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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

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 fl ower 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

Panto appeals for new recruits

A village panto with a history spanning more than four decades is facing the fi nal 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 fi zzle out. Like many rural villages, our community is changing, and it has become increasingly diffi cult 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 fi rst time since 2006 that the group has been unable to stage a performance.

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 fi rst 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

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 fi rst market was held.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 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 off er 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

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 coff ee 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 fi rst 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 fl oral 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, offi cially 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

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.

Glenholt Heartbeat Defibrillator Appeal Fund 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

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.

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 Santé Care at Home

Are you fi nding it diffi cult 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 fi nding 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.

To fi nd 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

Serving Devon, Cornwall & Surrey

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

Sorting out debt

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 off ers a much more proactive support service that actively encourages farmers to seek help before their situation worsens signifi cantly.

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 eff ectively • 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

South Hams CAB off ers their top tips to get you on the fi nancial 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 fi rst - 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 fi nd a way forward, off er to pay them something if you can aff ord 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 off er them what you can aff ord 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.

Could you help bash the balsam?

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.’

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

Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus

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 diff erent 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

A Dartmoor equestrian adventure riding business has been shortlisted as a fi nalist 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 fi nalist 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 off ers premium adventure riding in 275,000 acres Fingers crossed for a ‘Rural Oscar’

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 refl ects 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 offi ces, 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 fi nishes on April 20th.

of Dartmoor National Park. Serving strong, able riders, the fi rm 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 off er 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.

Your new Rayburn Approved Centre for Devon & Cornwall

Chamings (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 refi ne 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 off ering 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 fi tted with thermostats. The cast iron ovens gently cook food and lock in fl avour, 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.

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