Plym Links October/November 2020 issue

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

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October/November 2020 | Issue 6

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Plymouth’s groundbreaking cultural centre

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

Buckfast’sAncient caves reveal fascinating facts

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FROM THE EDITOR

Community champions and Covid heroes...

The deadline date for any inclusions in the October/ November issue of Plym Links will be October 30th, 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: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard Claire Pearce ON THE COVER: The original Eddystone Lighthouse, built by artist and merchant Charles Winstanley, completed in 1698. Part of the Port of Plymouth Collection at The Box. (See page 41)

Here we are, in the depths of autumn - except I’m actually writing at the beginning of September!

However, the season is definitely already here - the moors where I live are getting soggier, the bracken browner and I’m certainly thinking about getting the chimney swept, ready for warming winter fires.

I’ve met some wonderful local people for this issue. Iris Willis, a lovely lady with a ready smile who’s always there to lend a hand, is a stalwart of her community in Sparkwell. She might be retired, but she shows no signs of slowing down! And Nay Proctor, a smallholder from Shaugh Prior, was working to a deadline when we met, in order to get her beloved Bessy the tractor ready for a charity run to raise money for Dartmoor Rescue Group.

Our feature concerns the fascinating caves at Buckfastleigh, formed in limestone developed 400 million years ago. It’s difficult to imagine elephants or lions wandering around this part of Devon - yet evidence found in the caves proved they once did just that!

The Peninsula Medical Foundation is the subject of our charity focus. This organisation is an incredibly important support mechanism for the Pensinsula Medical School, which has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in 2001. PMF not only funds vital medical research at the school, but also

provides grants to the students who study there.

Summer may seem a long while ago now, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden - our gardening expert Sue Fisher has some great advice for autumn projects and places you can visit for horticultural inspiration - just turn to page 26.

Our new medical correspondent, Dr Rachel Tyler, gives some timely advice about flu and the difference between this and the Covid 19 virus on page 33. Covid is still very much in all our minds and has affected communities in a variety of ways.

You can read about how local people have pulled together over the months of the pandemic - and how help is still very much at hand - in the Noticeboard section. You can even nominate your own local Covid hero!

The deadline for the December/January Plym Links is October 30th. Please contact me if you have ideas for stories, projects you’d like publicise or news from your area - I’d love to hear from you!

Happy reading!

Jane Jane Honey Editor Plym Links

07971 917071 jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk

Contents | October & November

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35 Health 36 What’s On 40 Music and Art 44 Walk 46 History 48 Food 49 Technical Help 50 Trade Secrets

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46 26 WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

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

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

Oct/Nov 2020 | Issue 44

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Oct/Nov 2020 | Issue 47

October/November 2020 | Issue 6

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Plymouth’s groundbreaking cultural centre

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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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BU S I NESS

5 Feature 8 Charity Focus 10 Local People 14 Education 16 Noticeboard 26 Gardening 31 Nature 33 Health

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JOBS

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

the locals...

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Or�hans in the wild

ROBIN ARMSTRONG’S WILDLIFE ART

CHANGING LIVES IN TANZANIA

RAISING ALPACAS ON DARTMOOR

Buckfast’sAncient caves reveal fascinating facts

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ROBIN ARMSTRONG’S WILDLIFE ART

Wildest dreams

AN HISTORIC GEM

A tractor fan from Shaugh Prior A community champion from Sparkwell

A Passion For Nat�re And Ar�

The River Otter Beavers

Nature Mysterious fungi

ORPHANS OF THE WILD

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What’s on:

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The Box opens with three exhibitions Drawn to the Valley’s autumn exhibition

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The

William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust On the south-east corner of Dartmoor at Buckfastleigh, in a disused limestone quarry, lies one of the historical gems of South Devon.

I

t’s hard to imagine hyenas, elephants, rhinoceros, lions and hippopotamuses, to name just a few, wandering along the A38 corridor to drink at the River Dart. Yet, within the limestone caves of the quarry is irrefutable evidence that they once did.

The limestone developed about 400 million years ago in a warm tropical sea south of the equator, with coral reefs and active volcanos nearby. Over time eruptions produced volcanic ash that covered the coral, causing it to die and so the process of conversion to limestone began. Meanwhile the earth’s tectonic plates with associated land masses moved slowly northwards until the coral reef became part of today’s South Devon.

Buckfastleigh caves were formed in the limestone through solution; rainwater on hitting the ground increases in acidity, this in turn seeps down into small cracks and fissures in the limestone. Very slowly, over thousands of years, this acidity begins to eat into the rock creating tunnels and passages. It was through this process the caves were probably formed no later than 300,000 years ago.

About 100,000 years ago, when the climate was much

Help us reach your community!

warmer than today, the roof of one cave (Joint Mitnor) suddenly collapsed, leaving an opening on the surface.

Inevitably, some animals accidentally fell through this hole into the cave below and could not escape. Over a period of many years the cave gradually filled up with a mixture of soil, rocks and bones to create a debris pile called a talus cone. When this eventually reached the roof the cave was resealed leaving a historical time capsule.

The discovery of the caves came in the 19th century when quarrymen, extracting stone for building and making lime in the kilns for fertiliser, broke into small chambers and passages. They were either too busy to notice or understand the significance of any old bones they might have come across. It was not until 1938 that the true value of the cave’s deposits was established, although they were nearly dismissed at first.

A few young men were exploring one of the caves in the quarry when they climbed into a chamber through a difficult tight passage; there they found some very old bones. Taking one with them, they sent it to Torquay Natural History Museum to be examined. Amazingly 

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men, Joint, Mitchell and Northey who were principle in discovering the cave’s true value.

The 1940s and 50s saw considerable effort to excavate the cave. Hundreds of bones were carefully extracted, establishing it as the largest deposit of mammal bones from the last interglacial period ever found in a British cave. The considerable amount of mud and rocks taken from the cave during this work was sufficient to build a level causeway to the cave which is still in use today by visitors.

The site had been privately owned with a special access agreement for cave exploration and scientific work. In 1961 the owners suddenly announced they were intending to sell it at auction. The possibility of the site being lost to science provoked a quick reaction and it was hurriedly bought by the Society for Nature Reserves. Having now acquired the land, it needed to establish a group or organisation to administer it.

The William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust was formed

Remains of some of the bones still inside Joint Mitnor Cave

an expert, A H Ogilvie, dismissed the bone as that of a common ox. The then curator, Mr Ed Milton, wrote a letter expressing disappointment, concluding that there were no bones of extinct animals in the Buckfastleigh caves.

Undeterred, the specimen was sent to the British

the specimen was sent to “theUndeterred, British Museum, Natural History,

London, where it was identified as coming from a wild bison which had indeed roamed this country 100,000 years ago

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Museum, Natural History, London, where it was identified as coming from a wild bison which had indeed roamed this country 100,000 years ago and was now long extinct.

This information had a major impact on the scientific community and research started in earnest, only to be curtailed with the outbreak of the Second World War. The cave later became known as Joint Mitnor after the three

FEATURE to undertake this task and convert the old disused barns on the site into a studies centre. Why is it called William Pengelly? In the early 19th century many cave scientists took a very cavalier approach to excavations, often removing whatever was found without proper records or cataloguing. William Pengelly (1812 – 1894) was a rare exception. Born in Cornwall, he was a self-taught man who would rise to great scientific eminence. Today he is thought by many as the forefather of cave research.

Pengelly was meticulous; any object that had been removed was carefully recorded and listed to the extent that it was possible to pin-point its exact location within the cave and at what depth in a deposit. He was renowned for his careful excavations at Brixham Cave followed in 1865 by Kents Cavern where he worked until 1880.

He understood that newly discovered caves could reveal information of great value if systematically excavated rather than simply removing any artefacts found.

The Centre at Buckfastleigh demonstrates many fascinating pieces of science, from palaeontology, geology to natural history. It is an important site for the rare greater horseshoe bat along with other bat species. Industrial heritage associated with the quarry and limestone industry is present for visitors to see and understand. The on-site museum houses some of the bones originally excavated from Joint Mitnor cave and

the public have the opportunity to handle some of these exhibits designated for that purpose.

The William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust has existed now for nearly 60 years as a fully volunteered charity providing a unique educational resource on Dartmoor’s edge.

Volunteers are on hand to guide people around the quarry and into Joint Mitnor Cave explaining the science and history in layman’s terms. To stand inside the cave and see some of the original bones over 100,000 years old still lying in situ amongst to mud and rock is quite amazing. n Alan Finch The causeway path to Joint Mitnor Cave

More Information: Visit pengellytrust.org

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CHARITY FOCUS

PENINSULA MEDICAL FOUNDATION O

ne of the great success stories of the South West peninsula is the Peninsula Medical School, set up in 2001. Initially a joint venture of the universities of Exeter and Plymouth, a decade ago, the universities went their separate ways. The Peninsula Medical School has gone from strength to strength and now has over 2,500 graduates, many of whom work in local hospitals and General Practices. The Peninsula Medical Foundation is a charity set up to support the Peninsula Medical School, helping fund local medical research and providing student grants.

Medical research is complex. It can answer questions such as: What are the causes of diseases?

The Brian Tumour Research Centre of Excellence is led by Professor Oliver Hanemann. He and Dr David Parkinson work closely with clinical colleagues in nearby Derriford Hospital, obtaining samples from patients with low grade brain tumours. They grow the cells to discover differences in the genes and proteins between normal cells and the cancerous cells. They then test drugs to establish potential for future drug treatments.

Dr Claudia Barros is looking at how certain genes are causing cancer in stem cells in the brain, by studying the genes in question in fruit flies.

In other labs, Professor Mat Upton is looking at Antibiotic Resistance - an urgent issue, as more and more bacteria develop multi-resistance. Dr Michael Jarvis has been developing a vaccine for Covid-19 coronavirus with international partners.

Professor Matthew Cramp and colleagues are looking at many aspects of Liver Disease, especially Hepatitis. He is using his knowledge of immunity to viral infection to develop new predictors for Covid-19 infection.

Professor Richard Byng and his group are looking at another aspect of research – how to apply what can be done for people with complex disorders, for example, mental health disorders, and how to help people in complex systems, eg prisons or systems of healthcare.

The Peninsula Clinical Trial Unit, based within the Faculty of Health of University of Plymouth, supports high quality, multi-centre clinical trials which enables patients in the southwest to receive the latest treatments, and at the same time provide evidence of their efficacy.

These examples are just a taster of the research going on in the Peninsula Medical School and colleagues in Derriford Hospital – which all contributes to improving

8

the healthcare at Derriford.

Medical research is expensive but very worthwhile, as it impacts on the health and care of all of us. It brings benefits to Plymouth in terms of the latest drugs being used to treat often difficult conditions. It also helps medical staff keep up to date and use the best treatments.

However, it is costly. Some laboratory machines cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. The reagents can be very expensive too. Scientists need to be paid wages and even PhD students need to eat and live somewhere!

The Peninsula Medical Foundation is not currently rich enough to fund all the research above, but can help with small projects enabling local researchers to be successful in bids for national funding. Your help can make a difference locally as well as advance medical progress.

The PMF is currently raising money to pay for 100 days of research (£274,000) in memory of Roger Harris CBE, a much-respected businessman in Plymouth, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in October 2017.

The Peninsula Medical School (PMS) has an objective of providing medical training to students of all backgrounds. Some students who have the right abilities do not have the resources or opportunities of others and miss out in the competitive entry to the course.

PMS has a number of programmes to increase the diversity of people entering Medicine and now also has a Foundation Course helping students without the education necessary to start the course.

Small grants can be a life saver, enabling people to overcome difficulties and continue their medical training. The Foundation also helps with bursaries to help students experience time working with researchers, helping them plan a future career as Clinical Academics.

PMF also provides prizes to reward excellence.

This autumn we are launching the Friends of PMF Scheme, where interested supporters and donors can help the Medical School, help local healthcare and ensure the excellence of our local doctors and educators. .n Adrian Copplestone Professor Emeritus and Trustee of PMF

More Information: www.peninsulamedicalfoundation.org.uk or donate on www.justgiving.com/campaign/the-roger-harris-fund or www.justgiving.com/peninsulamedicalfoundation

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Iris Willis

A true community champion!

‘I

just like to help people’ to camp that I’d be going out this was a phrase that Iris with a married man I’d have said repeated several times, almost “No way!” apologetically, as we chatted in her Bob and Iris married in 1969.

Sparkwell home.

Although she never had children Iris has lived in the village for 41 herself, she loves her step-children years, having been born and bred and step-grandchildren deeply in Plymouth. Being a dab hand and many pictures of the family at sewing, she started her working life at womenswear are displayed in her home. manufacturer Berkertex, before later moving to local Bob and Iris moved to Sparkwell in 1979 when Iris printers Kenroys, where she worked for some nine years. became the warden for Birchland Way Sheltered Housing She joined the Territorial Army when she was just 17, - a job she loved and remained with until her retirement at initially as a cook, and when the the age of 60, in 2006.

Despite being on call 24/7, Iris ‘No two days were ever the unit was disbanded in 1967 she joined the Queen Alexandra lost no time in throwing herself into same and I’ve known some lovely Nursing Service, attached to 211 people,’ said Iris. Yet despite community life with zest.

Field Hospital at its barracks at being on call 24/7, Iris lost no Derriford. She’d work weekends and on a two week camp time in throwing herself into community life with zest. every year, eventually serving 30 years as a volunteer.

She and a few others started up a weekly lunch club ‘I remember being put on this ambulance train in in the village hall after it was built in 1987, cheerfully Germany which we lived, ate and slept on for a fortnight cooking up two course meals for the over 60s. She got - I loved it in the QA, you met so many nice people,’ said involved with the ‘Parish Pump’ magazine, making use Iris. ‘I was in the TA for 30 of the experience she had Ten Tors with the TA, 1963 years, the last ten of them gained when working for doing the ambulance train the printers. She’s still a for two weeks every year mainstay of both initiatives, and two weekends a year, despite the lunches being usually around Aldershot.’ affected by the Covid 19 It was through TA camp restrictions. that Iris met her husband, ‘I like keeping busy - I Bob, an ambulanceman. was cooking up a storm Fifteen years her senior, during lockdown - I’d rather he was already married be doing things for other and she was engaged to be people than tidying my married. house!’ she laughed.

‘We couldn’t help As if to emphasise the fact, ourselves,’ said Iris. ‘Even a tea towel is returned via though he was much older than me - it was just electric. the backdoor, having been used to cover one of the hot If someone had told me the weekend before I went away cross bun loaves she regularly cooks to give away.

“

10

”

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LOCAL PEOPLE ‘This year I have managed to get attendance allowance for four people who didn’t think they were entitled to it.

One of these was a guy who could hardly walk across the room. Because of the job I was in, I know about filling in the forms, I just think if they’ve worked hard, they’ve paid their dues, they are entitled to it. It gives me a glow when I can help them,’ said Iris, who’s also a trustee for the Maudlin Trust and of Sparkwell Village Hall.

Iris cheerfully describes herself as bionic, having had two knee replacements, two shoulder replacements and false hip - but it doesn’t seem to slow her down in any way.

She’s also a volunteer driver for Ivybridge Ring and Ride, having used their services herself. Sometimes it’s just a once a month trip, sometimes she has a couple of drives a week to do but she enjoys having a chat and passing on tips and helpful nuggets of information to local people.

Sadly Iris lost her soulmate Bob seven years ago. While she must miss him sorely, her attitude is typically upbeat: ‘We did everything, we went everywhere together. As an ambulance man he saw so many people that didn’t even reach retirement age. He went to Australia ten times, eight with me, we went all over Europe. The way I look at it, I had Bob for 44 wonderful years - my mum was married twice and she only had my Dad and step-Dad for ten years, so I think how lucky was I?’ n

Jane Honey TA Camp in Germany, 1987

Jane Honey

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Nay Proctor

Smallholder and weather-watcher

T

he minute Nay Proctor pulls into her driveway, she’s surrounded by a noisy gang of chickens and ducks, eager to be fed. Many of her happy hens didn’t have such a happy start in life ex-commercial layers, they hadn’t seen the light of day or wide open spaces until they arrived at her smallholding near Shaugh Prior.

They obviously appreciate their life now, providing plenty of eggs for Nay’s customers from the surrounding villages.

In addition to the poultry, animal lover Nay has three cats and a retired sheepdog, Flint, who joined the family about three years ago. After persistently turning up on her doorstep, the farmer who owned him was happy for him to spend his twilight years in comfort.

‘He’d never been indoors before, so the first night we had him, we made a bed up for him in the stables.

The second night it got to about 1am, he was crying and I couldn’t lie in bed listening to him, he came in and that was it - he obviously thought “I’m not sleeping outside again!” said Nay, who originally comes from the Isle of Wight.

Her husband is in the Royal Navy and the couple moved to the South West 18 years ago, when Paul was posted to Plymouth. Coming from a quiet, rural spot on the island to Dartmoor - which she described as ‘the most stunning place in the world’ - was a perfect move for Nay, who has been involved in farm work since she was a child. It’s also how her love of tractors has developed. She’d hankered after an old, International tractor for years and her dream came true when she bought a 1959 B275 in June last year.

‘It was a bit of an unknown, I knew it wasn’t running and had stood outside for three years - the weather had got into the engine and it had just seized up,’ said Nay. ‘I’ve done a lot of work on it over the last few months. It’s cost me an absolute fortune but I am nearly there with her now!

‘Doing one up is a first for me - I had the basic knowledge but I’ve learned an awful lot from my neighbour who’s done up loads of tractors.

‘I’ve loved doing it, there’s been times when it’s been 12

really frustrating and I look at it and say: “I hate you!”

But it’s really satisfying now it’s coming together, I feel I’ve accomplished something - even though our daughter thinks it’s very strange when I come home covered in grease, stinking of diesel. Plus my husband has been very supportive and it keeps me busy when he’s at sea!’

With five acres of land and stabling, when the Proctors moved to their current property it was inevitable that more animals would be joining them. First came orphan lamb Minty, then Chops. Nay is a member of Dartmoor Speedwatch Forum and Minty became the face of the Forum, after Nay painted her image on the bus stop in Wotter.

thinks it’s very strange “whenOurI daughter come home covered in grease, stinking of diesel... ”

Restoration project, Bessie the Tractor

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LOCAL PEOPLE ‘She’s quite famous locally,’ grinned Nay, who’s now got another 16 sheep and keeps three livery horses.

When she’s not looking after her own stock, she also helps out at a couple of local farms.

Spending much of her time outdoors, Nay is predictably very interested in the weather and over the last few years has become involved in the voluntary Southwest Stormchasers Facebook page.

‘It was set up in 2013 after we had some really bad storms, purely to alert friends and family when we would be in for adverse weather - but it’s really taken off and we have 66,000 followers now,’ said Nay. She started taking photos for the page initially, but now posts forecasts for Devon and Cornwall, using a variety of websites to track pressure changes and weather patterns.

‘We don’t get it right all the time, it can be a bit hit and miss as the weather always has its own agenda we’re all volunteers, we just hope we can keep people in the loop about what’s likely to happen.’

She enjoys the community aspect of the service - and hopes she’ll never have one of those Michael Fish hurricane incidents: ‘Technically we have come a long way since 1987, so I’d like to think I wouldn’t get it that wrong!’ n

Nay with abandoned lamb Tiny Tim

Jane Honey

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Learning through play Stimulation in those vital early years

C

hildren deserve the best. They need to be offered the best opportunities to fulfil their potential as they navigate through their first influential young years and a good nursery education should meet this expectation.

Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning and through play is how children learn at nursery.

A good nursery education should nurture a child’s natural desire to explore, investigate and discover the world around them. A nursery should provide a welcoming and stimulating environment where children feel secure and able to access challenging and exploratory activities in a safe space. Indoor and outdoor environments should be communication friendly and rich in text and visual images to boost all forms of verbal and non-verbal communication. The Early Years Foundation Stage scaffolds the key areas of learning and development that we want all children to experience and are the building blocks for school and beyond.

Teaching and learning should be based around the individual needs, interests, and passions of each child.

We want to teach the children how to think, not what to think. By following the child’s direction, great learning will take place as children are highly motivated by what ignites their curiosity. Children’s voices should be highly valued and their efforts, learning processes and contributions

proudly displayed and shared with their families. Working closely and building relationships with children’s primary carers is essential in supporting growth in learning and development for all children.

Open ended play resources that offer endless possibilities, help to promote key skills we want our children to learn, such as independence, problem solving and creativity.

Almost all creativity involves purposeful play. A stick found in the garden can be anything from a tool to write with in the sand, a wand to make magic with, or even a boat as it floats in the water!

A good nursery education enables children to make decisions, work things out and enjoy elements of age appropriate risky play. This could include building structures and balancing on planks over tyres. We want our children to be ready for their next stages of life and overcoming obstacles both physical and emotional can enable future success for them.

Children should expect to be cared for in a safe emotional and physical environment, where they are securely safeguarded and their well-being an absolute priority. The right environment enriches children’s minds and opens up a world of possibilities. n Jemma Honey Bambino’s

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All systems go at

Mount Kelly I

f you like the outdoors, have a sense of adventure and are keen to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way then Mount Kelly is the school for you.

Mount Kelly delivered a full online academic programme from the first week of lock down and throughout the Summer Term. Using the Microsoft Teams video call platform, pupils were online with their classmates and teachers for all their academic lessons and a revised version of our very busy extra-curricular programme. Activities ranged from the very popular Extreme Reading Challenge to the completion of the ‘at home’ Ten Tors Challenge including camping in the back garden.

In order to minimise lost face-to-face teaching time for all our pupils, but in particular those entering public examination years, we commenced the autumn term two weeks early. Mount Kelly was the first English school to open its doors this academic year. Pupils have also really enjoyed getting back onto the rugby and hockey pitches, walking on Dartmoor, paddling on Alder Lake and even

some day cruises on the school boat, Olga.

Our performance swimmers are back with a full training schedule in both the 50m and 25m pool and are very much looking forward to the competition programme getting up and running again soon.

The College Chamber Choir is also back in the rehearsal room preparing some new pieces and brushing up some of the old favourites. They are very much hoping that they will soon be rehearsing a new piece written especially for them to perform in The Royal Albert Hall following their win at the Barnardo’s School Choir of the Year Competition in London earlier this year.

Mount Kelly is grateful for the enthusiastic support of our pupils, staff and parents throughout this difficult time and are delighted to confirm that the school opened its doors this term with more pupils than ever before.

To find out more about our school please visit www. mountkelly.com or contact us on ✆ 01822 813193 or admissions@mountkelly.com

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Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 15

Glenholt Befriending Service If you are feeling lonely, anxious, recently bereaved, experiencing panic attacks or are afraid of being on your own, Glenholt Befrienders want you to know you are not alone. If you have not seen anyone lately, are experiencing feelings that no one cares, you are only a phone call away from talking to a befriender.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask, because the befrienders are here for you.

The emphasis of befriending is on helping build self esteem and confidence. Befrienders offer a wealth of different life experiences - they are from all different backgrounds and of all different ages. Befriending can involve a one-off call, or a

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Denise Mills created the Plymouth Community Gift Shop group on Facebook in August. She said: ‘So many

daily, weekly or monthly conversation.

Just knowing someone is there at the end of a telephone, day or night to listen, to talk to you, to even care, makes a whole lot of difference.

To contact someone to talk to, call Denise and Gerald on ✆ 07849 413125. They will assess your situation and pass you on to one of their on-call befriending compassionate volunteers for more assistance and help.

Or if you would like to become a befriending volunteer please call the above number for more information.

local stall holders and small business friends are really suffering during these unprecedented times. I think it’s even more important to shop locally and buy more personal cards and pressies at the moment.

‘It’s basically a one stop hub, where local people can advertise and sell their goods in one place to their local potential customers.’

Denise is hoping that the Facebook page will enable people to buy beautiful homemade arts and crafts, cards, gifts, jewellery, confectionary, accessories, beauty products, homeware etc at a time when community markets and gift fayres are affected by Covid 19 restrictions.

So if you need a special gift for that birthday, wedding, anniversary or Christmas present, or just that something extra to spoil yourself, you may well be able to find it online at Plymouth Community Gift Shop on Facebook.

Delivery terms or collections will be as per each local seller.

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Wotter, Lee Moor & Shaugh Prior

Lockdown Coronavirus Response Team During lockdown, Shaugh Prior Parish Council sprang into action with the help of 30 volunteers over the three villages.

Setting up two co-ordinators in each village ensured assistance was at hand where needed.

Many families were able to look after their relatives and neighbours, but those who were vulnerable, sick, and living alone had the support of the team. Errands were run, shopping, essential foods, prescriptions and medication were collected and delivered by the volunteers.

Undergoing risk assessment, all precautionary measures such as social distancing were put in place. A ring on the doorbell, leaving deliveries on the doorstep, stepping back, and seeing an appreciative smile on the residents face made everything worthwhile.

The response team will be on hand to help again, should another Covid-19 wave occur.

Before lockdown, there were residents who had not known their neighbours - now new friendships have developed. Neighbourly help is now second nature.

One Wotter resident kindly made boxes of washable face masks for the community to help themselves to. Another resident put his DJ talents to good use by staging a disco from his garden, with people ringing in requests which were played during a warm spring evening.

And Lee Moor was the setting for a special ‘socially distanced street party’ - bringing everyone together in great spirit.

Shaugh Prior Parish Coronavirus Response Coordinators: Shaugh Prior - Tim Thomas 07580 032515; David/Lea Milford 01752 839751. Wotter - Cllr Mrs Vanessa Tyler, 01752 839424; Jackie Fisher-Green, 07890 174577. Lee Moor - Viv Chater, 01752 839401; Nicola Friendship, 07702 045969.

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Skittles club party

After checking through a lot of safety measures due to Covid 19 restrictions, the Up Your Alley Skittles Club on Glenholt Park was finally was able to hold it’s annual Party on The Park in August. Residents, family and friends were able to enjoy a free afternoon of entertainment, a barbecue and drinks including a keg of ale sponsored by the Dartmoor Brewery, who selected the club from 100 hopeful applicants.

Many of Glenholt’s residents are in the most vulnerable group and were able to take a break from total lockdown due to the hard work put in by the skittles club to make sure everything was safe - even the weather played ball!

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Community heroes & heroines

If you would like to thank someone for going above and beyond in the past few months, why not nominate them for a special honour.

The leaders of South Hams District Council have been so moved by the extraordinary acts of kindness and support they have seen in their communities, that they have created a unique award scheme.

The scheme would see residents, communities and businesses nominated to receive an award under specific categories.

Everyone nominated will be recognised on a special web page, so send in your photos and images, showing what they did. The council will hold an award ceremony to personally thank the award recipients and the Lord Lieutenant of Devon will be notified of their achievements.

Cllr Judy Pearce, leader of South Hams District Council, said: ‘I am incredibly humbled by the way you all came together to show solidarity through this difficult time. We created these awards as a way of saying thank you and to recognise the huge efforts and sacrifices that you have made.’

Have your say!

South Hams residents have until October 16th to have their say on a new alcohol and licensing policy for the district.

The eight-week consultation being run by South Hams District Council started in August - the renewed policy will decide how the council makes decisions on alcohol and entertainment licensing issues over the next five years.

The policy will also be used by local residents and businesses preparing licensing applications and making comments on licence applications.

Open to local communities and businesses, comments

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Nominations are open in the following categories: • Community Leadership - example - someone who took on a really big role in leading a response within your area • Star volunteer – example - someone who was out every day dog walking, collecting prescriptions etc • Key worker – example – a key worker who went above and beyond their duty • Organisation – example – community group or business that went above and beyond • Innovative wellbeing scheme – example - a scheme that addressed isolation during lockdown • Keeping spirits up – example - someone who did things to keep people’s spirits up • Young Community hero - a child, or adult, under 21 who went above and beyond Please nominate online at www.southhams.gov.uk/ covid-heroes National Honours this year are also recognising the great work that individuals have done through the pandemic, and a special category has been created for contribution to the response to the coronavirus crisis. To nominate go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/ covid-19-honours-nomination-form

will be considered once the consultation has closed.

Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, executive member for licensing at South Hams District Council, said: ‘I encourage anyone who lives in the South Hams to comment and help shape this policy. It is important there is the right balance in the policy between encouraging local culture and protecting residents from unreasonable disturbances.’

To read the new policy visit: www.engagement. southhams.gov.uk/licensing Comments can be made by emailing: licensing@ southhams.gov.uk or writing to: Licensing Department, South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5NE.

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Raising the roof at Broadley Park From an empty plot to raising the roof and installing solar panels - one of Plymouth’s Resurgam projects is making huge progress.

New high quality sustainable factory space is transforming the plot at Broadley Park Industrial estate.

The estate at Roborough is home to a significant number of companies including Cittal CSM, Amazon and nearby Burts Potato Chips. Now thanks to a £2.4 million investment by the council into creating brand new speculative facilities, more companies will have the opportunity to locate here.

Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE said: ‘We have proved time and again that new modern facilities attracts businesses to the city and encourage existing ones to expand. Now more than any other time, we need to show Plymouth is at the top of its game and is confident it will attract new business.

‘Not only will this facility see up to 65 people employed there, the build involves around 30 or so skilled people from a local company carrying out the work.’

The 1.65 acre plot will see two new blocks built, providing a total of 2,090 sq m (22,500sqft) of quality employment space for small, medium or large businesses to lease.

Sustainability is key in this development – specific elements include solar photo-voltaic panels on the roof, high levels of insulation, natural ventilation, LED lighting, efficient heating systems and future-proofed for EV charging.

Work started at the beginning of March and while a few weeks were lost due to the shutdown, the contractors were back on site at the beginning of May. Working outside, they were able to take into account social distancing requirements.

If all goes according to plan, the units could be ready to have businesses move in before the end of the year.

Plymouth has the highest concentration of manufacturing employment of any city south of the Midlands, but there is a shortage of good quality

NOTICEBOARD

industrial and commercial space. Industrial space continues to perform well in 2020 and has not been as affected by the economic impact of COVD 19 as retail, leisure and other sectors.

The new development will have a range of flexible unit sizes (from 350 sq m (3,750sqft) to 2,090sq m (22,500sqft) and are available to businesses from start-ups to expanding local and national businesses.

The units are available to lease and interested parties can call 01752 304202 or email landandproperty@ plymouth.gov.uk

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Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 19

News from Parish Pump This much loved and valuable parish magazine is in need of a helping hand! There’s a team of helpers who get together to collate and sort the pages and also deliver the magazines throughout the village. Advertising is taken care of by Iris Willis, but editor Becky Crawford is stepping down and the Pump needs a new volunteer to step up to the plate.

The job entails emailing the list of regular contributors two weeks before the copy deadline asking for any news, following up on any enquiries and forwarding all contributions onto the printers. Also writing the editor’s letter at the front of the magazine and putting in any little extras of your own. It’s helpful to be a part of the several local community Facebook groups to communicate with readers. Anyone interested in taking on this role should email Becky at sparkwellparishpump@outlook.com Over 60s Lunches Sadly during lockdown these popular events, which take

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place in Sparkwell Village Hall, had to be curtailed.

However, with the hall planning to re-open in the New Year, the lunches will once again be held every month. Iris Willis, who helped instigate the social gettogethers many years ago, is still happy to continue cooking lunches, but on a bi-monthly basis, so there is an opportunity for an enthusiastic cook to prepare the two course meal every other month. The job involves putting together the ingredients and menu for the lunch and cooking the meal for between twelve and 24 visitors. There are plenty of helpers to serve and clear away on lunch day and the hall has splendid cooking facilities. Anyone interested should call Iris on ✆ 07552 920010.

Sparkwell Farmers’ Market This popular monthly event, including wonderful home cooked breakfasts, was taking place in the parish hall on the last Sunday of the month, until its interruption thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped the hall will be re-opening at the beginning of 2021, so the popular farmers’ market should be making a welcome return in the New Year. Anyone interested in taking up a stall should contact alison.morris@ sparkwellparishhall.co.uk 8th at 4pm-5.30pm and Thursday, November 12th at 4pm-5.30pm.

Are you considering adoption but not sure where to start?

Families for Children is holding online information sessions to give you the opportunity to find out more.

You can hear from adopters and talk to our experienced adoption team about how you can adopt, the qualities needed to be a great adopter and of course about the children waiting. Visit us to book today https:// familiesforchildren.org.uk/book-online-informationevent/ or call 01364 645480.

The sessions are being held on Thursday, October

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Secure your cycle!

Thirty-five new secure cycle lockers are being installed in locations across Plymouth, thanks to Plymouth City Council’s recent successful bid to the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.

They include seven extra cycle lockers at the Milehouse park and ride as well as a further 28 at district centre car parks and other sites, bringing the total number in the city to 90.

Cllr Mark Coker, cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure, said: ‘Covid-19 has prompted people to rethink how they travel and one of the really positive outcomes has been a big increase in cycling.

‘These new lockers provide somewhere secure for people to store their bikes and will particularly benefit those who may not be able to cycle the entire length of their journey.’

The new lockers are supplied by BikeAway, a Plymouth company which provides lockers throughout the UK, and meet the Sold Secure Gold standard.

They can be rented out for £50 a year (plus a one off, refundable £20 key deposit).

To rent a locker and view a map showing where all the city’s lockers can be found visit www.bikeaway.com.

NOTICEBOARD

A&E improvements

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust is delighted to have been awarded £4million to invest in upgrades at Derriford Hospital.

The trust was one of 117 in the country to benefit from an extra £300million worth of funding announced by the Government in August to upgrade A&E facilities in preparation for the winter.

This investment will allow: • Expansion and reconfiguration of Acute Assessment Unit – benefits include increased space to accommodate the first stages of the Emergency Department (ED) journey; increased space for ambulance handover; and increased effectiveness of streaming decisions away from ED. This also allows the collocation of the Frailty team, who are focussed on admission avoidance, to increase their collaboration.

• Reconfiguration of current ED minors to provide additional majors cubicles.

• Refurbishment of Lyd and Fal wards to increase the number of beds available and improve outward flow from the ED. The Trust hopes the work will be complete in time for January and in the mean time, thanks visitors and staff for their patience during any disruption caused in the interim.

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Citizens Advice South Hams needs new trustees

2020 is providing unprecedented challenges for the CAB team that’s helping residents deal with issues resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic.

Chris Peach, vice chair, said: ‘The staff and volunteers provide essential advice services and coped fantastically with massive surges in demand through lockdown.

Where we first experienced demand for help with employment issues, universal credit and other welfare benefits, we are now bracing ourselves for an expected significant increase in demand for debt advice.’

To help in setting and meeting its strategic goals, South Hams CAB is recruiting trustees to join the

executive board. The role is a voluntary one to guide and support the charity’s development and future direction, requiring a commitment of around 10 hours/month. Trustees ensure the charity is professionally managed and that resources are utilised effectively. They are expected to attend formal meetings once a month and lead on designated aspects of the charity’s operation.

Janie Moor, chief executive of Citizens Advice South Hams, said: ‘We are actively seeking people with a passion for our work, whilst strengthening the skills of our trustee board. In particular we are seeking someone with fundraising experience and also someone who could help shape our digital strategy. If you are interested to know more please do get in touch.’

Anyone interested should initially contact Janie on trustees@southhamscab.org.uk to arrange an informal chat. More information can be found on https:// southhamscab.org.uk/about-us/

Celebrate local business with #WeAreDartmoor Dartmoor National Park Authority is celebrating the people behind local businesses and is encouraging anyone who loves Dartmoor to join in. #WeAreDartmoor shows the human side of business by telling the stories of those who own it, run it, or work there. In their own words, they describe their business, how life is for them and the benefits it provides to customers, Dartmoor, and the wider economy.

The social media campaign is led by Dartmoor National Park as part of its ongoing work to support local businesses through the challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

There are about 2,500 businesses on Dartmoor with nine or less employees. 31% of working age people on Dartmoor are self-employed - almost twice the English average.

A dramatically curtailed tourism season, reduced capacity and losses or changes in suppliers, has led to the very real fear that the worst is far from over.

By sharing the human stories behind the brands, it’s hoped more people will continue to use their local businesses, support the local economy and help secure local jobs too.

Dan Janota, Dartmoor National Park Authority’s head of forward planning and economy, said: ‘We want Dartmoor businesses, and customers, to join us in celebrating the people behind their local businesses, to tell us why they shop locally and the difference it makes in their community.’

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The Authority carried out business surveys in May and June to explore how the pandemic had affected the Dartmoor economy. More than 200 responses were gathered and results showed: • 96% of tourism and leisure business and 79% of retailers said lockdown measures had a negative or severe negative impact on their business.

• 73% said ongoing lockdown restrictions was key barrier to business recovery • 47% of respondents cited market shrinkage, seasonal income loss and economic confidence as key barriers.

Ways to help There are lots of things you can do - it can be as simple as popping to your local deli, drinks producer, bakery, artist studio – any local shop you like!

• Use DNPA’s food and drink directory to buy from local producers and suppliers.

• Pop into one of a National Park visitor centres and shop the Dartmoor Range.

• Make a local café, restaurant or pub your next stop.

• Share the #WeAreDartmoor posts on your social media accounts too. Tag your favourite places and share what you love about them!

• If you’ve had a good time, leave a positive review on websites such as TripAdvisor, or Facebook.

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Cornwood Inn

Saved by the community - for the community

The pub, set on the south slopes of Dartmoor, closed its doors last summer and was sent to auction. It was the only pub in the village and locals were not going to let it go to developers without a fight. A group of villagers managed to buy the pub using emergency loans - but then needed to raise money to pay back the loans and get the doors open again. Just before Christmas, a community share offer was launched raising an incredible £260,000 as hundreds of people bought in.

The team then secured a further £100,000 through charitable grants and loans, so The Cornwood Inn is

Step out on Dartmoor

A series of ‘Welcome to Dartmoor’ walking routes have been launched to introduce people to Dartmoor’s history, heritage and habitats.

Dartmoor National Park Authority has developed routes to encourage less confident walkers to explore the National Park. Each walk gives people opportunities to eat and drink locally and make it part of their Dartmoor experience. It’s been funded with £5,000 from the Heart

now safe for the future.

Progress was slowed by COVID 19 but now it’s all hands to the pump!

Lorna and Conrad Mitchell, the new pub manager and chef, are working alongside a team of volunteers (who now own shares in their pub!) to re-open as soon as possible. By the time you read this, it may already be open!

The Cornwood Inn is a freehouse and will be serving a range of local ales, cider and food. Lorna and Conrad look forward to welcoming people to this unique community-owned pub soon.

of the West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) to support the rural economy and tourism.

The six routes vary in distance, from 3km to a more energetic 10km, and can be downloaded for free from Dartmoor National Park’s website.

Dartmoor National Park Authority’s recreation strategy development officer Jennifer Manning said: ‘Lots of people are discovering and rediscovering the joys of walking.

‘The Welcome to Dartmoor walks are a perfect way for people to discover a little more about these places and enjoy food or drink in one of the local businesses too.’

Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Karl Tucker, said: ‘Preserving and enhancing our natural capital is integral to the LEP’s work to develop the rural economy and tourism.

‘Having grown up walking on Dartmoor I welcome any initiative that encourages people to explore the moor.’

The Authority is keen to hear from businesses or town/ village organisations which would like to would like to work together and develop more Welcome to Dartmoor routes. Contact the recreation and access team at recreation@dartmoor.gov.uk

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Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 23

A new network of high-speed mobile data connectivity off the coast of Plymouth will put the city at the very forefront of marine innovation.

Plymouth’s Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC) has been awarded £1.8 million of grant funding for the network from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s (HotSW LEP) Growth Deal Digital Extension 2020 programme.

The funding will be used to build a cutting edge communication system known as Smart Sound Connect.

This will be the UK’s first 5G testbed for marine innovation, providing high speed communications on the water and connecting the existing network of sensors, including scientific data buoy networks and autonomous vessels.

MBTC is a partnership between Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter and the Marine Biological Association.

Based in Plymouth’s Oceansgate marine Enterprise Zone, it was set up to offer support to businesses in the region working within the marine and maritime sector.

The network will build on the centre’s existing offer, providing high speed connectivity across Plymouth Sound and 20 miles of surrounding coastal waters, covering the entire area of Smart Sound Plymouth.

Use of Smart Sound Connect will be free to eligible businesses, putting Plymouth at the forefront of marine and maritime innovation, giving local marine industry partners the ability to develop and deliver advanced marine technologies. It offers a wealth of possibilities, enabling the development of new technology for smart ports and shipping, clean propulsion, green ports and environmental management.

Karl Tucker, chair of Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: ‘With our £1.8m investment, the Marine Business Technology Centre can create a UK first at the country’s only Marine Enterprise Zone, firmly establishing the Heart of the South West as a leading marine business location on the global stage.’

Council Leader Tudor Evans said: ‘Plymouth has established itself as a globally recognised centre of excellence for marine innovation. The network offers businesses a unique space to develop impressive new technologies in a huge variety of sectors – the possibilities are almost endless.’

Rob Watson, MBTC Director said: ‘This will be the first 5G testbed focussed purely on smart marine technologies and, with the support of our research partners, we are now able to offer an enhanced end-to-end innovation service that rivals the best in the world.’

Dr James Fishwick, head of Smart Sound Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said: ‘Plymouth has a strong heritage in marine science and technology and is home to a critical mass of both academic and industry leading organisations. This coupled with the natural marine environment, which is ideally suited to facilitate a diverse set of trials, provides us with a unique offer to the UK and international marine and maritime sectors.’

The network of sensors, including scientific data buoy networks and autonomous vessels in Plymouth Sound

A hutch is not enough...

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Working in animal welfare is never easy. At Woodside Sanctuary near Plympton, the staff regularly see animals in conditions that both create anger and bring them to tears. This can be through the sheer disposable nature of pets that staff see when re-homing an animal - or the condition that they arrive in.

Top of the neglect list is rabbits. Lisa Darcy, assistant manager at Woodside said: ‘As a sanctuary, we take in 18 different species of pets - the rabbits having always been and remaining the most often neglected, coming in needing serious medical treatment.’

The sanctuary continues to be rabbit champions, fighting the corner of rabbits. This isn’t always appreciated, as Lisa explained: ‘We closely follow guidelines from the Rabbit Welfare Association as to ensuring that pet rabbits have a happy and fulfilled life.

The slogan ‘A Hutch is Not Enough’ still seems to need to be pushed and explained, our cage guidelines allow a rabbit or ideally two to display its natural behaviour.’

Sadly, Woodside feels the constant battle with pet shops and similar happy to sell a pet into a pen which does not conform to this. Lisa said: ‘We see many rabbits arrive in an indoor pen, which don’t allow them to stand on their back legs or take more than one hop forward.

‘We hope that with lockdown fresh in people’s mind, empathy towards rabbits and other caged pets might improve, after all who would want to spend their lifetime living in a pen the size of your bathroom!’

The sanctuary has many rabbits looking for new homes. They will be required to have minimum living accommodation - for information go to www. woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or call 01752 347503.

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Wildlife-friendly autumn projects from ponds to pergolas

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glorious ‘lockdown’ spring saw a massive boost to garden creativity as well as a huge rise in interest in garden wildlife: now autumn is the perfect time to combine the two and transform ideas into action. Shortages of materials are mostly resolved, and the cooler autumn days mean less outdoor living, so making a mess isn’t such an issue and projects should be complete in time to enjoy the garden next year. Do bear in mind that bigger garden projects take a fair amount of work and money, so it’s well worth plenty of planning to avoid costly mistakes.

A pond is marvellous to entice a huge variety of wildlife and creates a tranquil oasis where you can sit, relax, and watch a wealth of creatures both in and out of the water.

Even though we made our pond over a decade ago, I still get a thrill to see birds enjoying a bath, dragonfly nymphs emerging to transform into magnificent flying machines, or hedgehogs coming to drink. The most

a pond is marvellous to entice a huge variety of wildlife

straightforward way to make a pond is to use a flexible liner that moulds whatever shape of hole you’ve dug but do buy the best you can afford so it lasts for many years. Choose a site that gets a reasonable amount of sun and away from overhanging trees. A sloping site needn’t be a problem, as the excavated soil can be banked up on the ‘downside’ to create a level pond. Create a range of levels from a gently shelving ‘beach’ to a deeper section (at least 45cm deep) that will stay ice-free in very cold weather. Plan your edging materials for a combination of good looks, practicality and user-friendliness: ours has a sloping pebble ‘beach’; a ‘green corridor’ of grass and plants; driftwood and stones that create cool, damp crevices for amphibians, and a decking platform to sit and pond-watch. A caveat on safety though: install a secure fence or pond cover if you have young children or grandchildren, because toddlers can drown in even a few inches of water.

GARDENING

Gardening jobs for autumn

Creating vertical features of all kinds is a fantastic way to give more interest, growing space and wildlife habitats to even the tiniest garden. Every garden has boundaries: if you have walls or fences, clothe them with wildlifefriendly plants like firethorn (Pyracantha) that do double duty as food sources (flowers for bees, berries for birds) and nest sites for birds. Most climbers and wall plants need some form of support, like trellis or wires, and if you use wooden blocks or battens to space these 5-8cm out from the fence, it’s the perfect ‘des res’ for birds and hibernating insects.

Within the garden itself, there’s usually loads of potential to build features such as a pergola or arbour to make a delightful seating area; divide up the garden with plant-clad trellis screens; and place arches over gates or transition points between separate areas. These can all be clothed with gorgeous climbing plants – not just ornamentals like honeysuckle, wisteria, roses, jasmine and clematis, but edibles too, like runner beans, climbing squash and berry fruits. Again, this creates lots more habitat for wildlife too, especially birds which love to perch, nest and feed up high, away from cats and other predators. Anywhere that’s in sight of house windows can be used for hanging up bird feeders too, and their antics will provide brilliant entertainment to cheer your winter days.

- Gather fallen leaves to make leaf mould which is a fantastic soil improver. Make a wire netting container or simply pack into large bags (like old compost sacks or bin bags) and make a few holes in the base. Keep moist and leave for at least a year.

- Sow sweet pea seeds during October, in pots in a cold frame, unheated porch or greenhouse.

Autumn sown plants are stronger, sturdier, and flower earlier than spring-sown seed.

- Plant bulbs for a glorious spring display. Tulips can be planted as late as November, but others like daffodils should be planted without delay.

- Summer-flowering patio plants can be brought indoors into porches or cool sunny windowsills, where they’ll often keep flowering for a month or two longer than if left to the mercy of the weather.

- Plant prepared hyacinths and narcissi in pots and bowls to ‘force’ indoors for a frag rant treat of bloom in the New Year.

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GARDENING

Glorious gardens to visit

are likely to vary and pre-booking at National Trust gardens is required, so do check before setting out. n Sue Fisher

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease (as of the time of writing), gardens have been cautiously reopening their gates to the public. There are few better ways to lift the spirits than strolling through beautiful gardens ablaze with autumn colours on a crisp sunny day, so indulge yourself in some days out and give our Devon gardens some much-needed support. Stand-out gardens for spectacular colour include The Garden House at Buckland Monochorum with dazzling Japanese maples, and the magnificent birches at Stone Lane Gardens near Chagford (now with newly opened tea room).

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NATURALIST

Autumn

the season of renewal

F

or some people autumn has for too long been associated with a sensation of melancholy, but I like to think of it in terms of harvest followed by the start of a great natural renewal process.

Having largely completed the annual project - the successful production of viable seeds to guarantee the species survives overwinter - plants can now prepare to shed any material no longer needed. All this accumulated material starts to decay and be returned to the earth as humus as the earth’s recycling processes swing into action. The resulting sweet, musty smell of autumn is especially noticeable while walking in the warm, humid environment of our local woodlands.

Now is the time when fungi come into prominence, although most of the fungus is hidden below the surface of the soil. What we notice, are just the large fruiting bodies that will shed millions of microscopic spores. Usually referred to as mushrooms and toadstools, these come in all colours and sizes, and some grow into quite spectacular structures.

Ironically, the nursery rhyme image of a toadstool with a white-spotted, red cap on a tall, white stem is the fly agaric, a poisonous species!

Fly agaric releases its spores from

papery gills found on the underside of this cap and many other species show the same structure, including edible field mushrooms, their commercially produced cultivars, and the large, stately parasols which often can be found on Roborough Down. Those found on dead tree trunks, such as oyster mushrooms, have stems growing horizontally before curving up to carry a fan-shaped cap. Although many species of fungi are edible, always remember never to eat them unless you are absolutely sure of their identity - if possible, have it confirmed by someone who is knowledgeable about fungi, since many species are highly toxic and some even deadly!

As an alternative to gills, many species have a spongy underside with the spores being released from the tubular pores including the aptly named ‘penny bun’ or ceps, as the Boletus edulis is often known, as well as the spectacular, bright yellow puffs of ‘chicken in the woods’. Some tree-dwelling species, the ‘bracket fungi’, have developed decidedly woody caps that are strong enough to survive and grow for many seasons, producing large shelf-like structures with the annual growth rings clearly visible. The final variation that I will mention are the puffballs, spherical in shape

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with a tough skin which, as they mature, will eventually split open to release a black cloud of spores.

Most are small but the ‘giant’ puffball may reach the size of a football, and is edible while young and the flesh is still creamy-white.

Of course, what we see above ground or growing out of a tree trunk is only a small fraction of the total body of the whole fungus.

The part that we don’t normally see is the network of mycorhizal filaments that spread throughout the surface layer of the soil and under the bark of decaying timber.

These filaments are thin and delicate, like the fluffy white mould that may be seen on a piece of fruit or vegetable left too long in the bottom of the vegetable rack; the extent and importance of these networks has only been discovered relatively recently. Fungi form a separate biological kingdom equal in status to that of plants and animals. They feed using filaments that penetrate and digest complex organic material and this network maintains the health and life of the plants living in the same soil. It is even thought that plants would not have made the successful move from water to the land if fungal networks had not provided vital minerals essential for plant growth. n Pete Mayston

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Flu is not just a bad cold...

Stay alert, wash your hands and get vaccinated!

A

s the summer starts to fade and the nights draw in, we must remember that Covid 19 is not the only virus that we need to be concerned about. Influenza circulates in our community every winter, peaking in December and January.

Flu is not just a bad cold, it is a horrible illness - as anyone who has ever suffered will attest to. There is an old maxim that says if you were looking out of your bedroom window and saw a ten pound note lying on your driveway, if you had a cold you would be out there picking it up, but if it’s the flu, then no amount of money would be able to coax you from the warmth of your duvet!

For most of us, bed rest, fluids, paracetamol and a week or two off work or school will ensure recovery from flu without any long term problems; however, for more vulnerable patients, the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, flu can lead to pneumonia or even death.

Sadly every year flu kills thousands of people in the UK and worldwide and there is some concern that this year’s flu will be especially challenging if coupled with an upturn in Covid infections.

The symptoms of flu are a high fever, aching all over, headache and sometimes the additional symptoms you would get with a cold including sore throat, cough and runny nose.

So if flu causes fever and a cough, how are we supposed to tell the difference between flu and Covid 19? Loss of smell and taste is rare in flu but very common with Covid infection. A recent study has also suggested that in Covid 19, the fever tends to come on before the cough, and in flu the reverse is often true.

However, it is early days in our Covid 19 knowledge and it is very difficult for patients or doctors to tell the difference between two infections. It is therefore vital

HEALTH & BEAUTY that patients remain vigilant to the risks of Covid 19 and if you develop a fever or a new and continuous cough, then you must self-isolate and obtain a Covid test.

Where flu differs from Covid, is that we do have a safe and effective vaccine. Eligible patients are able to obtain the flu vaccine free every year from their GP or pharmacist, or via their school in the case of children, who receive a nasally administered vaccine. This year the government have announced they are rolling this eligibility out to even more of the population. This now includes: • Anyone aged 65 or over ( with those 50-64 being eligible later in the year) • Pregnant women • Children in primary school or first year of secondary school • Children aged two and three • Children over six months with any long-term health conditions • People with health conditions including asthma, kidney and heart disease • Anyone living in a household with somebody on the NHS shielded patient list • Carers and those in care homes • Frontline health and social care workers Those not eligible may be able to obtain a private vaccine from their pharmacist.

There are many myths about the flu vaccine, the commonest one being that ‘it gives you flu’. As the vaccine is inactivated this is not plausible and usually causes no more than a mild aching in the arm.

In addition to getting our flu jab there is lots we can do to minimise all winter infections. All the precautions we are taking to prevent the transmission of Covid, are equally helpful at preventing flu: Wash hands thoroughly and frequently, avoid touching your face, use the crook of your elbow rather than your hand over your mouth when you cough, dispose of tissues immediately and avoid close contact with those with symptoms.

So in summary - stay alert, wash your hands and get vaccinated! n

Dr Rachel Tyler is a doctor at Stirling Road Surgery, St Budeax

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Life-changing Cystic Fibrosis drug

HEALTH & BEAUTY

may benefit local people ‘It’s like being given a second chance in life’

L

ocal patients have welcomed news that hundreds of people with cystic fibrosis across the region might benefit from a ‘transformative’ treatment.

NHS patients will be among the first in Europe to be prescribed Kaftrio, which significantly improves lung function, helping people with cystic fibrosis to breathe more easily and enhancing their overall quality of life.

The treatment – known as the ‘triple combination therapy’ – has been given the green light by European regulators, setting live a deal struck by NHS England to get the drug onto the frontline of patient care as soon as it was licensed.

The immediate availability of Kaftrio, alongside existing treatment options previously negotiated between NHS England and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, means that most patients with CF – more than 7,000 people in England, the equivalent of 600 patients across the South West – can benefit from a therapy which tackles the underlying causes of the condition.

Zara Teare, a patient at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, welcomed the news about the new drug.

She said: ‘Being given the chance to have Trikafta [the marketing name used for Kaftrio in the USA] is like being given a second chance in life. A potential 10% increase seems like the impossible, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to have a lung function like that - or to even take in a big deep breath. It’s really true when people say this drug can be life changing, there’s no words to describe that feeling of being given that chance.’

Cystic fibrosis accounts for 9,500 hospital admissions and over 100,000 hospital bed days a year, as each patient stays in hospital for approximately 10 days. Although the amount of

people who die from cystic fibrosis is reducing, unfortunately 111 people died in 2012.

This watershed moment builds on previous NHS support given to people with cystic fibrosis that saw thousands of people with the condition receive devices allowing medics to monitor their condition remotely, as part of the NHS drive to give more people connected, supported and personalised care in their own homes, saving them from having to make trips to hospital.

Welcoming the news that the NHS can start prescribing the new treatment, Dr Michael Marsh, Medical Director NHS England and NHS Improvement in South West said: ‘At the same time as staff came together to put in a herculean effort to treat patients for coronavirus in hospitals, they also continued providing round the clock care for patients with long term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, and this landmark deal has put NHS patients at the front of the queue for transformational treatment.’

The deal for the triple combination therapy was made possible by the NHS working in partnership with the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE), the internationally renowned body for assessing the clinical and cost effectiveness of new treatments and technologies.

The deal will last for four years to allow for further data to be collected to better understand the impact for patients of this game-changing treatment.

In clinical trials Kaftrio has been shown to significantly improve the lung function of cystic fibrosis patients with two copies of the F508del mutation or one copy of the F508del mutation with a Minimal Function mutation, enabling them to breathe more freely and enhancing their overall quality of life. n

Dr Michael Marsh

“At the same time as staff came together to put in a herculean effort to treat patients for coronavirus in hospitals, they also continued providing round the clock care for patients with long term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, and this landmark deal has put NHS patients at the front of the queue for transformational treatment”.

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New trail at abbey church

A fascinating trail has been designed to help families get even more out of their visit to Devon’s famous Buckfast Abbey Church.

The highlight of any trip is usually walking around the stunning Abbey Church with its many art treasures. The historic site has now partially re-opened with reduced hours and strict measures in place to protect tourists, staff and the Benedictine monks who live there, with a one-way system and parts of the building currently closed because of Covid restrictions.

The free trail aims to explain about the changes which have been made and give interesting things to look out for – some of which might be easily missed by the casual observer. These include details on the recently installed Ruffatti double organ, made in Italy to mark the Abbey’s Millennium in 2018, and the magnificent organ, the first instrument of its kind in the UK which can replicate the sound of bagpipes and even sleigh bells. Another gem is the largest bell in the tower of the Abbey Church, the 7,578 kg Hosanna - it has the combined weight of a lion, a rhinoceros, an elephant and a bear!

Alison Gagg, education manager, said: ‘Despite parts of Abbey Church being closed because of the health crisis, there are still many wonderful and enriching things to see. The trail is very much of its time in that it also explains why parts are closed, as well as how lockdown works for the monks.’

For more information and opening times: Visit Buckfast.org.uk

EH

October 11

Upcycled Market A trailblazing event showcasing a myriad of innovative recycling ideas will be staged in Tavistock this October.

The Upcycled Market is being held in the town’s historic Butcher’s Hall on Sunday, October 11th between 10am and 3pm and aims to promote the ethos of re-use, not refuse. Originally scheduled to take place in March, the event had to be postponed due the coronavirus pandemic, but is the first event of its kind to be held in West Devon and organisers Miss Ivy Events are hoping it 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.

Free entry - Covid safety precautions in place. A Festive Upcycled Market will be held in the same venue on Sunday, November 22nd between 10am and 3pm.

For latest information: Please check www.missivyevents.co.uk for latest information in case of last minute cancellation.

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WHAT’S ON

October 11

Remembrance Sunday

Covid restrictions aside, 11am on November 11th is the day we all take a moment to reflect on those who lost their lives during conflicts all over the world, particularly those in the ‘war to end all wars’ - the Great War of 1914-18.

This story is a work of fiction by John Curry, inspired by a real person. Private William Wood, originally born in East Allington, was killed at Ypres and lived at 28 Church Street, Modbury which is now John’s house.

Arnold He’s a legend in the village.

He played for the village cricket team. A cunning tweaker of the ball, left armer, worth his weight in gold on a rain-affected wicket.

Not a tall man, no more than five foot six, short dark curly hair. Deep brown eyes and long eyelashes the maids envied.

Farm work pre-war built up biceps and broaden shoulders much more efficiently than any gym would do today.

Come the football season he was first choice right half, as they were in those days. Opposition big lads often took him for granted. But only once. He had an extraordinary sense of balance - probably from exercising the Squire’s horses. Whenever a new yearling was being temperamental the Squire would shout: ‘Put Webb up. He’ll show ‘im.’

And he did. Not by mangling the poor beast’s mouth, but by kindness. He was like that with people. Sometimes in the pub a couple of the lads would start ‘effing and blinding’ after a cider too many. He’d put down his pot and say something like: ‘Will you two ladies keep the noise down, the vicar’s trying to tell me a dirty joke and I can’t hear a word!’

Mind you there was one evening when a couple of lads from another village were being a bit boisterous, took objection to Arnold’s remarks and offered him outside. Arnold tried to avoid a confrontation, but to no avail. The younger lad promised to knock that stupid smile off Arnold’s face. He followed this up with a roundhouse punch. Arnold swayed and caught the flying fist in his own, then with a deft twist he dumped the lad, quite gently, into the dirt. His mate, clearly with even less brains, advanced with a knife. Arnold told him to put it away, take his mate and clear off.

Well, he didn’t take the advice - they say the noise Arnold’s fist made when it spread the lad’s nose across his face echoed off the pub wall.

He never married, though he could have had his pick. As it was, when news came back that he had died at Ypres, it wasn’t just the women who shed tears.

There’s a sepia photo of him in uniform over the bar in the pub.

It’s now called the ‘Arnold Webb’. Pop in and say hello while you’re here.

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WHAT’S ON

November 7 & 8

December 6 & 7

Winter Market

Meet Santa Paws!

With more than 30 artists, designers, makers and tech innovators to browse at your leisure, be ahead of the game this Christmas at Ocean Artists Designers Makers Winter Market at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth.

In order to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors and exhibitors visitors will be asked to book a time slot in advance - bookable via www.ocean-markets.co.uk - and wear a face covering. Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities will be provided, a one way system will be in operation social distancing will be ensured within the market.

If you prefer to browse out in the fresh air, the market will be expanding outside into the Courtyard this year. Wrap up warm!

What better treat for you and your pooch than to enjoy some festive fun together?

A unique ‘Santa Paws Experience’ is coming to the Woolwell Centre on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

You will find an array of fantastic Christmas present ideas including a range of merchandise that you can personalise with your ‘Santa Paws’ photo!

There is a doggy café with mouth-watering treats for pooches and their owners including cream teas (advance booking required).

There will also be an area where our four-legged friends can take part in Christmas activities and of course, have their photo taken More information: with the ‘big dog’ himself, Santa Paws, in a themed ‘doggy’ grotto Entry is free - the market runs from 10am until 4pm on Saturday - which will make you smile and your dog’s tail wag with delight! and Sunday.

Tickets must be booked in advance and include a 6 x 4 specialist photography photo by Lucy D APPOINTMENT ONLY Photography (posted out within 7 Ashleigh Meadow, Tregondale, days), a doggy toy specific to the size Menheniot,Liskeard,Cornwall, of your dog, plus a digital social PL14 3RG media photo.

Ticket includes entry up to 3 dogs but only one toy and photo is included in the fee. Tickets cost £20, or £25 to include cream tea (1 scone/ jam/ cream and tea or coffee) which must be booked in advance from https:// adoggydayout.co.uk/tickets/ tel 07767646337 All tickets are refundable in case of www.twoforjoybridal.co.uk cancellation.

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Thursday 1st – Friday 2nd – Wednesday 14th Thursday 15th – Friday 16th October

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October 28 - November 1

Fresh approach for Drawn to the Valley open once more...

Melanie Guy Drawn to the Valley 40

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Image ©: Shri Gunasekara

Drawn to the Valley artists from the Tamar Valley are pleased to announce that as we step out of Covid sheltering, we are planning an exciting exhibition at the Butcher’s Hall in Tavistock.

Although it is a bit out of the usual pattern, timing and venue, it is exciting to be venturing forth again to showcase our work from either during or post-lockdown.

Many members have been finding alternative approaches to their work and trying different mediums in an effort to make the most of the myriad of opportunities that have been shared on-line; it is amazing what varied talent we have in this group.

Sadly, it is not possible to open all our doors to Open Studios this year, but you may see Drawn to the Valley local Art Trails around the district, so look out on social media and on www. drawntothevalley.co.uk for information.

Our annual exhibition at the Butcher’s Hall, Tavistock, opening on October 28th until November 1st. Come early as visitor numbers will have to be controlled for ‘distancing’, but we are excited to be showcasing over 70 artists contributing great originals in time for Christmas.

Plymouth Arts Cinema welcomed audiences back to the big screen at the end of September, the opening weekend part of the annual citywide art festival, Plymouth Art Weekender.

As the leading independent cinema in the city, Plymouth Arts Cinema has launched its opening programme ‘This Is Us’ as a manifesto for what cinema can do.

Cinema is one of the most easily accessible artforms. It allows windows into other worlds and new perspectives on a world we think we are familiar with. A truly independent cinema should show films which comfort us, challenge us, delight and surprise us.

Director and film programmer Anna Navas said: ‘While we have been away we have had plenty of time to reflect on what we do and how we do it. The creative conversation we have with our community of volunteers, audience and fellow film partners is something we want to embed in our programme.’

Community is important to this long-established Plymouth organisation and following a successful Crowdfunder campaign, the cinema team is pleased to be able to offer free cinema trips for key workers who kept the city running during lockdown. The ticket ballot can be entered at plymouthartscentre.org/key-worker-tickets/ Plymouth Arts Cinema has taken steps to ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying their visit. Please go to www.plymouthartscentre.org/reopening for regularly updated information.

After fighting to survive without income from tickets, the organisation welcomes donations from its supporters: plymouthartscentre.org/support-us/donations/ To see the full programme and book online, please visit plymouthartscentre.org/whats-on

Ground-breaking cultural centre opens its doors The Box is the largest multi-disciplinary arts and heritage space to open in the UK in 2020. Originally three separate buildings, The Box’s design has completely transformed, extended and combined Plymouth’s former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library building and St Luke’s Church to create a cutting-edge, interactive cultural centre with 13 new galleries and exhibition spaces, a striking elevated archive, learning and research facilities and a brand new public square.

The Box opened at the end of September with three major exhibitions. Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy, the largest commemorative Mayflower exhibition in history, will include over 300 objects and has been co-curated with the Wampanoag Native American Advisory Committee. Making It is an international contemporary art exhibition featuring newly commissioned works

by Antony Gormley, Portuguese artist Leonor Antunes and Brazilian artist Alexandre da Cunha. And Kehinde Wiley: Ship of Fools has been curated in partnership with The Arts Institute at the University of Plymouth and Royal Museums Greenwich, and will present a three-channel film work by American artist Kehinde Wiley in The Levinsky Gallery.

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MUSIC & ART

Nine permanent galleries showcase The Box’s incredible collections including 14 monumental ships’ figureheads, thousands of natural history specimens, a full-size woolly mammoth replica, paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and ceramics from the city’s art collections, objects, film and photography from its media collections and documents, maps and plans from its archives.

Admission is free to all exhibitions and galleries apart from the ‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’ exhibition. This is free for Plymouth residents and under 18s with a small £5 charge for non-Plymouth residents over 18.

Safety and social distancing measures are place including: • Free admission by advance ticket only, with an easy to follow booking system at www.theboxplymouth.com • Reduced capacity and clearly marked one way systems • Increased invigilation by staff and volunteers • Hand sanitising facilities and enhanced cleaning • A temporary reduction in on site events alongside an enhanced digital offer The wearing of face coverings is encouraged for all visitors over 11 years and mandatory in the retail area.

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 41

MUSIC & ART

Mapping a new perspective

A unique new map of the Coxside area of Plymouth is being created, thanks to a collaboration between Plymouth College of Art, Take a Part arts organisation and The Box. College lecturer Bridgette Ashton and artist Joanna Brinton have paired up to map the area and its residents’ histories, the work engaging with The Box’s Mayflower 400 exhibition with its themes of identity, diversity and migration.

‘Coxside Cartographies’ encourages members of the public and residents of Plymouth’s East End to engage in activities and initiatives by downloading a PDF map from the project’s blog or The Box’s website and use it to plot routes and explore memories and stories of the area. Contributors can then upload their maps onto Instagram, using the hashtag #MappingHistories or email them to hello@effordtakeapart.org.

The information gathered will be translated into a publication

Association, with Coxside’s historical porcelain factory and sugar refinery our starting point for considering the area’s history.’

Third-year BA (Hons) Illustration student Jess Holloway was one of Bridgette’s students who took part in the project. Jess said: ‘I found out a lot about the local wildlife. I noted where the cormorants sat - on an upturned boat with ‘Harbour Authority’ written down the side of it. There are a variety of fish swimming in the water and swans, Canadian geese and ducks that sit on it.

I even saw a wharf roach, which I looked up when I got home. It looks a bit like a giant woodlouse!

‘The project gave me a reason to explore and to cut down different paths, see what was there and where they intertwined.

and map that can be accessed and used in Coxside, as well as remotely, offering a multi-layered view of the place and people.

Bridgette Ashton said: ‘As artists with a relationship to Plymouth, but living outside of it, myself and Joanna Brinton wanted to find a way to learn more about Coxside’s past and present and its connections to the wider world through migration, work and trade.

‘We’re working with local and regional communities including the Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council, Prince Rock School, Nomony Multicultural Toddlers Group and Coxside Residents

The project made me realise Coxside was brimming with life, full of encounters and experiences. It’s made me realise how much I should appreciate how beauty can be found in any corner.’

Take A Part is an arts organisation using art as a catalyst to address social justice issues. Since its inception, Take A Part has grown to support communities throughout Plymouth, engaging, educating and informing new audiences in contemporary arts.

The Box, Plymouth’s new £46 million cultural destination, will be the biggest heritage centre in the South West, which re-opened to the general public on September 29th.

42

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The delights of Wigford Down

A circular walk on open moorland By local historian Paul Rendell

Oxen Tor

START: Cadover Bridge, in the large car park below the bridge. Grid reference SX 55441 64505 DISTANCE: Approximately 4 miles TIME: Approximately 2 hours From the car park, walk towards and go over Cadover Bridge and turn left along a track. Head towards the tall granite cross above you. Cadover Cross is one of a number of crosses that was erected to mark a route between Tavistock Abbey and Plympton Priory and was used by monks.

Now follow the stone wall, keeping it to your left. Where the stone wall goes left, find a grassy track just above it and keep on this track, keeping the wall in sight. You will soon see Plymouth and Plymouth Sound in front of you. The wall will soon turn left again, follow it towards the woods. You will see a tall chimney in front – this is Derriford Hospital. Keeping on this grassy track, head towards this chimney. The woods will drop down the hillside and just as you reach an outcrop of rock called Oxen Tor, the track becomes more narrow and rocky. The very big outcrop of rock behind Oxen Tor is the Dewerstone. This is used by rock climbers and there are a number outcrops, with different routes up the rock face.

Continue along the track and you soon cross a line of rocks going from your left to the right. This was part of the ramparts of an iron age hillfort, long abandoned.

44

Cross over and carry on the grassy track and head to the highest point front of you. From the top of the Dewerstone, there are fantastic views across to Plymouth, the TV mast at Princetown and Brent Tor Church. Just make sure you do this walk on a very clear day to get this wonderful view.

The Dewerstone is a large granite outcrop over 100 metres high and its name derives from ‘Old Dewer’, which is a Dartmoor term for the Devil. One of the legends says that the Devil used to terrorise the moor at night with his pack of ‘Wisht Hounds’ and drive anyone out after dark to their deaths, from off the top of the Dewerstone.

When you have had a good look around and are ready to carry on walking - look towards the TV mast and walk along the wider of the two tracks, which is slightly to the right of the mast. You will re-cross the remains of the hillfort again. Still heading towards the mast you take the small path to the left. The mast may disappear from view but will reappear later. Carry on until you reach the corner of the wall on your left. Now turn right and head uphill, across Wigford Down. There are a number small paths - once over the brow of the hill, you will see the china clay workings nearer Cadover Bridge. You will see a wider path, follow this across the Down, if in doubt, go right. If you spot a small standing stone with the letter ‘L’ on it, this stands for Lopes, the owners of Maristow Estate. This marks the boundary of their land and the National Trust.

Now turning half right, head towards the wall you were

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WALK

N 

 Start: Cadover Bridge Car Park



Ordnance Survey ©

Crown copyright.

Media 082/14

The Lopes Stone

following near the start of the walk and the grassy track you were on before. As you return to the corner of the wall, you will see the car park at Cadover Bridge.

Just retrace your steps past the cross and back to the bridge.

If you would like to learn more about this area, why not come on a guided walk? I will be leading a walk from Cadover Bridge on Monday, October 18th, starting at 10am for two hours, exploring Wigford Down. Cost is £5 person and you must book on paul. dartmoor@gmail.com or call 01837 54727. Dogs should be kept on a lead.n

The Dewerstone

DARTMOOR GUIDED WALKS

Enjoy your walk!

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with

Enjoy a guided walk with local historian Paul Rendell.

Theme walks include wildflowers, history and longer walks.

01837 54727 • paul.dartmoor@gmail.com www.paulrendelldartmoor.co.uk Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 45

The Duke of Wellington visits Plymouth

W

accompanied by three countryfolk who were unaware hen the Duke of Wellington, the Iron Duke, won the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 there was no faster of his exalted rank - they may have talked about the transport than the galloping horse. Roman roads did not ‘hungry forties’ when taxes on imported corn had brought many to near starvation. reach the south of Devon and work on roads from the Soon their conversation was interrupted by the sound 18th century was slow. of galloping horses behind them and the noise of a post On August 28th, 1846, Wellington officially visited horn as a coach drew up. It was not the Duke’s carriage Plymouth to inspect the defences as Commander-inbut the regular ‘Tally Ho’, the Exeter to Devonport Chief of the Armed Forces. The railway had been built coach on its three-hour journey. The guard had heard at from London but alas, only as far as Teignmouth. It Ivybridge about the distinguished pedestrian and offered would be another two years before the line was finished him a seat, but the Duke decided to wait for his own to Plymouth and May 2nd,1859 before the bridge to carriage and enjoy his present company. cross the Tamar was opened by Prince Albert to further Rumour the line into soon spread in Cornwall.

Plymouth that The remaining the Duke of journey was taken in Wellington’s Wellington was tramping his way own horse-drawn to the town. In coach which had reality, his carriage been sent on had quickly caught an earlier train. up with him and Fresh horses the only danger were arranged at he was in was of The Globe Inn, Newton Abbot, being mobbed at The Royal Hotel in where crowds Plymouth, where quickly gathered he was to stay. and cheered as The over-eager they did at The Mayor did not Seven Stars Hotel allow the elderly at Totnes. All Plymouth at the time of Wellington’s visit gentleman to rest was well until he reached Ivybridge. At the popular crossing point over the before rushing up to welcome him, as did another eager claimant for his attention. This middle-age lady, who river Erme, no fresh horses were available at the stage claimed to be the legendary ‘little girl of Salamanca’, post. News of the important visitor’s arrival spread and was reported to have been kissed by him 40 years earlier Wellington decided to start the journey to Plymouth on when his troops had received the town in the Peninsular foot to stretch his legs and avoid enthusiastic admirers.

War. The tired Duke understandably refused to see Accompanied by a mounted guard he started out, knowing that his carriage would eventually catch up with them!

The Mayor was received the next morning and the him. Wellington was a spry 77-year-old and was soon 46

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HISTORY Duke went on to make a very professional inspection of the Citadel, recorded by an artist for the Illustrated News. (Photography was yet to be further developed for common use.)

Accompanied by the Marquis of Anglesea, the two men set off on horseback to Higher Stoke where views of fortifications of the area could be seen. Visits were made to Hamoaze by Torpoint, Picklecombe Point and Mount Edgecombe Park, returning in the afternoon. The halfmoon battery at Staddon Point was noted as being nearly finished and capable of mounting eight 56-pounders, with accommodation for 100 men situated behind. The old Staddon Battery had been repaired. At all the points the men viewed newly completed fortifications as well as learning information on new fortifications on Drake’s Island. Further work was in progress on the Citadel and a reconstruction of the Citadel Chapel completed. In addition to the fortifications, plans for new works at the Kinterbury Powder Magazine were to cost £212,000.

Floating batteries either end of the breakwater would protect this arsenal in the event of war.

Arriving home at Apsley House, his London home, at 5pm on Sunday, the gallant Duke had travelled 236 miles by rail, post-chaise and a short walk towards Plymouth on Friday, rode on horseback for 20 miles

on Saturday and retraced his steps on Sunday visiting Exeter on the way.

There is no official memorial to Wellington in Plymouth, but several streets in Plymouth and Devonport are named Wellington and Waterloo. Builders in the 19th century at Torpoint showed their enthusiasm for him with streets named Wellington, Waterloo and Salamanca. n Sheila Hancox Ivybridge Heritage and Archives Group Ivybridge-heritage.org

12” muzzle loading gun similar to those on Drake’s Island Battery in the 1860s

“KEEPING YOU PLUGGED IN” If it’s got a plug on it then we’ll make sure you’re safe

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Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 47

FOOD & DRINK

Demand for Dartmoor lamb grows A

positive relationship between the supermarket Morrison’s and the Dartmoor Farmers Association (DFA) continues to grow in line with consumer demand.

Prime lambs sourced from within the National Park are now on sale in over 50 outlets across the south of England including a number of flagship stores in London.

The initiative was developed by the Association following an introduction by the Prince of Wales, who has supported the group since its inception in 2007. Members have to farm within the national park boundary, be farm assured and work collaboratively to enhance the environment and tackle issues associated with the supply chain. Over the past twelve months DFA has seen significant growth in membership which now exceeds 100 farm businesses.

Matt Cole, DFA director, said: ‘It’s been a very positive year for the Association and we are delighted that Morrison’s has expanded the lamb promotion across the southern half of England. At the moment our members are supplying close to 400 finished lambs a week and we hope to maintain this through to the spring next year.’

Farming in the uplands can be challenging but as well as high quality livestock, members of the Association also deliver a wide range of public goods. Participation in agri-environment schemes is high and many of the holdings on Dartmoor are actively involved in grazing the commons, a tradition which stretches back hundreds of years. Members of the Association also sign up to a set of principles which look to reduce food miles and ensure traceability. Amongst the group’s objectives is to share their skills and knowledge with the next generation of farmers in order to deliver a sustainable farming future.

Pete Mann acts as a fieldsman for the contract and supplies lamb from his farm at Widecombe in the Moor. Pete said: ‘One of the benefits of working with Morrison’s is the ability to share our story with the consumer and to make the link between the farm business and the national park. There is a long association on Dartmoor between the home farms and the commons and many of our participating businesses have been in the same families for generations.’

The Association is keen to promote the role that members play as custodians of the National Park and to explain the benefits that livestock production delivers for the area’s landscape and wildlife. Most animals reared on the farms are native hardy breeds which are able to withstand the extremes of weather experienced during a typical year on Dartmoor. Many are born on the hill and are grazed on semi natural habitats over the summer before coming off the common in the autumn. This produces a wonderfully pure product with great flavour and texture to the meat. Studies, including that by Professor Henry Buller at Exeter University, have proven that livestock fed on a natural bio-diverse grass diets will result in a leaner meat with higher nutritional value, good fats and antioxidants.

A positive impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been demand for local food and a shift in the way people purchase and engage with producers. The Association has also responded to this trend and has developed a new on-line beef and lamb offer through Dart Fresh www.dartfreshproduce.co.uk and has also participated in local initiatives such as the Dartmoor Food Directory www.dartmoor.gov.uk.

Lamb supplied by Dartmoor Farmers’ Association is now available through a number of Morrisons stores in Devon which includes Liskeard, Tavistock, Kingsbridge, Totnes, Exeter, Plymouth and Paignton. It can also be found in stores in Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucester and London including Wimbledon and Ealing. n

The DFA’s Matt Cole

TECH HELP

Power leads and surge protectors Please, please, please, for those of you with laptops, before you pick it up and move around the house, make sure you take out the power lead!! So many times this year I have had to repair power sockets that have been needlessly broken.

Fortunately most are easily replaceable.

Some, however, are soldering jobs and I cannot repair these. They have to be sent away. Most of us would not be willing to send away our precious tech to some unknown company to fix, so beware!

Lots of you mention you have recently had Microsoft Edge put on your computer. This is the natural successor to Internet Explorer and is there because Internet Explorer is set for obsolescence. If you used Internet Explorer before, then you should move to this (or another browser

such as Chrome) at some stage. You can, in either of the programs you choose to use, ‘import’ the settings and ‘favorites’ from Internet Explorer. You may well need to log in to sites for the first time of use, so make sure you have your password book handy!

Windows Live Mail has been mentioned before on these pages and has got itself in the news again, because it seems that after the Windows 10 update 2004, it sometimes breaks. The program may well continue to work in the sense that it collects mail, but the message in the reading pane becomes unreadable. There is no easy way of resolving this other than using a different program. I suggest Thunderbird and can help with migrating everything across. It takes about 40 minutess and can be done remotely.

We had a spectacular lightning display a while back and as a result I was kept very busy replacing routers and network cards from inside computers. This can in most cases be avoided with the use of suitable surge protectors which I can advise on.

Sometimes you will just get hit – especially if you are away. The very best protection is to unplug everything! n Tim Lambie Chezvous PC

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

PC, Tablet & Mac Help for home or business - visit or remote Got a computer problem at home or office?

The LOCAL help you have been looking for!

Advice on PCs, laptops, tablets, printers, etc.

New equipment setup – data transfer etc.

Maintenance and help with Macs and iPads.

Networking, cabling, broadband issues, email, etc.

Solid State Drive upgrades Remote Access to system if preferred COVID friendly with PPE

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Call 01822 855822 for help – visit or remote Please mention PLYM LINKS when responding to adverts

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 49

TRADE SECRETS

Carol Marsh Nonsisa Handcrafted Jewellery How long have you been making jewellery?

After a lifetime without pierced ears, three years ago I had my hair cut short and my ears were suddenly crying out for decoration, so I began designing my own earrings!

Where are you based?

Having built a career in graphics in Buckinghamshire my family and I decided to move to Devon, and we found a house we loved near Chagford on Dartmoor.

Where does the name Nonsisa come from?

I was working as a signwriter in a Sardinian holiday resort. On one occasion I was asked to paint a name on a boat. It was the weekend and there were few staff at the shipyard. I found someone who was able to show me the boat. I asked the name and he replied ‘nonsisa’. I did the work only to discover later that wasn’t the name afterall. Nonsisa means ‘I don’t know’ in Gallurese, the local dialect!!! Luckily the owner had a sense of humour, loved the story, and changed the boat’s name to ‘Nonsisa’!

www.nonsisa.co.uk

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What is your jewellery made from?

It’s made from polymer clay, metallic flakes, glazes and Tibetan beads.

Why did you choose these particular materials?

Polymer clay is easy to work with, is readily available in many colours and can be fired in a domestic oven. The metallic flakes give an antiqued, industrial edge.

Do you specialise in any particular type of jewellery?

I want my jewellery to be bright and cheerful, uplifting and easy to wear.

What are you influenced by when creating pieces?

I’m influenced by the colours and beauty of Dartmoor. Also the sea inspires me. The turquoise ocean, blue sky (yes, I’m only inspired when the sun shines!!!) and sparkling waves. I find I’m replicating these colours often.

Which part of the creative process do you like the most?

Working with clay is wonderfully tactile. I love the unpredictability of the swirling patterns created when two to three coloured clays are blended together. I love the smoothness of the flakes. I’m constantly getting excited by new ideas.

Its such fun seeing a lump of clay becoming something beautiful.

Can you describe a typical day?

I’m not a morning person but I do try!! First thing I’ll reply to emails, then my husband and I will take the dog for a walk and get a coffee in Chagford. I can also post orders I’ve completed. The afternoons are spent fulfilling orders, updating my website and creating new designs.

Do you have any plans or ambitions as a jeweller?

I’d like to expand and reach more people with my website. I’m also hoping to hold a regular Craft Fair in Chagford. Details will be on my website soon. n

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ur Y g o AR atin RS ebr IVE Cel NN A TH 10

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