Oke Links November/December 2022/23

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Season’s Greetings

It was an honour to take over the editor’s helm of Oke Links from Lindsay Turpin.

- and very patient!

It’s been a pleasure putting together this, my first issue. Though it’s been a tough one to think about. Usually a magazine covering November and December would be festooned with Christmas festivity; filled with tidings of comfort and joy

But for many us, as bills soar and money tightens, the season is a little muted this year. (Personally, I’m wondering whether I could learn macrame in time to rustle up my Mum a plant holder and if you can cook a turkey ready meal on a barbecue. Bah humbug!)

No. Let’s not be Scrooge-ish. Perhaps, without sounding too mawkish, we should embrace the true spirit of Christmas. By that I mean, spend time with our loved ones, raise a glass with our neighbours and cheer with our communities. Let’s make the most of this little oasis of warm on an otherwise bleak landscape.

And, as you’ll discover over the following pages, there is so much to see and do in the area over the next few weeks, from Christmas markets where you can pick up unique and pocket-friendly presents; to charity concerts where you can lose yourselves in wonderful music.

Not to mention, so many inspirational people to meet. Like the man determined to save the River Teign’s salmon from extinction; the photographer delivering mattresses to the slums of Uganda; and, the volunteer bikers who make life-saving deliveries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

That’s the wonderful thing about where we live: there is always something to enjoy and someone to admire. And that’s what really matters; that’s what’s worth celebrating.

So from everyone here at Oke Links, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Messenger,

Rising on Dartmoor and reaching the English Channel at Teignmouth, the River Teign is over 30 miles long.

The River Teign Restoration Project was set up in February 2021 to reverse the decline in the number of salmon returning to the rivers Teign and Bovey to spawn. But - and co-project manager Geoff Stephens could not be any more emphatic about this - it is ‘not all about fishing! I’m forever making sure people understand that.’

It was, however, anglers who were first alerted to the issue. ‘They are around the river more than most other people, for long periods of the year,’ Geoff continues. ‘And they closely observe it. They are interested in the river environment because, of course, they want clean water. Clean in all respects. But this is a project for everyone and everything that lives in and near the rivers.’

Since the ice age, every winter salmon have made the upstream migration from the Atlantic to the river in which they was born in order to spawn. Until relatively recent times there were many, many making this heroic odyssey.

‘But the number of returning salmon has been diminishing year on year for the last four decades. Historically there were many, many salmon in the river,

more than enough to feed people from the source to the mouth. At one time there were several netting stations at the Teign estuary and now there are none. It was common to see he magnificent sight of salmon leaping in the river as they swam upstream. Not any more.’

It was the Teign Angling and Conservation Association (TACA) which first set out to tackle the problem, forming an alliance with the National Trust, Environment Agency and West Country Rivers Trust, all of whom have the health and ecology of the river at the heart of their involvement.

After securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The River Teign Restoration Project was born. The fouryear scheme is not only investigating why the river is no longer a destination for salmon, but what can be done to change that.

And it’s something, Geoff explains, we should all be worried about.

Many of us take the rivers which run through our towns, villages and countryside for granted, but one initiative is determined to stem this flow of apathy.

‘The river is an entire ecosystem. If there’s a robust, unpolluted habitat, then nature will flourish. A good stock of salmon means there will be a good stock of sea trout and a good stock of eels; which, in turn, means that creatures further up the food chain, like otters and kingfishers, can thrive. Not forgetting insects like dragon flies.’

Raising awareness about the problems is key to the project’s success. While Bournemouth and Plymouth Universities are participating in the science side - researching things like juvenile fish mortality - much work is done in engaging local schools and communities, from productions by the MED theatre to drawings and sculptures from internationally-renowned local artist Peter Randall-Page - both official project partners. There is even a year-long exhibition in Castle Drogo’s Gun Room dedicated to the enterprise.

‘We’ve had some fantastic support,’ Geoff says, ‘but individuals can really help too. Even becoming a River Watcher and just looking at the river as you take your daily walk and reporting back anything that seems out of the ordinary, like litter or a tree blocking the current. And there are lots of volunteering opportunities, such as river-fly monitoring, assisting with the removal of barriers to migration, cleaning up spawning gravels and waterquality sampling.’

But Geoff is also keen for people to really appreciate the repercussions their own lives and actions have on the welfare of the river.

‘Global warming, of course, is a huge factor. Salmon are a cold water fish and spend two or three years of their life at sea. For their eggs to survive in the river they need water temperatures to fall below 12 degrees centigrade. Salmon

become very stressed when summer temperatures reach 18 degrees and this year we recorded temperatures of 17.5 degrees.

‘And there’s also the impact from pollutants generated by industry and agriculture, untreated or partly-treated sewage released into rivers. Abstraction from rivers and waste of water also has an impact. But we mustn’t forget other, individual actives that you might not have even thought about. Like the salt, grit and tyre-rubber from roads ending up in the river.

‘We all know about the dangers of pesticides, but how many dog owners understand that when their dogs swim in the river, the flea and tick treatments that they may have recently applied is washed off, and because the treatments contain insecticides it can kill juvenile and adult insects that live in the river? These insects are food for young salmon

Jewellery & Watches

and birds such as dipper and wagtail. Many also don’t realise that the erosion of banks where dogs enter the rivers can contribute to the siltation of the gravels where salmon deposit their eggs, and as a consequence many of the eggs don’t survive.

‘On a summer’s day it’s great seeing people in the river, but what does Mum do before the kids get in? Covers them with factor 50 - and, again, the

chemicals from that stay in the water.

And those lovely deep, shaded pools which are so refreshing to take a dip into, well they are areas where the salmon rest on their arduous journey back up the river.’

The stark truth is that, unless something is done about the water quality and conditions, the salmon in the River Teign are at risk of becoming extinct all together. And with that will come the

demise of the river’s ancient heritage and innumerable species of flora and fauna.

As Geoff concludes: ‘Our project is vital to protect the river, its salmon and other fish species, all its other wildlife - insects, birds and mammals - and it’s stunning surroundings now and for future generations.’

For more information and a list of volunteer opportunities visit: riverteignrestorationproject.co.uk

Want to support local shops? Don’t forget the Victorian Arcade.

It is all too easy to overlook Okehampton’s Victorian Arcade, the little retail strip that runs between Fore Street and St James Street. Though when it was built back in 1896 it was a well-trodden route between the town centre and the railway station - and a much-used shopping centre.

‘We get customers who recall the Arcade from years ago when it housed a tobacconists, cobblers and haberdashery,’ says Michelle Symons who owns A Little Gift Company, one of the many independent retailers in there.

‘I myself remember it well from growing up in the area as being quite dark and old-fashioned. And then Red Lion Yard

came along, which was sort of new and shiny, and the Arcade slightly got forgotten as a little piece of history. It just became a cut-through, not a shopping destination.’

But those who take the time to linger will find a wonderful array of independent retailers, from Chocolate Strawberry, where proprietor Sue makes arguably the best brownies in town, to the new Soapy Oke, which sells gorgeous products. Jewellers, gift shops, cafes, hairdressers, a greengrocer, a music shop and a computer repair place are among many the gems nestled in the mini-Emporium.

’Locals often come in and have a look around A Little Gift Company, say how

much they like it and ask how long I’ve been here,’ continues Michelle. ‘When I tell them five years they are almost embarrassed that they’ve never noticed the shop before. It’s the same for the others. But there really is something for everyone here - and it’s definitely perfect for Christmas shopping!’

Green Fingers

Sandy Lippo wants everyone to go plastic-free in their gardens.

Sandy Lippo’s gardening journey began just a few years ago when she was still living in Surrey and working in a company’s accounts department.

‘I had a really well-paid job,’ she explains. ‘But I just hated it. I was fed up sitting behind a desk looking at spreadsheets. I was about to turn 40 and my husband told me he’d had enough of my whinging and I should go do something that I loved.’

Sandy knew that ‘something’ would be outside. Though she quickly had to quash a dream to go into forestry (‘I’m afraid of heights, so climbing up trees was a bit of an issue!’), she eventually found work at a small garden nursery and knew she’d found her passion.

Despite her lack of experience, Sandy proved her mettle with graft, enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge. But it was there that she was shocked to discover just how much unnecessary wastage gardening produces.

‘I looked after one of the bedding polytunnels and was responsible for all the deliveries. The plants would arrive in black plastic pots. We’d put them in the soil and then just throw the pots away. They weren’t recyclable and so destined for landfill.

‘At home we’d been conscious about the environment and leading a plastic-free lifestyle for quite some time - swapping out things like laundry detergent.’

When Sandy and her husband, a compliance consultant, made the move to Okehampton just over three years ago (‘We took our first holiday as a couple in Devon and that was it, we were sold!’), she knew that she wanted another gardening job, but COVID and lockdown put pay to that and so she concentrated on her own back yard. As well as having a baby, Noah, who is now eight months old.

However, unable to go to garden centres to source environmentally-friendly products Sandy searched online - to no avail. And so her own website, ‘Good Roots Barn’ was born, selling everything from coir pots to bamboo scoops; growing kits to bird feed.

Roots Barn isn’t just about

all

needs - everything is reusable, compostable or biodegradable - it’s full of ideas and inspiration, with a Sandy’s regular blog and monthly tips.

really want to just make people aware that there are alternatives to plastic out there - some really innovative options.

the most important thing. We don’t have a large profit margin simply

wanted to make everything

affordable.

into a

a

can’t

anything can be turned into a planter

I’ve up-cycled old tubs, tin cans and a

my planters in the garden are made from up-cycled

breaks like terracotta pots then I use the remains for crocks and plant markers in the garden. I use toilet roll inners as root runners for sowing legumes because these can be planted directly in the soil and will organically decompose.

• Make your own feed. Either grow a plant such as comfrey which is high in potassium or invest in a wormery. As the worms break down the kitchen scraps making compost (another benefit for your garden) they also produce worm tea which is very high in nitrogen making it a perfect concentrate to dilute and feed to your plants.

• Adopt old methods. One of my favourite products that we sell is the paper pot press. This method of creating paper pots out of newspaper has been around for a very long time. It has to be the most inexpensive and zero waste way of creating all the pots you will ever need for little to no cost. I also use old hessian sacks to suppress weeds in our beds and as it starts to degrade I can then add it to the compost bin making it again zero waste.

• Make your own compost. It really is a simple process. Not only are you providing rich nutrients for your garden but you are also providing food and a home to millions of micro-organisms that are helping to break down garden and food waste to produce “black gold”. And you’re also avoiding plastic bags, which cannot be recycled - and of course peat, which should absolutely be avoided if we are to conserve our natural peatlands and the wildlife that resides there.

Paw Patrol

Got a naughty puppy or unruly hound? Claire Bircham is your woman.

Claire Bircham has always loved animals. She did a degree in zoology and then a masters in animal behaviour. She actually grew up wanting to be a vet, but turned out to be too squeamish (‘I’m not good with anything gross!’).

Instead, after studying, Claire drifted into a successful commercial career in sales and business development. It was when she had her children that Claire looked for another path. ‘My job had involved a lot of travel, and I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted something that I was really interested in, something relevant to my qualifications.’

And so Claire did a diploma in dog psychology and training and the idea of Perfect Pooch Devon came about.

‘I thought I’d just do a couple of sessions - maybe puppy classes - to fill a bit of time and make a little extra

money while the kids were at school. Then people started asking me for more one-on-one time to sort out particular behavioural issues, word of mouth spread and everything took off.’

And she’s even been recognised in the industry for her skills, winning Dog Behaviour Specialist of the Year at the South West Prestige Awards, and being a finalist in the Animal Star Awards for Trainer of the Year.

Claire’s techniques are blessedly straightforward. It’s all about communication and consistency. Like not over-using your dog’s name - ‘The dog ends up ignoring it because it’s just white noise, it doesn’t mean anything’. Or failing to reward good behaviour at the right time - ‘Your dog does a “sit” for you, you go to get a biscuit and he stands up again but is still given the biscuit, then you’re inadvertently rewarding the wrong thing.’ Not to mention mistakenly believing your dog understands everything you say - ‘Your body language is what they go on; it is more important than your words. You think your dog is listening to you, but actually he’s just watching.’

Though much of Claire’s work is smoothing out any little problems so that dogs and their owners are set for happy lives together, being in Okehampton with Dartmoor such a popular destination for walks has provided her with a unique speciality: sheep-worrying. Or rather, how to stop your dog doing it.

‘People are often like, “Oh, Barney would never do any harm, he just wants to play!”. Firstly, Barney might frighten the sheep into having a heart attack; or the sheep might end up cornered and stuck in a river. And secondly, how do you know that’s all Barney is going to do? At first he might just chase sheep for fun, but it’s a sort of progression. It’s different with different breeds, but generally speaking, it starts with play in that they’re just chasing, and they’ll do that for a period, then it’ll build up, singling one out and then they sort of skirt around it, not sure what to do now. Until, eventually, the dog does and it attacks. It’s a very strong instinct.’

Claire has joined forces with local farmer John Cooper to hold regular sessions on his land with his flock. ‘He’s wonderful and really understands

the value in what I’m doing. Though the other week he came across in the middle of a class and asked if we wanted to watch him castrate a lamb!’

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something even more fun to do with your dog, you could always take part in another of Claire’s offerings: scentwork classes.

‘I use the same methods that they do for professional sniffer dogs who detect everything from drugs to bombs. Though, in our case, it’s more like a dirty sock! Dogs have an incredibly good sense of smell and they love working it - it’s really mentally stimulating. By the end of it,

they’re very tired and very happy.’

It won’t surprise you to learn that Claire and her family share their home with a variety of creatures. ‘Though my husband said it was turning into a zoo, so we no longer have snakes, lizards and guinea pigs. We’re down to a tortoise, rabbits and some fish.’

And, of course, a dog: young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Starla. So, does Claire’s wealth of knowledge and experience mean Starla, is brilliantly behaved?

‘That’s like expecting a decorator’s house to be perfectly-painted,’ she laughs.

‘We were once staying at my in-laws and they blamed Starla for destroying a young sapling in the garden. I genuinely don’t think it was her, but it still gets raised every time we see them: “…and Claire a dog trainer as well…”’

www.perfectpoochdevon.co.uk

A year of two halves for Okehampton Foodbank

In June, the Platinum Jubilee saw people and communities all over the United Kingdom and the world come together to celebrate The Queen’s historic reign.

butter, clotted cream and strawberry jam. Thank you to all who helped with this venture. It was humbling to hear the heartfelt thanks we received by word, by letter or just by a few tears.

As I write this article in September two days after the Queen’s funeral, we give thanks for her life of service, and we pray that our King (it will take a while to get used to that) will continue in the same fashion as Queen Elizabeth did.

Throughout the year, Her Majesty and members of the Royal Family travelled around the country to undertake a variety of engagements to mark this occasion culminating with the focal point of the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in June to commemorate the ‘special anniversary’.

At Okehampton Food Bank we decided to honour this momentous event by treating our families to an afternoon tea. It is at moments such as this that the marginalised in our society can feel particularly alone. The idea, thanks to some wonderful donations, enabled Food Bank volunteers to make a selection of Jubilee cupcakes as well as baking scones as part of a cream tea. Using the newly refurbished kitchen at the Baptist Church we set to work.

The cupcakes with four different flavour buttercreams - peanut butter, chocolate, apple and raspberry - were presented as a Jubilee gift. The scones served with

Our daily lives carry on, as we move through these difficult times of food and fuel price increases that are affecting so many. Food costs at Food Bank have increased by 22% in the first six months of the year. That is a 22% increase on basic everyday essentials which means that some of the food we once supplied has now become too expensive. As autumn changes into winter many families will have to make the difficult choice to heat, or eat but, they can’t afford both!

In the first six months of this year, we saw our donations fall by 60% which combined with price increases caused a good deal of worry at Okehampton Food Bank. But, with some very generous cash donations recently and with the Harvest Festival period upon us, we should be able to continue helping our community in Okehampton for the next few months.

Donations don’t have to be great but regular donations help us plan ahead. We are so grateful for our donors, from the lady who gave me £2 in the town

as she was doing her shopping, to the large car completely filled with so many thoughtful extras.

We receive help from so many of the churches in and around Okehampton as well as regular collections from Spreyton Village Shop and Sticklepath Stores who regularly bring in collections donated by their customers and for which we are so very grateful.

As I come to the end of this article I would like to thank ‘Men In Sheds’ for their marvellous donation of cooking apples direct from their trees. We will soon be making pies, crumbles and pastries to use through the winter as we increase the variety of baked items we provide.

If anyone has a surfeit of plums this autumn they would be gratefully received.

Malcolm Hamilton, Food Bank

Night Under The Stars

Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust and the Dartmoor Rangers are working on three initiatives together, which will enrich the curriculum for children and offer them new experiences in the beauty of their local environment on Dartmoor.

One of the projects was NUTS (Night Under the Stars) weekend for Okehampton Primary School.

Katherine Koster-Shadbolt, Community Engagement Ranger of the Dartmoor National Park Authority said: ‘This was such a successful event, the children got so much out of it and many of them had not been camping or up to the moor before. I would love to facilitate further engagement between the school and the farm as both sides seem very keen.’

It is hoped that a group of Okehampton College students will take part in a NUTS weekend in the Spring.

Community Engagement Rangers helping young people enjoy Dartmoor

Emily Cannon, Kats Koster-Shadbolt and Natalie Gibb have joined the National Park as Community Engagement Rangers and are out and about welcoming people and helping them make the most of this special landscape.

Their work aims to help people to discover and appreciate Dartmoor’s special qualities, enjoy and use Dartmoor’s landscape with care, and respect the other people within Moor Community.

From their own experiences and passions, our Community Engagement Rangers have created three core themes for their work:

• Inspire local young people to love and care for Dartmoor, becoming future ambassadors for the National Park

• Connect visitors with the communities that call this wild space a work place

• Provide opportunities for people who feel excluded or distanced from Dartmoor to experience the National Park.

The community-focused roles are working across land managed by Dartmoor National Park Authority, the National Trust, South West Lakes and the Woodland Trust. The posts are funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

More than 100 young people have already spent a night under the stars thanks to the Community Engagement Rangers in partnership with local farmers. Many of the young people are carers or may have additional learning needs.

The Community Engagement Rangers have also been out and about with a ‘roving’ visitor centre and building on the current Junior Ranger programme, so far they have met with more than 3,500 people!

If you see them out and about please do say ‘Hi’!

Simon Lee Ranger Team Manager

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Pictured L-R: Kat Koster-Shadbolt, Emily Cannon and Natalie Gibb (Image: Dartmoor National Park)

A club that supports the town

Okehampton and District Lions Club was founded in May 1974 as an associate club of Lions Clubs International, is the largest voluntary service organisation in the world, with over 1.4-million members in over 210 countries on every continent.

In Okehampton its current membership, of around 30, is made up from people from all walks of life who wish to give some of their spare time to improve the lives of those in need.

Lion Michael Brint said: ‘We are a charity registered with the Charity Commission. Because members pay annual membership dues, every penny we collect goes towards good causes.

‘Most of the funds raised are spent locally, with some used to send aid to global disasters.

‘At the moment, we are looking to recruit new members who are interested in helping and supporting those that are less fortunate than themselves. Potential new members, male or female, can come from any local town and villages in the area. In addition to service activities, club members and partners also have social activities to enjoy.’

The club gets together on the first Thursday of each month, with meetings usually lasting from 7.30pm until 9.30pm.

Michael added: ‘For many years you may have seen our refreshment caravan at local events, cooking burgers, bacon rolls and chips, as well as teas and coffees.

‘We have a number of wheelchairs and other medical aids, which are always

available to loan out, should anyone need one. We also hold regular Great Devon Breakfasts in aid of FORCE, a local cancer charity that has helped and supported many local families.

‘We carry out our Annual Christmas Carols Collection outside Waitrose for 2 days every Christmas. A new addition at Christmas is our Memory Tree of Lights in Red Lion Yard, where people can remember those that are no longer with us, but dear to their hearts.

‘We also support numerous requests to help people and organisations who need funding, particularly women who have suffered domestic abuse.’

If you are interested in joining Okehampton and District Lions Club, or would like more information, contact Lion Michael Brint at michael.brint@ btinternet.com or Lion President James Stevens at james@ stevensestateagents.com

Help

stakeholder

one of these, and includes the 6 primary schools of Boasley Cross, Bridestowe, Exbourne C of E, Highampton Community, Lydford and Northlew & Ashbury Parochial C of E.

The stakeholder board provides local access for our parents and carers, and has a group of diverse Governors who work co-operatively to fulfil a variety of roles.

Our board can accommodate people with differing desires and skills. Governors do not need to have an education

necessarily need to have children at one of our schools. In

for those with specific interests or skills.

To

Okehampton College Sponsored Walk

The Okehampton College Sponsored Walk is a well established, essential part of the academic year at the College. ‘This fun and challenging event involves staff and students from Year 7 to Year 13.’ The Year 13 students have the responsibility of marshalling the route and ensuring all students are both encouraged and sent the right way!

Students are fortunate to live in one of the most spectacular areas of the UK and lucky enough to be able to access this directly from the college grounds.

It was with some alarm that the forecast earlier in the week did not

look promising for the event on Friday, however, luck was on their side and with the forecast changing Friday was a perfect day, not too hot, dry with the sun shining.

Students and staff set off as groups, with the older tutor groups leaving last, in two opposite directions. Both routes are a demanding start to get straight up to Dartmoor via the Army Camp or Belstone. In total eight miles of challenging walking is completed by all students and staff.

The walk has two aims: to encourage tutor groups to be involved in a common

Tor Support has moved!

Tor Support, which helps directly with young people, has moved! It is still located within Okehampton College but now occupies a beautiful new space next to the main reception area.

Tor Support works with young people to alleviate emotional and psychological distress through professional counselling; improve quality of life, selfesteem, happiness and relationships; help their life chances and foster more positive adult lives. It provides free, professional, confidential counselling for young people aged 5-25, in Okehampton and its surrounding parishes.

Tor Support now has four counselling

rooms which have all been refurbished, enabling staff to provide a safe, friendly, light and calm space to deliver counselling sessions to children and young people in our area.

There are a few items that still need to be acquired, either via donations or funding bids: play figures; small toy bridges, doors; large, cuddly teddies/ toys; canvas wall art, animals, wildlife, flowers; uplighter floor lamp; small comfy sofa and/or armchair.

Get in touch via phone or email with any questions including donations, directions or help with counselling and making a referral.

challenge and get to know each other; and to raise money for charities (along with Dartmoor National Park). This year the chosen charities are Devon Air Ambulance, Cancer Support and Refugee Support Devon.

New kit for

Established in 1995, Get Changed Theatre Company is a vibrant organisation for adults with learning disabilities in West and Mid Devon.

Its mission is to produce high quality arts projects which challenge public attitudes and raise the profile of the disability community.

Get Changed Theatre Company members have just received their newly printed T-Shirts. The members were very pleased with their purchases.

November

Malseed

very sadly resulted in him taking his own life.

Mike was born in Witheridge, Mid Devon

spent most of his life at Frenchbeer Farm near Chagford on Dartmoor. The WTF?! (Witheridge to Frenchbeer) idea grew from discussions between Mike’s good friends Sue Parrott and Boots Bright, who regularly joined him on riding holidays.

over the weekend of October 22 to 23, the ride was led by Sue

Boots. Mike’s family and friends

the idea of WTF?! to raise funds

Awareness of what to do in a health emergency undoubtedly saves lives by empowering people to take appropriate action. However, while many people have undertaken physical first aid training, mental health emergencies do not attract the same level of attention.

The fundraiser saw a small group of family and friends follow Mike’s ‘life journey’ by walking, running, cycling and horse riding from Witheridge to Frenchbeer, which culminated in a fundraising reception at Chagford Recreational Trust Clubhouse.

The goal is to provide training for 20 people from rural organisations and communities across Dartmoor. The aim is that people who receive the training will then be able to maximise their new skills by sharing them with others and widening understanding of what

mental health crises and potentially life-threatening deterioration in mental health conditions can look like. This should ensure that many more people will have the basic skills to help identify those who may be at high risk and to guide them towards appropriate support that might save their lives.

Funds raised will go to the Farming Community Network (working through the Dartmoor Hill Farm Project) and to the Chagford Recreational Trust (to train youth and sports group organisers locally). Monies will be allocated to specialist organisations to fund individual, tailored training and to complement programmes aiming to raise awareness of mental health issues in local communities.

To support the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wtof

Pictured: Mike and his friends about to head off on one of their riding adventures. Mike is on the far right.

Chagford Community Archive is ready

If you want to find anything out about a bit of history in the Chagford area,

are you’ll turn up something of interest in Chagford’s community archive. Set up in 2018 with the aid of a National Lottery grant by the Chagford Local History Society, it’s located next to the town library at the Jubilee Hall. Since then a team of volunteers have been painstakingly trawling though a mass of documents, photographs, maps and other paper-based materials, cataloguing each item on a state-of-theart data base. The catalogue will ensure that each item can be easily found in our archive room, where everything is stored methodically and securely.

had brought much of the work to a standstill, but it resumed earlier this year and now the Chagford Community

Archive is ready to receive the public.

If you’re looking for evidence of an ancestor, a long-gone business, a public event, or other aspects of Chagford’s past, there may be an item in the archive to illuminate your search. To visit the archive please book up in advance as it’s run entirely by volunteers and opening hours are limited, but visits are free.

To book an appointment please email enquiries4clhs@gmail.com, clearly stating what is you want to find out about. It’s essential that they know in advance the nature of your enquiry so they can locate the appropriate material to be ready for your visit.

The Archive makes a modest charge for photocopying and filming archive

materials and asks all visitors to respect the Archive’s/donor’s copyright. Donations to support our running costs are welcome as are new volunteers to join our team: full training will be given.

The Chagford Local History Society runs a programme of talks at Endecott House, next to the Three Crowns Inn. Our programme for 2023 begins on Wednesday 28th January, when author Josephine Collingwood will talk about the geology of Dartmoor, the subject of her most recent book. All welcome and free for members. Full details on the talks and many other subjects can be seen on the website: www.chagfordlocalhistorysociety.org.uk

For more information, email us at: enquiries4clhs@gmail.com or through our website.

Worried about memory loss?

Chagford old peal of belles and ringers, 1914. © Chagford Archive

Something special from OUC

To celebrate its 150th anniversary Okehampton United Charity is setting aside up to £150,000 from its reserves to create and fund (in addition to its usual grants) something special.

The ‘something special’ should provide a lasting benefit to the residents of Okehampton and Hamlets.

OUC Trustees are asking for ideas how the money could be spent, the project must have a lasting benefit and be selfsustaining in the long term.

Mayor supports Dartmoor charity

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (North Dartmoor) is a charity that the Mayor of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Caroline Mott, is delighted to support.

Many years ago, Cllr Mott was able to complete the training with them and spent an enjoyable number of years before work commitments called her away.

They are a small but dedicated mountain rescue team of 50 people whose purpose is ‘the search and rescue of people in wild and inhospitable places’. Whilst this is their stated aim, their response to incidents in support of both the Devon and Cornwall Police and the Southwest Ambulance Service see them responding to many problems well beyond the wilds of the upland moor.

In recent years, the number of callouts have grown from approximately 15 per year to around 40.

This growth in callouts has also seen a shift in the nature of the people they are searching for. Historically they would focus on searching for walkers and climbers. However, in recent years and in particular the last two years, they are searching for despairing people (potential suicides) who account

for half of all their missions. Sadly, a further 10% are people suffering with Dementia.

This leaves them, along with the other rescue groups across the Moor, a support organisation for the whole of the community and not just those enjoying leisure activities.

Cllr Caroline Mott, Mayor of West Devon Borough Council, said: ‘This charity is very close to my heart due to my earlier history with them as a volunteer. They do amazing work for the community in all hours of the day and night rescuing people and often

put their own lives on the line. They are volunteers who are trained to a high professional standard who work in very often-treacherous conditions.

‘I’m proud to support the North Dartmoor team in any way I can and we look forward to seeing you at some of their events.

‘I look forward to meeting more people at some of their events’.

If you are interested in finding out more about any part of the charity, go to www.ndsart.org.uk’

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

When it comes to business finance, relationships matter

Finding the right kind of finance for your business has become increasingly challenging over the last few decades. There are so many options out there, more than there ever have been before, but often the biggest issue is understanding all the choices available to you and the implications for your business in the long-term.

Back in the day of traditional bank managers, every business had a dedicated, relationship-focused person who could talk through the options and understand the intricacies of a business. I started my working life in Barclays, Okehampton – back in 1989 - we had an office manager, 10 staff and often knew customers by name.

Business isn’t like that these days – well, not on the high street anyway. You might not be able to sit down and have a coffee with your bank manager anymore, but there are knowledgeable people willing to share their experience and understanding.

As a business owner looking for finance, you could try your accountant or your financial advisor if you have one. Often though, it is commercial brokers who are able to give the greatest breadth of advice when it comes to funding solutions to fit your overall business.

What could a commercial broker do for you?

Firstly, most commercial brokers will meet you face to face to discuss your business needs free of charge. They do this because they make commission on deals placed with lenders. But, in order to get to that point, it’s the front end relationshipbuilding that really matters.

A good commercial broker will want to learn about you and your business – what you sell, to whom and how. They’ll be interested in the current numbers, of course, but also your plans for the future. With information on the assets in your business, the borrowing you already have and credit history, they’ll be in a position to help you understand what funding solutions are available to you, and which ones best suit your business now and as it grows.

Commercial brokers can liaise with lenders, answer all your questions and stand with you as your business grows to ensure you always have the financial support when needed.

If you’d like a no obligation chat about how a commercial broker could be an asset to your business, contact Colin Chastey on 07760 454 244.

Colin Chastey

in the Tamar

of

• Good shopping facilities.

• Plenty to explore.

St. Ann’s

• Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.

Red House Mysterieswhat sets it apart from the rest?

The immersive excitement of Escape Rooms has proven incredibly popular over the last few years. So what is it about Red House Mysteries that sets it apart from the pack?

Step through the door of Red House Mysteries Exeter branch and it becomes immediately apparent that you’re in for a different kind of experience. The décor, lighting and atmospheric music guide you into a beautifully appointed waiting room, where you are greeted and introduced to your up-coming game by one of their friendly hosts. Once inside the Escape Room itself, things only escalate further. The attention to detail and multi-layered puzzles are exciting and engaging, and the hour whizzes by with your team, eventually coming to a nail biting conclusion as the clock begins to run out.

Set up back in 2015, Red House Mysteries is the brainchild of Ben Pering and Mark Nicholls, two friends from the local area with a shared passion for puzzles, treasure hunts and adventure games.

Starting on a shoe-string budget and backed up by a successful Kickstarter campaign, they opened their first room in Exeter to great success, building on that with more rooms, another branch in Torquay and various pop-up games run in collaboration with local institutions – Exeter University and the RAMM included.

There are currently two rooms available in their Exeter branch. “The Shadow Darkens” is a classic 1940s PI mystery – filled with drama and suspense, and a tangled web of narrative that must be

unfurled to escape. Newest room “The Danziger Experiment” is a Cold War science lab full of surprises, with a final puzzle that will push your teamwork to its limits!

Red House Mysteries are open from Tuesday-Sunday and take teams of up to 6 people per room. They also sell beautiful hand-printed gift vouchers – a perfect Christmas gift for those who like a little excitement in their lives!

For more details call 01392 277109 or visit www.redhousemysteries.co.uk

Comfort and Joy

The Sleepwell Project provides mattresses to those in need

Back in early 2019, Devon photographer Tommy Hatwell was in the Ugandan capital Kampala where he was meeting a group who were using yoga and street dance to boost well-being among the locals.

Taking in his slum surroundings, Tommy was deeply struck by one thing.

‘I noticed lots of very unappealing chunks of foam as I moved around. Apparently, these were mattresses, but I found it hard to imagine having to sleep on these for a night, let alone every night, before getting up and being inspired or energised to go to work or school.’

Tommy’s initial aim to buy a few mattresses to use as a colourful backdrop to photograph some of the residents - and then gift them the mattresses - quickly snowballed and became a full-on charitable endeavour: The Sleepwell Project.

Just one year later, Tommy delivered 60 mattresses, 45 treated mosquito nets, bedsheets and blankets to 60 families in the run-down neighbourhood.

‘These are people who are struggling to feed their kids and keep their families healthy. The bits of foam they use as mattresses are often full filthy and full

of bugs, yet might have six people lain across them.

‘A new mattressliterally something clean and decent to sleep on - is a luxury they simply can’t afford. But most of us take having a proper proper place lay our heads at night for granted.’

This month, Tommy’s going back. But this time he’s taking six guys, aged between 19 and 30, who work at Adventure Okehampton (where Tommy himself is a freelance kayaking instructor) to deliver even more mattresses not only to Kampala but also to a remote village.

And the more help and support they can get, the more decent nights’ sleep they can provide.

‘It’s important to know that full amount of every donation goes directly into buying and distributing the mattresses - the money isn’t used for wages or marketing. We’ve all paid for our own flights.’

But for Tommy The Sleepwell Project is about far more than just mattresses. It’s about communities and bringing them together from different corners of the world.

‘We’re connecting the children from one

of the primary schools in Uganda with the pupils of Warbstow Primary school in Launceston. They’re writing to each other; exchanging photos; learning about each other’s lives.

‘I’ve built up some amazing friendships in Uganda, and want to help wherever I can. Photography is a great way of breaking down barriers. I’ve travelled all over the globe with my camera - it’s opened up the world for me. When you photograph people, you interact with them in a certain way. You gain their trust. After all, the whole Sleepwell Project started off with a photo shoot.

‘Now the local boys I met back then are a central part of the team. Their involvement empowers them, which in turn continues to empower their community. Not only do they sort all the logistics, but they’ve also learned to use cameras to document it all. And they and their families are going to host us on this trip.’

Which will no doubt be a completely new experience for the lads from Adventure Okehampton.

Adventure Okehampton’s Joe Duffy, 19, is one of the Uganda team!

“I’ve only ever been abroad a couple of times, like Spain on holiday. So for me the trip to Uganda feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity - especially for someone of my age.

Tommy’s started talking about his plans at the beginning of the year. He showed us photos and videos of the time he’s spent out Uganda. They looked amazing. So when he said he’d like to organise for a group of us from Adventure Okehampton to go with him to help with The Sleepwell Project, I jumped at it.

To be honest I never thought about mattresses being something people needed donated. Usually it’s things to do with food, water, medicine or education.

Now it seems so obvious how important a good night’s sleep is for everyone, whoever they are and wherever they live.

I can’t wait to be out there really helping out with the project and doing the charity work. But I’m also really keen on football and want to play with the local lads. It’s a great way, not just to have fun but too bring people together, getting to know each other with a kind of team spirit.”

Children and young people (CYP) represent a third of our country and their wellbeing will determine our future. Improving their health and wellbeing is a key priority for NHS England and NHS Improvement.

The NHS Long Term Plan sets out a vision for the future of the NHS and new action in relation to children and young people aged 0-25. To deliver these, a Children and Young People Transformation programme was established, bringing together key partners and programmes responsible for the delivery of our Long Term Plan commitments.

Search for ‘children and young people’ on the NHS website to find out more.

Local Support

RESILIENT YOUNG MINDS

If you are between 18-25 years old and are feeling lonely, stressed, anxious or low, please know that you are not alone. Resilient Young Minds is a free, weekly wellbeing programme offered to young people in the North Dartmoor area and designed to support you to manage these challenges and help you to meet others in a friendly & safe outdoors environment.

The dates for this year’s coursefacilitated by Lucy Loveday and Matt Parkins - are Tuesday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of November, and Tuesday 6th and 13th of December.

If you are registered at Blake House, Moretonhampstead, Chagford, Cheriton Bishop or Okehampton GP surgeries you can contact them for more information.

Or reseve your place by emailing your name and contact details by 4th November to: d-icb. resilientyoungminds@nhs.net. Places are limited so please get in touch as soon as possible.

TOR SUPPORT

Tor Support is a local, not-for-profit organisation that provides confidential counselling, advice and support for young people aged 5 to 25 years old in Okehampton and the surrounding parishes.

You can refer yourself via their website: www.torsupport.org.uk

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLES HEALTH AND WELLBENG COACH Claire Bridgeman is the new Children and Young Peoples Health and Wellbeing coach who is based at Okehampton Medical Centre but will see C&YP at other surgeries and locations.

Anyone aged 8 to 18 who would like some non-medical support to improve their mental and/or physical health and wellbeing. Issues may include anxiety, depression, sleep problems, trauma, disordered eating, self-harm. This service is not suitable for C&YP in mental health crisis or with an unmet clinical need.

Children and Young People can self-refer or be referred by parents/carers, any member of GP practices, schools, and other relevant organisations. Please use the Community Links Referral Form.

To contact Claire, please email claire. bridgeman2@nhs.net or leave a message at Okehampton Medical Centre, 01837 52233.

Heather Atouguia

Woodland Trust: Charlotte Dawe

Setting the new standard in aesthetics

Imagine a specialist facility, filled with a carefully curated selection of the very best and most effective clinically proven aesthetic technologies. Blending the art of aesthetics with science and technology: Wood MediSpa is setting a new standard in aesthetics.

In its laser suite Wood MediSpa offers best-in-class laser devices such as the Sciton Joule - laser treatment is able to tackle a range of skin concerns from hair removal, pigmentation changes and vascular blemishes to lines and wrinkles.

In the experienced hands of lead Medical Aesthetics Practitioner Lauren Mackintosh, you can rest assured you will receive the best standards of

treatment and safety. At the forefront of aesthetics, Wood MediSpa raises the standard of patient safety with use of the Clarius L20 to guide filler treatment and map facial vasculature.

As the popularity of these injectable treatments increases but the industry remains largely unregulated, the number of complications is also rising. At Wood MediSpa staff have instant access to hyaluronidase (the enzyme that dissolves injected hyaluronic acid filler), high quality facial Doppler ultrasound (to pinpoint the location of the occlusion and direct the hyaluronidase treatment) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Dermatological offerings include daylight PDT (treatment of

precancerous skin lesions with sunshine activated cream) and Mohs surgery for skin cancer removal. Its onsite laboratory checks tumour margins while you wait in order to ensure completeness of excision, saving weeks of worry by providing instant results and allowing immediate reconstruction.

Wood MediSpa also has access to a fully equipped operating theatre and 6 en-suite rooms on the ward for inpatients and cosmetic dental clinic.

Wood MediSpa sits nestled in its own Grade I listed country estate in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, accessed just 20 mins west of Exeter via the A30.

Have the real cause of pain treated with Light Touch Therapy

Living with chronic pain can be a nightmare. You’ve been to every doctor and tried every pill, but nothing seems to give you any reprieve from the agony. Perhaps Spinal Touch Therapy is the answer to your prayers.

This is a treatment that can help with everything from headaches to repetitive strain injury; sciatica, digestive issues and even infertility.

The healing involves a light touch “rub-out” technique applied to the muscles of the lower back, working up the spine to the neck and head area as well as to the abdomen. In the process

the spine is guided back to postural normality, enabling the body to eliminate accumulated acidity and tension from the muscles.

This in itself can offer very rapid (sometimes instantaneous) pain relief. The effects on the body of correcting misalignment can be truly remarkable. Patients often refer to it as ‘magic’!

Susanna Terry

For more information call 01837 840718 or visit www.lightouch.co.uk

Help address inequalities in healthcare access

In Devon, the gap between more affluent and poorer communities means that many people often do not have access to the healthcare they need.

Led by the Integrated Care System for Devon, the Core 20 Plus project seeks to address these inequalities within target communities to identify barriers to healthcare access faced by members of them. The key geographical areas chosen are the North Dartmoor Primary Care Network (including Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Okehampton and Black Torrington) and Ilfracombe in North Devon.

The project is seeking to recruit volunteers with local knowledge to speak to people in their communities, developing

case studies to highlight the challenges faced by individuals in accessing healthcare.

The volunteers will help to identify key barriers to accessing healthcare services in the areas that are important to individuals, for example early cancer diagnosis or mental health. The evidence gathered will be vital in starting the process of readdressing the balance so appropriate healthcare is made accessible for all.

If

are interested in

this

contact Amy (North Dartmoor) on amy@westdevoncvs.org.uk or Claire (North Devon) on c.fisher@bpag-encompass.org.uk

Volunteers Needed!

Winter Preparations

Winter is a time to slow down in the garden but not to come to a complete halt. November sees the end of autumn when the last of the deciduous leaves drop and the late summer flowering perennials finally give up their struggle against the wind and rain. However, it is also a time to look forward to the colour, scent, evergreen foliage and structure a well thought out planting can bring to the garden in winter.

The way we manage our gardens can have a profound effect on the wildlife that successfully overwinters. Do not be in too much of a hurry to tidy up and cut down spent flowers – look carefully and you will see that many hold their seed heads, providing food for birds and winter shelter for insects. At Rosemoor we leave seed heads on for as long as possible especially in the Hot and Foliage Gardens. It is especially worth leaving the seed heads on Hydrangea, Hylotelephium (Sedum), Rudbeckia,

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), Achillea and Dipsacus (Teasel).

Grasses can provide a wonderful wind-blown movement and sound to your winter display. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’ AGM and ‘Morning Light’ AGM, Carex dipsacea and Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ are great performers. Leave the stems until spring when deciduous grasses can be cut down to ground level before the new growth starts. This is also the time to give evergreen grasses a tidy up – just comb or pull out dead material but do not cut back completely.

Be prepared for the occasional warm, sunny, winter’s day when some creatures might come out to look for food by making sure you have some winter flowering shrubs in the garden. Many of these plants have a wonderful perfume, making excursions into your garden a joy during, what can be, a

dull time of year. Mahonia, Sarcococca and winter flowering Viburnum species and cultivars are especially attractive to pollinators. A list of plants perfect for pollinators can be found on the RHS website: rhs.org.uk

Many insects, including solitary bees, seek holes to spend the winter including hollow reeds, plant stems and canes. You can make artificial hibernation sites from blocks of wood (untreated) with drilled holes of different sizes (2mm – 10mm). Insects may also find refuge in your garage or shed, in particular small tortoiseshell, brimstone, comma and peacock butterflies, herald moth, ladybirds and lacewings.

Stacks of twigs and dry leaves under a hedge might tempt one of our dwindling population of hedgehogs to spend the winter in your garden. Log and stone piles in a damp corner will provide a spot for amphibians and reptiles. If you

Achillea seed heads ©RHS/Tim Sandall

Cutting back grasses ©RHS/Tim Sandall

plan having a bonfire on 5 November, don’t build it until the last minute to prevent creatures (including hedgehogs) from taking up residence. Stockpile your material and then move it to the bonfire site.

The compost bin is a favourite for slow worms, snakes, newts, frogs and toads, so think twice before turning the heap in winter. Frogs will often hibernate in the mud at the bottom of your pond so go easy on the cleaning regime and definitely never do it during the winter months.

Gardens can be a haven for our wildlife as long as we think twice about too much tidying up and consider the needs of all the creatures that make their homes in our patch of land, however small.

Jobs for November and December

• Remove fallen leaves from the pond to keep the water a healthy environment for fish and wildlife.

• Raise containers onto ‘feet’ to prevent waterlogging and freezing compost.

• To stop winter moth damage to fruit trees, use grease bands around the trunks.

• December is the best time to prune your freestanding apple and pear trees, but not those trained against walls. Aim to create an open goblet shape with a framework of four to five main branches.

• Prune your acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding. We no longer recommend binding, wrapping or painting pruning cuts, the best thing to do is to allow them to heal naturally.

Now also is a good time to take hardwood cuttings of your favourite deciduous climbers, trees and shrubs. Although usually restricted to deciduous plants, semi-ripe cuttings from some evergreens including Ilex (holly), Ligustrum (privet) and Skimmia can be taken at the same time.

Common Frog ©RHS/Andrew Halstead

Taking hardwood cuttings ©RHS/Tim Sandall

Sheila Dearing, Garden Technical Services Officer, RHS Garden Rosemoor.

Mahonia × media ‘Charity’ ©RHS/Sheila Dearing

Hello again everyone. This should have been finished in September but as ever I’m sat here writing and the deadline has expired, it’s early October.

The hot sunny days are long behind us now, I know it was too much at the time, but wouldn’t it be lovely to have a couple of those days now? There has been plenty of rain but unfortunately as there was so little grazing when the rain started the animals were queued up to eat the grass as it sprouted. It has taken a long time for the fields to pick up and allow the animals to progress as they would normally do. The bulls have been removed from the cows, but I am worried that there might be more than cows than normal not in calve. I have noticed a few that are still cycling - if I’ve seen a few then I’m sure there are more empty ones that I haven’t seen.

It’s nearly time the rams went in again, I hope that they are ready for the ladies. Over the years we have sometimes had a problem with our rams. They are often bred in better farming environments than Okehampton, and have also been fed too much. We visit the ram sales in August and select our new young rams usually at auction. We then bring them home

to Okehampton where the weather in September can be quite nice and mild. D-day for the rams is October 17 - by then the days are cooler and darker, rainfall is higher and it’s not so pleasant as where they came from. They then get loaded up and turned in with lots of fertile frisky females. Unfortunately, the net result of this is often an early death for the young men of the sheep world.

I have been contemplating a solution to this problem for a number of years and this year I took the plunge. I purchased three pedigree ewes of my own, which can be seen in the photo, and a very posh ram. I now have a Luxton’s pedigree Texel flock. These four sheep can be mollycoddled all they like. Their offspring will not be fussed over but allowed to acclimatise and grow slowly over 18 months. They will be rufty tufty Okehampton born and breed with superior genetics not from Okehampton. It’s a very similar principle to the one used in our pedigree Angus herd, the difference being that we are only breeding the rams for our own use but who knows, it might be an opening for the future.

the shop were very pleasantly surprised by September. We felt that the summer had been good but under the current economic climate we were a little worried as to what the autumn held. September was a lovely month. We were so happy to see so many local faces. We like tourists but we love locals. The atmosphere in the café and shop has been great it has been a pleasure to go to work. We are now starting to plan for Christmas.

we will be taking orders from Bonfire Night.

you are worried by the about the expense of your Christmas order, please come and have a chat with us. We might be able to come up with a cost-effective solution. If you are looking for a practical gift for a family or friend we can supply our Farmer Luxton’s vouchers in any denomination. We can also organise a hamper or meat pack to give as a present. I’m not sure if you know but we do run a Christmas club to help you save for up for the big day.

you are doing this year we wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New

Stuart Luxton

Christmas pop-up market hosted by The Green Attic

It is that wonderful time of the year again. Perfect time to visit a Christmas pop-up market. It will take place in Endecott House (High street) from 11 am to 4pm in Chagford on Sunday 20th November.

The Green Attic loves to celebrate local makers and on this market they will be there with all their products. And of course The Green Attic will be selling its vintage and up-cycled items. With the current costs of living going up, you can still buy handmade, unique and preloved gifts for reasonable prices from as low as a fiver.

At the market you will find a broad variety of handcrafted, vintage and handmade items. From jewellery to handmade leather bags and belts. From wood work to pottery. From home-decor to beautiful artwork. All will make perfect, affordable gifts for you and your loved ones.

If the weather permits, musicians will be playing in the garden, and the lovely local cafes and pubs will be open for tea, coffee, cakes and lunch.

Stone Lane Gardens in winter months

On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Stone Lane Gardens will be open as usual, welcoming visitors form 10am till dusk.

With the addition of new wildflower meadows waiting for spring, the Gardens offer the glorious setting of the arboretum for winter walks on any day of the week. Take a stroll among birch bark covered trees, the colours

and textures of which range from white, to silver, to amber, to deepest ruby red, smooth or ruffled with the season and species.

Streams and ponds in the water garden are replenished by natural springs refilled after the summer drought with purest Dartmoor water. Two miles from Whiddon Down, Stone Lane Gardens is an RHS Partner Garden and

Chagford is a lively and welcoming Stannary town on Dartmoor, well worth a visit.

is a charitable trust holding a National Collection of birch

Picture by Stone Lane Gardens

Songs of Devon - an evening with Jim Causley

’It is thanks to Baring-Gould and other notable folk-song collectors, that the musical heritage of Devon was preserved before it perished forever. But antique music does little good left untouched in dusty archives. It needs life and the laughter of audiences.

Award-winning musician, singer and all-round entertainer Jim Causley comes to Chagford Church on Saturday 12th November to perform songs from his native Devon.

Jim has dedicated much of his career to researching and reviving these forgotten local gems, even unearthing an old folksong collected in Chagford itself.Imagine a world in which all the music heard by our forebears was a live performance, a world in which everyone sang regularly, regardless of class or gender, a world without Spotify or iTunes!

Sabine Baring-Gould, the maverick Devonshire polymath, wrote this touching account of his local music

scene in 1890:‘In my own neighbourhood lived a totally illiterate hedger who could neither read nor write. He enjoyed no little local celebrity as a song-man. His name was James Parsons, aged seventy-four, a son of a still more famous singer and grandson of another. In fact, the profession of song-man was hereditary in the family. At every country entertainment, at the publichouse almost nightly, for more than a century, one of these men of the Parsons family had not failed to attend and sing as required for the entertainment of the company. Many a pleasant evening have I spent with old Parsons - he in the settle, sitting by the fire, I taking down the words of his ballads, and Mr. Sheppard or Mr. Bussell noting down his melodies.

Jim Causley is a warm, funny, and authentic performer, the perfect ambassador for the revival of Devon folksongs. He is a notable winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award ‘Singer of the Year’, and was labelled ‘the finest singer of his generation’ by popular music magazine, Mojo.The folk scene offers an opportunity to hear the distinct flavour of Devon folksongs performed by one of the most well-loved and respected figures of today’s roots and folk scene.

Jim’s programme includes his favourite discoveries alongside new Devon songs he’s written himself, thus sustaining and revivifying our rich Devon song tradition into the 21st Century.Songs of Devon Saturday 12th November 7.30pm: Chagford Parish Church creations folk-singer and musician

Jim Causley presents an evening of Devonshire songs, alongside some of his own creations.Tickets £10, available from Sally’s Newsagent in Chagford or eventbrite.co.uk (search for ‘Chagford’).

Oke

Throughout August, defibrillators in Okehampton were taken from their cabinets on more than seven occasions.

Defibrillators are required when someone is in cardiac arrest. However, if you are waiting for an ambulance, you may be asked to go and fetch the nearest defibrillator so you can have one ready, incase the situation deteriorates before the ambulance arrives.

There are now 12 defibrillators in Okehampton and the most recent one to be added is at St James Primary School. This defibrillator was provided by Devon Air Ambulance, and Okehampton PADs (Public Access Defibrillators) wanted to make sure training was given to ensure people have the confidence to go and get one and to use it quickly.

Defibrillators can significantly increase somebodies chance of survival, if it is attached quickly and good quality CPR is performed. The better quality the CPR, the better the chance of survival.

That is why training is so importantand Okehampton PADs provided free training to 22 staff members at St James primary school.

Geraldine Carter from school said: ‘Joe delivered defibrillator training to our staff in the most accessible and understandable way whilst ensuring key information was known and embedded. He brings alive what’s in the textbook to ensure confidence and readiness in the real world. The other attendees and I felt more confident in how best to support an individual in the event of an

emergency situation when a defibrillator may be needed.’

Okehampton PADs also offers free community workshops. The next free one is on 25th November between 6pm and 8pm at Okehampton Rugby Club. Contact okepads@gmail.com to book your space.

Classics Galore! is back for 2022. Exeter’s very own Last Night of the Proms will be held at the University of Exeter Great Hall on Saturday, Saturday 12th November.

Classics was established in 2007 and held every two years until the pandemic forced the postponement of last year’s event. The team has been working hard for the return this autumn.

Billed as one of Exeter’s biggest and best-loved indoor musical extravaganzas, the previous seven concerts have raised more than £110,000 for FORCE.

Around 200 top musicians and singers - a full orchestra, a brass band and two choral societies and their friends - will perform a variety of light classical favourites and rousing singalongs under musical director Malcolm Matthews and orchestra leader, Sarah Greinig.

The programme includes: Raiders of the Lost Ark (Williams), Zadok the Priest (Handel), Radetzky March (J Strauss I),

The Sound of Music medley (Rodgers arr. Hazell) and a Proms Style Finale.

Two new faces are welcomed to the concert this year, soloist soprano Cheryl Enever, who has worked with the BBC singers, the Royal Opera House and sung for royalty. Cheryl will be joined on stage by our compère, the popular local broadcaster Justin Leigh, who cannot wait to be Master of Ceremonies and to make his Classics debut.

‘I am delighted and honoured to be the compére for this year’s Classics Galore! It’s such a prestigious and much loved event and I know it is a highlight of the year for many music lovers across the South West,’ says Justin.

‘Although I was aware of the event and knew its reputation for superb music, I have never attended. So I am looking forward to my first visit.

‘Like most families, we have lost loved ones to cancer. My mum lost her battle with breast cancer more than 20 years ago and ever since then, I have tried

to help organisations that support those living with the disease and their families.

‘I know from experience how distressing it is to see someone dealing with cancer and how valuable it is to have support from organisations such as FORCE Cancer Charity.

‘The Classics Galore! concert is a wonderful way to support the vital work of FORCE, enjoying the best music while helping such a worthwhile cause.’

Classics Galore! was established by former Exeter policeman Dick Passmore and his wife, Posy. The 2019 event was particularly poignant following Dick’s death earlier that year.

The Passmores’ well established formula for a successful night remains, including pre-concert dining at The Terrace Bar of the Great Hall from 5.15pm.

Tickets are now on sale at www. ticketsource.co.uk/classics-galore-exeter

NOVEMBER 5 AND 6

Gidleigh Painters, St Michael’s Church, Chagford

Following our very successful previous exhibitions this will be our fifth display. Paintings will be on show 10.30am4.30pm on Saturday November 5, and 11.30am-4.30pm on Sunday November 6, and for sale in the Church throughout the week.

Do come along to find out more and see what we do.

For further details about the group contact Janey Leitch on 07776 216785 or email – janey.leitch@btinternet.com

NOVEMBER 9

Okehampton and District Local History Society at the Ockment Centre in North Street at 7.30pm, for £3.

From Topsham to the Arctic Ice. John Davidson taught geography at Exeter school where he was involved in processing the school archives. The Story of HMS Terror, and her companion

Ship HMS Erebus has changed recently from one of the great maritime mysteries to a tragedy in which details are becoming known. This is especially true after the discovery of the sunken wrecks of the ships in 2016. A largely fictional television series did not do justice to the heroism of the crew of HMS Terror. Interestingly, she can be regarded as a Devon Ship as she was built on the River Exe at Topsham.

NovemberNOVEMBER 12

The Inner Wheel Club of Okehampton invites you to join them at their Coffee Morning at the Charter Hall, Okehampton, on Saturday, November 12, 9.30am to 12noon. All the usual stalls plus some Christmas goodies. All proceeds to Local Projects and Charities.

NOVEMBER 12

Come to the Fair! After a two-year break the Belstone Craft Fair happily returns. There will be 16 stalls of different crafts, including woodwork, weaving, basketry, jewellery, ceramics - and much else.

As in previous years, delicious light lunches and cakes are available. Admission is free and the craft fair opens at 10.30am and closes at 4.30pm.

NOVEMBER 12

CLASSICS GALORE

An evening of popular classical music raising funds in aid of FORCE Cancer Charity.

Compered by Justin Leigh, it will feature The Classics Symphony Orchestra, SW

Comms Band, choirs and soloists. 7.30pm University of Exeter Great Hall. Tickets £12 to £28 online, www,ticketsource.co.uk/ classics-galore-exeter

NOVEMBER 14 TO 18 Discovery Week - the perfect opportunity for you and your family to have a tailored morning to explore Exeter Cathedral School, with an exciting, full Taster Day option available.

• Monday 14 November: Years 3 & 4

• Tuesday 15 November: Nursery & Reception

• Wednesday 16 November: Years 1 & 2

• Thursday 17 November: Year 5

• Friday 18 November: Years 6-8

For more information and to book a visit, please email admissions@extercs.org or call 01392 285959

NOVEMBER 19

Come and chat, including a talk from Julie Bailey on the work of Okehampton Street Pastors, between 10.30am to 11.30am.

NOVEMBER 19

Diving For Pearls, doors open at 7.30pm, music from 8pm. An eclectic mix of blues, rock and funk, promises to be a great night out. Bar and refreshments available. Tickets £10, available from Nicky 01837 880300 or nickyvhmc@ gmail.com

NOVEMBER 25

Quiz night at the village hall for a

£5

of

to six

people and delicious puddings at £5 per person. Donations of puddings will be gratefully received. Bring your own drinks.

NOVEMBER 24

North Dartmoor Garden Club 7.30pm Belstone Village Hall

Enjoy coffee and mince pies while Robin Hill entertains you with “A Gardening Potpourri”. New members and visitors welcome.

NOVEMBER 26

Before the Covid pandemic The Belstone Bazaar was held twice a year and was always a popular event so now, as we return to ‘normal’, the Belstone Village Hall Management Committee is resurrecting the Belstone Christmas Bazaar, so it’s time to book your table or put the date in your diary as a ‘must visit’.

It will follow the same format as before - a fairly informal Crafts Tabletop Sale, featuring work from local craftspeople as well as cakes, produce and charity stalls. £8 per table (or space if that’s more appropriate). Refreshments will be on sale, in the form of bacon baps, cake, tea, coffee and squash. Opens from 11am-3pm - setting up from 9.30am. If you have handmade crafts or produce to sell or would like to have a table for your personal charity, please contact Edwina on 01837 840332 or email hallmanager@belstonevillage.net

We look forward to seeing you there!

December

DECEMBER 1

Okehampton Edwardian Evening 5pm to 9pm

Edwardian Evening in Okehampton will celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights in the town signalling that Christmas has begun! Get a prime spot in Fore Street at 6pm for the official ‘big switch on’!

There will be loads going on, with late-night shopping, market stalls on Fore Street, Christmas carols and mulled wine to warm the heart and soul in the crisp night air. Plus lots of entertainment.

The roads will close between 5pm and 9pm there should be a real festive community feel in town. It’s not to be missed - plus… it’ll be beginning to look at lot like Christmas!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 3

Christmas Bingo at Belstone Village Hall with lots of prizes to be won. Doors open 6.30pm, eyes down 7.15pm. All welcome.

DECEMBER 3 AND 4

Wonderworks Contemporary Craft Fair returns to Jubilee Hall Chagford on the 3rd and 4th December. Visitors can meet

an exciting mix of the very best contemporary craft makers in the South West. This year the fair is raising funds for Cruse Bereavement Support (Devon). Cruse - www.cruse.org.uk

Voluntary donations to the charity will be welcomed during the event and there will be a fundraising raffle where visitors can win one of a range of unique handcrafted prizes donated by each exhibitor. There is a delicious cafe open throughout provided by Wild Dartmoor Kitchen. Visit Wonderworks to meet up with friends, have refreshments, explore the best of contemporary craft in the region, and perhaps find a few special gifts before Christmas. It will be open each day from 10am to 5pm.

DECEMBER 10

North Tawton Christmas Market on 10th December in the Town Hall 10.00am -1.00pm. Local produce and crafts.

A festive evening of Christmas music performed by Exbourne Choir at Sampford Courtenay Village Hall. Doors open at 7pm, concert commences at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 in advance, £6 on the door. Accompanied children 12 and under free from Nicky 01837 880300. Refreshments available during interval. As this meeting is close to Christmas he will bring some Christmas recordings on wax cylinders and shellac to accompany some seasonal food and drink.

Mount Kelly Choral Society will be celebrating Christmas this year with a performance of Handel’s ever

popular Messiah. We are delighted to be presenting this classic of the choral repertoire in the warm and comfortable surroundings of Tavistock Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Saturday 17th December with professional soloists and the Dartmoor Chamber Orchestra conducted by Musical Director, Julian Jensen. Tickets (£12 or free of charge to under 18s) are available from Book Stop Tavistock or www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mount_kelly_choral_society

DECEMBER 14

Okehampton and District Local History Society at the Ockment Centre in North Street at 7.30pm, for £3.

A Christmas with Thomas Edison. Keith Badman taught chemistry in Devon but has been involved in research into the career and inventions of Thomas Edison in the late 19th and early 20th Century for over 50 years. He has considerable experience of working with early sound reproducing and recording devices and will illustrate the talk with demonstrations of early phonographs and gramophones.

What’s On at Okehampton Library

Okehampton Library will be offering so much more than books this winter. It’s a warm, welcoming space with free WiFi and computer access, people to talk to,

groups and activities. Enjoy a chat with other customers over a free tea, coffee or hot chocolate, kindly supplied by Waitrose Okehampton.

Libraries are launching a ‘Libraries for Life’ campaign to remind everyone that we’re not just about books! As well as being a warm space to sit and read, there are groups ranging from to Bounce & Rhyme for babies and toddlers to Cuppa & A Chat every Tuesday for adults to have a natter.

Keep an eye out for more events and activities at Okehampton Library throughout the coming months.

devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/ okehamptonlibrary

Events

DIGITAL DEVON Book onto one of our FREE digital skills sessions in November at Okehampton Library to learn some basic digital skills or improve and refresh existing skills.

BIPC DEVON LAUNCH AT OKEHAMPTON LIBRARY –WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 11:00AM -1PM

BIPC Devon are a county-wide based business support organisation. Businesses can get business support from one of our business experts.

CHRISTMAS CHORTLE TRAIL: 1ST TO 23RD DECEMBER Find the Christmas jokes hidden around

the library and match them up with the correct punch line whilst having a giggle! For all ages. Small chocolate treat for those that match all of them correctly. Festive Hamper Raffle - Tickets £1 each.

Purchase a draw ticket for the chance to win the contents of the Friends of Okehampton Library festive hamper! Winner to be drawn Saturday 17th December.

FESTIVE QUIZ SHEET - £1 EACH

The Friends of Okehampton Library festive quiz sheet returns again, pick up your copy from the library from 1st December, only £1 per sheet with the chance to win a prize.

UNDER 5’S STAY AND PLAY SESSION - MONDAY 5TH DECEMBER 10 - 10.45AM and their parents/carers, no booking necessary. Free session, donations welcome.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING - SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER 10AM -12:00 NOON

Have a chat with staff and Friends of Okehampton Library whilst you enjoy free mince pies and hot drinks in the warm, welcoming space of the library. Free, donations welcome.

SNOW GLOBE CRAFT ACTIVITY - TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER 14:00 -15:00 PM Create a winter snow globe to take

home. Suitable for ages 7+, £1 per child. Booking essential.

MUSIC NIGHT AT THE OCKMENT CENTRE – DATE TO BE CONFIRMED (DECEMBER)

The Friends of Okehampton Library music night returns!

Regular Events

A CUPPA & A CHAT - TUESDAYS

13:30-15:30PM

Enjoy a natter with other customers over a free tea, coffee or hot chocolate, kindly supplied by Waitrose Okehampton.

No booking necessary. Just drop in.

BOUNCE & RHYME - TUESDAYS

10:00 - 10:20AM & 11:0011:20AM

Suitable for under 5s. Free, no booking necessary.

BABY WEIGH – TUESDAYS

09:30 -11:30AM

Free self-weigh facilities for parents to weigh their babies, available in a screened area within the library. This is in partnership with Devon Public Health Nursing.

Parents and babies welcome to stay for Bounce & Rhyme!

DUPLO BUILDERS & STORYTIME

- WEDNESDAYS 09:30 – 10:15AM

Suitable for under 5s. Free, no booking necessary.

LEGO BUILDERS - SATURDAYS

10:30 – 11:30 AM

Suitable for ages 5+. Free, no booking necessary.

THE SECRET BOOK QUEST

A completely free year-round reading challenge for 5-12 year olds across Devon. To take part, children sign up in the library, read 50 library books at their

own pace, and collect stickers to solve the secret code. Finishers will receive a certificate and a small prize.

Children under 8 must be accompanied to all events by a responsible adult

Please see our library website or Facebook page for any additional events and library services

www.devonlibraries.org.uk

Eastern European Wines

Are Eastern European wines good? How can Europe’s poorest nation (Moldova) produce stunning wines? How do you pronounce the grape variety Smerderevaka? (No idea!).

It may be the new boy on the bloc (sorry!) but Eastern Europe is perhaps the birth-place of wine. Wine was made in Georgia 8,000 years ago - it’s probably past its best now - but countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia and Macedonia all have admirable winemaking histories. Look up ‘Moldova wine tunnels’ next time you’re surfing the net - seriously!

Communism didn’t do these wine-loving nations any favours. Standards fell quickly, and traditional grape ones were dug up and replaced with international varieties. The collapse of the Soviet Union reversed the situation - Eastern Europe is back!

Labour and production costs are low. To start with ‘value’ meant okay house wine, but unhindered by politics, standards have risen sharply, resulting in some terrific wines.

The labels can be intimidating - if it seems like a foreign language,it probably is! Fortunately most countries include eyebrow-raising English translations from a certain wellknown app! Some grape varieties don’t exactly roll off the tongue - Feteasca Regala, Rkatsiteli, Plavac, Malvazija Istarska - you get the idea! And for anyone thinking ‘I’ve heard of Malvasia’, Malvazija Istarka is no relation at all - ha!

Wine should be a bit mysterious so why not the label? I find a Cyrillic label exciting (I’ve had a sheltered life). Anyway, I’ve tried a variety in restaurants as well as at work, and I’m a fan - I love the engaging mixture of familiar and exotic.

Where should you start? Well, Georgia may be the cradle of wine so let’s start with its most famous grape, Saperavi. As well as being easy to pronounce it produces deep red wines well suited to ageing and has the distinction of being one of the world’s few Teinturier grapes. What? You don’t know what that is? How lucky I’m here. Teinturier means the flesh, as well as the skin, is red. Surrounding countries also grow Saperavi and the best I’ve tried personally was from Moldova.

White lovers may be tempted by orange wine - a style of natural wine where white grapes are left to ferment in contact with their skins like red wine, often in a traditional earthenware ‘Qvevri’ - a giant amphora without handles often sunk into the earth. ‘Proper’ Orange Wine is a bit of a shock. Savoury and powerful, it should accompany food. Many customers buy a bottle. Few buy a second. Luckily ‘westernised’ orange wines are available - Romania’s biggest exporter, Cramele Recas, makes a delicious, light version - like a Pinot Grigio with candied fruit notes. Call in soon to say hello and we can practice saying ‘Gaumarjos’ (‘Cheers’ in Georgian).

Dave Anning

Join us for lunch or dinner and sample some of our award winning food served in our elegant and relaxed dining rooms.

We welcome non residents so why not pop in for a morning coffee or take afternoon tea in one of our beautiful lounges in front of our fires.

Local food writer Caleb Botton delves into his heritage for his Christmas pudding recipe

Stir Up Sunday, falls on last Sunday before Advent - this year the 20 November - and is traditionally when one starts making Christmas pudding. Every family member would have a hand in mixing the ingredients (which used to be only 13 in number, to represent Jesus and his disciples) while wishes were made and a coin added. While most families have their own favoured variations, here is mine, which was passed down the generations from my great grandmother, a Romany Gypsy.

Instructions

In a bowl combine the currants, raisins, sultanas, brandy or whisky and lemon and orange juice and zest. Let it sit for four hours.

Add all the spices, suet, flour, sugar, salt, mixed peel, bread crumbs, apples

and eggs with the soaked fruit, mixing thoroughly until combined.

Grease a very large pudding basin with butter and spoon in the mixture until it is three-quarters full.

Cover with greaseproof paper and a muslin cloth or aluminium foil, and secure around the rim with kitchen string.

Place the basin in a pan of water that comes about half way up, let the water boil for six hours making sure you keep it topped up.

Remove the greaseproof paper, cloth/ aluminium foil and cover with fresh greaseproof paper and a clean cloth/foil.

Store in a cool place until Christmas Day!

Caleb Botton is the author of The Gypsy Cookbook, which will be out Autumn 2023. For more recipes, follow his Facebook page The Gypsy Cookbook

Ingredients

The zest and juice of half a lemon and an orange

2 large cooking apples peeled and grated

200g each of currants, raisins and sultanas

100g mixed peel

100g flaked almonds

1 bottle brandy or whisky to soak the fruit

200g suet

150g dark brown sugar

125g flour

150g dried brown bread crumbs

½ teaspoon salt

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp fresh nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground cardamom

3 eggs

Life Support

If you have had a blood sample taken by your doctor for testing, have you ever considered who took it to the hospital laboratory for you?

Chances are it was a volunteer blood biker from the Devon Freewheelers charity – a group of men and women from across the county who each evening pull on their leathers and helmet, and head out on the charity’s motorbikes (and cars), often riding late into the night, quietly collecting hundreds of samples from medical centres and doctors’ surgeries in our towns and villages. This free, daily, out-of-hours, reliable courier service was set up in 2009 to save the NHS money – in the past, it was not unheard of for samples to be taken to the hospital laboratory by taxi, at huge cost. Thanks to the Devon Freewheelers’ volunteers, surgeries and medical centres signing up for the charity’s free help can arrange for their samples to be picked up even when they are closed –meaning they can run later clinics for their patients.

The charity is made up of a team of trained volunteer riders, drivers, call handlers and fundraisers - all dedicated to providing a 24/7 service, delivering blood, medical test samples, medication, medical equipment and patient notes to support the NHS. Each month the team travels hundreds of miles, transporting thousands of samples. The role of the Devon Freewheelers does not end there – the volunteers

regularly transport breast milk to aid vulnerable babies in neonatal units across Devon, and collect from mums donating their own milk. Devon Freewheelers also proudly supports Devon Air Ambulance (DAA), transporting freeze-dried blood plasma, called LyoPlas, from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to DAA’s air bases in North Devon and Exeter.

Nigel Hare, operations director at Devon Air Ambulance, says: ‘Devon Freewheelers has supported Devon Air Ambulance for

many years. The nature of pre-hospital care means we cannot predict when a patient might need our critical care doctors and paramedics to administer life-saving treatment, which also means we cannot predict when we require replacement LyoPlas to be delivered. We are incredibly grateful for the service Devon Freewheelers provides, often with minimal notice, as it ensures our team always have LyoPlas available to administer to patients in their time of need.’

Dave Cook, a Devon Freewheelers volunteer rider who coordinates Devon riders in the east and north, and also transports LyoPlas to the air ambulance, explains: ‘We understand that when we collect anything upward of 10 blood or fluid samples each of them is the medical wellbeing of an individual, who has had it taken for a reason. They’re tested by a pathology or microbiology lab for confirmation of a medical professional’s initial diagnosis. Until those results are filtered back to the doctor, nurse or midwife the anxiety of the patient is increased by simply not knowing what their medical predicament is. That’s ten-plus quality-of-life issues that, as a rider, we are responsible for delivering safely and quickly to their destination. That responsibility gives me enormous pride in how we as volunteers are serving the community.’

Each day, from early afternoon, the phone call collection requests come thick and fast into the office at the charity’s headquarters, in Honiton, as medical centres and doctors’ surgeries arrange for a blood biker to take their day’s samples to the many Devon hospital laboratories. No appeal for help is ever turned down – and if an urgent request comes in, the rally call goes out to the charity’s team of loyal volunteers; the blood bikers are quick to act, instantly dropping whatever they are doing to respond.

‘Because of the nocturnal life of a blood biker,’ Dave continues, ‘we don’t normally meet any of the recipients of the commodities we collect and deliver around the county. A huge proportion of the community who attend surgeries probably aren’t even aware of our involvement. We occasionally meet medical professionals at hospital. The staff are always so appreciative of our services and occasionally learn for the first time of our volunteer status.

‘Having been a blood biker for nearly ten years I’m as motivated and enthusiastic now as I was when I first joined. Having had lots of personal family involvement with the NHS in the past, I know a fast, professional, and reliable courier service is crucially important for the welfare of others. I wear the Devon Freewheelers emblem with the same pride as I would a medal, and am privileged to highlight the role of the charity to anyone who’ll listen.’

Meanwhile, Emma Pring found the Devon Freewheelers gave her an opportunity to turn a terrible event into something good. ‘In 2012 I had a brain haemorrhage and as a result I can no longer give blood,’ she says. ‘I was distraught and it really saddened me beyond anything else I had to deal with. After my recovery I needed something to give back. I had already got my licence and the IAM qualification, so knew I could join up with the Devon Freewheelers. Every time I go on duty, I know it is my little way of giving something back and helping people around the west of Devon. As a female blood biker, I thought the response from people may have been different towards me, but I get ‘good on you girl’ when I tell them that I ride the bikes.’

For more information, to donate, or volunteer, see devonfreewheelers.org.uk

Vikings in 997...and a millenium later in 1997!

Poor Anglo-Saxon Britain - fleets of Vikings haunted the shores of Britain from 793AD when Lindisfarne Abbey, north of Newcastle, was sacked, right through to about 1010AD when Swein of Denmark briefly became King of England, followed shortly afterwards by the more famous King Canute. Most summers a fleet would cruise around looking for easy plunder, sometimes over-wintering this side of the North Sea.

Both sides learned as they interacted. King Alfred did a good job keeping the Danes at bay after they had taken over East Anglia. In particular he set up a series of fortified small towns, known as ‘Burhs’, making it much harder for seaborne raiders to penetrate inland.

In what is now West Devon. the most important were Exeter in the walls of the old Roman town, Totnes, and Lydford. The last was particularly important when it had a new Royal mint, making silver pennies all stamped with the name of the coiner and the mint. It opened in 975 and went on for 70 years, long before the present castle was built, using locally mined silver.

For their part, successive Danish leaders learnt the geography of the areas and thus how to strike both coastal places and inland. In 997 we suffered a significant raid here, after the Danish fleet had cruised and raided all along the Bristol Channel.

Here is how the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded it: ‘the Danes coasted back about Penwith-steort (Lands End) on the south side, and turning into the mouth of the Tamar,

went up until they came to Hlidaforda (Lydford), burning and slaying everything that they met. Moreover, Ordulf’s minster at Aetefingstoc (Tavistock) they burned to the ground, and brought to their ships incalculable plunder’

The Abbey was a recent foundation, barely 20 years before the raid. It must be imagined that all the buildings then were of wood. Did the Burh at Lydford hold out? I do not know; I do know, however, that no less than 44 Lydford-minted silver pennies are in the Royal Stockholm Museum. The King at the time of the raid was Aethelred the Unready; it is recorded that he several times gave large sums of money (Danegeld) to the Danes to stop their attacks. It was always a temporary measure, encouraging them to return for more! Draw your own conclusions as to the source of these pennies.

To commemorate the Millennium of this raid, four Viking longships arrived at the mouth of the Tamar in 1997. This was of course an organised trip, not a raid! They were welcomed and hosted at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, camping there and being much-visited. A special conference was also held in Tavistock all about the Vikings, with lectures by distinguished historians.

Two granite stones were commissioned to be carved as memorials. A rough carving is immediately below Lydford Castle in a lane next to the Church. A much finer carving with clear writing on it is on the West Hoe in Plymouth. Round the base are the names of the current nations from which

at

Viking stone below Lydford castle

Viking stone on Plymouth Hoe

This walk combines a circuit of Meldon Reservoir with a loop around Sourton Tor. There are great views in all directions. It follows part of the Archangel’s Way, a pilgrimage route around the north of the moor from Brentor to Chagford.

From Okehampton’s A30/A386 junction head south for 1/4 mile and turn left at a small brown sign for the Granite Way. This narrow road quickly crosses a cattle grid, then the Granite Way cycle track which follows the old railway line, and then another cattle grid. After driving another 200m up towards the Prewley Waterworks, there is a pull in for parking on either side of the track.

From the carpark, start walking uphill along a wide green track between the bracken towards the rocks of Sourton Tor. Cross two small streams then keep ahead where a track forks off to the left. Keep going straight towards the Tor until the track forks again, where you take the left fork to now head north east, aiming at a small clump of trees. Go through a gap in a low stone wall and follow it towards a solitary granite post and a more solid stone wall behind which forms the corner of a field.

Keep this field boundary to your right and head for a gate which is signposted Dartmoor Way. Walk straight ahead through fields until the path forks where you take the right one, leaving the Dartmoor Way and continuing towards the Meldon Reservoir carpark. Turn right along the lane and cross the dam, then turn right again and follow the path

around the base of the hill keeping the water to your right.

Where the narrow path opens out at the far end of the reservoir into the meadow of Vellake Corner, keep to the left of the boggy ground following the base of the hill. Don’t head across the meadow as it can get very wet, and the obvious path continuing through a gate and around the reservoir is not open to the public. As your path becomes level with the weir after about 200m, turn sharp right and cross it to the far side of the West Okemont river. Take the steep path straight up, and after about 80m the well-defined track levels out, heading in a south westerly direction towards Corn Ridge and Sourton Tor. Make sure you keep the steep valley to your right, cross a stream and aim for a large gully ahead where another steam emerges from the rocks above. Cross this stream

Lisa

and follow a narrow track now heading north. Keep the stone field boundary to your right and aim for the old granite fence post that you passed earlier.

As you approach the granite post, turn left and head uphill on a wide grassy track towards two standing stones, and keep climbing towards yet another single stone marker that’s visible ahead. The remains of the 19th Century Ice Works can be seen to your right, (best viewed on Google Earth!) and you’ll pass an area of quaintly-named “Thufurs”. These small grassy bumps look like moguls on a ski slope, and they represent the southerly reach of the ice age glaciers. The track levels out and you’ll see a watering hole and boundary ditch ahead. Bear right keeping the boundary ditch to your left, and continue to skirt the tor. Extensive views now open up ahead towards Brentor and

Plymouth Sound in the distance.

Where the ditch drops away into a steep valley to your left that descends to Lake Viaduct, keep straight ahead now walking in a westerly direction.

You’ll see Bridestowe Village and its church tower across the valley. The path gradually drops towards a stone wall, while bending to the right around the far side of the tor so you are now walking north. Keep the steep rocks of Sourton Tor close on your right, and keep right where the track forks. Follow this track straight ahead for half a mile, ignoring a number of branching tracks, and crossing a few streams. You will reach a

in the same stone wall that you came through towards the start of the walk, with the carpark soon visible down below.

Clean Direct

Pete Barrett

What do you specialise in?

Clean Direct specialises in window/fascia/soffit cleaning and gutter clearing on a daily basis and all external work including drives, paths, patios, wall washing including getting rid of dirt or fungi on the wall (this is called soft washing), moss removal, solar panel cleaning and all others matters external to improve the outlook of homes in Okehampton.

Where are you based?

We have recently moved from the top of The Arcade to our new premises at 8 East Street, Okehampton town centre. Our aim is to be fully open early 2023 when you will be able to pop in, have a coffee and talk to Tina about all your cleaning needs.

What areas do you cover?

We serve Okehampton and the surrounding area. River our son looks after Chagford and surrounding area.

Are you a family run business?

We are very much a family run business we pride ourselves on family values. Tina, my fiancé, runs the office and new ‘drop in shop’; I am on the windows in Okehampton with Laura,

who has been with us for 5 years, and our son looks after the homes in the Chagford area.

How long have you been operating?

We have been in business in West Devon for nearly 6 years, and before that I have been window cleaning in Devon for 12 years. Although we have the latest equipment we still hold on to traditional values, we still use ladders if requested but we always wipe cills and door frames by hand to finish as we believe we are Window Cleaners NOT Window Washers.

Any plans for the future?

Our aim is to continue serving the beautiful town of Okehampton. We are always doing jobs for the community including washing street signs and boards when we notice a dirty one and we support our local clubs. We offer our services to local charities free of charge or give away a ‘free clean’ at a raffle for all good causes. I love what we have achieved so far - we are very passionate about our work. I love my job and the people of Okehampton are kind and generous. So, our future is serving the people of Okehampton and surrounding area.

Oke Links Business Directory

In every issue of Oke Links we promote local businesses, conversely, these businesses support and enable us to continue writing and publishing your local community magazine. If you are looking for a great local business then please choose from the list below. Next to each business is the page number on which they appear in this issue, please go and look at their advert and, if you call them, mention that you found them in Oke Links.

Accountants

MBC Accountants 17

Animal Therapists

Lisa Hall Animal Therapy 39 Arts, Galleries & Museums

Moon and Moor 9 Wildwood Arts 40

Wonderworks Contemporary Craft Fair 34 Attractions, Days Out & Events

Butchers Hall 38

Castle Drogo (National Trust) 47 Chagford Business Community 20 Everything Okehampton 13

Red House Mysteries 25

Tavistock BID 38

Bathroom & Tile Retailers

Tavistock Bathrooms & Tiles 64 Building, Construction & Maintenance

Dave Baskerville Builders 61 Okehampton Handyman 61 Care Services & Care Homes

Bluebird Care West Devon 30 Devon & Cornwall Care Services 30 Friendly Faces UK 30

Lakeside Residential Home 32 Sonia France 18 Carpentry & Joinery KP Carpentry 61

Charities

Hospiscare 9 Christmas Trees

Dartmoor Shepherd 59 Cleaning & Domestic Services Cook IT Clean 61

West Devon Cleaning Services 58 Clothing Retailers

Donalds Menswear 18 Computers & Laptops

Alex Computers Ltd 9

Curtains & Blinds

LTB Blinds and Curtains 6

Dentists

QueensWood Dental Clinic 27 Rock Dental Practice 29

Dog Groomers

Dial a Dog Wash Devon (central) 12

Electrician

Coysh Electrical Services 60 Estate Agents & Property

Godfrey Short & Squire 63 Stevens Estate Agents 3 Westcountry Homes Online 2 Financial Advisors

2plan wealth management Ltd 55

The Asset Finance Man Ltd 23

Fuel Suppliers

Moorland Fuels 61 Tricounty Ltd 60

Funeral Directors

Albery & Redstone Funeral Directors 11 Garage Door Retail & Maintenance

Garolla Holdings Limited 57 Garden Centres & Retailers

Bow Garden and Aquatic Centre 35 Endsleigh Gardens Nursery 37 Stone Lane Gardens 37 Garden Machinery Retail & Services D H Services 36

Garden Services D.H. Grounds Maintenance 37

Dartmoor Pond Services 36 Hedge to Hedge Garden Services 36 J A Francis Stone Walling & Patios 36 Men for All Seasons 36

Gift Retailers

A Little Gift Company 9 Chocolate Strawberry 9 Occasions 9 Soapy Oke 10

Health, Beauty & Nutrition Light Touch Health 32 Ness Care Centre 19

Sam Hargreaves Acupuncture 30 Therapies North Devon 30 Wellspring 32 Wellmoor 33 Wood MediSpa 31 Hearing & Mobility

Alistair Kinsey Hearing & Mobility 28 Holidays & Holiday Lets Helpful Holidays 43

Home Furnishings Fabric and Furniture 41

Home Improvements & Interiors Posh Paint 41

Realistic Home Improvements 24 Shields Buildings 44 Hotels, Inns & Clubs Bearslake Inn 49 Castle Inn 8 Lewtrenchard Manor 48 The New Inn 45 Jewellers Marshalls Jewellery 7 Music

Clare White Piano & Theory Teacher 40 Wren Music 52 Opticians Atlantic Home Eyecare 28 Pets & Pet Services Linsey Pet & House Sitting 12 Plumbing & Heating Services Chamings Heating & Plumbing 22 DB Heating 4 Podiatrists Whiteley Podiatry 32 Private Water Engineers AquaTech Water Services 61 GWT Ltd 60

Recruitment

Crediton Dairy 50

Residential Parks

Berkeley Parks 24 Schools, Colleges & Educators

Dartmoor Multi Academy 16

Exeter Cathedral School 22

Shoemakers

Bracken And Sole 46

Solicitors

Charlesworth Nicholl & Co 25

Sports Therapist

The Sports Therapy & Massage Clinic 30

Takeaway Food

Graylings Fish and Chips 42

Travel Agent

Holsworthy Travel 46

Tree Surgeons

Adam of Eden Tree Care 36

Oak Valley Tree Services Ltd 37

Veterinary Practice

North Park Vets 56

Okeford Veterinary Centre 39

Weight Loss/Slimming

Slimming World 32 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Okehampton Glass 51

Woodburners, Stoves and Heating CBL Stoves 61

J K Woodburners 60

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