Plym Links April/May 2020

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

PLYM LINKS April/May 2020 | Issue 4

132

EVENTS TO

ENJOY

The smash Hit

comes to Plymouth

Moor Otters return - with cubs!

Cornwood Fair in the Square Sparkwell Flower Festival and many more...

NAUGHTY BUT NICE!

...recipes for Easter

MEET

the locals...

A hedgehog carer from Sparkwell Shaugh Prior’s tree warden A senior nurse from Woolwell

Hunt for

The Shaugh Red...

is it growing in your orchard?

Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

WIN! Tickets for Plymouth Albion’s last home game £3.50 | WHERE SOLD

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FROM THE EDITOR

Spring - time for blossom, fetes and festivals

The deadline date for any inclusions in the June/July issue of Plym Links will be 1 May 2020.

For all editorial enquiries please contact me via email at: jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk

or by phone 07971 917071.

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Jane Honey Design: Julian Rees Advertising Copy: Rachel Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard Claire Pearce ON THE COVER:

SIX © Johan Persson

April and May - my favourite time of the year! I sincerely hope by the time you read this magazine the grey skies and seemingly incessant rain of winter 2020 will have departed, to be replaced by some much needed sunshine!

These are the months when the blossom appears on apple trees, which will be of particular interest to the residents of Shaugh Prior parish - now the proud guardian of a new, albeit small, community orchard.

Young, local heritage apple varieties have been planted in the orchard, which has already sparked a growing tradition in the village - Apple Day. Read all about the project on page 4.

I’m sure we all look forward to the longer days - they may be particularly welcome to one of our local people this issue, Tina Hutton-Fellowes, who has spent the winter caring for eight young hedgehogs who were too small to hibernate. You can read about Tina’s work on page 14.

And our horticultural expert Sue Fisher is itching to put in some productive work in the garden. Her feature on page 19 includes some growing interesting ideas - even for those that just have a small patio or back yard.

Our charity focus this issue puts the spotlight on those innocent pets who have become caught in the crossfire of domestic violence. They are often silent victims of sad and frightening situations - read about the work of Refuge4Pets on page 30.

The events calendar always starts to ramp up at this time of year - fetes and flower festivals begin and planning of summer fairs reaches a height. You can find out what’s going on in the area in our What’s On Listings and What’s On Extra pages - and please do let me know if you’ve an event in the pipeline I’d love to help promote it in our pages, but remember I work two months in advance, so the earlier you contact me, the better!

There’s plenty to read in this issue of Plym Links, so why not take some time to put your feet up, grab a cuppa and take a look.

I’d like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very Happy Easter - and if you fancy making a special pudding for the holiday break - check out the recipe on page 48. Naughty, but very nice.

Enjoy your reading!

Jane Jane Honey Editor

Contents | April/May 2020 4 Feature 6 Noticeboard 14 Local People 18 Local Charity 20 Gardening 24 Education 26 Naturalist 28 Health

31 What’s On Listings 38 What’s On Extra 44 Music and Art 48 Food and Drink 50 Walk 52 History 54 Technical Help 58 Trade Secrets

Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns and villages: Roborough, Woolwell, Widewell, Shaugh Prior, Bickleigh, Wotter, Sparkwell, Glenholt, Derriford, Derriford Hospital, The Plymouth Science Park and selected outlets.

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WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

PLYM LINKS TAVY LINKS MOOR LINKS OKE LINKS WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

April/May 2020 | Issue 42

April/May 2020 | Issue 4

124

EVENTS TO

ENJOY

The smash Hit

comes to Plymouth

Moor Otters return - with cubs!

Cornwood Fair in the Square Sparkwell Flower Festival and many more...

200

Getting out on the moors

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF TEN TORS THE NEW DARTMOOR WAY WALKING ROUTE

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL WE MEET RUN VENTURE DIRECTOR COLIN KIRK-POTTER, & EXPERIENCED TRAVELLERS JOHN AND JENNY KILLINGBECK

April/May 2020 | Issue 45

200

March/April 2020 | Issue 20

160

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL WE MEET CLIMBER AND OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR JOHN DIPLOCK, & ICE WARRIOR TRAINEE ZENA FARRINGTON

Dartmoor Shepherds

NAUGHTY BUT NICE!

...recipes for Easter

MEET

A hedgehog carer from Sparkwell Shaugh Prior’s tree warden A senior nurse from Woolwell

Hunt for

The Shaugh Red...

is it growing in your orchard?

Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

In this issue:

In this issue:

the locals...

WIN! Tickets for Plymouth Albion’s last home game £3.50 | WHERE SOLD

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Reach Charity member, world championship para-swimmer Toni Shaw The best local food festivals The long-awaited opening of The Box

Reach Charity member, world championship para-swimmer Toni Shaw The best local food festivals The long-awaited opening of The Box Delivered free by your postman to all PL19 0, 8 & 9 postcodes, guaranteed circulation of more than 9000 homes and businesses

NATURALIST

Connecting with nature

MUSIC & ART

Tavistock Music & Art Festival

£3.50 | where sold

HISTORY

Tavistock Quakers

Enjoying the outdoors

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF TEN TORS THE NEW DARTMOOR WAY WALKING ROUTE

DELIVERED FREE BY YOUR POSTMAN TO ALL PL20 6 & PL20 7 POSTCODES Guaranteed circulation of more than 6000 homes and businesses

NATURALIST

Connecting with nature

MUSIC & ART

Tavistock Music & Art Festival

£3.50 | where sold

HISTORY

Tavistock Quakers

Meet the locals:

DEVON YOUNG CARERS PIONEERING WORK FROM OKEHAMPTON THE MUSEUM OF DARTMOOR LIFE GEARING UP FOR A NEW SEASON

Emily Fleur Sizmur

Photography, Surgery and Faith

Ryan Arthurs

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

EDUCATION

Science at Moretonhampstead

GARDENING

Looking forward to spring

£3.50 | where sold

CHARITY

Okehampton’s Room 13

3

Hunt for the

Shaugh Red

How a simple apple has sparked a blossoming community project

S

haugh Prior community orchard, now growing in the grounds of the village hall, was initially the brainchild of local resident Peter Burkill. Though only tiny, it’s playing an important role in the work to preserve Peter Burkhill traditional local apple varieties and enhancing a sense of community and ownership in the village.

Peter said: ‘Some five years ago I read a report that Bickleigh Vale - adjacent to Shaugh Prior - was, in the early 1800s, burgeoning in apple orchards.

4

‘These orchards were for cider, with the “Shaugh Red” apple being the main cultivar. This apple was not one I’d heard of and it set me thinking that here was an apple that was once part of our local heritage.’

Peter wanted to find out more about the Shaugh Red, specifically was it still grown and if so, was it used for cider making? He contacted local people, particularly farmers, and read widely on local apples and orchards.

‘Both approaches drew a blank,’ he said. ‘Farmers and land owners still have orchards varying in size from a tree or two to many trees, but outside the commercial orchards, no-one know what apple cultivars they were.’

Around the same time, Shaugh Prior Village Hall committee agreed that as apples were part of the area’s heritage, they should be celebrated and in 2017 the decision was taken to turn some rough land next to the hall into an orchard. Around half a dozen cultivars were chosen for the orchard by Peter Davies, the local National Trust ranger and Shaugh Prior’s tree warden.

He said he had been delighted to get involved in the orchard project and had sourced six different varieties of apples, mainly traditional Tamar Valley species, which would be able to thrive in the mild, damp environment on the edge of the moor. The trees planted were Devonshire Buckland, Longkeeper, Lucombe’s Pine, Plympton Pippin, Star of Devon and Mrs Bull’s.

He explained that at the moment, the trees look as though they have been very widely spaced, but this was intentional, to give the root systems the opportunity to spread.

‘It’s only a small orchard but it will still have wildlife value, it will provide a home for lichens, and some species which are quite specific to certain orchards - and it also

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FEATURE provides a different dynamic to village life,’ he said.

The same year the orchard was planted, the village held its first Apple Day, supported by sponsorship from some local companies, and officially opened by Sarah Chesters of RHS Rosemoor.

Peter Burkill said: ‘The focus of the event was to get the children from the village primary school children involved and they were given free pasties and apple juice and a lot of the entertainment was geared to their interests - longest apple peal, largest apple, apple shies, apple juicing etc.’

Peter Davies and the National Trust staff provided an apple crusher which proved very popular. There was also a cider bar, apple-in-Art, pasties, Dartmoor Border Morris danced and an evening ceilidh was held.

Peter added: ‘It was a great community event that has continued in late October each year since. This year an Apple Wassail was also held in January.’

So what of the Shaugh Red? Have the apple enthusiasts of Shaugh Prior discovered a living specimen of this heritage tree?

Peter said: ‘This still eludes us although we have found an ancient tree below the village that may be a Shaugh Red. Who can tell? I suspect no-one can. But like “Hunting for the Snark”, we will continue to look and will keep space for one in our orchard!’ n Jane Honey

So what of the Shaugh Red? This still “eludes us although we have found an

ancient tree below the village that may be a Shaugh Red. Who can tell?

Sue Burkill

The derelict overgrown press in the valley.

PHOTO: © Peter Burkhill www.peterburkillphotography.com

”

Where have all the apple trees gone?

Not so long ago Devon was a county full of orchards. Every farm would have had one and every cottage a tree or two. Some grew eating apples, some grew cookers but many more grew apples to make cider. In the Middle Ages cider, made in the ‘champagne method’, was the chosen drink of the nobility and everyone drank ‘scrumpy’- often starting with a jug for breakfast.

Today most of the Plym Valley apple trees have gone. Some were dug up to make way for other crops when the price of apples dropped. Many disappeared suddenly in the mid-1990s and more again in the early 2000s when the European Union changed the regulations which gave farmers financial subsidies.

Why grow apples at a loss? One of the sad results of this is that the huge range of different varieties of Devon apples has diminished – very few old trees are left and no one remembers their names.

Shaugh Prior was typical of Devonshire parishes. In the tithe survey of April 1842 there were 82 acres of orchards spread across the lower parts of the parish. Some farmers sold their apples locally in the village or in the markets. At least two community cider presses were in use in the parish until the 1940s; the remains of two have been found at Coldstone Farm and in the valley close to Shaugh village. Today the apple trees we know about in the parish would probably fit into a couple of acres.

We are now conducting a modern-day census of the apple trees in the parish. We are asking households to let us know if they have apple trees in their gardens or fields. We are interested in old trees but we also want to know about recently planted trees.

To contribute to the survey of Shaugh Prior please send an e-mail with details of where you live (house name or street and number) and how many trees you have to sue.burkill@exeter.ac.uk

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

5

Parish Climate Emergency Shaugh Prior Parish is joining the growing movement across the country in declaring a climate emergency.

National government, county and district councils, businesses, universities and the NHS have recognised the need for a climate emergency - now it’s the turn for the villages in Shaugh Prior Parish to join in.

Having acknowledged the climate emergency the strategy should not be just about reducing carbon emissions on a local scale, but also raising awareness about climate change, and giving local biodiversity a helping hand.

What can we do?

Solving a global problem like climate change is too big

Panto appeals for new recruits A village panto with a history spanning more than four decades is facing the final curtain unless it can recruit new members.

Shaugh Players, based in Shaugh Prior, was founded in the early 1970s, staging an annual pantomime involving volunteers from the local community. Despite attracting full houses and praise from audiences, the group is on the verge of folding due to dwindling numbers.

The group is now launching an appeal for new members, particularly for those interested in performing or directing the show.

Richard Vincent, chair of Shaugh Players who has played the lead Dame in many performances, said: ‘It would be such a shame for this group to fizzle out. Like many rural villages, our community is changing, and it has become increasingly difficult to recruit from within the parish.’

It takes a cast and crew of about 50 to stage the pantomime, which usually takes place over three nights with a Saturday matinée in mid-January. This year is the first time since 2006 that the group has been unable to stage a performance.

6

for an individual, a parish or even a country to address alone, but together we can make small steps that lead to big changes. A small step at parish level not only adds up to big carbon emission reductions, it gives a forum for us and our children to make a small contribution that will leave a lasting legacy.

A parish group has been formed involving people interested in helping plan local activities to help address the climate emergency. Several ideas for community projects have been discussed, including tree planting, wild flower meadows, community energy projects, improving public transport links, working with planners to ensure the climate emergency gets factored into decisions and reducing waste and plastic use.

We need people with fun ideas, knowledge and understanding to make change happen. We are now looking for more people of all ages to join from all three parish villages and outlying farms. For more information contact Sean Leake at Sean_Leake@yahoo.com

Richard said: ‘There are so many talented people in the area and we’d like to invite them to join us. You might be studying drama; you might want to have a go at performing for the first time; or you could simply be looking for a new hobby or challenge. We have roles suitable for all ages and abilities, and I can guarantee a warm welcome, fun and memories that will last you a lifetime.’

One of the key roles available is that of director, following the death last year of Barry Sanigar MBE, the driving force behind the Players. And contributing to the community is an important focus for group, which has made donations to the local primary school and helped fund improvements to Shaugh Prior and Lee Moor village halls.

Shaugh Players is hoping to recruit enough new members to start rehearsals this summer, to stage a pantomime at Lee Moor Hall in January 2021. For more information, please email shaughpanto@gmail.com

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Sparkwell Farmers’Market The market began in September 2018, after a few of the hall trustees and hall manager had started a community breakfast. It proved popular and with an empty hall next to the room where breakfast was served, it was suggested local providers could come and sell their produce while the breakfast café was running - the farmers’ market was born.

A plea went out for local growers, producers, hobbyists and craftspeople and in September the very first market was held.

Alison Morris, market organiser, said: ‘As we do not have a shop within the village, we try to include as many foodie stalls as possible, but also invite crafts people, book sellers, gift and jewellery sellers to join our growing market. We have a wonderful butcher, Hill Farm Quality Meats, supplying not only meat but vegetables and cheese - you can buy anything from a pack of bacon to your full Sunday roast and cheese board for dessert.’

Homemade cakes including vegan cakes and delicacies, delicious homemade chutneys and preserves, locally foraged foods, gorgeous pies, Tom’s Pies and Hogs Bottom Chutneys are just a few of the amazing goods on offer each month.

Alison said: ‘We are also fortunate to have an array of craft stalls, from a wood turner to knitted and sewn goods, we even have a material/haberdashery stall. If you’re looking for a beautiful gift for a special occasion we have pebble art, jewellery, fused glass, chocolate bouquets and handmade bath goods, Usborne Books and we even have a fairy stall. We’ve even remembered your four-legged

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

NOTICEBOARD friend with hand baked treats and toys.’

Breakfast is served at 9.30am with a full English breakfast including vegetarian option, or there are baps, toast and coffee to be enjoyed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The market runs on the last Sunday of each month, though check the website as dates are sometimes adjusted.

The market runs until noon, there is ample free parking and dogs are welcome.

For further information please visit www. sparkwellparishhall.co.uk or to enquire about a stall email alison.morris@sparkwellparishhall.co.uk

Woolwell in Bloom Our entry form for Britain in Bloom hit the RHS’s doormat just before Christmas, so roll on July’s judging!

As many of our first stage gardens were planted in 2019, we are looking forward to enhancing these, along with our new project gardens.

The picture shows our permanent feature of our ‘Wool Well’. By the summer it will have a hand knitted display on its on its roof, along with a bright floral display all around it. We would like to thank all the residents in Woolwell for the donations of plants etc as well as their support at our fundraising event. Also a big thank you to Carol and her brilliant staff at the Woolwell Centre for the help they give us.

With most of the community now involved, it has become a very busy time for the group, with many of the new gardens being planned. The local Scouts, Brownies and the school have started on their projects with funding from us.

Our group of excellent volunteers are always willing to turn out at short notice to do some gardening, weather permitting, but us gardeners are hardy folk! The highlight of last year’s projects must be our garden commemorating the end of the First World War, officially opened by the doctors at the local surgery in September. In November we were asked if a group could come and lay poppies, crosses and painted pebbles. The last post was played and we held a two minute silence.

Do you want to join this exciting group? Please contact us on ✆ 07837 532873.

Soraya Lewis-Colman Woolwell in Bloom 7

Glenholt Heartbeat Defibrillator Appeal Fund

Good news for hospital Patients of Cardiothoracic Theatres in Plymouth are first in the UK to benefit from new high-tech heart-lung machines, following a wider £4-million investment in cardiothoracic surgery over 10 years.

Five new ‘Quantum heart-lung machines’ will mean improved safety for patients undergoing heart surgery. Heart-lung machines (or cardiopulmonary bypass machines) take over the work of the heart and lungs while the heart is operated on.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) has eight Perfusionists (the specialists operating heart-lung machines) supporting over 1,000 surgical procedures a year. These typically include coronary artery bypass grafts, heart valve replacements and repairs.

Gerry Webb, Head of Clinical Perfusion at UHP, was instrumental in securing the equipment for the Trust. He said: ‘Cardiothoracics in Plymouth has always been forward thinking in terms of our safety profile, but this investment brings us to a new level.

‘The new machine gives the Perfusionist much more control and flexibility over patients’ physiological parameters and helps provide optimised access to the operating site for the surgeon.’

The new machines will acquire data and link it to other sources such as the patient’s anaesthetic record.

Complex calculations which would previously have been done manually will be done live and in real-time.

8

Our aim is to bring at least three more defibrillators to the area, which with the one at St Anne’s Church, will total four in Glenholt and five into Glenholt Park.

Glenholt Community Hub (GCH) began 20 months ago, bringing two ageing communities together through social events and activities, while raising funds for the Defibrillator Appeal Fund.

GCH formed an excellent relationship with residents in January 2019 when campaigned to ‘Save our Post Office & Shop’. At this time that we involved our local councillors in our shop and defibrillator campaigns.

Last February saw GCH welcome first donations from Cllr Nick Kelly and Cllr Maddi Bridgeman of £1,000 towards placing an AED (defib) outside the local shop and Post Office. We are so grateful to these two councillors and Cllr Chris Mavin who also donated £1,000 to the ‘Glenholt Park Defibrillator Project’.

GCH has since raised another £1,028.08 in 12 months through Facebook appeals, coach trips, events, online lottery and personal donations by residents and workers in Glenholt and beyond which is amazing. If future events are as successful, we will soon be able to order a defibrillator to be placed outside the local shop and post office, with 24/7 access.

Help is always welcome - why not take a collection box into work or display one in your business? Or hold a coffee morning? Glenholt Post Office and Shop raised £17.66 from their first donation pot. However large or small your donation, it will always be much welcomed.

If we help to save just 1 life it will be all worth it.

Denise Mills ✆ 07849 413125

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Support for osteoporosis sufferers Plymouth Area Osteoporosis Support Group was set up to support people in the Plymouth area affected by the condition, which causes bones to lose strength, making you more likely to break a bone than the average adult.

The group’s aim is to provide support and information to enable those affected by Osteoporosis to manage their condition and make informed decisions about their bone health issues.

The group also provides peer support, sharing concerns and experiences with other members so they don’t feel so isolated.

The group is run by volunteers who hold committee meetings four times a year, to organise a programme of professional speakers to provide the latest information to group members. Once a year a medical update is held, which is usually given by a Consultant.

The group meets at the Abbey Hall, St Andrews Church, Plymouth, PL1 2AD. The entrance cost is £2.50 which includes refreshments, very kindly provided

by Tesco Woolwell.

The group also helps with newly diagnosed sessions for Osteoporosis, which are held in Derriford Hospital.

All are welcome to attend the support group meetings - please call chairman Stephanie Clarke on ✆ 07958 500314 for more information.

NOTICEBOARD or takes the lead in securing funding and/or aiding preservation of local areas of land such as Hooe Green.

PVH incorporates its predecessor group ‘Friends of Hooe Barn’.

The group meets monthly (except in August) for a talk. Throughout the year occasional visits to places of interest in the Plymouth area are organised. The main focus of the talks is on local history – recent topics include - Plymouth Shops, John Kitto, and the Dartmoor Conchies. Occasionally a local charity is invited to talk about their work, or there will be a talk on an environmental topic such as the underwater life in Plymouth Sound. Recent visits have been to such diverse places as Crownhill Fort, the Vi-Spring factory and the new incinerator at Camel’s Head. Members come from all over Plymouth to the regular meetings held on the third Thursday of the month, starting at 7.30pm at St John’s Church Hall, Church Hill, Hooe.

Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Membership is open to all those over 16 with an interest in the local area and costs £5 per year. If you are interested in joining just come along to a meeting, or contact Membership Secretary Jan Fletcher at janfletcher@outlook.com or call ✆ 01752 408855.

Plym Valley Heritage Plym Valley Heritage is a friendly community group based in Hooe for all those interested in the local area – its environment, history, and community. From time to time the group carries out small research projects, Our Live-In Carer Service is a great alternative to residential care for those who wish to stay at home

Are you finding it difficult to manage on your own at home? You don’t have to leave your home to move in with your family or to go into residential care, lose your independence, stop socialising or going out just because you are finding it hard to cope on your own. Instead, you can have a live-in carer, someone who will provide you with the level of companionship, personal care and housekeeping you want and need in your own home.

Santé Care At Home’s live-in care service is designed for home-loving and independently-minded people like you. We provide live-in carers who will help you to stay as physically active and socially engaged as possible. You and your family can rest assured that we are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and that we’re fully committed to complying and exceeding its guidelines.

l g al in w rv orn y Se , C rre n u vo S De &

Santé Care at Home

To find out more about the services we offer, please call us today

01822 855590 / 07413 531000

www.santecareathome.co.uk • info@santecareathome.co.uk Located in Yelverton

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

9

Support for farmers A very wet winter, Brexit, climate change - these are challenging times for farmers.

The Farming Community Network (FCN), a charity set up to support farmers, enters its 25th year in 2020 and has evolved from merely responding to farmers in crisis into an organisation which offers a much more proactive support service that actively encourages farmers to seek help before their situation worsens significantly.

In its anniversary year it is focussing on helping build personal and business resilience in those that turn to the charity for help.

It has launched a brand new initiative called FarmWell - a one-stop online resources hub to help farmers and their businesses. FarmWell gives ready access to a range of vital information from a wide variety of sources. It is free to use and has three clear aims: • To help develop and keep farm businesses resilient through changing times • To help farmers, their families and their staff become resilient and enable them to manage their personal and business lives more effectively • To provide ready access to a range of support and help to anyone who may need it To learn more about FarmWell, visit www.farmwell.org.uk If you, or someone you know, needs someone to talk

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to, FCN is here for you. The FCN helpline is open from 7am-11pm every day of the year. Call ✆ 03000 111999 or email help@fcn.org.uk

Sorting out debt South Hams CAB offers their top tips to get you on the financial straight and narrow.

• Work out how much you owe - Make a list of whom you owe money to and add up how much you need to pay each month.

• Prioritise your debts - Your rent or mortgage, energy bills and council tax are called priority debts, these should be paid first - there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them.

• Work out how much you can pay - Create a budget by adding up essential living costs, such as food and housing and taking these away from your income. Any spare money can be put towards your debts. The Citizens Advice budgeting tool can help - visit our website and use the ‘How can we help’ box.

• Paying urgent debts - You might have to contact priority creditors urgently, for instance if you are about to be evicted. Contact us and tell your creditors you’re seeking debt advice, so you can find a way forward, offer to pay them something if you can afford to.

• Paying non-urgent debts - If you have any money left after paying priority debts, consider getting a free debt management plan. You’ll make one monthly payment to the plan provider, who will handle paying your creditors. Or contact your creditors and offer them what you can afford to pay.

• If you can’t pay your debts - If you’ve got little or no money spare to pay your priority debts seek advice from us straight away on ✆ 0344 411 1444 or visit www.southhamscab.org.uk/contact/ For information about drop in sessions held around the district.

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Dartmoor National Park Authority is calling for people to help tackle the spread of invasive nonnative plants.

People are invited to go ‘balsam bashing’ and play a part in halting the progress of Himalayan balsam and American skunk cabbage.

The work is due to start in June.

Dartmoor is a nationally important place for wildlife, their habitats and is where nine of Devon’s major rivers rise. Increasingly, they are all under threat from the march of these non-native plants which are closely associated with streams, rivers, wetlands and ponds. They are harmful because they out-compete native flora for light, space, oxygen and nutrients, which impacts on animals and insects including dragonflies, birds and otters.

Last summer, people scoured rivers and streams around Princetown, South Brent and Lustleigh pulling up plants and disposing of them. The project was helped by 57 days of volunteer effort over 8.6 hectares (mostly woodland) and an 8.4km length of river, stream, leat and ditch.

Project Manager Mervyn Newman said: ‘The work carried out in 2019 made a real difference so thank you to everyone involved - we’re hoping we can continue that great work this year.’

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

About the invasives Himalayan balsam: With pink flowers and ‘exploding’ seed pods, this plant is a familiar sight on streams and rivers. The best way of managing it is to pull the plant up before the seed pod pops and spreads down the river, where it takes hold and suffocates native plants.

American skunk cabbage: This giant yellow arum lily spreads rapidly. In 2015 in one river valley, it had spread 1.5km from where it was first introduced, starting to invade important wetland habitats.

If you are interested in volunteering, email invasives@dartmoor.gov.uk

PHOTO: © Peter Burkhill www.peterburkillphotography.com

Could you help bash the balsam?

NOTICEBOARD

Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus

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Help shape the future of Dartmoor National Park People who care about Dartmoor National Park and its future have until April 20th to share their views on the emerging National Park Management Plan.

The draft National Park Management Plan is a bold and ambitious partnership plan to ensure Dartmoor continues to be protected and enhanced in the future.

The Plan addresses topics including climate change, natural habitat, cultural heritage, farming and forestry, visitor numbers, communities and business.

Dartmoor National Park Authority Chair Pamela Woods said: ‘In developing the draft Management Plan we worked with many different people, and the overriding message is that they want the future vision for Dartmoor to be bold, ambitious and clear.

‘The Plan will need support and collective action from

Fingers crossed for a ‘Rural Oscar’ A Dartmoor equestrian adventure riding business has been shortlisted as a finalist from over 18,000 nominations to receive a ‘2020 Rural Oscar’.

Liberty Trails, which last year was a double Gold Award winner in the Devon Tourism Excellence Awards, is a finalist in the national Rural Enterprise of the Year category. The prestigious Countryside Alliance Awards — known as the Rural Oscars — are an annual celebration of British food, farming and enterprise, now in their 14th year. Nominations are made by members of the public.

Founded and run by Elaine Prior seven years ago, Liberty Trails offers premium adventure riding in 275,000 acres

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all those with an interest in the future of Dartmoor.

‘We want everyone – regardless of age or background and whether they are familiar with Dartmoor or not – to get involved and check that it reflects your ideas and aspirations for how we all work together to collectively look after this special landscape.’

Copies of the draft plan are available at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Parke head offices, Princetown and Haytor Visitor Centres and local libraries and at https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/living-and-working/ management-plan/management-plan-review The consultation finishes on April 20th.

of Dartmoor National Park. Serving strong, able riders, the firm puts together riding, accommodation and activity itineraries for guests from around Britain and the globe, including USA, Argentina, Qatar, Germany, Singapore and beyond.

Elaine said: ‘We are very proud not just of the high level of service we offer and the return bookings we enjoy, but of being a Devon business.

‘We attract a high-end international clientele and generate business for farmers, lodges, hotels, chefs, guides, farriers and others that we work with. But best of all is sharing the beauty of Dartmoor and introducing it as a world-class riding holiday destination.’

Liberty Trails will be visited by Countryside Alliance judges in the spring, and the regional winners will be invited to a champions’ reception at the House of Commons in June, when the overall national champions will be revealed.

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BUSINESS

Your new Rayburn Approved Centre for Devon & Cornwall C

hamings (Plumbing & Heating) Ltd, based in Tavistock, have just been named as the prestigious ‘Approved Rayburn Heat Centre’ for the area, covering Plymouth up to Okehampton and on to Bideford and Bude. This achievement recognises the hard work and success of Alison and Gary Lynch, who have been involved with heating and plumbing in this area for more than 15 years.

Chamings’ new showroom will be displaying two Rayburn models, the 400 series - which will be plumbed in and working - and the 600 series which will be on display.

Alison explained: ‘As we will have a working Rayburn in the showroom, we plan to have cookery demonstrations in the showroom a few times a year performed by a professional chef.’

This demonstration will help owners of Rayburns develop new cooking techniques and refine existing recipes.

Gary added: ‘We are professional plumbing and heating engineers, which means that Rayburn customers can deal with one business for all their needs. We can both

provide the Rayburn, install and service it. We would also cover any warranty issues on behalf of Rayburn and carry stock items so that repairs can happen quickly.

This also means that existing Rayburn owners in the area can call on us to service their existing stoves.’

Chamings will be offering oil, mains gas and LPG Rayburns.

How much do you know about Rayburns?

For 65 years Rayburns have been made by skilled craftsmen in Shropshire. They are controllable and programmable and fitted with thermostats. The cast iron ovens gently cook food and lock in flavour, moisture and goodness. They can also be used to provide piping hot water throughout your house. A large proportion of Rayburns are made from recycled materials. There many colour options and powers to suit your home.

The Chamings showroom is open from 9 – 4pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday by appointment. It is located at 2A, Westbridge Industrial Estate, Tavistock PL19 8DE.

from

Showroom: Unit 2A Westbridge Ind Est, Tavistock PL19 8DE

01822 610222 | info@chamings.plumbing

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

rayburn-web.co.uk 13

Tina Hutton-Fellowes Hedgehog helper...

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bet when Tina Hutton-Fellowes was serving in the Royal Logistics Corps in countries like Kosovo or Belize, she never thought she’d one day be rescuing hedgehogs in a tiny village on the edge of Dartmoor!

Tina was originally from Plymouth and served 22 years in the Army.

She and her partner and son moved to Sparkwell around seven years ago and now she now works as a gardener locally.

Tina said: ‘I’ve always loved gardening - I love the fact I can choose my clients and fit in other things around my work.’

A close affinity with the seasons and nature is key to a gardener - and Tina’s love of all animals is what has led her to her most recent mission, promoting awareness of hedgehogs and how their survival is threatened in many areas of the country.

‘I’ve always loved animals,’ said Tina. ‘I did a course with a hedgehog carer in Plymouth at the end of last October - by the end of November I was caring for hedgehogs and getting more experience through working with a lady in Dartmouth - she’s caring for about 57 at the moment!’

Tina gets up at 5.30am on weekdays to clean and feed her ‘little rascals’ before taking her son to school. Her hedgehog dormitory in the garden is spotless - though she said they are not the most house-proud of guests and she gets through huge amounts of old newspapers!

‘I’ve been really lucky - ever since I put something on our local Facebook page, I’ve been given food, fleeces, newspapers - people are so generous, it’s amazing.’

She’s also boosting her knowledge through more courses and is clearly 14

passionate about the little prickly creatures’ welfare.

‘I just think we can all do a bit more - I wasn’t sure how this was going to pan out and didn’t think I’d end up with eight hedgehogs in my shed it’s been a quick progression, but it’s lovely!’

Tina explained that the hogs were completely nocturnal - so if you see a hedgehog during the day, at

I just think we can all “ do a bit more - I wasn’t sure how this was going to pan out and didn’t think I’d end up with eight hedgehogs in my shed

To help hedgehogs, Tina advises that gardeners shouldn’t use slug pellets or pesticides and should try and keep netting off the ground, as the hogs can easily get trapped.

Makes sure there’s a small hole in your garden perimeter so they can access the next piece of land without heading for the road and if you think you have a hedgehog in your garden, put out wet or dry cat or dog food, placing it on the garden perimeter.

Pick up litter whenever you see it and if you can, leave a small wildlife space in the garden. And if you feed mealworms to the birds, don’t sprinkle them on the ground.

‘Hedgehogs are actually fussy eaters,’ said Tina. ‘It’s a bit like us with sugar - once they get a taste for mealworms, they won’t eat anything else and it causes calcium deficiencies which affects the babies.’

Apart from her growing love of hedgehogs, Tina and the family love to walk the family dogs, Thorn and Bentley and they all enjoy target shooting. They are also very involved with the thriving local scout group.

Not surprisingly, Sparkwell scouts are well informed when it comes to hedgehogs. n Jane Honey

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any time of the year, it indicates there’s something wrong. It could be a problem with parasites, an injury or they could be particularly hungry. Parasites have been a serious problem this year apparently. If you see a small hedgehog during the day in November or December, it’s likely they were born at the end of the year and haven’t reached the 650g weight they need to be to hibernate. These little ones will need to be looked after by carers like Tina, to enable them to survive the winter.

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Peter Davies National Trust Ranger

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geography at university, while his working life began in a voluntary capacity for the RSPB at Haweswater in the Lake District. He moved on to Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve before securing a ranger job with the National Trust at Killerton certainly different from his current base at Lower Cadworthy Farm, tucked away in the valley near Cadover Bridge.

‘This building dates from 1826 but there’s been something on the site for much longer than that. There’s a Bronze Age hut circle in the field outside and “Worthy” means settlement in Anglo Saxon,’ said Peter. ‘There are so many layers of history and in our short period of time here, we are adding to them.

It’s a lovely location to work from.’

With just one other full time employee and a small but committed, much valued band of regular volunteers, Peter could be repairing footpaths one day, attending a chainsaw course the next, liaising with tenant farmers or Dartmoor National Park rangers the following day and training Ten Tors participants at the weekend.

‘Last week we were invited to attend Shaugh Prior climate emergency meeting,’ said Peter. ‘No two days are ever the same but it’s very much

nature conservation based, working with our tenants and partners, looking after the site for the public,’ said Peter.

More unusual was the ‘rave’ that saw hundreds of people head to Cadover on the night of Boxing Day 2019.

‘There wasn’t much we could do until the police cleared the site of people, but we were really busy after that. I picked up two huge loads of litter and two abandoned cars were subsequently broken into and set on fire,’ said Peter.

In addition to conservation, education is high on the agenda.

Peter works with groups on conservation projects, engaging with children from primary level through to college students.

You couldn’t be a ranger without having an absolute love of the area in which you work. Not surprisingly, when Peter is off duty he will often be found walking on the moors and as a qualified moorland leader, he will never miss an opportunity to climb a peak, whether it’s the Monroes of Scotland or a lakeland fell. He also loves cricket during the summer, heading to Somerset to watch county games.

While Dartmoor may not have the peaks that Peter loves, it’s still clearly his special spot: ‘It can be a tough place - three years ago when we had the “Beast from the East” it was incredible - but it’s a fantastic place as well.’ n Jane Honey

©National Trust Images. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

he woodlands around Shaugh Bridge to the head of the River Plym, high up on Dartmoor, form part of Peter Davies’ workspace - not a bad environment to commute to!

Peter is the National Trust’s area ranger for South West Dartmoor.

It’s a varied role and different from many of the Trust’s sites, with free access to the public.

Peter said: ‘It’s about 3,700 acres, with two quite distinct areas. Shaugh Woods are noted for their mosses, lichens and ferns, like the Tunbridge Filmy Fern, which thrives in damp areas under woodland. The upper area has a multitude of layers of importance - for its cultural heritage and it’s internationally recognised for its archaeological significance. You have Bronze Age hut circles, cists, cairns, then there are the warrens and tin workings.

‘We have otters in the Meavy, there are the Small Pearl Bordered and Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterflies on West Down that we are monitoring during the flight season. We are managing the site to benefit these species - and we have a bat colony in the roofspace here at Lower Cadworthy.’

Peter has been in his present role around 16 years. He was brought up in the South Hams and studied

LOCAL LOCAL PEOPLE PEOPLE

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

15

Ali Bishop

Senior Clinical Nurse

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busy mother of two small boys, Ali Bishop, who lives at Woolwell, came to the Plymouth area nearly 20 years ago from Buckinghamshire, after being posted to Plymouth with the Royal Navy.

Having trained as a nurse at the University of Hertfordshire, she thought the services would be a good way to travel while working although maybe she hadn’t thought of being posted to a hospital ship for three months during the Iraq war...

‘It was interesting,’ she said. ‘We travelled down by ship so we had a lot of practice and preparation time on the way. We were quite busy with prisoners of war once we got there, but the last few weeks were a bit of a blur - we had an outbreak of suspected campylobacter on board, which basically rips your insides out. For a ship, they contained it very well.’

After leaving the navy, Ali joined the staff of DDRC Healthcare at the Hyperbaric Medical Centre, where she has worked for the last 15 years.

Regular daytime work has meant it’s been easier to look after her two boys, aged four and seven - her husband is a paramedic practitioner at Newton Abbot Minor Injuries Unit, so working round two sets of shifts would have been tough!

Ali explained: ‘DDRC is a charity that provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients with accepted indications, including divers, people with problem wounds and tissue damage after radiotherapy for cancer, amongst other things.’

Ali’s role is varied - a day’s work includes patient briefings, safety checks, treatments, equipment checks and much more.

‘As a senior nurse I do a lot of coordinating as well, then there’s rotas, liaising with doctors, clinical trial work 16

and training,’ she said.

There are four hyperbaric chambers at DDRC (originally established as the Diving Diseases Research Centre) in which patients’ blood is ‘super-saturated’ with oxygen. This oxygen is able to penetrate areas of compromised tissue more efficiently than that carried by red blood cells, promoting healing. Patients being treated for wounds will probably spend a couple of months having sessions in the chambers. And DDRC sees between 30 and 40 divers a year - their treatments will be about ‘bubble squashing’ as Ali described it, as well as healing the damage caused by the bubbles, to combat decompression illness, more commonly known as ‘the bends’.

‘The chambers are like big metal tanks - ours look very industrial - we shut the doors and we push lots of air in,’ said Ali. ‘It’s noisy to start with and you have to make your ears pop like on an aeroplane. There’s a TV in

there, some patients read, some talk, some actually build close friendships through their sessions.’

Typically a treatment would last around two hours including three 30 minute oxygen sessions - a diver with the bends could be in the chamber for up to eight hours.

Ali said the time spent in the chamber with patients was beneficial in social terms, as well as physical.

‘It’s lovely to have the time to get to know your patients a bit better,’ she said.

Ali is also a wound care specialist, having received a distinction for her MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair from Cardiff University - her dissertation stemming from a project on diabetic foot ulcer treatment using hyperbaric oxygen in Plymouth.

In addition to her busy working and family life, Ali and her husband enjoy days out with the boys - she also likes cycling and has signed up for the ‘Swim 22 for Diabetes’ which will see her swimming 22 miles over 12 weeks - the equivalent distance to swimming the Channel.

‘It’s in a pool though - I wouldn’t do it in the sea - too many jellyfish!’ she said. n Jane Honey

DDRC is a charity that provides hyperbaric oxygen “ therapy to patients with accepted indications, including

divers, people with problem wounds and tissue damage after radiotherapy for cancer, amongst other things.

To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 01822 615627

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advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Separation and divorce, especially when you have children, is always an emotionally stressful time.

Family Mediation

Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors are specialist family lawyers and mediators.

We help couples avoid expensive court battles in a non-confrontational solution-based way.

Saving time, money and stress for all.

We offer experience, knowledge and a modern approach.

For a free, initial discussion on mediation and how we could help you resolve your issues more amicably

Call Will Giles on 01752 660384 Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors

63-65 Bretonside Plymouth PL4 0BD wg@wysolicitors.co.uk

woollcombeyonge.co.uk

Mary Wakeham with her dogs

Refuge4Pets

Enabling freedom from domestic violence

Pets are often the silent victims of domestic violence and abuse, used as part of the pattern of coercion and control, threatened, yelled at, beaten, kicked and in some cases killed...

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who are committed to caring for animals. efuge4Pets provide a pet fostering service in Devon Mary Wakeham, Project Manager, said: ‘Volunteers are and Cornwall so that victims of domestic violence and abuse can escape to access safety and support before at the heart of our organisation - we simply could not provide this service to victims/survivors of domestic abuse being reunited with their pets. without the commitment and enthusiasm of volunteers.

Often individuals and families escaping violent and ‘We understand that victims/survivors of domestic abusive relationships are unable to take their much loved violence and abuse often have to leave with nothing, pets with them. In many cases this will stop people from which is why all of the pets that we foster receive the leaving. One in four women and one in six men will be vet treatment that they need, food and bedding, paid affected by domestic violence and abuse in their adult for by us.’ relationships. Tragically, two women are murdered by a The charity currently has 98 volunteers across Devon partner or ex-partner each week in the UK and many and Cornwall who have come forward to foster pets, or children and animals also lose their lives. With domestic help fundraise. But it always needs more. When it comes violence and abuse being one of the most significant to placing animals in foster homes there is much to take public health concerns that we experience in the UK, into account. Mary said: ‘We never place animals near combined with the fact that over half of all households where they have come from, or where there is any local have pets, this is a vital service! connection with the owner, Refuge4Pets was founded

by Mary Wakeham and The charity currently has 98 volunteers or perpetrator. Owners do not know where their the Trustees in August across Devon and Cornwall who have animals are geographically 2017, with the main aim come forward to foster pets, or help while they are in foster care of enabling freedom from and they cannot visit their domestic violence and abuse fundraise. But it always needs more. animals. This is because for people and their much we understand the lengths that abusive partners go to loved animals. For many victims/survivors of domestic to continue the abuse post separation and we take every abuse their animals are family, their lifeline, their step to keep animals, their owners and foster carers safe. comfort and main source of support. Abusers target It could also be very unsettling for many foster animals much loved pets as one way to intimidate, frighten, to see their owners while in foster care. But, we do terrorise and exert power and control over their provide lots of updates and pictures.’ partners and children. For many victims of domestic Although victims/survivors of domestic violence and abuse the reality is that concerns for their pet’s safety abuse take comfort in knowing that their animals are and the strong human animal bond prevents people also going to a place of safety, it is always hard to say from leaving. ‘goodbye’ when animals come into foster care. Mary The service foster dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles, said: ‘Animals never forget their human companions and rabbits and small furries such as hamsters for up to six months. It’s mostly dogs and cats that the charity fosters. when animals are reunited with their owners it is always so heart-warming. People and animals can continue their Refuge4Pets do not have a kennel or cattery, all animals lives is safety, free from domestic violence and abuse’. are cared for by wonderful volunteer pet foster carers

“

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CHARITY FOCUS If you would like to support Refuge4Pets you can do so by: • Becoming a volunteer pet foster care, if you can provide a safe, loving, patient, temporary foster home to a dog or cat.

• Sponsoring a foster animal, making a regular monthly donation, or a one off donation.

• Volunteering at fundraising events, or holding your own fundraising events for the charity.

• Spreading news about the service through your networks.

You can fi nd more information about how to support the charity on their website which is www.refuge4pets. org.uk. Or call ✆ 0300 4000121, or email info@ refuge4pets.org.uk.

If you need support because you are experiencing domestic violence and abuse, or if you are worried about someone else, you can contact the national 24-hour domestic violence and abuse helpline on ✆ 0808 2000 247. In an emergency situation please contact the Police on 999. You can contact Refuge4Pets on ✆ 0300 4000121. n

‘Galled’ acorns

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

19

RHS Feel Good garden Chelsea 2018

Gardening for health It’s good for you in all kinds of ways!

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egular gardeners need no convincing that it’s good for the mind and body, but results of recent research mean that in some areas of the UK, a doctor’s visit can result in a prescription to go gardening.

‘Social prescribing’ – the term for non-medical treatments – is being used increasingly by the NHS to tackle conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress and loneliness. Concentrating on a physical task gives the mind a break, while reconnecting with nature helps us relax and de-stress. And research at the University of Exeter Medical School has shown

Sue Fisher GARDEN DESIGNER & HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST Inspirational ideas to transform your garden Advisory visits • Planting plans • Complete designs

01822 841895 | suefisher@talktalk.net www.suefishergardens.co.uk 20

that the natural environment plays a significant role in reducing the risks of conditions including stroke, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and asthma - read the University’s blog at www.beyondgreenspace.net Just two hours a week in nature is the minimum needed to make a difference, and with 24 million gardens in the UK, the solution to poor health can be literally outside our back doors. For anyone without or unable to access their own garden, there’s an increasing number of community gardens and projects where anyone can become involved, as well as gardens for residents and visitors of hospitals and hospices.

Growing some of your own fruit, veg or herbs is doubly beneficial to health as you’ll have some delicious healthy produce too. No space is too small - a tub, window box, hanging basket or ‘living wall’ container can produce an excellent harvest. Do grow what you like (sounds obvious, but so many people grow radishes because they’re easy and never eat them!). If you’ve never grown anything before, start with easy crops from seed like salad leaves, loose-leaf lettuce, bush French beans, Swiss Chard, and watercress - this is dead easy – buy a supermarket bag, root a few stems in water, then plant out. After the frosts, buy ready-grown plants of bush or trailing tomatoes.

Don’t forget fresh herbs too – just a few sprigs can transform a dish.n

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GARDENING

New Plants Even the smallest patio, balcony or courtyard can produce a delicious harvest from compact-growing vegetable varieties, many of which are fantastically colourful too. Dobies have made veg growing super-easy with a range of patio veg plant collections supplied as plugs (young plants), so there’s no worry about growing from seed. Six varieties include sweet pepper, chilli pepper, cucumber, courgette, tomato and aubergine: £9.99 for one of each. www.dobies.co.uk

Dobies Tumbling Bella

Seasonal jobs...

- Get borders in shape before plants really get growing. Cut back dead perennial and grass grow th and clear weeds.

- Mulch bare soil between plants with organic matter like garden compost or well -rotted manure. No need to dig it in – nature will do the job for you.

- Allow bulb leaves to die back naturally to build up energy for next year and if you can, feed with an organic fertiliser too. Water if the weather is dry.

- Lots of different veg can be sown directly in the soil outside. Mice adore pea and bean seed – sowing with a pinch of chilli pepper can keep them at bay.

Living walls and seating create a relaxing oasis in the smallest of spaces

Garden Problems After a very damp and mostly mild winter, fungal diseases like mildew and moulds are likely to flourish under cover in greenhouses and polytunnels. Cleaning thoroughly and washing glass inside as well as out will go a long way towards avoiding problems, as well as maximising light levels. www.greengardener.co.uk has a new natural disinfectant containing citronella and coconut oil, as well as garlic candles to fumigate the structure if you had any pest problems last year.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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Fencing • Paving • Decking Brickwork • Stone Walling Turf Laying • Tree Felling Weed Spraying • Hedge Reshaping Garden Clearance • Lawn Mowing Soft Landscaping and more...

ENDSLEIGH GARDENS NURSERY

IT’S TIME TO... ...PLANT

Summer Bedding Vegetables Herbs Perennials Trees & Shrubs

Milton Abbot Tavistock PL19 0PG

...RING US

Tel: 01822 870235

www.endsleighgardens.co.uk

Open 8am-5pm Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday Follow brown signs to Endsleigh House and Gardens from Milton Abbot

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Quality Assured

Established for over15 years.

or come along for any advice, we are here to help you garden.

OPEN EVERY DAY!

Well worth a visit !

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www.menforallseasons.co.uk Please note our new phone number:

01822 860675 07977 272170

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GARDENING

Garden to visit The gardens of Hotel Endsleigh aren’t just for guests of the luxury hotel, once the country residence of the Duke of Bedford.

Over 100 acres of gardens and grounds are open daily to visitors for a charge of £5 – or free if you treat yourself to lunch or afternoon tea. There are formal lawns and herbaceous borders, drifts of spring bulbs, enchanting dells and grottos to explore; and riverside walks along the Tamar. hotelendsleigh. com/garden/ Do make time to visit the adjacent Endsleigh Garden Nurseries which stocks a superb range of plants, housed in the old walled gardens.

EH

Gardens at Hotel Endsleigh

Evans Harvey Solicitors

Drop in to see how finding the answers to your legal questions could be easier than you think!

Established over 35 years ago, Evans Harvey is a highly respected firm of solicitors based in Crownhill, Plymouth who offer a full range of legal services including conveyancing, wills, tax and probate, family and matrimonial law, personal injury, RTA and asbestosis claims, company and commercial, employment, litigation, landlord and tenant and inheritance claims.

CLINICS - at our Crownhill Office Conscious that legal costs are a worry for many, we offer two clinics where you can receive initial free advice with an experienced solicitor: Tuesdays 10am - 12pm • Wills, Probate and Inheritance claims Wednesdays 9am - 12pm • Family Matters

01752 785715 | 37/39 Morshead Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5AD 01752 255000 | 38 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL4 7AF

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

- For your convenience Crownhill office is open on Saturday mornings

www.evansharveylaw.co.uk 23

Roborough Pre-School

pre-school and we remain viable in what can be a difficult social and economic climate, still only running in term time.’

Registered as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, Roborough Pre-School ‘It’s like a little family’ currently has 26 children on roll and is registered for 2, 3 and 4 year olds for up to 19 children per session. oborough Pre-School, which runs five days a Currently running at capacity, the pre-school now has a week during term time in the Methodist Church waiting list.

Hall in Roborough village, is approaching its 50th The youngsters’ learning is child interest-led but they birthday - and in common with all providers of early study special topics every half term and they go out on years childcare, things have changed a great deal in regular walks and visits. that time.

Marie said: ‘Children learn through play, but you need Back in 1972 when the pre-school was formed by to widen their knowledge and experience. They loved the two ladies aiming to provide play facilities for children space topic, and we did one recently on jobs that people of local families, such terms as Ofsted, safeguarding did, so we had visits from a or partnership working hadn’t been heard of.

What is completely clear is the genuine fireman, a policeman and paramedic, who were all Now, Roborough Prepassion and enthusiasm for the children, aparents.’

School has a long list the pre-school and the staff displayed by The pre-school has funded of up-to-the-minute improvements to the policies and listening to Marie and Danielle. outside space at the church manager Marie Southern hall, including fencing and re-surfacing so the children and deputy supervisor Danielle Coles talk, you’d be can play in safety outdoors. forgiven for thinking they were discussing a primary What is completely clear is the genuine passion and school. Many pre-school providers are these days run as enthusiasm for the children, the pre-school and the staff businesses - not so Roborough. It was registered as an educational charity in 1993 and its voluntary committee displayed by Marie and Danielle.

‘The relationships the children have with our staff members are responsible for the overall management is heart-warming, it’s like a little family - I think they and organisation of the pre-school, which now has four members of staff, all qualified to NVQ Level 3 or above. believe we live here a lot of the time!’ said Danielle. ‘I Marie described the pre-school as ‘a little gem’ . All four stand back sometimes and watch the children and see how much they love it - it’s a very happy place to work.’ staff members have long links with the organisation, as Marie added: ‘Our staff are so dedicated, they are their own children attended it - and second generations passionate about what they do and they really go above are now coming for sessions too. and beyond for the pre-school.’ n She said: ‘We are quite unusual in that we are non-profit making and committee led - and we are lucky to have a pretty strong committee at the moment, they dedicate a lot Further details: of time to support us and are incredibly good at fundraising.

For more information about Roborough Pre-School, go to www.

‘There are constant challenges in the early years sector roboroughpreschool.co.uk or call ✆ 01752 773914/07944 076272. but we are running a warm, kind and caring community

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Easing adolescent stress

EDUCATION

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project designed to ease the stress and anxiety associated with adolescent girls is powering ahead with a crowdfunding campaign to take its pioneering work forward.

Big Sis CIC aims to provide mentoring from female university students, who are studying education, to girls about to enter secondary schools in Plymouth. The idea is that they will be able to provide an informal discussion in the safe environment of a school so that physical, emotional and practical needs are addressed.

Big Sis CIC has already won the use of facilities in the Formation Zone at Plymouth Science Park (PSP) through its Tech Stars programme, designed to help young businesses grow and prosper.

Friederike Kunze, CEO of Big Sis, said she hoped the CIC would address mental health concerns before they develop into a crisis for the individual.

‘It also helps to reduce levels of anxiety, plus it gives carers and schools an extra hand to stem the responsibilities which they may, otherwise, face on their own,’ she said.

Friederike, a holistic menstrual educator and bodyworker, said: ‘It is beneficial for children to be able to ask questions about their bodies and feelings as it

Friederike Kunze

allows them to be more confident and perform better in the classroom.

‘Youngsters might be embarrassed to ask teachers and parents certain questions, but we can provide the reassurance that physical changes and feelings are normal, and we can normalise those experiences within a group setting.’

‘Big Sis’ is hoping to recruit up to 300 high quality volunteer undergraduates from BA education, counselling and other similar degrees and provide them with a DBS check and the necessary training for the role itself, including safeguarding.

It is hoped Big Sis will engage with more than 2,000 girls in the Plymouth area starting this autumn.

The crowdfunding campaign, which finishes at the beginning of May, will support the training programme.

To help, go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/big-sis-girls Local schools can contact Big Sis CIC at: hello@big-sis.co n

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25

Connectivity in Springtime T

here is something magical about Devon in spring, which I believe is largely due to our network of high banked Devon hedges, relatively small fields, rolling hills and deep wooded, wet valleys. Although not strictly limited by the eastern and western boundaries of the county, these features are sufficient to distinguish the countryside from other areas that use different ways of dividing the land.

Spring began early this year following a mild but wet winter and the early yellow of celandine, primrose and hazel is already fading, to be replaced by the bright green foliage of deciduous woody perennials, especially the tree species that top the hedgebanks. This still comes as a welcome surprise even knowing that the trees spend the autumn preparing for spring with their new leaves packed tightly inside protective buds, with the shape of the bud being determined by the pattern of the leaves.

Even nascent catkins such as hazel are visible throughout

26

the winter ready to burst to full length in early spring.

At the same time, birds start their preparations for the annual reproductive cycle, often the first are robins and, if one is lucky, song thrushes can be heard delivering their lustful singing from some nearby vantage point.

After a winter when mere survival is the motivation, the twin triggers of day length and ambient temperature initiate the whole process. The next phase is heralded with the pink of campions and white of stitchwort, closely followed by bluebells that have spread out of their traditional woodland habitats into the hedgerows.

Blackthorn, followed by hawthorn, put on a display of white blossom rivalling many flowering garden shrubs.

By the time May arrives our migrant birds have also returned. Many are dependent upon insect life for sustenance - aphids high on their list of delicacies. Of these, my own seasonal landmark is a warbler whose repetitive two note ‘chiff-chaff’ call is heard any time from March 12th to the end of the month.

Birds use our tall Devon hedgerows not just for singing, feeding and nesting, but also for security. They may venture out into a field to feed, or visit bird tables, but return to cover at the first sign of danger and small flocks will often move along the hedge searching for food. This pattern is mirrored below by small mammals that inhabit the undergrowth - I have watched voles using branches lying horizontally at the base, like a hedgerow motorway!

No wonder predators such as sparrowhawks haunt

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NATURE

N PIO M A

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several centuries ago. It saddens me when I see a mature hedge removed for no obvious benefit - with the debris often burned on site!

This country has a relatively good record of creating reserves for keynote species, eg migrating waterfowl, rare plants or areas of landscape value, but is in danger of neglecting the forgotten spaces in between.

Spring does indeed reconnect us to the natural world, just as the natural corridors of hedgerows and verges connect our wildlife populations with each other. n Pete Mayston

BL U

C

NE OR H

RE D

HA W T

hedgerows. Where hedgerows are contiguous with trees alongside watercourses, even more aquatic birds like kingfishers are helped to explore further afield.

The significance of trees to our own mental well-being has received well-deserved publicity recently. I am sure our hedgerows, especially in spring, may deliver the same benefit to our health. After all, this is where we choose to take a relaxing walk along quiet lanes especially if woodland terrain is too steep and boggy and moorland too windswept.

Many fine old trees can also be found here, some even dating from the time the fields were first delineated

LS EL B E

27

Greetings from New Zealand...

Dr Annabelle Mascott of Woolwell Medical Centre compares GP practice in New Zealand with ours in the UK

I

am currently taking a brief sabbatical and enjoying a working holiday in New Zealand. I thought it might be interesting to compare our own health service with that in New Zealand - how much it is the same, where it differs and what insights that gives us on our own position.

GPs in New Zealand experience a very similar training to our own. Once qualified, young doctors in both countries do a number of hospital posts to gain experience in different specialities and then have a period of training in General Practice before taking exams and qualifying as GPs. Like in the UK, most GP practices are still owned by groups of partners, many of whom own the premises where they work as well. The partnerships then have a contract with the health service to provide medical services and get paid for the services they provide. Both countries pay a basic amount per patient (capitation payments) and then fees for different targets and extra services. The GPs use this money to run the surgeries.

In contrast to the UK, the NZ health service is not free at the point of need. Patients in General Practice in NZ pay a contribution to the cost of a consultation when

28

they attend, varying from about ÂŁ10-20 per visit to the surgery. Consultations are free to most children and to some patients with a high number of medical conditions.

There is a higher charge if you are not usually registered with the practice.

Home visits in New Zealand are very expensive and are rarely requested, although GPs there do visit nursing homes and patients with palliative and end of life needs.

Like in the UK, there is a small charge for prescriptions but the number of medications available in New Zealand is much more limited and they have a very strict list of medications that can be issued on prescription. As they are a small country of only four million people, their government has limited funds to spend on medicines and therefore negotiates with drug companies to enable a preferred supply of one or two options for each sort of medication. GPs here are encouraged to stick to a list of regulated medicines but have a much wider choice and less restrictions.

When I am working in New Zealand, I work mostly in rural practice. Like in the UK, rural GPs tend to provide more care than in urban areas where other facilities are

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HEALTH & BEAUTY easier to access. I am seeing lots of injuries and accidents that would usually be dealt with in minor injury units or A&E departments in the cities. There is little public transport between towns here and most people travel by car, so this can make journeys to hospital very prolonged and where possible patients prefer to be treated in their local practices.

Most practices in New Zealand have a mix of GPs and practice nurses as in the UK - and they are also experiencing a difficulty in recruiting and training both doctors and nurses. In the UK this has been due to a combination of factors, including rising workloads, patients with complex conditions living longer and increased demand not being matched with adequate funding. This has resulted in General Practice not looking like an attractive career and therefore declining numbers of applicants. This, coinciding with retirements of many doctors who feel they cannot continue with the high workload, has led to a shortage of GPs in the UK which is going to take some years to reverse.

In New Zealand the problems are slightly different, in that they do not train sufficient numbers of the doctors that are needed and quite a number of younger doctors go to work in Australia, at least for some of their careers, as pay is better there and the cities can offer more opportunities.

Perhaps one of the most striking differences between us is that New Zealand society has two main cultural influences, Maori and Pakeha (European ancestry).

Respecting both cultures is highly important in the

values and practices of the health service and is part of the guidelines laid down by the New Zealand Medical Council on how doctors need to behave. This translates into both mundane elements such as taking care of correct pronunciation of names, to how buildings are designed, decorated and blessed on opening. Learning about Maori culture and the history of New Zealand has been one of the most interesting things about working here.

I feel we have a lot to learn from one another about how to make General Practice both accessible to people from different backgrounds but also a vibrant and efficient workplace for the health practitioners of the future. n

Dr Annabelle Mascott is a doctor at Woolwell Medical Centre

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Regulars

WHAT’S ON and makers themselves. 9am to 4pm in the Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock (free entry).

Centre. £5. www.heritageintavistock.org/ events

LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

4-5 APRIL

EVERY MONDAY

Pilates

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 9.15am and 10.30am.

Exercise to Music (Term time only) At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

TUESDAYS

Janey’s Hatha Flow Yoga At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 6.30pm and 8pm.

SECOND TUESDAY

Townswomen’s Guild The guild meets at 7.30pm at the Woolwell Centre, catering for all interests. Meetings are concluded with coffee and chat.

EVERY THURSDAY

‘Off Key Singing’ At St Anne’s Church, 1pm to 2pm, Glenholt.

No auditioning, just singing for fun. £3 per session. Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

Krafty Krafters A craft group meeting at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 2.30pm and 4pm. All welcome, various crafters get together to learn new skills. £2.50 per session.

Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

Sparkwell Farmers’ Market Held in the parish hall, Sparkwell. Come and support this friendly local market with a range of great producers.

April UNTIL 13 APRIL

EASTER EGG HUNT In the beautiful grounds of Saltram House near Plymouth. Hunt high and low for clues in the garden and win a Cadbury chocolate prize.

10am until 4pm. £2 (normal admission applies)

OCEAN ARTISTS DESIGNERS MAKERS MARKET Hand made crafts and arts plus creative workshops at Royal William Yard, Plymouth. Open between 9am and 4pm.

Free entry.

5 APRIL

THE PETE CANTER QUINTET Swinging straight-ahead and Latin jazz from one of the most talented Quartets in the Westcountry, this concert is being staged by Plymouth Jazz Club at the RBL Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth.

Doors open 7pm, performance at 7.30pm.

Admission £10 (Members £8, Full-Time Students £5) Tickets on the door; information 01752 774343.

2 APRIL

PLYM VALLEY WI The regular meeting of Plym Valley WI will take place at 7.15pm at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt. Contact Mary 01752 569871 for more details. New ladies always welcome.

4 APRIL

RETRO COCKTAIL AND GIN PARTY EVERY FRIDAY

At The Windmill Chargrill, Leigham, between 2pm and 5pm. Fun, friendship and laughter for ladies - than come along and join us, all that we ask is that you wear a red hat or fascinator and a purple top.

Contact Denise on 07849 413125.

At The Guildhall, Plymouth.

Dig out the flares, big-up the hair and dust off the dancing shoes. The party starts at 7pm and runs until 11pm. Tickets available at Eventbrite. co.uk

1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

4 APRIL

High quality, handmade wares from local artists - unique products not found on the high street and a chance to meet the artists

Discover 1,000 Years of Tavistock’s Markets during a walk starting at 2pm meet at Tavistock Visitor Information

Plymouth Red Hats

Tavi Arts Market

TAVISTOCK HERITAGE TRUST

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

7 APRIL

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY FORUM For all Residents and workers in Glenholt.

This month come and meet your local councillor Chris Mavin and local speaker Christopher Turner, with a virtual walk on the Barbican, Plymouth. 3pm until 5.30pm at St Annes Church, Glenholt.

31

Speaker Robin Blythe Lord will talk on Prof Louis Duprez, pioneer photographer, at the meeting in St John’s Church Hall, Church Hill, Hooe at 7.30pm.

and Countdown star is back on tour with his new show celebrating all things theatrical. At Redhouse Theatre, Plymouth, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Tickets from www.comicalentertainment.com/ book-tickets

18 APRIL

26 APRIL

16 APRIL

PLYM VALLEY HERITAGE GROUP

UPCYCLED JEWELLERY

DISCOVER TAVISTOCK’S HERITAGE

May 2 MAY

IVYBRIDGE 10K

A walk organised by Tavistock Heritage Trust, leaving Tavistock Visitor Information Centre at 2pm. Cost £5. More information from www.heritageintavistock.org/events

The annual 10k race run by Erme Valley Harriers starts at Ivybridge Station at 6.30pm and finishes at the town’s rugby club. Entries through runbritain.co.uk closing date for entries is May 1st - no entries on the day.

18 APRIL

3 MAY

Leaving Glenholt Park at 9 am arriving in Bournemouth around 1 pm, with a stop off at the Beach House Café, Lyme Regis en route. Explore the town or enjoy a stroll on its beautiful seven miles of beach.

Cost of trip is £17. For more information call Denise Mills on 07849 413125.

The gardens at Mothecombe House will be open today as part of the National Garden Scheme open days. See What’s On Extra for more information.

OPEN GARDENS

COACH TRIP TO BOURNEMOUTH WORKSHOP Between 10am and 11.30am at the Upcycled Home Co in Mount Edgecumbe Country Park. Tailor make your own freshwater pearl jewellery with Sadie.

You will choose from a beautiful selection of shimmering freshwater pearls, sparkling crystals and dainty charms if you fancy a little bit of added sparkle. Pearls never go out of style! Cost £25 including all materials. Book tickets at Eventbrite.co.uk 27 APRIL

SWAP SHOP & SPRING PLANT SALE

25 APRIL

DISCOVER TAVISTOCK’S WHARVES A walk organised by Tavistock Heritage Trust, starting at 2pm at Tavistock Visitor Information Centre. £5. www. heritageintavistock.org/events 25 APRIL

GILES BRANDRETH - BREAK A LEG! They say all political careers end in tears. In Brandreth’s case it’s tears of laughter as the actor, author, ex-MP, One Show reporter and QI, Have I Got News For You 32

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt. Entry cost from just £3 with one item of clothing to swap. This month we are including ladies, gents clothing and accessories along with spring plants which will be in addition to either swap or purchase on the night.

7pm-9pm.

30 APRIL

CHILEAN PLANTS AT THORN A lecture and garden tour of the gardens at Thorn, on the banks of the River Yealm with Martin Gardner MBE, a prominent conservationist. The lecture and tour starts at 10am and will include welcome drink, refreshments and afternoon tea for £20. Tickets available through eventbrite. co.uk

5 MAY

GLENHOLT COMMUNITY FORUM For all residents and workers in Glenholt.

This month come and meet your local councillor Chris Mavin plus a talk from Karen Griffiths of Plymouth Foot Care. 3pm until 5.30pm at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt.

6-10 MAY

MAYFLOWER OCEAN FESTIVAL A week of ocean activity in Plymouth as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations. Watch the start of the historic OSTAR and TWOSTAR yacht races, enjoy family fun at Pirates Weekend, and singalong at the three-day Shanty Shindig.

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WHAT’S ON 8 MAY

COACH TRIP TO HELSTON FLORA DAY Coach leaving Glenholt Park at 9am with various pick up points en route. Enjoy the traditional celebrations in Helston, before leaving at 2.30pm to head to Cornwall Gold Visitors’ Attraction and Tolgus Mill Heritage Centre. Cost £13 per person.

8 MAY

8-10 MAY

Join veterans and cadets in a moving event marking 75 years since the end of World War II. Remembrance service on Plymouth Hoe and a day filled with activity to honour this significant anniversary.

At All Saints Church, Sparkwell. See What’s On Extra for more information.

VE DAY 75

8 & 9 MAY

THE WEEKENDER FESTIVAL A brand new multi-genre music festival being held at Newnham Park, Plympton and including bars, cocktails, stalls and a food market. Featured artists include Becky Hill, Mike Skinner, Roger Sanchez, High Contrast and a whole host more. For more information go to https://www. facebook.com/events/951625478542344/ and for tickets go to www.skiddle.com/ festivals/the-weekender/

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

SPARKWELL FLOWER FESTIVAL

8-31 MAY

PLYMOUTH HISTORY FESTIVAL A city-wide programme of activity including demonstrations, talks, re-enactments and exhibitions run by local people and organisations in Plymouth. Co-ordinated by The Box, Plymouth City Council and the National Heritage Lottery Fund the programme is also connected with the Mayflower 400 celebrations. To find out more go to the festival’s Facebook page or use @ PlymHistoryFest

33

Dive into a week of sea-themed fun at the

DiveMayflower into a week of sea-themed fun4 at Ocean Festival! From to the 10 May Mayflower Ocean Festival!

From 4 to 10 May 2020, Plymouth’s waterfront will be buzzing 2020, Plymouth’s waterfront be buzzing with activities for everyonewill to enjoy: with activities for everyone to enjoy: 10 May: Start of the OSTAR and TWOSTAR transatlantic yacht racesand TWOSTAR 10 May: Start of the OSTAR transatlantic yacht races 9-10 May: Pirates Weekend Plymouth

9-10 9-10 May:May: Pirates Weekend Plymouth Horizons’ RYA Discover Sailing – free sailing sessions

9-10 May: Horizons’ RYA Discover Sailing 8-10 May:sessions Shanty Shindig – a festival of sea – free sailing songs and maritime music

8-10 May: Shanty Shindig – a festival of sea 8-10 May: Ocean Sailing songs and maritime music Activity Zone 8 May: On the Water Plymouth – free watersports sessions

8-10 May: Ocean Sailing Activity Zone

8 May: On the Water Plymouth – free 4, 5 and 7 May: Ocean Cinema Film watersports sessions Screenings at the National Marine Aquarium 4, 5 and 7 May: Ocean Cinema Film Find outat more Screenings the at National Marine Aquarium visitplymouth.co.uk/mayfloweroceanfestival Find out more at

visitplymouth.co.uk/mayfloweroceanfestival #MayflowerOceanFestival

#MayflowerOceanFestival

W hat’s O n get out on the water to try new activities for yourself on Plymouth waterfront.

23 May Lord Mayor’s Day

5 April Plymouth Philharmonic Choir A concert in celebration of the choir’s 50th year, with Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony, Elgar: Sea Pictures, Parry: Blest Pair of Sirens, and soloists, Catherine Hamilton and Julian Rippon. Tickets at wegottickets. com/event/482886 or Mainly Stationery in Tavistock, plymouthphilchoir.org.

9 to 10 May Pirates Weekend Plymouth Grab your Jolly Rogers and eyepatches to make sure you look the part, before hopping on board tall ships, meeting lovable rogue Captain Jack Sparrow, following the pirate trail, watching the street entertainers and much more at the Barbican and Sutton Harbour.

Welcome the city’s new Lord Mayor to the role with a day of free family fun in the city centre. Making the most of this year’s Mayflower 400 commemorations, the day will have an American theme and there will be lots to see and do, with entertainers, a trail and free activities.

BOOK BY FRED EBB AND BOB FOSSE • MUSIC BY JOHN KANDER

27 to 30 May SCRIPT ADAPTATION BY DAVID THOMPSON Chicago

LYRICS BY FRED EBB • BASED ON THE PLAY BY MAURINE DALLAS WATKINS

6 to 10 May Mayflower Ocean Festival Hoist the main sail with a week of ocean activity as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations. Watch the start of the historic OSTAR and TWOSTAR yacht races, enjoy family fun at Pirates Weekend Plymouth, sing along at the three-day Shanty Shindig and

8-31 May Plymouth History Festival This city-wide programme of activity includes talks, tours, re-enactments and exhibitions run by local people and organisations in Plymouth.

Coordinated by The Box and supported by Plymouth City Council, this celebration of Plymouth will also link with the Mayflower 400 commemorations.

D@visitplymouth E@visitplym

The Wranglers Theatre Company is proud to present THE WRANGLERS THEATRE COMPANY Chicago at the Muse Theatre, THE MUSE THEATRE LIPSON CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMY Lipson 27Cooperative - 30 MAYAcademy.

2020 Be EVENINGSDazzled’ 7:30PM SAT 2:30PM ‘Razzle byMATINEE this satirical TICKETS £12 CONCESSIONS £10 FAMILY £40 tale of fame, murder and the BOX OFFICE: 07754 823719 WWW.THEWRANGLERS.CO.UK T Hmedia I S A M A T E Umachine R P R O D U C T I O Nwith OF CHIC A G O I S Pof RESENTED some U N D E R S P E C I A L A R R A N G E M E N T W I T H S A M U E L F R E N C H , LT D . the most well-known musical theatre numbers. It’s an audience favourite for a reason and not to be missed! Tickets: 07754 823719 or thewranglers. co.uk •

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•

•

For more events please go to visitplymouth.co.uk

9 MAY

15 MAY

14 MAY

Promoting Re-use, not Refuse, at Tavistock’s Butcher’s Hall. See What’s On Extra for more information.

A walk, talk and lunch at The Bedford Hotel, organised by Tavistock Heritage Trust. £30 including coffee and two course lunch.Seats are limited and booking is essential through the hotel on 01822 613221. More information from www.heritageintavistock.org/events

The regular meeting of Plym Valley WI will take place at 7.15pm at St Anne’s Church, Glenholt. Contact Mary 01752 569871 for more details. New ladies always welcome.

DISCOVER TAVISTOCK’S ABBEY

UPCYCLED MARKET

9-10 MAY

PLYMOUTH PIRATE WEEKEND A weekend of fun on the waterfront at Sutton Harbour and The Barbican. Grab your Jolly Rogers and eyepatches to make sure you look the part, before hopping on board tall ships, meeting lovable rogue Captain Jack Sparrow, following the pirate trail, watching the street entertainers and much more.

36

PLYM VALLEY WI

17 MAY

PLYMOUTH HALF MARATHON 10 MAY

SIMON SPILLETT & THE MARTIN DALE QUARTET

Starts at Plymouth Hoe at 8.30am. Few races can rival such a scenic start! To enter, go to runplymouth.co.uk

Leading British saxophonist, the brilliant and charismatic musician Simon Spillett joins the region’s finest Quartet led by Plymouth’s favourite saxophonist for an evening of swinging jazz standards. This concert is being staged by Plymouth Jazz Club at the RBL Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth. Doors open 7pm, performance at 7.30pm. Admission £10 (Members £8, Full-Time Students £5) Tickets on the door; information 01752 774343.

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WHAT’S ON 21 MAY

PLYM VALLEY HERITAGE GROUP Speaker John Boulden will talk on Plympton and its Priory at the meeting in St John’s Church Hall, Church Hill, Hooe at 7.30pm.

21-23 MAY

DEVON COUNTY SHOW Devon’s Big Day Out, a showcase for all aspects of life and work in the county as well as entertainment, shopping and good food.

us how he got here, from growing up in Brighton to gathering a slew of TV credits and glowing reviews, to becoming a tabloid villain. This fresh show at the Redhouse Theatre, Plymouth mixes some of his best loved routines with new candid stories from the last ten years. 8pm. £15 from www.comicalentertainment.com/ book-tickets

FLAVOURFEST The South West’s biggest free food and drink festival returns to Plymouth’s Piazza with the region’s best producers showcasing what they have to offer.

Everything from fresh produce to spirits, fudge, cakes, spice mixes and much more will be on offer.

23 MAY

LORD MAYOR’S DAY Welcome Plymouth’s new Lord Mayor to the role with a day of free family fun in the city centre. Making the most of this year’s Mayflower 400 commemorations, the day will have an American theme.

31 MAY

23 MAY

COACH TRIP TO TEIGNMOUTH & DAWLISH

SEANN WALSH - SAME AGAIN? Seann wanted to be a stand-up comedian from the age of 10. In this show, he tells

29-31 MAY

23-25 MAY

CORNWOOD FAIR IN THE SQUARE A weekend of celebrations for the villages of Cornwood and Lutton. See What’s On Extra for more information.

Come and enjoy a day out at the seaside.

Leaving Glenholt Park at 9am. Cost per person, £10.50. Contact Denise Mills for more information on 07849 413125.

26 MAY

LADIES SWAP SHOP & PAMPERING STALLS At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, 7pm-9pm.

Entry £3 with an item of clothing to swap - bring all ladies clothing, accessories, shoes, jewellery etc to swap on the night.

Giving kids access to a range of play worlds from sky to sea, science to shopping. Kids use their imaginations to be whoever they want to be!

A new play space with a difference for pre-school to primary age.

Parents can relax in the Imagine Café.

info@justimagineplymouth.co.uk | www.justimagineplymouth.co.uk | ! JustImaginePlymouth Christian Mill Business Park, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 5DS See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

37

April 18 & July 18

Rugby diary dates!

38

Win tickets!

Plym Links has teamed up with Plymouth Albion to offer you the chance to win two tickets to the final home game of the season on April 18th, when Albion take on the Rams! To win the tickets, answer the following question: What is the name of Plymouth Albion’s home ground? Send your answer via email to jane.honey@ linksmagazines.co.uk - don’t forget to type Albion Competition in the subject box and include your name, address and telephone number so we can contact you, or send your answer to Albion Competition, The Sanctuary, Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock PL19 0EP. The winning entry will be drawn on Easter Monday, April 13th.

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DER N! REA PETITIO COM

It’s been quite the season for Plymouth Albion with a new coach arriving midterm and a subsequent upturn in fortunes.

Former Exeter Chief James Scaysbrook took the reins late in December and since then, the ‘team of the city’ have beaten top of the league Richmond in London and second placed Rosslyn Park at a busy fortress Brickfields.

In a very congested National League one table, the young team have been very much the entertainers of the league, with only three teams having scored more points.

Such attractive rugby has been evidenced with the team boasting the league’s best attendance, well in excess of 1,000 per game.

Hopes are high for a top four finish as the team begin to set foundations for the 2020/21 season. Already star players Connor Eastgate, Dan Pullinger and Josh Skelcey have re-signed, showing renewed faith in the direction the team is heading.

If you miss rugby in summer, fear not. As part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations, Plymouth Albion is hosting the inaugural Ocean City 7’s competition on Saturday,

July 18th. With a men’s and women’s competition taking place, in addition to an amazing afterparty, it promises to be a must-attend event for rugby fans’ summer calendar.

Search Ocean City 7’s on Facebook for further detail.

Good luck!

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April 4 -19

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

National Parks Fortnight Wild open moorland, spectacular tors, dramatic wooded valleys, babbling rivers and lush green pastures are all waiting to be discovered on Dartmoor this Discover National Parks fortnight, starting on April 4.

Dartmoor is one of 15 National Parks around the UK joining in the two-week long celebration, with events and experiences running throughout the two weeks.

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s visitor services manager Rebecca Martin said: ‘A range of experienced and enthusiastic supporters of Dartmoor are working with us to put on an incredible selection – from guided walks and stargazing through to treasure hunts and rock climbing - there’s something for everyone.’

Here is just a selection of what is on offer: Find treasure: Join the Ranger Ralph Club at Haytor for some outdoor adventure. Follow the treasure map, a series of clues and natural landmarks and see Dartmoor’s remarkable past.

Go underground: Qualified cave leaders from Crag 2 Mountain will help you explore the caves at Pridhamsleigh Cavern, Buckfastleigh.

Build a shelter for your fav teddy: Join the Haytor Visitor Centre team to learn about the wonderful wildlife and their special homes. Bring your teddies and build shelters.

See how we used to live: Take a tour of DNPA’s Higher Uppacott, Poundsgate. This Grade 1 listed building is one of few remaining examples of a medieval farmhouse in which both people and cattle were accommodated under a single roof.

Take a slug stone trail around Princetown Visitor Centre and learn about Dartmoor’s amazing ‘minibeast’ the Ash Black slug – the world’s largest land slug which can grow to a whopping 20cm.

Learn about the history of Burrator: Historian and walker Paul Rendell will lead a five-mile walk where you’ll learn about the history of Essworthy Farm, now hidden under the reservoir, the reason why the reservoir was built as well as explore secret caves and old buildings.

Search for dragons: Join Dartmoor’s Daughter to hear the moorland dragon myths; learn how to dowse for these mysterious creatures and the ‘Dragon lines’ at Combestone Tor.

More information: Pop into the visitor centres at Haytor or Princetown or visit www.dartmoor.gov.uk

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

39

May 3

Gorgeous gardens to visit

Devon yellow booklet available in garden centres, Tourist Information Centres etc. At National Garden Scheme open gardens, money taken at the gate goes to Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Hospices UK, Carers Trust and other nursing and caring charities supported by the NGS. This year the guest charity is Mind.

Wednesdays - and now Thursdays!

The garden at Mothecombe House, Holbeton, PL8 1LA, is set in a private estate hamlet, with walled pleasure gardens, borders and a Lutyens courtyard surrounding a Queen Anne house (not open) with Lutyens additions and terraces.

There is much to see including an orchard with spring bulbs, unusual shrubs and trees, a camellia walk, streams, bog garden and pond, plus bluebell woods. Don’t miss the unusual shaped large liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree) and the new walled garden planting of lavenders and bee friendly plants and the sandy beach at the bottom of garden. The garden has gravel paths and two slopes.

Home-made teas and lunches will be available at The Schoolhouse, Mothecombe village.

The garden will be open from 11am until 5pm. Admission is £5 and children are free. Dogs on short leads are welcome.

For more information visit www.ngs.org.uk or pick up a

Locals Night

The regular Locals Night at The Woolwell Centre has proved so popular that it’s now running on a Thursday evening as well!

From 7pm until closing time, local people can go along and enjoy a drink and a chat with friends from the fullystocked bar at the community centre. Initially Locals Nights were just held on a Wednesday, but demand means the bar will now regularly be open two nights a week.

Also proving very popular are the sociable lunches on a Tuesday between noon and 2pm, when you can enjoy a home cooked two-course meal for just £6. There’s no need to book and no joining fee for the Let’s Do Lunch Club, but there is a loyalty scheme whereby visitors attending for five consecutive weeks will receive a reward on their sixth visit.

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40

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May 9

May 8-10

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Sparkwell Flower Festival Upcycled Market The village life of Sparkwell will be depicted in a colourful flower festival at All Saints Church this early May Bank Holiday, between 10am and 5pm.

The displays will show what the village has to offer - in other words, the local scouts, Women’s Institute, the bakers, the Treby pub and the zoo, the golf course, schools and the nursery. Also featured will be the local Estate and the church and farming community. In addition the anniversary of VE Day and the friends the village lost through the wars will be reflected.

The floral displays are being completed by members of the community and friends - refreshments will be served throughout the day between 10am and 4pm, including morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea and cakes.

Visitors to the flower festival should also make sure they visit the Rowe Hall, which recently won an award from the Devon Historic Building Trust.

Once you’ve seen the flowers in the church, why not take a wander around the village and spot the scarecrows hiding out? A map to help you find them all will be available in the church.

Entry to the festival is free - all welcome!

Re-use not refuse - it’s the way forward! A trailblazing event showcasing a myriad of innovative recycling ideas will be staged in Tavistock this May. The Upcycled Market is being held in the town’s historic Butcher’s Hall on Saturday, May 9th and aims to promote the ethos of re-use, not refuse. It follows the first event of its kind to be held in West Devon at the end of March and organisers Miss Ivy Events are hoping the Upcycled Market will become a regular fixture in the Tavistock’s annual calendar.

There will be 30 exhibitors demonstrating how you can create clothes, furniture, homewares, jewellery, glass and wooden objects through imaginative recycling. In addition, there will be a special repair café for electrical items and a selection of demonstration workshops.

Entry is free - the market runs from 10am until 4pm.

ALL ABOARD!

FOR A SPECIAL THOMAS & FRIENDS™ CELEBRATION! 23rd – 25th MAY & 25th – 27th SEPTEMBER SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY FOR TICKETS

Visit: dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

41

May 23-25

May 22-25

Celebrating Cornwood!

Launch of The Dartmoor Way

Cornwood and Lutton villages are celebrating the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May with a weekend of art, dance, sport, music and family fun.

For the first time, local organisations are joining together to host a whole range of events including a traditional ‘Fair in the Square’ complete with Maypole dancing, live bands, a tennis tournament, league cricket, a Scarecrow Trail and a ‘Strictly Cornwood’ dance event.

There’ll be plenty to eat and drink with an evening barbecue, afternoon cream teas and the famous ‘Big Breakfast’.

Cornwood sits within Dartmoor National Park which will be celebrated with a family walk from Cornwood Square to the top of Penn Beacon and a more strenuous ‘beating the bounds’ which will encompass the whole of Cornwood Common, a total of 14 miles. As it is May, Delamore Arts will be open every day and they are hosting a special piece of performance art called ‘Drowning in Plastic’ to mark this special weekend.

At the time of writing the exact timing of the individual events is still being finalised.

More information: You can get all the details via the organisations’ websites including www.delamore-art.co.uk; www.cornwood.play-cricket.com/ and www.cornwoodchurch.com/

Following the creation of the Dartmoor Way cycling route in 2013, the new Dartmoor Way walking route encircling the moor, 108 miles in total, will be launched over the late May Bank Holiday.

This long distance trail is a joint Ramblers and Dartmoor National Park Authority collaboration, with additional funding coming from other smaller organisations.

A mini walking festival will celebrate the new route between May 23rd and 25th, comprising guided walks along sections of Dartmoor Way, led by members of the ramblers groups involved with waymarking the route.

The new walking route uses quiet footpaths, bridleways and little used byways linking many towns and villages on the edge of the moor. Differing from‘The Two Moors Way’ which crosses Dartmoor in a North to South direction traversing a sizable amount of open moorland, the Dartmoor way explores the beautiful, diverse area abutting the higher ground between the open moor and Devon farmland.

This route will be suitable for walking at most times of the year, with a High Moor Walking Link crossing the moor from Tavistock through to Buckfast, enabling two smaller circles of either the North or Southern Moors to be completed. The route will link up with the Two Moors Way where the paths cross at Ivybridge and Drewsteignton.

A new website is now being created together with a ‘route information pack’, brochures and other associated information.

A full itinerary of the mini walking festival will be available at www.dartmoorway.co.uk as soon as it goes live.

Riverside pitches for all kinds of camping & touring

Camping and touring pitches open from th st 15 March to 1 November 2020 Dog-friendly, cyclist-friendly & walker-friendly park 12 acres of meadow and parkland spacious level pitches on grass or hard-standings

Quality self-catering holiday caravans, lodges and cottage (open all year)

In Dartmoor National Park, near Tavistock

Peter Tavy, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9LS t: 01822 810349 e: stay@harfordbridge.co.uk

w: www.harfordbridge.co.uk 42

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April 10

Nick Helm - Phoenix From The Flames Resurrected from the ashes, come and witness two time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and InternationalTreasure-In-Waiting Nick Helm on his stand-up tour, shaking his ass, singing songs and righting wrongs.

April 19

Sunset Café Stompers In the 1920s and 30s The Sunset Café was a top nightspot on Chicago’s infamous South Side. Al Capone owned it, Louis Armstrong starred there.

Nowadays the music of the Sunset Café Stompers is rooted in the night-life and street parades of New Orleans in the 1910s and 20s, and later in the clubs and speakeasies of Chicago and New York. The music features great tunes from Scott Joplin, lrving Berlin, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller - but the band’s wide repertoire also features songs made famous by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe, the Inkspots, Fats Domino and even Elvis Presley.

Led by talented pianist Mike Denham, the band has followed in that tradition throughout the last twenty years. Devon born, Mike was introduced to the piano by

May 2

Requiem in Blue

Nick Helm has been delighting audiences as a stand-up since 2007. Blending jokes, stories, poems and songs, he has earned an impressive list of awards and accolades such as Best StandUp Comedy Act at the What’s on London Awards, Chortle’s Best Music and Variety Artist, and many more.

More information & Tickets: See Nick Helm at the Barbican Theatre, Plymouth on Friday, April 10th at 8pm. Age guidance 14+ Tickets £15. Book 24/7 at www.barbicantheatre.co.uk or call ✆ 01752 267131.

a violin/mandolin/guitar-playing father in need of an accompanist! He is also a sought-after solo performer, excelling across the classic jazz styles.

Fronting the band are Steve Graham, one of the UK’s most respected and popular New Orleans style trumpet players, fine trombonist Pete Middleton and ex Chris Barber band clarinettist Trevor Whiting.

More information & Tickets: The Sunset Cafe Stompers will be performing in The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH at 7.30pm on Sunday, April 19th. Tickets can be purchased at the door, visitors £10, members £8 and students £5.

More information & Tickets: The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from Book Stop, Tavistock, www.ticketcource.co.uk/mount-kelly-choral-society or on the door. All under 18s are free of charge.

Mount Kelly Choral Society will present a performance of Requiem in Blue by Harvey Brough as part of the Tavistock Festival in St Eustachius’ Parish Church, Tavistock on Saturday, May 2nd.

Brough first found fame as the driving force behind the band Harvey and the Wallbangers, but his experience as a Cambridge Choral Scholar drew him back to more traditional choir music in this wonderfully eclectic and entertaining work. The words of the Requiem are combined with traditional folksong and elements of jazz to create a thrilling fusion of styles.

The Choral Society will be joined by young soloists from Mount Kelly College, a children’s choir from local schools and a professional instrumental ensemble featuring jazz trio, harp, organ and flugel horn.

44

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May 8 -10

Buckland Annual Art & Craft Exhibition Visit Buckland Monachorum Village Hall to view some stunning original paintings and craft work by local artists for sale at very reasonable prices, while enjoying tea, coffee, sweet and savoury snacks.

More than 100 original paintings and works of art created

by Buckland Art Group members feature in the annual exhibition, all realistically priced and affordable. Art group members come from across Devon and consist of total amateurs to professional artists. They work in a variety of media including watercolours, acrylics, oils and textiles.

Admission to the exhibition, open between 10am and 5pm each day, is free.

May 8

Creative Workshops

Starting from early May, a new venue for creative workshops will be opening, offering a full day to immerse yourself in something new.

The workshops will be held at the home of Lizzie Watt, former publisher and editor of Links Magazines, within her Dartmoor farmhouse near Yelverton, and drawing on the talents of many local people she’s met during her years working on the magazines.

Lizzie said: ‘I have a personal passion for all things creative and love to be in a learning environment myself so this seemed an obvious step for me; bringing together some of the amazing people I’ve met over the years.

‘These include Master Florist and Chelsea Gold Medalist Amanda Randell; very talented illustrator and artist Michelle Keith; textile designer Lynda Bird and many more, all

MUSIC & ART The art group meets on Mondays and alternate Thursdays in the village hall and during the summer there are field trips to local venues. The aim is to paint every session, either individually or under guidance of the members who exhibit regularly. Established local artists are also invited to demonstrate, to help members explore different media or methods, thereby opening new avenues of creativity.

More Information: Anyone who is interested in joining is welcome to make contact with Iain Grant on ✆ 01822 855683 or basmudoc@gmail.com Annual membership is £12 plus £2.50 per session.

offering to share their skills and talents with others.

‘This is a project I’ve been working on for some time and I’m really excited about getting it started and welcoming people to our creative days at The Farmhouse!’

Workshops will include floristry, beginners illustration, lino printing, paper sculpting, block printing and lampshade making, beginners calligraphy, textiles, jewellery design, hand embroidery, willow weaving and pottery.

The workshops will initially run every Friday from May 8th, offering a full learning and experience day - to include tuition as well as lunch and afternoon tea. All courses are at ‘Beginner Level’ and will run The Farmhouse with a maximum class of eight.

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS More Information: See www.farmhouseworkshops.co.uk or FarmhouseWorkshops on Facebook for full details and to make online bookings: (courses may differ from those listed above).

Wildwood Arts are proud to present:

SPRING EXHIBITION Saturday 27th March-6th May

DARTMOOR’S ART GALLERY

Representing the region’s finest artists Chapel Lane, Horrabridge, Yelverton PL20 7SP 01822 258529 See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

info@wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk www.wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk 45

MUSIC & ART

May 23

A Question of Sport Live BBC’s A Question of Sport – the world’s longest running TV sports quiz – celebrates its 50th anniversary with an all-new live tour.

Starring host Sue Barker and resident team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, along with big-name guests from across the sporting world, A Question of Sport Live comes to Plymouth Pavilions on Saturday, May 23rd.

A Question of Sport Live follows the small-screen format but is also interactive as audience members can participate by directly posing questions to the teams and getting involved in some rounds before the traditional ‘Sprint Finish’ climax.

Sue Barker said: ‘I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this golden anniversary than to take the show around the country. We had such a brilliant time on the last tour so I can’t wait to do it again!’

Phil Tufnell added: ‘The live shows are something really

special. The interaction with the crowd is brilliant and it’s always a really exciting, hilarious and fun night out.’

And Matt Dawson said: ‘I’m really looking forward to going out on the road again – it’s been too long! The live shows are different each night and everyone involved, whether they are on stage or in audience, has an absolute ball. We all love it and can’t wait to get started!’

Tickets: Available via ticketmaster.co.uk

think again... Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!

May 27-31

Six

More Information: Age guideline: 10+ Tickets: Tickets: From: £22.50. Concessions only: From: £21.00 www.theatreroyal.com

May 27

Moor Otters Trail Nominated for 5 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, the sell-out international smash hit SIX is the phenomenon everyone is losing their head over!

Critically acclaimed with an irresistible sound track, the sell-out Tudor take over comes to the Theatre Royal, Plymouth this spring.

From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, re-mixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.

These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.

It’s time they told their story. Think you know the rhyme, 46

This summer, 80 decorated Otter with Cub sculptures will be released onto Dartmoor to create four arts trails, standing tall on plinths, waiting to be spotted.

The trail goes ‘live’ on May 27th - World Otter Day. At the end of the summer ‘otter-spotters’ as well as art collectors and individuals will have the opportunity to give their favourite Otter a new home when they are auctioned to raise funds for Donate for Dartmoor.

Trail maps will be available from Visitor Centres and other outlets as well as being available to download onto mobile devices.

The first Otters Trail instigated by Dartmoor National Park in 2017 raised £60,000, which was split between the park’s Junior Rangers scheme, its repair to erosion programme and work to control non-native invasive plants on the moor.

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See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

47

Mini Pudding Cheesecakes Naughty, but nice!

W

hy not try these delicious mini pudding cheesecakes for an Easter treat? This lovely recipe has been written for Plym Links by Tan Luke of Porsham Cakes. n Makes 6 individual puddings Ingredients 125g biscuits – I used chocolate hobnobs but you can use plain digestives or chocolate chip ones.

40g butter - melted 200g white chocolate - chopped 200g cream cheese 2 eggs – any size 75g plain chocolate - chopped 2 tsp coffee powder 1 tsp vanilla paste

48

Method 1: Preheat the oven to 150C, gas mark 2 and grease 6 x 150ml dariole moulds or ovenproof dishes of the same size.

2: Line the bases with two strips of baking paper crossed over and coming up the sides – this is to help you remove the puddings from the tin.

3: Melt the butter gently in a small saucepan.

4: Put the biscuits in a plastic food bag and bash into crumbs with a rolling pin.

Stir in the butter until mixed. Divide among the tins and pack down with a teaspoon so the mixture lines the base and slightly up the sides.

5: Melt the white chocolate, either in a microwave on short bursts or over a bowl of hot water, stirring occasionally, and then remove from the heat.

6: Using a balloon whisk, mix the soft cheese, vanilla paste and eggs together in a separate bowl.

7: Put 50g of the dark chocolate in a small clean bowl and add the coffee with 2 tbsp of boiling water. Allow to melt.

8: Stir the melted white chocolate into the cream cheese and egg mix. Using two thirds of the mix, split evenly between the six moulds.

9: Spoon the dark chocolate mixture around the top in small blobs, then add the remaining third of the white chocolate mix.

10: Bake the cheesecakes for 15 minutes.

They will be very wobbly still when you remove them from the oven.

11: Leave until cold then remove from the moulds and chill.

Optional decoration Whip 150g of double cream until it forms soft peaks and spoon a little onto each cheesecake. Top with the remaining chocolate chunks, coffee beans, or chocolate buttons and chocolate mini eggs for the children.

Alternatively, use 60g of melted white chocolate and top with your choice of mini eggs, chocolate chips or sprinkles.

Or better yet, let the children make the cheesecakes and decorate them themselves with appropriate supervision.

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Spring is here - summer is coming!

FOOD & DRINK

The change in the seasons is always a great excuse to celebrate.

How about trying this tasty tipple created by the experts at Badger’s Holt - just right for the spring!

Solstice White Sangria with fruit and berries

Time to prepare: 10 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients 1 peach, mango or similar fruit, peeled and diced 1/2 orange, thinly sliced 6 strawberries, sliced Handful of raspberries 1/3 cup Cointreau, Grand Marnier or orange-flavoured liqueur 1 bottle white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio) Fresh mint leaves, for garnish Method 1 Slice up fruit and toss it in a pitcher.

2 Add some Cointreau, Grand Marnier or other orangeflavoured liquor along with a bottle of white wine.

3 Chill and let the flavours meld together in the refrigerator for a few hours (at least 3 hours) 4 To serve, stir the ingredients in the pitcher, then pour over a glass of ice. Garnish with fresh mint. (Don’t add ice to the pitcher because that will dilute it) This white sangria is a casual cocktail and not fussy at all. You can store the white sangria for up to two days in the fridge.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Beer, BBQ - and live music Badger’s Holt at Dartmeet held a mini ‘Summer Solstice Festival’ last summer - it proved such a success, this year they are making a full weekend of it!

Father’s Day falls on the Sunday of the solstice weekend - so why not treat Dad to a day out on the banks of the River Dart, complete with a beer festival, barbecue and live music?

Come and support local bands as they fill the valley with wonderful tunes and songs to warm the spirit, soothe the soul, and get those feet moving as you dance a jig or shimmy-a-shake by the flowing waters of the river.

And as the sun sets, enjoy the warmth of the fire pits as the flames dance to the last of the day’s tunes and the river runs lazily to the sea.

Badger’s Holt will have a wet weather plan on standby – but here’s hoping for the same weather as 2019!

The Summer Solstice/Father’s Day Beer and Music Festival takes place at Badger’s Holt on Saturday and Sunday, June 20th and 21st. BBQ available from noon until 8pm on both days, bar and music from noon until late on both days.

Dogs on leads welcome.n

49

China Clay & Rabbits

A circular walk on open moorland and quiet roads

By local historian Paul Rendell START: Cadover Bridge, at big car park below the bridge, map ref: SX 555 647 DISTANCE: Approximately 4 miles TIME: Approximately 2 hours From the car park head towards the bridge - do not cross it, but follow the river bank until you come to another small bridge and car parking nearby. The small stream coming to the main River Plym is the Blackabrook - cross over this small stream by the bridge. You are heading towards Trowlesworthy Farm and as the sign says, you are on National Trust land. Then follow the wide track as far the farm buildings.

The farmer here used to breed rabbits and nearby are some pillow mounds where the farmer, also known as a warrener, used to breed them. Go to the left of the farmhouse and keeping the walls of fields to your right, follow a path which soon starts to go away from the wall and climb up the hillside to Trowlesworthy Tors.

When you reach a water course going across the hillside, using the bridge, cross over the Lee Moor Leat.

This leat was built in the early 1800s to supply Bottle Hill copper mine near Hemerdon, on the edge of Plympton, with water for a water wheel. The leat today is used to supply water to the Big Pond, which in turn is used to wash the china clay out of the 50

Big Pond

ground by high pressure hoses.

Turn right and follow the leat. You will soon notice a number of small clapper stones going across the leat. Construction of the leat was permitted on condition that a number of stone bridges were built to allow the rabbits to get from one side to the other, as the leat passed across the rabbit warren.

As you walk along, you may notice a number of ancient Bronze Age settlements above the leat and after about a mile, you should see a line of standing stones coming from your left and crossing the leat, going down the hillside. These stone rows were constructed by the inhabitants of these settlements some 3,000 years ago.

The leat soon joins a wide track - follow this track with a big deep china clay pit to your left. You soon cross over the leat and carry on the track, passing the reservoir known as the Big Pond on your left.

Follow the edge of clay pits until you reach a granite cross beside a dead-end road. This road used to go from Cadover Bridge to Cornwood, but in the 1970s, a new road was built via Wotter and this road is now within the clay pits. Blackaton Cross marked an ancient route from Buckland Abbey to Plympton Priory, used by monks.

Turn right onto the road and follow it downhill. You will pass a granite stone with letters on, this marks the boundary between of Lee Moor and Shaugh Moor. Now you just need to follow this road all the way back to Cadover Bridge. n

WALK

>

Start: Cadover Bridge Car Park

>

> Big Pond

Lee Moor Leat

DARTMOOR GUIDED WALKS with

Enjoy a guided walk with local historian Paul Rendell.

Theme walks include wildflowers, history and longer walks.

01837 54727 • paul.dartmoor@virgin.net www.paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

51

Lawrence of Arabia

His life at RAF Mount Batten

Following his First World War Middle East exploits and his disappointment that his ideas for the post war Middle East nations were not listened to, T E Lawrence wanted to lead a quiet life.

I

n 1922 he joined the RAF as A/C Ross and later transferred to the Royal Tank Corps, but was unhappy there. He eventually persuaded Lord Trenchard to let him re-join the RAF in 1925 as A/C T E Shaw (TES).

To evade continuing press interest he was posted to India – however this became untenable when the press discovered his whereabouts. He returned to England, landing at Plymouth in February 1929. Despite the efforts of W/Cmdr Sydney Smith, station commandant at RAF Cattewater, the press found out and took photos of Lawrence disembarking, pursuing him to London. After discussions at the Air Ministry, Lawrence was posted to RAF Cattewater – acceptable to him as he was friendly with Sydney Smith (SS) and his wife Clare. Lawrence’s mother told Clare that he felt this was the happiest period of his life, calling it ‘The Golden Reign’.

On arriving at the RAF station, TES became SS’s clerk. One of his tasks involved preparing for the Schneider Trophy. He also carried out orderly duties and assisted in manning and repairing the RAF rescue boats. He lived in an airmen’s hut below Mount Batten Tower, with his own office above a workshop. Here, he did his RAF work, and in his spare time continued translating Homer’s Odyssey.

Although only an airman, TES was responsible for implementing several changes locally and in the RAF as a whole. He suggested the station would be better named ‘RAF Mount Batten’, as ‘Cattewater’ was the old 52

naval air station name. He also advocated altering the RAF uniform to make it more practical. His greatest achievement was to persuade the RAF it needed faster rescue boats – this was after several sea plane accidents, including one in February 1931 when eight RAF personnel were killed by a Blackburn Iris flying boat crashing into the Sound. TES witnessed the crash and with SS, immediately went out in a rescue boat but it took a long time to reach the crash site. In 1933 in a similar incident, the crash site was reached much faster, using one of the new RAF 200 series boats which TES helped design.

TES was generous to his fellow airman, lending them books and records. He would treat them to buns in the NAAFI, or go on his bike to Hardy’s in Oreston to buy them fish and chips. He insisted there were proper table cloths and flowers in the Airmens’ Mess - subsequently nicknamed ‘The Ritz’. TES did not use his influence in a loud way, but with a quiet word here and there. As one NCO was quoted: ‘If that is what Mr Shaw said, then that is what it is.’

Much of his spare time was spent with the Sydney Smiths. He was given a speed boat by Sir Henry Seagrave. Named ‘Biscuit’, he spent many hours tuning it to peak performance, adding modifications such as a headlamp for night time expeditions. He and Clare

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HISTORY explored the Tamar estuary and tributaries for picnics in Biscuit, on several occasions becoming marooned by the tide! Many pleasant evenings were spent in the commandant’s house (formerly the Castle Inn) listening to music.

He often accompanied them on visits to grand estates such as Fleete House. He was friends with the Astors and treated 3 Elliott Terrace as a second home.

He sometimes took Lady Astor out as a pillion passenger on his motorbike for picnics. His friendship with her is surprising, as he avoided those he deemed ‘loud and overbearing’ women – perhaps he saw her as a kindred pioneering spirit. In autumn 1931 the SS’s were posted to RAF Manston. TES remained at Mount Batten working on the RAF rescue boats until early 1934, when he was posted to Felixstowe, and then onto Bridlington. He found life less convivial once his friends had gone and he moved off station to digs in Turnchapel and Plymstock.

Lawrence retired from the RAF in March 1935 to live in his cottage at Clouds Hill near Bovington, Dorset. Five weeks later while returning home on his motorbike from Bovington Post Office, he swerved to avoid two delivery boys and crashed, sustaining critical injuries. Clare had always said he drove too fast, and that he would kill himself on the bike.

He died five days later on May 19th and was buried at Moreton Church.

The funeral was attended by a huge crowd, including Winston Churchill, despite Lawrence wanting it to be a small quiet affair.

There is a memorial plaque to him on the wall at the top of Boringdon Road in Turnchapel. Lawrence was an extremely bright and clever man with interests in many fields from antiquities and music to engineering.

He remained a leader of men, as shown by his influence in the RAF, despite his low rank and quiet demeanour.

T E Lawrence is perhaps best summed up by this quote, ‘Brilliant, controversial and finally inscrutable’. n Ursula Myers

Book your Kuoni holiday with Peter Goord Travel.

Plymouth’s favourite Travel Agent for over 44 years appointments@petergoordtravel.co.uk | 01752 364186

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

53

TECH HELP

Renewals, upgrades - and the need to restart!

54

If you pay for the anti-virus system you use for your Windows computer, do be careful, as most companies also enrol you in automatic renewal as part of the process. It is easy to turn this off if you can access your online account, but if you can’t, it will automatically renew after a year and you may be charged up to three times as much.

If you would prefer to avoid this, I have now reduced the price I charge for anti-virus to £20 - the same as cheap renewal quotes - I can also have a look at your computer at the same time.

If you are upgrading the OS on your Mac to Catalina you may also need to replace old versions of MS Office – if this is necessary you will get a warning about it in the upgrade process. This is a pain I realise, but it’s a natural consequence - not some Machiavellian Microsoft Masterplan! I suggest buying Office 365 Personal or Home - Amazon offers great value or there are other versions available.

Windows 10 and Windows 8 do not operate like Windows 7, they go into a sort of sleep

when shut down, so they can start up more quickly when you next need them. This means that if there are any problems when you shut down, they will be carried forward to the next start up. So if you feel that using your computer is like wading through treacle, then RESTART it. This is quite separate from the Shut Down and Start process and it really does fix most things!

New opening times: I realise it is a little difficult to see someone during the day when I am on calls, but I am always in the office from 8am until 9.30am. If you need to drop something off or ask a quick question, then just pop by. Otherwise please email me so I can arrange to be here for you.n

To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 01822 615627

For help with any home or business IT needs call ✆ 01822 855822 or email help@chezvouspc.com

advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Just living is not enough...

One must have sunshine, freedom, creativity and a little flower.

H A N S C H RI S T I A N A N DERS O N

JOIN US FOR ONE OF OUR NEW

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

EVERY FRIDAY FROM MAY 8TH ALL BEGINNERS LEVEL (Lunch and Afternoon Tea included) FL O R I STR Y . P O T T E RY . L I N O P RI N TING . T EX T IL ES . C AL L IGRAPHY I LLUSTR A T I O N . B L O C K P RI N T I N G . WIL L OW WEAVING & MORE...

FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOK: www.farmhouseworkshops.co.uk T: 01822 853691

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

@farmhouseworkshops 55

M.T. ALLEN Groundworks & Plant Services

www.mtallengroundworks.co.uk 01822 854959 - 07951 020243 Why advertise your business in Plym Links?

Well – we’ll let our customers tell you why...

PLYM LINKS TAVY LINKS MOOR LINKS OKE LINKS WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

October/November 2019 | Issue 39

102

A Plympton ballroom champ Morris dancers from Roborough A Sparkwell theatre director

OF

GARDENING

MAKE THE MOST

AUTUMN

202

Time for a change?

HRT

OF

MAKE THE MOST

AUTUMN

202

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Benefits & Risks

Widewell Primary Excellence & Innovation

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

October/November 2019 | Issue 42

December/January 2019 | Issue 3

Meet the locals...

F ESTI V E

OUTINGS

Wonderful wassailing Santas on bikes Festival fun and lots more...

November/December 2019 | Issue 18

180

WIN!

TICKETS TO SEE INTERNATIONAL SINGING STAR

FESTIVE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES TO ENJOY

LESLEY GARRETT

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

Guy Ayling - Mount Kelly David Balment - original partner of Mansbridge & Balment Neil Jory - West Devon Borough Council

PANTO TICKETS

See BRIAN CONLEY in CINDERELLA

Delivered free by your postman to all PL19 0, 8 & 9 postcodes, guaranteed circulation of more than 9000 homes and businesses

OUTDOORS & ACTIVE

FOOD

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHARLES HACKETT EXPLAINS WHAT IT MEANS FOR US

CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHARLES HACKETT EXPLAINS WHAT IT MEANS FOR US

CHARLIE BEARS

The South West’s Best Kept Secret

£3.50 | where sold

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

DELIVERED FREE BY YOUR POSTMAN TO ALL PL20 6 & PL20 7 POSTCODES Guaranteed circulation of more than 6000 homes and businesses

OUTDOORS & ACTIVE

FOOD

WILLOW WEAVING, PRINT MAKING, CERAMICS, ANIMATION AND POTTERY

INSIDE:

MAYFLOWER 400

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THE POWER OF CREATIVITY

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

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Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

£3.50 | WHERE SOLD

A walk along the River Plym

TAVY Links Oct/Nov.indd 1

Fine local food & Cook, Eat, Give

Celebrating Tavistock’s Gothic heritage

07/10/2019 09:12

A walk along the River Plym

MOOR Links Oct/Nov .indd 1

Fine local food & Cook, Eat, Give

NATIONAL TRUST: CHRISTMAS AT CASTLE DROGO TORCHLIGHT WALK AT LYDFORD GORGE ST CLEMENTS DAY AT FINCH FOUNDRY

£3.50 | where sold

LOCAL INTEREST

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

I’ve been advertising with Links Magazines ever since they started seven years ago and I can honestly say that I get enquiries from every magazine that is issued. Keep up the great work!

Ellis Taylor, Dartmoor Ponds Joseph Dax & the Calstock ‘dig’

HEALTH

Remember your flu jab

NOTICEBOARD

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£3.50 | where sold

HISTORY

Creation of the commons

18/09/2019 13:23

Advertising with Moor & Tavy Links has been worth every penny, with great response to the advert from the local community. I now have very loyal local customers and would like to thank them for their support. It more than pays for itself each time I advertise.

Paul Waycott, Moor Warm

Plym Links is delivered by the Royal Mail to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5 postcodes. Additional copies are delivered to Derriford Hospital, The Plymouth Science Park and cafés, restaurants and outlets. Total coverage of 7,000 homes and businesses.

To promote your business from as little as £7.50 per week

Call the team on 01822 615627

Your dream bathroom starts here...

Bathroom Design Part or Full Installation Tiling & Carpentry Showers & Wetrooms Easy Access & Disabled Bathrooms

CALL: 01752 242897 07786 864375 56

info@dreambathroomsltd.co.uk • www.dreambathroomsltd.co.uk Showroom: Unit 12, Sugar Mill Business Park, Plymouth, PL9 7HT

To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 01822 615627

advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Tavistock 01822 610222 Plymouth 01752 869074 Exeter 01392 401222

Repairs & Servicing Heating Systems Boiler Installation Bathrooms Renewables

YOUR LOCAL APPROVED

SUPPLY INSTALLATION & SUPPORT

Unit 2A Westbridge Industrial Estate,Tavistock PL19 8DE

info@chamings.plumbing | www.chamings.plumbing

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

57

TRADE SECRETS

AquaTech Water Services Who are AquaTech Water Services?

We are a well-established, family run business in the private water industry and were formed in 2009. We are currently a team of seven; Richard and Jan are the owners of the business, Sam Wood and Dom Halley are our experienced water engineers, Toby Robinson is our next in line water engineer, and Emma and Jess Wood cover all aspects of running our office.

Where are you based?

In Putford, North Devon having recently moved into a new building. This has been a great move for the business, as we now have lots more space.

What areas do you cover?

We cover the entire South West, although we find most of our work is based on Dartmoor and the surrounding areas.

Are there many people using private water systems in the South West?

It is surprising how many households and businesses are on private water. This could be due to an existing source, for saving money due to high water usage, if mains water isn’t available or just because the taste of private water is preferred.

Do you specialise in any particular area of private water?

We cover all aspects of private water, from regular servicing and water testing to new

treatment installations. We also work with all types of sources and can offer new borehole drilling. Regarding treatment, we can treat anything from bugs to Iron, Manganese and Arsenic.

What’s your favourite type of job?

A new installation, especially a new borehole to the final treatment. Seeing a job from beginning to end, working closely with the customer to suit their specific requirements is the most rewarding.

What’s the most challenging part of your work?

Solving problems on a breakdown. This could be anything from a failed electrical part to lifting a borehole pump. Having said that, this is probably our next most satisfying part of the job as customers are always extremely grateful.

Has your work changed much in the last ten years?

The basis of private water hasn’t changed dramatically, although treatment equipment has improved, and we are also

noticing more technology being introduced.

The one thing that is continually changing are the water regulations.

What’s your most useful piece of advice to anyone with a private water supply?

Make sure your treatment is serviced regularly! This is important to keep your system performing well. We recommend annual servicing, especially for UV steriliser bulbs, with some systems requiring six monthly servicing.

Do you find a need to advertise your business?

We like to keep our business advertised to keep ourselves known for our existing customers as well as new customers. We have recently upgraded our website and love to attend agricultural shows, including Okehampton, Chagford and Holsworthy.n More information: www.aquatechwaterservices.co.uk ✆ 01409 241312 / 07825 748720

Promote your business in

PLYM LINKS and reach 7,000 homes and businesses... from just £7.50 per week!

Call the team on

01822 615627

58

To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 01822 615627

advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

The heart of Three great venues at the heart of our beautiful bustling market town

TAVISTOCK TOWN HALL

tavistock_town_hall TavistockTC tavistocktownhall

Whether you’re holding a wedding, gala dinner, sales fayre, or even an exercise class, our facilities and friendly and experienced staff make our elegant Gothic building the ideal venue for your event.

01822 617232

townhall@tavistock.gov.uk VOTED AS ONE OF THE ‘BEST TOWN WEDDING VENUES’ IN THE SOUTH WEST Butchershalltavistock Butchers_Hall ButchershHallTavistock

UPCOMING EVENTS April 4th Tavistock Arts Market 10th & 11th Butchers’ Hall Easter Food & Craft Fair 18th Vintage & Salvage Fair 19th Antiques & Collectables Fair

May 2nd Tavistock Arts Market 9th Miss Ivy Events Upcycled Market 15th & 16th Butchers’ Hall Foodies Delight Fair 17th Antiques & Collectables Fair 24th & 25th Tavistock’s Country Garden Show

BUTCHERS’ HALL IS AVAILABLE TO HIRE FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS: 01822 616134

PANNIER MARKET Tuesdays - Antiques & Collectables Wednesday - Crafts and mixed market Thursday - Crafts and mixed market Friday - Traditional Charter Market Saturday - Regular themed markets

Tavistoc k’s Cou Gardenntry Show Sun 24th – Mon 25 th

tavistockpanniermarket

OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAY OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAYOPEN • 9am - 4.30pm TUESDAY - SATURDAY 9am - 4:30pm

TavistockMarket

9am - 4:30pm

www.tavistock.gov.uk • 01822 611003 ‘Shopping heaven in the heart of Tavistock’

‘Shopping heaven in the heart of Tavistock’

What’s On

What’s On OCTOBER

OCTOBER Goose Fair, 10th Open 9am - 6pm

Goose Fair, 10th DECEMBER Open 9am - 6pm

TavistockPannierMarket