Tavy Links December/January 2022

The deadline date for any inclusions in the February/ March issue of Tavy Links will be 6th January 2023. For all editorial enquiries please contact Rosemary via email: rosemary.best @linksmagazines.co.uk

The festive season begins…

As the end of the year approaches, I hope we can all find some enjoyment this Christmas. Dickensian Evening always gets the festive season off to a good start, and there are plenty of Christmas markets for gift inspiration. Local Christmas tree festivals are once again celebrating community creativity, while choirs and instrumental groups have been practising hard and have a string of concerts lined up for the run up to Christmas. You can also find out how pantomimes first came about and brush up your pantomime jargon ready for local pantomimes this season. Unfortunately, there aren’t any pantomime magic wands to solve the current economic issues and many people are already experiencing financial difficulties However local organisations are working hard to help people get through this time. In Community News, Tavistock Food Box Initiative is making food available which would otherwise go to landfill, by offering food boxes for collection or delivery to the local area for a donation of £17. While Tavistock Library is opening its doors for longer to provide a warm place for people to use their facilities, with a wide range of activities, help and advice on offer, as well as the community fridge. Local resident Tommy Hatwell has been helping people much further afield in Uganda, and you can read about The Sleepwell Project in our Charity Focus. Our two Local People are: Giovanni Sponziello who used to run Tavistock deli Sponzi’s, but also had an international career with hair and beauty company, Steiner; and local author Tania Crosse who won a Romantic Novelists’ Association award in 2020, and has just published a new novel set in wartime Plymouth.

Rosemary Best Editor

Front cover image: Christmas garland in the Great Hall at Cotehele House by Steven Haywood. See What’s On for details.

The story of pantomime

For many families, a visit to the pantomime is a must at this time of year, offering a chance to unwind with quick-witted banter and hilarious antics, as you’re drawn into the magic of the spectacle and its extravagant costumes and largerthan-life characters - as well as joining in with booing the villain and the obligatory ‘it’s behind you’ and ‘oh no it isn’t’! It’s extraordinary to think that people have been enjoying this wonderful tradition for around 300 years, although it has changed a little over the centuries.

The origins of this characteristically British entertainment though, lie in 16th-century Italian street theatre, ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ or comedy of the artists, which included music, dance, acrobatics, comedy, and a cast of stock characters such as the old man Pantalone, the clown Pierrot, and Columbine who was in love with the mischievous servant Arlecchino – or Harlequin as he became known in English. During the 17th century, the actors began to take commedia across Europe, visiting France and then also England, where they performed at the popular English summer fairs. Due to the language barrier though, scenes from the continental shows were mimed rather than spoken, and there was more emphasis on singing and dancing, as well as the comic chases. Harlequin’s character particularly delighted audiences, and by the end of that century some of the commedia characters even began to appear in English comic plays. Theatre became increasingly popular in the 18th century, with people from all walks of life regularly attending the London theatres, and by 1850, theatres were being built in towns across Britain.

The word ‘pantomime’ is derived from the ancient Greek pantomimus, meaning ‘imitator of all’ - a dancer playing multiple roles, and using action not words. It first appeared

on a poster in England for a 1717 production by John Weaver, and then became associated with his next production including Harlequin and Columbine, so that the name stuck for plays involving these characters. It was John Rich though who produced what is considered to be the first real pantomime in 1721, entitled The Magician; or Harlequin a Director.

An actor and theatre manager, Rich developed the harlequinade, a comic chase telling the adventures of Harlequin and Columbine, melded with acrobatics, music, magical transformations and ‘slapstick’ comedy. Rich played the part of Harlequin and used his magic wand/sword (a wooden ‘slapstick’ with a hinged flap to make a loud slapping noise) to change the stage scenery by touching it, while giving the backstage crew an audible cue. The sound also lent more theatrical effect when the stick was used to slap other actors – hence the term slapstick comedy. Rich went on to introduce animals, serpents, and even flying vehicles to enhance his productions. His harlequinades became so popular that other theatres decided to adopt them, despite warnings from the critics that they would finish serious theatre. The manager of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, David Garrick, initially joined in the criticism but seeing the commercial opportunities offered by pantomime, he decided to put on new pantomime stories with a speaking Harlequin. However, he limited pantomime performances to the Christmas season, aiming to maintain a balance between serious and more frivolous theatre - and the tradition of Christmas pantomimes was sown.

The 1700s had seen a rise in the popularity of folk tales and fairy tales, and then in the early 1800s the stories of Aladdin, Ali Baba and Sinbad were translated into English. Gradually, pantomime stories evolved, and many are still performed today. Jack and the Beanstalk developed from many different

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Courtesy of Theatre Royal Plymouth

Dan Leno

folk tales going backs hundreds of years, and there was even a reference to the popular Cornish folk tale of Jack the Giant Killer in Shakespeare’s King Lear; the story of Cinderella has also existed for centuries, but became very popular when the French writer, Charles Perrault included it in his collection of fairy tales published in 1697; it is also the only pantomime to retain a transformation scene at the end. While Dick Whittington was based on the life of a real mayor of London who died in 1423.

From 1800, Joseph Grimaldi’s performances of the clown with his mischievous tricks, clever satire and bizarre songs started to edge Harlequin out of the limelight – Grimaldi also introduced cross dressing to create the role of the pantomime dame, although until 1660 men had always played women’s roles as female performers were banned from the stage in Britain. By the Victorian era, pantomime had become a Christmas custom, and gender switching became even more established when women started playing the role of the principal boy, dressed in shorts and tights. At a time when women wore long skirts this was considered risqué, but allowed for a woman playing a male role. Until the Theatres Act of 1843 only theatres with a royal patent could produce spoken drama – after this, pantomimes had freedom to make the most of witty puns, quickfire patter and audience participation. During

the 1860s, music hall stars were increasingly cast in pantomimes, and their celebrity status and extrovert characters changed the shape of pantomime, replacing lengthy plots with topical satire and popular songs, as well as attracting new audiences.

Pantomime may appear to be an absurd mix of bizarre characters, curious plots, and tomfoolery, but as you can see, it is a piece of our history which has evolved around the conventions of the times through the innovations of inspired performers and entrepreneurs to please and delight audiences over the years. And if it has managed to do that for this long then it must be getting something right! So, why not participate in some pantomime magic this Christmas.

See What’s On for details of local pantomimes.

for local people by local people.

Rosemary Best

Courtesy of Theatre Royal Plymouth

Harlequin (Commedia dell’Arte)

way of life

Giovanni Sponziello was born in 1942 in the poor, agricultural village of Sogliano in Puglia. He went on to pursue an international career, before finding his way to Tavistock.

Giovanni’s mother Anna, was a renowned, commanding figure, highly respected for her education and not to be trifled with. As the ninth and only surviving child, Giovanni was cherished from the start. Home schooled until secondary education, he was pushed into technical college to study surveying.

At the beginning of his third year

Giovanni took a rather brave leap of faith and walked out of the course, with no other option or plan, to the uproarious disapproval of his family. Slightly lost, he walked into the local hairdressing salon and asked for an apprenticeship. Immediately drawn to the immaculately dressed stylists, red leather furniture and shiny marble floor, he was a natural with clients and management. After two years of dedicated hard work, he wanted to increase his knowledge and expand his horizons; he applied for a hairdressing position in Manchester and was soon on his way.

Arriving in England in 1963 with a suitcase and very little English he embarked on his ‘second apprenticeship’ in a highly regarded salon owned by the Goldstein family. Noting his potential, Mr Goldstein soon took Giovanni

under his wing, teaching him not only the latest fashion for ladies’ hair styling, but also how to run a successful business. In 1968 Giovanni applied for a position with Steiner, the premier name in hair and beauty with exclusive salons in all major British cities, Trust House Forte hotels, and on cruise liners. He was promoted to manager at the salon in Birmingham and soon rose

through the ranks to become regional manager, then chief executive of Steiner SRL in Italy.

Giovanni attributes his ambition and success to character traits he inherited from his mother. Anna’s respect in the community meant she was tasked with distributing rationed food after the war which blossomed into running a large food shop. She was assertive, hard-working but socially aware, and Giovanni is the same, professional to a tee, with one eye on providing exceptional quality of service. Giovanni met his wife, Christine, when she was an apprentice hair stylist and they married within the year. Their first son James was born in 1972 but medical complications meant a reassessment of priorities. Giovanni relinquished his role in Italy and was offered the opportunity of opening a new salon for Steiner in Norwich. Giovanni realised the way forward was through corporate branding and began writing a training manual, ‘Progress with Steiner’, setting the standard for every employee to reach, and covering practical topics on styling techniques and colouring, but also etiquette, punctuality, and attitude. This manual was accepted as the Steiner formula and Giovanni was soon principal of a new Steiner training school in Wolverhampton for Steiner operational

standards, which ran multiple courses on hair styling as well as professionalism.

to Devon and he took up the position of manager of four salons owned by the Plymouth Cooperative Society. He expanded Snips to twelve salons, increasing clientele and turnover, raising the profile and promoting a new brand of professional service.

Giovanni spent a year in Los Angeles scouting locations and establishing four new ‘Toppy’s’ salons, a Steiner franchise - as well as training both stylists and management to his exacting standards. He later managed the team of stylists who fashioned the hair for the Miss World competition in 1981 and also visited Japan, speaking at prestigious seminars. Giovanni organised two exhibitions, The World of Steiner at Wembley Stadium and somehow found the time to launch a new hairstyle, the ‘coupe midi’ which swept the nation.

By 1985 having achieved professional recognition and personal success, Giovanni felt that the time had come to leave Steiner and dedicate more time to his family. He and his family moved

Giovanni turned 60, twenty years ago and decided to hand in his scissors. He has not been idle though. He began selling Italian produce at the Pannier Market in Tavistock and became a regular fixture, extolling the virtue of his authentic oils, pasta and coffee. He and Christine worked all hours creating delicious Italian menus and word soon spread. The Italian deli Sponzi’s was a huge success and has led to Giovanni teaching Italian cookery and giving Italian lessons. He is currently compiling a recipe book and has written a beautiful memoir packed with gorgeous photographs of his life and legacy.

Giovanni also lent himself to a Tavistock barber shop and continues to cut hair for friends, unable to completely let go of his first love. Like his mother he is a proudly Italian commanding presence, and his passion for hair, strong work ethic and top-quality customer service have led to a fascinating, varied, international and creative life.

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Nichola Williams

International presentation of the coupe midi

The coupe midi

Devon author Tania Crosse talks about her writing career and how she came to set most of her books on west Dartmoor and the surrounding area.

I was born in London but we moved to Surrey when I was five, and I’ve always been a country girl at heart. I wanted

to be an author from a very young age. The earliest example I still have of my attempts, is a school project when I was ten – a tale of twin sisters and their horses. While most of the class wrote a few pages, I completely filled the exercise book. However, after watching an early film of Jane Eyre, I wanted to be not just a writer, but a writer of historical novels. But university, work and then bringing up three children prevented me from following my dream. When my youngest started school, I allowed myself one morning a week either to write or to carry out research into the Victorian period, my great passion. However, when I submitted some of my manuscripts to agents and publishers, the answer was always the

same. They told me I wrote very well but that the Victorian era had had its day as far as publication was concerned. I was disappointed but decided to follow their advice and planned a story set in the post-war years.

It was then that I discovered Morwellham Quay. I was captivated, and characters sprung into my mind, giving me an idea. If I were to write a novel and have it printed myself, I would have a direct outlet at the gift shop. When I enquired, I found that no one else had ever written a book based on the history of the port, and the trust that ran the living history museum in those days agreed that if I wrote such a thing, they would be delighted to stock it. It was

a gamble as back then it was printed copies only. I knew I’d be lucky to break even, but I’d have the joy of seeing a book of mine in print. We launched Morwellham’s Child in 2001. It was a huge success, not only at the quay but in many local outlets too, so much so that we re-printed the following year. By then, I’d started another novel based on farming and mining near Peter Tavy. Then, as I’d proved there was still a market for Victorian stories, Pan Books offered me a contract for both books. Thus my career proper was launched. I wrote a total of five Victorian sagas set on Dartmoor, featuring the gunpowder mills, the prison, Foggintor Quarry, the Princetown Railway, the second railway through Tavistock and the town’s workhouse. There followed two novels exploring the area’s role in the Great War, such as moss gathering and the hospital for soldiers at Mount Tavy. My agent then persuaded me to pen two sagas set in the 1950s, and these I based on Tavistock Cottage Hospital, changes on the moor and the legacy of the Second World War. Then came a period of some years when for various

reasons I had to give up writing, but eventually I was drawn back to my passion and composed four 1930s and WW2 stories set in Kent and London, the last of which, The Street of Broken Dreams, won Saga of the Year 2020 in the prestigious Romantic Novelists’ Association awards.

However, my heart remained in Devon. Recently, Joffe Books have re-published my entire Devon series mainly under new titles. They’ve done phenomenally well, especially Morwellham’s Child under its new title The Harbour Master’s Daughter. Now, a brand new novel has been added to the series, The Convent Girl, set in Plymouth during the horrors of the Plymouth Blitz, although I couldn’t help but bring Dartmoor into the story, too. Plucked from her peaceful life in an Irish convent, Maisie is thrown into the turmoil that is Plymouth, and during the Blitz is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.

It is now my plan to set all future books in the area, and I’m currently researching for another WW2 novel based on two nurses at Plymouth’s City

Hospital during the Blitz and also in Tavistock. After that, who knows?

Tania Crosse

Tania’s novels are available as ebooks and paperbacks from Amazon. The Convent Girl, The Dartmoor Girl and The Girl at Holly Cottage are also available to buy/order through bookshops, including Book Stop, Tavistock. For more details go to www.tania-crosse.co.uk and follow her on Twitter @TaniaCrosse or on Facebook @Tania Crosse Author

The Convent Girl by Tania Crosse

During the 1920s, little Maisie O’Sullivan is left to be raised as a charity orphan in a Catholic convent in Ireland. Uprooted from the only life she has ever known, she is transplanted against her will to Plymouth in England, where she learns that being part of a family isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. An horrific tragedy during one of the worst nights of the Plymouth Blitz leads her to commit a desperate act in the name of love and duty, but what will the consequences be?

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Why we need to keep moving

I love the winter months, and one of my favourite things at this time is reading books about people doing activity and exercise while curled up in front of the fire, and somehow feeling that it makes me more fit doing it. Now this might be a nice thing to do but really what I need to be doing is moving myself despite the dark and the rain.

We all know that exercise is important for our muscles and bones, and the strength of our body. We also know that exercise is important for our heart and cardiovascular system reducing our risk of heart attacks and strokes. But as a doctor and a human myself I know that the thought of having to exercise – to go out of our way, change clothes, get sweaty, be out of breath and uncomfortable – can feel intimidating and off-putting if we’re tired, or not as fit as we want to be, or self-conscious. What I’ve been thinking about more and more is movement, not exercise. What is fascinating is all the evidence emerging about just why movement is good for us and how the ‘surprising added benefits’ are now becoming more central to how we view movement. All of this is acutely important as year on year we’re moving less as a human race, whatever age we are. As a group we move a whopping 30% less than our counterparts in the 1960s.

There is growing evidence that movement is hugely important for our mental health too, and also for our

cognition and the actual act of thinking. I often discuss endorphins and related compounds, the ‘happy hormones’, with my patients. These are released when we exercise and act as stress busters, improving anxiety and depression. From now on I’m going to start talking much more about osteocalcin as well. This is a hormone released from our bones that has some vital jobs: it works directly on our brain improving its function, boosting our memory and keeping our thinking sharp. So absolutely do a sudoku and a crossword to keep your mind active and dementia at bay –but then go for a walk, or go out to a dance class, because that is just as essential to keeping our brain active. Another big job that osteocalcin does is in the fight against diabetes. It works on the pancreas and the fat cells to directly combat the development and progression of Type 2 diabetes. Bones produce osteocalcin when we are using and stressing them, which means when we are doing weight bearing exercises. This doesn’t mean you have to go to a gym and lift weights, anything that involves moving our own body weight around is weight bearing – walking, climbing a flight of stairs, doing tai chi or gardening. So move to beep the bones strong, and the strong bones will help to keep the brain and body healthy.

As well as decreasing movement, another point in our life when females significantly reduce bone density is after the menopause, so staying active

as we get into middle age and older is hugely important to preserve bone mass and minimise this post-menopausal loss. Wonderfully, we are now talking more about HRT. The oestrogen in HRT has a direct effect on the bones, helping keep them strong and healthy for longer, and therefore improving our brain and body function too.

So back to my cosy fireplace in the Devon winter. I can’t even use the excuse that the weather is too bad to go out because research shows we get additional health benefits from walking in the wind and rain. Raindrops stimulate plants and soil to release sweet smelling compounds into the air which improve our mood, and the highly ionised air associated with rain improves our lung capacity and amplifies our immunity. Really, I knew this anyway before reading the evidence about it. It is the proverbial ‘blowing away the cobwebs’ that makes us feel energised, less irritable and more joyous when we get back from a blustery rainy walk. So, wellies on, and out I go.

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of moving our bodies, read Move by Caroline Williams.

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Dr Jo Coldron Tavyside Health Centre, Tavistock

Expansion and investment for Rock Dental

Lucy Stevens and Raj Mohanty had the pleasure of taking over The Rock Dental Practice last year in June 2021. Lucy had worked alongside the previous principal dentist, Miss Pearton, who has now retired.

The duo are keen to sustain the same friendly independent ethos of the practice whilst ensuring that it continues to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and equipment of modern dentistry. Raj graduated in 2000 from SRMC University and has worked in both hospital and practice settings in London before settling in Plymouth. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has a special interest in periodontology in which she gained a master’s degree in India. Raj also recently completed training in botox and fillers, and consistently attends courses to further her dental techniques and skills. Lucy qualified from Cardiff University with BDS (Hons) in 2010. She carried out her vocational training with Malcom Prideaux in Plymouth before working as a Maxillofacial Senior House Officer at Derriford Hospital. Lucy sat her MJDF exam in 2012 to become a member of the Joint Dental Faculties.

She was an associate dentist at the practice for eight years, before taking up joint ownership with Raj last June. Lucy enjoys all aspects of dentistry and takes the time to build a good rapport with er patients.

Since taking over the practice, they have expanded it to include a newly fitted accessible downstairs reception and surgery. There is ample free parking, helping to ensure the patient experience is as straightforward as possible. The practice has also recently invested in a new cone beam CT scanner and intra-oral scanner to further enhance the level of patient care. Lucy and Raj have secured more clinical staff to increase capacity for new private patients, whom they are delighted to accept. The team is able to provide comprehensive general dentistry, as well as advanced implant solutions and oral surgery with Suresh Somasunduran, who splits his time between the practice and his associate specialist post at Derriford Hospital. Suresh has many years’ experience, and can offer a wide range of advanced surgical options from surgical removal of wisdom teeth to more complex

treatments, such as ‘All on 4’. He accepts patient self-referrals as well as referrals from general dentists. The whole team look forward to welcoming patients, both existing and new.

The Rock Dental Practice, 14 The Rock Hotel, Yelverton PL20 6DS. 01822853344 info@rockdentalpractice.co.uk www.rockdentalpractice.co.uk

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Our birdlife this winter

During the winter months we all look forward to spring and the sight of the first swallow. ‘Our’ swallows are now known to winter in South Africa, nearly 10,000 km (6000 miles) away, although in Gilbert White’s day (1720-1793) they were thought to overwinter in the mud of ponds! Their migration journey includes a crossing of the 2000-mile wide Sahara Desert. The change to milder winters over the last 40-50 years has meant that some flowers are in bloom almost all the year round. A few migrant birds have altered their migration pattern and some remain in Britain through the winter. There are now far more blackcaps and chiffchaffs overwintering in suburban gardens and coastal sites, and some gardens may host several blackcaps during winter. Even small numbers of swallows are now spending the winter in coastal areas of Cornwall.

Flocks of redwings and fieldfares are often seen in the countryside from autumn to spring, feeding on berries and other food. In very cold weather they even

come into gardens. However, there was an almost total failure of rowan berries across Scandinavia in autumn this year. Probably as a result of this berry shortage, easterly winds at the end of October resulted in a huge arrival of winter thrushes on the east coast. Several locations recorded thousands of redwings, with 33,000 over Flamborough and an amazing 122,000 counted over Crosby Marine Park in Lancashire, together with 19,000 fieldfares. In October, whilst staying on Lundy in the Bristol Channel, I witnessed an amazing passage of thrushes, mainly fieldfares, over several days, including one day when over 4000 fieldfares were counted, with fewer redwings and ring ouzels. Fieldfares and redwings breed from Scandinavia right across to eastern Russia. They feed on hawthorn, holly berries, and rosehips; when feeding on the ground they take worms, snails, beetle larvae and other invertebrates.

As a result of this year’s outbreak of avian influenza, many seabird colonies across Britain and Ireland have been devastated, with many birds dying. This has affected a variety of seabirds, with gannets, terns and skuas badly affected. Apparently the virus can survive for a year or more and there is great concern that it may continue to affect seabird colonies next year. The virus is probably spread through wild birds coming into contact with infected chickens, and then migrating to another country.

Greenfinch numbers have declined over the last decade due to trichomonosis, which affects their lungs. Recent research has now shown that chaffinches, as well as greenfinches, can also be infected with trichomonosis. Since birds visit garden feeding stations on a daily basis, it is very important to clean out the feeders regularly to avoid spreading disease. Don’t forget to provide water for the birds to bathe in; this helps to keep their plumage in good condition. Even a small bird bath is useful. If you get frequent visits from a sparrowhawk intent on his breakfast, place the bird feeders close to a hedge or thick bush so that the birds have somewhere to hide!

Anthony John

Winter cheer in the garden

Hardy plants that are not only tough enough to stand up to harsh winter conditions but which look great no matter the weather, are a wonderful investment, performing year after year to cheer us up in these dark, short days. Treat yourself to some winter cheer, or with Christmas just around the corner, give a growing gift that will get bigger and better as the years pass.

Topiary plants - evergreens stylishly trimmed in a variety of architectural shapes – give handsome substance and structure all year round. For the festive season, they also make a fantastic basis for an outdoor display in front gardens, patio pots, and raised beds, wreathed with fairy lights or Christmas decorations. Shapes vary from simple balls and small pyramids to more grandiose tall spirals or standards

with a clear stem and a ‘head’ of foliage. A matching pair emphasise and complement doors and gateways; taller plants create structural height in a patio or courtyard while small topiaries look fabulous in window boxes. Popular topiary plants include Box, small leaved Privet, Bay, and of course the Christmas classic, holly. This prickly character comes in a range of leaf colours from dark glossy green to bright variegations of gold and silver that are perfect for winter cheer. Female varieties bear berries: usually glowing sealing-wax red, as well as yellow, though berries are only borne if a male variety is growing nearby.

Winter-flowering shrubs are few, but those which bloom whatever the weather are real gems. Every garden is likely to have a corner for

Christmas box (Sarcococca), a neat little evergreen happy in sun or shade that is a mid-winter delight, smothered in little tassels of creamy-white flowers that aren’t the showiest to look at, but have an amazingly strong scent. Much more space is needed for a plant that combines bright blooms, scent, and autumn leaf colour: witch hazel or Hamamelis, which slowly forms a large shrub 2-3 metres high and wide. My top choice is the variety ‘Pallida’, with bright lemon-yellow, delightfully fragrant flowers. Growth can be restricted by pruning just after the flowers fade, or with care and patience it’s possible to train Hamamelis into a fan or espalier shape to fit a relatively small space. Finally, easy shrubs that are tops for scent, but not much for looks, are the shrubby winter-flowering honeysuckles Lonicera fragrantissima and L. purpusii.

Hamamelis

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Master Florist UK & US

I grow mine in an out-of-the-way border and harvest stems of creamy-white flowers to bring in and enjoy indoors.

Winter plant care

Protect susceptible plants growing in pots if very cold weather is forecast. Any really tender plants like geraniums, fuchsias, and other patio plants should be tucked up indoors (hopefully already).

Move hardy and borderline hardy plants in pots against a sheltered, ideally south-facing house wall, and stand close together so they protect each other. These plants are vulnerable to frost damage as all the rootball is above ground, so wrap the pots in insulating material like bubble polythene or sacking. During severe frosts, wrap the top growth in thick horticultural ‘frost’ fleece.

Good drainage is important so make sure pots standing on paving can drain freely by raising them just off the ground using pot supports or putting pieces of slate or tile beneath. Standing pots on gravel is ideal.

Tender plants in greenhouses and polytunnels mostly survive with little or no additional heat unless the temperature goes well below zero. The important thing is to water sparingly as plants tolerate a surprising amount of cold so long as they don’t have ‘wet feet’. Regularly pick off dead leaves and faded flowers as these quickly become infested with grey mould that could spread to live growth.

Large shrubs that are destined to be pruned in spring, such as roses, butterfly bush (Buddleja), and mallow (Lavatera)

are at risk of wind damage. Reduce growth by half now so there’s less to blow about.

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Sue Fisher

Sue Fisher

Not long ago our garden was responding to autumn with changing leaf colours, abundant fruit and seeds, flowering ivy and colourful fungi. We were saying goodbye to swallows and redstarts starting their six-week return journey to Africa. But now winter is here. Our hedgehog no longer gathers nest material and sleeps under the old stone trough. Adult peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies have moved indoors to the conservatory. A young field cricket occupies the downstairs loo – a positive sign that numbers are improving.

The extended October warm spell meant many insects began seeking winter shelter later this year. We’ve enjoyed watching a huge garden spider eyeing up our wooden letterbox as a more hospitable refuge, and the large ladybird cluster discovered last year under the bedroom windowsill is back. In the same room is an incomplete bell-shaped

solitary wasp nest hanging from the curtains - started during the summer, but then abandoned.

Night-time frosts have encouraged our friendly toad to return to his favourite corner in the garage; how he squeezes his bulky body under the door is not yet known. Impervious to the cold with denser fur than other shrews, a solitary water-shrew has been spotted hunting aquatic prey in the pond.

We’ve enjoyed the grey squirrel antics as they try fathoming out where they squirrelled away their winter nut supply. Squirrels are supposed to have good spatial memories to relocate cached food larders - the many unsuccessful holes in our lawn suggest otherwise!

Finally, we’ve enjoyed testing Exeter University’s findings about the pecking order of birds using seed and nut

feeders. Our observations suggest the more aggressive birds, such as nuthatches, dominate the nut feeders, while larger birds, such as sparrows and finches, hold sway on the seed feeders. The smaller ones, such as tits and dunnocks, simply wait patiently until a gap opens in the queue. One bird that always trumps the others, however, is the Great Spotted Woodpecker, whose sudden and noisy arrival simply scatters all diners far and wide until he leaves.

Country Mouse

Rewetting our peatlands

Running a family farming business, you would think, would be a straightforward affair. Follow the seasons, grow grass, grow sheep, grow cows, sell them, repeat! This is obviously a large part of what we do but as a result of the farming activity which has taken place on Dartmoor for generations, we have created some pretty special landscapes, full of history, habitat and beauty. For the past 25 years or so we have been able to enhance what we have, through environmental agreements of various incarnations. Across the farm on our various blocks, we are currently involved in eight different projects or environmental agreements, doing all sorts of things to enhance and improve things.

Although farming has had a bad press at times for its environmental record, here on Dartmoor I think we have done a fair job of working hand-in-hand with our environment. There are lots of things we can improve but because it is such a harsh, wet place, at times the only option is to work with nature. Trying to work against it on a bleak, wet rock just will not work! One of the bigger projects we are involved with is at Dartmoor Prison farm in partnership with the Duchy estate and South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP). Over the past year we have been rewetting about 200 hectares of peat. In the past, peat on this site was drained and harvested as fuel for the prison and the local community, and the land was dried out to grow more edible forage. Our ancestors made use of a valuable resource available to them at the time, but as understanding of our natural world has changed, we now know that functioning wet peatlands are great at locking away carbon and slowing water down. SWPP has been awarded a grant to rewet our peat and peatlands all over the South West. The process uses specialist equipment to minimise ground disturbance and create numerous small leaky dams in the drainage channels across the landscape. This slows the flow, raises the water table, and allows the sphagnum moss to grow and regenerate the functioning peatbog, thereby trapping

carbon, slowing the flow of our rivers and allowing peatland habitats to thrive.

It is a bit of a leap of faith on our part as we are one of the first farms to rewet part of our land on Dartmoor, but we believe in looking after our natural capital and doing what we can to help mitigate climate change. There is a question over commercial value to the farm. Currently the money available only covers the mechanics of the project, and we are not yet sure how it will affect our cattle and sheep, and their grazing patterns on a wetter landscape. I am sure the next generation of environmental agreement will reward this positive management, assuming the government has the stability to make decisions about the future of our industry, and the ability for agricultural policy to find that sweet spot between feeding people alongside maintaining a thriving environment and landscape. But that is a whole other subject!

Winter sees all the cattle come into the barns to protect them from the Dartmoor weather. Let’s hope we have enough feed to see us through. Cutting out the use of artificial fertilizer saved us money this year, but our harvest was down as a result, and not helped by the dry summer. We will have to be careful and manage what is available as best we can!

I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year, from all at Greenwell Farm!

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Mat Cole, Greenwell Farm

Think People Think Story

Tommy Hatwell grew up near Tavistock but spent 15 years travelling the globe, before becoming a commercial photographer. He first went to Uganda in 2008; the strong connections he made with local people have frequently drawn him back, resulting in Think People Think Story and its lifechanging projects.

Initially, Tommy’s visits to Uganda focused around photographing the everyday lives of the people. During his 2017 trip, Tommy met David, a keen, young photographer from the village of Kyabirwa. Twenty minutes later David had a big camera round his neck and was documenting projects alongside Tommy. They worked together during Tommy’s next two trips, including two years of planning and realising ‘The Borehole’ photo, based on the evening ritual when local people ‘would come along from all directions, arriving with 1,2,3 or more yellow, plastic jerry cans ready to be pumped full of water from deep underground’. In 2019, the portrait of 37 children at the borehole in Kyabirwa was finally ready and Tommy returned to the small Ugandan village to show everyone the 2-meter-wide print.

More creativity followed with the Dream Studio, which came about after Tommy met 4-year-old Mariam, wearing a jumper emblazoned with ‘Dream’ - the nickname stuck and a project evolved to create a photo studio of banana leaves. By 5pm a line of young people had formed for Tommy to take their portraits, while helper Afuwa recorded their name, age and dream for the future. In the summer of 2019, Tommy organised an exhibition in Tavistock Library, with The Borehole print, and children designed and wrote postcards to send to the Ugandan children in the image.

In February 2019, Tommy and David visited Acholi Quarter, a Kampala slum which was originally a camp for refugees fleeing from the LRA. They were there to meet and photograph the New Hope Dance Project group who use yoga and street dance to support the mental and physical health and wellbeing of both young and old. There they came across Ambrose and Morris in the group, who were working with organisations to help their community access medical support and food. Ambrose and Morris joined Tommy and David, for a few photo shoots, as a way to educate, and empower people – and in the process the four began to gel as a team. In Acholi Quarter, Tommy had noticed lots

The Sleepwell Project

chunks of foam which served as mattresses. He had the idea of buying a few new mattresses to create a studio backdrop for portrait photos, before gifting the mattresses to those taking part. After sharing the idea with the team, it quickly evolved into a larger collaborative project. Over the next eight months, the project took shape, with David, Ambrose, and Morris sending videos and images from Uganda, whilst Tommy worked on it in the UK. The team took on the name ‘Think People Think Story’ and in October 2019, they released The Sleepwell Project – people around the world were asked to make donations to pay for a mattress to be delivered to a Ugandan family; the photographic team in Uganda created a portrait of the family with the mattress and shared it with the supporter. Over three days in February 2020, Think People Think Story delivered 60 mattresses, 45 treated mosquito nets, as well as bed sheets, and blankets to 60 families in the Acholi Quarter, benefitting over 300 people. During the covid pandemic from March to December 2020, Think People Think Story mobilised two teams in Uganda to help families in need in two communities, delivering 33,756 bowls of life-sustaining food, 700 handmade masks and over 450 cartons of milk.

Sleep is vital to function both mentally and physically, and sleep quality can be the difference between a good or bad day. In November 2022, the Think People Think Story team set out once again with a target of delivering 100 mattresses to two communities in Uganda. Tommy has also been working with Adventure Okehampton over the last two summers, and six staff members are helping deliver the Sleepwell Project 2022. All bedding items are purchased locally in Uganda with 100% of supporter’s donations going towards buying them.

For more information or if you would like to support the initiatives in Acholi Quarter, Kampala and Bujagali near Jinja, please go to thinkpeoplethinkstory.com or email thinkpeoplethinkstory@gmail.com

legally speaking...

to do so, contributing to record breaking waits in Accident & Emergency departments following a decision to admit, and dangerous ambulance handover delays. Members of staff involved in the inspections described the system they work in as “in crisis” and shared their fears of the risk of harm people may face as representing a worrying new status quo.

There are no instant fixes – solutions to the problem that affect people’s care can only come from long term planning and investment.

the event you do not have family or friends our Anne Reed can be appointed as your Health & Welfare Attorney which means should you need such support, once appointed through a Lasting Power of Attorney, she can step in and facilitate such discharges and transitions on your behalf.

The principle message of this article is take time to think about the “what if” scenarios whilst you are well. This is not age related as everyone should think about who would make decisions for them in

Stepping

On the 21st October 2022 the Care Quality Commission (The organisation which inspects and monitors the standards of care within the NHS and Care homes) published it’s “State of Care” report for 2021-2022. The Chief Executive, Kathryn Smith, summarised the health and care system in England as a “gridlocked” situation. It is “unable to operate effectively”. “The capacity in adult social care has reduced but the unmet need has increased”. The report reminds us all of the urgency to think about how this situation affects us but in particular, the elderly and vulnerable and carers alike.

The report states only 2 in 5 people are able to leave hospital when they are ready

At Paladin we recognise that organisations both within the NHS and private sector do not have the time to focus on a person’s overall experience of care and we witness a fragmented approach that frequently leaves it to family members or services such as ourselves - we act as a voice and coordinator to ensure access to all areas of support be that facilitating a discharge from hospital back into the person’s own home, or working with the various organisations to source available funding options and negotiating packages of care.

With our extensive clinical and legally experienced team we are able to step in, often at a time of crisis, to both advise and help practically to fulfil an individual’s wishes. Either through haste or lack of knowledge, many of our clients are told the only option when in need of care and support is to go into a care home. The predominant wish of all our clients is to be cared for at home – but, what do you need to do or know to ensure this can happen?

This is where Paladin can step in and support such hospital discharges, provide links to care agencies and sign post to appropriate resources within our professional networks. In

the event they were unable to do so and where to access professional advice when the need arises. We welcome you to call us and seek guidance, either as to how to prepare for the future or perhaps to deal with an urgent need for care and advice. Every circumstance is different but with over 40 years of experience Paladin has supported clients and families across the UK at differing intervals of illness and need and continues to be one of the leading advocacy organisations in the UK.

Do take a look at our website to see the range of services we offer and simply call or have a chat with a member of our team.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Reed Solicitor & Advocate Paladin Advocates

Anne

in at a time of crisis...

“With our extensive clinical and legally experienced team we are able to step in, often at a time of crisis to both advise and help practically”

Your library this winter

Where can you go on your own to find other people would like to play Scrabble, or take on a character in a play reading group for a morning? Where can you go to find a space to work on your laptop for the day to make a change from home-working, or to learn rhymes to sing to your new born baby to support their speech development. Join a new activity and meet new people, and even make friends. At Tavistock Library everyone is welcomed and you don’t have to be a member to come in and relax on your own or with friends. Weekdays from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm, using the library space is open to everyone of all ages. If you do want to join to make the most of all the services and activities on offer though, it is free – just ask or join at devonlibraries.org.uk to start using web-based services immediately!

All this is provided by Libraries Unlimited, the charity which runs all of the libraries in Devon and Torbay and we want everyone to know that Libraries are for Life – for all the ‘rough and smooth’ of life. Our services and signposting to information will help you to manage some of the problems that may make life challenging this winter.

• Borrowing books for free can take you through history and help you to travel the world.

• Tavy Fridge will be open, making food available for use when it would otherwise have been thrown away by retailers.

• Important support for people starting up their own businesses can be explained and help with CVs or job applications can be given.

• If you are struggling to understand your digital devices, come in for advice.

As the days become darker and colder, the library will be light and warm, and with the support of volunteers from the Friends of Tavistock Library, there will be an extra open session on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 5.30pm. You can borrow books and use public access computers as well as do photocopying and read the newspapers. You will also be able to play a range of board games for families and adults; add some pieces to the jigsaw or join in with a group who talk as they knit – other groups are just waiting to be started! Refreshments will be available to help you enjoy an afternoon in a friendly place.

Tavistock food charity makes a huge difference

A charity set up to help people struggling to feed themselves and their families through the cost-of--living crisis, has launched a Saturday FoodStore project in Tavistock. The scheme, based at Tavistock Red and Black Club in Crowndale Road, offers a wide range of fresh, frozen and chilled food between 11am and noon every Saturday. Anyone can take advantage of the project. All that is asked is a donation towards the cost of running the charity, to cover electricity, fuel, rates and rent. It follows the success of the Devon and Cornwall Food Action (DCFA) charity inspired Tavistock Food Box initiative since July, which has seen more than 160 families being supported.

DCFA trustee and Whitchurch resident Graham Parker said: “People can fill a carrier bag with anything that we have on display – fruit, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, baking and confectionery – and all that we ask is a donation of £5 to the charity. Everyone associated with the Food Box Initiative is a volunteer, and we are always looking for more volunteers to help.”

The Tavistock Food Box Initiative is a partnership between DCFA, the Red and Black Club and local volunteer charity Tavi Helps. In addition to helping feed people, DCFA also focuses on minimising food waste and the food boxes help to save some of the surplus produce from supermarkets ending up in landfill. However, even after boxes have been filled and distributed, there is still surplus and that’s where the Saturday short-dated FoodStore comes in, to avoid discarding food which is perfectly good but is within a few days of its sell-by or best-by date. It is offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis at the Red and Black Club and anything left over after that is

taken to Tavy Fridge at Tavistock Library and to the nurses in the Intensive Care Unit at Derriford. As well as the Saturday FoodStore, in the past three months the partnership has provided over 300 food boxes to more than 160 local families.

The boxes contain enough food to feed a small family for a week, for a suggested charitable donation of £17. Boxes are available for collection from the Red and Black Club on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 11 and noon. On those days, DCFA’s volunteer drivers can also deliver to homes in an area as wide as Gunnislake, Bere Alston, Yelverton, Princetown, Mary Tavy, Lamerton and Milton Abbot. To order a box, contact graham.parker@dcfa.org.uk or ring Graham on 07545 075942.

Success for Tavistock

Tavistock BID held its annual AGM in October where it outlined plans for 2023. Some of the priorities will be: to develop the reach of Visit Tavistock; to encourage visitors to spend longer in the town and immediate area; to investigate a new annual event in the town; to conduct an initial survey for free town WIFI and to continue supporting the town’s businesses during uncertain economic times.

The Tavistock Gift Card scheme will shortly be re-defined, with new businesses joining the scheme. So far, the Gift Card has increased spend in the town to the tune of £40,000 and we are excited by its success. You can pick one up from Lawsons Tavistock, pick up a ‘Load This Card’ envelope at all participating businesses or buy it online. It really is so simple, and the choice is vast! Best of all, it directly supports the town. The perfect gift this Christmas. tavistockgiftcard.co.uk

We are extremely proud to have won a GOLD for our entry into South West in Bloom and for supporting the town’s own entry which was awarded Silver Gilt. The BID entry also came

top of its class, beating other towns and cities across the region. Thanks must go to Ali Sedgewick of the Community Gardeners and Becky Rowe at Tavistock Town Council for supporting it, alongside Tidy Tavi and all the other local community groups that make this town so special.

With Christmas fast approaching, we look forward to the many events taking place throughout the town. There will be ‘free from 3’ parking on Thursdays and Fridays providing a great reason to come in and shop later on in the day! For more details on all upcoming events go to visit-tavistock.co.uk/ whats-on

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The key to moving home

If you’re thinking of buying or selling your property why not give us a call for a valuation. We can arrange for one of our experts to visit you or we can give you an instant valuation over the phone. Over the last 12 months we have seen house prices grow by up to 5%. With such a high demand for properties in the market we are also experiencing top prices for properties with a lot of houses reaching 101% of the asking price. We understand that the key to moving home is making sure that you find the right house to fit your lifestyle. That alongside exceptional customer service ensures that your move will be a successful and stress free move.

Cleaning up the River Tamar

‘Sewage is discharged into our rivers on a daily basis.’ (The Rivers Trust)

I live just downstream from the Metherell sewage works and the 2021 map of sewage discharges at www.theriverstrust.org shows South West Water was given a permit for Metherell sewage works to spill sewage in exceptional circumstances 188 times over a period of 3,707 hours. (Exceptional circumstances means circumstances that could not be reasonably foreseen and for which there was insufficient time to take the necessary action to resolve the situation arising from those circumstances.) In 2021 in the Calstock area of the River Tamar there were 17 treatment plants which between them totalled 20,309 hours of discharge. This obviously cannot continue. The public use the river for gig racing, canoeing, sailing, fishing, cattle drink from the water, children play in Cotehele Weir and wild swimmers swim in the river.

South West Water has announced plans to introduce WaterFit to protect rivers and seas - ‘WaterFit will dramatically reduce our use of storm overflows, maintain our region’s excellent bathing

water quality standards all year round and reduce and then remove our impact on river water quality by 2030. Working with partners and customers WaterFit will begin to deliver the change we all want to see.’

This is an admirable ambition, but the rivers need to be cleaned up now. One way of putting pressure on polluters is by achieving designated bathing water status. Currently, the River Wharfe at Ilkley in Yorkshire, and a stretch of the River Thames at Port Meadow, Oxford, are the only rivers with designated bathing water status in the UK. Calstock Parish Council intends to add the waterfront at Calstock to this list. When the designation has been confirmed, the river will be monitored by the Environment Agency (EA) and permits to discharge sewage will be scrutinised.

Water quality standards are set for bathing waters based on World Health Organisation research into the incidence of stomach upsets in people bathing in waters with different levels of bacteria. Water is tested for two types of bacteria: E. coli and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria usually get

into water from sewage and animal manure. Tests are carried out regularly, usually weekly, between 15 May and 30 September in England.

Currently the Tamar has NO monitoring whatsoever in the Calstock area for bacteria from sewage and animal manure. Bathing water designation guarantees that the EA will carry out bacteria sampling during the bathing season (May to September).

I am optimistic that South West Water will be able to adapt their processes to enable Calstock to be proud of its bathing water status. The Calstock part of the Tamar is in a World Heritage Site, AONB and SSSI and as such should surely be a top priority.

Andrew Brown BDS

See www.theriverstrust.org for more information and how you can get involved in cleaning up our rivers. www. theriverstrust.org/sewage-map shows where sewage discharges and overflows into rivers took place in England & Wales in 2021.

Photo: Jan Simpson

 The challenges we face with the cost of living increases are going to be felt by our older people on lower incomes. Many of these will own their own properties with either a small or no mortgage at all.  You should never have to…however, you could be able to release equity from your home to help yourself or your family during this difficult time.

 Find out more about equity release and other later life lending options with no pressure to proceed (we charge fees on completion of your loan only). We are a local trusted family firm and want to do what we can so you know all your options.

 If together we decide it is not for you, then at least you’ve taken the time to make an informed decision.  Receiving money into your account can take between 8 and 12 weeks (on average), so it’s key to look at your options sooner rather than later.

 We are members of the Equity Release Council and based in Tavistock.

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Tavistock Rotary

Christmas party, which provides an opportunity for Rotarians and partners to enjoy a Christmas meal at The Bedford Hotel and renew friendships whilst looking forward to their own Christmas celebrations.

Over December we do not have any speakers at our meetings as there is a very busy agenda fulfilling all the Santa duties. However, in January we

Defra road test at Peter Tavy

Farmers are getting ready to road test Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive Moorland Standard on three upland commons – at Peter Tavy on Dartmoor, the Westmorland Dales, and the Shropshire Hills. Details of the SFI Moorland Scheme can be found under the ‘Our Work’ tab at foundationforcommonland.org.uk

“The work will feed into the development of Defra’s Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS). And test whether proposed payments work for those who manage some of the least financially productive, but most important landscapes,” says the executive director of the Foundation for Common Land.

Julia Aglionby explains: “First enshrined in law in the Magna Carta, and once making up nearly half of Britain, now only 3% of land in England is common land. It’s incredibly important open land,

with delicate ecosystems, which we can all access and enjoy. Commons give us food and clean water, absorb rainfall, and are home to important wildlife and archaeology.

“Those who look after them need to be properly recognised and paid fairly for

look forward to welcoming West Devon Citizens Advice Bureau to our meeting to update us on the work they do - in these difficult times, they must have a high demand for their services.

If you think you would like to volunteer for some of the Rotary fundraising

what that involves. This 12-month test and trial is a long-awaited step to proper payment. Commoners and landowners are testing a digital mapping app, developed in collaboration with the Land App.”

FROM

Your wishes, your way. Whatever your wishes, whatever your budget, we are here to help. From a direct cremation to a traditional funeral keep your plans with your local independent Funeral Director Morris Bros 01822 612023 www.morrisbros.co.uk

Ten Tors with Dartmoor Plodders

The Dartmoor Plodders is an independent walking group and Ten Tors team for young people. Founded in 2001, the group is run entirely by volunteers – all of whom have done Ten Tors. Plodders get to make friends outside of school and although we do have a history of winning things, with several event records in the 2000s, there’s no pressure to do that. What really matters is enthusiasm and teamwork. Our training is thorough, but includes lots of fun - we can’t say for sure, but not many teams bring sofas to Okehampton Camp – or a lifesize plastic skeleton!

Whatever we’re doing seems to be working: Dartmoor Plodders hasn’t had a single participant drop out of the Ten Tors event in over a decade. The training season involves lots of walking (typically every other weekend), camping and

a residential. There is then the chance to enter other local events and challenges, like Abbott’s Way and Midnight Madness. The Plodders are also one of the few groups who still train and enter a 55-mile Ten Tors team, if there’s enough interest from previous 45-milers. Beyond completing events, we help young people develop outdoor skills and understanding to see them through life: camp craft, map and compass navigation, independence and self-reliance - as well as a comprehensive knowledge of Dartmoor. Some members have gone on to become outdoor instructors, join the military or emergency services – and most continue their love for the outdoors

New charity shop in Yelverton

Plymouth & Cornwall Cancer Fund (PCCF) is delighted to announce the opening of a second shop in Yelverton in November/December 2022. This is happening almost exactly 25 years since our first shop opened in Hyde Park Road, Plymouth. PCCF is a small local charity committed to supporting local people whose lives are affected by cancer and

who are under the care of Derriford Hospital. We do this by providing small grants to people in need, perhaps for travel expenses or accommodation. We also fund initiatives to improve diagnosis, care and treatment, staff education, and research; in addition we are currently financing training posts for cancer nurse specialists.

post-school, be it hiking, trail running, mountaineering, rock climbing.

Dartmoor Plodders are currently recruiting walkers for Ten Tors 2023 in the 35 and 45-mile events (ages 14-17). If you are interested or would like to find out more, please contact us via Instagram or Facebook message @ dartmoorplodders.

Please do come along and support this new venture in Yelverton - pick up a bargain and meet the team. And if you’re interested in volunteering either in the shop or fundraising, please get in touch on 01822 859042. Our other contact details can be found on our website at www.plymouthandcornwallcancerfund. org.uk

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The dangers of sycamore

Penbode Equine Vets explain the dangers of sycamore seeds, and how horses can be more susceptible to atypical myopathy in the autumn, when the paddocks are bare and the autumnal winds blow.

Atypical myopathy is a potentially fatal disease of horses in the UK and Northern Europe which affects grazing horses. It is linked to the toxins that are present in sycamore seeds and has a seasonal prevalence, with most cases occurring in autumn/early winter and sometimes the following spring. Sycamore seeds and seedlings contain the toxin Hypoglycin A. When ingested, the toxin causes muscle damage and particularly affects the postural muscles (those that enable the horse to stand), the diaphragm (the muscles that facilitate breathing) and the heart. It is a common misconception that the disease always results in death. However, the chances of survival are 50:50 at best, so it is vitally important that treatment is thorough and starts immediately. Horses often get worse for 24-48 hours before they start to improve, so even if the signs are mild, transport to a hospital should be considered, whilst it is still possible.

Signs of atypical myopathy

Atypical myopathy is a disease that affects the skeletal, respiratory and cardiac muscles of the horse, resulting

in a range of clinical signs with variable severity: weakness, trembling, recumbency (lying down), muscle soreness, stiffness, lethargy, fast or laboured breathing, reluctance to work, red or brown urine, choke, whinnying, head tossing, low head carriage, fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden death.

Treatment involves:

• Intravenous fluids to help protect the kidneys from being damaged. Fluids are also important because horses with atypical myopathy tend to become very dehydrated

• Infusions of powerful painkillers and anaesthetic drugs

• 24/7 intensive nursing care

• Supplementary vitamins and minerals

Initially recovery is slow, but most affected horses that recover go onto make a complete recovery and return to work with no long-term effects of the disease.

To prevent atypical myopathy, horse owners are advised to:

• Check fields carefully for sycamore leaves and seeds

• Fence off areas where sycamore seeds and leaves have fallen

• Pick up sycamore seeds and seedlings from the pasture

• Turn horses out for shorter periods

• Provide extra forage (hay or haylage), especially where pasture is poor or grazing is sparse

• Reduce stocking density so there is plenty of good grazing for every horse

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KIDS WHAT’S ON

ARGYLE COMMUNITY TRUST

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AND FOOD (HAF)

PROGRAMME

19 - 22 December, 10am-3pm

Available locally at Horrabridge Primary School and Mount Kelly College, Tavistock, this Christmas holiday programme provides 5 free hours of activities each day, such as multi sports, invasion games, athletics, racket sports, dance, daily mile; plus animal encounters, circus skills and magic tricks. Available to all primary and secondary pupils, priority places for children eligible for free school meals. Book at argylecommunitytrust.co.uk; more info at devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies

COTEHELE

CHRISTMAS AT COTEHELE MILL

3, 4, 10 & 11 Dec; daily 17 Dec - 3 Jan (closed 25, 26 Dec), 11am-3pm

Follow the festive lights to Cotehele Mill, discover the mill decorated in traditional Victorian style and see how families celebrated Christmas then. Normal admission charges apply.

BUCKLAND ABBEY

OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS

17 - 18 December, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3pm

Meet Olde Father Christmas at Buckland Abbey as he returns to read Christmastime stories to groups of children and listen to your Christmas wishes. Booking essential at nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey - £6 per child, plus normal admission charges apply.

THEATRE ROYAL

PINNOCHIO

The Drum, until 14 January

Three very funny men seek refuge in a grand but abandoned old house, where an extraordinary dining table becomes their playground. Grandfather, Father and Son tell tales of growing up; one of them is Pinocchio and he’s had quite a life! Stuff and Nonsense combine this classic story with hilarity, skilled puppetry, music and extraordinary tricks.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

The Lyric, 16 December - 14 January See pantomime details in What’s On.

SOAPBOX THEATRE

THE CHRISTMAS MOUSE

15 - 24 December

Christmas Mouse has lost his home when the snow begins to fall. Can he find somewhere warm and snuggly before Christmas Day? Follow his adventures in this charming Christmas story with stunning puppets made by Jacqueline.

THE SNOW CAT AT YULETIDE 17 - 24 December

This enchanting story from an Icelandic traditional tale, explains if we all work together, we can make incredible things happen. Will mischief and mayhem from some rather mischievous elves get in the way, or can the village pull together to make sure nothing or no-one goes astray - with incredible puppets, magical characters and a fantastic soundtrack.

THE BOX

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Until 18 December

Tuck into breakfast with Santa at The Box Kitchen & Bar, including pancakes, bacon, sausage, egg or veggie sausage baps with tea or coffee for adults and hot chocolate

or fruit juice for children. Children’s tickets include a gift from Santa too.

FAMILY FUN: FESTIVE PLAY WITH CLAY

3 & 10 December, 10:30am - 12:30pm; 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Drop in and learn more about Andy Holden’s ceramic cats artwork on display in British Art Show 9. Make your own festive cat, or another figurine inspired by something special to you, and share some creative time. Activities are ideal for 4 to 11-year-olds and their adults. Free admission, no need to book.

FAMILY FUN: TELL ME A STORY

2, 9, 16, 23 December, 10:30 - 11:00am

Join us every Friday morning for half an hour of storytelling underneath our figureheads. Our story time sessions are perfect for under 5s and their grown-ups, and don’t worry, you’ll still have time to go and say ‘hello’ to Mildred the Mammoth afterwards!

PLYM VALLEY RAILWAY CHRISTMAS EXPRESS

Weekends 3 - 18 & 19 - 21 December

Board a special steam train service at Marsh Mills Station, Plympton and travel to Plym Bridge to meet Father Christmas, receive a gift and play in the snow. Booking essential at www.plymrail.co.uk.

RHS ROSEMOOR

DICK WHITTINGTON

17 December, 2-4pm

Join Dick Whittington and his faithful feline friend Tommy on their quest to seek fame and fortune in the city of London, where the streets are paved with gold and the evil Queen Rat dwells. Admission includes entry to Glow at 4:30pm.

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Dickensian Evening

Tavistock’s much-loved, traditional Dickensian Evening is a truly magical part of the town’s Christmas season. We are anticipating a spectacular event this year with entertainment from The Curiosity Christmas Tree, Corvus Angelicus and Elfic. There will be fire performers, child rides and vintage music from Terrie-Mae McNulty, and Father Christmas will be on hand to spread the seasonal joy. The smell of roasting chestnuts and twinkling of Christmas lights is sure to get those festive feelings flowing! The evening remains a celebration of our town and the businesses who make the event possible, as they embrace the festivities in traditional dress. This year the lantern parade will begin from 5pm in the centre of town, and the Christmas lights will be switched-on by local school children and Town Mayor, Cllr. Ward, at 5:45pm. Community carol singing will take place at 8:30pm on Bedford Square.

To complement the town’s shops and eateries, we can also expect a host of other wonderful stalls selling cider, Christmas puddings, Christmas decorations and mulled wine. You can also visit the Christmas Tree Festival in St Eustachius’ Church until 9pm, and the Magic of Christmas Market in Butchers’ Hall. Let’s Christmas Together in Tavistock.

Saturday 3 December to Sunday 11 December

Tavistock Christmas Tree Festival

This wonderful annual festival organised by the Friends of St Eustachius’ will once again see the church packed with approximately 60 trees, decorated with a wide variety of styles and innovative ornaments by numerous local schools,

charities, businesses and organisations, reflecting their activities, interests and occupations. Refreshments will be available, and marmalades, jams and chutneys will be on sale, as will the wonderful creations of our Vintage Green group. During the festival there will also be live music at certain times, and the opportunity to vote for your favourite tree. The opening ceremony will be at 2:30pm on Friday 2 December

at St Eustachius’ Church and the festival will be open to the public until 9pm that day during Dickensian Evening, and then daily from 10:00am to 4.30pm except during services. Admission: adults £1, children free. Further details can be found at tavistockparishchurch.org.uk.

Thursday 1 to Sunday 18 December Plymouth Christmas Market

Located in Armada Way in the heart of the city centre, Plymouth Christmas Market is proving to be the South West’s go to destination for individual and unique presents. Pick up unique gifts for friends and family, with everything from handmade jewellery and artwork to sweet treats and liqueurs to choose from. Warm up with a mulled wine from the Bavarian Bar, tuck into festive food from one of the many street food stands and snap a festival selfie in front of the giant illuminated bauble. With entertainment including gospel choirs and vintage vocalists, your visit to the Christmas market will certainly put you in the festive spirit! Head to the city centre piazza and browse to your heart’s content! More than 50 traders from across the South West will be selling their wares in traditional wooden cabins, festooned with fairy lights. Plymouth city centre is also home to an impressive

range of shops, including high street favourites, while the waterfront boasts a superb range of art galleries, antique stores and unusual independent shops. For more details on Christmas and other upcoming events visit: visitplymouth. co.uk/whats-on

Festive family fun at Buckland Abbey and Cotehele

Whether discovering the magical winter forest within Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn or admiring the 60ft festive garland at Cotehele, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained this winter.

Step into a magical forest at Buckland Abbey as the Great Barn is turned into an immersive light display filled with 100 Christmas trees, the sounds of the forest and light, changing from dawn to dusk. Look out for different animals along your way before completing the habitat exploration trail around the gardens. Head into the abbey to see the house fully decorated as it turns into an Elizabethan home of feast and festivity, working with local floristry groups who have beautifully decorated the fireplaces and stairways around the abbey. Don’t miss the cascade descending down

the Georgian staircase with over 700 decorations made by volunteers, exploring how, with the changing of the seasons, the ruling king changes too.

Celebrate Christmas with a festive day out to Cotehele. Every year Cotehele’s gardeners build a 60-foot garland from thousands of flowers grown on the estate – this year is no different. Head to the Great Hall to admire this year’s festive masterpiece adorning the entire length of the hall featuring thousands of dried flowers. Follow the festive lights along the stream to find Cotehele Mill tucked within the Morden Valley. See the mill decorated in traditional Victorian style and discover how families celebrated Christmas in those times. Challenge the family to see who can complete Cotehele’s winter trails the quickest, get creative at our crafting

stations and see who looks best in the various outfits to try on.

It wouldn’t be a National Trust visit without a break for cake, and Cotehele and Buckland Abbey have plenty of options. Keep those mittens warm with a warming hot chocolate as you explore the estate paths or head indoors to enjoy festive treats and lights meals. Find local gifts within the shops or something unique in the craft galleries. Every time you join, make a purchase, donate or volunteer, you help us to look after Buckland Abbey and Cotehele –thank you.

Festive memories made at Cotehele and Buckland Abbey

Plan your day out:

nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

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It’s pantomime time again!

Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 December

Cinderella

The Muse Theatre, Lipson, Plymouth Embrace the festive season as the fairy godmother of all pantomimes, ‘Cinderella’ returns to Plymouth. The Wranglers Theatre Company proudly presents this magical pantomime with all our favourite characters from Cinders to Prince Charming, her Wicked Stepmother and Fairy Godmother, Buttons, Dandini and the Ugly Sisters. Grab your glass slippers and join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her heartless sisters and meets her dashing prince. Get ready for laugh-out-loud comedy, and plenty of boos and hisses.

Performances: Tues-Sat 7:30pm, plus Sat matinee at 2:30pm. Tickets: adult £14.00, concession £12.00, family (2 adults and 2 under 16) £42.00 available at www.thewranglers.co.uk or 07926 937958.

Friday 9 to Saturday 24 December

‘Oh No It Isn’t!’

Barbican Theatre, Plymouth They’re the best of sisters on stage but the worst of friends off it... It’s the final performance of Cinderella in a moth-eaten, regional theatre and backstage tensions threaten to boil over onstage. Will the egotism, one-up-manship and politics remain confined to the dressing room? Will the ugly sisters keep the professional professional, and the personal personal? Will we ever find out what happened during Babes in the Wood?

Based on a lifetime of experience onstage and backstage, Ha-Hum-Ah Theatre’s Oh No It Isn’t! is a hilariously funny and beautifully moving new play exploring the highs and lows of life in the theatre. Written by Great British Pantomime Award nominee Luke Adamson and using real anecdotes and stories, it is an impassioned yet tender love letter to the world of performance. Directed and produced by Ben Kernow and staring John Gregor & Darren Seed. See barbicantheatre. co.uk for details and tickets: full £16.50, concessions £13.50, suitable for age 12+.

Charity Lunches Supporting Devon Air Ambulance

Fridays and Saturdays between 12.00 noon and 2pm

Two course lunch £25.00

Three course lunch £32.50 Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours £3.50 Charity envelopes will be provided for donations

A Family Run Hideaway in Devon

LEWDOWN, OKEHAMPTON, DEVON EX20 4PN EMAIL: INFO@LEWTRENCHARD.CO.UK

TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 1566 783 222 WEB: WWW

16 December to 14 January

Sleeping Beauty

Theatre Royal Plymouth

Join soap star and panto legend Shane Richie this Christmas at Theatre Royal Plymouth and make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams! He will be joined by X Factor winner, Matt Terry, the fabulous Ceri Dupree, the hilarious Peter Piper and newcomer Stephanie McKenzie as Sleeping Beauty.

Once upon a time in a land far away, the beautiful Princess Aurora is given a twenty-first birthday present by her evil aunt Carabosse. By pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel, she is placed under a cruel curse and forced to sleep for 100 years. Can true love survive and can the handsome Prince Charming break the spell? Who will outwit the evil enchantress and foil her wicked plans? All will be revealed in this spectacular panto, packed with magic, music, comedy and special effects. Tickets from £18, for more details go to theatreroyal.com

26 to 28 January, 2 to 4 February

Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood

Postbridge Village Hall

Phyl’s Follies present this year’s pantomime - Ben Crocker’s hilarious version of Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood. When the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and his clueless henchman, Dennis, disguise themselves as school girls, so they can capture the Babes, Tilly and Tommy, at the village school run by Winnie Widebottom, the scene is set for an epic adventure. Robin Hood may be the best archer in the land, but can he and his gang of outlaws outwit the scheming Sheriff and save the Babes? Come along and meet the colourful Winnie Widebottom, the infamous Robin Hood and his beloved Maid Marion, the slightly confused Friar Tuck and Little Joan, as well as the band of Outlaws. Help them search for Tilly and Tommy and stop the evil Sheriff’s plans. Expect fun, laughter, songs and dances in this family friendly production as two great stories combine to create one fantastic pantomime!

Performances: Thurs 26 & Fri 27 January, 7.30pm; Sat 28 January, 2pm matinee; Thurs 2, Fri 3, Sat 4 February, 7.30pm. Tickets: adult £8.00, child £4.00; ice creams can also be pre-booked. For all bookings contact 01822 880223, postbridgepanto@gmail.com or see Sue on the meat stall at Walkhampton market on Saturday mornings.

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Wassails and mummers’ plays

During the winter, Morris dancers do not hang up their bells and sit in front of a log fire. Dartmoor Border Morris keeps practising regularly and thoughts are now turning to this season’s wassailing. What, I hear you ask, is a wassail? ‘Wassail’ is an old English word for ‘your health’ (‘wes hál’ meaning ‘be in good health’ - Oxford English Dictionary). The greeting became a drinking toast which was said when passing around a ceremonial drinking bowl, with the reply ‘Drink hail’ (‘drinc hæil’). Wassailing in orchards developed from this tradition to wish the trees good health and encourage an abundant crop in the forthcoming year. Cider is poured on the tree’s roots and toast is tied to the branches to ‘feed’ the tree. Musicians play while everyone sings the wassailing song. The crowd then makes lots of noise to frighten away any bad spirits. These events are very family friendly, so wrap up warm, wear wellies, and bring a horn, or even better, your mum’s favourite cooking pot and a wooden spoon to make as much noise as possible! We will be performing three wassails in January at Cornwood, Buckland Abbey and Bere Ferrers.

We also perform mummers’ plays. Their origins are lost in the mists of time and it is not known how old they are but the plays are based loosely on the legend of St George and the dragon and intended to show the struggle between good and evil, and the eventual triumph of good. Mummers often hid their faces behind masks or appeared in disguise; the plays were performed at Christmastime, probably as a way of earning money during winter when work was short.

Dartmoor Border Morris performs a mummers’ play at Buckland Abbey, the former home of Sir Francis Drake, so we show how Drake overcomes the evil King Philip of Spain, with the help of a Quack, the Winter Queen and a Morris beast called Chatterley.

In addition, Dartmoor Border Morris will be at Bere Alston Christmas Fair on Saturday 3 December from 6pm, The Dolphin Hotel in Plymouth on 10 December from 1pm, and The Royal Oak, Meavy on Boxing Day from midday. New dancers and musicians are always welcome at Wednesday rehearsals in Meavy Parish Hall. Check out www.dartmoorbordermorris.com or like our Facebook page.

Saturday 17 December

Let’s Wassail! At Cotehele

Join us at Cotehele for our annual wassail we attempt to scare away the evil spirits from the orchards to ensure a bumper crop next year. Fancy dress encouraged. Normal admission charges apply, 11.30am-12.30pm.

Sunday 1 January

Cornwood Wassail

Dartmoor Border Morris starts with a bit of Morris dancing outside Cornwood Inn from 3pm, then there’s a short walk to the Millennium Orchard for a wassail. Suitable for children of all ages; wellies are a must.

Sunday 8 January

Mummers’ Play & Buckland Abbey Wassail

Dartmoor Border Morris perform their traditional mummers’ play at 12pm in the Great Barn at Buckland Abbey, followed by a wassail in the Great Orchard. Normal admission charges apply.

Saturday 21 January

Bere Ferrers Wassail

Starting from Bere Ferrers Church Hall at 6pm, everyone heads to the orchard for a bonfire and to wassail the apple trees with libations of cider and plenty of noise to ward off bad spirits, followed by morris dancing, poetry, music and a pasty supper. Small entry fee.

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Friday

13 January to Sunday 12 March

Snowdrop Festival

Here at The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, we’re renowned for our snowdrop collection and the range and variety in flower builds from December into January, in readiness for the first day of the Snowdrop Festival. Spread throughout the 10-acre garden, the 350 plus species and varieties are a welcome adornment to the winter landscape. Autumn leaves have fallen, most perennials have retreated below ground, leaving the foliage of camellias, rhododendrons and other evergreens to furnish the garden, with some even flowering at this time: by the house, yellow flowered Mahonia ‘Lionel Fortescue’ was bred here, and Daphne bholua ‘Garden House Enchantress’ welcomes visitors with scent that can travel as far as the car park on warmer days. Venture further into the

walled garden and the winter flowering Clematis urophylla is draped over the walled garden tower. Add to this, bright winter bark from the dogwood shrubs, many birches and acers, and winter doesn’t seem quite as bleak. The garden and café open Friday to Sunday, 10:30am to 3:30pm. See. thegardenhouse.org.uk/ whats-on for details of the festival, talks and specialist nursery visits together with a full schedule of events and workshops for 2023. We look forward to seeing you.

27, 28 & 29 January

Big Garden Birdwatch 2023

RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the largest garden wildlife survey in the world and provides a snapshot of how garden birds are faring in the UK. Garden birds are counting on you! Together, let’s make it count in Devon.

In 2022, nearly 700,000 people across the UK took part counting 11 million birds and this year marks the 44th Big Garden Birdwatch. With birds now facing so many challenges due to the nature and climate emergency, every count matters. To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 watch the birds on your balcony, in your garden or in your local green space for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.

RSPB chief executive, Beccy Speight said: “By taking part in the Birdwatch you, and hundreds of thousands like you, play an important role in helping us understand how UK birds are doing. Join us for Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 and together let’s take

action to protect and preserve our birds and wildlife for generations to come.”

The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with more than 1.7 million recorded sightings in 2022. Blue tit and starling remained in the number two and three positions respectively. Over its four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. It was first to alert the RSPB to the decline in song thrush numbers, which are down a shocking 81% compared to the first Big Garden Birdwatch in 1979. This species was a firm fixture in the top 10 in 1979, but by 2009, its numbers were less than half those recorded in 1979. It came in at 20 in the rankings last year, seen in just 8% of gardens.

Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2023 opens 13 December 2022. Text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/ birdwatch from 13 December for your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

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John Bridges (rspb-images.com)

Grahame Madge (rspb-images.com)

Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

DECEMBER

2 December

Dickensian Evening

The annual spectacle is back for 2022. Join us for traditional late-night shopping, food and entertainment in Tavistock, with the Christmas light switch-on this year as well.

2 & 4 December

Magic of Christmas Market

If you are looking for something a little different, visit the award-winning Butchers’ Hall Tavistock, for the best of the region’s wares this Christmas. Open from 9am to 9pm on 2 Nov for Dickensian Evening and from 9am to 4pm on 4 Nov; free entry.

3 December

Tavistock Arts Market

Tavistock Arts Market features a diverse group of local artists and craftspeople who fill Butchers’ Hall with a range of handmade art and handcrafted items. You’ll find many different styles of art for sale, as well as a range of jewellery, wood and textile goods, artisan soaps, pottery and much more. Market on 6 Aug is in Bedford Square, 3 Sep and 1 Oct markets are in Butchers’ Hall from 9am until 4pm.

3 December

Brentor Mistletoe Fair

Visit our annual, seasonal fair with lots of Christmas wares, including craft and gift stalls, Brentor calendars & cards,

jams, jellies, chutneys and marmalade, and a grand prize draw. We will also be serving light lunches: soup and rolls, chilli and rice, as well as cakes, mince pies and mulled wine. 11am to 2:30pm in Brentor Village Hall.

3 & 4 December

The Garden House Christmas Fair

Visit the winter gardens and the Christmas fair at Buckland Monachorum for unique gifts from local artisans and makers and a visiting specialist plant nursery. Cafe open serving takeaway tea, coffee and cake. Normal garden admission applies (members free - membership available at thegardenhouse.org.uk/membership). 10.30am to 3.30pm.

3 December

Christmas with Phoenix Chorale

Enjoy a choral medley of music for Christmas with works by Eric Whitacre, John Rutter, Mack Wilberg, Billy Joel and rounded off with Handel’s rousing Hallelujah Chorus. 7.30pm at St Peter and The Holy Apostles, Plymouth, PL1 5EG. Tickets £12 from www.ticketsource. co.uk or £14 on the door, under 18s free (plymouthphoenixchorale.org)

4 December

Plymouth

Philharmonic Choir

Plymouth Philharmonic Choir performs Handel’s blockbuster, Judas Maccabaeus at 7.30pm in Plymouth Guildhall, with

soloists Natalie Montakhab, Kate Symonds-Joy, Greg Tassell and James Cleverton. For further information, and ticket prices visit plymouthphilchoir.org.

6 & 7 December

Ladies do Lunch Workshop

Learn how to decorate using nature with our ever-popular Christmas Hedgerow Workshop at Lewtrenchard Manor. Please bring secateurs and an apron,

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all other materials will be provided, but feel free to bring ribbons, baubles and candles to personalise your decoration. 10.30am to 3.30pm including tea/coffee, biscuits and a two-course lunch. £40 per person, for details visit lewtrenchard. co.uk or call 01566 464074.

9 December

Choral concert Levowan XII Chamber Choir and Mount Kelly Chamber Choir bring you

a selection of seasonal choral music and contemporary Christmas favourites at 7.30pm at St Lalluwy’s Church, Menheniot, Cornwall, PL14 3RR. Entry free with retiring collection.

10 December

Festive Love Local Gift Market

Support local businesses this Christmastime at our ever-popular festive market

at Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock, featuring an array of Yuletide themed local gift and food & drink exhibitors - just perfect for that special treat! So, look no further than this market for a collective of the finest traders who specialise in bringing you an array of products to treasure and enjoy. What’s more, you’ll be supporting a host of local, small businesses too! 10:00am to 4:00pm, entry is free.

10 December

UPCS Christmas Concert

Join the University of Plymouth Choral Society for a concert of seasonal music in celebration of Christmas including Saint-Saens: Christmas Oratorio at the Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth with musical director, Dr Sean Sweeney and accompaniment by Mary MazurPark. 7:30pm, buy tickets at www. eventbrite.co.uk or www.uopcs.org.uk

11 December

Tavistock Christmas Festival

Get into the Christmas spirit with an all-day market jam-packed full of festive

treats from over 60 artisan, upcycled and gift exhibitors selling a selection of jewellery, candles, gifts and many other amazing items. There’ll also be a fun and festive gnome trail for the little ones, a local choir, elves, festive bouncy castles and yummy food! Miss Ivy Events brings this festive Christmas Market, supporting local businesses to Butchers’ Hall from 10am to 3:30pm. Entry free.

11 December

Redeemer Church Carol Service

Join us at 10:30am at Whitchurch Primary School for our annual carol service with Stannary Brass Band - a relaxed carol service for all ages, with your favourite carols plus some activities for the kids, followed by mince pies and tea/coffee - all are welcome to come along!

13 December

University of Plymouth Carol Service

Get into the festive spirit and join the University of Plymouth Pastoral and Spiritual Support Centre for their annual Christmas Carol Service. Retiring collection in aid of Shekinah Mission. 7-8pm at Central Methodist Hall, Plymouth. Admission free but booking essential at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ university-of-plymouth-carol-servicetickets-399437738027

14 - 23 December

Magic of Christmas Market

If you are looking for something a little different, visit the award-winning Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock, for the best of the region’s wares this Christmas. Open from 9am to 4pm; free entry.

17 December

Let’s Wassail! At Cotehele

Join us for our annual Wassail as we attempt the scare away the evil spirits from the orchards to ensure a bumper crop next year. Fancy dress encouraged. 11.30am-12.30pm, normal admission charges apply.

17 December

Stannary Brass Band Concert

Stannary Brass Band’s annual Christmas concert will be in St Eustachius’ at 7.30pm, hosted by Angela Rippon. Tickets: adults £7, u18s £3, available from Stags Estate Agents, Tavistock.

18 December

All Things Festive & Lovely

Join Miss ivy Events at the stunning Mount Kelly College on the edge of Tavistock for a day full of festive treats from over 50 artisan, upcycled and gift exhibitors selling a selection of jewellery, candles, gifts and many other amazing items. There will also be a gnome trail for the little ones, choirs in the fabulous chapel, elves, bouncy castles, mulled wine and festive music. 10am to 3:30pm, £3.00 entry on the door or £6.00 including a glass of mulled wine. Under 12s free entry.

18 December

Redeemer Church Family Christmas service

Join us at 10:30am at Whitchurch Primary School for our Family Christmas Service, with fun & games for all ages, puppets, music and more! Followed by mince pies and tea/coffee - we’d love to see you there!

21 December

Christmas Extravaganza

St Mary’s, Sampford Spiney are reviving their Christmas Extravaganza at 7.15pm on 21 December after a two-year Covid driven interregnum. As many of you know this is an excellent way to get into the mood for Christmas with its combination of carols, music, poetry and pantomime, as well as hot punch at half time. Tickets are £5 for adults from members of the PCC or direct from simonpatrickhill@outlook.com –children attend free.

31 December

Grand New Year Dinner

An evening of fabulous food, dancing and celebration at The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock, with delicious canapes on arrival, a superb five-course dinner and a glass of fizz for the countdown to midnight. £90 per person, to book call 01822 613221.

31 December

Grand New Year Dinner

Join us in the welcoming and historic setting of the Two Bridges Hotel

on Dartmoor for tempting canapes, followed by six delicious courses for dinner. Then enjoy a flutter at our fun casino tables or be tempted onto the dancefloor before a glass of fizz for the countdown to midnight. £99 per person. For details visit twobridges.co.uk or call 01822892300.

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Church services this Christmas

11 December

4pm at St Eustachius’ Tavistock –Christingle Service

5pm at Christ Church Brent Tor –Carols by Candlelight

18 December

2:30pm at Morwellham Quay –Outdoor Nativity

6pm at St Eustachius’ Tavistock –Carol Service

24 December

4pm at Christ Church Brent Tor –Crib Service

3:30pm at St Paul’s Gulworthy –Christingle Service

4pm at St Eustachius’ Tavistock –Crib Service

6pm at St Eustachius’ Tavistock –Crib Service

11pm at St Paul’s Gulworthy –Midnight Mass

11pm at Christ Church Brent Tor –Midnight Mass

11:30pm at St Eustachius’ Tavistock –Midnight Mass

25 December

8am at St Eustachius’ Tavistock – Said Eucharist

9:30am at St Eustachius’

Tavistock – Family Eucharist

10am at Christ Church

Brent Tor – Family Eucharist

10:30am at St Paul’s

Gulworthy –Family Eucharist

3pm at St Michael’s

Brent Tor –Carol Service

JANUARY

8 January

Buckland Abbey’s Wassail

No New Year festivity is complete without a traditional wassail. Join us with Dartmoor Border Morris and help us wake the trees from their winter slumber. Normal admission charges apply.

REGULARS

1,8,15,22,29 December

Tamar & Bere wellbeing walks

Join our free walks on Thursdays in the Tamar Valley – they’re a great way to meet new people, explore your area, and improve your health. No need to book. For more details check out Walking under Exploring tab at tamarvalley.org.uk

1,4,11,18 December

Christmas craft workshops

Add a personal touch to your Christmas preparations, by making a wreath, garland, table centrepiece or topiary Christmas tree at The Bedford Hotel. Workshops include either coffee & 2-course lunch, or mulled wine and afternoon tea, plus craft materials and tuition. For details see www.bedfordhotel.co.uk. £49 per person, call 01822 613221 to book.

Until 6 January

Cotehele Garland

See the beautiful Christmas garland

decorating Cotehele Great Hall. For over 65 years our garden team have created a 60-ft long garland using thousands of flowers grown on the estate, and this year we are celebrating 75 years of caring for Cotehele with a special garland. Normal admission charges, open daily 10:30am to 4 pm, closed 2526 December.

Until 3 January

Christmas at Cotehele Mill

Follow the festive lights to Cotehele Mill and discover the mill decorated in traditional Victorian style and see how families celebrated Christmas in those times. Normal admission charges apply. 3, 4, 10 & 11 Dec, then daily 17 Dec – 3 Jan (closed 25 – 26 Dec), 11am-3pm.

3 - 31 December

A magical woodland Christmas

Step into Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn which has been transformed into a magical forest this Christmas. Look out for animals living within the trees and admire the immersive light and sound display. Normal admission charges apply. 10am-4pm (closed 25 – 26 Dec)

3 - 31 December

Buckland Abbey at Christmas

See the abbey fully decorated for Christmas as it transforms into an Elizabethan home of feast and festivity. Look out for the cascade down the Georgian staircase with over 700 decorations. 11am-3.30pm (closed 25 – 26 Dec). Normal admission charges

apply.

Until 30 December

RHS Glow

Bring all the family for a magical evening at RHS Garden Rosemoor. See the garden in breathtaking beauty and follow our longest Glow trail yet, with spectacular new light displays. 17 November - 17 December, Thur - Sat 4.40pm - 8.30pm; 20 - 30 December, Tues - Fri 4.40pm – 8.30pm

Until 31 January

Winter Sculpture Exhibition

RHS Garden Rosemoor’s landscaping provides the perfect backdrop for the annual Winter Sculpture trail. Each year, we select a number of sculptors to create inspirational pieces which add to the beauty of our gardens. All the pieces exhibited are for sale.

Until 4 January Christmas on Dartmoor

See how Dartmoor inspires local artisans at Princetown National Park Visitor Centre. Celebrate the festive period and buy a unique local gift. (Monday & Wednesday)

Tavistock Area Men in Sheds (TAMIS for short) meets every Monday from 10am until 12ish, and Wednesday from 2pm until 4ish at the Shed - we share the King’s facilities and car park off Pixon Lane. For full details of our group’s purpose, objectives, activities and contacts see tavistockmeninsheds.uk or email info@tavistockmeninsheds.uk

Wednesday

Yelverton Bridge Club

We meet 1.45-4.15pm on Wednesday afternoons to play Rubber Bridge at St Paul’s Church Hall in Yelverton. A friendly and welcoming club, we encourage all abilities, from inexperienced to rusty, who want to progress their bridge game. Come along and try with no obligation. £35 annual membership. More Info: jane. whitehead@outlook.com

Wednesday, fortnightly Tavistock Photography Club

We meet fortnightly at Tavistock United Reformed Church in Russell Street, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. All ability levels are welcome - come and try us out before you join. We aim to cater for all photography genres, with speaker nights, presentation evenings & even more workshop evenings to get hands on. See our new website for more information at www tavistockphotographyclub.com

Friday Lydford Table Tennis Club

We meet to enjoy social play each Friday afternoon at the Nicholls Hall, Lydford, from 1.30 to 4.00pm. It is a friendly, non- league session, with equipment provided plus tea/coffee. £3.00/session. Come and join us for fitness of mind and body.

1st Tues of month

Tavistock Peace Action Group

TPAG meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the United Reformed Church, 1 Russell Street, Tavistock, PL19 8BD. Doors open at 7:30pm and all are welcome.

1st Saturday of month

Tidy Tavi Litter Pick-Up Meet outside Meadowlands Leisure Centre. No need to register - just turn up! 10:00am to midday. All necessary equipment provided, but please bring your own gloves and wear stout footwear.

3rd Monday of month

Tavy Turners and Carvers Club

We meet on 3rd Monday of the month, 7.30 to 9.30pm at the Scout Den, Pixon Lane, Tavistock. New members most welcome - see tavistockwoodturners. org for details.

4th Tuesday of month

Courtroom Coffee & Cakes

Tavistock Guildhall hosts a regular

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coffee and cake event in the courtroom on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 10:30am till 12pm. £3 for a drink and a cake, and at each session Tavistock Guildhall and THT will make a few donations available to view, including gifts of personal history artefacts donated by the community and many photos dating from the 1940s all the way to the present day.

Last Wed of month

Tavistock Flower Club

Would you like to join a warm and friendly group? We meet at 2pm in the Church Hall, United Reformed Church, Russell Street, Tavistock PL19 8BD for various activities: flower arranging, workshops, watching talented demonstrators, visiting the Devon & Cornwall Area Show and gardens. For more information contact 01822 487202 or junecote629@btinternet.com; or visit devonandcornwallfloralart.org

TAVISTOCK HERITAGE TRUST TALKS

Talks are from 7 to 8pm in Tavistock Guildhall. Tickets are £5, available on eventbrite.co.uk - search Tavistock Guildhall - or from Visitor Information Centre Tues to Sat 10am-4pm.

1 December: Simon Dell Tavistock Canal Poetry Trail

The Poetry Trail along Tavistock Canal was little known; with its plaques broken, lost, stolen and faded, it fell into disrepair and was forgotten. The first poetry workshops along the whole length of the Tavistock Canal took place in 2002 and involved poet James Crowden and Tavistock Primary School. In 2017, the 200th anniversary of the opening of the canal, a group of like-minded souls decided to reinstate the trail. Eventually in 2021 their four-year project came to fruition and all the poetry was restored in timber from Tavistock to Lumburn. Take a virtual journey to look at the poetry and hopefully inspire you to put your boots on and enjoy it for yourselves.

Walter C. Parson celebrates 180 years of service in Devon and Cornwall

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors is proudly celebrating 180 years of dedicated service to local communities throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Walter C. Parson celebrates 180 years of service in Devon and Cornwall

Walter C. Parson celebrates 180 years of service in Devon and Cornwall

Walter C. Parson celebrates 180 years of service in Devon and Cornwall

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors is proudly celebrating 180 years of dedicated service to local communities throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors is proudly celebrating 180 years of dedicated service to local communities throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Walter C. Parson Funeral Directors is proudly celebrating 180 years of dedicated service to local communities throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Little could Richard Walter Parson have imagined in 1842 when he set up business in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, that some 180 years later the enterprise would still be running under the same family name.

Two of the staff gained the award for achieving the highest marks in the country in their particular exam. The next generation of qualified staff were to be needed very quickly.

Two of the staff gained the award for achieving the highest marks in the country in their particular exam. The next generation of qualified staff were to be needed very quickly.

Two of the staff gained the award for achieving the highest marks in the country in their particular exam. The next generation of qualified staff were to be needed very quickly.

Two of the staff gained the award for achieving the highest marks in the country in their particular exam. The next generation of qualified staff were to be needed very quickly.

Little could Richard Walter Parson have imagined in 1842 when he set up business in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, that some 180 years later the enterprise would still be running under the same family name.

Little could Richard Walter Parson have imagined in 1842 when he set up business in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, that some 180 years later the enterprise would still be running under the same family name.

Little could Richard Walter Parson have imagined in 1842 when he set up business in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, that some 180 years later the enterprise would still be running under the same family name.

The succeeding generations consisted of his son - John Walter - and his sonOscar Walter - and his son - Walter Cyril - and his son and daughter - Wally and Sylvia Parson (known as Pat). Today the business is under the custodianship of Pat’s son - Stephen Ware, her husband - Graham May and her Grandson - John Ware.

The succeeding generations consisted of his son - John Walter - and his sonOscar Walter - and his son - Walter Cyril - and his son and daughter - Wally and Sylvia Parson (known as Pat). Today the business is under the custodianship of Pat’s son - Stephen Ware, her husband - Graham May and her Grandson - John Ware.

The succeeding generations consisted of son - John Walter - and his sonOscar Walter - and his son - Walter Cyril - and his son and daughter - Wally and Sylvia Parson (known as Pat). Today the business is under the custodianship of Pat’s son - Stephen Ware, her husband - Graham May and her Grandson - John Ware.

The succeeding generations consisted of his son - John Walter - and his sonOscar Walter - and his son - Walter Cyril - and his son and daughter - Wally and Sylvia Parson (known as Pat). Today the business is under the custodianship of Pat’s son - Stephen Ware, her husband - Graham May and her Grandson - John Ware.

From the family home at St. Judes, Plymouth, the business expanded during the 70’s and 80’s at first to Plympton, then Crownhill and Ivybridge, so there were four offices in and around Plymouth.

Walter C. Parson were on the acquisition trail, buying Pidgen & Son in Torpoint in 2003, Hugh Mills & Gaye with offices in Newton Abbot and Torquay in 2006, Pengelly Funeral Service in Saltash in 2007 and Tavistock & District in 2010. Premises in Exeter were purchased in late 2013 which opened in March 2015 after a complete refurbishment. The Old Police Station, Callington opened in April 2019 and an extension was added to the garage at Torpoint to accommodate the growing fleet of vehicles in 2020. Finally, the old Barton Surgery, Plymstock was opened in June 2021. The firm had grown from 4 offices in 1999 to 12 offices by the end of 2021.

Walter C. Parson were on the acquisition trail, buying Pidgen & Son in Torpoint in 2003, Hugh Mills & Gaye with offices in Newton Abbot and Torquay in 2006, Pengelly Funeral Service in Saltash in 2007 and Tavistock & District in 2010. Premises in Exeter were purchased in late 2013 which opened in March 2015 after a complete refurbishment. The Old Police Station, Callington opened in April 2019 and an extension was added to the garage at Torpoint to accommodate the growing fleet of vehicles in 2020. Finally, the old Barton Surgery, Plymstock was opened in June 2021. The firm had grown from 4 offices in 1999 to 12 offices by the end of 2021.

Walter C. Parson were on the acquisition trail, buying Pidgen & Son in Torpoint in 2003, Hugh Mills & Gaye with offices in Newton Abbot and Torquay in 2006, Pengelly Funeral Service in Saltash in 2007 and Tavistock & District in 2010. Premises in Exeter were purchased in late 2013 which opened in March 2015 after a complete refurbishment. The Old Police Station, Callington opened in April 2019 and an extension was added to the garage at Torpoint to accommodate the growing fleet of vehicles in 2020. Finally, the old Barton Surgery, Plymstock was opened in June 2021. The firm had grown from 4 offices in 1999 to 12 offices by the end of 2021.

Walter C. Parson were on the acquisition trail, buying Pidgen & Son in Torpoint in 2003, Hugh Mills & Gaye with offices in Newton Abbot and Torquay in 2006, Pengelly Funeral Service in Saltash in 2007 and Tavistock & District in 2010. Premises in Exeter were purchased in late 2013 which opened in March 2015 after a complete refurbishment. The Old Police Station, Callington opened in April 2019 and an extension was added to the garage at Torpoint to accommodate the growing fleet of vehicles in 2020. Finally, the old Barton Surgery, Plymstock was opened in June 2021. The firm had grown from 4 offices in 1999 to 12 offices by the end of 2021.

From the family home at St. Judes, Plymouth, the business expanded during the 70’s and 80’s at first to Plympton, then Crownhill and Ivybridge, so there were four offices in and around Plymouth.

From the family home at St. Judes, Plymouth, the business expanded during the 70’s and 80’s at first to Plympton, then Crownhill and Ivybridge, so there were four offices in and around Plymouth.

From the family home at St. Judes, Plymouth, the business expanded during the 70’s and 80’s at first to Plympton, then Crownhill and Ivybridge, so there were four offices in and around Plymouth.

In 1999 Wally wanted to retire and Pat, Graham and Stephen bought the business from Wally to make sure it stayed in the family and continued to run as a family owned business. Pat, Graham and Stephen made a con scious decision to continue their predecessors ethos but knew they had to do more than this to move forward, so made a plan to expand the business whilst at the same time making a determined effort to recruit quality staff and train them to the exacting standards of WCP.

“There are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations”

“There are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations”

In 1999 Wally wanted to retire and Pat, Graham and Stephen bought the business from Wally to make sure it stayed in the family and continued to run as a family owned business. Pat, Graham and Stephen made a con scious decision to continue their predecessors ethos but knew they had to do more than this to move forward, so made a plan to expand the business whilst at the same time making a determined effort to recruit quality staff and train them to the exacting standards of WCP.

In 1999 Wally wanted to retire and Pat, Graham and Stephen bought the business from Wally to make sure it stayed in the family and continued to run as a family owned business. Pat, Graham and Stephen made a con scious decision to continue their predecessors ethos but knew they had to do more than this to move forward, so made a plan to expand the business whilst at the same time making a determined effort to recruit quality staff and train them to the exacting standards of WCP.

In 1999 Wally wanted to retire and Pat, Graham and Stephen bought the business from Wally to make sure it stayed in the family and continued to run as a family owned business. Pat, Graham and Stephen made a con scious decision to continue their predecessors ethos but knew they had to do more than this to move forward, so made a plan to expand the business whilst at the same time making a determined effort to recruit quality staff and train them to the exacting standards of WCP.

The Company set up a school which to date has produced many qualified funeral directors and embalmers.

The Company set up a school which to date has produced many qualified funeral directors and embalmers.

The Company set up a school which to date has produced many qualified funeral directors and embalmers.

The Company set up a school which to date has produced many qualified funeral directors and embalmers.

At an event held at The New Continental Hotel, Plymouth, on 2nd July 2022 to mark this momentous occasion, Stephen Ware, Managing Director gave a speech, saying “We have invested in people, facilities and premises. Today we have 12 offices, 18 funeral vehicles included in the total of 40 vehicles in our fleet and conduct nearly 1,300 funerals annually across the South West Peninsula.”

At an event held at The New Continental Hotel, Plymouth, on 2nd July 2022 to mark this momentous occasion, Stephen Ware, Managing Director gave a speech, saying “We have invested in people, facilities and premises. Today we have 12 offices, 18 funeral vehicles included in the total of 40 vehicles in our fleet and conduct nearly 1,300 funerals annually across the South West Peninsula.”

At an event held at The New Continental Hotel, Plymouth, on 2nd July 2022 to mark this momentous occasion, Stephen Ware, Managing Director gave a speech, saying “We have invested in people, facilities and premises. Today we have 12 offices, 18 funeral vehicles included in the total of 40 vehicles in our fleet and conduct nearly 1,300 funerals annually across the South West Peninsula.”

At an event held at The New Continental Hotel, Plymouth, on 2nd July 2022 to mark this momentous occasion, Stephen Ware, Managing Director gave a speech, saying “We have invested in people, facilities and premises. Today we have 12 offices, 18 funeral vehicles included in the total of 40 vehicles in our fleet and conduct nearly 1,300 funerals annually across the South West Peninsula.”

“In today’s cut and thrust business world - there are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations and I am very proud that Walter C. Parson has managed to reach that rare milestone.”

“In today’s cut and thrust business world - there are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations and I am very proud that Walter C. Parson has managed to reach that rare milestone.”

“In today’s cut and thrust business world - there are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations and I am very proud that Walter C. Parson has managed to reach that rare milestone.”

“In today’s cut and thrust business world - there are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations and I am very proud that Walter C. Parson has managed to reach that rare milestone.”

“There are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations”

“There are few companies left who can look back on a history of more than a century and three quarters. Fewer still whose business has stayed in the same family for seven generations”

8 December: Kevin Dickens

Lord John Russell: Political Insect to Dreadful Old Man

The career of Lord John Russell, kid brother of that one on the plinth in the Guildhall car park - occupant of many government posts, and twice prime minister. Successes- some, failures - a multitude - and with one unsolved mystery spanning his entire career.

TAVISTOCK LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

All meetings are free for paid-up members, £3 for others. The meetings below take place at 7.30pm at Tavistock Parish Centre & via Zoom. For more details contact 07746 577598 or secretary@tavistockhistory.co.uk

13 December: Social & Members’ Projects Evening

A little festive food and drink, with glimpses of a few of the projects members of the society have been pursuing.

10 January: Dr Sharon Gedye

Tavistock’s Saxon Abbey with member Dr Sharon Gedye, a HE educator and researcher. Ordulf, brother-in-law of King Edgar, founded Tavistock Abbey in 974 and rebuilt it after it was sacked by Danish raiders in 997. The abbey remains that survive today are from the buildings that existed when it was closed in 1539. But where was the original Saxon abbey – beneath its medieval successor or elsewhere?

PRINCETOWN HISTORY CLUB

From September to May, the club meets at Princetown Community Centre at 19:00 for 19:30 start, on the first Tuesday of each month. In June, July and August, there are outdoor visits, usually involving a short walk - meet at 18:30 for 19:00 start. princetownhistoryclub. weebly.com/programme.html.

6 December: AGM and Christmas meeting

In The Prince of Wales inn, with buffet and quiz

3 January: Pip Barker

The Borstal Boys at Dartmoor Prison

7 February: Andy Crabb

DNPA archaeologist, Andy, talks on the archaeology of Mardon Down

MOOR’S EDGE U3A

We have a wide range of groups, and a speaker each month. If you are retired or semi-retired you are welcome to attend two monthly meetings before joining. Monthly meetings currently take place on Tuesday at 2.30pm at the Woolwell Centre, but will be moving to a Friday in 2023. For more details visit u3asites.org. uk/moorsedge/events

Tues 13 December: Christmas party

Fri 13 January: James Murray Mad, Mad World of Opera - hilarious mishaps touring the world

Tues 10 February: David Follett Tragedy to Triumph - following spinal injury in a road accident at 17, David became English National Wheelchair Badminton Champion.

WEST DEVON U3A

We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 10am in the lower hall of Tavistock Methodist Church. We have a wide range of groups and a speaker each month. For more information visit www.westdartmooru3a.org.uk or contact the membership secretary on 01822 616644.

8 December: Richard Haigh

E Quest L’Italia – Is this Italy?

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP (Princetown Group)

If you are retired, no matter what your previous career was, you are very welcome to join us. Guest speakers attend our winter meetings which take

place in the restaurant of the Prince of Wales, Princetown at 12.30pm. For bookings and details contact Mike on 01822 890799 or mikeandkate132@ gmail.com.

1 December: John Waters

Watching Wildlife During Lockdown

8 December: Christmas Lunch

Coach trip to The White Thorn for lunch – please contact Mike to book.

15 December: Christmas Lunch

Lunch in the Prince of Wales, with the grand draw at 11.30am and lunch at 1.00pm. Booking is essential.

5 January: Ron Howard Gold Recovery from Shipwrecks Off the Devon Coast

2 February: Simon Dell Simon will talk about his time with the police

DEVONSHIRE ASSOCIATION TAVISTOCK & DEVON BRANCH

Our winter series of monthly talks take place in the Parish Centre, Tavistock (members £2, others £3). For further information contact tavistock@ devonassoc.org.uk or check on our website www.devonassoc.org.uk.

16 December, 7.30pm: Professor Ian Bateman

SWEEP: the South West Partnership for Environment and Economic Prosperity (ZOOM only)

20 January, 7:30pm: Annual social event

Event includes a video on the work of Marc Hoskins, CNC engraving and signage specialist. Please book in advance – extra charge for the event.

17 February, 7:30pm: Dr Stuart Windsor

They sailed away - Devonians who left for another life abroad

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Talks@the Wharf...

THE NUTCRACKER ROYAL BALLET

Peter Wright’s much loved production for the Royal Ballet with gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman keeps true to the spirit of this festive classic.

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE ROYAL BALLET

Tita lives with her family on a ranch in Mexico. She falls in love with a boy, Pedro, who lives nearby, but when they want to marry, family tradition prevents it...

Thurs 19 Jan 19.15

THE CRUCIBLE – NT LIVE

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power. Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power.

Thurs 26 Jan 19.15

Thurs 8 Dec 19.15 BJORN BELIEF Sat 3 December

GALAPAGOS: THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS with Peter Brinsden

In 1835 Charles Darwin was inspired by these incredible islands that led to his theory of evolution. Peter describes his personal journey around the Galapagos Islands describing his trip and some of the dramatic wildlife he encountered.

Mon 5 Dec 14.00

THE JOY OF ARCHIVES with Felicity

Goodall

A romp through some of the stories unearthed in archives all over Britain.

Mon 12 Dec14.00

COFFEE SHOP...............

Did you know that The Wharf has its own coffee shop open 6 days a week (except Sundays) serving a varied menu to suit all tastes and at very reasonable prices.

With an outside seating area running alongside the canal, on a hot sunny day there can be no better place in Tavistock to enjoy a cream tea or slice of cake!

Classic era rock band Magnum members plus other top drawer alumni unite to perform classic Magnum with west country boy Mark Pascall on lead vocals.

For the past 10 years Bjorn Belief have been at the forefront of top quality tribute entertainment and can be guaranteed to deliver a wonderful show.

Fleetwood Bac are the world’s first and best tribute band endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself and raved about by Peter Green’s biographer.

Dates and times shown may vary, so please check our website for all up to date information: www.tavistockwharf.com

Tavistock’s main venue for Films, Theatre, Live Music, Talks and Live Broadcasts

JOEY THE LIPS

Sat 10 December SUTHERING

& WINDJAMMER

Sun 11 December

Shiny new Joey The Lips frontman Kyle Kennedy makes his Tavistock Wharf debut!

Originally from Kansas and now settled in Devon, Kyle has previously worked in Las Vegas fronting several pro bands.

SLADE UK

Sat 17 December

A festive collaboration with two of the finest bands on the English folk circuit, join this exciting collective of folk musicians for a memorable show.

MAD DOG MCREA

Wed/Thurs 21/22 Dec

A stunning tribute show celebrating the music of Genesis as well as performances by those ‘connected’ eg Mike & The Mechanics, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins

NEW YEAR’S EVE @

OCEAN CITY GROOVE Sat 31 December

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Slade and Slade UK will propel you back to their 70s heyday when they dominated the Top 20!

A unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking, love and life, to traditional songs.

VOODOO ROOM

Sat 14 January

KRIS BARRASS BAND

Sat 21 January

A 10 piece funk/soul/Disco who exude energy and enthusiasm mixed with the songs guaranteed to fill the dance floor and have you shaking your tail feather!

Voodoo Room - a jaw dropping power trio paying tribute to Hendrix, Clapton and Cream featuring some of the UKs finest.

One of the UKs current success stories hailing from Torquay, Kris is playing bigger and bigger venues and festivals but remains loyal to The Wharf!

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Dates and times shown may vary, so please check our website for all up to date information: www.tavistockwharf.com

Wildwood Arts exhibitions

We have two brand new art exhibitions at Wildwood Arts for December. We are presenting a mixed media exhibition of 19th, 20th and 21st century art, in celebration of our wonderful artists at the gallery, providing an opportunity to see the wide range of work produced by all the talented artists Wildwood Arts represents. While our featured artist for this month is Faith Chevannes, who creates small editions of exquisite, drypoint etchings, as well as mixed media pieces where she uses complex layers of drypoint etching, acrylic, paper, pastel and charcoal to create sublime images of creatures and landscapes. Faith works from her studio in North Cornwall which is near the wild Atlantic coast, the Tamar Valley AONB and the remote romantic moors of Bodmin and Dartmoor. She is constantly inspired by her environment, nature and the everchanging seasons, but also concerned about it; as she watches families of birds going about their daily life she worries about the destruction of their habitat. Drawing is central to the way Faith produces her art as she captures fleeting moments and precious glimpses of our fragile natural world. Faith trained in the 1990s at Falmouth School of Art and DeMontfort University, Leicester and is a Royal West Academy (RWA) artist network member.

Sunset Across The Moor by Sue Lewis

Seed heads and houses by Richard Slater

I’m watching you by Faith Chevannes

Bliss by Faith Chevannes

Berry Head Torbay by PJ Widgery

Sterts this Christmas

For tickets and show details visit www.tickets.sterts.co.uk

Until 10 December Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This much-loved family classic with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice storms the Sterts stage this winter! Sterts Youth Company’s production of the sensational Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the journey of Joseph, son of Jacob and one of 12 brothers, and his coat of many colours. This biblical story features iconic musical theatre classics including

Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door and Go, Go, Go Joseph. Join us under the magical, technicolour canopy at Upton Cross for this spectacular musical.

Thursday 22 December, 7:00pm Candlelit Christmas Celebration

Welcome again to our traditional candlelit carol concert in the Sterts Theatre. Dress up warm and celebrate the start of Christmas with Sterts Singers and friends, with a seasonal blend of music and carols. The snack shack will be open with festive treats on sale. The event lasts a little over an hour.

3 December

Christmas with Phoenix Chorale

Come and join us for an evening of fabulous choral music for Christmas with carols old and new, including Eric Whitacre’s Glow, John Rutter’s Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of Ding! Dong! Merrily on High, as well as James MacMillan’s O Radiant Dawn, and Billy Joel’s And so it goes - rounded off with Handel’s

rousing Hallelujah Chorus. Mulled wine & mince pies available as well as our annual raffle to win a luxury hamper. Tickets £12 from www.ticketsource. co.uk (search Phoenix Chorale Christmas Concert) or £14 on the door, under 18s free. 7.30pm at St Peter and The Holy Apostles, Plymouth, PL1 5EG. For details visit plymouthphoenixchorale.org

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An Amateur Production by arrangement with the Really Useful Group

26th Nov - 10th Dec, 2022

British Art Show 9: Spotlight Talks

Meet a member of the team from each of Plymouth’s British Art Show 9 (BAS 9) venues for a short informal talk about an artist or work of art in the exhibition. Every Wednesday to Sunday throughout the exhibition from 11am-11.15am at The Box - free admission, no need to book.

British Art Show 9 is the UK’s most influential contemporary art exhibition and the Plymouth exhibition in this national tour centres on the migration of bodies, peoples, plants, objects, ideas and forms; taking inspiration from and referencing the role it has played in Britain’s colonial past, as well as the encounters between British and other cultures that have, and continue to enrich our society. Works by the selected

Saturday 17 December Messiah

Mount Kelly Choral Society will be celebrating Christmas this year with a performance of Handel’s ever popular Messiah. We are delighted to be presenting this classic of the choral repertoire in Tavistock Methodist Church at 7.30pm, with

artists include film, photography, multimedia, painting, sculpture and performance and can be seen across four venues: The Box, KARST, The Levinsky Gallery at the University of Plymouth and MIRROR at the Arts University Plymouth. For more details see britishartshow9. co.uk

professional soloists and Dartmoor Chamber Orchestra conducted by musical director, Julian Jensen. Adults £12; free of charge for under 18s – tickets available from Book Stop Tavistock or www.ticketsource.co.uk/ mount-kelly-choral-society

A Winter’s Night

“Soaring harmonies, great dynamics from each section of the choir who were note-perfect” (Geoff Lakeman)

Wheelhouse Folk Choir presents a concert of a cappella singing in celebration of winter at St Eustachius’ Church, Tavistock. Directed by local folk musicians Julu Irvine and Heg Brignall (Suthering), the choir is already building

Plymouth Jazz Club

The gigs are held at The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5DH starting at 7.30pm. Doors open 7.00pm and tickets are available on the door only. For further information visit plymouth-jazz-club.org. uk, the club’s Facebook page or phone 01752 290758.

Sunday 18 December

Dart Valley Stompers

Led by award-winning reed player Jeremy Huggett on clarinet, saxophones and vocals, this is one of the busiest and most popular jazz bands in the country and has proved a great favourite with Plymouth Jazz Club since its first visit in 2019.

Admission £15 (members £12, full-time students £7)

Sunday 15 January

The New Washboard Syncopators

This a six-piece band with a percussionist and washboard player instead of a drummer. On bass (originally from the USA) is Jeff Burton, who plays a tuba and is a former employee of the

a reputation for high quality singing and performs original arrangements by Heg and Julu, which are richly textured and often complex. Doors open at 7pm and the concert starts at 7:30pm. Tickets £6£12 at wegottickets.com/event/560242 – you decide how much you want to pay; proceeds to a local charity. For details see www.wheelhousefolkchoir.co.uk or Facebook: wheelhousefolkchoir

Walt Disney Corporation. The band plays a mixture of trad and New Orleans jazz with a hint of skiffle from the 50s. The expected line-up includes trumpet player Graham Trevarton, leading the band and adding a little Cornish humour during the performance, Dave Vaughan(reeds), Ron Milford(tbn), John Baker(bjo) and Tony Quinn (percussion/guitar). The main aim of the band is to entertain the audience.

Admission £12 (members £9, full-time students £7)

Sunday 19 February Devon Magnolia Jazz Band

This is a six-piece, traditional style jazz band from Exeter, led by banjoist Pete Miller, which contains some of the most accomplished jazz musicians in Devon and around. The band plays lively, traditional and New Orleans style music which is foot-tapping and highly danceable.

Admission £12 (members £9, full-time students £7)

Calstock Arts

Doors & bar open at 7.00pm with performances at 8pm. For tickets and performance details visit www.calstockarts.org

Friday 13 January

Neil Maya Quartet: Cartoon Jazz

One of the South West’s finest jazz outfits, The Neil Maya Quartet plays the best in jazz from the cartoons, injecting some Yabba Dabba Doo into your favourite looney tunes – from Frozen to The Flintstones; Top Cat to Toy Story; The Simpsons to Sesame Street. It’s jazz – but not as we know it. The Neil Maya Quartet’s latest project takes tunes from the cartoons and gives them the jazz treatment creating a high quality, fun evening of wonderful music.

The quartet has toured extensively over the last 20 years, first playing for Villages in Action in 2005, and even recording a live album in Meavy Village Hall for its very successful Brubeck Project. The band consists of Neil Maya on saxes and clarinet and triangle, Tom Ball on keyboards and melodica, Kev Sanders on double bass and Gary Evans on drums (but not triangle). See www. neilmayaquartet.co.uk/cartoon-jazz

Saturday 21 January Wurlitza: The Kid

Wurlitza delivers so much more than a soundtrack to silent films. The choreography, split second timing and hours of rehearsal combine to deliver a unique cinematic and musical experience, blending old and new,

classical, jazz, pop and more. The Kid is a life-affirming love story between a tramp (Charlie Chaplin) and his adopted son (Jackie Coogan). Originally advertised as ‘six reels of joy’, The Kid broke all barriers of convention, being the first film to combine dramatic action, a strong storyline and slapstick comedy. It was Chaplin’s first feature length film as a director and became the second-highest grossing film of 1921. Much of the magic of the film is the chemistry between Charlie Chaplin, and the astonishingly precocious Jackie Coogan. Wurlitza’s soundtrack for The Kid includes music by David Bowie, Sham 69, The Beatles, Nick Lowe, Django Reinhardt, Debussy and Chopin. The Kid is suitable for all ages and will be accompanied by another comic short film.

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Eco-friendly food shopping

Jar Zero Waste Shop is a family run business located at 4 Market Street, in the heart of Tavistock. It stocks a wide selection of sustainable products, such as organic store cupboard foods, fresh foods including breads and sweet bakes, teas and locally roasted coffees, herbs and spices, self-care and cleaning refills, as well as zero waste home and lifestyle products.

Zero waste shopping is all about bringing your own containers, to refill with ethically sourced organic foods which you can buy loose by weight. This avoids plastic packaging waste and also food waste, as you can buy just as much as you need. Over-packaging of foods is a huge source of unnecessary waste that has a large impact on the environment - most plastics cannot be recycled, or can only be recycled a few

times, and are impossible to completely dispose of. The wide use of plastics in every industry over the past few decades has led to increasing amounts in landfill and micro plastics seeping into our oceans. Jar seeks to buy good quality, sustainable foods in bulk, mostly in paper sacks, that are ethically sourced from cooperative food wholesalers and from suppliers in the ‘circular economy’ (cleaning liquid and oil tubs are sent back to be washed and refilled); we also stock locally made goods to support the local economy.

Sisters Helen and Caroline set up the first Jar shop in Plymouth three years ago, with the ambition of making low waste, sustainable shopping available in the city. The shop was granted funding from the council and opened on the Barbican in 2019, as the first of its kind

in Plymouth. Realising there wasn’t a food refill shop in Tavistock, Helen and Caroline worked with family local to Tavistock, Aunt Susan and Uncle Tim, to open Jar Tavistock in 2022. They have had a wonderful response to waste free shopping in the town and the shop continues to grow and add new products.

A popular membership scheme offers a discount to regular shoppers, and bulk discounts are available if you would like zero waste supplies for your business. Helen and Caroline have recently opened a new shop on Hyde Park Road in Plymouth, and members are able to use their discount at any of the three shops. For more details see Facebook & Instagram: @jartavistock; www. jarplymouth.co.uk or contact orders@ jarplymouth.co.uk or 01822 487507.

What’s in a name?

and barely adequate nutrition. They grow best on loam, clay, and on sandy or volcanic soil. So the reason the vine you planted five years ago has never fruited, is probably because you treat it too well!

Sunshine and warmth are important, though the combination is not always obvious – you can grow great malbec high in the Andes because although there’s little warmth, there’s lots of sunshine. Vines can therefore be planted in areas of more or less sun as required.

water warms slowly during summer and releases the warmth slowly when the weather cools).

Moisture and humidity encourage diseases and pests – especially moulds. Yet the world’s finest dessert wines are made by encouraging botrytis cinerea, a mould that depletes the water in grapes, intensifying the flavours. This requires cool, misty mornings and warm, sunny afternoons – a great example of how tricky ‘terroir’ can be.

It’s very satisfying when a customer announces they don’t like something – chardonnay or even French wine, for example – then later leaves with a bottle of French chardonnay! Often this follows a discussion about ‘terroir’, the French word used to describe every aspect of the environment in which grapes are grown. The same name does not equal the same wine...

‘Terroir’ literally means ‘land’, but in wine terms a great deal more besides. Soil is certainly vital – vines usually produce the best grapes when they struggle to survive, sending long, searching roots to find limited water

Chablis is a hill village in France that grows chardonnay (though it’s never called chardonnay, just Chablis). Exactly where on the hill, grapes are planted determines whether they will make Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru or Grand Cru wines – the prices of which vary enormously. The parts of the hill with the best exposure to sun, best drainage and the right soil type are the most valuable.

Proximity to water is frequently a decisive factor in the quality of wine. Large bodies of water moderate temperatures around them, allowing grapes to ripen evenly over a longer time, which is a very good thing (consider sea-swimming in October –

Of course, there’s more to this, but in simple terms if the right grapes are grown in exactly the right environment, the result is perfectly ripened grapes and great wine. Naturally, few places are perfect, so the resulting wines vary! A chardonnay grown in French limestone soil will taste very different to one grown in Chile on volcanic soil. Other factors such as wine-making techniques (e.g. barrel ageing) are also very significant, but I’m afraid I’m out of space. The bottom line? The more wines you sample, the more you will properly understand the variety available!

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

Dave Anning SW Bottle Shop

Meatballs with pasta

When I was living with my parents in Italy, and was so much younger than today, the smell of my mother cooking this recipe was guaranteed to get me out of bed!

Ingredients (for 4 people)

300g minced beef

200g sausage meat

Beef marrow, around 80g (optional)

2 garlic cloves

1 onion

100g finely chopped mature cheddar cheese

Parsley

50g breadcrumbs

1 tin of tomatoes

A bit of tomato puree

A glass of dry white wine

Some basil

Salt and pepper

500g rigatoni, paccheri, or penne Cornish Mature Gouda or your favourite local hard cheese

Method

Finely chop two garlic cloves, a quarter of an onion, the beef marrow, parsley, and cheddar, and mix everything in a large bowl with the breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper and mix well again.

With slightly damp hands, take a small chunk of meat and roll it between your hands to make a ball (between 4cm and 6cm in diameter). Set it aside on a flat plate and continue with the rest of the mixture. Cover the meatballs with clingfilm and put them in the fridge for a couple of hours.

In a large pot, gently fry two garlic cloves and half a chopped onion. When nicely golden, gently add the meatballs and cook for 20 minutes at medium heat, turning the meatballs to seal them. Add the wine and let it evaporate. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Taking care not to break up the meatballs, add a generous spoonful of tomato puree and stir well - be careful! Once mixed, add the tin of tomatoes and cover with a lid to let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Once ready, add the basil leaves and

start boiling the water for the pasta. Remove the meatballs and sauce from the heat and set aside. Cook the pasta until al dente.

Add the cooked pasta to the meatballs and sauce with some grated Cornish Mature Gouda and mix until all the pasta is covered with the sauce. Serve the pasta, put extra meatballs on the top and grate a generous portion of Cornish Gouda over the top.

Sit down, eat your pasta and have a fantastic nap!

Recipe by Italian Jack – your Italian experience in the heart of Devon: private chef; dinner & lunch delivery; cooking classes; professional consulting; supper clubs.

Contact 07745 934897 or for more details see italianjack.co.uk or facebook. com/groups/italianjack

Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers

A winter woodland walk, and lots of history with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers. This 4-mile walk visits Morwellham, once a thriving village and port. It is the terminus of the Tavistock Canal and developed in the 19th century to ship copper ores mined in West Devon and East Cornwall. The walk goes by the historic manor of Morwell Barton before passing the crags of Morwell Rocks and the historic quays on the River Tamar.

Park in a layby just below the crossroads at The Rock (SX451711 PL19 8JL)

1. Go back up the road to the crossroads, turn left and almost immediately left

again down the signed public footpath past a white gate. Walk down the tarmac drive and past the entrance to Morwell Barton, a fine manor house dating from the late 15th century. Continue straight on the now grassy track to a gate.

2. Cross a stile beside the gate and into a field. Keep the hedge on the right and into a second field. Continue ahead towards woodland and a metal gate. The path goes into the

woods, at first a little indistinct but soon turning left and becoming a substantial track by Pleasure Rock. Descend gently down through the woodland to reach Morwell Rocks. This is a spectacular viewpoint high above the meandering River Tamar loved by Victorian artists and climbers alike. An information board sets the scene. A little further on, the pit for a waterwheel of Wheal Russell, a 19th century copper mine, can be glimpsed. Go straight on

through a wooden gate and join a tarmac lane which will lead down to the quay.

3. Pass a row of cottages built by the Duke of Bedford, to house workers, before bearing left between the old industrial buildings of this once busy quay. Please ensure that you keep to the public footpath here. If you wish to explore further an entry charge applies. Walk past the huge waterwheel, the quays where ore was stacked before loading onto the waiting ships, and The Ship Inn before turning right on the footpath signed to ‘George and Charlotte Mine’. (The large building on the right is a hydroelectric power station powered by water from the Tavistock Canal). Continue beside the track

of the old mine railway as it goes into the mine (and a little further on, comes out again).

4. By a black corrugated iron shed, the footpath leaves the railway track and continues alongside a low wall with the River Tamar on the right to the eerie remains of Newquay. Pass a line of huge lime kilns and go up the track to a wooden gate.

5. Go through the gate, turning left signed to the county road. Keep straight on at a T-junction and pass a metal gate. The lane passes Lower Sheepridge Farm and continues uphill to Sheepridge Farm and Sheepridge Cottage before reaching the layby where we started the walk.

Tavistock Ramblers walk on most Saturdays and Sundays and some Wednesdays. There is a mix of short walks and longer all day hikes to suit all. Go to www.tavistockramblers.org.uk to see the latest programme of walks on offer. You are welcome to join us. If you want something shorter to start with, try a Ramblers Wellbeing Walk to get active. There will be one near you.

You will also find a series of self-guided walks on the website to download or print. Two books of Tavistock District walks and several leaflets of walks in the area are available in the Tavistock Information Centre.

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

Tavistock Union Workhouse 1836-1930

Life was hard for the children and inmates living in The Tavistock Union Workhouse on Bannawell Street in the late nineteenth century. They rose at dawn and, after a breakfast of bread and tea, the children attended lessons. For the boys, this was reading, writing, arithmetic and trade or farming skills, such as tailoring, shoemaking or husbandry. The girls received training suitable for becoming domestic servants, such as sewing as well as reading and writing. In the afternoons they helped around the house, working in the bakery, garden or the stone breaking yard for the older boys. The adults who were able to, worked from dawn to dusk on limited food and in poor conditions, and even the elderly and infirm were expected to contribute as they could. The people of Tavistock were aware of their plight and worked with the town and workhouse masters to make their lives a little better. Christmas Day lunch became an annual event where the people of Tavistock could show their philanthropic side, and each year the local papers reported the event. In 1848 the inmates were ‘regaled with a substantial dinner of roast beef and plum pudding by the kindness of some of the inhabitants of the town and parish of Tavistock’. In 1858 inmates were provided ‘on Christmas Day, through the liberality of the Guardians, with an abundant supply of excellent roast beef and plum pudding’. The report in the Tavistock Gazette continued: ‘We were delighted to see the cheerful happiness that was indicated by their countenances. It also afforded us much pleasure to see several ladies and gentlemen of Tavistock taking part in this joyous scene, amongst them Mrs Carpenter of Mount Tavy and her party…. Through a liberal subscription amongst the

friends of the poor, a supply of oranges, nuts, tea and other little luxuries was afterwards distributed.’ Presents for the inmates were also included: books and toys for the children, and tobacco and snuff for the older people. Entertainment was provided by local bands, such as the 22nd Devon Volunteer Band or the Salvation Army Band, which stopped at the workhouse en route around Tavistock.

The kindness of the people of Tavistock was year-round, with people bringing tea, sugar, buns and cakes to the house on a regular basis for the inmates to enjoy. This charity extended to the older residents as well, and during the 1870s and 80s, Reverend E. Spencer entertained around 30 ‘aged’ inmates to dinner at his home and, along with ample food, tobacco and snuff were provided. In November 1876 as part of the ‘rejoicings’ in connection with the wedding of the Marquis of Tavistock, according to the Launceston Weekly, ‘all inmates of the Tavistock Workhouse, numbering about 150, were treated to a most substantial dinner, comprising roast beef, legs of mutton, beefsteak, pies, geese, plum puddings, dessert, and plenty of good things afterward’. The Jubilee celebrations were similarly celebrated.

Some masters allowed the children an annual day’s outing. In 1860, the master, Mr Beck, took the children to Plymouth

which was recounted in the Western Morning News on 14 September 1860: ‘Through the kindness of several friends, the children of the Workhouse are annually treated with a holiday, when they are taken to some place of interest in the vicinity, and ample provision made for their comfort. The railway having generously offered to give them a trip for a nominal charge, they yesterday went to Plymouth under the charge of Mr Beck, the Master, accompanied by the schoolmaster and schoolmistress. After viewing the interior of St. Andrew’s Church, they went around the ramparts of the Citadel, when the sight of the ocean, shipping, cannon, soldiers &c., appeared to bewilder them, none of the juveniles having any idea of the reality of these objects. After seeing what else was likely to interest them, they adjourned to the Hoe, where a hamper of pasties was waiting, and which they evidently relished with an appetite that many an epicure might have envied. The afternoon was partly devoted to a sight of the Sutton Pool Regatta, and the party returned happily in the evening, having had a day’s thorough enjoyment. It is but justice to Mr. and Mrs. Beck, the respected Master and Mistress of the Tavistock Union, to state that the clean and healthy appearance of the children, and their orderly behaviour, was remarked by all.’

In 1864, the brethren of the Ancient Order of Foresters’ Friendly Society held a fete and gala on Monday 8 August in aid of the Widow and Orphan and Management Fund at Grenofen Park in the grounds of W. H. Chichester Esq. The Tavistock Gazette advert announcing the fete reported that it consisted of five bands, and ‘splendid Banners from different Courts, brethren in full original Costume and Regalia, Robin Hood, Friar

To promote your business to 22,080* readers - call 07450 161929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Children at Crumpsall Workhouse, 1895–97

Tuck, Little John…’. It commenced with a ‘Perambulate [of] the principle streets of the town’ before going to the ‘beautiful grounds of Grenofen’ for maypole dancing on the green, archery, running for prizes, driving wheelbarrows blindfolded, and much more. Entrance to the grounds was 6d for adults, 3d for children under 12, younger children 1d and free for inmates of the workhouse.

In 1892, the president of the Devon

Agricultural Association, Mr Gill, sent invitations to the inmates to visit the county show held at Crowndale that year, and in the evening to Sanger’s Circus; the guardians accepted his kindness. The Western Times commented that: ‘Not content with this liberal programme of diversions, the kindly Mr. Gill also offered to defray the expenses of a tea for the poor folk. The exhibitions, the unwonted liberty, and the feats of horsemanship are calculated

to give a day of hilarity to the workhouse people, which will be long remembered by them with gratefulness.’

Though life could be harsh for the children and inmates of the workhouse, the people of Tavistock have a long history of generosity and kindness which offered them respite at times.

Nicola Gurr

Dinnertime at St Pancras Workhouse, London, 1911

Postcard c.1905, illustrating the ballad ‘Christmas Day in the Workhouse’ by George Robert Sims

Tavistock Workhouse circa 1880

Entrance to Tavistock Workhouse

Mark Merritt

– a Victorian policeman

Tavistock Museum has a collection of several police truncheons. A recent donation is a Metropolitan Police truncheon with finger grips, probably made of oak or elm, and 400mm long. So why was it being used in Tavistock?

The town had seen an influx of miners in the 1830s and there was a problem with drunkenness and rowdy behaviour. The unpaid parish constables exercised little control over local hostelries, and were often drunk themselves! John Benson, the Duke of Bedford’s agent, was alarmed by the increase in violence, so in 1837 he asked the Met to send two of their constables to Tavistock. One of them, Mark Merritt, had been with the Met for eight years. The situation slowly improved, but Mark suffered

a violent assault by four men outside The Union Inn. They were jailed for one month with hard labour. In 1846 Mark was violently attacked by two brothers on Whitchurch Down when he tried to make an arrest. They received eighteen months hard labour. The harder line policing was successful, and Mark was

appointed as the first full-time paid chief of police in Tavistock with a weekly wage of twenty-five shillings. Towards the end of his career, he became lock-up superintendent and inspector of weights and measures. In 1857 the Devon Constabulary took over and Mark faced redundancy from his police post. However, he was much respected for his service, and he became a rent collector in addition to inspector of weights and measures.

Tavistock Museum

Jamie Shewbrook, director of Westcountry Tile and Bathroom Ltd at Christian Mill Business Park, explains how the business began and what it means to him.

When was Westcountry Tile and Bathroom Ltd established?

Having spent 20 years working with various corporate companies, I fulfilled my lifetime dream and launched my own showroom in 2013. From the outset, Westcountry Tile and Bathroom aimed to showcase quality products previously unseen in the South West. I met with various manufacturers and suppliers to secure products, and we had the arduous task of laying wall and floor coverings for 25 room settings in just 12 weeks.

How has the showroom grown?

The showroom was initially 2000 square feet, run by myself alongside my mother, Sue. As we’ve grown, we have doubled in size and taken on more staff. The showroom now holds 55 room settings across 4000 square feet, showcasing the latest products in style, design and innovation. It also includes a fully operational area with working showers, taps and lighting. We have free on-site parking for customers.

What services do you offer?

Our experienced staff are experts in bathroom consultation, design and supply and can also offer an installation service. We work with developers, installers, interior designers, architects and retail customers, and offer inspiration whatever your investment level – from wet rooms and shower rooms to luxurious bathrooms and saunas, including all wall and floor coverings to help create the bathroom of your dreams!

What do you enjoy most about your role?

We have a passion for design, innovation and customer fulfilment – the ultimate aim is to meet every client’s needs, as published on our Google reviews. We relish new product training from manufacturers, giving us full confidence in our products. I’m hugely proud of our business and everything it has achieved in the last 10 years, despite challenges including the global pandemic. I am also lucky to have a great team around me, regarded not just as colleagues, but as part of the Westcountry family.

Don’t let your loved ones lose out

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is under the spotlight, due largely to the continued rise in house prices and freezing of IHT thresholds. These days, you don’t have to be hugely wealthy to be affected by IHT – the hated tax can cost your estate thousands of pounds when you die; however, the good news is that expert planning can legitimately mitigate this tax, meaning you can pass on assets to your family as you’d intended.

IHT receipts on the up

The latest IHT figures released in October make interesting reading. Total HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) receipts for April 2022 to September 2022 were £3.5bn, £0.4bn higher than in the same period last year. Government IHT receipts were bolstered by £557m taken during September alone.

What is IHT?

IHT is a tax payable on money, savings, property and other assets you pass on when you die and potentially on some gifts you make during your lifetime. If the estate is liable for IHT, it is usually payable at 40%.

Do you know what your IHT threshold and allowances are?

Everyone has an IHT threshold or nil-rate band, which is an amount on which no

IHT is payable. This isn’t straightforward as there are many factors affecting the thresholds. Your threshold could be £325,000, £500,000, £650,000 or £1 million - or more, or even less.

Gifting assets

To reduce the amount of IHT payable, many families consider giving assets away during their lifetime. Again, this isn’t straightforward as there are various allowances and gifting needs to be handled in the right way. Getting the right balance between gifting money during your lifetime and ensuring you have enough for your future years requires careful planning.

Your local independent adviser – here to help

If you would like to find out about your IHT threshold or understand more about planning ahead and passing on your assets, Gary Tromans from Equitas Financial provides independent advice to individuals and companies in your area for all of your financial planning needs.

I am committed to putting clients at the heart of everything I do and providing the best possible service, taking time to understand your needs and aspirations.

I pride myself in offering clients a truly independent financial planning service. My

35 years of banking and financial services experience puts me in a great position to develop the most suitable individual solutions from the best offerings in the whole of the market. I’m only a phone call away and based locally to you, so if you have any questions or would like to understand what your own IHT liability may be or discuss any aspect of estate planning please get in touch. I offer a no fee/no obligation initial consultation.

Gary Tromans Independent Financial Adviser

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The purpose of this article is for general information and should not be interpreted as a personal recommendation or advice.

Our aim is to help individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals. Our approach is straightforward. Tell us about your current situation and about your financial objectives and when you want to achieve them and we develop a practical plan designed to help you meet those objectives. We’ll discuss the plan with you and agree the course of action you want to take. Whilst the final decisions are of course yours, we’re here to help and guide you with jargon-free advice both now and in the future.

Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community

A difficult year

This year has been a most difficult one financially for many, where the cost of energy and food for day-to-day living has suddenly risen substantially, with inflation running in many areas in excess of 10%.

Interest rates will be rising to help counter this sudden high inflation and this will be good news for those with deposit account savings. However, interest rates will lag price increases and only partially compensate the effects inflation will have on long-term buying power. Increasing interest rates will negatively impact on the cost of borrowing, and those with mortgages, that are not on fixed rates, will see their payments increase. These changes may mean tough times ahead for many, as current monthly budgeting and affordability will be strained and tested as the global economy slows. Investment markets have also had a tough 2022 and been volatile in these uncertain times and for many this may have caused extra stress and worry.

There is help in these challenging times from many sources outside family and friends which may improve decision making going forward to overcome these current difficulties, short-term

and long-term volatilities, whether pre or post retirement. Good financial planning can help achieve greater financial wellbeing which could involve:

• Helping your money work harder for you while reducing investment risk

• Providing optimised flexible and suitable solutions, helping you understand what is essential, what is not

• Having flexible plans with clear outcomes that can deal with the unexpected

• Having peace of mind and confidence that you are making well informed decisions

• Integrating the aspects of your bespoke plan to work efficiently to meet your needs

Hence, good advice is more important than ever in these challenging times from well qualified, independent, financial planners.

Natasha Bennett Bennett Wealth Planning

WARNING!

We have seen a wide number of clients lately who have taken phone calls supposedly from various internet providers or banks. Please, if they tell you your PC, tablet or mobile phone has a problem DO NOT let them on to the device. This is a scam. I cannot stress this enough… several people have had thousands of pounds removed from their bank account because they have literally handed the thieves all the information they need. No antivirus will block this. Your computer will not block this if you give someone ‘genuine’ access to your PC. Additionally, if you receive a text message from a courier saying you need to pay money, customs charges etc, do not click the link.

Repair economy

We have seen a spike in device repairs as decent devices still cost a lot of money and often it is cheaper to repair your current device. However, devices that are past a certain age will not be worth repairing. Pop in to see us or your current local IT shop to work out whether it’s worth repairing your device. Buying gadgets & gizmos this winter

When buying a gadget (whether laptop, desktop, phone etc) consider all aspects of current and future use. Yes, it can do this work now, but are you likely to do other work in the future? It is worth planning this into your purchase, as a device may cost you more now but if it saves you buying another device in the future, it will ultimately save you money.

When buying a laptop or desktop, we highly recommend going for Windows 11, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage (SSD) and an Intel i3 processor as a minimum. The Pentium Gold is not as good as it may sound and will be a bottleneck for your device.

When it comes to mobile devices, we recommend a minimum internal storage of 64GB. It does not matter if you can expand the storage, if you purchase anything with 32GB or less your storage will mainly be filled by the device’s operating system and could pose serious update problems in the future or limit the apps or games you have on the device.

Buying a branded item is highly recommended. This makes it easier to get parts in the future especially for laptops and generally means that a lot of connections are standard including

for SSD upgrades. There are a few online laptop building companies who make their own branded laptop items. Please be aware that these are incredibly difficult to get parts for and if you use an online company to build your laptop, make sure you take out extended warranties (and check the terms and conditions first!). If you are getting a custom build tower this is generally fine but check exactly what is going in it. However, if you are looking for a custom build PC, drop us a line as we will give you a full list of parts and prices, and can guarantee build quality and upgradeability.

Accreditations

We support thousands of clients and take security very seriously which is why we are Cyber Essentials Certified and Trading Standards Approved.

Archie’s Corner

Archie has definitely been more active lately now it is coming into the winter months. Trust me he loves wintertime and is hoping it will snow! All of the Archie the Husky range in the window is produced onsite in Tavistock. Archie the Husky postcards are coming soon for those visiting the area.

Under One Sky

Under One Sky by Hazel Arnold

In 1938, two young women, both born in 1915, met by chance in London.  Meta was a student and from Estonia, whilst Phyllis came from Croydon and worked as a secretary. Despite the vast difference in their backgrounds, they quickly became close friends. Handwritten letters fed and nurtured this significant friendship once Meta returned home, letters that remarkably survived the following decades, kept safe in a treasured family archive. “I had a terrible feeling – a feeling that the world may be wrecked”, Meta wrote to Phyllis; and, for Meta, the war did absolutely wreck her world. It was a time of fear and flight, as both Russians and Germans fought to take over Estonia. She movingly described her traumatic experiences in her letters. Phyllis, as the wife of a conscientious objector, also experienced painful challenges during the war years, though she felt that they were insignificant by contrast with Meta’s suffering. She tried to continue to support her friend, through the pages they wrote to each other with love.

In 1938, two young women, both born in 1915, met by chance in London: Meta was a student from Estonia, Phyllis came from Croydon, and worked as a secretary. Despite the vast difference in their backgrounds, they quickly became close friends. Handwritten letters fed and nurtured this significant friendship once Meta returned home, letters that remarkably survived the following decades, kept safe in a treasured family archive. ‘I had a terrible feeling – a feeling that the world may be wrecked’, Meta wrote; and for her the war did absolutely wreck her world. It was a time of fear and flight, as both Russians and Germans fought to take over Estonia. She movingly described her traumatic experiences in her letters. Phyllis, as the wife of a conscientious objector, also experienced painful challenges, but considered them insignificant in comparison to Meta’s suffering. She continued to support her friend, through the pages she wrote with love.

Despite their geographical distance and different experiences, Meta and Phyllis’s closeness endured across subsequent decades. And the connection was passed on through their

Despite their geographical distance and different experiences, Meta and Phyllis’s closeness endured across subsequent decades. And the connection was passed on to several generations of both their families, a line of friendship which continues to the present day.

Hazel

A Memoir

Phyllis from Meta, when clearing her parents’ house after their death. This very personal account of life in flight from terror and subsequently as a refugee, is a story which sadly is still very pertinent in today’s world. Hazel also explores the effect of this experience on the next generation through her continuing connection with the daughter of her mother’s friend, Meta.

Under One Sky (ISBN: 978-1-80042-218-6) retails at £9.99 and is available to order at all book shops and online, including Book Stop in Tavistock where there will also be a book signing on Wednesday 7 December, 10:00 to 11:30am.

don’t just publish magazines…

Arnold

Cryptic clues

Across

6 Mischievous troublemaker messed up Guinevere first and Merlin (7)

7 Locate Reg at tax office to see Henley event (7)

9 Unfold towel for small bird (5)

10 Waiter ran awkwardly holding content of butt (9)

11 A valley with chevrons? (1-6)

13 Where night fever takes hold (6)

15 Bream mountain provides classic by 16 down (10,3)

19 Drink it all in (6)

20 See 28 across (4,3)

23 Vessel that allows savoury liquid on board (5,4)

25 See 28 across (5)

27 Tapered for unwelcome bureaucracy (3,4)

28 Mr Heel shot Mr Forestt to create a safe haven: a classic from 16 down (28 across, 20 across and 25 across) (7)

Down

1 Praise for crispy meat, 1 and 22 down (4, 4)

2 Blue bottle dump for illegal activity (3-3)

3 Captured spirit for percussive device (often heard on 16 down’s albums) (5,4)

4 It’s no yolk: give me a meringue later (3,5)

5 A good temperament on a boat leads to the art of diplomacy (10)

6 Allegro over, stylus settles in (6)

7 Protest against commuting option (4)

8 Solution does not belong here? (6)

12 School principal next to teams of governors found at the top of the bed? (10)

14 16 down performed these on harmonica and guitar (4)

16 Hardly a bland boy: one of the great songwriters (3,5)

17 16 down may be a sewing machine? (6)

18 Tailor working on a cricket pitch (6)

21 A holder of pearls (6)

22 See 1 down (4)

24 A full one is a poor delivery from 18 down (4)

26 Sworn in court? (4)

Quick clues

Across

6 Troublemaker in Spielberg film (7)

7 Boating event (7)

9 Baby owl (5)

10 Gathered by gutters (9) 11 Churchill’s gesture? (1-6) 13 Late night dances (6) 15 Salvation Army fellow, perhaps? (10,3) 19 Absorb or drink (6) 20 See 28 across (4,3) 23 Container for the ooh Bisto! (5,4) 25 See 28 across (5) 27 Synonym for pointless rules (3,4) 28 A harbour offers this respite (28 across, 20 across and 25 across) (7)

Down

1 Congratulations, 1 and 22 down (4,4) 2 Illegal dumping of refuse (3-3)

3 Produces sharp percussion (5,4) 4 Whisk up for meringue (3,5) 5 The management of government affairs (10) 6 A propulsive rhythm (6) 7 Train track (4) 8 Not down but... (6) 12 Top part of bed frame (10) 14 A repeated chord progression (4) 16 Singer songwriter: voice of protest (3,5) 17 Front person of a band (6) 18 Tailor or embroiderer (6) 21 Favoured mollusc served on ice (6) 22 See 1 down (4)

Throw or chuck (4)

Solemn promise (4)

Set by Dizzy

Tavy Links Business Directory

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

Accountants

Wings Accountants 47

Aerial Services

YelTV 80

Arts, Galleries & Museums

Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery 57

The Box 58

Wildwood Arts 56

Attractions, Days Out & Events

Chagford Christmas Events 42

National Trust 39

Tavistock Pannier Market 38

Tavistock Wharf 54

West Devon Borough Council 34,58,64

Auctioneers & Valuers

Eldreds Auctioneers 49

Bathroom & Tile Retailers

Tavistock Bathrooms & Tiles 84

Westcountry Tile and Bathroom 72

Bed Retailers

Tavistock Beds 25

Beer & Wine Retailers

The Stannary Brewing Co. 65

Building, Construction & Maintenance

Marcus Allen Groundworks 21

The Handymen 80

TPR Construction and Carpentry Ltd 79

Business Services

Tavistock BID 29

Cafés, Tea Rooms & Restaurants

Café Liaison 77

Care Services & Care Homes

Bluebird Care West Devon 77

Devon & Cornwall Care Services 14

Santé Care at Home 27

Carpet Retailers

Tavistock Carpets 24

Yelverton Carpet Company 44

Cleaning & Domestic Services

Cook IT Clean 81

Computer Maintenance, Design, Print & Office Services

ABC Service 46,75

Bere Computing IT Consultant 81

Crafters & Makers

Heather Jane & Co 59

Curtains & Blinds

LTB Blinds and Curtains 41

Dentists

Harwood Dental Practice 3

QueensWood Dental Clinic 12

Rock Dental Practice 15

Dog Groomers

Dial a Dog Wash Devon 79

Electricians

Dartmoor Electrical 81

Griffin Electrical 79

Estate Agents & Lettings

Bond Oxborough Philips 30

Kirby Estate Agents 83

Financial Advce

Asset Finance Man Ltd 78

Bennett Wealth Planning 74

Dart Wealth Management 62

Dartmoor Financial Llp 31

Equitas Financial 73

Florists

Amanda Randell Master Florist 18

Food & Drink Retailers

Dot~Teas Wholefoods 50

Kilworthy Kapers 48

Fuel Supplier

Moorland Fuels 80

Tricounty Ltd 81

Utility Warehouse 33

Funeral Directors

Morris Bros Funeral Directors 32

Walter C. Parson 52

Garage Doors

Garolla Holdings Limited 79

Garage Services

Willis’s Garage Bodyshop 80 M & C White Motor Engineers 23

Garden Centres & Retailers

Endsleigh Gardens Nursery 21

Garden Services

Dartmoor Pond Services 20 Hartland Landscaping 19

Hedge to Hedge Garden Services 20

J A Francis Stone Walling & Patios 21 Men for All Seasons 20

Neil Tidder Garden Services 21

Hair, Health, Beauty & Nutrition

Dartmoor Skincare Company 14 Wood MediSpa 16

Therapies North Devon 14 Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support 61

Hearing & Mobility

Alistair Kinsey Hearing and Mobility 12

Holidays & Holiday Lets

Helpful Holidays 45

Home Furnishings

Fabric and Furniture 56

Home Improvements & Interiors

Gemma Harvey Decorating 80

Realistic Home Improvements 8

Hotels, Inns, Clubz & Venues

Bedford Hotel 63 Castle Inn 64

Lewtrenchard Manor 40

Milton Abbot Village Hall 49

Kitchen Reatilers & Fitters

Charles Gray Kitchens 2 Howdens Tavistock 22

Solicitors & Advocacy Services

Chilcotts Law 70

Curtis Whiteford Crocker Solicitors 10 GA Solicitors 69

Paladin Advocates 26

Osteopaths & Chiropractors

Philip Hartnoll Osteopath 14

Plumbing & Heating Services

Chamings Heating and Plumbing 66

Clearbrook Plumbing and Heating 81

DB Heating 4

Tailored Heat 71 Podiatrists

Whiteley Podiatry 14

Pre-schools & Nurseries

Bambinos 36

Private Water Engineers

AquaTech Water Services 80

GWT Ltd 81

Religious Groups

Tavistock United Reformed Church 37

Residential Parks

Berkeley Parks 16

Classes & Community Events

Jar Zero Waste Tavistock 62

Theatretrain Exeter 47

Sports Therapist

The Sports Therapy & Massage Clinic 14 Tree Surgeons

Adam of Eden Tree Care 20

Countrywise Tree Care 20

Red Squirrel Tree Care 20 Veterinary Practices

Penbode Vets 35 Windows, Doors & Conservatories

Amari Plastics Secondary Glazing 28 Affordable Windows & Doors 81 Safe & Sound Windows, Doors & Conservatories 79

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