Oke Links November/December 2020 by Links Magazines

OKE LINKS

November/December 2020 | Issue 22

Devon’s War Girls MED Theatre’s touring performance

Church improvement

Freehand

Hands-on learning in arts and crafts

Change afoot at All Saints

Okehampton United Charities

Meet the locals

Phenomenal support to communities

A Moretonhampstead shroud maker A Dartmoor gilder

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

HISTORY

Finding Bert Stead

GARDENING Time for a change?

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HEALTH

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Community is what it’s all about The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are starting to plummet - the end of the year is upon us and probably for the vast majority, it’s a year we will be pretty happy to see the back of. But in spite of the difficulties, 2020 has had its good bits - the best spring weather certainly I can ever remember and the extraordinary power of people pulling together in adversity are definitely stand-out features for me. The deadline date for any inclusions in the Jan/Feb issue of Oke Links will be November 27th 2020. For all editorial enquiries please contact Jane via email: jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk

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

Tim: 07450 161 929 Jane: 07772 619 808

Jenny Steer

Many community groups have been supported by the subject of our charity focus in this issue. Okehampton United Charities took swift action in setting up a £40,000 Covid 19 hardship fund as a result of the national lockdown in March - but quite apart from this, distributed funds totalling an amazing £374,095 to residents and organisations in Okehampton and its Hamlets in 2019. The feature in this issue concerns the Freehand project run by Devon Guild of Craftsmen, which provides hands-on learning by placing professional artists and makers in schools and communities and aims to increase engagement with craft making. Our local people interviews for November/December are also crafty! Yuli Somme, who is a member of the Devon Guild, is the only maker of felt burial shrouds in the country - she’s also a passionate environmentalist who is keen to see a growth in natural burial grounds. And gilder Lillias Guyon, who has worked in stately homes, palaces and museums, painstakingly brings antiques back to perfection using traditional techniques in her tiny Dartmoor studio. We are so lucky to have the moors on our doorsteps - in our education section on page 26, you can read how this wonderful landscape inspired Brighton-based Professor Sarah Kember to set up a project to get poems into public spaces.

Contact Jane Honey, Editor on 07971 917071 jane.honey@ linksmagazines.co.uk Front cover image by

That community spirit is evident in our Noticeboard pages, for example, the fantastic work done by Okehampton’s Community Kitchen and the town’s Rotary Club. And in our What’s On section you can read how people are still determined to celebrate Christmas and boost local towns with festive light displays, even if traditional late night shopping events aren’t taking place this year.

Oke Links celebrates its fourth birthday with this edition - I’d like to say a big thank you to our highly valued advertisers and contributors for their continued support and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happier, healthier New Year.

Jane

Jane Honey, Editor

Contents

✆ 07450 161929

38 Finance 39 What’s On 43 Music and Art 46 Food 48 History 50 Winnie’s Walk 54 Trade Secrets

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PLYM LINKS Time to open...

October/November 2020 | Issue 6

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November/December 2020 | Issue 22

Oct/Nov 2020 | Issue 47

The River Otter Beavers

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BUS I NESS

8 Local People 13 Noticeboard 22 Charity Focus 26 Education 29 Sport 30 Health 34 Gardening 37 Farming

JOBS

Devon’s War Girls

A Passion For Nat�re And Ar�

Nature Mysterious fungi Noticeboard Befrienders at Glenholt Health Flu - not just a bad cold

MED Theatre’s touring performance

ROBIN ARMSTRONG’S WILDLIFE ART

Or�hans in the wild

Church improvement

CHANGING LIVES IN TANZANIA

AN HISTORIC GEM

Buckfast’sAncient caves reveal fascinating facts

MEET

the locals...

A tractor fan from Shaugh Prior A community champion from Sparkwell Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

Freehand

Hands-on learning in arts and crafts

Change afoot at All Saints

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FARMING

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CHARITY

Hoofbeats Equine Rehabilitation Sanctuary

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Lady Shelley’s visit to West Devon

Phenomenal support to communities

A Moretonhampstead shroud maker A Dartmoor gilder

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

HISTORY

Okehampton United Charities

Meet the locals

Finding Bert Stead

GARDENING Time for a change?

£3.50 | where sold

HEALTH

Spotlight on the thyroid

16/09/2020 10:48

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

FEATURE

Freehand Providing hands on learning Devon Guild of Craftsmen (DGoC) is a leading contemporary craft venue in the South West, recognised for the quality of its exhibitions and learning programme. Our exhibitions are designed to encourage innovative ideas and build critical engagement, alongside the development of craft skills and materials knowledge. Each year we welcome around 130,000 members of the public through our doors, some who come to visit the shop and/or exhibitions and some who come to take part in craft workshops. DGoC is a charity and membership organisation that supports over 250 professional makers from across the South West to develop their creative practice by providing exhibition and residency opportunities, mentoring and retail spaces. Our charitable objectives are to provide hands-on learning through Freehand, our scheme for placing professional makers and artists in schools and other communities, where they deliver workshops in a range of disciplines and materials. The workshops/residencies operate as a partnership between DGoC and the school/community with shared funding. In 2019, Freehand facilitated and part-funded 30 artist-led projects in schools and other communities, mostly between one and five days in length, with more than 2,000 primary school children taking part in the workshops. These took place using a range of materials including textile design, wood sculpture, willow, graffiti, print making, photography, sculpture with recycled materials, mosaic, felt making, jewellery and ceramics. Additionally, many one-day

workshops for families, children and adults, took place at our home base, Riverside Mill. For example, Moretonhampstead Primary School enjoyed a one-day workshop with Touchwood Southwest touchwoodsouthwest.com - who, as well as running carpentry workshops for women, also do workshops in schools which aim to integrate practical skills into the curriculum. The workshop enabled 31 children to design and make plastic-free Christmas decorations and small presents. And as part of Chagford Primary School’s summer arts week, Freehand part-funded five days of workshops split into two projects. Photographer Andy Billington spent three days at the school and worked with 120 children. The days began with a presentation by Andy on some of the principles of photography, the workings of old cameras and how photographic paper works. The children then made lots of cyanotype ‘bookmarks’ which were stitched to tape to make photographic bunting for the end of week exhibition. Naomi Vincent naturemake.co.uknature-craft-workshops also ran a two day workshop for 120 children during the arts week. Using natural materials including wood, seeds, dried flowers and leaves, the children made small-scale ‘Magical Dwellings’. This project requires glue guns, something that children absolutely love using, and which serve as a good introduction to the use of tools. Freehand also seeks to reach communities who have limited

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FEATURE

access to creative opportunities with the aim of increasing engagement with craft making. In addition to outreach in schools, through 2018 -19, we delivered A Good Age (part of a national project under the Celebrating Age banner), which comprised a series of half-day workshops - 150 in total - for older people at risk of isolation and/or loneliness. The project resulted in an exhibition in our main gallery, with the work made through community workshops on show alongside the work of five professional older artists, all born before 1945, who made new work based on the theme of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Change in my Lifetimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. You can find the a film documenting this project youtube.com/watch?v=OnB1AIyn xkQ&feature=youtu.be We have also worked with Headway Devon on a long-term partnership, due to resume when external influences permit, running weekly workshops for Headway users where they can take part in a range of creative activities. Other workshops and events, delivered mostly in-house, include meet-the-maker sessions, family-friendly drop-in workshops, master classes, a Hey Clay day and professional development workshops for Devon Guild Members and other makers. Of course, these activities now require very different conditions in order to take place, but we are currently working on a programme of workshops to take place at Riverside Mill for small groups of participants, so they can be run in a socially distanced, safe way when the rules permit. Phil de Burlet Devon Guild of Craftsmen

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

LOCAL PEOPLE

Lillias Guyon Gilder and conservator From 16th century saints’ statues or elaborate Baroque ceilings to Georgian furniture and Victorian mirrors, Lillias has been involved with a fascinating range of projects both large and small. Lillias, who lives on Dartmoor, graduated from the Camberwell School of Art with a degree in history of drawing and printmaking. She spent a couple of years working as an apprentice, learning how to clean and repair oil paintings and at the age of 23 was persuaded to head to Naples to further her knowledge. Undeterred by her lack of Italian, she started teaching English on a one-to-one basis and through a chance meeting, landed a job with a company involved in restoration. ‘I was very fortunate to bump into this person really, though actually the centre

of Naples is pretty small,’ said Lillias. ‘While I had trained in the conservation of objects, I was literally learning on the job and worked on so many things - organ lofts in the mountains where it was freezing cold, cleaning polychrome statues in a monastery that had been bombed - there are hundreds of churches there - and millions of saints’ statues! ‘One of the most unusual things I did was a throne with cupids on it and underneath there was a dragon. The claws were so over-painted you couldn’t see them, so I had to dig away to find the original layer - excavating dragon claws on a throne was great!’ It’s obviously a time that Lillias recalls with great affection - she met some wonderful people and had the opportunity to work in some incredible

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settings, including a group who helped prepare for a G7 summit being held in the city. ‘They were running out of conservators and people were being drafted in from all over Italy,’ she said. ‘Every head of state had their own room and their own desk, they made new tables - the Royal Palace came to life because we were there for months. We got to know all the different trades, there were people up ladders fixing frescoes, polishing marble, doing gilded furniture - it was fun.’ Lillias stayed in Naples for eight years before she returned to England, working for the London frame-making company Arnold Wiggins before taking the plunge to become freelance three years later. She has worked all over the UK, in a variety of stately homes and museums

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LOCAL PEOPLE

‘That’s what makes me happy that somebody is pleased to see their picture put back together the way it should be.’ and for private clients and antique dealers. A frame she particularly remembers with affection was one she worked on in the National Gallery of Ireland, featuring loaves and fishes. The huge frame was ultimately hung on a wall, empty of any picture, an exhibition in itself to demonstrate the work that had gone into conserving it. Lillias said: ‘To give priority to the frame itself was wonderful. These old frames are works of art in their own right and some of them are worth a lot of money also, they are a diminishing resource.’

leaf, carefully burnished using agate stone. Apparently the original tool for burnishing the gold was an old dog’s tooth! ‘I like using the old materials,’ said Lillias. ‘The glue and the gesso is basically the same as it’s always been. When you use the traditional materials it does bind better.’ She even makes her own gold powder, using a recipe from a medieval handbook that includes honey. Lillias now lives with her husband, teenaged son and dog Neko in the house she was born in. She tends not to go out on site these days, and

She loves the process of bringing objects of all shapes and sizes back to their original glory, painstakingly removing years of dust and grime as gently as possible. Lost decoration can be repaired by making moulds and casting replacements; when gilding, gesso - a mixture of chalk and rabbit skin glue - is applied to wood, followed by coloured clay and finally incredibly fine and light 23 carot gold Please mention Oke Links when responding to adverts.

now works from her home, taking commissions from private clients and dealers. As a conservator, she’s necessarily a perfectionist, but she is also mindful of the emotional attachment that comes with bringing a treasured piece of property, whether it’s a small frame or a piece of furniture, back to beautiful condition. ‘That’s what makes me happy - that somebody is pleased to see their picture put back together the way it should be.’

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LOCAL PEOPLE

Yuli Somme Creator and campaigner Norwegian-born Yuli came to live in Devon when she was just five years old, but was brought up with her country’s strong tradition of hand-knitting using local wool. Having experienced a number of different work settings - a veterinary practice, record shop, boarding kennels - at the age of 24 she decided to follow her heart and become a self employed weaver. She said: ‘I taught myself to spin, did a course in weaving in Bradford, I travelled - I learned about natural dyes in New Zealand and I set up a dying business - although that didn’t work very well!’ Realising she needed to learn more, Yuli completed a course at Exeter Art College, where she discovered the ancient art of felt making. Having always appreciated the deep connection between farming and the creation of woollen goods, making felt seemed a natural progression for Yuli, who started producing one-off pieces using the wet-felt making technique and began teaching the art in schools, mainly

through the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. Then in 1999 she was asked to take part in an exhibition called Treading Lightly, focussing on sustainability.

Bellacouche, which means beautiful resting place. Aptly, she works in the former Unitarian Chapel in Moretonhampstead, where bolts of felt are piled high.

‘I made this tableaux, symbolising the life cycle through wool, featuring a baby with a woollen nappy, a wedding cape and to symbolise death, a shroud. I remember from my history classes that in 1666 they passed a law that the dead must be buried in wool - at the time the wool industry was possibly the most important in the country. Funnily enough my own ancestors were wool merchants!

Yuli buys 100% organic wool from a farm in Somerset, produced by primitive breeds such as Shetland, Icelandic or Hebridean. She is planning next on sourcing from a Dartmoor farm that keeps an Icelandic/Shetland breed to a high welfare and environmental standard. Unfortunately, native Dartmoor sheep do not produce the type of wool that’s suitable for shroudmaking felt.

‘A year later I was asked to make a shroud for a person with a terminal illness and basically my business developed from there.’

Purchasing around 800kg of wool at a time, Yuli has the wool scoured, carded and made into needlefelt in Yorkshire, as unfortunately there are no local scouring plants. For a country that made its wealth through its woollen cloth production, much of the UK wool goes to China to be scoured - the process that all wool must go through before any other.

Yuli produces roughly 50 woollen felt shrouds a year under her trade name,

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It’s a situation that Yuli detests: ‘It’s crazy, it’s nonsense! Everything used to be done in Devon once - we were famous for Devon serge, the heavy red cloth used for the army centuries ago. Now hundreds of thousands of miles have gone into making a T-shirt that Primark will sell for three quid!’

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LOCAL PEOPLE

Not surprisingly, flute player Yuli, who loves to walk, bird watch and cycle, is a passionate environmentalist, interested in organic gardening, permaculture and regenerative agriculture. ‘My mum was an organic gardener she was a huge influence on me. She was a campaigner and eco-warrier when it wasn’t really a popular thing to be. And I got together with my husband, who was a co-founder of Proper Job in Chagford, when we were campaigning together.’ Yuli is also keen to explore sustainable uses for Dartmoor wool - the price of which has dropped sharply and which has seen some farmers literally burning fleeces. She believes there is potential for creating plant pots from the wool which are highly effective, reducing the need for watering and which could help reduce the production of plastic pots.

As a producer of shrouds, Yuli is obviously closely involved in the funeral industry and is an enthusiastic supporter of natural burials. ‘We have a healthy number of natural burial sites in the UK, but what I’d really like to see is one in every community. My mum is buried in wool in a field on Dartmoor with the permission of the land owner - and she has sheep grazing over her! ‘We must start thinking about how we deal with our dead during a climate emergency. Natural burials are gentler on the land, you are in the open air, you take your time, they are better for our wellbeing, they can be religious or not - I find the whole idea very beautiful.’ Jane Honey

Photo credit: Fern Leigh Albert

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NOTICEBOARD

Rotary lends a helping hand Like every organisation, Rotary Okehampton has had to change the way it operates since last spring. The weekly club get-together for business and social lunches - no longer possible. All fundraising events and activities - cancelled. Nevertheless the club decided to allocate a substantial amount of its cash reserves to be available at short notice to help people in our local communities (some as far as ten miles from Okehampton) who were suffering hardship due to the impact of the pandemic. To enable us to identify households needing help the club established links with the manager of Okehampton Food Bank, Paul Jarret, and Greta Button, a co-ordinator with the local COVID-19 Support Group. Greta is also very busy as the Parent Support Advisor at Okehampton Primary School. Since April, Rotary Okehampton has provided grants to households, large and small, for such things as a washing machine, a freezer, a bed and supermarket food vouchers. Some vouchers were used for the C-19 Support Group to make up activity packs

for the young and not so young - such as Cooking Packs - while ‘Country Lanes’ vouchers were provided for Gardening Packs.

so important to everyone in our local communities - this year more than any other - that a substantial donation to the recent appeal was made.

With the help of the Waitrose Community Matters scheme, the club shared the cost of over £600 worth of Waitrose food vouchers to help struggling households. We also helped some parents to buy items of school uniform for their children for their first term at the College by providing £300 worth of Donald’s Menswear vouchers.

If anyone would like to join our Rotary Club please email rotaryokehampton@ outlook.com or call Allenton Fisher on 07782 222404.

Another purchase made by the Club in the summer was a Samsung tablet for the use of the residents in the Kent House care home in Okehampton, so that they could talk to and see their loved ones during lockdown. And finally - Rotary Okehampton felt that the town’s Christmas lights were

Help us reach your community!

Or if you are able to contribute to Rotary Okehampton’s dwindling funds to enable us to continue supporting your communities while the present crisis continues please transfer your donation to : - ‘ROTARY CLUB OF OKEHAMPTON’. NatWest. Acc.No: 22093400. Sort Code: 54-21-14 Ref: Public Thank you all, Rob Flexman Rotary Okehampton

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NOTICEBOARD

Shop local - build up rewards Okehampton Reward Card is a new scheme brought to the community by Okehampton Area Business Owners, a group formed two years ago which now has more than 180 members. Businesses wanted to express gratitude that thanks to their local customers, things are tough - but not as tough as they could have been. The scheme was launched on October 16th and you can obtain a card from any participating business or by joining the group Okehampton Reward Card

on Facebook - a card will be delivered to you. Ranging from barbers to cafés and restaurants, gift shops, window cleaning, a local garage to home businesses such as Avon, Scentsy and baking; there’s somewhere for everyone to go in order to gain stamps. Get 20 stamps and choose a reward from any on offer at that time. Rewards range from big hampers to vouchers or free products and discounts.

If you run a business and wish to be on board, join Okehampton Area Business Owners on Facebook or call Rebecca 07806 770926.

Okehampton Community Kitchen During lockdown, one new venture to spring up was Okehampton Community Kitchen. New business The Allotment Club had only been open eleven weeks and owner Rebecca Green decided to turn the place to good use rather than it sit empty. The cafe became the support HQ for the Okehampton Covid 19 Support Group and oversaw donations and distribution of jigsaws, DVDs, books, craft packs - it then turned to food. Working with other organisations such as the Food Bank, West Devon Borough Council, Live West and social workers,

Rebecca started by just making soup. After a few weeks this became soup, cakes, pies, curries and more. At the height of lockdown up to 200 meals a day were being delivered free in and around Okehampton. Jason Smith from Oke Taxis spent hours each week delivering them all as a volunteer. Okehampton Community Kitchen is ongoing. The project is about mental health rather than poverty. It aims to support local people that may be feeling isolated, anxious, bereaved, poorly, or suffering a sudden loss of employment. There are many reasons why people could do with a nice homemade tub of

something and a cake. Volunteer drivers are always needed and if you could help, please contact Rebecca at The Allotment CLub or on 07806 770926. For information call Geoff Fox on 01822 612259 or email geoff@safaricamps.info

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NOTICEBOARD

Helping hand from hospital Friends The Friends of Okehampton and Community Hospital have supplied the hospital with a new couch costing over £900 for general use in the numerous clinics held in the hospital. Chairman Martin Perry said how pleased the Friends were to see the hospital gradually emerging from the effects of the pandemic. The Force Cancer support was maintained throughout the lockdown but now the clinics supplied by the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and the North Devon Hospital are returning to Okehampton. Audiology, Podiatry, Physiotherapy and X-ray facilities are all opening up and although telephone consultations have been the order of the day until recently, now patients can look forward to more face to face appointments with the visiting consultants. Martin added: ‘We are pleased to help our hospital in this way and our committee try to fill the gaps when NHS resources are

Big idea - tiny space! You’d be surprised what phone boxes around the country have been used for - from book swap libraries to housing defibrillators! Wellmoor, Moretonhampstead’s health and wellbeing initiative, will be taking over the town’s disused phone box for the next year and opening it up to the community as an accessible space for all to demonstrate their skills, share their interests, provide public services and engage people.

not available and thus make visits from patients that much more comfortable. We are only able to do this with the help of our membership, who contribute £10 per annum, and we hope more people will come forward to join us either in person or by simply becoming a member.’ Anyone willing to help should contact the treasurer, Ann Lane, on 01837 659671 or Martin Perry on 01409 221376. • Pictured are Martin Perry and treasurer Ann Lane, with Teresa Sanderson, the Community Nurse Specialist who took delivery on behalf of the hospital.

The Phone Box will be available to ‘book out’ by individuals, groups and organisations throughout the year, for either oneoff day events, or longer ‘residencies’ of a fortnight or month. The challenge for those taking part is to come up with a ‘big idea for a tiny space’ and hope to see a range of different creative ideas to fill the space. Camilla Rooney, Wellmoor’s project manager, said: ‘Like communities across the world, Coronavirus and the resulting lockdown has had a huge impact on us in recent months. ‘We hope this project will give us the opportunity to come together again after recent challenges and reinforce and broadcast the unique and creative way Moretonians have of engaging with each other.’ If you are interested in finding out more about the Phone Box Project, or would like to get involved, call Camilla on 01647 440775 or email camilla@moretonhampstead.com

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NOTICEBOARD

All Saints improvement project All Saints is the parish church, sitting high on the hill to the north of Okehampton, with its fine 15th century tower and pinnacles standing out from the trees. Access at the church is not great, though it was provided with a toilet block for men and women in the carpark in the 1970s. The PCC decided this was inadequate for the 21st century as there is no provision for wheelchairs and the distance along a dark, overgrown and uneven path is off-putting for children and adults, especially in the dark. So Tony Wood offered to try to get this project off the ground. It involved deciding where to site the toilet. The first place chosen was rejected and the decision was taken to sacrifice the North Porch, as it was hardly ever used other than as an escape door and there were alternative ways out in an emergency. Plans were drawn up by the church architect, costed and quotes obtained. The costs cover the architect’s fees, the actual building costs for the room to be inserted in the porch and the costs of laying the drains through the churchyard. But, added to these, was the requirement to employ a professional 16

archeologist. The total, with a small contingency allowance, comes to £35,000. All the plans needed to be approved by the Diocese. This is called getting a Faculty and requires negotiating a maze of complicated options and processes and satisfying the requirements of the planning authority, all to be done online. The Faculty has now been granted, so the next challenge was to start applying for grants and organise an appeal to

the church members - but also perhaps to the town, as funerals and weddings are held there for those who do not often come to worship. Unfortunately Covid 19 has delayed any appeal, but nine applications for grants have been made so far, of which two have been successful raising £7,000. Thus the project is ongoing but one we hope will come to fruition once the pandemic is over. Tony Wood

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From the Ashes Ten years ago, a Flag Festival began in Moretonhampstead, the brainchild of artists Veronica Gould and Andrea Foxwell who have a quiet passion for ‘making meaningful stuff’ in the community. It’s run as part of the Greenhill Arts programme, which is in turn part of the Moretonhampstead Development Trust charity, and has gone from strength to strength. Since 2011, an astonishing 130 flags have been made in community workshops. The parish hall overflows with washed, dissected discarded tents and bright industrial off-cuts from a balloon factory in Bristol. This many flags means 130 flagpoles, and here’s the problem. The poles were stored by the Harvey family at Budleigh Farm, but in mid-August the entire collection was lost in a fire causing extensive damage to the property. The fire was of course devastating for the Harvey family, but because each pole was hand-made from sycamore or hazel, sourced and coppiced from Steward Wood by Chrissy and Owen Kebble, the loss was felt personally also by Chrissy and Owen, Veronica and Andrea. The festival flags need poles! They could just be bought, but that goes against the grain of everything the Flag Festival stands for - belonging, continuity, and tending. Every year the flags are repaired and bagged up according to the street to which they belong. Owen and Chrissy deliver the poles from storage, they locate each pole according to its street, match each bagged flag to its named and numbered pole, thread them together and voila! Success. Then they line them up, tie them in street coded bundles, ready for the ‘off’, when they put them up.

Once stoked with a huge breakfast and a health and safety talk, teams with ladders sally forth through the town, unfurling colour and delight as they go. The town is then properly dressed up and ready for midsummer. Now there is nothing from which to hang the flags, it has made them think about loss. In the face of the world’s challenges this is nothing. But making a beautiful, quirky, distinctive, joybringing environment out of stuff that has been thrown away or has no more use, has placed value in the landscape within which they live, and investment in the creative potential lying dormant in the community. The individual stories behind each pole or flag may not be apparent, but collectively people know them. This is a new beginning for them. Ten foot poles will be coppiced from woodland this autumn, the flags will fly and animate the town next midsummer - one way or another! If you want to help in any way then please do email contact@greenhillarts.co.uk

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Dartmoor IT 17

NOTICEBOARD

Dartmoor Hill Farm Project 2020 has been a challenging for everyone in many ways, but despite a global pandemic and the vagaries of the weather, a farmer’s work is never done. The impacts of lockdown were felt by all, but the Dartmoor farmers demonstrated their resilience and rose to the recent challenges; we have seen a huge increase in demand for locally

sourced food, rural communities have pulled together to provide much needed support, and the farmers continue to provide food to feed the nation. As an outcome of the recent lockdown, DHFP has produced a local food directory to signpost people to suppliers in their

Stone Lane Gardens, Chagford, TQ13 8JU RHS Partner Garden Open all year round Woodland and Water Gardens National Collection of Birch and Alder

area, the directory can be found at www.dartmoor.gov.uk. Dartmoor Hill Farm Project is now beginning to run training events again (as long as government restrictions allow), covering a wide range of subjects such as tractor driving training, stone walling, sheep dog training, livestock health, farm business planning and mental health awareness training. The DHFP is here to support the Dartmoor farming community - if you farm on Dartmoor and would like to know more about the project, please get in touch at hfp@dartmoor.gov.uk, www. facebook.com/hillfarmproject or 01822 890912.

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NOTICEBOARD

Gift card boost for business Tavistock will be launching an exciting new project in time for Christmas. The Tavistock Gift Card aims to provide a much-needed boost to the town’s businesses in this period of uncertainty and beyond, encouraging more people to shop locally and support the high street. People can buy the pre-paid gift card to any value and for any occasion. Recipients can spend it in any participating business — whether you want to use it for a facial or sausages, the choice will be yours! Why buy it? It’s a great present for any occasion. It supports Tavistock’s businesses. Experience Tavistock however you decide.

The scheme has been spearheaded by Tavistock BID (Business Improvement District). BID Manager, Janna Sanders, is hopeful it will make a meaningful difference to the town. Janna said: ‘It is a fantastic initiative for the town and comes at a time when ongoing support for businesses is crucial. We know gift cards are a popular choice for Christmas so we really hope people will consider the Tavistock Gift Card this year for friends, colleagues and loved ones. We are thankful to West Devon Borough Council and Mount Kelly for helping us get this project off the ground.’

centre. For further information on how it all works, go to: www.visit-tavistock. co.uk/giftcard Unfortunately, neither Dickensian Evening nor the annual Christmas Tree Festival will be happening in 2020, but there will be plenty of other opportunities to celebrate the Christmas season safely this year. Working with St Eustachius, an alternative Christmas Tree Festival is being planned and will see the wonderfully decorated trees being displayed throughout the town. There will also be Christmas lights and Christmas markets to enjoy.

To purchase a card, you can go online: www.tavistockgiftcard.co.uk or pick one up from one of two locations in the town

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see the famous ponies. Independent shops, awardYour safety while you visit is winning Farmer’s Market important to us and it may and celebrated pannier feel a little different but we market - a visit to Tavistock ask you to follow government is a must! Get outdoors and explore the guidelines and COMING SOON! A new trail to help you explore 40 shop windows Fortomore go to: remains of the Abbey, walks town centre in Tavistock' fmd out information what they Windows to look like and what they sold. Pick up a map the historic canal used or stroll from the Visitor Information Centre or download up directly onto Dartmoor to or check us out on facebook. from www.visit-tavistock.co.uk soon...

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NOTICEBOARD

A busy summer It’s fair to say this summer was a little different from the normal! Once lockdown restrictions were eased, we saw a significant increase in day visitors to the national park and in particular to key honeypot sites. While it’s good to see lots of people enjoying and valuing this great landscape, not everyone understands how to enjoy it responsibility. This put some sites under unsustainable pressure and for the first time ever, we had to prohibit all camping at Bellever and Riddon Ridge during August. Unfortunately, many campers did

not follow our guidance (available at www.dartmoor.gov.uk) and camped inappropriately with large tents, lighting open fires, which is prohibited under our byelaws. It’s important to remember only lightweight backpack style camping is permitted in some locations when walking a long distance route like the Two Moors Way. While the camping ban was in force we took the opportunity to repair previous damage that had occurred, including over 100 fire sites! It was great to see wildlife returning to the site and nature having a chance to recover.

We hope with increased education and Ranger patrols we can prevent the same issues occurring next year, so the site can remain a special place for families and nature for many years to come.

A Simon Lee

Dartmoor National Park

Cut your speed! The main road through Lydford is a relic of a much earlier time: It is extremely narrow with obscured junctions and blind corners, and without footpath for most of its 1.5km length. Apart from a lick or two of whitewash and a fresh tarmac covering every so often, the road probably hasn’t changed much in centuries. The speed limit of 30mph through the village was introduced in 1935 and – despite a number of campaigns by residents to have it reduced – remains the same today. At a time when we are being urged to walk whenever possible, the perception of many in the village is that the road

is unsafe because the lack of pavement forces pedestrians – many with young children and animals – to share the highway with a large quantity of traffic, often being driven in a manner reflecting a lack of due care and attention for other road users. A recent incident where a tractor left a 40ft skid has served only to reinforce those fears. A subsequent discussion produced a number of reports of pedestrians having to take immediate – sometimes drastic – action to avoid being hit by passing vehicles. Parish councillors want to remind drivers that 30mph is an absolute limit to their speed through the village, not

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CHARITY FOCUS

Okehampton United Charities Continued support in an ‘unprecedented’ year When the Covid 19 pandemic resulted in a national lockdown in March, the trustees immediately adapted the way they worked and continue to award grants and carry out charity business using video conferencing and electronic means. In April, the trustees established a £40,000 COVID 19 hardship fund ensuring emergency financial support was available to Okehampton Foodbank and individual households directly impacted by the restrictions. They went on to award an emergency grant of £3,500 to Community Links, enabling the provision of online counselling and support during the crisis. A grant of £1,000 was awarded to the Covid Sewing team, enabling free face coverings to be provided to Okehampton and Hamlets residents. A grant of £1,500 was made to the Okehampton Covid 19 Support Group for the provision of art packs created and distributed to local children and a grant of £35,000 was awarded to Okehampton College to provide computers for pupils working from home. The trustees are continuing to support local organisations including Citizens

Advice, Force Cancer Charity and Tor Support Services to maintain local services in these difficult times. In 2019 the trustees awarded grants totalling £374,095 to organisations and residents of Okehampton and the Hamlets, supporting more than 30 local organisations with their work in health and wellbeing, sport, community services, art, and religion. Grants for educational purposes totalled £160,000; with £55,000 split between Okehampton College, Okehampton Primary School and St James Primary School, to provide new equipment including computers, books and story sacks. A grant of £107,000 went towards the new Wardhayes post 16 centre. Marilyn Livingstone, chair of governors, said: ‘Okehampton United Charities provided very generous and much welcome funding for the fitting out of

the Wardhayes campus of Okehampton College. ‘The campus opened as the college’s 6th Form centre in September 2019 and thanks to the donation, the college was able to outfit seven classrooms, the Common Room and Café in style with tables, chairs and other furnishings, to make the newly refurbished building feel like home to our 6th form students. ‘Over 60 laptops were also purchased for students and these have proved especially valuable in the months of remote learning that have been part of school life recently.’ Marilyn said Okehampton ‘unquestionably’ benefited from the college’s larger, more vibrant 6th form: ‘The enhancement of the Wardhayes campus made possible by the donation has made Okehampton College an even more attractive option for local students wanting to pursue a range of subjects at

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CHARITY FOCUS

post-16 level. Not only is this good for the young people of Okehampton, but it’s good for Okehampton as a whole.’ A further £88,360 provided 139 scholarships and bursaries for Okehampton youngsters in post 16 education. Student Bethany Branson said: ‘I would like to thank Okehampton United Charities for the bursary I received last year. For my VRQ1 Diploma in Hospitality - Professional Cookery I needed to buy a lot of equipment, such as knives, scales, grater, icing items, cloths and uniforms etc. Having the bursary meant I could buy all the equipment I needed and have some left over towards my travelling costs to get to Exeter.’

Okehampton & District Community Transport purchased a new minibus thanks to a grant of £20,000; Citizens Advice in Okehampton could offer more face-to-face sessions through their £28,000 grant and youngsters attending Okehampton Flyers club are now using new trampolines, bought with a grant of £15,000. Community Links offers family support in Okehampton and received a grant of £34,750. The organisation enables befriending and runs local groups like Okehampton mental health support group and the ASC/ADHD parent support group, family and individual counselling. Sports and recreation charity OCRA received a grant of £32,000 enabling events to be arranged locally and Okehampton Music Centre received a grant of £13,360. Isobel Plusnin of the

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The trustees are aware of ongoing difficulties in fundraising due to Covid 19 and welcome applications from local groups and organisations based in Okehampton and Hamlets. Please visit www.okehamptoncharities.org. uk , check Facebook and Instagram or call OUC clerk Karen Percival on 01837 55179.

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Force cancer charity was granted £21,000, enabling chemotherapy to be provided in Okehampton Hospital. In four months, Force saw 140 patients. Local people using the services of Force have said: ‘Coming to Force is a chance to get away from things. You feel as if you’re talking to people without having to put a brave face on’ or: ‘Coming here means my husband can accompany me without having to take days off work. He has been able to go into work for a few hours before coming.’

Music Centre said: ‘We had 20 new students join us in January 2020 - they have progressed really well. As the situation with Coronavirus worsened, we were forced to close Music Centre - with the hard work of staff and teachers, Music Centre Online went live on April 16. We have provided weekly instrument lessons, workshop activities and singing lessons all online using Zoom. We had an end of term online live concert via Zoom for students and parents, this was a great success.’

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EDUCATION

Why Poetry? Dartmoor inspires a pandemic project by Prof Sarah Kember As a sixth former at Southway Comprehensive School, I already knew that English, specifically poetry, was my thing. I had a good English teacher, Mr Wilkins, who introduced me to Yeats and Eliot, Thom Gunn and Ted Hughes, working through a copy of George MacBeth’s Poetry 1900-1965. I still have this (oops) covered in annotations, written in indecipherably small handwriting. It remains one of the most important books on my shelf. In an eclectic mix of English, Biology and Geography A level, it was Biology I worked hardest at, and struggled with the most. One day, during a lab class close to my mocks, I walked out, leaving everything but my packed lunch and made my way, by foot, onto the moors. I went past Dousland, where my Nan lived, onto Yennadon Down. I gave my lunch to a pony and sat looking at the reservoir, and soaking my senses in the colours, smells and unique feel of this much loved place. My relationship with Dartmoor is not only contemplative. I played there as a child, tobogganing in winter, picnicking in summer. I did Ten Tors twice and my friends and family still groan when I tell my tale of burst blisters, bloodied boots and heroism. When I was at Oxford, studying English, I would regularly jump into my Ford Anglia and drive (55 mph max, with a following wind) down to Plymouth so that I could visit my Mum, my Nan and the moors, probably not in that order. I live in Brighton now, and the South Downs, however lovely, are no match for the moors. I was there in February, standing on top of Sheepstor, leaning in to a wind that cleared the sky and nearly swept my feet. I have always enjoyed the rough and tumble physicality of being on Dartmoor. Its rough edge can seem familial, but is not to be underestimated. In September, I came down with a new purpose. As a writer, as well as academic and publisher (I work at Goldsmiths, University of London), I’ve been engaged in a project to get poems into public places. The main rationale for this is that I believe poems are a public good. We need them now, more than ever. They distil, and help us process experience in a way that is important because it connects our inner worlds with the world around us. It’s pretty obvious that right now, we have a lot of processing to do and ‘we’ includes teachers, parents and children. In March, at the start of lockdown, I went for a walk with my partner in a neighbourhood that was eerily quiet. Nobody had even started to think through life and living in a global 26

pandemic. We were still in shock, culturally and individually: calm on the outside perhaps, but fearful, inevitably. We passed a local school and were drawn to the fence where the children had posted drawings and messages of support to their community. It was a bright, colourful and heartening display that I felt compelled to respond to. When You Go Back is my response to the children of Lancing Prep. It is illustrated in order to enhance its appeal and accessibility. It is dedicated to my young nieces and is being used in schools all over the country to talk about poetry, the pandemic and, I hope, the important role of children and young people in our immediate future. I must admit that at the start of the crisis I wanted to help in more obvious ways. I signed up as an NHS Volunteer and for first aid training with the Red Cross and St John Ambulance. I’m not a keyworker and I felt relatively useless until someone reminded me of what I already knew: poetry and the arts in general can have a huge impact on people’s lives. They not only deal with the past and present, but also help us imagine a better future. I made space for this in my poem and look forward to school workshops in which I’ll be encouraging children to write their own. Poetry captures time and place in different ways, and can combine locality, physicality, spirituality, and even transcendence. I knew my Dartmoor poem needed to do all of that. It was daunting. Most importantly, I had to do justice to my own, longstanding relationship with Dartmoor. As I’ve suggested, it is something almost familial, ancestral. I started with that. The photograph is my own. I took it on one of my trips down from University. When You Go Back is available, free of charge, as a poster or printable PDF. Dartmoor is available as a postcard. Please get in touch if you would like a copy. s.kember@gold.ac.uk sarah-kember.com/poetry.html

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EDUCATION

Apply by 11 Dec 2020

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Great results during difficult times

SPORT

It would be fair to say, 2020 has been somewhat challenging and sport has felt this as much as anyone. This time last year Okehampton RFC were going into the South West Premier League as newly promoted champions and despite playing in the highest division ever in the history of the club, the 1st team had huge success both at home and away. Sadly, the season was cut short due to the ongoing pandemic. The RFU applied a points-based method to conclude final league positions with Okehampton RFC finishing 4th, an incredible accomplishment given the standard of rugby in this high division. In normal times, fixtures would be commencing about now but rugby remains at stage D within the RFU return to play roadmap. Whilst this prevents matches, it does importantly

allow both the senior teams and all age groups within the junior section to train on a weekly basis, albeit with some restrictions in place. At the time of writing, there are several stages to pass before a full return to play with the RFU giving three possible start dates of October, November or January. No matter when, Okehampton RFC are eager to get back on the pitch

and reaffirming their position within the South West Prem. Like all sports clubs, income has fallen considerably with no fixtures being played, however they have put their fantastic venue to use, opening regularly for Premiership rugby matches and some live music evenings. The club have invested in making it Covid Ready to allow these events while generating much needed income. Okehampton RFC look forward to welcoming you all soon and if you or your child would like to be part of the club, they are always happy to welcome new members.

New base for Ronin Taijutsu Ronin Taijutsu students in West Devon are now back training in accordance with new Coronavirus social distancing guidelines. The group is now in a new location at the fantastic Wellness Centre above Toast in Okehampton, who have been most kind to welcome them in. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up for a challenge and wish to learn practical self-defence skills or would like to know more about Ronin Taijutsu, please do contact the team and ask about an initial free trial session by calling 07857 871870.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Thyroid Problems The thyroid gland is a small gland in the neck. One of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body’s metabolism. Advice from Dr Emma Chapman Overactive thyroid An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause a wide range of symptoms, although it’s unlikely you’ll experience all of them. The symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly. For some people they’re mild, but for others they can be significantly affect their life. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid can include nervousness, anxiety and irritability, hyperactivity, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, feeling tired all the time, sensitivity to heat, muscle weakness, diarrhoea, needing the loo more often than usual, persistent thirst, itchiness or loss of interest in sex.

Underactive thyroid An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain, feeling sensitive to the cold, dry or scaly skin, muscle aches and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the

hormones your thyroid is not making. Both men and women can have an underactive thyroid, although it’s more common in women. Children can also develop an underactive thyroid and some babies are born with it. All babies born in the UK are screened for congenital hypothyroidism when the baby is 5 days old.

Diagnosis The only accurate way of finding out whether you have a thyroid problem is to have a thyroid function test, where a sample of blood is tested to measure your hormone levels.

Treatment Treatment for an underactive thyroid involves taking daily hormone replacement tablets, called levothyroxine, to raise your thyroxine levels. You’ll initially have regular blood tests until the correct dose of levothyroxine is reached. This can take a little while to get right. Once you’re taking the correct dose, you’ll usually have a blood test once a year to monitor your hormone levels. You’ll usually need treatment for the rest of your life. However, with proper treatment, you should be able to lead a normal, healthy life. If an underactive thyroid isn’t treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy

problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare). Medicines called thionamides are commonly used to treat an overactive thyroid. They stop your thyroid producing excess hormones. The main types used are carbimazole and propylthiouracil. You’ll usually need to take the medicine for one to two months before you notice any benefit. You may also be given another medicine called a beta blocker to help relieve some of your symptoms in the meantime. Once your thyroid hormone levels are under control, your dose may be gradually reduced and then stopped. But some people need to continue taking medicine for several years or possibly for life. Dr Emma Chapman Okehampton Medical Centre

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Changes to look out for Routine eye check ups are so important . . . As we gain more experience through life, we may start to notice that more of our enjoyment comes from visual activities, like reading a good book or watching television. We may also notice eyesight changes that make those activities a bit more difficult. Sometimes, being armed with information about how eyes may change, and good action to take about it, is half the battle! Cataract is a common age-related condition. Exposure to UV rays eventually clouds the eye’s lens, forming a cataract. Cataract treatment is straightforward day surgery at hospital and after having cataracts removed, vision is clearer, colours look brighter and the world generally seems brighter! Macular degeneration affects the macula (responsible for our most detailed

vision), potentially causing serious effects. There are two types: wet and dry - wet is rarer, but more serious and requires urgent treatment. Dry is more common and is more a general deterioration. There’s no treatment for dry degeneration, but it’s slower and generally has less of an impact than wet. Glaucoma involves damage to retinal tissues, normally caused by an imbalance in the pressure system of the eye. Finding it early is the key for keeping damage from glaucoma to a minimum, and treatment is often as simple as using eyedrops. The good news is that there are simple ways that you can take good care of your eyes at any age. Eating a varied diet with lots of colourful vegetables helps give your retina the nutrients

it needs. Stopping smoking and moderating alcohol helps to prevent eye disease and protecting your eyes from UV light will help too. It’s important to have regular eye examinations, since opticians look for eye disease as part of a routine checkup. A number of conditions have no symptoms in the early stages and identifying them early goes a long way towards treatment, which means less impact on a person’s quality of life and independence. If you struggle to get out, then you can also have a thorough eye examination at home.

GARDENING

Winter gardening - is it time for a change? Making the most of the dormant period Winter may be a quiet time in the garden in some respects, but with the bare bones of the garden now fully revealed, it is the perfect time to take action on unsatisfactory plants and to plan new landscaping projects or planting. While executing your plans may involve a bit of ducking and diving around the weather, it will mean all the action is done in time to really reap the benefits next year. Take a long, hard look at your garden. As a nation we’re very bad at getting rid of plants that don’t make the grade. But if you’ve never liked, for example, that huge space-gobbling Forsythia that only looks good for two or three weeks a year, harden your heart and replace it with something delightful, like a Daphne or Mexican orange blossom (Choisya) with handsome evergreen foliage and long-lasting, deliciously fragrant blooms; camellias with blooms that last for months; or a tree such as a crab apple that gives months of interest with pretty spring blossom and long-lasting fruits. Sometimes plants can be given a new lease of life with selective or hard pruning – camellias, for example, can be pruned almost to the ground after flowering and will regrow. Do assess all plants individually though - there’s no hard and fast rule that applies to all. Then, move on to thinking about what you’d really like from your garden - maybe new features, such as an attractive seating area for sitting out, relaxing or entertaining; a pond or water feature; or a handsome front garden to welcome you home every day.

This could be the time to treat yourself to something long desired, like a greenhouse or polytunnel for growing flowers and produce – far better (in my view) than superfluous ‘stuff’ for Christmas. Other possibilities to consider are lower-maintenance ways of growing, such as raised beds to ease the pain of ageing backs or altering your garden layout to cut down on work. On another note, consider day-to-day needs such as storage, paths, where to hang the laundry and so on: our requirements tend to change over time and what worked well a few years ago may not apply now. Finding the best way forward is often a challenge and a bit of expert advice can pay dividends. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, I offer gift vouchers for garden advisory visits, which could solve your garden and Christmas problems in one go! www.suefishergardens.co.uk

Garden to visit Stone Lane Gardens to the east of Dartmoor, near Chagford, is a magical 5-acre woodland garden created by modernday plant hunter, the late Kenneth Ashburner, and now world-famous for National Collections of birch and alder trees. Through winter the beautiful bark in many colours is revealed in its full glory and looks absolutely magical, lit by the low angle of the sun at this time of year. www. stonelanegardens.com

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GARDENING

Seasonal jobs Clean garden furniture before storing under cover. Give wildflower meadows a final cut to stay tidy over winter, then send the mower for servicing in plenty of time. Put up bird boxes: they’ll be used as roosts, and birds like plenty of time to inspect next year’s nest sites. Roses, fruit and hedging can be bought bare rooted when dormant: cheaper and often better plants too. Wash, dry and store pots and seed trays to remove disease spores and lurking pests that are likely to spell death for next year’s seedlings.

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planted trees and shrubs and check regularly to make sure ties aren’t rubbing and damaging stems. Sue Fisher

Garden problems Cold, wet weather and winter gales can wreak havoc in the garden. Often frosts don’t arrive until December which can lull us into a false sense of security, so if you haven’t moved tender plants under cover, do so without delay. Containergrown plants remaining outside are best moved to a sheltered spot – against house walls is ideal – and grouped together which helps prevents roots freezing in severe weather. Good drainage is vital for pots as waterlogged roots can literally ‘drown’, so either stand on a surface such as gravel or raise just off the ground. Stake newly

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WHAT’S ON

A Christmas like no other . . . Stuart Luxton looks ahead to the festive season Hello again. As I am writing, it definitely seems as if summer is over. It looks we have skipped autumn and gone straight to winter! This year September 9th was a very memorable day for me, the first day that I did a whole day’s farm work since March. I have done bits and pieces but the shop has been so busy I just wasn’t able to get away. It was not the most exciting task, trimming and treating sheep’s hooves, but it was just so nice being out in the fresh air working with the dogs and getting my hands dirty that it just didn’t matter. We have cut some more silage this autumn and purchased some straw but the upcoming winter is going to be very challenging as I can’t get away from

the feeling that we are a little short of conserved food for the winter. For the last six weeks we have been autumn calving. In general it has gone very well but there seems to have been a disproportionate number born on Sundays. One Saturday night I had four calve, followed by two sets of twins during the day. I have one of these new watches that monitors your activities. It told me on Sunday that I had only managed two hours sleep . . . I am writing this on a Sunday evening and five of the remaining 15 cows have calved today! The farm gate price of lamb and beef has been very good for the farmers this summer, but I can’t say the same for the wool. We have shorn over 1,000 sheep this year, but the value of the wool was only £250 and the cost of shearing the sheep is over £1 each! In generations gone by the wool was a major source of farm income. And many fortunes were made in the woollen industry.

By the time you read this we should have started the extension to the shop. It doesn’t look like it will be finished by Christmas. Probably February time if things go well. This Christmas might be one like no other. It’s going to be very difficult to predict what might happen. The rule of six will make things very hard for families. We have five in our household so can’t have any other family members round. Presumably there will be a lower demand for large turkeys, but you never know. There won’t be Christmas parties like other years, it’s going to be very odd. Our staff have worked so hard this year and have really earned a bumper celebration, but it just isn’t allowed to happen. I hope that everyone has a lovely Christmas and that the new year ushers in a better year next year. Stay safe everyone.

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BUSINESS

Ethical investments – a rare positive in a time of COVID One of the positive side-effects of the COVID lockdown was that the environment seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and flourish in our absence: wildlife returned to our urban areas, air quality improved, the seas cleared and bird song seemed louder than ever. It should perhaps be no surprise then that environmentally sustainable investment funds performed so well. Perhaps the realisation that we are vulnerable after all has led to a renewed focus on investing sustainably, giving ethical funds a significant shot in the arm. Their outperformance during a time when the main equity markets have fallen so far has given ethical investing a much-needed boost.

described as socially responsible, environmental, social and government, environmentally sustainable or impact investing. All of which are often used interchangeably. The overarching term used to describe this sector is ESG investing – Environmental, Social and Governance.

Last year I wrote an article for Oke Links explaining what ethical investments were and how they were becoming more mainstream. However, their performance always seemed to lag traditional investing – investing ethically was seen as a trade-off between performance and morality. So it’s good to see recent evidence suggesting otherwise.

Between January and March 2020, ESG investments out-performed traditional investments in all but one category. According to data from Moneyfacts, in the year from July 2019 to July 2020 the value of the average retail ethical fund grew by 4.3%, compared with a fall in value in the average non-ethical fund of 1.5%. Within our own portfolio range we have been encouraged by how our ethical portfolios have fared during the almost unprecedented global pandemic.

Ethical funds aim to invest in companies that try to prevent or reduce social or environmental harm and promote positive change. They are often

coronavirus pandemic has turned the spotlight on sustainable investing as a feasible alternative to traditional investing when looking at returns. It’s important to look carefully though, at the details of your ethical investment, to make sure you know exactly what’s ‘under the bonnet’ and that it works with your particular principles and beliefs. At Davidsons, we’ve been building sustainable portfolios for years and we can talk you through choosing funds suited to your values and beliefs. Of course, markets can be volatile, past performance is no indicator of future returns and the value of any fund, ESG or otherwise, can go down as well as up. You should be comfortable with that risk before you consider any form of stock market investment.

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WHAT’S ON

November 11

Remembrance Sunday Covid restrictions aside, November 11th is the day we all take a moment to reflect on those who lost their lives during conflicts all over the world, particularly those in the ‘war to end all wars’ - the Great War of 1914-18. In Okehampton this year there will be no parade but possibly a short and simple Service of Remembrance at the war memorial at All Saints Parish Church on Remembrance Sunday at the usual time of 11am. In Sticklepath, retired Chagford vicar Louis Baycock will conduct a short five minute service at the village war

memorial at the village hall at 3pm on Sunday, November 8th. People are welcome to attend but should remember to keep socially distanced. Due to the ever changing nature of Covid 19 restrictions, South Tawton Parish has yet to decide how it will remember those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country and those who served their nation. Tony Clark of South Tawton said: ‘Wearing your poppy with pride, the reading of the Roll of Honour, the sounding of the Last Post, the silence for remembering and the placing of wreaths

will remain our focus, whatever format our Remembrance Sunday takes. ‘As in previous years, the emphasis will be on helping the young people of our parish to understand why we gather, to pause to remember the impact of wars on those who served and on their families and friends, and most importantly to learn the lessons from history.’ Details of South Tawton’s Remembrance Sunday will be published on the South Zeal and South Tawton, Dartmoor, Devon Facebook page.

November 12

Winter Sculpture Exhibition November 19

Glow

Set against the backdrop of the structural horticultural elements, RHS Rosemoor’s annual Winter Sculpture Exhibition runs until January 31st, 2021. Throughout the garden, over 100 unique pieces, individual creations in steel, glass, stone, copper and resin, seem to loom out of the gloom of a winter’s

day. Visitors are confronted with these dramatic material statements and often challenged by their enigmatic qualities. Most of the sculptures are for sale or can be made on commission.

lights, follow a magical trail around the trees, shrubs, water features and sculptures. Also for the first time, there will be interactive sections as well as a few ‘light’ surprises along the way.

And from November 19th, Rosemoor will be once again transformed into a magical place in the evenings with the Glow - one of only a few such events taking place in the whole of the South West. Illuminated by innovative, hi-tech

The Glow continues on selected evenings until January 2nd 2021. For more information rhs.org.uk/rosemoor. All visits need to be booked online, please.

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WHAT’S ON

November 28

Christmas in Moretonhampstead This year, for obvious reasons, Christmas will look a little different in Moreton. Unfortunately the parish council has had to make the difficult decision to cancel the public gathering for the Christmas light switch-on event. However, Christmas can’t go by unmarked as everyone needs a little festive cheer to look forward to after this strange year. The council will be installing new sparkly Christmas lights to light up the town centre and encouraging residents

Chagford’s starry Christmas lights While there will be no late night shopping event in Chagford this December thanks to Covid 19 restrictions, the town’s business association is making sure everything is looking as festive as possible! There will be extra lighting and decorations, in addition to the usual Christmas trees around the square, plus a very large star on the Market House and others dotted around the town. The motto for Chagford will be ‘Stay Safe & Shop Local’ this Christmas and with the great range of fantastic independent shops in town, there’s no reason to go anywhere else for your festive gifts!

to help light up Moreton as well. This can simply be one light in your window or a full winter wonderland display – the choice is yours. The external Christmas trees on brackets will still be going ahead with their lights to add to the festive sparkle. The traditional public switch on may not take place, but Father Christmas will still be visiting Moretonhampstead along with his Elves on Saturday, November 28th. Parents can book a visit from the big man or his Elves, who plan to deliver

a gift to children of primary school age or younger. The gifts will be free of charge to thank children for following the Government rules to keep everyone safe. More details to follow through local channels. Moreton will remain lit up for the whole of December and we hope everyone enjoys the display. The parish council wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!

December 5

Christmas Fair Chagford Church Christmas Fair will be held in the church on Saturday December 5th from 10 am until noon. The fair provides a chance to buy all your Christmas plants (the ideal gift!) in one place, plus this year’s quiz - and there will also be a hamper raffle and tombola. All proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the town’s beautiful and ancient church. Covid-safe measures will be in place please come along and support.

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WHAT’S ON

November 21

Pink Ladies Silent Auction Hatherleigh Pink Ladies are a small group of women formed 14 years ago who raise money for good causes by holding charity balls and making the occasional calendar. Sadly plans for a masked ball have been affected by Covid 19 restrictions this year - but a silent auction is still taking place. Last year’s auction raised an incredible £16,000! You can join in raising money for excellent causes by taking a look at the online auction, which has a great selection of items guaranteed to help

with your Christmas shopping! It is simple to register to bid - just go to app.galabid. com/pinkladies The silent auction will end at midnight on November 21st. Michelle Downie, one of the Pink Ladies said: ‘We are delighted to support so many worthy charities this year. We would be happy to add lots for your charity too! If you have an items which you would like to include for a chosen charity, please contact msdownie@ hotmail.co.uk.’

The auction reaches a wide national audience so will hopefully raise valuable funds for good causes. This year, those being supported include: The Farming crisis network in Devon; The Chestnut Appeal; Okehampton Rugby Pitch Appeal (for the youth rugby team); NEPAL-ease (palative care and nurse training); Okehampton Christmas Lights Appeal; Madewell Hatherleigh; Multiple Sclerosis and Send A Cow.

November 29 & December 3

Christmas in Okehampton It has been a sad year regarding the cancellation of much loved events in Okehampton this year due to coronavirus, but Everything Okehampton will still be putting up the lights for Christmas, to spread some festive cheer. Christine Marsh of Everything Okehampton extended huge thanks to Okehampton Rotary Club for their generous donation of £1,000, Ladies Inner Wheel and other local groups for their support. The lights are due to be switched on at 6.30pm on December 3rd.

‘Without the support of businesses and local people we would not be able to provide such a colourful display,’ said Christine. ‘We are very grateful to the Pink Ladies for including us in their online Silent Auction app.galabid.com/pinkladies please visit and bid on items, if not helping us, then the other groups listed.’ Everything Okehampton is still welcoming volunteers to help put up the Christmas trees and lights on November 29th - a big operation undertaken according to Covid safe guidelines. To help, call 07881 802055.

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The group is also working with the Lions Club on a Tree of Light project. The Lions are to place a Christmas tree in Red Lion Yard, and are asking members of the public to sponsor a tree light in memory of a person, or in celebration of an event or occasion. The bulbs will cost £10 and shops in Okehampton helping with sponsor forms will have information posters displayed. Lions members will also be doing a leaflet drop in town and more information can be found on the club’s website and Facebook page. The tree should be in place by mid November.

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Nearby shopping facilities. Pets considered. St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store.

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Good shopping facilities. Plenty to explore. Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.

Book a contactless park viewing or a design appointment today. Call us on 01935 862079 or visit berkeleyparks.co.uk

Thinking of becoming a Pannier Market, Butchers Hall or Bedford Square trader? Or perhaps thinking of hiring one of our beautiful venues?

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Christmas Markets Friday 4th December (late night until 7pm) Sunday 6th December Thurs 10th – Sat 12th December Thurs 17th – Weds 23rd December 9am – 4pm

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MUSIC AND ART

Twiddly Bits for charity Last year, film maker Geoff Hodgkinson from Exbourne and his colleagues from Tiverton Camcorder Club were commissioned by Bondleigh Barn Band to capture the story of how the band has grown over seven years from six players to over 50. During 2019, the film makers worked in rehearsals and at evenings when the band played in public, to produce a polished, technically sophisticated result - just as the nation was plunged into lockdown!

The band had hoped to present a series of evenings to invite locals to see the film and to devote any proceeds to charity. As filming was done at Belstone, Sampford Courtenay Church, Fairplace Church in Okehampton and Bondleigh Church it was hoped there would be interest, not least from those who attended each event. As it seems unlikely that public gatherings can go ahead safely for some time, the band has decided to make available DVD copies of the film, called ‘Twiddly Bits Are Sung Quite Fast’, at £5 each, £2.50 of which will be given to North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. If you would like

a copy, please send a cheque (payable to the Bondleigh Barn Band) to one of the members below, with your postal address (while stocks last). You can see a trailer from the film at https://youtu. be/lcV2XyEC724 Edwina Hill, Andrew’s Corner, Belstone, Okehampton EX20 1RD (01837 840332); Richard Edwards, Shellsley, Exeter Street, North Tawton, EX20 2BZ (01837 82376); Paul Cherrett, Clapper Cottage, Bondleigh, EX20 2AU (01837 82980); Peter Howard, Orchard House, Exeter Road, Winkleigh, EX19 8HW (01837 93362).

The Beauty of Butterflies by Eleanor Ludgate

This hardback book is full of reproductions of exquisite watercolours painted by the artist Eleanor Ludgate. Most of the butterflies were painted near Eleanor’s home in Chagford on Dartmoor, where Eleanor gets most of the inspiration for her paintings. There is a section of the book dedicated to some of the butterflies she painted while living in Provence and an interesting section on how she paints her butterflies. Eleanor has had a passion for butterflies and insects all her life and over the many years that she has been a

professional artist, has built quite a collection of her detailed paintings which she has now shared in this new book. There are124 pages; the book is A4 in size and is available in Eleanor’s art gallery ‘The Three Hares’ in Chagford. There you will also be able to see a selection of some of the original paintings from the book. If you cannot get to Chagford you can view it online through her websites www.butterflypaintings.net & www. devonsnatureinart.com

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MUSIC AND ART

Exploring Dartmoor and Devon in World War Two MED Theatre, whose recent production of ‘Daughters of Sunset’ was featured in The Guardian and on BBC Radio4 Woman’s Hour, are inviting you to take part in their new project inspired by local history. From November, MED Theatre is inviting local residents of Dartmoor and surrounding Devon to take part in their ‘Dartmoor, Devon and World War Two’ project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. MED Theatre’s own youth company will be performing ‘The Hardings: A Wartime Story’ on November 28th in Moretonhampstead Parish Hall. Written and performed by Dartmoor young

Image by Jenny Steer

people, this play explores lives of those on Dartmoor during WWII. For tickets, please go to www. medtheatre.co.uk. MED Theatre’s 2021 touring Community Play will follow the same theme, and explore how life was impacted in the rural areas. If you would like to attend the initial read-through of the play in December and register your interest as a performer or volunteer helper, please email helengilbert@medtheatre.co.uk.

In addition, MED Theatre will also be touring a performance by two of our own professional performers. Devon’s War Girls is based on real life accounts and weaves together a story of a Land Girl and a local Devon woman. Contact education@medtheatre.co.uk if you would like to book this performance for an event you are organising!

Until December 19

Green Hill’s Winter Art Fair The Winter Fair returned earlier than usual this year, opening in October. A quality showcase of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, prints, paintings, cards, wood, soap and leather works. A warm and vibrant place to browse and buy original work from many artists new to the gallery as well as from celebrated local Makers.

Entry is free. Green Hill Arts Gallery is open from 10am-4pm on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday only at the moment. The Gallery is situated at the top of Fore Street, Moretonhampstead, close to the Parish Church. Parking is available in the Court Street and Station Road car parks. Green Hill Arts is community run; it does such a professional job with very limited

resources. This exhibition demonstrates the energy that goes into making Green Hill such a vibrant gem. If you haven’t yet visited then be sure to do so and support both them and the gifted makers of these wonderful works. Shop local, spend local and enjoy local. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

A festive nibble to feed the family! This recipe from The Eagle House Hotel, Restaurant and Distillery Bar is the perfect suggestion to use up any leftovers from the hearty winter warmer and family favourite, Risotto Parmesan. Why not make the risotto the night before to feed the family, and then create these gorgeous little festive nibbles the next day?

Ingredients 1 recipe basic Risotto Parmesan left to cool for at least four hours or overnight 56g Gorgonzola Picante or Cornish Blue 56g Mozzarella, grated 120g all-purpose flour 2 eggs, lightly beaten with two tablespoons milk 360g seasoned breadcrumbs, panko works well Oil for frying

Method

Combine the gorgonzola and mozzarella cheeses and mix with a fork to combine. Take pinches of the cheese and shape into olive sized balls for the filling. Take a small handful of rice - about 2 tablespoons - in your hands and shape into a shallow cup in the palm of your hand. Place in the cup, one of the cheese balls, then enclose the rice around the cheese, and roll into a round ball Set out three shallow bowls, one with flour, one with the egg mixture, and one with the breadcrumbs. First roll the balls in the flour, then coat with the egg mixture, and then roll in breadcrumbs.

Set the coated rice balls on a baking sheet when they are completed. Heat the oil in a large pot or deep fryer until a frying thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Carefully slip three to four balls into the hot oil at a time, and fry until golden brown. Drain on absorbent towels, and keep warm until you are ready to serve. Perfect to pair with an Eagle One G&T, now available to buy online from www. eagleonegin.com. If you really feeling like treating the family why not book a meal Eagle House Hotel, restaurant and distillery bar open 7 nights a week for food and drink. Booking highly recommended, call 01566 774488.

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FOOD & DRINK

A tasty tart - it’s bound to impress! The Two Bridges Hotel has a welldeserved reputation for serving exceptional food, prepared using the best local ingredients (sourced from farmers and producers on Dartmoor itself where possible) – and has been recognised with five consecutive Gold awards from Taste of the West – the region’s largest independent food awards scheme.

Frangipane ingredients

Executive Chef Mike Palmer shares with us a recipe for a tempting Blackberry Frangipane Tart – a dessert which is guaranteed to impress and can be easily made at home. Use blackberries in season for best results – but if you’ve frozen some from your hedgerow foraging these will work just as well!

Blackberry Frangipane Tart Jam ingredients

228g butter 228g sugar 4 eggs 28g flour 228g ground almonds 1tsp almond essence 74g flaked almonds (You will also need a ten inch tart case, blind-baked)

Method

Beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each one is incorporated before adding the next.

400g blackberries 150g jam sugar 3tbsp water Place everything in a heavy based saucepan and reduce on a medium heat for 25 minutes stirring frequently.

Pipe the frangipane mix into the tart case, and smooth to the edges using a pallet knife. Sprinkle the flaked almonds on top and cook at 175 degrees celsius for 35 minutes. At the Two Bridges Hotel, this delicious dessert is usually served with Italian meringue and white chocolate anglaise.

Fold in the ground almonds and then the essence. Scoop the mix into a piping bag. Once the jam in cooled, spread it evenly around the base of the tart case.

Chef’s tip: For a perfect result, take the frangipane tart out of the oven when is still has a slight ‘wobble’ to it!

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HISTORY

Finding Bert Stead A chance request sparks a village search . . . The search for Bert started when a student from Bristol bought a war medal with documentation for a certain Bert Stead. He contacted the Sticklepath Heritage Group to get some background, as Bert was quite a character locally. For example, a room in the village hall and the Village Archive are named after him. What we couldn’t understand was that Bert would have been too young to win the medal. We knew that he worked in shops in Okehampton all his life, including Derek Allen’s greengrocers in Kemply Road, but that he had worked as a teenager in a wartime depot, the Transport Dept DWAC on Exeter Road. So research started, giving many local people chance to share some focussed reminiscing about recent history in this area. Recent, because we were talking about 83 years of Bert’s life up to 2012. So many memories are now recorded of a man whose gravestone in the Quaker Burying Ground aptly records his memory as ‘Gentle man of this Village’. However, the breakthrough came when we realised that Bert’s father, Tom, was in fact christened Albert. Tom had been that medal winning soldier, and had gone on to be a well loved ‘postie’, who

cycled around Sticklepath and South Tawton. Tom was a jolly, lively family man, while Bert could be quieter, private and who never married. We found photos as well, and it would be wonderful if this article could prompt even more memories from those who recognise Bert and Tom. We knew Bert to be a stalwart of the Sticklepath Methodist church and kept it in fine condition, and he would be saddened by the extended conversion into a private house. He was also a thespian and a key member of the local Glee Club entertainments. So, delving further, we discovered that his grandfather had been an entertainer on the London stage, which made an interesting connection. Bert himself left some fascinating memories of the war. He told of his cousin Douglass who was fathered by

one of the black US soldiers billeted in the village, one of the four ‘khaki babies’ born in the area. These soldiers and babies were well integrated into the village, and there was a level of acceptance that was laudable. We have recently discovered research by Kate Werran of the ways that the US colour bar was not tolerated by communities in this area. We knew that there had been a laundry behind our village hall, and Bert’s mother had been part of the team washing US soldiers’ kit. Albert (Tom) was awarded the War Medal (1939-45) now owned by a young student, Oliver Bouchier, who is also the chair of the Bristol City Youth Council and to whom we are grateful for initiating this research. Much of the earlier information came through oral recordings, and it was a joy to hear the rich north Dartmoor

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HISTORY

The Heritage Group membership has become smaller, but we exchange information by email and we hope for the time we can have open meetings again. We miss the chance to open up the physical archive of documents and photos and to share memories at the weekly village hall coffee morning.

tones from John Bowden and others. The pandemic has made this approach impossible, but it is amazing how much information can be gleaned online, and to find that some memories have already been scanned or written into someone’s hard drive.

Moreover, the Heritage Group has been committed to building new traditions as well as maintaining or revamping activities for which Sticklepath is famous. This year, sadly, we will not be enjoying the Village Christmas Social. The Fireshow is no more, but the Fireshow charity (now known as Beacon Arts) continues to provide arts, crafts and drama events mainly for children, often telling local tales and legends. The dark nights are still celebrated at Hallowe’en when Tom Pearse’s Grey Mare will reappear in our streets, but there will be no entourage of children and musicians this year and no calling

on the doors of generous householders. We have asked local residents to keep a diary through the pandemic as this will be remembered long into the future, but personal stories and experiences make essential local histories. Inevitably, some diarists have flagged as the restrictions have continued -we may have more time on our hands but motivation can be difficult to maintain. However, we welcome any more information on Bert Stead or any issues relating to the village and parish. We can scan photos and documents to return them, and we will share what we have as widely as we can. Any contributions are welcome. Contact the group via Sticklepathheritage@ gmail.com or call Derek Moore on 01837 840316. Derek Moore Sticklepath Heritage Group

Glow

Light up your festive season Selected dates 19 November - 2 January Timed entry and limited capacity, book all tickets online rhs.org.uk/rosemoorglow RHS members go free Your visit supports our work as a charity RHS Reg Charity No. 222879 / SC038262

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WINNIE’S WALK

Walks with Winnie This walk has been kindly written (and walked) for us by Denise Horner of Dartmoor Nordic Walking with her dog, Winnie.

A mostly circular walk, with a couple of hills; from Shapley Common, taking in the Monument for the Crew of Hampden X3O54, Broad Burrow, Grimspound and Hookney Tor on the Two Moors Way. The views are wonderful - from Broad Burrow on a good day you can see the coast from Teignmouth to Torquay. This is an open walk with no shelter from rain or sun. From the car park, cross the road and take the path up the hill. Aim for the three trees slightly to your left, next to the hut circle. Follow the path here to the left, not up the hill, taking you around the edge of Shapley Common and Shapley Tor. You will have a stone wall on your left, in the distance is King Tor.

Stay on this path until you reach the corner of the first stone wall, ahead you can see a second wall and posts with a gap between, with Hookney Tor beyond. Head for the posts, turning left at the corner of the wall (not up to the tor). The path here is wide, soft and grassy. To your left you can see North Bovey. Continue along this path until you see a row of four wooden posts on your left and King Tor. These posts are all over this area and had wires between them to stop glider and small aircraft invasion during the war. As you reach the first post, the path starts to narrow - don’t follow the path towards King Tor or the posts, stay straight ahead until you have just passed the second post where you will see a narrow path heading off to the right, take this path until you join a wider path inin front of you, then head Fitness the Outdoors left. Introductory and Regular Walks

Dartmoor Fitness Fitness Outdoors in in thethe Outdoors Nordic Walking Dartmoor Nordic Walking Dartmoor Dartmoor Dartmoor Dartmoor Dartmoor Nordic NordicWalking Walking Fitness Sessions Fitness in the Outdoors One-to-One Introductory andfor Regular Fitness in the Outdoors Private Sessions twoWalks or more Fitness in Outdoors Introductory and Regular Walks Fitness Sessions Introductory and Regular Walks Fitness in the the Outdoors Introductory and Regular Walks Introductory and Regular Walks IntroductoryFitness and Regular Walks in the Outdoors Walking Holidays One-to-One Fitness Sessions Introductory and Regular Walks Fitness Sessions • Fitness Sessions Fitness Sessions Sessions Introductory and RegularSessions WalksOne-to-One Private for two or more Fitness Sessions Denise Horner Fitness One-to-One One-to-One One-to-One Sessions Walking Holidays Private Sessions for two or more One-to-One One-to-One Fitness British Nordic Walking & NWUK Instructor Private Sessions for two orfor more Private Sessions two or more Nordic Walking Horner One-to-One Private Sessions for two or more Sessions for two or more Nordic Walking Denise Private Walking Holidays Private Sessions for two or more Walking HolidaysHolidays Walking British Nordic Walking & NWUK Instructor Walking Holidays Private Sessions for two or more Nordic Walking Fully Insured / ITC Outdoor First Aid Denise Horner Walking Holidays DeniseHorner Horner Denise Fully Insured / ITC Outdoor First Aid Walking Holidays Walking Holidays

Nordic Walking

As the path becomes wider, sweeping around to your right, you will have an amazing view of Haytor, with Hound Tor in front of it. To your right you will see the granite memorial for the crew of Hampden X3054 at the spot the aircraft crashed on March 21st/22nd, 1941. Head towards this -we always like to stop and say hello to the boys. Head up the hill to Broad Burrow (532m). Here, there’s an amazing 360 degree view, out to the coast near Teignmouth and all the way around to Torquay and beyond, the Warren House Inn - the highest pub in England Cosdon Beacon then Haytor. You are now on the Two Moors Way and Hamel Down Ridge. At this point, we head back towards Hameldown Tor, the trig point (529m) and a cairn, passing on your left the remains of the Hamel Down Cross. Walk down to Grimspound, through the main entrance and across the enclosure. Heading up to Hookney Tor (497m), you are still on the Two Moors Way. At the top you have views of Kestor and Fernworthy Forest, with Castle Drogo in the distance.

British Nordic Walking & NWUK Instructor British Nordic Walking & NWUK Instructor Denise Horner Denise Horner Fully Insured / ITC Outdoor First Aid 630 677 07944 630 677 Continue down from the tor, towards the 07944 Denise Horner Fully / ITC Outdoor First Aid& NWUK British Nordic Walking Instructor FullyInsured Insured / ITC Outdoor First British Nordic Walking &Aid NWUK Instructor 07944 630 gap in the stone wall which we came British Nordic Walking &denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk NWUK Instructor e:Outdoor Fully677 Insured / ITC First Aid 07944 630 677 07944 630 677 e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk through at the start. The Two Moors Fully Insured / ITC Outdoor First Aid www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk Fully Insured / ITC First Aid 07944 630Outdoor 677 e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk in association with www.petranger.co.uk www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk Way leaves us here to the left, but we www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk in association with www.petranger.co.uk 07944 630 677 www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk 07944 630 677 in association with www.petranger.co.uk carry on to the corner of the stone wall in STAY association www.petranger.co.uk www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk C OVIwith D SAFE, EXER CISE IN THE O UTD O O R S ! in association with www.petranger.co.uk in association with www.petranger.co.uk denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk e: e: denise@dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk 50 www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk To promote your business to 23,536* readers - call 07450 161 929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk www.dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk British Nordic Walking & NWUK Instructor

WINNIE’S WALK

heading back down the way we came. As you see the car park below, you will see Castle Drogo directly in front of you. Hopefully waiting for you in the car park will be the ice cream van!

dartmoornordicwalkng. co.uk

If you have enjoyed this walk, please do let us know either on Facebook (Walk with Winnie on Dartmoor) or email winnieandscooby@ dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk

‘Dartmoor Nordic Walking’ and ‘Walks with Winnie’ are on Facebook.

If you would like to join us on this walk on Saturday, December 5th at 10am you can book your place on www. dartmoornordicwalking.co.uk Well behaved dogs welcome.

Distance: Approximately 9.5k Time: Approximately two hours Difficulty: Two steep hills, mostly flat. A medium level of difficulty with a few steep bits. Start point: SX698 804: What3words: fault.burn.printouts

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TRADE SECRETS

Venessa Perrikhoo Perrikhoo Photography How long have you been a professional photographer? I have now been a photographer for eight years. My passion started long before that, when my father gave me my first camera at ten years old. Where are you based? My studio is in North Tawton, but for events or outdoor shoots I travel throughout Devon. What made you want to take up photography for a living? My passion started when I was very young. I was the one who always had a camera. From the start I just loved capturing special moments and understood the importance of photographs. Capturing and reliving those moments I have always found invaluable. The transition to professional photography came quite naturally. Who wouldn’t want to do what they love every day? Do you need any particular qualifications or experience for your job? Raw talent is extremely important, but training and experience play a crucial role. I travelled to Malaysia in my 20s to train with my aunty who is a well-established photographer in South East Asia. I trained with her for 8 months, learning the ins and outs of the profession. When I came back to the UK, the experience I gained allowed me to develop my own style. What kind of pictures do you specialise in? I specialise in family portraits and weddings. What is your favourite kind of commission? Quite difficult to choose. I would say family shoots as I often meet the family when the children are newborns and see them twice a year after that, perhaps for a birthday shoot and

Christmas shoot. I basically see them grow. Another favourite is weddings - I love being part of such a special day! What is the hardest part of your job? It can be difficult to capture that one moment that lasts a fraction of a second, be it a very active child jumping around or a room full of guests at a wedding, which sums up the beauty of that day. What do you like most about your role? The end result. When I show the wedding pictures to the lovely couple or the newborn pictures to the first-time parents… That feeling is priceless, being part of something so special is very rewarding. What would you say to anyone wanting to become a photographer? I’d say don’t be scared and go for it, to learn the theoretical and technical side of things but to not be afraid of just picking up a camera and experimenting, it’s important to develop your own style. Last but not least, don’t be intimidated by the competition and to view other photographers as colleagues, that may inspire you and push you to excel.

Book a Christmas shoot now! perrikhoo@gmail.com

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