Very sadly, Letitia began to show early signs of dementia and in 2007, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

She passed away earlier this year. Alan said: ‘It has been a remorseless journey. In the early days I made a private vow that I would do my best to find something positive out of something wholly negative, by getting involved in anything that spread knowledge of this awful disease.’ Alan has become vice chairman of Tavistock Memory Café.

He reflects: ‘Dementia is a dreadful condition, the dismantling of a personality, piece by little piece. You face the process of grieving almost daily for what has been lost.’

Despite his obvious pain, Alan is positive about the changes that are taking place in awareness of dementia and his natural optimism is evident when he reflects on his life in the service of his country.

‘We are very good at what we do in the international field everyone else recognises that we are not lightweights, yet sometimes we are our own worst enemy in being critical of ourselves when actually, we punch very much above our own weight.’

12

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Nicky Selby With a love of the outdoors and a huge sense of adventure, Nicky Selby is well placed to instruct young, new and enthusiastic talent in the ways of kayaking, gorge scrambling and even bush craft!

A love of the outdoors and a passion for teaching meant Nicky Selby was always going to opt for a career in which she could combine both talent and inclination.

Nicky is the activity and training co-ordinator at Adventure Okehampton. On leaving school and after a spell travelling in Australia, working with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and a not-such pleasant time spent on a prawn farm, Nicky gained training experience working with adults with learning disabilities. She loved the work but wanted to find more outdoor activities that her clients could take part in. She became an apprentice in the ‘outdoor industry’, as she puts it and the rest, as they say, is history.

Nicky came to work at Okehampton eight years ago and has worked her way up to her current position at the adventure centre. ‘I think being an apprentice is the best way forward,’ Nicky explained. ‘Doing a university course, there’s a lot of paperwork but not much out in the field. Being an apprentice you are getting the skills on the job. I loved it, and I love teaching the youngsters to become instructors themselves.

To be an instructor, you have to be passionate about being outside in all weathers but you also really need to love teaching people. I think everybody can be taught, you just have to have patience and find out the best way they can learn.

‘You are never going to earn millions doing this type of work, it’s not that type of industry, but you do it because you love it.’

Apprentices come to Okehampton Adventure Centre through Exeter College, working on a year-long course to gain their NVQ Level 2. They then become qualified instructors at the centre or may move on to other centres to gain further experience in other skills. At Okehampton, they learn water sports such as kayaking, canoeing and raft building, rock climbing, gorge scrambling, hiking, cycling, archery, bush craft and mountain boarding. These types of activities are also

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

available to adults who may come to the centre on hen parties, stag ‘dos’ and corporate team building courses.

The next batch of four apprentices started at Okehampton in February -Nicky is now pretty much in full swing through the spring and summer - the adventure centre’s busiest time of the year.

‘We do activity camps in the summer that parents send their kids on, which we run but we also get volunteers to come up here to help support the instructors. Volunteers get their accommodation and food as well as take part in all the activities. The volunteers we had here last year absolutely loved it, but it’s not widely known that there’s that type of volunteering opportunity here,’ said Nicky.

The winter time is down time for Nicky and that’s when she gets to indulge in some of her ‘bucket list’ activities. ‘In September I trekked to Everest base camp for three weeks. My partner and I had always wanted to go and in the down time of the year, outdoor instructors tend to upskill by doing this sort of thing,’ said Nicky. ‘The people in Nepal were lovely but I did struggle with the altitude there as I kept getting dizzy and breathless.’

A sense of adventure obviously runs in Nicky’s family as within weeks of her return from Nepal, Nicky travelled with her mum and 90-year-old grandma to Lanzarote. Nicky and her mum experienced a five-hour quad bike safari - ‘It was all off-road so you got to see so much more – it was brilliant!’

Nicky is also an animal lover and owns her own horse, Toby. ‘I absolutely love riding. I’ve had Toby for 18 years now.’

As for next year’s down time, Nicky has her eyes set on an ascent of Mont Blanc and further down the line, Peru and the Inca Trail beckons.

13

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Sophie Goodwin-Hughes An enjoyable hobby and desire to help her son’s skin condition, has led to Sophie GoodwinHughes, from Belstone, now owning and running a thriving international business.

Sophie Goodwin-Hughes lived in Essex until about ten years ago when she and her husband moved to the Teign Valley.

Sophie, an occupational therapist, said: ’When we first moved down here, there weren’t any jobs, so I project managed renovating our cottage and when our son Sebastian came along, I really wanted to be able to spend as much time as possible with him.

‘The creation of the soap business was a bit of an accident.

Sebastian was diagnosed with eczema and the doctor prescribed various lotions and potions. However we realised we were just adding chemicals upon chemicals. So I decided to go back to my hobby of making soap again to see if anything completely natural would make a difference. It did and Sebastian’s eczema cleared up.

‘I think we were lucky as he didn’t have the condition too badly, but the whole process got me thinking about how I could possibly make this hobby into a business, allowing me to stay at home with Sebastian. I began making more soaps at home and it’s now taken off in a way I never really expected at all!’

Sophie began trying her products out on friends and family to guage their reaction and feedback. She then started selling as The Dartmoor Soap Company, initially at country markets back in 2013. A website followed and then a variety of stockists started to get in contact with her including a big break coming in the form of the National Trust and the Not On the High Street website.

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Her mother who had been a strong supporter and great help in the early days of production, sadly died but this cruel turn of fate only spurred Sophie on even more - to take her business to the next level and move to proper production premises at Kigbeare Studios, near Okehampton. ‘I really found it difficult

to work from home after Mum died and after I appeared on the BBC’s Countryfile in May 2015, things just went mad!

Everybody who saw it seemed to think I’d come up with some kind of miracle cure for eczema, the exposure I had from the programme was incredible, but it meant I was struggling. If you could have seen my house at the time every room was full of soaps with boxes everywhere! People used to say “Your house smells lovely” – now it just smells of dogs!’

Moving her business to Kigbeare has made a huge difference to Sophie, who is now producing an average of 800 bars a week. All her products are created using natural products, local where possible. For example, she includes honey from Peter Hunt, based at North Bovey, her ‘ale soap’ is made with Jail Ale from Dartmoor Brewery and her goats milk soap is made with milk sourced from her home in Belstone. She is constantly dreaming up new brands. Using a ‘trial and error’ method some of the latest inventions include a ‘Mischevious Mutts’ soap for dogs and a ‘Country Cooks’ soap which includes coffee, said to get rid of the smell of garlic!

Fortuitously, an order from China came in time for her to secure a substantial EU grant, just days before last year’s Brexit vote and she now has her sights set on international markets.

As Sophie says, it’s a far cry from experimental beginnings, although she still has an army of local teenagers wrapping her soaps by hand in the village.

Sophie’s New Year resolution was to do more for herself, including getting out and about running and riding her mountain bike. ‘The business has certainly increased my confidence, my skills set and my social circle. It’s pushed me to do things I find very difficult - certainly doing Countryfile I was like a rabbit in the headlights! But Sebastian will always come first, and that’s what it’s always been about.’

15

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New spring arrivals and some sad news on the farm Stuart Luxton welcomes Fred the bull but faces problems with the herd As I write we are now into April and if I am not much mistaken we are definitely into spring! Our daffodils are nearly over and some of the buds are starting to swell on the trees and bushes.

We identified the need for a new Aberdeen Angus bull to sire the next generation of beef on the farm, so at the end of January, Dad, my sister and myself drove to Scotland to the main national annual show and sale. On the Sunday there were nearly 200 bulls for sale for farmers from all over the UK to view. They were shown after having been coiffured and preened, with the next day ready to be reconvened for a large auction.

We studied the form and prepared a shortlist, thinking we had been clever, with our first choice having gone unnoticed by the judge. This bull was not a prizewinner and as such, we hoped for a bargain. As the trade had been very slow we were getting more excited. We were surprised however when our boy entered the ring and the bidding became very frenzied, quickly exceeding our budget. The final price was 18,000 guineas, the highest price of the day. Our second choice was not very far behind in terms of price. We had to rapidly come up with a plan B. We ended up with Fred, half brother to our first choice bull. The auction was quite an experience and pretty exciting.

At home on the farm our lambing is well underway. The spring calving season has just started too. These two events combined are the main reasons why you won’t have seen me in the shop so much in the last few weeks.

In the lambing shed things have been very hectic with all hands on deck. We usually have too many lambs, but mercifully this year we have had a perfect number of newborns, mainly strong and healthy too. I like to think it is down to good planning and preparation. The weather has been quite kind, the mildness has meant that there has been plenty of spring grass for all the new sheep families to get a good start in the world.

We will also soon be ready for one of the highlights of the year - turning out the cattle onto the spring pasture. They have had some good sheds to shelter them from the winter rains but they just love being turned out to graze on a spring day. One of my favourite sights of the year is bunches of either lambs or calves tearing round the fields in the sunshine just full of the joys of spring.

We did have some sad news two weeks ago. We tested the cattle for bovine TB, and three failed the test. These three cattle will have to be destroye, which is a terrible shame and it also means that we won’t be able to show any of our cattle at the summer shows or sell any bulls we have selected for breeding. We also have to

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keep testing which puts strain on staff and animals.

As a farmer it is very frustrating that we have to test the cattle so regularly and remove all infected animals, but as bovine TB in wildlife can’t be tackled, the situation in this area continues to deteriorate.

Stuart Luxton

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SCHOOL NEWS

SCHOOL NEWS

A celebration of the arts at Lydford Primary School The arts, in their widest sense, are a very important part of our curriculum at Lydford Primary School. We have held Arts Mark Gold from the Arts Council since 2010, which is awarded only to those schools who show a commitment to providing extensive, quality arts experiences.

We believe that the arts are key to helping children develop as fully rounded individuals and allowing them to build their confidence. Each Christmas the whole school works together to produce a play for the local community. The very youngest children will learn a dance routine and join in with the chorus for the songs, whilst the oldest children will take on the main acting parts and may even sing a solo if they wish.

It is amazing to see the shyest of children build their skills year after year and ultimately take on a leading role with confidence and stage presence.

This year, we have been very lucky to be able to work with Mrs Davis, a specialist drama teacher from Okehampton College.

She helped us create a fantastic version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the end of the Autumn Term and this term she worked with Key Stage 2 children to create an amazing, modern version of Macbeth which interwove Shakespearean text with modern street language. It was well wicked!

As well as the main curriculum, we also have an annual Book Week in the Spring Term and an Arts Week in the Summer Term. These are opportunities for us to give the children arts experiences outside the normal curriculum and introduce them to professional artists.

Over the last few years, our children have worked with Chinese artist Xaio Bai Li, sculptor James Lake, dancer Matt Maklin, digeridoo player Chris Holland and authors Veronica Lamond, Chris D’Lacey and Simon James, to name but a few.

Each one has been able to share their love of their particular art and how they became a professional artist, as well as

Most recently, a local lady with a skill in felting visited the school to teach them how to make multi-coloured felt eggs.

The younger children worked alongside the older children, who helped and supported the infants to create their felt egg, whilst also making their own. In this way, the children learn patience and how to collaborate, as well as producing beautiful pieces of work.

In the current educational climate of testing and measuring, we at Lydford Primary School think it is important that every child has the opportunity to create, compose and perform to help them develop their talent and character.

Barbara Earnshaw Head of School

sharing their skills and talent. It is fantastic to see the children realising that, although it is important to have talent, it is even more important to have determination, resilience and work hard to do well at something.

In the Summer Term, Wren Music work with Class 2 to teach them a new instrument. After a term of lessons the whole class perform as a group in the Summer Concert. Over the last few years they have had a go at learning ukuleles, steel drums, saxophones and tenor horns. It’s a lesson all the children look forward to and a great opportunity for them to experience performing music as a group and the reward of persevering with a new skill, although it can be fun trying to find room for 30 full-sized steel drums in the classroom!

All children in year 2 have lessons to learn the recorder, thanks to the voluntary work of our previous administrator, who although she has now retired, comes back each week to teach the year 2s and run a club for the juniors at lunchtime. This introduction to music and playing has led to many of our pupils taking up musical instruments, whether they continue with the recorder and develop onto the treble, join the Music Hub to learn an instrument or take private lessons. We have pupils at school learning all sorts of instruments, from the tuba and trombone to keyboard and guitar.

As a small school, we are really lucky that when we do an activity or workshop we are often able to make sure every child in school takes part. Sometimes we split the school into infants and juniors and have separate workshops, but sometimes we join as a whole school to create art together.

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19

CHARITY FOCUS

CHARITY FOCUS

embraced the standards set by Mountain Rescue England and Wales, this ensures when working with other teams we are of a comparable standard and also maintains our professional credibility.

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group Providing vital support in times of need The team formed in 1969 to provide a voluntary rescue ‘service’ for the local community. Since then, its scope has grown, to providing a voluntary specialist land and swift water search and rescue facility, with casualty care capabilities for missing or injured persons across Devon or, if required, further afield.

Our name has also changed – we were initially the North Moor Section of The Dartmoor Rescue Group. In the early 2000’s we became the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team. We, together with sister teams in Tavistock, Plymouth and Ashburton still form part of The Dartmoor Rescue Group; we are also part of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and in recent years have started to use the Mountain Rescue branding.

During 2016 we had 35 call-outs and during the first 13 weeks of 2017 we have already been involved with 13 incidents.

These have included providing medical assistance to two people on the moors with leg and ankle injuries, carrying them off the hill on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance; assisting groups of young people cold and wet on Dartmoor; and working alongside other emergency services searching for missing and vulnerable people, including the missing junior doctor in North Devon and the river night search around Newton St Cyres.

Call-outs are initiated by a 999 call to the police, although we do respond to calls for assistance from the ambulance service 20

when they have casualties inaccessible to themselves. The police contacts our team leader who may be at work, in bed or even out training, to brief him. A text message is sent to all team members with very brief details including where to meet.

They send a response via text to a computer stating whether they are able to attend. All members are voluntary, and it’s not always possibly to drop work or family commitments. We are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In addition to supporting the emergency services, we also involved with local events. Annually we support the Ten Tors challenge. We provide in excess of 875 volunteer hours for Ten Tors; assisting with kit checking, providing medical assistance both in the helicopters and on foot and, in times of bad weather, supporting young people to evacuate the moors. We also support the ‘Jubilee Challenge’, an expedition undertaken by 300 young people with special needs.

Members commit a significant amount of time to the team, in addition to call-outs and supporting local events, they have to undertake training. Before becoming a member, individuals have to reach a defined standard in first aid; demonstrate an ability to navigate safely and independently across Dartmoor; competently and accurately communicate on our radio network; have a working knowledge of rope systems and operating in or near water. It takes on average 12 months to complete the initial training. Once a member, there is a requirement to train at least once a month, many train weekly, and re-take various exams. In recent years we have

These national standards have resulted in a change to some of our training. We now have different levels of casualty care with the most highly qualified able to administer certain drugs.

The other big training change in recent years has been the introduction of swift water training; a national response to the major flooding events. Over the winter months ten members spent a couple of weekends donning dry suits, helmets and all the other water paraphernalia to train as Swift Water Technicians – the same level set by the Fire Service. Another nine members qualified as bank side support.

Weekly training sessions (Tuesday evenings for two or three hours) are usually held outside, whatever the weather; occasionally we train indoors. In 2013 we were fortunate to

raise sufficient funds to purchase our own building and in the next month or two we hope to complete the modifications that have created a bespoke rescue centre complete with garaging, a drying room, washing facilities and a training room. These modifications followed a second major fundraising exercise.

The team is a registered charity, entirely dependent on donations, grants and fundraising events. Our annual running costs, including the maintenance and repair of two Land Rovers and a control vehicle, the operation of the centre, maintenance of an IT system and maintenance and repair of equipment are now in the order of £25,000 per annum. It is often the members who go out to rescue people that give their time to raise the funds to provide a Mountain Rescue Service.

For more information on the rescue group or to make a donation please go to www.ndsart.org.uk

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Advice from Dr Emma Chapman from Okehampton Medical Centre Tick Bites

Avoiding tick bites

Tick bites aren’t usually painful, so you may not realise you’ve been bitten. Symptoms of a tick bite can include small red lump on the skin, swelling, itchiness, blistering or bruising.

Ticks can sometimes carry a potentially serious infection called Lyme disease and should be removed as soon as possible if you find one attached to your skin.

You can reduce your risk of being bitten if you keep to footpaths avoiding long grass when out walking, wear appropriate clothing in tick-infested areas (a long-sleeved shirt and trousers tucked into your socks), wear lightcoloured fabrics that may help you spot a tick and use insect repellent. Inspect your skin for ticks at the end of the day, including your head, neck and skin folds (armpits, groin, and waistband) and check your children’s head and neck areas too, including their scalp, making sure ticks are not brought home on your clothes. Check your pets to help ensure they don’t bring ticks into your home in their fur.

Lyme disease Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks, which can be treated effectively if detected early on. But if treatment is delayed, there’s a risk you could develop severe and long-lasting symptoms. Many people with early-stage Lyme disease develop a distinctive circular rash at the site of the bite, usually around three to 30 days after being bitten. It is described as looking like a bull’s-eye on a dart board. Some may develop several rashes in different parts of their body and some won’t develop a rash at all. Some people will also experience flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness, muscle and joint pain, headaches, a high temperature, chills and neck stiffness. More serious symptoms may develop if Lyme disease is left untreated or is not treated early on. You should see your GP if you develop any of the symptoms described below after being bitten by a tick

Removing a tick

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Contact your GP or call NHS 111 for advice if you’re worried about a bite or sting - your symptoms don’t start to improve within a few days or are getting worse, if you’ve been stung or bitten in your mouth or throat, or near your eyes, and if a large area (around 10cm or more) around the bite becomes red and swollen. Similarly, if you have symptoms of a wound infection such as pus or increasing pain/swelling or redness and if you have symptoms of a more widespread infection such as a fever/swollen glands and other flu-like symptoms, seek advice.

When to get emergency medical help

• Use tweezers that won’t squash the tick or use a tick removal tool. (Available from pharmacies, pet shops or veterinary surgeries)

• • • • • • •

• Pull steadily away from the skin without twisting or crushing the tick.

Caring for People in the Community

When to get medical advice for ticks, insect bites or stings

If a tick is attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible to reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease. To remove a tick:

• Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible to ensure the tick’s mouth isn’t left in the skin.

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• Wash your skin with water and soap, and apply an antiseptic cream to the skin around the bite.

Dial 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone else has symptoms of a severe reaction, such as: wheezing or difficulty breathing a swollen face, mouth or throat nausea or vomiting a fast heart rate dizziness or feeling faint difficulty swallowing loss of consciousness

Emergency treatment in hospital is needed in these cases.

Dr Emma Chapman

Don’t use a lit cigarette, a match head, alcohol or petroleum jelly to force the tick out.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Tai Chi for health, wellbeing and vitality The benefits of practicing Tai Chi and Qigong

The exercise improves muscle tone, particularly in the legs and gives you excellent command of your balance.

Tai Chi can be translated as ‘The great cosmic balancing force!’ It is a form of exercise that has been practiced in Asia for hundreds if not thousands of years. It has now spread throughout the world and is recognised as offering an exceptionally successful way of maintaining health and vitality.

Practicing the exercises and the form will help you to feel more co-ordinated in your body. Tai Chi is a mindful practice.

Giving full attention to the movements helps to focus on the present moment and let go of worries or concerns.

These days, Tai Chi is enjoyed by a huge diversity of people of all ages and all levels of fitness. It can be done standing, seated or even lying down so it’s easy to access and very adaptable to individual needs. You can do Tai Chi indoors or outdoors, while driving, cooking dinner, waiting for a bus or at your desk.

Practicing the form together in a group can create an atmosphere of peace and stillness. Regular practice of Tai Chi can heighten awareness and boost creativity.

Sometimes the stresses of modern life can cause us to become unbalanced. Artificial lights and computer screens can disrupt sleep patterns and the pressure of juggling work and family life can cause unwanted tension. Practicing Tai Chi is a way of restoring this balance.

There are many different types of Tai Chi and different styles of teaching. The style I learned and now teach is geared towards improving the health of body and mind, rather than focusing on the martial arts side of Tai Chi. Firstly there are a series of exercises for health and wellbeing. Then it’s possible to learn the Tai Chi form – a set sequence of slow movements which flow together.

Learning to be soft, flowing and effortless in your movements can reduce the risk of injury and help existing injuries to heal faster.

Tai Chi can be experienced on many different levels. Some people like to dip in and out depending on other commitments.

Many enjoy the sociability and relaxation of a regular weekly class. It is also possible to go more in depth with longer and more intensive courses.

What are the benefits? A healthy body and mind.

The exercises are all about freeing the body, relaxing the muscles and loosening the joints. The aim is for soft and effortless movement. This helps to release unwanted tension in the body and ease mental stress.

Kate Dixon 01837 840959 forestchi@btinternet.com

The slow movements of the form increase blood flow and improve oxygen supply to the deep muscles of the body.

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GARDENING

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Hanging baskets can start to be hung out late May/June to brighten up a doorway, wall or patio and planted with tender plants, as long as they are in a sheltered spot or under cover.

The easiest way to plant up is to stand the basket in a bucket and place the liner inside or line with sphagnum moss. Fill with multipurpose compost that has been mixed with water retaining crystals and slow release fertiliser.

year. Similarly with dahlia tubers, another favourite of mine.

Trailing petunia surfina and fuchsia are also spectacular and just recently trailing pansy has hit the market. Of course you don’t have to plant with flowers. Just as colourful are peppers and red cabbages and even strawberries and tomatoes, which are easy to pick and you get to eat them too!

An old trick is to sink an empty aluminium can in the middle of a large basket, open one end, facing up and punctured with numerous holes around the outside. The can distributes water more evenly into all parts of the basket and acts as a water reservoir. Only fill compost to within 2cm of the top rim of the basket to prevent water overspill and ensure the plants get a good soaking after planting. Frequent deadheading, watering and feeding especially during hot spells is key to a successful display.

For colour, non-stop cascading and trailing begonias are hard to beat in baskets. The tubers produce vibrant colourful blooms and when finished can be dried, stored and used again next

Just watch the birds though. They love stripping hessian liner for nests, but if like me you like birds, who really minds a few strands pulled here and there?

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26

Hanging Baskets

ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

Okehampton’s Family Run Garden Centre

Special offer pots from around the world Lots of multi-buy deals on Composts & Decorative Stone Chips

Get hanging those baskets from late May onwards...

Fully insured - Local references available • Hartland, Milton Combe, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6HP

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27

GARDENING

WHAT’S ON

REGULARS

Open gardens June 10 and 24 and July 8 and 22

Jobs for the Garden In May everything starts to move apace as flower plants can be planted outdoors into their final place. Applying a general purpose fertiliser now, prior to planting, gives plants a head start. At the end of May, summer bedding plants can be planted, unless the soil is wet and cold, in which case delay until June. Chrysanthemums and late flowering dahlia tubers and gladiola can be planted and it’s not too late to sow hardy annuals for a last show. Pinching the shoot tip of perennial plants such as fuchsia will encourage more flowers.

In June, hardy annuals sown earlier can be thinned out.

Deadhead spring flowering bulbs and allow daffodil and tulip foliage to die back having removed seed heads. Plants such as lilies grow rapidly, so may need supporting. For a splash of summer colour in the border, plant out or sow seeds of your favourite hardy perennials.

Weeding, pests and diseases Slugs and snails can still be a problem. Use pellets very sparingly, one pellet every 10cm. Don’t leave them in a pile. If you don’t like using chemicals there are alternative biological controls using nematodes or manual controls, bark mulch, wood ash and cinders, crushed eggs, salt and beer traps to name a few. Newly available is Bowdens very own Plant Elixir – ‘Godfreys Glorious Garlic Guard’ in 200ml bottles.

especially susceptible, use a biological nematode and water plants when the temperature is above 5ºC. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew fungus. A cheap and effective way to control this is to spray the whole plant with a mix of 30% milk and 70% water applied in bright light every 10 days (you can try a more dilute 10%, or more concentrated 50%, milk ratio). The protein in milk reacts with sun light and is believed to produce a temporary antiseptic.

Hoe at least once a week and mulch where possible.

I am opening the gardens again this year for the NGS open days on June 10 and 24 and July 8 and 22 with cream teas throughout the day. Admission charges go to the NGS charities, so please come along and visit us.

In addition to the National Collection of Hostas (Halcyon and Sports), we are proud to host the National Collection of Agapanthus – Pine Cottage Cultivars bred by Dick and Lorna Fulcher, for the first time this year. I’m excited because we will be able to showcase our new agapanthus cultivars which start showing from June to August. They are tough plants withstanding hot summers and with towering stems of bell shaped or tubular white, blue or purple flowers that remind me of giant sparklers.

Tim Penrose Bowdens Hostas www.bowdenhostas.com

Where vine weevil larvae is present, containers and pots being

To find out about...

Plant Nursery Specialist

agapanthus | hostas ferns | tree ferns bamboo | herbs

A 125 RHS Gold Medals

01837 840989 | sales@bowdenhostas.com | www.bowdenhostas.com Cleave House, Sticklepath, Okehampton EX20 2NL 28

WHAT’S ON in your local area VISIT

Dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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EVERY TUESDAY WALK AND TALK. If you have problems with your health, or have had in the past, it can be hard to stay active. If you need just to get out of the house and meet others, then come and join the friendly Walk and Talk group on Tuesdays at 10.30am opposite the Okehampton Post Office for a short walk.

You can walk for 20 minutes or 40 minutes, it is up to you. Need to talk about it? Ring Pat on 01837 83487 or just turn up.

OKEHAMPTON LIBRARY 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 2pm.

Okehampton Library Reading Groups.

Tuesdays, 10am to 10.30am Bounce & Rhyme for over 1 year olds; 11am to 11.30am for under one year olds. Free, no booking necessary 1st Tuesday of the month, 4pm until 5pm, Book Club for ages seven to eleven, free, no booking necessary.

Wednesdays 10am until 10.45am Storytime & Duplo Builders for under fives, free, no booking necessary.

Saturdays 10.30am until 11.30am Lego Builders for ages 5+ – free, no booking necessary

MAY 4 MAY COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS Today is polling day when electors have the chance to vote for their preferred county council representative. Up to date information on the elections can be found at www.devon.gov.uk 5 - 7 MAY TEN TORS The annual challenge which will see young people from all over the region set out over Dartmoor’s demanding terrain as they trek between ten tors of 35, 45 and 55 mile routes.

5 MAY HANDBAGS AND GLADRAGS Jumble Sale at Hatherleigh Community Centre. Good clothing, textiles and

accessories, plant stall, refreshments available. 10am until noon. This event will raise funds for the Vision Star School in Kenya.

6 MAY YARN SHOP DAY Yarn Shop Day is an annual celebration that takes place in hundreds of yarn stores across the UK. It is a celebration of bricks and mortar yarn shops which provide invaluable service and support to those seeking to get a bit creative with yarn. The Woolly Beader in Okehampton prides itself on excellent service as well as offering a wide variety of knitting and jewellery making supplies. On Yarn Shop Day they will have goody bags for the first 20 customers to spend over £20 on yarn, there will be a raffle for an amazing yarny prize and they will be hosting a ‘cake, coffee and crochet’ day.

6 MAY FAMILY DOG SHOW AND CAR BOOT SALE At Sampford Courtenay Village Hall. Both events start at 1 pm. The judge for the dog show is Bryony Herrod Taylor from North Park Veterinary Group. Car Boot – cars £4, vans £6, any cars/vans towing a trailer or bringing a gazebo £10. Funds raised go towards the village hall. For more details please phone 01837 851269.

6 MAY NORDIC WALKING TASTER SESSION Try Nordic walking to see how walking can become a workout at 11.45am until 12.15 in The Pavilion, Simmons Park. For more information call 07944 630677.

7 MAY BATTERY HEN RE-HOMING DAY Your chance to give a new start to an exbattery hen. The re-homing day takes place at South Zeal. To register go to www. bhwt.org.uk and then call 01884 860084 to complete the booking.

9 MAY DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY OBJECT HANDLING WORKSHOP At the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton at 2pm. Free of charge (maximum ten places available).

13 MAY DAWN CHORUS WALK Join the annual dawn chorus walk around Belstone parish led by Chris Walpole.

Meet at 5.30am outside Belstone Village Hall. Breakfast in Hall on return at about 8am. Wear your walking boots; donations invited for Hall funds; sorry, no dogs. Contact 01837 840498.

13 MAY COFFEE MORNING Hosted by Okehampton Lions Club at the Church Hall in Okehampton between 9am and noon. Funds raised will go to support Lions Club events locally.

13 MAY CHURCHDOWN MALE VOICE CHOIR The choir will join Launceston Choir for a concert at Bratton Clovelly Village Hall, to raise funds for Devon Aid Korogwe. Entry and times tbc.

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29

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON

14 MAY LEAFY LANES WALK Sponsored walk through some of the most beautiful countryside in West Devon, raising money for POOCH (Plymouth Oncology Outpatients and Chemotherapy).

See What’s On Extra.

14 MAY BLUEBELL SUNDAY At Okehampton Castle. See What’s On Extra for more information.

17 MAY TEA AND TALK At the Museum of Dartmoor Life.

‘Okehampton: Historic Gateway to Northern Dartmoor’ by Andrew Thompson, 2pm. £4 per ticket, includes refreshments.

17 MAY MORRIS DANCING Dartmoor Border Morris, 8pm at The Tors, Belstone, with Winkleigh Morris.

17 MAY THE ARNOLFINI PORTRAIT A talk on this portrait by Jan Van Eyck presented by Sarah Kelly. 10am at The Charter Hall, Okehampton. Dartmoor Decorative and Fine Arts Society (DFAS), booking on (01837) 871481. www. dartmoor-dfas.org.uk 18 MAY WRITING CRIME, REPORTING CRIME Author and BBC Home Affairs Correspondent, Simon Hall, will share some of the insights from his career as a TV reporter and author in this talk: from the poignant to the hilarious and

Suzuki Cello Classes

Classes for all ages from 4 to 104.

Studio in Lewdown, Okehampton.

School visits available.

Tim Pratt BA(hons), ATCL, CELTA, ESA level 2 www.dartmoorcello.co.uk tim@dartmoorcello.co.uk

downright ridiculous. 7pm, Okehampton Library. Tickets £3 to include refreshments, available from the library.

18, 19 AND 20 MAY DEVON COUNTY SHOW The biggest show in Devon takes place at Westpoint, near Exeter. For up to date information visit the show website at www.devoncountyshow.co.uk 19 MAY QUIZ AND PUDDING NIGHT Held at Sampford Courtenay Village Hall – 7.30pm start. £5 for a quiz teams of up to 5 people and sample as many puddings as you like for £5 per person. Please bring your own drinks. Funds raised go towards the village hall. For more details please phone 01837 851269 or 01837 82743.

20 MAY COFFEE MORNING The Friends of North Tawton Surgery (FONTS) will hold a coffee morning in North Tawton Town Hall between 10am and 11.30am. In addition to tea and coffee there will be a guess the weight of the cake competition, stalls and a raffle. All welcome.

20 MAY LEARN HOW TO NORDIC WALK Learn the techniques of Nordic Walking and feel the benefits for your mind and body, burn up to 40% more calories.

11.45am until 1.15pm at The Pavilion, Simmons Park. For more information call 07944 630677.

20 & 21 MAY DEVON CHILLI FIESTA

There will be top chilli producers from all over the UK attending, with talks, cookery demonstrations, special guests, live music and children’s activities. RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington. www.rhs.org. uk/rosemoor 21 MAY ART ON SHOW The private collection of an art historian will be on show to the public at The Old Vicarage, Broadwoodwidger, between 11am and 2.30pm. £5 including refreshments. The event is part of the Bratton Clovelly Festival. For more information call 01837871696 or 07813499740.

24 MAY DARTMOOR CUP FINALS Culmination of the schools’ cricket tournament. See Sports News.

24 MAY UNTIL 4 JUNE HALF TERM NATURE TRAIL Nature trail focusing on the birds, bees and bugs that live in Lydford Gorge. 10am4pm. £3 per child.

27 MAY ELMER DAY ACTIVITIES Dress in your brightest colours and join Okehampton Library for a celebration of everyone’s favourite patchwork elephant!

10am until 11am. Free event for children.

27 MAY MOTORCYCLE DAY An astounding array of motorcycles from throughout the ages to the modern day on display on Finch Foundry Meadow, between 11am and 4pm. Come along and

Your local wool and bead shop Goody bags for the first 20 customers who spend over £20 on yarn.

We will be hosting a ‘Cake, Coffee & Crochet’ day for all those who love yarn!

7 MAY AMBROSIA CENTENARY EXHIBITION Arundel Arms, Lifton. See Music and Arts pages.

29 MAY BIG OKE ABSEIL A freefall abseil from Meldon Viaduct down to the Okement River, organised by Adventure Okehampton. 10am Meldon Viaduct. £15. Tel 01837 53916.

2 JUNE AN EVENING WITH SEMI TONED See Music and Arts for more information.

editorial@okelinks.co.uk

10 JUNE WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY At the Woolly Beader, Red Lion Yard, Okehampton.

3 & 4 JUNE HOMES & GARDENS SHOW At Combe Trenchard House. See What’s On Extra.

10 & 11 JUNE GWYNNGALA EXHIBITION At Eversfield Manor, near Bratton Clovelly.

Paintings, sculpture, jewellery, open gardens, cream teas, bar and life music.

Entry free.

3 JUNE DANCE NIGHT With JJ and the Sixes at Bridestowe. See Music and Art.

10 & 24 JUNE OPEN GARDEN Cleave House, Sticklepath. See What’s On Extra

7 JUNE TEA AND TALK At the Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton, ‘Travels in Tibet’ by awardwinning photographer Pam Kemp, 2pm. £4 per ticket, includes refreshments.

10 JUNE CAR BOOT SALE Belstone Cricket ground, sellers from 9am (£5 cars, £6 vans), buyers from 10am.

Drinks and cakes available in the pavilion.

Contact 01837 840498.

30 MAY WHERE’S WALLY Okehampton Library celebrates 30 years of Where’s Wally. 2.30pm to 3.30pm. For children over five, tickets in advance £1 each. A treasure hunt will also take place this week, during opening hours, when children can search for Wally characters hidden around the library.

JUNE 1 JUNE WHERE’S WALLY Okehampton Library celebrates 30 years of Where’s Wally. 10.30m to 11.30am. For children over five, tickets in advance £1 each.

1 JUNE MOOR OTTER SCULPTURE TRAIL From today, the Museum of Dartmoor Life at Okehampton will be part of the trail,

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

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27 MAY SOAP-MAKING WORKSHOP Spend the day making artisan soap in a beautiful setting at Kigbeare Studios, with home-made refreshments provided. For information email hello@ thedartmoorsoapco.co.uk

which includes an exhibition of otters produced by the children from Okehampton Primary School.

1 JUNE WILD SCULPTURES Come and join the ranger team at Lydford Gorge who will introduce you to the art of wild sculpture in various natural materials.

1pm until 4pm. All materials and tools provided. £3 per sculpture.

0755 1936011 01566 783455 30

meet some friends or make some new ones. All motorcycles welcome.

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

Adventure Okehampton Ask about using Child Care Vouchers Day Adventure Camps £30 for 3 Activities £49 per person

Rock Climbing Day

Ask about: Team Building

4 hours Adult £10 Child £8

Stag Parties Hen Parties Birthdays

Cycle Hire Open Daily 9 - 5

www.adventureokehampton.com 01837 53916 31

WHAT’S ON 11 JUNE TAVONIANS THEATRE COMPANY AUDITIONS For a comedy to be staged late October/ early November 2017. Meet at Tavistock Guide Hall, Canal Road, Tavistock, 1.30pm.

11 JUNE YARN BOMBING DAY! For details, pop into the Woolly Beader in Red Lion Yard, Okehampton.

13 JUNE DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY OBJECT HANDLING WORKSHOP At The Museum of Dartmoor Life, Okehampton. 2pm. Free of charge, maximum ten places.

18 JUNE OPEN GARDENS Villagers will be opening their gardens to the public in South Zeal from 10.30am until 6pm, to raise money for Victory Hall funds.

Refreshments available. See What’s On Extra for more information.

Supporting the arts and sport in and around Okehampton Available for private hire: parties, weddings & functions Café and Licensed Bar Great stopping off point for cyclists and walkers Talk to us about your catering requirements

18 JUNE TREASURE HUNT Family treasure hunt to raise funds for Bridestowe Village Hall, hosted by Riverside Stores and Post Office.

22 JUNE AUTHOR TALK Su Bristow will be talking about her debut novel ‘Sealskin’. Set in the Hebrides and the reworking of a Scottish Legend, it won the Exeter Novel Prize 2013 and her writing has been described as ‘magical realism, Angela Carter meets Eowyn Ivey.’

Su will be signing copies of her novel, available to purchase at the event. Tickets £3 to include refreshments – purchase from Okehampton Library.

24 JUNE OKEHAMPTON FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL See pages 34 & 35 for full information.

24 JUNE SMOOTHIE BIKE Use your pedalling energy ing Okehampton Library to power a blender that is attached to the stationary bike to create a healthy, nutritious drink. All the fruit has been kindly donated by Waitrose supermarket.

This is part of Okehampton Food and Music Festival.

24 JUNE SOAP-MAKING WORKSHOP Spend the day making artisan soap in a beautiful setting at Kigbeare Studios, with home-made refreshments provided. For information email hello@ thedartmoorsoapco.co.uk

25 JUNE WILD SCULPTURES Come and join the ranger team at Lydford Gorge who will introduce you to the art of wild sculpture in various natural materials.

1pm until 4pm. All materials and tools provided. £3 per sculpture.

30 JUNE GRAND SUMMER BALL The event is being held to celebrate the opening of the extended village hall in Sampford Courtenay, which now includes a large meeting room and well appointed kitchen. Tickets are £28 each to include welcome drinks, canapés, and formal dinner, with dancing to a live band. Bar available. Please book tickets early to avoid disappointment, from Deborah Taylor-Morris on 01837 82743 or Marilyn Weeks on 01837 851269,

We have included as many events as possible here in the magazine but for a full and comprehensive list please see our new community website: www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk All event listings are FREE. Send details to editorial@ tavylinks.co.uk or upload directly to our website by pressing the SUBMIT button

Welcome to...

We hope you’re as excited about the forthcoming shows laid out on this page as we are about staging them. As a community focused theatre venue it’s our aim always to organise our programming to please as many tastes as possible.

Most noticeable has been the influx of new customers – and we’d love to see even more of you – through our doors, particularly first timers to our day time café which has proved a huge success. Don’t forget as Spring and Summer come around we have glorious peaceful outside seating alongside the canal - open during the day!

Box Office: 01822 611166 Admin Office 01822 613928

Bring this voucher along to our box office and

SAVE £2

email: pavilion@ocrasport.org.uk Okehampton College•Mill Road Okehampton•EX20 1GE 32

GOOD ADVICE IS PRICELESS

Helen Bradley (1900-1979), Piccadilly, Manchester 1915, oil on board. Sold for £115,000

St. Edmund’s Court, Okehampton Street, Exeter EX4 1DU T: 01392 413100 W: www.bhandl.co.uk E: enquiries@bhandl.co.uk

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MUSIC..........................

Riviera Dogs Friday 5th May

Bryan Adams Experience Saturday 7th May

Mostly Autumn Friday 12th May

Fronted by ex Joey the Lips singer Jimmy Alderson - expect a polished delivery of quality music from the 1980s.

Celebrating the career of the Canadian rocker, this band replicate his music superbly, the singer is a dead ringer for Adams.

Winners of Best Live Concert and Best Female Vocalist 2014 in the Classic Rock Society Awards.

Mostly Autumn never fail to impress their audience.

Snakecharmer Saturday 13th May

Bon Jovi Experience Saturday 20th May

Hi On Maiden Friday 2nd June

With original Whitesnake member Neil Murray at the ship’s helm, Snakecharmer are the ultimate tribute to the hits of this most awesome blues band.

Fronted by look and sound alike Tony Pearce as ‘Jon’ this band return by popular demand with their ever spectacular show.

The official tribute band endorsed by non other than Steve Harris himself. Expect them to raise the roof!

Mentallica Saturday 3rd June

Bootleg Blondie Friday 9th June

London Calling Saturday 10th June

Heavy metal giants Metallica are recreated with acute precision by this tribute band that travel across Europe with their show.

Expect to hear all the hits from this dynamic tribute, from Heart of Glass to Hanging on the Telephone, - fronted by the enigmatic Debbie Harris.

Punk fans from Bristol, these boys do a sterling job of recreating Joe Strummer and Co with the turbo charged energy of that era and always put on a punk-tastic show.

VOUCHER

ON ANY LIVE MUSIC performance listed on this page.

Call: 01837 318010

Tavistock’s main venue for Films, Theatre, Live Music and Live Broadcasts

This voucher will be redeemed with a stamp and there’s no need to cut your magazine up, just pop along before the day of your chosen gig (in case it sells out!) to our box office receptionist.

Kris Barras band Fri 16th June

Online booking available for all music events at...

FACEBOOK.COM/TAVISTOCKWHARF

A riif-tastic guitarist and vocalist and definitely a big name in the making. Watch his CDs fly following his gig!

For full details and how to book events visit our website: www.tavistockwharf.com Tavistock Wharf Box Office 01822 61116633

THE ANNUAL EVENT THAT GROWS EVERY YEAR! The fifth festival organised by Okehampton Chamber of Trade will see a wide range of amazing local food and drink producers along with street food vendors displaying their products and giving us the great opportunity to taste and experience these all in one lovely town – Okehampton.

The festival which runs from 9am – 3pm fills the air with earcatching music and nose-friendly culinary smells in three key areas: Red Lion Yard - A pedestrian shopping precinct in the heart of Okehampton. Fore Street - Okehampton’s high street.

Charter Hall programme for the day:

St James Street - behind St James Chapel, where the road will be closed as far as the DIY Shop.

11.15am Food demonstration 12 noon Lunchtime refreshments served by Exbourne Womens Institute. Musical entertainment with All Bar One - a four piece band that play a massive mix of genres and covers.

Food varieties and styles from all over the world have come together in Okehampton where we have experienced authentic Spanish cuisine from the Basque region, freshly made Italian pizzas cooked in a wood-fired clay oven, local gourmet burgers barbecued to order, locally brewed reputable ales, handmade chocolates using goat’s milk, Devon cream teas served by Okehampton’s Victorian Tea Room and so much more! This year we are very proud to present some new and exciting people to the festival. Producers range from Brimblecombe’s Cider, and Chocolats de Caprice, Devon Orchard and Dan the Fishman, to Monarch Liqueurs and Tors Vodka.

With so many talented musicians all gathering in Okehampton for the Festival we have had the absolute privilege of welcoming many artists all offering a vast array of different music styles to entertain the crowds.

There will be musical performances in two key areas - by St James Chapel and outside the Toy Shop in Red Lion Yard.

Entertainers include father and daughter duo Meand’er, acoustic guitarist Brian Higbee, the OCRA Dance Project and Footsteps School of Dance plus many more.

More stalls and acts are still signing up to join this wonderful festival so for up to date information, go to www. everythingokehamptonco.uk/event/food-music-festival or go to Okehampton Festival on Facebook.

CHARTER HALL FOCUS Here, award-winning chef and Master Craftsman at the Guild for Chefs UK, Damian Wawrzyniak, will be hosting exciting recipe demonstrations. Damian has worked at the two Michelin-starred Noma restaurant in Copenhagen - ranked best restaurant in the world 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. He was in charge of the Champagne and Seafood Restaurant at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Mary Berry and Jamie Oliver are just a couple of ‘big name’ chefs that Damian has worked with.

1pm - 2.30pm Music from guitarist and singer John Kerry and talented young guitarist and vocalist Zena.

The hall entertainment will finish at 3.30pm, to allow the venue to be set up for the evening, when, for the first time, Okehampton’s Festival of Food and Music will plough on into the night!

For the first time, the Charter Hall will come alive with the sound of the 80’s! Fancy dress not essential but encouraged!

Schedule: 6pm Doors open and Okey Karaoke’s set begins.

(Don’t worry if singing isn’t your bag, the DJ will be playing all the best songs throughout the night, singers or not!)

7pm New Fears - a four-piece band playing their own songs and 80s 8pm

Okey Karaoke resumes their playlist.

The evening entertainment finishes at 11pm.

While you dance and sing the night away, The Travelling Pizzeria will be serving amazing ‘made to order’ pizzas from their beautiful Citroen van, circa 1974, which came all the way from Valencia. There will also be an alcohol vendor to keep you fuelled for the evening!

Tickets for the evening entertainment are being sold on www. eventbrite.co.uk and are priced at: Early bird single = £5 (Small booking fee) On the door single = £7 (Small booking fee) Early bird group (4 people) = £15 (Small booking fee)

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Saturday 13 May

Your Voice Your Song - with Wren Music Sunday 14 May

‘Song School Saturdays’ build on the work Wren Music has developed through the Baring-Gould Folk Song School, which aims to improve the standard and reputation of folk singing in England.

Bluebell Sunday Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Okehampton Castle being given to the people of Okehampton, as the castle throws open its doors for its annual Bluebell Sunday. Visitors will be able to enjoy free entry to the historic site, music and singing, Morris dancing and displays and activities from a range of local organisations throughout the day.

Attractions this year include an exhibition of artefacts courtesy of the Museum of Dartmoor Life, plus many historic photos courtesy of Okehampton Archive. Wren Music’s Voices in Common Folk Choirs and Rough Music Folk Orchestras from all over Devon will join for an informal open-air concert in the afternoon. This year there will also be a special visit from Melodissimo, a choir from Brittany. Okehampton College and Get Changed Theatre Company will be staging a performance and there will be crafts, children’s archery and walks looking at the butterflies.

The event marks the changing of the seasons and the coming of the bluebells throughout the castle’s woodlands and has been a highlight of the Okehampton calendar since 1917 when local benefactor Sydney Simmons gifted the castle to the Okehampton Castle Trust for the inhabitants and visitors of the town to enjoy the Castle in future years.

Okehampton Castle is surrounded by beautiful woodland and countryside, making it a great place for walks throughout the year. There is an impressive array of flowers and wildlife to spot whatever the season – but the castle is particularly famous for its swathes of bluebells in late spring.

The castle will be open from 10am until 5pm on Bluebell Sunday.

The day is suitable for first time singers through to professionals. A day spent with Wren singing leaders helps you find new ways of producing great tone, singing safely, choosing good repertoire, and performing with style. Each day will include learning about singing techniques and vocal health: Technique: finding your voice, breathing, pitching, phrasing, ornamentation, harmonies, and improvisation.

Repertoire: searching archives, collation of text and tunes,

putting tunes to words (and vice versa), arranging, using harmony and accompaniment.

Performance: opportunities to sing away from folk clubs and pubs, using PA systems, building confidence, overcoming nerves.

Many people who live locally are unable to commit to the full week Baring-Gould Song school so Wren offers them this opportunity to develop their singing and performing skills through these focussed workshop days.

Wren singing leaders have performing and teaching skills Marilyn Tucker and Paul Wilson have performed on every stage at London’s South Bank Centre and were recently awarded the prestigious English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Gold Badge for services to folk music. Sarah Owen has trained in the Estill method for vocal safety, and regularly tours as part of the folk electronica duo Solareference.

The day runs from 10am until 5pm. For more information call Wren Music on 01837 53754.

June 17 & 18

Art Exhibition - South Tawton

LAKESIDE CAFÉ & GIFT SHOeP

South Tawton Art Group will be holding its 15th exhibition on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 in South Tawton’s rare and historic Church House.

Roadford Lak

This popular exhibition will have for sale a wide range of paintings, prints and greetings cards and will be open from 10am until 5pm.

The Church House will also be serving delicious cream teas on June 18 between 11am and 5pm.

(Nattadon, by Kari McGowan)

Open Daily, 10:00am - 5.00pm With views overlooking Roadford Lake, Lakeside is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of fresh, Fairtrade coffee whilst indulging in a delicious breakfast, homemade cake, local ice cream, light lunch or a daily special.

Keep an eye on our website so you don’t miss any of the exciting events we have planned for you.

01566 784859 • PL16 0RL www.lakesideroadford.org.uk 36

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37

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Sunday 18 June

Sunday 14 May

South Zeal - Open Gardens

Leafy Lanes Walk

South Zeal will be opening its gates to visitors again this year, with a host of beautiful gardens to explore in and around the village. There is plenty to appeal to everyone, including some historic burgage plots, quiet cottage gardens and lawns with mature trees.

This year’s walk is the ninth organised by Lydford resident David Hocking to raise funds for the Plymouth Oncology Outpatients and Chemotherapy (POOCH). It will see around 300 walkers and their dogs taking to either a three or six mile circular route along stunning footpaths in West Devon, where the hedges are alive with bluebells and wildflowers and the cuckoo can be heard calling on the moor.

The gardens will be open from 10.30am until 6pm and programmes can be purchased from any of the open gardens or from the Victory Hall in the centre of the village in the morning. You will also be able to buy lunch in the Victory Hall, as well as cream teas between 2pm and 5pm in Church House, South Tawton. Local choir group Moor Harmony will be putting on a free lunchtime concert in St Mary’s Church, in the centre of South Zeal and make sure to take advantage of the plant sale when you become truly inspired!

This popular event is held every year to raise funds for the Victory Hall in South Zeal and, at just £4 per adult for access to all the gardens (children free), is amazing value as well as a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

10 & 24 June

Cleave House and its National Collection of Hostas

The walkers leave The Bearslake Inn, Sourton at 11am and at the half-way point, there’s a welcome stop to enjoy homemade cakes baked by the Whitely family, who have been raising money for POOCH during the Leafy Lanes walk since its inception.

The walks are marshalled and there is parking close by to the start. All are welcome to join this family and dog-friendly event, which is kindly sponsored by the Bearslake Inn and Sisters Hair and Beauty in Tavistock.

Each Leafy Lanes walk organised by David has raised in the region of £3,000 for the Oncology Unit at Derriford Hospital.

The funds help purchase vital equipment in patient care.

Registration for the walks costs £4 adults, £2 for under 16s and £1 per dog. For details, entry and sponsorship forms, contact David Hocking on 07899 916959 or email davidthocking@msn.com Donations and cheques should be made payable it Leafy Lanes and sent to David Hocking, east Down, Lydford, Okehampton EX20 4BP.

Saturday 27 May

Celebrating Ambrosia’s Centenary

KUDOS CLOTHING

Ladies - Men’s - Children’s Clothing – Accessories We’re passionate about clothes and proud of our friendly & professional service.

The garden at Cleave House, Sticklepath, EX20 2NL will be open to raise money for the charities supported by the National Garden Scheme between 10am and 4pm.

The National Collection of Hostas is housed in a beautifully mature garden of about half an acre, alongside many interesting trees, shrubs and other plants. The evolving stumpery provides a focal point for ferns and tree ferns. There will be a ‘treasure slug hunt’ and craft activities for children and hostas, ferns, tree ferns, bamboos and also agapanthus for sale with expert advice available. Admission is £4, children free. Cream teas will also be available. For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk 38

We stock a wide range of quality brands as well as smaller continental brands not found online or on the high street Opening Hours 9.30-5 Mon-Sat

40 Red Lion Yard Okehampton 01837 55102 f kudosokehampton

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Founded by Albert Morris in 1917, the Ambrosia Creamery has over the years employed a great many local residents and continues to do so today.

To celebrate the company’s centenary, Lifton History Group is compiling an exhibition which will include photos, artefacts, written records, audio reminiscences of past/present employees, a children’s competition and much more.

The exhibition can be visited between 10am and 4pm in the Tamar room at the Arundell Arms, Lifton. All welcome.

The TThite Hart

Home Cooked Food A wonderful 17th century inn in a charming village Village Location Local Real Ales Dog Friendly Bar All Welcome!

location just 10 minutes drive form Okehampton

Open all day Saturday/Sunday and Bank holidays Monday - Friday 12-3pm & 5-11pm Home cooked food served from 12-2pm & 6-9pm “Great food great service great friendly atmosphere. Mike & Sarah with their staff are lovely, nothing is to much trouble.”

Sue T, March 2017

01837 861318 editorial@okelinks.co.uk

Fore Street, Bridestowe, Okehampton EX20 4EL

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39

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

NATIONAL TRUST

Lots to do at the castle...

June 3 and 4

Coombe Trenchard Home and Garden Show This traditional English garden show is set within the stunning gardens of Coombe Trenchard, a beautiful ‘Arts and Crafts’ Country House on the border of Devon and Cornwall.

The show reflects the Edwardian ‘Arts and Crafts’ ethos which symbolised quality, craftsmanship and skill, with an emphasis on integrity of materials and design. Coombe Trenchard Home and Garden Show will be bringing together innovative craftsmen and plant specialists to showcase their exhibits, together with vintage home wares and garden treasures, within these beautiful Edwardian gardens.

cream teas may be enjoyed while leisurely sitting on one of the beautiful terraces.

For the fourth year, the show will be supporting Childrens’ Hospice South West. This excellent charity will be organising Edwardian games on the croquet lawn for adults and children alike. Enjoy a bowl of strawberries and cream with musical entertainment, and make yourself a beautiful ‘tussie-mussie’ from flowers grown in the Coombe Trenchard cutting garden.

This is a rare opportunity to visit one of the South Wests’ ‘hidden gems’.

Spend a relaxing summer’s day wandering among the varied and interesting makers, some of whom will be demonstrating their craft.

The show is open from 10am until 5pm. Under 14’s free, dogs very welcome. Further details available at www. coombetrenchard.co.uk or call 01566 783179.

Ask advice from specialist nurseries and growers, who always put on a wonderful display, then sample local foods. There will be an excellent choice of freshly cooked lunches and delicious

Special offer for Oke Links readers. Entrance to the show at the reduced cost of £5 per person.

It’s a busy time of year up at Castle Drogo. The gardens are still looking glorious with the last of the spring colour and start of the roses coming into bloom. You can find out more about the garden in our special evening tour on Thursday 15 June (£6, booking essential 01647 433306). Out in the Teign Gorge the bluebells are carpeting the ancient woodland making it the perfect time to take a walk. Our festival of arts will be running until 18 June, giving you the opportunity to come along and be inspired. We are continuing our battle to save the castle by making it watertight, there will be the chance to meet some of the team involved at our ‘Meet the Builders day’ on Saturday 3 June where there’ll be demonstrations, activities and tours.

ART DAY – SKETCHING AND BEYOND Thursday 22 June, 10.30am-3.30pm

Celia Olsson will show you how to make quick sketches and use them to create full paintings. £35 per person (Includes coffee and lunch). Booking essential on 01647 433306.

THEATRE IN THE GARDEN ‘FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD’ Saturday 24 June, 7-9pm

The castle, garden, shop and café are open every day. Visit the Castle Drogo website to find out more.

Castle Drogo will be the venue for a very special performance of Thomas Hardy’s novel Far from The Madding Crowd. Picnics available from the Castle Drogo café, (call 01647 434143 for more information.) Tickets available from the Plough box office on 01805 624624. Prices: £13 (£11 Conc).

HALF TERM FUN

GARDEN WALK PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Hunt around the garden and grounds as you follow the trail to find the boxes to help you become a bird detective everyday (£1 per trail) and join in the craft castle capers on Tuesday 30 May (prices vary). Normal admission applies.

Join a walk with local photographer John Howells to find new aspects of the garden to marvel in and capture with your camera. £37 per person (Includes coffee and lunch). Booking essential on 01647 433306.

Saturday 27 May – Sunday 4 June, 11am-4pm

Tuesday 27 June, 11am-3pm

Coombe Trenchard

HOME & GARDEN SHOW 2017 3rd & 4th June 2017

Wander through Add some colour to the spring blooms your weekend this at Castle Drogo autumn at Gibside

Set in the stunning gardens of this lovely Edwardian Arts & Crafts Country House on the edge of Dartmoor. This traditional English Garden Show brings together specialist nurseries, beautiful crafts and artisan food producers from throughout the South West.

Garden Admission £6.00

Children under 14 free

Dogs on lead welcome

Coombe Trenchard, Lewtrenchard, Devon, EX20 4PW www.coombetrenchard.co.uk 01566 783179 40

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The garden, castle, shop, Go crunching through fallen leaves are and discover a forest cafe and estate open teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking routes for all ages and abilities. everyday. nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside Call 01647 433306 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/castledrogo When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your

helps usTrust to look2017. after special <in the region> <like ©support National Theplaces National property property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone.

Trust isX,an independent registered charity, number 205846. © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust #nationaltrust Photography © National Trust Images. #nationaltrust Images.

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

41

NATIONAL TRUST

NATIONAL TRUST

Industrial past in a peaceful setting

A great time to explore the gorge

On a bright sunny summer’s day, the garden at Finch Foundry, nestled in the middle of Sticklepath village, five minutes from Okehampton, is a restful place to spend a couple of hours.

Early summer is a wonderful time to visit Lydford Gorge. Trees are in full leaf and the atmosphere can be one of a temperate English rainforest luxuriantly green and humid providing a tranquil retreat with cool water and dappled shade.

There are traditional beds and borders with brightly coloured cottage garden plants along with Tom Pearse’s summerhouse.

Tom Pearse is normally associated with the Widecombe Fair Folk Song. He moved to Sticklepath around the beginning of the 19th century. The small thatched summerhouse was restored in memory of one of the later members of his family.

This is just one of many fascinating people stories around Finch Foundry. The talks and demonstrations of the working machinery in the forge provide an insight into the workers lives as well as the family who ran the Foundry.

You can enjoy a cream tea, slice of cake with a hot or cold drink from the tea-rooms, sit and listen to the birds singing and the sound of the water as it flows through the leat and turns the wooden water wheels of the foundry. The National Trust shop is a great place for plants and herbs for the garden and gifts, jams and books.

This is an ideal time of year to explore, with three circular walks taking in the breathtaking views of the river with its White Lady waterfall and Devil’s Cauldron. The three mile walk is a challenging one with many steep inclines and rough ground; but worth it!

MOTORCYCLE DAY

Saturday 27 May, 11am – 4pm An astounding array of motorcycles from throughout the ages to the modern day on display on Foundry Meadow. Come along and meet some friends or make some new ones. All motorcycles welcome.

For further information about the Foundry, opening times and other events please visit the website or phone 01837 840046.

Butterflies are in abundance and dippers and wagtails can be seen on the river. At Tucker’s Pool, brown trout can often be seen as they break the surface of the water and if you are lucky, you may also spot a kingfisher.

The orchard provides a place to stop and rest, enjoy a cup of

Explore the Add some colour to carpenters workshop your weekend thisthe where many of autumn at Gibside tools produced at Finch Foundry are on display

Let nature Add some colour to your weekendyour this capture autumn at Gibside senses at Lydford Gorge

nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside Call 01837 840046 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/finch-foundry

nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside Call 01822 820320 for details nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge

helps usTrust to look 2017. after special <in the region> <like ©support National Theplaces National property property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone.

Trust isX,an independent registered charity, number 205846. © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust #nationaltrust Photography © National Trust Images. #nationaltrust Images.

helps usTrust to look 2017. after special <in the region> <like ©support National Theplaces National property property Y and Proeprty Z> in for ever, for everyone.

Trust isX,an independent registered charity, number 205846. © National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust #nationaltrust Photography © National Trust Images. #nationaltrust Images.

Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking routes for all ages and abilities.

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HALF-TERM NATURE TRAIL Saturday 24 May to Sunday 4 June, 10am-4pm Nature trail focusing on the birds, bees and bugs that live at the gorge. £3 per child.

WILD SCULPTURES

Thursday 1 June, 1-4pm Come and join our ranger team who will introduce you to the art of wild sculpture in various natural materials. All materials and tools provided. Make a piece of wild art to take home. £3 per sculpture.

WILD SCULPTURES

Sunday 25 June, 1-4pm Come and join our ranger team who will introduce you to the art of wild sculpture in various natural materials. All materials and tools provided. Make a piece of wild art to take home. £3 per sculpture.

Go crunching through fallen leaves and discover a forest teeming with wildlife and autumn colours, with walking routes for all ages and abilities.

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your

42

Woodrush and wild garlic carpet the woodland floor with woodland flowers amongst this green carpet. Depending on the rainfall, the river and waterfall can be quieter and more tranquil or it can become a raging torrent during and after periods of heavy rain.

tea and a light lunch or indulgent slice of cake. The children’s playground in the orchard and Pixie Glen provide ideal picnic spots to stop and have some lunch.

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your

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43

MUSIC & ART

MUSIC & ART

Saturday 3 June

Live music and a late night party Dust off the dancing shoes! There’s an opportunity to party the night away at Bridestowe Village Hall on June 3, as Beaworthy-based band JJ and The Sixes take to the stage.

JJ and The Sixes have an eclectic repertoire ranging from the 50s up until present day hits. They have actually customised their playlist to suit all ages and tastes – from Clean Bandit and Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars and Queen.

A cash bar will be available on the night and the doors open at 7pm. Profits from the evening will go to village hall funds.

Friday 2nd June

Tickets are £12 (£15 on the door) and are available from Rockhens Coop, Okehampton; Riverside Stores, Bridestowe; www.riverside-stores.co.uk or call Kris on 01837 861321.

Semi-Toned, the winners of Gareth Malone’s The Choir: Best in Britain 2016, will perform in Bratton Clovelly Parish Hall on June 2.

we sell we make

Bratton Clovelly Festival

The concert, part of the Bratton Clovelly Festival, will be followed by a question and answer session and a light buffet. Festival chairman Joanna Wallwork said: ‘Praised for their creativity, uniqueness and vocal acrobatics, this highly acclaimed choir from the University of Exeter embraces music of a variety of genres. After their winning performance in ‘The Choir: Gareth’s Best in Britain’, aired on BBC2 in 2016 and the Voice Festival UK in 2015, we’re very pleased to welcome them to Bratton Clovelly. Their talent and exuberance will delight you.’

poles fabric blinds & curtains

paper & paint extensive range of fabrics full measuring and fitting service

The doors and bar are open from 7pm, the concert begins at 7.30pm.

Looking ahead, the festival has backing from the Exeter and District Classical Music Trust to bring the K’antu Ensemble to

opening times mon-fri 9.00 - 17.00 sat 10.00 - 14.00

01566 785763

Tickets for both these events are available by emailing brattonclovellyfestival@gmail.com or call 01837 871696 or 07813499740.

ANGEL

we are

CASUAL AND OCCASIONWEAR • SIZES 8-20

29 Fore Street Okehampton EX20 1HB 01837 659300 angelokehampton.co.uk

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‘The musicians play a variety of baroque instruments in exciting, imaginative arrangements, sometimes with vocals and always with rousing percussion that will make you want to dance.’

INSPIRATIONAL ASPIRATIONAL

www.merchantsandmakers.co.uk

44

Bratton Clovelly on July 8, an event being supported by Live Music Now. Joanna said: ‘The K’antu Ensemble are a group of young, highly talented musicians who explore the less-trodden territories of early music, combining elements of folk and world music from Europe and South America. Their successful album, Gusto, was featured on BBC Radio 3 and the ensemble has played such venues as King’s Place, Symphony Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. They have toured extensively and were invited to perform at the prestigious Gottingen International Festival in Germany.

editorial@okelinks.co.uk

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45

FEATURE

‘It’s changed my life for t he better. Here , I am free t o be myself. I do the thing sI really enjoy .’

The Turning Tides Project Promoting equal access to arts, music and life, for people with learning and physical challenges.

‘It’s changed my life for the better. Here, I am free to be myself. I do the things I really enjoy.’

These words were spoken by Jennifer. Eloquent and articulate she explained without hesitation what the The Turning Tides organisation has done for her - in fact, so eloquent was she that my rusty shorthand had difficulty keeping up with her explanation.

The Turning Tides Project could not be more aptly named. As an organisation promoting equal access to music, the arts and life in general for people with learning disabilities and autism labels, it took its title from a performance project several years ago that really did change the direction of life for those who took part. Set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2014 by Jane Williams, The Turning Tides Project works with about 40-50 people in the Okehampton area.

When I met some of the group in their regular meeting place at the King’s Arms in Okehampton, Jennifer was grappling with images on a laptop. She explained: ‘I got married four years ago. They [Turning Tides] support me, they’ve got me to come out into the world with my husband. It’s really important to me, we can be a normal couple. It’s also helped my parents in that they don’t have to worry about me so much.’

Ross, Jennifer’s husband, loves music and takes part in the regular pub jams organised by Turning Tides. He, along with many others from across Devon, was also involved in an Arts Council-funded musical project called Morpheus, inspired by the landscape of Arnos Vale cemetery in Bristol and produced by the The Turning Tides Project last year. Ross explained: 46

‘We all work together as a team and we have done so much together. It’s been fantastic, I don’t know what I would do without Turning Tides. I am with my friends, doing things together and we are in the community as well.’

In addition to music and arts projects, the Turning Tides Project organise ‘Epic Wednesdays’, when people take part in a wide range of physical activities. Hannah, another member, who is dependant on her wheelchair, said: “I’ve done stuff through Turning Tides that I never thought I would be able to.

With their support, I’ve got back on a horse again. It’s given me a lot more confidence and I’ve made loads of friends. It’s changed my mum’s life as well - giving her a break so she can go out on her own without having to worry about me and the wheelchair.”

The Turning Tides project has also been invaluable for a single Okehampton mum, who has a 23-year-old son with autism.

“My lad couldn’t go anywhere without me taking him and he was mostly at home 24/7. He was depressed and completely isolated. I was too, and extremely tired. Then I heard about The Turning Tides Project. The world changed! He speaks at their training days, takes part in activities two days a week and every other weekend. Turning Tides got him a job and arranged transport for him. They have trips out, sometimes staying away for a few days, they go on holiday with him, he tries out new sports and hobbies, he’s gained new qualifications, they take him shopping. My Christmas present this year was a real surprise!

‘I finally have time to myself, time to relax, knowing that he’s

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I finally have time to myself, time to relax, knowing that he’s so well taken care of and is with people who really care and work hard to support him.’

so well taken care of and is with people who really care and work hard to support him.’

Vicky Hooper has been supporting people with learning disability labels in the Okehampton area for some 20 years.

At Turning Tides, she turns her hand to a variety of roles.

‘There’s something happening seven days a week. It’s very much directed by the people involved. Whatever people fancy trying, if it’s fun, demonstrates a social model approach and contributes to The Turning Tides Project’s aim, we will give it a go,’ said Vicky. ‘We try to make the best of the area around us and being part of the community is very important to us.

We work with businesses to see how they can make their operation more inclusive and have awarded our inclusive endorsement to those who are working towards making equal access a reality. One such example is the King’s Arms here in Okehampton and Whitehouse Services, where several of our guys work.’

In addition to providing qualified trainers , evaluation services and a Small Talk communication service to businesses and organisations who wish to improve their approach to equality and inclusion, The Turning Tides Project makes and sells goods at ‘pop up’ venues to boost revenue; the ultimate intention being to become a fully sustainable business. The company has been working in partnership with schools and commercial organisations in running projects and provides volunteers at special events like the Rotary Club’s May Fair.

‘Ultimately we believe everyone has strengths, skills and something of value to offer. The Turning Tides Project creates an environment where everyone contributes.’

For more information on The Turning Tides Project go to www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk Jane Honey

DOG WALK

DOG WALK

Walks with...

Winnie

A circular walk from Fatherford Bridge, along the East Okement River and up towards East Hill.

This walk has been kindly written (and walked) for us by Denise Horner of Dartmoor Nordic Walking with her dog Winnie www.dartmoornbordicwalking.co.uk and www.petranger.co.uk Approximate time 1 hour, but does involve hills.

1:25000 Outdoor Leisure Map 28. SX 603 949 The ladies from Dartmoor Nordic Walking have named this walk ‘The Goat Track’ – for some obvious reasons! The walk starts at the car park by Fatherford Bridge. There’s a flat start along the river, but narrow paths and a climb up towards East Hill. It can be hazardous after heavy rain as part of the path becomes stepping stones and may be impassable. However, during the summer, it is a great walk for the dogs as there are plenty of places to swim.

From the car park, pass through the gate towards the river taking ‘Charlotte’s Bridge’, then left through the gate towards the East Okement Valley. Pass under the bridges, taking either the left path walking directly next to the river, or the right hand path through the woods. (Ignore the sign pointing up towards a steep hill beside the bridge, we will

be coming back down this way) This is a mostly flat walk at this point, following the river, which will always be on your left. You will come across a very large fallen tree log, a great place to sit and rest while you watch the dogs swimming.

From here you now approach the stepping stones – be careful as they can sometimes be slippy. You may meet Dave here with his two dogs, Briavel the Collie and Miles the Border Terrier. Dave keeps an eye on the tadpoles along the right hand side of the stepping stones. Continue along until you reach a bridge and at this point take the right hand path up the hill and over the stile.

The path now becomes more uneven and steeper which is not a problem if you have your Nordic poles with you! The

woods here are full of amazing colours all year round but at this time of year may well have lots of bluebells on show.

The path becomes narrow with the river on your left, and then a stone wall, which you will follow until it ends. You will now see a sign pointing up the hill to the right. Follow this up into the open, stopping as you reach the corner of the wall to admire the views all around you towards Okehampton and Belstone.

The path from here is out in the open to your right. Continue towards a gate where the path heads down the hill to your left (don’t go through the gate) and reaches a second path (there will be another gate on you right, don’t go through this one either). Turn left and after a short 20 feet, turn right down the hill – this bit is steep. At the bottom of this hill, go through the gate on your right and back down to where you started. Turn left under the bridges and back to the car park.

If you would like to take this as an escorted walk, meet on Thursday, 18 May at 10.30am and I will show you the way.

Please book via the website: www.dartomoornordicwalking.co.uk y: Entr car r e £2 p

Roadford Lake

Open Day

Okehampton Pet

PLUS

face painting, giant games, bouncy castle, live music and more!

...are we nearly there yet mum?

Supermarket Next to Waitrose and Lidls 48

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School Way, Okehampton EX20 1QR | 01837 55321 | f @okiepets To promote your business to 20,700* readers - call 01822 615627

Sunday 28 May 10am - 4pm

local stall holders • boat trips • bushcraft • archery high ropes • water zorbs • windsurfing • kayaking screech owl sanctuary • canoeing • stand up paddleboarding fishing demos and taster sessions • café & bar open all day

So many foods, treats, and the things that all sorts of pets need, held in stock. Friendly, knowledgeable staff and good value from a properly local business.

And we can deliver all your Equine feed products from our sister business Animal Crackers (01647 440273)

Map for guide only. Please refer to OS Leisure Map 28. Grid reference SX 603 949. Map and compass skills are required in case of poor visibility and for your own safety, avoid crossing rivers in full flow.

editorial@okelinks.co.uk

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Have at a v a go a of lan riety water d and b activ ased £3 per ities. perso n 49

FOOD & WINE lovers, the fabulous Fullers Honey Dew Organic Golden Ale priced at £1.99 is summer in a bottle. This perfect picnic partner has a wonderful gentle honey sweetness, with citrus orange fruit flavours giving way to a refreshing zesty finish.

The family barbeque:

A Taste of Early Summer Jason Mules, Beer and Wine Specialist at Waitrose has some great suggestions to get us in the mood for summer!

If there’s one summer rule we all live by, it must be that it’s important to stay hydrated. And there’s no better way to do that than with summer water - also known as wine, beer or any alcoholic beverage for that matter! Nothing welcomes the warmer seasons better than a family BBQ, day on the beach, ramble on the moor, picnic by the riverside or that balmy evening enjoying the late evening sunshine chilling in the garden. These are my top 10 must-have drinks for summer....

Day at the beach: Picnic packed, now what to drink? My choice would be Orchard Pig Reveller Medium Sparkling Cider priced at £1.99.

Reveller is a very approachable and refreshing cider with a gentle sparkle, rich apple aromas with a tangy lime note on the finish. Its moderate alcohol content makes it perfect for that day-time tipple!

To really push the boat out, why not add a bit of pink fizz?

What better than San Leo Rosato priced at £10.49. This is a great alternative to Prosecco, enjoyed in Venice and all over the world. This pink beauty delivers an aromatic bouquet of apples and red berries, a smooth sparkle concludes with a flowery fruity finish.

Matthew Peryer, head chef at Lewtrenchard Manor, shares this delicious fish dish Method Serves four Ingredients

Gin and tonic time!

With World Gin Day on June 10, what more of an excuse does one need to raise a glass? My favourite is Tanqueray No 10 (£32), named after the No10 or ‘tiny ten’ still in which it was made. This superior gin produces an explosion of botanical flavours with a pronounced lemon, grapefruit and lime character. I always partner this with Fever Tree tonic water, over ice with a generous wedge of lemon for an unsurpassed G&T!

4 portions of cod (skin on)

A summer evening:

1 lemon

These are my favourite twilight tipples to round off a hectic day. Rosé wines have the full rainbow when it comes to styles, dry to sweet. I’m a huge fan of Champteloup’s Rosé d’ Anjou (£7.99), from the Loire Valley. This charming wine has a nose of strawberries and red fruits, its medium dry, with smooth berry fruits on the palate and a soft complex finish. I love Chablis and the warmer months are the best time to savour this French thrill. Cave des Vignerons Petit Chablis (£11.99), is a text book Petit Chablis. Made with the Chardonnay grape, lemon citrusy aromas are in abundance on the nose leading to a fresh, crisp, elegant minerality on the palate. My last pick I found a few years back and it’s been a regular ever since.

Meantime’s London Pale Ale (£1.83) is an American style pale ale with an heady balance of hoppy, citrus, and grassy notes.

The palate is rewarded with an alluring refreshing complexity of bitterness, this tasty treat will rival mature cheeses and even curry.

50g clotted cream

500g cleaned mussels 100ml of cider 350ml double cream 2 shallots 1 sprig of thyme

250g spinach 1 egg 20g parmesan 100g butter Chopped chives

First, blanch the spinach in boiling salted water, then refresh by putting it in iced water, this helps to keep the colour and stops it over cooking. Dry in a cloth to remove excess liquid and finely chop. In a pan, heat some butter and add one diced shallot and cook for about two minutes until translucent, do not colour. Add the spinach and season with salt and pepper, cook for about five minutes. Transfer to a bowl. In another bowl, combine the egg, 100ml double cream and the parmesan.

Fold the mixture into the spinach and place onto a greased tray so it is about 0.5cm thick. Bake in a pre heated oven (170°C) for 10 minutes.

Heat a pan on a high heat with vegetable oil and place one diced shallot and thyme into it. Then immediately add your cleaned mussels and cider. Cover with a lid and once the mussels have all opened remove from the heat. Pick all of the mussels out of the shells and place to one side. Return the pan back to the heat with the cooking liquor from the mussels in it and reduce by half. Once reduced, add 250ml of double cream and reduce again by one third. Finish the sauce by whisking in the clotted cream and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.

Heat up a non-stick frying pan to a high heat and pour a little olive oil into it. Place the cod into the pan skin side down, season with sea salt and cook for about 2 minutes. Then place into the oven at 170°C for about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn the cod over and finish with a knob of butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Plating Cut out a round of the spinach and place into a bowl. Add your mussels back into the reduced cider sauce with some chopped chives. Pour into the bowl with the spinach and then place the cod on top of the spinach. Serve with some boiled new potatoes.

Come and enjoy morning coffee by the roaring log fires Take afternoon tea or a light lunch in the beautiful courtyard Lunch and Dinner are both served in our elegant and relaxed dining rooms A private chefs restaurant for special occasions Please call for a copy of our Diary of Events We welcome non residents and are open all year

I hope you enjoy some, if not all my suggestions.

The countryside ramble: Lush grass, harmonious bird song and the soothing sound of a river or stream! My choice of drinks to accompany that summer salad picnic has to be Denbies Rose Hill – £11.99.

This delectable English Rosé wine offers a nose of fresh summer fruits and a knockout palate of strawberries and raspberries, finishing with a lick of blackcurrant. For beer 50

I’ve picked two wines that are brilliant BBQ companions.

Waitrose 2015 Reserve Barossa Shiraz (£11.99) is a real thumper and a must have for any wine rack. This Aussie ace from the St Hallett stable has a spicy blackberry fruit nose leading to dark fruits on the palate with a hint of chocolatevanilla, balanced tannins and a smooth velvety finish. The Boschendal Chardonnay (£10.69) from Stellenbosch, South Africa is the full package. From mango to melon the complete spectrum of tropical Chardonnay aromas feature on the nose.

Intense stone fruit, pineapple and buttery notes grace the palate – this white wonder leaves you wanting more!

Fillet of cod, garden spinach, Fowey mussels, cider and clotted cream velouté

Jason Mules Beer, Wines and Spirits Specialist, Waitrose

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51

HISTORY

HISTORY PARISH RECORDS PART 1

A landmark in Okehampton Castle’s history

To find information about your ancestors before 1837, when Civil Records began, you will need to look at Parish Records.

Records for Devon can be found on www.findmypast.co.uk.

A gift to the people....

Until 1837, the only records kept with any consistency were kept by churches at the parish level. Parish registers recorded baptisms, marriage banns, marriages and burials.

Anglican Parish registers began in 1538, but many parishes did not start recording until many years later. And sadly, some records have not stood the test of time, and have been destroyed by fire, flood, theft or simple neglect. Also, during the English Civil War in the 1600s, there was no duty to keep records, and so parish records often have a gap for these years.

2017 marks an auspicious anniversary in the history of Okehampton - the centenary of the gifting of its ancient castle to the town by its most famous benefactor, Sydney Simmons.

As the Western Daily Mercury of May 22, 1917 reported: ‘Okehampton Town Council last evening expressed its most cordial thanks to Mr Sydney Simmons for his munificent gift to the town of the famous Okehampton Castle and grounds.

‘The Mayor (Major-General Holley) read a letter from Mr Simmons stating that he had decided to make the gift to the town, with certain restrictions, instead of giving it to the National Trust as a place of historic interest and natural beauty.

‘The Mayor said the gift was not actually made to the Council, but to the town, and as Mayor he thought a vote of thanks should go to Mr. Simmons for his splendid gift. There was £1,000 invested in Consols for the upkeep of the ground and there would be no expenses payable by the ratepayers.’

Sydney Simmons bought Okehampton Castle in 1901 and spent a large sum of money restoring it. Mr Simmons’ family had been connected with the town for many generations, owning a newsagents’ shop next to the White Hart. He spent his early years in Okehampton before attending school in Lincolnshire and made his fortune as the representative of a carpet manufacturer, travelling the world in his work.

As the Western Daily Mercury noted: ‘He has been up Vesuvius, inside and outside the Pyramids, and sat under the palms of Biskra and on the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.

He has fished in Norway and listened to the drums and fifes of his Majesty’s troops as they echoed in the great rocks of Gibraltar. But, with all his experience, he thinks there is no country like England, no city like London and no county like Devonshire.’

52

Sydney Simmons’ brief custodianship of Okehampton Castle is of course, a mere blip in this ancient building’s history.

It was once the largest castle in Devon and started life as a motte and bailey, built by the Sheriff of Devon, Baldwin de Brionne, a staunch supporter of William the Conqueror.

Probably originally constructed from timber shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, it towered over the nearby Saxon settlement of Ocmundtune, later to become Okehampton, its dominance lending authority in quelling any uprising against the Norman invaders.

The castle passed into the ownership of the Courtenay family who rebuilt the fortress around the end of the 13th century.

The hugely rich family made Okehampton their main residence for the next 240 years, until disaster struck them in 1539, in the form of a charge of treason against Henry de Courtenay by King Henry VIII, who subsequently ordered his execution.

The Courtenay estates were confiscated, the deer park around Okehampton Castle was abandoned and the castle itself was left to fall into disrepair for hundreds of years, until Sydney Simmons stepped in to purchase the crumbling ruins and the land on which they stood.

During this quieter time in the castle’s history, it is believed that ownership of the building and lands passed through several pairs of hands – such as, for example, William Pitt the Elder, who was MP for Okehampton and Prime Minister of England from 1766 to 1768 – his election being proclaimed from the balcony of The White Hart in the center of Okehampton. At one point it is said that the Prince Regent, later to become George IV, was one of the castle’s custodians.

Legend also has it that George III, on a visit to his son’s land holdings in Devon, became stuck at Sticklepath where his carriage was too wide to pass over the narrow bridge resulting in the parapets being removed to allow the Monarch to move

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forward. It’s said that the Prince Regent, finding his Brighton Royal Pavilion project running over budget and in need of some urgent funds, persuaded his architect, Henry Holland, to buy the castle from him. Holland was a hugely influential architect at the time, giving his name to many famous London landmarks and being heavily involved in work carried out at Althorp House – the home of Princess Diana’s family.

Following Sydney Simmons’ gifting of the castle, the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works took over the site in 1967. More renovations followed and a period of archaeological investigations

by Dr Higham of Exeter University took place in the 1970s. The ancient Grade I Listed monument came under the

A warm welcome awaits you at

custodianship of English Heritage in 1984, established to take over care of all those monuments previously looked after by what had then become the Ministry of Works.

It is open to the public during the summer months, when you can explore these atmospheric ruins and reflect on more than 1,000 years of history.

Jane Honey With assistance from Mike Wreford, Okehampton Local History Society

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To find information on baptisms you will need to know, or be able to make an educated guess about the parish where your ancestor was born or lived as a baby, although be aware that some baptisms were carried out in the parish of a relative, usually the grandparents.

You can use the excellent England and Wales Jurisdictions website on maps. familysearch.org where you can enter a place name in a search box, and the relevant parish will be found, and also shown on a map. It will tell you when the parish registers began, and when the Bishops’ Transcripts began too. These were copies of the registers sent to the Bishop at the end of each year, and can be invaluable to the family historian when parish records have not survived.

Baptismal records vary a great deal from parish to parish, and depended on the clergyman of the time, and what he chose to include. Often they show only minimal information, such as name, father’s name and the name of the officiating clergyman.

Susan Francia

Family History Research Services 01822 820855 email: fhistoryresearch@gmail.com www.family-historyresearch.co.uk

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How long have you been in business?

I have been running my business in Sussex for five years, however our new venture, Williams Osteopathy of Market Street, Okehampton, opened on February 20 2017.

Why did you move to Okehampton?

I’ve spent lots of time in Devon on family holidays and my husband and I have been visiting the West Country for 20 years. We think Okehampton is a great town with lots to see and do, including plenty of sporting clubs and activities.

Okehampton has a great sense of community, especially among local business owners and the Chamber of Trade.

Do you work on your own or with other practitioners?

I’m currently the principle practitioner at Williams Osteopathy of Okehampton. We are a family run business; my mother and father-in-law are both closely involved and my husband and business partner is practice manager and helps with reception.

We will be looking for another practitioner in the near future and we welcome ideas on various kinds of treatments people in the local area feel they need – contact us on 01837 659789 with your thoughts.

What training or qualifications do you need in your job?

In order to practice as an osteopath you must complete an osteopathic degree. I graduated from the European School of Osteopathy with a First Class Integrated Masters. In order to undertake the medical acupuncture that I practice, you must first have an osteopathic degree, which provides four years training, including anatomy, physiology and pathology, allowing for safe needling. Early in my career I completed Anatomy and Physiology Diploma at Brighton, going on to gain my Level 4 Sports Massage along with Kinesiology Taping.

Level 4 allows me to treat a great variety of sporting injuries

and provide relevant rehabilitation for knee and hip operations and replacements.

Do you specialise in any area?

An osteopath considers each patient as an individual and their body as a whole. We treat a wide variety of conditions including: back pain, sciatica and neck pain, joint pain, including hip and knee osteoarthritis, rheumatic pain, elbow and shoulder pain including frozen shoulder, muscle spasms, nerve pain and fibromyalgia. Also headache arising from the neck, migraine prevention, pregnancy related aches and pains and much more.

What is the best part of your job?

Helping people continue their day to day activities is the most rewarding part of my job. Whether that be finishing that round of golf, playing in next week’s rugby match or walking the children to school, I’m always trying to help reduce patients pain levels, improve their function and quality of life.

What is the worst part of your work?

There isn’t really a down side to being an osteopath, I absolutely love my job and look forward to the start of each day and meeting new people.

Do you have any ambitions or plans for the future?

Plans for the future include getting more involved in the local community and sports clubs. My husband is a keen swimmer and I enjoy anything from kickboxing to walking.

What would you say to someone thinking of becoming an osteopath?

I would whole heartedly encourage anyone wishing to become an osteopath. It is a thoroughly challenging and yet rewarding career, that certainly keeps you on your toes; always thinking about finding the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for your patient. Don’t be put off by the incredibly intense training required, it is well worth it when your first patient walks out pain free!

Jo Williams www.williamsosteopathy.co.uk 01837 659789

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