Tavy Links June/July issue

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

TAVY LINKS June/July 2022 Issue 54

The Queen, Devon & the Platinum Jubilee From princess to longest reigning monarch

M AK E A D I FFE RE N CE Mental health support

W HAT’S O N

Platinum Jubilee events Devon County Show Tavistock Carnival Tavistock Pride St Luke’s Open Gardens LOCAL PEOPLE

PETER BRINSDEN: INFERTILITY SPECIALIST Stand With Ukraine

SARAH BROWN: TEXTILE ARTIST ESSJAY £3.50 | where sold

Delivered FREE by your postman to PL19 0, 8 & 9 postcodes. Guaranteed circulation of 9,200 homes and businesses

FARMING

The trouble with lambs

LOCAL AUTHORS

Pixies, The Zambezi & children’s stories

OUTDOORS & ACTIVE A walk from Peter Tavy

tavistock showroom 10 inspirational kitchen scenarios to view

design service We use the latest software to create your bespoke 3D design proposal

full project management Which leaves you with more time to relax

visit us and be

inspired Our quality kitchen partners:

info@charlesgraykitchens.co.uk

charlesgraykitchens.co.uk spread the cost 12 months interest free credit available we supply

paints and wallpapers

this range of finest quality paints and beautiful hand-crafted wallpapers come together to create exquisite interiors.

showroom Unit 2 Pixon Court Crelake Ind Est Tavistock PL19 9AZ 01822 617240

opening times 9-5 Mon - Fri

Leading the way forward for private dentistry in Tavistock General Dentistry Cosmetic Treatments Invisalign Dental Implants Teeth Whitening ®

If you have any an"ieties about visiting the dentist like me, then Harwood Dental Practice is for you.

Everyone is just lovely and you feel at ease. After receiving a high level of care for several years, I highly recommend Harwood Dental.

"

"

Kate P

Fabulous team, we have complete faith in this practice, they put any nervous patient at ease. The payment plan helps to spread the cost too.

Thoroughly recommended. "

"

Kat ¾Ý« F

call us: 01822 615694 www.harwooddental.co.uk

8 Watts Road, Tavistock, PL19 8L

NEED TO BOOK AN ANNUAL BOILER SERVICE? Our experienced and helpful staff will always be happy to assist you

All gas appliances should be serviced on a regular 12 months basis to ensure they are operating efficiently and safely.

Call today to book your annual service Your local, established & reputable heating & plumbing experts

T

01822 611300

W

Out of All Gas, Oil Hours Engineers & LPG Emergency Fully Trained Commercial Service* & Insured & Domestic

4

www.dbheating.com Committed to Working Safely

READ OUR REVIEWS



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

Here comes summer!

It’s wonderful to see so many events re-establishing their presence this summer, especially celebrations which were always much anticipated features of the local calendar prior to the pandemic - and there are even new events entering the scene.

June kicks off with an extended bank holiday weekend in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, with a host of local and national festivities. While at the end of the month, Devon County Show has a three-day extravaganza planned.

Gardens open their gates to welcome visitors, in addition to concerts, food and music festivals, exhibitions, theatre - both outdoor and indoor (don’t miss our own Tim Randell playing Macbeth at The Drum), and at the end of July, Tavistock Carnival makes a welcome comeback after a two-year absence.

The deadline date for any inclusions in the August/ September issue of Tavy Links will be 1 July 2022. For all editorial enquiries please contact Rosemary via email:

In this issue we take a look at Queen Elizabeth’s Devon connections and her visits to the county over the years, while our history article goes back further in time to Tavistock’s celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Our Charity Focus is Make a Difference, Tavistock’s mental health charity and wellbeing hub, providing friendship, activities, and support for the local community in a relaxed, café-style hub. I also had the pleasure of meeting Peter Brinsden, who has made the most of his career in medicine and his extensive range of abilities and interests; and Nichola enjoyed chatting to Sarah Brown, or textile artist EssJay, about her inspiration and how she creates her artwork. As well as all this, we have all our regular articles contributed by an amazing set of people, covering topics from water-wise gardening, acne, slow PCs, to rescuing lambs, plus book, wine and walk recommendations and our recent addition – Dizzy’s crossword.

rosemary.best @linksmagazines.co.uk

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Rosemary Best Writer: Nichola Williams Design: Sara Venner, Julian Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard

Tim: 07450 161 929 Jane: 07772 619 808

Rosemary Best

37

Editor

Front cover image: Harrowbarrow Village Gardens by Wayne Marshall, courtesy of St Luke’s Open Gardens - see What’s On page 34 for details

34 What’s On

8 Local People

48 Music & Art

13 Health & Wellbeing

56 Food & Drink

16 Charity Focus

60 History

19 Farming News

62 Local Authors

20 Gardening

65 Book Review

25 Nature

66 Crossword

26 Law

67 Tech Help

27 Community News

68 Trade Secrets

31 Children’s Books

74 Business directory

contents

6 Feature

10

58 Outdoors & Active

33 Kids’ What’s On

38

16

Delivered by the Royal Mail to: Brentor, Grenofen, Gulworthy, Horndon, Horsebridge, Kilworthy, Lamerton, Mary Tavy, Milton Abbot, Moortown, Peter Tavy, Tavistock, Whitchurch.

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

FEATURE

The Queen, Devon and the Platinum Jubilee In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen has become the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, after 70 years of service. She is the longest reigning monarch in British history, surpassing Queen Victoria’s reign of 63 years.

Queen Elizabeth II has often visited Devon, not least because of its important naval connections and her role as Head of the Armed Forces. However, it was also where she met her future husband, Prince Philip. As the elder daughter of Prince Albert, Duke of York, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Elizabeth had no expectation of acceding to the throne, until her uncle, Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 and her father became King George VI. As a 13-year-old princess in 1939, she visited Dartmouth Naval College with her family and was formally introduced for the first time to Prince Philip of Greece, a naval cadet at

Brixham 1988, courtesy & © Torquay Museum

the college, providing the first opportunity for them to become acquainted. In 1942, aged 16 she visited HM Naval Base Devonport, with her father King George VI, and four years later, she and Princess Margaret returned as Sea Rangers to visit HMS Duke of York. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip married in 1947, and just four years later King George VI’s health started to deteriorate, leading to his death on 6 February 1952. Elizabeth’s reign started immediately, but as a 6

Queen Elizabeth II at Torquay Town Hall 1956, courtesy &© Torquay Museum

mark of respect her coronation was not held until 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen’s coronation was a day of huge celebration. In Tavistock a full day of events was planned by Tavistock Urban District Council, starting with a floral dance at 9am from Bedford Square and around the town (despite the rain), followed by sports, tea parties, fireworks and finishing with an evening of dancing in the town hall and in Bedford Square.

The children’s tea party as reported in The Tavistock Gazette, sounds particularly lively! - “Eleven hundred children attended the tea party in the Market Hall (Pannier Market)… and immediately grace was said there was a rush by two thousand two hundred hands to reach the food all of which was rapidly devoured. The sandwiches were wrapped in cellophane bags and it was not long before one child realised that blowing air into the bag and bursting it produced a loud bang. This was almost immediately followed by the deafening sound of all the other cellophane bags in the Market Hall being burst.

Then another child realised the empty cardboard plates had aerodynamic properties and immediately the Hall was filled with eleven hundred banking, diving, soaring, swooping and descending paper plates. Immediately one landed it was thrown again. Councillors, helpers and children were hit by the projectiles.” (You can see the Coronation Day issue of The Tavistock Gazette at Tavistock Museum) The Queen has often returned to Devon during her reign, visiting the Dartmouth and Torquay area, Exeter, Barnstaple

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

Queen Elizabeth II and the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Royal Parade, 27 July 1962 © The Box, Plymouth

The Queen meets Council Leader Denis Damerell during Silver Jubilee, courtesy & © Torquay Museum

and Plymouth several times. In July 1962, The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, opened Plymouth’s new Civic Centre and in 1988 she unveiled the sundial in Armada Way. Her 1977 Silver Jubilee Tour covered Torbay, Exeter, Haldon and Plymouth, including a review of Royal Marines. In 1999, she visited HMNB Devonport and met the legendary Devonport Field Gun Crew; she also returned to Plymouth to visit HMS Ocean several times from 2003 until it was decommissioned in 2018.

The June bank holiday is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate this historic milestone with community activities, in addition to national celebrations such as: The Queen’s Birthday Parade with 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians; a chain of over 1,500 beacons throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories; The Platinum Party at the Palace bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars; The Platinum Jubilee Pageant combining street arts, theatre, music, and circus as well as the ‘River of Hope’, plus the winner of the Platinum Pudding competition will be announced! The Queen’s 70 years of service are a monumental achievement and communities everywhere have been planning a host of activities to mark the Platinum Jubilee. You can find details in our what’s on list for some of the local events on offer – have a lovely weekend and enjoy the celebrations!

The Queen arrives at Beacon Quay, Torquay to review the fleet July 1969, courtesy & © Torquay Museum

Rosemary Best Coronation Day in Tavistock 1953 by Devon Commercial Photos Ltd, Plymouth

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

7

LOCAL PEOPLE

An ‘essentially normal boy’ Peter Brinsden’s numerous interests and abilities could have taken him in many directions, however he chose to study medicine, focusing on infertility treatment and working with Patrick Steptoe in the early stages in the development of IVF.

Navy as a ship’s medical officer. He then chose to focus on gynaecology, training in military and civilian NHS hospitals and becoming a consultant gynaecologist in 1978, later specialising in infertility treatment.

Cambridge, the world’s first IVF Clinic, to work with Patrick Steptoe who had pioneered conception through IVF with Robert Edwards, leading to the birth of the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’ Louise Brown in 1978. IVF was still in its early days and it was a fascinating time to be involved in its research and development, although this also included resolving many ethical dilemmas.

When Patrick Steptoe died, Peter was appointed as medical director at the clinic, later becoming group medical director of Bourn Hall International, then consultant medical director at Bourn Hall Clinic.

Peter was born in 1940 in Peking (now Beijing). His father was English, while his mother was American – she was the third generation of a family who had worked as Presbyterian missionaries in China since 1870. A Christian church in Shanghai was built to honour the memory of her great grandfather George Field Fitch. Peter and his family spent the second world war years in California and Canada, before returning to China to live in a beautiful old palace in Peking until the Communists assumed power in 1949. At this point the family moved to Hong Kong, and a couple of years later, Peter and his brother started boarding school in the UK. After attending Rugby School, Peter went on to study at King’s College London and St George’s Hospital Medical School. Peter qualified in medicine in 1966 and joined the Royal

While he was working at Sutton General Hospital in 1966, he met a nurse called Gillian, who was to become his future wife – in his words it was ‘love at first sight’. During his time in the Royal Navy, he and his family moved multiple times as he took up posts in London, Portsmouth, Plymouth, twice in Malta, Gibraltar and Hong Kong. Later, unwilling to commit to a desk job, he resigned from the Royal Navy in 1982 with the rank of surgeon commander. After a couple of interesting years working in Saudi Arabia, Peter joined Bourn Hall Clinic in

8

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

Peter has travelled extensively to lecture on the subject of fertility and assisted conception, in Europe, America, India, the Middle East and also China, where he holds four honorary professorships, including one from Peking Union Medical College where he was born - and where his birth notes describe him as an ‘essentially normal boy’ (he is very proud of that!) Although he has now retired from medical roles, he still lectures on the historical and ethical aspects of assisted reproduction, including a recent Zoom talk for the Royal Asiatic Society in Beijing.

A few years ago, Peter and Gillian moved to Tavistock to be close to family, and also for its proximity to

LOCAL PEOPLE

Van Gogh by Peter Brinsden

Photo by Peter Brinsden

Dartmoor, which has become one of Peter’s passions - he has now visited 156 of its tors. He is also a keen wildlife photographer, delighting in studying both local birds and animals, as well as travelling widely to the see the fauna of the Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos Islands, Kenya and Baja California. Scuba diving was another favourite pastime and he has enjoyed discovering the marine life

of the seas around Australia, the Caribbean, and the Far East. Peter is a very competent woodturner and could probably have been quite an artist considering his painting of Van Gogh at the age of sixteen. He also has a deep appreciation for history, art and culture both in this country and in the many other countries he has explored.

In more recent times, Peter has put his oratory skills to further use to share some of these many personal interests.

His wide-ranging series of talks covers subjects such as ‘My family in China 1870-2020’, Nelson, and the art and culture of Japan – while a recent visit to Malta to attend the 80th anniversary of

the island’s award of the George Cross, served as a research opportunity for another talk.

Peter has written and edited three medical textbooks, and more than 100 articles for medical journals, has frequently appeared in the media and held a string of posts with numerous societies, including president of the British Fertility Society. Although now in his eighties he is still an active member of the community, taking on the roles of Abbeyfield trustee and chair of Tavistock Probus Club and of Tavistock Woodturners. He often gives talks, and you can hear him as part of the Tavistock Heritage Trust series in September.

Rosemary Best

Peter Brinsden’s talk on ‘The fascinating art and culture of Japan’ is on 1 September in Tavistock Guildhall.

History Tour & Garden Tour Saturday 4th June Take a step back into the Jacobean and Victorian era and explore the fascinating history of the Manor with proprietor Sue Murray including an informative tour of the gardens and grounds with our gardener Martin Ashley .

10.30am: Arrival, 1pm: 2 Course Lunch £35.00 per person

A Family Run Hideaway in Devon

LEWDOWN, OKEHAMPTON, DEVON EX20 4PN TELEPHONE: +44 (0) 1566 783 222

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

EMAIL: INFO@LEWTRENCHARD.CO.UK WEB: WWW.LEWTRENCHARD.CO.UK

9

LOCAL PEOPLE

Picking up the threads Sarah Brown is a contemporary textile artist known professionally as EssJay. Sarah moved to Tavistock when she was two years old so can consider herself a local. She lives with her family in Peter Tavy and takes inspiration for her beautiful textile artwork from the moors, the coast and especially the interesting local humans who catch her creative eye. Having read psychology at Swansea University, Sarah took a job in marketing for Screwfix in Yeovil, before moving back to Devon at the turn of the century with her husband, Richard. Until her twins, Tom and Eva were born in 2006, she worked for local company ‘Gro Group’ which produces baby’s sleeping bags. When the children went to primary school, Sarah felt the need for a change in career and a purpose outside of the family, so she spent three years studying towards accountancy qualifications, squeezing study time in between home commitments - never easy with a young family. Sarah now works part-time with Sponge Learning as part of their finance team, delivering bespoke digital learning solutions to leading global companies.

Sarah traces her love of sewing back to her grandmother.

As a child, she used to sit and watch her sewing at her old singer machine and was encouraged to have a go herself - fond memories. Always a maker and mender, Sarah has been producing her own clothes and homewares since she was a teenager and has enjoyed both the creative and the practical side. Recently she has discovered a new interest, a fusion of two techniques: raw edge appliqué and free-motion embroidery. With the feed-dogs disengaged, Sarah uses the sewing machine needle almost as if drawing with a fine ink

Thinking of letting your holiday property?

Speak to your local holiday cottage specialist...

Our local, experienced team of property managers have the knowledge to ensure that your investment fulfils its potential throughout the year. Call us now for free and honest advice.

01548 202020 | www.toadhallcottages.co.uk 10

Links Magazines.indd 1

08/02/2022 10:02

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

LOCAL PEOPLE

pen. Using a neutral cotton linen as the background, she chooses small pieces of fabric to collage and curate a scene, before overstitching with fine Italian thread to embellish and enhance the image with intricate detail and texture.

She carefully selects the colour palette for each artwork from a range of fabrics she has sourced over many years from various haberdasheries, vintage markets and scrap stores as well as recycled clothes. She has a precious store of old linens from her great grandmother and loves to use scraps of Liberty fabric which can really lift her designs with their elegant colour and classic designs.

of her clients and creating a unique artwork to be enjoyed for years to come. Sometimes the materials are very personal, ribbons from wedding favours, silk from a grandfather’s wartime parachute which add an extra special dimension to her art. She has taken over one of the rooms at home for her new sewing machine and considerable fabric and thread collection, but would love to have a purpose-built studio where she can feel closer to the views and sensations which provide so much of her inspiration, and where she could perhaps hold classes or offer art therapy sessions in the future.

Sarah’s first artworks were all snapped up by friends and family and she was encouraged by one of her oldest friends and biggest supporter, Suzie, to sell her artwork further afield. She now exhibits in the Bull Pen Gallery at Cotehele and Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery, and is excited to be exhibiting at her home during Devon Open Studios for the first time this September. She regularly takes commissions, gaining immense satisfaction in bringing to life the visions

Dartmoor is her happy place and Sarah can often be found on the moor sketching ideas that inform and mould her artworks. She loves this creative element and is constantly churning over ideas, inspired by our beautiful environment and above all, people. All of her pieces feature people, often in a seemingly everyday setting that has been enhanced by interesting fabric choices and delicate stitchwork. Her

work is original and contemporary and yet has a timeless, sensitive quality, capturing a moment we can all relate to - walking the dogs, feeding the birds, or swimming in the sea. Some of her most popular designs have been turned into cards which means her artwork can reach a wider audience. Like so many of us, when covid struck Sarah reconsidered her priorities and found solace and healing in the creative process more than ever. After years of honing her skill at the old singer machine, this new appliqué approach felt as if she had reached her destination in a lifelong journey of sewing, and the positive feedback she receives has given her the belief to share her beautiful art with the world.

Nichola Williams

For more information, visit essjaytextileart.com; Instagram: essjay_textile_art or contact Sarah at info@ essjaytextileart.com or 07887 876015.

11

NOT HEARING PROPERLY? You are only a phone call away from changing your life

Private Hearing Aids

Private hearing aids care allows people to get the help they need immediately locally based with no waiting lists or restrictions on the type of hearing aid you are able to receive.

NHS Hearing Aids

Accredited by the NHS. Locally based, no need to go to hospital, ask your GP to be referred.

Ear Wax Removal

Instant effect, your hearing will be clearer and brighter.

No mess procedure and no need to pre-oil your ears.

ALISTAIR KINSEY Hearing • Mobility The help you need straight away – no waiting!

Find us on Facebook for the latest news and products

1a Pym Street Tavistock PL19 0AW info@hearingmobility.co.uk www.hearingmobility.co.uk

Book Your Appointment Now

01822 617883

AB AB AB

ANDREW BROWN DENTAL

Independent Independent Independent Dental Practice DentalPractice Practice Dental '1 Welcoming New Patients ANDREW BROWN ANDREW BROWN DENTAL DENTAL

Patient-centred dental care

Patient-centred dental care

Patient-centred dental care

'1 Welcoming New Patients '1 '1 Call Now forNew ananAppointment Welcoming Patients Call Now for Appointment '1 '1 Book Appointments Online CallBook Now for an Appointment Appointments Online

'1

Book Appointments Online

We are proud to support The 84 Project We We are are proud to support proud to support The The 84 Project 84 Project

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Acne Dr Jo Coldron advises on treatments for acne and ways to minimise it.

I think it’s one of the terrible injustices of life for the teenagers that not only do they have to deal with school and exams, navigating a new and expanding social life, managing emotions and relationships, and now the added perils of the online world… as well as all this they have to deal with acne. There is however a lot that can be done for acne.

Much of it doesn’t need any contact with your doctor, but if that isn’t working, knowing what else is available, and also that it’s very reasonable to seek advice and potentially prescriptions, is really important. Ideally with some well-timed interventions and possibly prescriptions, the impact of acne can be minimised until the body has ‘grown out’ of it and the skin naturally recovers.

make acne worse as long as they are oil free, and you effectively cleanse the skin each day.

Treatments for acne The most important thing to know about any interventions for acne is that they all take time to work. You are not treating the spots of today – instead you are enabling clear skin in the future. All interventions take 3-6 weeks to have ANY positive effect and a lot of the time you don’t see the full impact until 3-6 months!

•

Lifestyle There are a lot of myths about acne, many of which have been proven to be untrue, but here are some things we do know about acne: •

Smoking is related to acne and makes it worse.

•

Diet seems to play a role but it is not clear cut. A high GI diet (i.e. lots of high energy quick release foods) may make acne worse, but although chocolate is one of these foods, there is no proven direct link between eating chocolate and acne.

•

•

Acne is not caused by dirty skin, in fact excess cleansing and scrubbing, especially with traditional alkaline soap, can irritate the skin and make spots worse. Use a specific, non-alkaline, synthetic face wash rather than soap – there are lots of brands available at supermarkets.

Make-up and moisturisers do not

•

•

Benzoyl peroxide is available to buy in various strengths over the counter in supermarkets and pharmacies. It acts as an antibacterial, killing the germs that cause spots. Initially it can dry the skin and cause it to be red or irritated – if this happens start at a lower strength or use it less often and build up. A really useful leaflet providing all the facts so you can feel confident trying it is nhs.uk/ medicines/benzoyl-peroxide Topical treatments: if you have moderate acne despite trying everything discussed so far, your doctor is likely to suggest trying a different cream available via prescription. Moderate acne means some inflammatory spots, not just blocked pores, but no nodules or scarring spots. These creams tend to be combination creams and different brands contain various mixtures of antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids – so there are a few different ones to try.

a course of antibiotic tablets as well. For some girls it might be appropriate to discuss whether the combined oral contraceptive pill could also be used as this can be a very useful anti-acne treatment. If a treatment is started by a doctor, you should be reviewed at about 12 weeks to see whether things are improving, and whether treatment can be stopped at that point, continued or changed.

For very severe acne or significant acne that cannot be controlled with these prescription medications, we refer to our dermatology colleagues who have access to more specialist treatments.

The NHS Patient Information Leaflet on acne has lots of useful information at nhs.uk/conditions/acne

Oral treatments: if you have more severe acne - lots of inflammatory spots, nodules or evidence of any scarring - your doctor is likely to suggest topical treatments AND

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

Dr Jo Coldron Tavyside Health Centre, Tavistock 13

award-winning local skincare soaps & shampoo bars save 10% with the code linksmag

CHIROPODIST & PODIATRIST

Whiteley Podiatry BSc (Hons) Pod. MCPod.

Clinic in Tavistock

Abbey Mead Natural Health Centre 7 Plymouth Road • Tavistock PL19 8AU Tel: 01822 854758 Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Injury Assessments and Treatment Sports Massage Manual Lymphatic Drainage Acupuncture & Dry Needling Shockwave Therapy Massage Therapy

made in Devon

(a range of massages are available)

www.sportstherapyandmassageclinic.co.uk launcestonsportstherapy@gmail.com c @sportstherapyandmassageclinic • 07576 431213 Homeleigh Garden Centre • Launceston PL15 9SP

visit our online shop at

dartmoorskincare.co.uk

07522 866614

ft

We’ll help you find your style using the latest sustainable products that work in harmony with the environment, so you’ll look and feel

OPENING HOURS

Mon: 9.00 - 5.00 • Tue: 9.00 - 7.00 Wed: 9.00 - 5.00 • Thu: 9.00 - 5.00 Fri: 9.00 - 5.00 • Sat: 9.00 - 5.00 • Sun: Closed

your best self …naturally!

c f

THE ROCK COMPLEX YELVERTON PL20 6DS 01822 853020

We manage our waste responsibly with the

WWW.OCHREHAIRLOUNGE.CO.UK

Advanced LOWER LIMB Podiatry • Utilising: Gait analysis, postural stability and lower limb pressure assessment.

• Limb length issues relating to long term hip, knee or back pain.

• Improve lower limb stability and function with foot mobilisation and orthotics.

• We evaluate: Lower limb pressure, function, symmetry, timing, balance and stability to reduce pain and increase movement

MOVEMENT IS LIFE!

Specialist MSK Podiatrist dealing in all lower limb conditions including: Heel Pain Plantar Fasciitis Achilles Tendinopathy Osteoarthritis General Foot Care Patients Still Welcome

SWISS DOLORCLAST SHOCKWAVE THERAPY CLINIC

Fast effective clinically proven treatment for chronic tendinopathies and osteoarthritis. Lower Limbs, Knees & Hands treated.

HELPING YOU WALK TOWARDS PAIN FREE

07946 473972 WWW.CANNONBARNPODIATRY.CO.UK 1 CANNON BARN COTTAGES | LEWDOWN | NR OKEHAMPTON EX20 4BT 14

To promote your business to 20,700* readers - call 07450 161929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Weekly wellbeing walks return Tavistock is well-known as a magnet for walkers from around the UK due to its beautiful scenery and great terrain, and the community is pulling on its boots once more for the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks. Led by trained, local, volunteer walk leaders, the walks are free and take place every Tuesday at 10.30am, departing from Tavistock Wharf. They are specially designed over easy ground with walks up to 30 minutes, plus walks from 30 to 90 minutes –so perfect for beginners or more experienced walkers. Lisa Alford from Active Devon, part of the national network of Ramblers Wellbeing Walks said: “We know that changes in our daily routines throughout the pandemic, and restrictions on what we were able to do during lockdown meant that we all looked for new ways to keep ourselves healthy. It has long been known that walking and getting fresh air are great for mental and physical health so the reintroduction of these Tavistock walks after 2 YEARS is fabulous news and a great way to meet new people too.”

Terry Bolt commented: “I love volunteering as a walk leader.

Walking is something that most people can do and our Tuesday walks are inclusive for wheelchairs and pushchairs. With no phone distractions, I love chatting away and I don’t even realise how many steps I’ve done until the end! If you are new to walking here are some top tips: wear comfortable walking

shoes you don’t mind getting a little muddy; wear layers as you may start off cold, but we all know that Devon can be raining one minute and sunny the next! Keep your eyes and ears open as you walk – as you’ll see and hear some amazing birds.

Boost your mood and join a wellbeing walk today!”

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks have a goal – for everyone to have access to a friendly, short group walk within easy reach of where they live, to help them become and stay active. To find out more about the walks or activities, contact lisa.alford@ activedevon.org or just turn up and have fun!

FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS • OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Find your dream park home in the picturesque countryside of Devon.

From completely bespoke builds to fully-sited, ready to move into homes, our team are here to help make your dream home a reality in Devon.

Glenholt Park

Honicombe Park

New Park

Established and sought after location north of Plymouth city centre.

Set in the Tamar Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Woodland surroundings with views of the rolling hills of Dartmoor.

• • •

Flanked by woodlands.

Pleasant walks.

Close by Park & Ride offers easy travel links.

• • •

Nearby shopping facilities.

Pets considered.

St. Ann’s Chapel has a post office and store.

• • •

Good shopping facilities.

Plenty to explore.

Dartmoor is only a 10 minute drive away.

Book a contactless park viewing or a design appointment today.

Call us on 01935 862079 or visit berkeleyparks.co.uk

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

15

CHARITY FOCUS

Make A Difference Tavistock Mental health support and recovery Make A Difference is a mental health charity and wellbeing hub in Tavistock, providing friendship, activities, and support for the local community in a relaxed, café-style hub. The charity supports people who need help, by providing a quiet room, a listening ear and practical advice to guide them through some of the difficulties of living with a mental illness.

Make A Difference also aims to raise awareness about mental health issues, and encourage everyone to talk about them openly, since most people will encounter situations in their lifetime which could affect their mental health. The charity has put together a wealth of online resources which anyone can refer to with information about various common mental health disorders, how they affect people, and some of the signs and symptoms to be aware of, as well as self-help videos, helplines, other mental health charities, and further online resources.

Make A Difference was started in 2005

by Sandy Edney, a mental health social worker, Fie Mason, an occupational

therapist, and several of their patients, to create a place, where people dealing with mental health issues could come together and chat over a drink in an informal and safe setting.

Initially the group met in the café at Tavistock United Reformed Church, and then in 2010 the charity set up a base at Trident House in Taylor Square, enabling it to expand its offering to include music, art and cookery sessions, together with games and internet access. At the start of 2020 the charity moved around the corner to a new home at The Arch Workshops.

Shortly afterwards though the pandemic took hold, creating difficulties for most charities with volunteers and members in lockdown and many regular fundraising channels cut off. It was a challenging time for Make A Difference which revolves around creating a friendly, sociable environment where people can meet up – plus the new building was basically a shell in need of a considerable amount of work to create a warm, inviting hub.

Mark Feeney is the charity’s project

For an extensive range of beds, mattresses and frames.

Delivered and set up in your bedroom.

We can also take away your old bed!

West Devon Business Park Tavistock PL19 9DP • 01822 612880

tavistockbedcentre.co.uk When only the best night’s sleep will do!

16

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

CHARITY FOCUS

manager, and he and the previous manager, Mark Rickman, have worked tirelessly to transform the new base into a welcoming venue, fitting new floor-length windows, repainting walls and adding a coffee bar. The facilities also include a cosy quiet/TV room, a well laid-out office area, and an outdoor courtyard area which came in very useful for outdoor meetings during lockdowns, and by now will be filled with pots of flowers, fruit and vegetables, ready for this year’s Tavistock in Bloom. The Make A Difference team has already made huge progress with settling into the new building but there is still massive potential to open up the rest of the space so that it can be used for activities. The charity’s enterprising team of volunteers have a host of plans for future workshops including making clocks, windchimes, and simple musical instruments; Sandy has even recently undertaken a pottery course so she can get the potter’s wheel and kiln up and running. Mark has plans for music sessions, film nights, Saturday morning breakfasts, and a BBQ and music evening in July. The centre also has a variety of woodwork machinery all ready for use, while a stack of mugs and T-shirts sit waiting next to the high-definition laser printing kit, ready for the charity’s new commercial printing service.

Chaired by Dr James Allenby, the charity’s trustees have a wealth of expertise in medical and mental health issues; Sir Geoffrey Cox MP is the charity’s patron, and the charity

receives valuable support from a number of local councillors including Debo Sellis and Ursula Mann. However for the charity’s plans to come to fruition, Make A Difference needs more volunteers to help keep the current sessions running, add additional sessions, complete the renovation of its premises and explore fundraising opportunities. When I visited the centre, Linda Worsey from Tavistock Community Printing Group at The Printworks, was showing the group how to make simple lino prints, which everyone very much enjoyed. If you have a skill you would be happy to share with the group and could lead one or more sessions please get in touch. Previous fundraising has included many events, from a sponsored freefall tandem jump, to an auction of pledges. However fundraising is a continual process and if you could help with funding applications, or organising fundraising events then please get in touch. Alternatively, you can make a donation via the PayPal Giving Fund link on the website.

You don’t need a diagnosis, referral or appointment to access mental health support and friendship at Make a Difference on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 12pm until 4pm at The Arch Workshops, Taylor Square, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0DG (under the viaduct). For more information visit makeadifferencetavistock.org or contact 01822 613746 or hello@makeadifferencetavistock.online. For upcoming events see Facebook: Make a Difference.

Expert advice on all flooring types including carpet, vinyl, Karndean, laminate and natural flooring.

All supplied and expertly fitted.

West Devon Business Park Tavistock PL19 9DP • 01822 614537

tavistockcarpets.co.uk 17

““

I’m happy to stay I’m to stay in happy my home in my home

Stay safe at home, every day and every night.

For ultimate peace of mind, our Live-in care service provides you with your own personal care assistant that lives with you in your home. And if you have unsettled nights, we also provide a night-time care service.

For more information on this ‘outstanding’ service, scan the QR code or call us for a friendly chat.

01822 678111 westdevon@bluebirdcare.co.uk bluebirdcare.co.uk/west-devon

” ”

your life your h me your care your way

FARMING NEWS

The trouble with lambs…

Having now finished lambing I am a spent force! Spring on the farm is a long, tiring journey and although it’s always amazing to see so much new life, I am glad to see the back of it in equal measure! Once all the young life and their mums are processed and in their summer pastures on the moor and in summer grazing fields, the farm turns quiet and we literally relax for five minutes waiting for the grass to grow!

The ewes and lambs, cows and calves are busy feeding on all the fresh grass, while the harvesting fields grow the next crop of silage and hay for winter.

Normally we would apply artificial fertilizer and cow muck to the fields used for winter feed. The artificial fertilizer contains mainly Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium(K) which are essential for plant growth and exist naturally in all living things. The cows and sheep harvest the grass and so these three elements get depleted because we remove the animals from the land and sell them, essentially removing the N, P and K from the natural cycle. Humans consume the N, P and K in food, whether that be plant or meat based, but our waste does not return the nutrients to the land, as it is flushed away. Nature does help to replenish the three elements but over time the farm would become less productive, so we use artificial fertilizer - sorry for science lesson! Due to the volatile

energy market and war in Ukraine, our costs have rocketed. Fertilizer has risen in price from £300/ton to £1000/ton and in addition to fuel and energy price rises, this makes our industry very vulnerable.

Our prices have increased, but nowhere near in line with our costs. So we have decided not to buy artificial fertilizer this spring, and have spread as much cow and sheep muck as we can find.

We risk depleting the farm of production potential, and our harvest will be lighter this summer as a result, but we think it would be a bigger risk to spend tens of thousands of pounds on fertilizer. We have some of last winter’s feed left and we also purchased extra feed at the end of the winter. We will monitor our reserves and hope to get through but we may have to either sell some cows or buy extra feed for next winter.

On a lighter note, Dave my right hand on the farm is getting married and I wish him and Kerry all the best for the future. I got invited on his stag do - not the one involving nights away, but the ‘local’ one for lesser drinkers and old people! Gem collected me from the pub by 9:30pm, leaving the youngsters to their shenanigans! I thought I was doing well but then Gem mentioned we had to check a drain in our field as she’d heard a lamb bleating. Our boys were very excited to be going on a major rescue mission! Poking my head up the

storm drain I could see the lamb’s eyes.

I fashioned a crude poking device from gaffer tape, a fleece and a length of pipe, but on the first attempt it pushed past the lamb. As I was modifying my design with my pocket knife, I stabbed my left hand between my thumb and forefinger! There was blood everywhere, and poor Billy as a witness. Fortunately, we have very good neighbours and Chris took me to A&E at 11pm on a Friday night. Four hours later, after some glue, bandages and antibiotics I was packed off home. There was no real damage fortunately, and once again I have to thank the amazing NHS. The lamb was rescued safe and sound by my brother Neil, and Angus who turned up to take the glory!

Mat Cole, Greenwell Farm

Thursday 28 July 2022 from 8.30am

ily m Fa t! n Ou Fu y A Da

LAUNCESTON AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2022

Kennards House, Launceston PL15 7EZ

www.launcestonshow.co.uk • ! @LauncestonAgriculturalAssociation Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

19

GARDENING

Water-wise gardening Long, dry springs appear to be becoming a regular feature in recent years and although we don’t know what the summer will bring, it makes huge sense both financially and environmentally to become a water-wise gardener. And less need for watering means less time spent attached to the business end of a hose pipe.

Choose plants that naturally tolerate drought and your garden will look fantastic even when there’s no rain for weeks. These plants have features like thick, waxy foliage; leaves that are narrow and needle-like or covered in fine hairs; or silvery and light-reflecting.

Some create their own ‘heat shield’ by evaporating essential oils to create wonderful scents, including popular herbs like rosemary and lavender. Plan your plantings with a blend of foliage and flowers: create the ‘bones’ of a

near Broadwoodwidger, where the garden I was commissioned to design has recently been completed.

garden with strong structural foliage such as elaeagnus, bay, olearia, and Box, which look good all year and make a beautiful contrast to colourful flowers. For some planting inspiration, I recommend a trip to South West Water’s visitor centre at Roadford Lake,

For pots and borders, succulent plants with fleshy leaves are great as they store water in their leaves and need far less water than many patio plants.

However, do bear in mind that drought tolerant plants hate sitting in wet ground for any length of time, so if your soil is poor-draining, create raised beds or plant on mounds so they don’t succumb in periods of heavy rain. For general container planting, improve drought tolerance by planting in large pots (small ones dry out incredibly fast) and group containers close together so they shade each other.

Collecting and saving rainwater rather than using tap water can be done in lots of ways. Water butts are simple and

ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPING AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • Decking & Fencing • Dry Stone Walling • Patios & Pathways • Timber Structures • Groundworks

• Sheds • Turf Laying • House Painting • Hedge Trimming • Garden Clearance

FULLY INSURED - LOCAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE

Hartland, Milton Combe, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6HP

T: 01822 852792 M: 07765 674627 Email: steptoe841@gmail.com 20

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

GARDENING

Roadford Lake

low-cost (SW Water offer these through www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk) and there are lots of more ornamental designs too, including a clever design that combines planters around the butt.

Or, hide your storage out of sight with a low, wide tank beneath a deck or patio.

An alternative to lugging cans around is a little solar-powered or electric pond pump.

Timing your planting is an excellent way to save water and end up with much better plants in the long run. Planting now means watering for months whilst plants are in full growth, but anything hardy is best planted in autumn, when growth is slowing right down and the soil is warm and moist, ideal for root growth so the plant establishes itself during autumn and winter. Then come spring, when the plant explodes into growth, there’s little or no need to water.

Sedum spectabile

Seasonal gardening jobs Stake tall-growing perennials early rather than waiting until stems start to topple. Either buy grow-through supports, use twiggy prunings, or canes and string.

Tender vegetables like courgettes, marrows, sweetcorn, runner and French beans can be sown outside now.

Buy ready-grown plants of tomatoes, peppers, chillis, and cucumbers.

Feed hardy plants growing in containers, using controlled release fertilizer that will last the whole season.

Inspect lilies for bright red lily beetle and the orangey slime-covered larvae.

Hand picking and squashing is the best control, or use preventative chemicalfree sprays, although these need re-application after rain.

ENDSLEIGH GARDENS NURSERY Milton Abbot Tavistock PL19 0PG

Tel: 01822 870235

www.endsleighgardens.co.uk

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

Euphorbia martinii

Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia and flowering quince, as next year’s blooms will be borne on growth made this year.

Sue Fisher GARDEN DESIGNER & HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST

VISIT

for our great range of

Roses, Shrubs, Climbers, Perennials & Trees Pop in for a chat!

We’re happy to advise how you can improve your garden.

OPEN EVERY DAY!

Well worth a visit !

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

Inspirational ideas to transform your garden

Advisory visits Planting plans • Complete designs tel: 01822 841895 email: suefisher@talktalk.net www.suefishergardens.co.uk • •

21

M.T. ALLEN Groundworks & Plant Services

Dartmoor Pond Services

www.mtallengroundworks.co.uk 01822 854959 - 07951 020243

Design & Installation Waterfalls & Streams Ponds & Lakes • Water Features Renovation • Leak Repair Ellis Taylor

07836 576722

IN FU SU LL RE Y D

www.dartmoorpondservices.co.uk

Red Squirrel Treecare A friendly, family run company providing a range of high quality arboricultural services

TREE SURGERY • HEDGE TRIMMING • STUMP GRINDING SITE CLEARANCE • AND MUCH MORE...

Skilled Arborist Fully Experienced & Insured

CALL NOW for professional advice and to arrange a no obligation quote

07398 268877

Check us out at:

cf

@adamofedentrees

adamofedentrees@gmail.com

Tree Removal Pruning Hedge Cutting Seasoned Firewood

Professional, hardworking and safe Our services include: • Tree felling & dismantling • Crown thinning, lifting & reduction • Tree pest & disease identification • Woodland management • Hedge cutting & laying • Seasoned logs FULLY INSURED

www.countrywisetreecare.co.uk

JonLindsay@countrywisetreecare.co.uk

T: 01822 854 972 M: 07977 558 371

Area covered includes: Yelverton • Horrabridge • Tavistock • Roborough • Princetown • Gunnislake Callington • Bere peninsula • Buckland Monachorum • Lydford • Lifton • Okehampton

22

01822 860651

info@redsquirreltreecare.co.uk

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

GARDENING

Local Gardens

Wild about High Fliers Wild about Gardens is a collaboration between the Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trusts, to encourage gardeners to take action in support of nature. This year’s theme is ‘Wild about High Fliers’ to help those soaring superstars of the skies: swifts, swallows, and martins. These amazing birds fly from Africa to breed here from spring to autumn. Sadly, numbers have declined, and swifts and martins have been added to the Red List of globally threatened species. But there’s lots gardeners can do to help, by providing nesting sites, materials, and food. These birds are all insect-eaters and feed on the wing whilst in flight, so you’ll never see them at your bird table, but boosting insect populations gets them swooping over your garden and nearby. Do this

by having a pond, bog garden, or moist ground that is a magnet for insects; turn a part or all of your lawn into meadow; and grow plants that attract pollinating insects. Swallows, swifts, and house martins nest under the eaves of buildings, both out and in, where you can place ready-made nests and ‘swift bricks’, and allow access to outbuildings by making a small hole in a door top or taking out a couple of bricks. Create a path of moist, muddy soil outside for use in nest building. And yes, they do make a bit of a mess below the nest but a bit of tarp can easily be rigged up as protection. Encouraging these wonderful birds is well worth the slight inconvenience. For more information see www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk Sue Fisher

The Garden House is a 10-acre gem near Buckland Monachorum which has been described as ‘one of the finest gardens in Britain’ and is a favourite in the horticultural world for Carol Klein, Toby Buckland, Alan Titchmarsh and Arit Anderson. Although it is a garden for all seasons, June and July are two of the most spectacular. Nick Haworth, head gardener says: “I love to walk through the Summer Garden and one of the highlights is the repeat flowering of deep ‘navy blue’ agapanthus set against striking persicaria and swathes of swishing grasses. Even on a cloudy day it reminds me of holidays, blue sea and blue sky!” The Garden House is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Enjoy the special Platinum Jubilee ‘Royal Menu’ in the café throughout June, and visit the exhibition by renowned local artist Anita Nowinska.

For more info see thegardenhouse.org.uk.

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

Quality Assured

Established for over15 years Call: 01822 860675 / 07977 272170

www.menforallseasons.co.uk

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

23

GARDENING

A second chance for ash trees In our day-to-day lives, we pass dozens, if not hundreds of trees - though we never really stop to think about the maintenance that goes into keeping each tree safe and healthy. Dartforest Tree Works, a local arboricultural company working throughout Devon, is responsible for preserving ash trees - an incredibly common type of tree in the UK - from dying as a result of a fungal disease known as dieback, or Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (previously Chalara fraxinea). Links Magazines caught up with professional tree surgeon, Daniel Chew, to learn what causes this disease, and how he and his colleagues at Dartforest are able to extend the life of these beautiful trees.

“We can’t prevent ash trees from getting the disease, but we can maintain trees that have it,” Daniel Chew explained.

“The fungus is of an East Asian origin and has been sweeping across Europe for the past few decades, decimating our ash trees. Some ash trees are resilient to it - meaning they can get the disease, but are able to live with it; whereas some will die, quite quickly as well, by losing their leaves, so they don’t have the usual leaves you would expect to find in summer conditions.”

Daniel describes the fungal disease as a spore that spreads through air via wind, and causes leaves to fall off branches and the tips to turn black. Dartforest pollards ash trees in order to give them another chance at growth.

management - we try to keep anything we have cut on site so we are not taking anything away from the woodland. We create things like benches, and features like Norwegian log piles.”

He says: “The key is that we are not reducing the tree to ground level, we are retaining it so the thousands of species that rely on an ash tree for habitat are still able to live on it.”

Although some ash trees tolerate the disease well, where trees are seriously diseased and growing near buildings or roads they need to be regularly assessed. Dan explained that any ash tree can be affected, young or old: “The fungus can enter the tree at any age, from small, roadside ash trees to trees that are hundreds of years old. The fungus isn’t picky!”

Dartforest leaves the cut wood in the woodlands, allowing it to rot and turn into compost, feeding back into the woodland’s ecosystem. The company also makes benches, bird boxes, and more from leftover wood, and even carves bat and bird houses into tree trunks which are no longer viable.

“More recently, we have been branching out into woodland CIT Y AND GUILDS QUALIFIED

FREE QUOTES

Joe McCormick

Contact Dartforest on aran@dartforesttrees.co.uk or 07594 680168.

HIGHLY EXPERIENCED & FULLY QUALIFIED TREE SURGEONS & TREE CONSULTANTS • Arboriculture • Management Plans • Tree Consultancy & Decay Testing • Woodland & Estate Conservation • Biodiversity & Habitat Restoration

Aran Kimberlee

01822 458073

www.johnafrancisstonework.co.uk 24

BSc (Hons) Arboriculture, M Arbor A

07594 680168 • aran@dartforesttrees.co.uk

www.dartforesttrees.co.uk

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

NATURALIST GARDENING

Up and away This summer, millions of ants will emerge from holes in the ground and take to the air. But why?

On warm, still, humid days this summer, look out for clouds of flying ants as they rise from the ground to take to the skies.

The ants in question are usually black ants, and as they emerge from holes in lawns and cracks in pavements, they have one thing in mind: to mate. The clouds of ants are made up of males whose only purpose is to meet and mate with a queen ant. The female ants that take to the air are newly born queens. If you look carefully at an ‘ant cloud’ this summer using binoculars, you may spot among the millions a few ants which are much bigger than their airborne compatriots. These are the queens.

Ant eruptions are often accompanied by feverish excitement from birds including swifts, house martins and gulls, all hoping to grab a meal. Separate ant colonies synchronise their emergences, triggered by the optimum weather conditions. This not only gives queens the best chance of meeting males from other nests, but it also overwhelms predators, giving individual ants a greater chance of survival. After their nuptial flight, males usually survive no longer than a day or two. For the queens, however, their flight is the beginning of a much longer life, sometimes up to 15 years or more. On landing, females jettison their wings and begin the search

for a suitable nest site. They do this by excavating an underground chamber in which to lay eggs. This is the start of a new ant colony which may grow to between 10,000 workers with their queen. Her eggs hatch into larva, which then pupate to become adults. Most of these will be female worker ants and it is these which you see in your garden, searching for food to sustain their colony. In time the queen will also produce male ants and a few queens, and they will take to the air to begin the process of reproduction once more.

Where to see flying ants The spectacle of flying ants can be seen almost anywhere during summer. Black ants are very adaptable and can be found in a huge range of urban and rural locations – if you have a garden you are likely to have black ants. Often the first thing to spot will be the activity of gulls or swifts circling when they begin to pick off the ants as they rise into the air. The whole spectacle can last an hour or more. Hot summer days with little wind and no rain seem to act as a trigger for ants taking to the wing.

Stephen Hussey Devon Wildlife Trust www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Promote your business in

TAVY LINKS and reach over 9,000 homes and businesses... from just £7.50 per week!

Call the team on

07450 161929

Specialist nursery for pond, marginal and moisture loving plants Nursery open by appointment Online webshop & mail order Pond planting design service Garden consultation & site visits

07718 224641

www.torgardenplants.co.uk

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

25

LAW

legally speaking...

Our regular law column with

W

ith spring well and truly in bloom and summer just around the corner, it is a great time for new beginnings. Many will have known Anne Reed through Chilcotts Law, but recent exciting opportunities have arisen and Paladin Advocates & Attorneys opened it’s doors on 1st April 2022. We are just next door at No.12 Plymouth Road.

In recent years Anne has witnessed the dramatic increase in the need for her professional services specifically relating to her work as an Advocate and Attorney. Acting and guiding clients through some of the most challenging decisions they need to make, often at a time of crisis on a range of circumstances to include the need for care provision; arranging and setting up 24-hour live-in

VHF VHF VHF

12 VHF Plymouth Road VHF Tavistock PL19 8AY annereed@paladinadvocates.com VHF

paladinadvocates.com

VHF

care; applications for Lasting Powers of Attorney; Deputyship Applications; navigating through NHS and Social Services funding options; advising on the protection and preservation of a client’s home and financial assessment disputes.

The new venture means Anne and her team are able to continue to develop their specialist practice but also to support new clients during their time of need for advice and care.

We will continue to act for clients not only UK wide but also for family members who live abroad but whose loved ones live locally – acting as an advocate and voice to represent their wishes. We currently have clients in Argentina and Australia so distance is never an issue.

Anne’s role as an appointed Attorney means for clients who do not have family

Get in touch today VHF VHF

VHF VHF

VHF

01822 610303

AFFILIATE

or who may live a distance away, she can act for both Financial and critically, Health and Welfare appointments given her dual qualification as a Solicitor and former clinician in the NHS. Both Anne and her team really look forward to continuing to flourish and welcome your call to seek our help and advice on 01822 610303. Our website provides further information on the range of services we are able to offer so please visit: www.paladinadvocates.com

Anne

Anne Reed Solicitor & Advocate Paladin Advocates

COMMUNITY NEWS

From Devon to Ukraine On 23 March, seven West Devon residents set off with four vans and a trailer loaded with donations for the people of Ukraine - including medications, long-life food, personal hygiene products and supplies for babies. Princetown and Horrabridge residents, Zuzana Hlincikova, Neil Francis, Marcus Allen, Madison David, Jan Hayes, Richard Staniland and John Rogers travelled for 65 hours to complete the 2866-mile round trip to Lviv.

When war broke out in Ukraine, Zuzana was visiting her family in the Czech Republic and immediately wanted to do something to help the Ukranian people.

She launched an appeal at Princetown Pre-school where she works, then other local residents got involved and the project snowballed into the idea of a convoy team taking the donations out to Poland. They made contact with Anna Vynnyk, the co-ordinator of Volonter Liga, a Lviv charity working to help Ukrainians affected by the war, and she sent lists of required items.

Donations of supplies and money flooded in from local residents and businesses, and there were also a number of fundraising events such as a charity Zumba organised by Janine Hodge. Marcus’s partner Toni helped to organise fundraising and every day they

came home more donations had been left outside their house. The journey to Ukraine was not without its challenges, as the group only got a few hours’ sleep on the way there and experienced difficulties at the border to Ukraine, until a Polish man intervened on their behalf. They then only had a few hours to reach Lviv, drop off the goods and get back to Poland before the curfew came into force. Their memories of Lviv are made up of sand bunkers, tank traps, young soldiers trying to keep warm and people attempting to get on with their lives as news filtered in of more bombings in cities where loved ones had stayed behind. The team crossed back into Poland shortly before the curfew, and when they checked into a hotel at 10pm they were overwhelmed with the welcome, as well as homemade soup and home-brewed beer. They even managed to find a mechanic to replace a brake pad on a Sunday!

As long as they continue to receive sponsorship and donations, the group intends to keep transporting them to Ukraine. You can follow their progress at Facebook: UKkyi Bear. Devon to Ukraine, and find out what supplies are required or donate via the link to the crowdfunder at justgiving.com - Princetown#Devo n#Ukraine#NeedYourHelp. Drop-off points include Morrisons, Travis Perkins and Ron’s Pets in Tavistock, The Game Larder, Drake Vets and The Rock Inn in Yelverton, The Burrator Inn in Dousland, The White Thorn Inn in Shaugh Prior, The Prince of Wales in Princetown.

Join Mad Dog Mcrea & Tom Baker on Friday 17 June from 6:30pm in aid of the Ukraine appeal at Higher Bughill Farm, Shaugh Prior, PL7 5EW. Tickets on eventbrite.co.uk - 331684265567 or call 07387 152125.

You don’t need to leave your home to move in with your family, go into residential care or lose your independence. Santé Care at Home live-in carers will provide companionship, personal care and housekeeping to allow you to carry on living the life you want.

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

Are you finding it difficult to manage on your own at home?

Our Live-In Carer Service is the real alternative to residential care

Santé Care at Home live-in care service is designed

for home-loving and independent-minded people like you...

To find how we can help you stay at home, call us today

01822 678010 / 07413 531000 www.santecareathome.co.uk • info@santecareathome.co.uk • Located in Yelverton Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

27

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR MORE NEWS AND UPDATES!

Incorporating Ann Pointer Solicitors

OUR PARTNERS HAVE THE SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE TO HELP DOMESTIC CONVEYANCING

COMMERCIAL CONVEYANCING

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WILLS . PROBATE

Ridge Grove . Russell St . Tavistock . PL19 8BD TAVISTOCK 01822 617666

www.cwcsolicitors.co.uk

tavistock@cwcsolicitors.co.uk

THE local chartered surveyors with a wealth of experience in residential property within Devon and Cornwall

As fully qualified impartial experts we offer: • RICS Homebuyer Surveys • RICS Building Surveys

Extensive, accurate and helpful reports.

Efficient same day feed-back available. Reports e-mailed within 72 hours Vince Keep MRICS 07789 110 360

• Valuations for Probate, Divorce and Tax purposes • Schedules of Condition and Dilapidation reports • Party Wall Act 1996 legislation.

David Balment FRICS 07836 681 703 INDEPENDENT CHARTERED SURVEYORS, TAVISTOCK, DEVON AND CORNWALL.

COMMUNITY NEWS

From the Lions’ Den The period after Christmas to mid-year is generally a quieter time for Tavistock Lions Club, but members have still been busy helping out Tavistock Athletic Club as road marshals for the Tavy13 race, and the BBQ team provided its excellent range of hot food and drinks for a competition at Tavistock Community Football Club. Club members were also out in force in Bedford Square collecting in aid of Ukrainian refugees, resulting in a donation including Gift Aid of £875 to the Lions Club International Foundation which ensures all money donated is channelled to similar clubs in the area of conflict.

The club has also been planning activities with BID to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with a children’s parade of flags on Thursday 2 June and a Picnic in the Park the following Sunday with music and cream teas. Planning is also well underway for

this year’s carnival after a gap of three years due to the pandemic. This year’s theme is ‘We are the World’ which the club believes is hopefully what we are feeling despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Carnival week starts on Sunday 10 July – see What’s On for details of all the events – and culminates on Saturday 16 July, when Tavistock will be filled with marching bands, floats and walkers in costume as the carnival procession wends its way through the town.

Members are delighted to bring the

carnival back after such a difficult time and hope everybody will join in with enthusiasm and give generously during the procession. The club’s plans for the rest of the year include the fireworks display on Saturday 5 November at Tavistock Football Club, Trees of Light on Friday 25 November and the return of the popular Christmas postal service. For more information visit tavistocklions.org. uk; Facebook: Lions Club of Tavistock or call 03458 334807.

New bridge at Calstock Wetlands A new footbridge, created as part of the River Tamar Walkway & Wetland Project in Calstock, is now open, enabling the local community and visitors to enjoy the wildlife that is flocking to the recently flooded wetland area. The footbridge is the final piece of the jigsaw in this £3.1 million flood defence scheme, delivered by a partnership between the Environment Agency, Tamar Community Trust, Calstock Parish Council,

Calstock Footpath Society and Tamar Valley AONB. It has been designed and constructed to span the breach through the old flood embankment (now redundant as a flood defence) and to maintain the much-valued permissive footpath – described as a jewel in the crown of the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail. Walkers can safely use the bridge now, and it will be officially opened on Tuesday 14 June at 4:30pm.

Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd Your Local Independent Funeral Director

Services start at £1500 for a direct cremation, £2800 for a simple cremation, to a full tailor made funeral service with “The Morris Way”

01822 612023 (24 hrs) The Old Bedford Foundry, Lakeside, Tavistock, PL19 0AZ

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

Photo by Jan Simpson

FUNERAL PLANSPLANS FROM FUNERAL

FROM

Your wishes, your way.

Your wishes, your way.

Whatever your wishes, whatever your Whatever your wishes, whatever your budget, here help.

From budget, wewe areare here to to help.

From aa direct cremation a traditional direct cremation to to a traditional funeral - keep your plans with your funeral - keep your plans with your local independent Funeral Director local independent Funeral Director

Morris Bros Morris Bros 01822 01822612023 612023

www.morrisbros.co.uk www.morrisbros.co.uk 29

COMMUNITY NEWS

A busy time for Tavistock The town is in bloom again and we are looking forward to the summer months.

There has been a notable return of foreign visitors to the town, which is great to see and very welcome. We have also seen an upturn in those visiting from other parts of the UK, with COVID changing the way we view travel and encouraging us to explore our own backyard.

entry points into the town, creating a food & drink booklet and a new Green Spaces trail. COVID has made people more aware of the need for space and, here in Tavistock, we are blessed to have lots of green, open areas to enjoy.

With all this in mind, we have turned our focus to growing the Visit Tavistock brand and are engaged in a number of projects to increase visits from different groups and demographics. We believe that Tavistock has so much to offer and is also perfectly situated for exploring Dartmoor, West Devon and Cornwall.

We are working on developing official town merchandise, producing new interpretation signage for visitors at

There is plenty happening in the town over the coming months. Starting off June will be our Platinum Jubilee celebrations – the Jubilee Gala Day on 2 June is set to be a wonderful day for all the family, followed by a town Jubilee Picnic in The Meadows on 5 June. Tavistock’s first ever Pride festival will be happening on 25 June and Tavistock Carnival is set to return on 16 July with the theme ‘We Are The World’. Along with the much-loved Steam & Vintage Fair on 5 June, street food festivals, guided walks from the Guildhall Gateway Centre, craft markets

30

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

and a summer fair in Butchers’ Hall, it looks set to be a busy and vibrant few months in town. For more details on all the upcoming events visit www.visittavistock.co.uk/whats-on Tavistock BID

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Tales from Erika’s Garden by Helena Ancil Tales from Erika’s Garden (Snuffle Books 2020) and More Tales from Erika’s Garden (Snuffle Books 2021) are collections of illustrated stories for young children with a love of cats and kittens, chickens and ducks, all of which may be found in a country garden in the south west of England. Erika, a lover of plant life and nature, told the author that she worked in her garden to keep fruit, vegetables and flowers always at hand. Erika also has had a number of cats, that have taken up residence with her.

The stories follow the lives of ‘Bluesey the cockerel’, ‘Goldie’ - a show champion hen, Indian Runner ducks and cats ‘Homer’ and ‘Lulu’. They come from the surrounding area to congregate in Erika’s garden to observe the strange developments being carried out by the humans there. Both books are on sale at www.facebook.com/

TalesFromErikasGarden, in Book Stop, Tavistock, and audiobooks narrated by Helena are available at Google Play/ Apple Books.

Review by Readings with CCR

The Tales from Erika’s Garden books are a lovely collection of stories, brought to life by the animals inhabiting an east Cornwall village garden. Helena Ancil’s characters include talking ducks, chickens, cats and a cockerel. Each one, with their own well-crafted personality, foibles and fun characteristics. The charming dialogue and storytelling lead the reader (young or old) into a world where you can almost feel the damp of the wet grass and hedgerows. The tales are enhanced by the author’s eye-catching illustrations, which ensure the youngest readers are swept up into the beautiful world of Erika’s garden. If you are a fan of the famous stories of Beatrix Potter you will warm to these tales, written by an author who captures the tempo of West Country village life and articulates the voice of animals in a way that very few authors can achieve.

A Clattering Beneath the Woods By Sally J. Hubbard This children’s story is set entirely in the Tamar Valley and has been illustrated by Ian Pethers, a local artist and member of the Drawn to the

Valley group of artists. The original painting used as the cover is inspired by the woods at Cotehele. The story draws on the historical, mining history of the valley and the beauty of the area.

The main character, Polly, loves the valley and her ability to notice things around her leads her to meet the highly secretive, subterranean community of treacle miners who have mined the Tamar Valley for centuries.

Review by Get Kids into Books

The book is beautifully written with wonderful descriptions of the woods and the natural world. I was transported there in my mind and the place seemed almost magical. I think my absolute favourite description was of the secret harbour. Sally described it so vividly that I could picture it very clearly: the jetties, the moorings, the barrels and the coiled ropes, and – best of all – the tiny house, partly built into the stone wall. I especially loved the secret underground world – the home beneath the tree and the community of people going about their lives hidden from the world above. The descriptions of homes among the tree roots and characters foraging for food in the forest reminded me of two much-loved books from my childhood: Wind in the Willows and the Brambly Hedge series. Throughout the book there are important themes of mindfulness and nature – often running parallel with each other. Polly takes time to stop and notice her surroundings; she finds peace and takes comfort in the natural world. There are also important messages about conservation and the threat of habitat destruction.

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

31

The First Brave Step

REQUEST A PROSPECTUS:

www.mountkelly.com

#ItsTheClimb

KIDS WHAT’S ON

BUCKLAND ABBEY QUEEN BEE TRAIL Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem and an important part of the nature that surrounds Buckland Abbey. Come along this summer and find out all about queen bees and how they lead their hives.

Head out as a family and explore the woods on the yellow route. Discover all the important facts about what makes a bee a queen and how you can help keep bees safe! This event is free, but normal admission charges apply.

CLEARBROOK THE THREE MUSKETEERS Sun 31 July, 2.30pm This open-air, family-friendly musical at Clearbrook Village Hall is an incredible mix of amazing adventure, magical music, comical characters and swashbuckling sword fights. For details see Outdoor Theatre in What’s On or book tickets at www.boxtreeproductions.co.uk

ROSEMOOR GREAT GARDEN ADVENTURE Sat 23 July to Sun 4 Sept There are summer adventures galore with an immersive theatre show, pond dipping, and a circus skills workshop or meet the animals at the Exmoor Zoo roadshow – plus welly walks and crafts for little explorers.

VINTAGE WEEKEND Sat 30 to Sun 31 July, 10am-4pm Great for the whole family, with vintage and classic vehicles Punch and Judy, steam traction engine rides, miniature train rides and food and drink. Plus ‘Dig for Victory’ with the Land Army and Second World War re-enactors. Discover how we

used to live off the land and how we can use that knowledge to grow at home.

SOAPBOX CHILDREN’S THEATRE TROUBLESOME TIKES Sat 23 July, 11am & 1:30pm The Troublesome Tikes are not very good at listening or doing what they’re told. So what happens when their troublesome ways go out of control? A fun family show from Stiltskin Theatre Company at their award-winning children’s theatre in Devonport Park Plymouth. Outside and undercover. Suitable for under 12s.

STERTS WENDY & PETER Thurs 14 & Fri 15 July Journey with us to Neverland, in this refreshingly clever retelling which puts Wendy at the heart of the much-loved Peter Pan story. With the Croc’ ticking, can Wendy find her true self in time to rally the troupes and rescue Peter, the Lost Boys and her family from the machinations of the dastardly Captain Hook and her blood thirsty, if not a little stinky crew!

KING ARTHUR Sat 23 July, 6pm Somewhere in Britain, a long time ago, a very, very, very long time ago. A boy pulled a sword from a stone and became king. The Last Baguette returns with this fun and farcical adventure - a story of the old world, with knights, wizards, mist and magic. King Arthur is a deliberately anarchic and anachronistic re-telling of the Arthurian Legend with live music, physical comedy and lo-fi acrobatics.

TAVISTOCK LIBRARY SUMMER READING CHALLENGE From Sat 9 July This year’s theme is Gadgeteers and we will be doing lots of gadgety activities which will mostly be in August. See facebook.com/TavistockLibrary for the latest details about events.

THE GARDEN HOUSE THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT & BENJAMIN BUNNY Sat 9 July, 3pm Join Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin on their hair-raising adventures in Mr Mcgregor’s garden for an open-air production of this charming adaptation of the much-loved tales, at The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum. Bring a picnic, a blanket or a camping chair and settle in for an afternoon in beautiful surroundings and watch the mayhem unfold! For more details see thegardenhouse.org.uk

YELVERTON ROTARY CLUB FREE SPORTS & CRAFT FUN DAY Wednesday 3 August, 10am to 3pm Local groups and organisations will provide a mix of sports, crafts and public service information for Key stage 1 & 2 children and younger siblings, accompanied by parents/carers, on the moors/former airfield opposite Yelverton Play Park. There will be games and races with OCRA, an assault course and activities with the scouts, various craft activities, plus activities with Tavyside Badminton, Dartmoor Velo, Learn Devon, Stannary Brass Band, Devon Wildlife Trust, DSFR Fire Safety, Friends of Dartmoor Hill Ponies, and more.

Outstanding Childcare in Tavistock 15 Hours or 30 Hours FREE Childcare for eligible 2, 3 & 4 Year Olds Available Now! 54 Plymouth Road, Tavistock, PL19 8BU

01822 613416 tavistock@bambinosdaynursery.co.uk www.bambinosdaynursery.co.uk

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Outstanding Childcare and Natural Environments Outstanding and Caring Staff for Your Child 33

WHAT’S ON

St Luke’s Open Gardens Sunday 12 June Bere Alston Hidden Village Gardens Explore 15 village gardens in this historic part of the Bere Peninsula, with local private gardens plus allotments and a diverse mixture of planting and landscaping ideas on display, all within a reasonable walk of the village centre (three-quarter-mile walk from the train station). Bere Brewery’s hop garden and orchard will also be open to visit. This is the only hop garden open to the public in Devon, and the orchard has 100 varieties of local and heritage apples - half casks will be available to buy. Open 11am 4pm; entry: adults £5, U16s free entry; refreshments available; plant sales & other stalls; free parking; toilets; sorry no dogs.

Sunday 26 June Gunnislake Village Enjoy the wonderful village walkabout at Gunnislake with more new gardens this year. Travel by car or train (approx. 500m walk to village centre from train station).

Trail involves some inclines. Maps available from stall by Tavistock Arms Hotel in village centre or in advance from Gunnislake post office. Open 11am - 4pm; entry: adults £5, U16s free entry; refreshments available; plant sales; free parking; sorry no dogs; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Sunday 17 July Harrowbarrow Village Gardens

Sunday 3 July Flete House The enigmatic and fascinating Flete House (photo above) is surrounded with elegantly landscaped parkland estate.

The Italianate gardens, shrubbery and water gardens are complemented by some excellent specimen trees and beautiful, panoramic views. Join us for exclusive access to this private and historic Devon estate at Flete House, Ivybridge, PL21 9NZ. Open 12 - 5pm; entry: adults £7, U16s free entry; limited tours of the house also available for an additional fee; wheelchair access; refreshments & parking available.

Explore the delightful collection of Cornish cottage gardens exhibiting colourful, mixed herbaceous borders, shrubs, vegetable beds and a variety of landscaped features to inspire any gardener. Be sure to visit the art exhibition in Daisy Cott. Open 11am 4pm; entry: adults £5, U16s free entry; refreshments available; plant sales; free parking; sorry no dogs; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

For more details see stlukes-hospice. org.uk/open-gardens - printed brochures available from St Luke’s charity shops, local garden centres etc.

25 June Park House open garden Situated in the beautiful Lyd Valley, Park House has an attractive, 3-acre garden in two parts. Walk through banks of interesting and unusual planting combinations to a meadow with a stunning view of Dartmoor and meandering, mown paths leading to vibrant herbaceous borders, running water, a productive greenhouse, and polytunnel. Homemade teas and plants will be available, plus the services of

professional knife and tool sharpeners, Sharp Edge - so bring along your blunt knives, garden tools, scissors, clippers etc. Park House garden, Coryton, nr.

Okehampton, EX20 4AB , 11am to 5pm, signed from the Lydford to Tavistock road at Brentor, and from 1 mile north of Chillaton on the Lewdown to Tavistock road. Admission: adults £5, children under 14 free; limited wheelchair access; dogs on leads welcome.

34

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

Proceeds for The Lamerton Hunt and the charity ‘Send a Cow’ www.sendacow. org. Enquiries to 01822 860275.

WHAT’S ON

Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 June

Macbeth After two years, The Tamaritans are delighted to be returning to The Drum at Theatre Royal Plymouth with one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

When three witches prophesy that the Scottish general Macbeth will become King of Scotland, it sets in motion a series of ill-fated and tragic events. A dark tale of witchcraft and murder, and one of Shakespeare’s most popular (and shortest) plays, Macbeth will appeal to those well versed in Shakespearean drama, as well as offer an excellent introduction to his work. This contemporary and accessible production from the Plymouth-based Tamaritans Theatre Company is directed by Richard Haighton, bringing Macbeth into our world with present-day references, while also intriguingly interweaving the peripheral viewpoint of one of the minor characters – the aptly named Seyton. As

a retired drama teacher, Richard is no stranger to productions of ‘The Scottish Play’, having directed it three times in the past, and after the many challenges of the pandemic and disruption to theatres, he decided that a play with a curse was an appropriate choice!

And what’s more, the lead role of Macbeth is being played by Tim Randell of Links Magazines. Tim is an ardent supporter of local amateur dramatics and an accomplished actor who has previously taken on roles such as Fagan in Oliver!, CS Lewis in Shadowlands, Orsino in Twelfth Night, and Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls. His partner in crime, Lady Macbeth, will be the talented Suzanne Hooper, who played Elizabeth Proctor in The Tamaritans production of The Crucible, and directed Elephants in 2020. Aided by a strong

local cast, this play about conflict, greed and ambition promises to hit the spot, so whether you are a theatre lover or a student, don’t miss this opportunity to see it. For more details and tickets visit theatreroyal.com/whats-on/macbeth or thetamaritans.org.uk

18 June to 17 July

Festival of Roses Come and enjoy the sight and scent of thousands of roses in flower at RHS Garden Rosemoor’s four-weeklong Festival of Roses, a breathtaking showcase of the beauty and diversity of this favourite flower. Boasting one of the UK’s largest collections of roses, Rosemoor is home to two dedicated rose gardens with more than 200 different varieties and more than 2,000 roses.

AUGUST 18TH

From cottage garden climbers to bright and beautiful container roses, there is a rose to inspire and suit all gardens.

Highlights will include weekly rosethemed workshops, outdoor theatre and our Festival of Roses Craft Market from 24 to 26 June. RHS Garden Rosemoor, EX38 8PH, 10am–5pm, normal garden admission applies.

theatreroyal.com/whats-on/macbeth or thetamaritans.org.uk

August 18th

A GREAT FAMILY FUN DAY OUT

This Year’s Main Ring Attractions ‘The Dartmoor Hawker’ & ‘Paws For Thought Dog Display Team’ www.chagfordshow.co.uk

Adults £10 Child £3 Under 5 Free

Free Mini Bus from Chagford & Moretonhampstead Free On Site Parking

www.chagfordshow.co.uk Mill End Chagford TQ13 8JN Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Adopted Charity for 2022 No.209603

35

Hundreds of Horses

Birds of Prey

Livestock Competitions

Food & Shopping

The Devon County Show is back!

Join us for a Celebration of the Cream of the Devon countryside at Westpoint, Exeter Book tickets now at https://devoncountyshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/tickets/ #creamofdevon

36

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

WHAT’S ON

Devon County Show Devon County Show returns to Westpoint for a three-day extravaganza, and is preparing to welcome thousands of animals for the competitions - 500 sheep entries were reported at the last count with a couple of exciting new breed classes – Rouge d’Est and Dutch Spotted. Events that couldn’t happen last year are back with a bang.

Returning in a blaze of sparks are the thrilling shoeing competitions – a full-throttle performance of ripped

muscles and grinding iron, coupled with extraordinary skill and speed. Floral art is also back with a flourish, and the timing enables competitors to run riot with colours, varieties, and artistic

creations for categories including ‘Psychedelic’, ‘The Strange and The Beautiful’. The Queen’s Green Canopy, a central theme for the Platinum Jubilee Year, is ready to take root in Crafts and Gardens where the life cycle of a tree will be demonstrated - from acorn to small shoot, sapling, and small tree.

The Food and Drink section will be staged as an open air ‘market’ and is now fully booked, crammed with fantastic produce to tempt your tastebuds. It is one of the most popular areas for good reason – we have some of the country’s finest food producers on our doorstep, quite literally the cream of Devon. A collection of stunning Purebred Spanish horses (PRE), crossed with the Portuguese Lusitano horse will parade the Phil Greed arena each day of the

show, demonstrating their extraordinary beauty, intelligence and jaw-dropping dressage skills. Add to this, show jumping, the South Devon Herdbook Society’s National Show, fun fairs, a huge turn-out of vintage tractors, classic cars, an amazing crafts and gardens section and the Devon County Show is definitely the place to be this summer.

Tickets are £20 in advance at www. devoncountyshow.co.uk (£23 on the gate). Kids go free on Saturday with paying adults.

Take on an Incredible Hike for CHSW People are being asked to lace up their walking boots and take on an Incredible Hike for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Choose from 30 inspiring walking routes across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset – or simply pick one of your own. It’s free to register and participants are asked to try and raise £30 in sponsorship to help CHSW provide vital respite care. The charity’s three hospices – Little Bridge House in North Devon, Charlton Farm near Bristol, and Little Harbour in Cornwall – provide a safe haven of care, support and friendship for more than 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their

families across the South West. The charity needs around £11m a year to run the hospices, and around 85% is raised through donations. CHSW area fundraiser Kate Romo said: “Whether it’s a scenic stroll or an epic coast path ramble, hike as you like and support local children and families. Walking has so many positive physical and mental health benefits too, so we think this is the perfect feelgood fundraiser for people of all ages.” For more information or to register, visit www.chsw.org.uk/ hike. You’ll also find fundraising ideas, downloadable sponsor forms and links to set up your own JustGiving page.

19 June

CHSW Rainbow Run One of the UK’s most colourful fundraising fun runs is taking place at a brand-new venue, Escot Park near Ottery St Mary, in aid of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Anyone aged five years and over can take part and get covered in powder paint as they walk or run through different coloured paint stations along the 5km route. For details see www.chsw.org.uk/rainbowdevon

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

37

WHAT’S ON

Saturday 25 June

Tavi Pride Love Who You Are Tavistock’s first pride event for the LGBT+ community in Tavistock, West Devon and the surrounding areas takes place in The Meadows in Tavistock.

From 1pm to 7pm a festival-style event includes a picnic in the park with live music, food stalls, a bar and other festivities. At 4pm, the parade will head to the town square and back, then there’ll be speeches and more music in The Meadows until 7pm. Tavi Pride aims to build community, celebrate sexual and gender diversity, affirm equal rights and dignity for the LGBT+ community, increase their visibility as a social group, and take a stand against discrimination and violence towards them. Tavi Pride was recently awarded £9800 from The National Lottery Community Fun and a further £500 from Devon and Cornwall

Police Community Fund. The festival organisers have also had huge support from the community, and the ‘Lip Sync Drag Battle’ held in March was a sell-out event, raising over £600 for the event. If you, your business or an organisation would like to get involved then it’s not too late. You could get creative with banners, music, sculptures, masks and dance – or simply join the parade with your group and march in solidarity with your LGBTQ+ community. If you or your

business would like a rainbow flag to display then let us know. Please email the team at tavistockpride@gmail.com if you would like to support the event financially or with a service.

Tavistock Carnival 2022: We are the World Sunday 10 July

Thursday 14 July

12noon to 5pm: Fun Day in The Meadows with the crowning of the Carnival Princess at 3pm. Also, a dog show, BBQ, tea tent, various sports displays, charity stalls and a duck race on the canal.

Town Relay Races in The Meadows starting at 5.30pm, organised by Tavistock Athletic Club

Monday 11 July Peace Poster Presentation Evening at The Bedford Hotel starting at 5.45pm

Tuesday 12 July Pavement Artists’ Competition in Brook Street starting at 5.30pm Multi-Media Mega Quiz at The Stannary Arms, King Street starting at 7.00pm – entry £5 per person

Wednesday 13 July Concert in St Eustachius’ Church featuring Stannary Brass Band, Blowzone and PGS Theatre Productions starting at 7.30pm – entry £5 per person 38

Talk by Simon Dell on Tavistock’s Policing Past in the Court Room of the Guildhall Heritage Centre. Doors open at 6.15pm for viewing of the Heritage Centre displays with the talk starting at 7pm – entry £5 per person. Tickets available from the Visitor Information Centre in the Guildhall.

Friday 15 July Traders’ Skittles Competition at The Stannary Arms, King Street, Tavistock starting at 7pm – entry £20 per team

Saturday 16 July – Carnival Day Eco Fest in The Meadows celebrating sustainability - 11am to 5pm Grand Procession of bands, floats and walkers in costume through the town

starting from Down Road at 6.30pm.

This year’s theme is ‘We are the World’.

Carnival Week is organised by the Lions Club of Tavistock for and on behalf of the local community with all profits from the week going to local charities and good causes. This programme was correct when going to print but please check the Lions Club Facebook page or www.tavistocklions.org.uk for the latest information, or call 0345 8334807.

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

WHAT’S ON

Outdoor theatre Saturday 18 June, 7:30pm

Much Ado about Nothing Sun and Moon Theatre presents one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies, setxin 1945 - a joyous, vibrant and hilarious production at Sterts Theatre, Upton Cross. The war has ended, and Messina’s young men have returned ready for peace, celebration and … romance? Hero and Claudio are in love, while Beatrice and Benedick are in a perpetual ‘merry war’ of wits and wills. But not everyone has come back unscathed and the spread of misinformation has its consequences.

Enjoy razor-sharp wit, bold confrontations, and live music. Suitable for all ages.

Saturday 9 July, 7pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love and intrigue, magic and mayhem

comes to The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum when fairies are abroad and nothing is as it seems... Bring a picnic, a blanket or a camping chair and settle in for an evening in beautiful surroundings and watch the mayhem unfold! For booking details visit www. thegardenhouse.org.uk

Wednesday 20 July, 7:30pm

Shodyssey Troy – something BC. A young bull herder accidently eats a golden apple.

Three goddesses aren’t happy. And then 10 years later a city burns. Obviously, a lot happened in between these points and several important things happened before. Assembleth Theatre takes you on a journey through the Trojan War as you’ve never seen it before. The sort-of truth behind Achilles heel, the golden watermelon of Paris, the twelve accidental labours of Hercules and more.

Sterts Theatre, Upton Cross

Sunday 31 July, 2.30pm

The Three Musketeers This family-friendly musical at Clearbrook Village Hall will be an incredible mix of amazing adventure, magical music, comical characters and swashbuckling sword fights. The whole family will be entertained, from the youngest to the eldest. So, pack up a picnic, bring a low backed chair or blanket and join Boxtree Productions for this wonderful show. Not familiar with the story? Young D’Artagnan comes to the big city with one aim: to follow in his father’s footsteps and become one of the King’s Musketeers. When he gets to Paris, he meets three of the Musketeers: Athos, Porthos and Aramis. With his new-found friends he must prove himself and try to stop the evil plans of Cardinal Richelieu and the mysterious Milady, but will he do enough to earn his place as a Musketeer? All for one and one for all! Tickets can be booked at www.boxtreeproductions.co.uk

Dartmoor Darts Aquatic

FREE TRIAL SESSIO AVAILABLNE!

Dartmoor Darts Aquatic

Dartmoor Darts Aquatic

Dartmoor Darts Aquatic

Dartmoor Darts Aquatic are a high performance, ambitious swimming club and we are looking for new swimmers (Level 10 and above) to join our fantastic and friendly club.

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

www.kbgchambers.co.uk PROUD SPONSORS OF DDA

39

N

H O U R LY T R A I N S ON THE DARTMOOR LINE

Welcome to the new hourly service on the Dartmoor Line.

Introduced on 15 May, it means more trains and more flexible travel options, seven days a week.

GREAT VALUE FARES

Travel between Okehampton and Exeter for just £8.00 Anytime Day Return. Most trains go to both Exeter St David’s and Exeter Central, seven days a week.

GETTING TO THE STATION

The 118 bus between Tavistock, Mary Tavy, Brentor, Lydford and Okehampton calls at Okehampton station every other hour, timed with trains (Mon-Sat, some Sunday buses too).

Or park at the station (£2 all day).

PLAN YOUR TRIP

www.dartmoorline.com Scan to see train times and bus connections

EW

WHAT’S ON

What’s on in Plymouth Cottage Field in Central Park is set to host more global music superstars.

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe kick off the weekend on Friday 8 July, followed by the mesmerising Paloma Faith on Saturday 9 July, and then the legends that are Simply Red, joined by Gabrielle, on Sunday 10 July

19 June

25 June

Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival

Armed Forces Day

Anyone can sign up to this event which includes the Plymouth Half Marathon, a 10k and a 5k race - offering something for runners of all abilities. To find out more or take part, go to www.runplymouth.co.uk

23 June

The Rehabilitation Triathlon Hosted by the Royal Marines, this event takes place in Plymouth for the first time, with outstanding athletes – Paralympians and Invictus Games competitors among them - competing in the tough event. The triathlon is made up of a swim in Tinside Lido, cycling time trials and static rowing on Plymouth Hoe.

This popular event returns to Plymouth Hoe this year with a packed programme of entertainment from 10am to 10:30pm, including arena displays, interactive activities and parades, and a dedicated parade of veterans to recognise the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War. Visitors can enjoy live performances throughout the day before a free evening concert takes to the stage.

8 to 10 July

Music at Central Park

30 and 31 July

SailGP Adrenaline is set to be pumping throughout, as the world’s most exciting racing on water returns to Plymouth Sound for the second year running.

Sports fans, sailing enthusiasts and action lovers can expect adrenaline fuelled excitement as ten international sailing teams comprised of the world’s top athletes battle it out to win the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix. Thanks to SailGP Inspire, 120 local young people enjoyed sailing experiences during 2021.

For all the latest details about all events in Plymouth, please see visitplymouth. co.uk.

just the ticket for a great day out

Come and visit the South Devon Railway for a 14-mile round trip steam train ride along the beautiful valley of the River Dart.

southdevonrailway.co.uk

Buckfastleigh • Staverton • Totnes Riverside

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

We’d love to see you!

41

Your Big Da y WEDDING DIRECTORY

Your way...

Planning your big day but not sure where to start? From the venue and dress to gifts for your bridal party, these fabulous local businesses are all happy to help

Pens & Moor

Bespoke engraved gifts & favours for your wedding

Contact Tanya 01752 776730

For your special day...

!$

Information and prices

info@porsham.co.uk www.porsham.co.uk

@DRAE AES T HE TCS

alisonelsey.co.uk

21 West Street • Tavistock

07923 436948 • pensandmoor@hotmail.co.uk

Information

@DRAE AE

alisonelse

Ex-display & pre-loved dresses all under £600

Featuring a special selection of: Occasion wear for Mother of the Bride/Groom, Bridesmaids & Flower Girls plus Wedding Guests Also Cocktail, Evening Gowns & Prom Wear Join us for a complimentary tea or coffee

07767 646337

www.twoforjoybridal.co.uk

Drop in between 10am & 4pm on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays or by appointment

APPOINTMENT ONLY Ashley Meadow, Tregondale Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3RG

Ashley Meadow, Tregondale Menheniot, Liskeard PL14 3RG

07767 646337

The Bedford Hotel ONE SPECIAL DAY

• Historic and romantic venue • Top-notch Devon cuisine • Stunning function suite • From intimate to extravagant The Bedford Hotel • Tavistock • 01822 613221 weddings@bedford-hotel.co.uk • www.bedford-hotel.co.uk

Two Bridges Hotel YOUR ROMANTIC OASIS

• Stunning Dartmoor venue • Award-winning dining • Riverside wedding pagoda • Beautiful function suite Two Bridges Hotel • Dartmoor National Park • 01822 892300 weddings@twobridges.co.uk • www.twobridges.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

2 to 5 June Tavistock Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Thursday 2 June: Jubilee Gala Day from 11am to 5pm, with activities for all the family kicking off with a flag pageant at 11am and continuing with a 1950s beach scene in Guildhall car park with striped deckchairs, ice-cream and Punch & Judy; cream teas and live performances on Bedford Square; a KidsZone in St Eustachius’ churchyard with traditional games, bubble-show and face-painting; a Carnaby Street scene in Bank Square car park with a resident disc-jockey, and a tea-dance in Tavistock Town Hall. The town beacon will be lit at The Pimple at 9:45pm.

Friday 3 & Saturday 4 June: Relive the Coronation in the Guildhall Gateway Centre or enjoy music and entertainment in the town centre.

Sunday 5 June: Robey Trust Steam Fair in Bedford car park and ‘Jubilee Picnic in the Park’ in The Meadows with Tavistock Lions. www.visit-tavistock. co.uk/jubilee

4 & 5 June Mary Tavy Diamond & Platinum Celebrations Mary Tavy will celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, and also the diamond jubilee of our village hall on the same weekend.

Despite being named ‘Coronation Hall’, the building was completed in 1962,

making this year its 60th anniversary.

To mark both occasions there will be a family-friendly barn dance, with barbecue on Sat 4 June from 7.30pm (tickets available from Mary Tavy Post Office) and a Platinum Picnic on Sun 5 June, 2.30-4.30pm. We have planted a jubilee oak in the Recreation Ground and will also light a newly commissioned beacon to commemorate the Queen’s milestone celebrations.

3.30pm to 4.30pm at Tavistock Library with the Tavistock Community Gardeners, creating colour for the summer in the planters around the library.

crystals and aromatherapy to textiles and jewellery. Experience a sound bath meditation on Saturday at 11:30am and 2:30pm (by donation), and a free mediumship demonstration with Jo Borthwick at 11:00am on Sunday. Enjoy a therapy with a qualified therapist, including reflexology, reiki healing, Indian head massage, shamanic healing, psychic and tarot card readings and many more. Fabulous vegetarian and vegan food with gluten-free options available all weekend in our café with Cathy Ross of Liskerrett Hub Cafe. Free entry, 10am to 4pm at Tavistock Town Hall. For more details see aromaware. co.uk or Facebook: AromAware events (next wellbeing event on 3 & 4 September)

11 June & 9 July

15 June

Love Local Food & Gift Market

Falkland Islands War 40th Anniversary Remembrance Parade

10 June Green Fingers Group

Support local businesses at our everpopular market where you’ll find an array of local gift, and food & drink exhibitors - perfect for buying that special present. So, look no further than this market for a collective of local traders who specialise in offering an array of the finest wares. Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock from 10:00am to 4:00pm, entry is free and we’re all covid-safe here.

11 & 12 June

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falkland Islands War, a small service of remembrance will be held at 11:00am at Tavistock War Memorial, where the fallen from all sides will be remembered. The standards will muster outside the town hall at approximately 10:30am to march to the war memorial outside the car park and onto the lawn.

All are most welcome.

Wellbeing Weekend

16 - 18 June

AromAware presents a weekend of workshops and talks, plus wellbeing, holistic health and craft stalls, from

Tavistock Food & Craft Fair Butchers’ Hall hosts a mixed market featuring a range of fabulous, locally

‘Shopping heaven in the heart of Tavistock!’

PANNIER MARKET OPEN: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4pm 01822 611003

Follow us on:

www.tavistock.gov.uk

TavistockPannierMarket

tavistockpanniermarket

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

43

WHAT’S ON

produced food and drink, along with a selection of local arts and crafts. Open from 9am to 4pm each day; free entry.

available or bring your own nibbles. For ages 13 to 100!

until 4pm, free entry.

18 June

25 June Brentor Summer Fair and Produce Show

Friday Gift Market

Film Mary Tavy: No Time to Die (PG13) Monthly film club in Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy: doors open at 7.00pm and films begin at 7.30pm. £5 per person, payable at the door. Refreshments are

'One of the finest gardens in Britain...'

10:30 to 11:00am: produce show entries for photos, cookery, preserves, fruit and veg, floral, handicrafts – with separate classes for children (for class details see what’s on at dartmoorlinks.co.uk). The fair is from 12:00 to 3:00pm with the Grand Draw at 2:30pm. Entry is free and there will be a craft marquee, cake and plant stalls, games, plus lunches and cream teas available. Brentor Village Hall, PL19 0LR.

2 July Film Mary Tavy: Mr Holmes (PG13)

9 - 16 July The Lions Club of Tavistock Carnival Week is packed full of events and activities culminating in Carnival Day on 16 July. Events include Fun Day, pavement art, music, relay races, skittles, and the mega quiz! For full details see page 38.

16 July Ecofest

2 - 3 July Tavistock Summer Arts Market

Open daily (except Mondays) from 10.30am to 5pm

Friday Markets are dedicated to the best handmade gifts and treasures with a strong focus on quality products made locally. Because we’ve supported and encouraged local small businesses for many years, we’ve amassed a loyal following of skilled, entrepreneurial crafters and makers, giving shoppers unrivalled access to beautiful, unique and high-quality gifts. Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock from 10:00am to 3:30pm, entry is free.

Tavistock Carnival

Monthly film club in Coronation Hall, Mary Tavy: doors open at 7.00pm and films begin at 7.30pm. £5 per person, payable at the door. Refreshments are available or bring your own nibbles. For ages 13 to 100!

Visit 10 acres of stunning gardens, cafe, plant sales, artist exhibition, plus events

8 & 29 July

Tavistock Arts Market presents a vibrant two-day market featuring a variety of talented local artists, designers, and makers who fill Butchers’ Hall with a range of handmade art and handcrafted items, such as jewellery, wood and textile goods, artisan soaps, pottery and much more. Butchers’ Hall from 9am

Ecofest is a one-day festival bringing together charities, local community groups, businesses, activists, artists and musicians to inspire and drive climate change action, provide climate change education and promote solutions to living sustainably. It’s a fantastic, free festival with live music, crafts, activities and lots of stalls selling local food, plus eco and recycled products in The Meadows, Tavistock from 12 noon to

The Yard Ca fé OPEN: Tuesdays - Wednesdays 10am - 4pm

www.thegardenhouse.org.uk Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton PL20 7LQ. Reg Charity: 203722 44

Open to all!

Weir Quay Boatyard PL20 7BS www.weir-quay.co.uk

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

WHAT’S ON

6pm. We are looking for food and drink vendors, entertainers, craft activities and art displays – please contact hello@ ecofesttavi.co.uk. Businesses selling sustainable products are also welcome to sign up. For details see ecofesttavi. co.uk

21 to 23 July Butchers’ Hall Summer Fair This Artisan market features a whole range of gifts, food, drink and more.

Almost everything at this market is handmade by local small businesses so this is a great way to support your local artists, craftspeople and producers!

Open from 9am to 4pm each day; free entry.

31 July Mary Tavy Country Show 12 noon at the Recreation Ground and Coronation Hall. For a stall pitch contact 01822 811019 and for more details see marytavycoronationhall.com

REGULARS 5 June to 3 July Art Exhibition Anita Nowinska’s ‘Big Flower Paintings’ explore the influence of colour and flora on emotions and wellbeing. Anita has celebrated her art globally and held prestigious exhibitions including at RHS venues. The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum.

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; plus a chance to win flower arrangements in the raffle and meet new friends. For more information contact 01822 487202 or junecote629@btinternet.com; or visit devonandcornwallfloralart.org

up! 10:00am to midday. All necessary equipment provided, but please bring your own gloves and wear stout footwear.

TAVISTOCK HERITAGE TRUST WALKS Walks start at 2pm from the Visitor Information Centre in Guildhall Square, Tavistock (except Whitchurch walk).

Please wear suitable footwear and outer clothing. Tickets are available

Mondays & Wednesdays 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

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 our new website at tavistockwoodturners.org for details.

1st Saturday of month Tidy Tavi Litter Pick-Up

A U C T I O N E E R S

&

VA L U E R S

WE ARE NOW CATALOGUING OUR SPECIALIST SALES

SILVER, GOLD, WATCHES & JEWELLERY George III silver teapot on stand

ANTIQUES & ART WINES & SPIRITS

Château Mouton Rothschild 1996

COLLECTORS’ ITEMS

Meet outside Meadowlands Leisure Centre. No need to register - just turn

Your wedding at VILLAGE HALL Fantastic Wedding Venue

-also available for parties and other events

Seats up to 120 guests Full catering facilities • Easy parking FULL DETAILS & HIRE RATES AT OUR WEBSITE

01837 861777 • bvh@bridestowe.org.uk

www.bridestowe.org.uk

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

Early tinplate and other toys

For free valuations

or to book a home visit please telephone (01752) 721199 or Email images and contact number to info@eldreds.net 1 Belliver Way, Roborough, PL6 7BP

info@eldreds.net . (01752) 721199 45

WHAT’S ON

on eventbrite.co.uk - search Tavistock Guildhall.

11 & 25 June, 23 July Heritage Introduction Discover Tavistock with this gentle overview of the colourful history and heritage of this 1,000-year-old World Heritage town. A 90-minute, 1-mile, predominantly flat walk takes you through ten centuries, revealing abbey and churches, mineral mining, the Industrial Revolution, the building of the canal and railways, and the influence of the Dukes of Bedford.

18 June Cemeteries and Burial Grounds Tavistock has a long and rich history of Christian diversity, with at least 10 different official burial grounds over the centuries - only one is in operation today. This 1-mile, 90-minute walk explores the last resting places

for Tavistock citizens since the establishment of Tavistock Abbey in 974 to the present day. This walk is predominantly flat, but does include some grass-covered, sloping areas.

9 July Pubs and Breweries In the mid-19th century, at the height of the mining boom, Tavistock boasted two breweries and some 29 public houses. This popular 1-mile, 90-minute predominantly flat walk will identify past hostelries and breweries and explore their place in Tavistock’s rich history, ending at one of the town’s late 19th century public houses, which will be open for the thirsty and curious.

17 July The Railways The South Devon and Tavistock Railway Company opened in 1859, offering a railway service from Plymouth to Tavistock, extended to Launceston in

1865. Dr Beeching’s savage railway cuts closed the line on 29 Dec 1962. A second rail line connecting Tavistock to Plymouth and London was opened in 1890 by the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway. Dr Beeching’s second blow was the closure of this line on 5 May 1968. However Tavistock North station survives with much of the railbed. Join Stephen Fryer for an approx. 2-hour walk to these railway sites and old railbed over reasonably level terrain.

30 July Discover Whitchurch: A Village Ramble Meet at St Andrew’s Church, Whitchurch for a walk around the village looking at its history from Norman times to present day, noting its history, buildings and people that have given it its character. This 2-mile, 2-hour undulating walk does include some grass-covered, sloping areas.

BUTCHERS HALL THEMED MARKET & EVENTS VENUE Located in the heart of Tavistock, within the market complex, Butchers Hall is home to a fantastic array of vibrant themed markets and events

MARKETS & FAIRS FOR 2022 16 - 18 Jun Food & Craft Fair 2 - 3 JulySummer Arts Market weekend 21 - 23 July Summer Fair 11 - 13 Aug Food & Craft Fair 3 Sept Tavistock Arts Market 15 - 16 Sept Makers Market 1 Oct Tavistock Arts Market 12 Oct Goose Fair Artisan Market

20 - 22 Oct Autumn Fair 5 Nov Tavistock arts Market 10 - 11 Nov Makers Market 2 Dec Magic of Christmas Market 3 Dec Tavistock arts Market 4 Dec Magic of Christmas Market 14 - 23 Dec Magic of Christmas Market All events are free to enter

All dates correct at time of press, check our website for further events throughout the year

Tavistock Town Council Working for the local community

46

Visit our website WWW.TAVISTOCK.GOV.UK & follow us at: Butchershalltavistock

ButchershHallTavistock

Butchers_Hall

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

WHAT’S ON

TAVISTOCK HERITAGE TRUST TALKS Talks are from 7 to 8pm in Tavistock Guildhall. Tickets are £5, available at tavistockguildhall.org or from the Guildhall during opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

16 June: David Lemon Walking the Zambezi River At the age of 68, local adventurer David Lemon set out to become the first person in recorded history to walk the length of the Zambezi River. After many adventures and 292 walking days, he arrived at the mouth river mouth 3 months before his 70th birthday.

7 July: Geri Parlby Fiction, Fallacy & Fake News Fake news has been around since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs and art has always been a favourite media. I will uncover the subtle art of spin and propaganda from the glories of Ancient Mesopotamia to the Norman Conquest, Elizabethan England and Nazi Germany.

Every picture tells a story - whether it is true or not is entirely different.

21 July: Laura Quigley Surviving 1620 In 1620, the passengers of the Mayflower crossed the Atlantic, many not surviving their first winter. European diseases were invading a new world.

400 years later, the commemorations of that voyage were postponed by the global migration of a new disease. Can we learn from the experiences of the settlers and natives?

4 August: Pam Kemp Mongolia - Land of Desert Steppe and Taiga Forest Mongolian nomads move great distances across desert and steppe with their herds of goats, sheep, Bactrian camels and horses, taking their homes, or gers, with them. In contrast the Altai Mountains are home to the Kazahk nomads who hunt with Golden Eagles.

To share time with these people is to experience a life of being at one with

nature and the elements.

21 July: AGM & Bernard Hughes

TAVISTOCK LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY (TLHS)

Tavistock’s Stations and Railways

All meetings are free for paid-up members, £3 for others. However, there is an extra cost for the Plymouth visit to cover entrance fees. For more details, contact the secretary on 07746 577598 or secretary@tavistockhistory.co.uk

CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP

14 June: Plymouth visit A day out to Plymouth including a visit to Plymouth Synagogue with Jerry Sibley, custodian. Built in 1762, it is the oldest Ashkenazi Synagogue still in use in the English-speaking world. We are also visiting the Greek Orthodox Church and the Mayflower Museum. Please contact us for a booking form with further details.

12 July, 7pm: Powdermills visit Outdoor visit with Tony Vigars & TLHS members to the extensive ruins of a 19th Century gunpowder factory in a remote spot between Two Bridges and Postbridge. Operating between 1845 and 1897, it has lain abandoned for more than 120 years. Come and see what remains.

9 August, 7pm: Zoar Chapel & Horndon visit Zoar was originally a Bible Christian Chapel and closed in 2009. What is not generally known is the existence of a Roman Catholic Chapel at Horndon.

Come and explore the area with TLHS members, Ann Cole & Jill Borrow and Brian Giles (author of TLHS book: Tavistock’s Methodist Chapels).

WEST DARTMOOR U3A We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 10.00am in the Lower Hall of Tavistock Methodist Church. We also offer a variety of interest groups for members and more information can be found at www.westdartmooru3a.org.uk.

16 June: Diane Lawer The Great British Seaside Holiday

(Princetown Group) If you are retired, no matter what your previous career was, you are very welcome to join us. Meetings take place in the restaurant of the Prince of Wales, Princetown at 12.30pm. During the summer months we take coach trips for lunch on the third Thursday of every month. Reservations and £10 deposit for coach trips are taken at the preceding meeting, or book with Mike on 01822 890799 or mikeandkate132@gmail.com.

Meetings: 2 June, 7 July Coach trips & lunch: 16 June, 21 July

DARTMOOR BORDER MORRIS Meavy based Dartmoor Border Morris will be collecting for Dartmoor Search & Rescue Group. See www. dartmoorbordermorris.com/diary or the Facebook page.

1 June, 8pm: The Tamar Inn 5 June, 2 pm: Stonehouse Lawn Tennis Jubilee Party 8 June & 6 July, 7.30pm: Meavy Parish Hall Come and watch our practice session.

Music session in The Royal Oak from 9.30pm.

11 June: The Royal Cornwall Show 18 June: Meavy Oak Fair 25 June: Tavistock Pride Festival 28 June, 8pm: Seven Stars Inn, Tamerton Foliot 15 July, 8pm: Church House Inn, Holne 17 July: Stoke Summer Fair, Block House, Devonport 21 July, 8pm: Peter Tavy Inn 27 July, 8pm: The Pint & Post, St Giles on the Heath 31 July: Sidmouth Folk festival

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

47

MUSIC AND ART

Saturday 2 July

The Holy Spirit Mass Phoenix Chorale performs The Holy Spirit Mass by Kim André Arnesen, plus works by Wilberg, Chilcott, Rutter, Fauré and Elgar, with music director James Parkinson, and organist Mark Smith.

Kim André Arnesen was born in 1980 in Norway and is one of the world’s most frequently performed contemporary, choral composers. His biography says: Although an avid follower of MTV and a huge fan of The Cure at ten years old, he also studied classical piano, was a chorister in the Nidaros Cathedral Boys’ Choir and was later educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim.

His music has sold in 6-figure numbers and been performed in more than 30 countries. The Holy Spirit Mass was

commissioned in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Its themes include mercy, praise, peace and ‘the work looks forward in hope of a more united future by focusing on what we have in common’. This wonderful work has something for everyone – it is in turn exquisite, calm, glorious, and powerful. Like a film score, it leads you through the emotional ups and downs and twists of a story. 7.30pm at St Peter and The Holy Apostles, Wyndham Square, Plymouth, PL1 5EG. Tickets: Adults £14 on the door (£12 in advance at www.ticketsource.co.uk); Children: free entry. For more details visit plymouthphoenixchorale.org

Saturday 9 July

Join the University of Plymouth Choral Society at St Paul’s Church, Yelverton, under the direction of Helen Porter, for a fun-filled day of choral singing with music accompaniment from Mary MazurPark. Understand and solve issues, such as why intonation slips, how to avoid pushing high notes, sing effectively in chest register, sing long notes without running out of breath, and avoid vocal fatigue. Be prepared for hard work, nonstop singing and a lot of fun! This year

Helen celebrates 30 years of coaching singers, choirs and vocal ensembles.

Her career began in the theatre as a composer and musical director, coaching actors in a cappella singing. She has been vocal coach on all Helen Chadwick Song Theatre productions since 2010, including at the Royal National Theatre (2015). As a singer/pianist she is currently touring with her new solo show ‘Unexpected Song’. She is also the music director of the Big Jazz Choir

la te ou Ch st r ec op c k en f in or gh ou rs

Choral workshop with Helen Porter

Richard Slater RI

June featured artist

in Calstock. Workshop: 10:00 – 16:00; informal performance 17:00 – 17:30.

Cost £17 - please email jan.fairview@ gmail.com for an application form.

July featured artist

Rosemary Bonney

Meet Rosemary Bonney

Sat July 2nd 11am-4pm

CAFE LIAISON

Situated in the heart of Tavistock, Café Liaison is a warm, friendly café serving breakfast, lunch, cream teas, excellent coffee and homemade cakes. As well as a full menu, there is a daily specials board.

Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-3.30pm

- WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU 3 Church Lane Tavistock PL19 8AA • 01822 612225 c 48

Dartmoor’s Art Gallery Representing the region’s finest artists

www.wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk Chapel Lane, Horrabridge, Yelverton PL20 7SP • info@wildwoodartsdartmoor.co.uk • 01822 258529

Traditional, investment & contemporary fine art . prints . ceramics . jewellery . glass . textiles

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

MUSIC AND ART

Saturday 2 July

Brenstock Music Festival The festival will be running for a fourth time this year from midday to 11.30pm at Brentor Village Hall and marquee.

This is very much a family event, featuring 12 live bands from West Devon, with festival food stalls and a

bar. Advance ticket prices: £12 adults and £8 children (£30 family ticket); tickets can be purchased from Lydford Farm Shop, Mary Tavy Post office or Book Stop, Tavistock. For more details see www.brenstock.org.uk

9 to 16 July

Art Exhibition West Dartmoor Art Group (WDAG) proudly presents its 20th exhibition and sale of original works of art at affordable prices in Peter Tavy Village Hall, 10am to 5pm daily with free entry. We are happy to announce the exhibition’s return to its usual summer slot AND the return of mouth-watering homemade cakes and drinks. With one or two exceptions, all the paintings in the show are for sale, as are the unframed prints in the browsers and attractive postcards and greeting cards. A popular item at the exhibition is ‘My Favourite Painting’, where visitors can vote for their favourite picture. Winning the vote is a much sought-after honour for members, and the artist’s name is inscribed on a cup and presented to them at the AGM, to keep for the year. WDAG is also pleased to continue supporting

two excellent local charities, Dartmoor Rescue and Devon Air Ambulance.

WDAG has raised thousands of pounds over the last 22 years with donations, a percentage of sales, and income from the popular raffle, with prizes donated by members and local businesses. We hope that you can join us in this cheerful display of original works of art and admire the lovely floral displays which complement the paintings. Maybe try a cup of tea and a slice of cake too? We invite friends old and new to join us in celebrating so many successful years of painting and exhibiting.

WDAG meets weekly in Peter Tavy Village Hall and sessions include demonstrations from professional artists, as well as support and advice from other members. The monthly

Dartmoor Stone Row by John Streeter

in-house competition on a wide range of topics, is a light hearted affair, where one is judged by one’s peers; but nevertheless, it gives focus to the interpretation of the subject and it is fiercely contested. Another annual club competition is for the Buzz Bowl, a cup presented by Buzz Goscombe for the best painting of Dartmoor displayed at the AGM.

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

49

FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING & INTERIOR NEEDS

Be Inspired

Visit our showroom for quality products Carpets • Curtains & Blinds Fabrics • Wall Coverings • Paints Domestic & Commercial Installations WE OFFER A RANGE OF PRODUCTS WHICH ARE

Sustainable • Recycled • Eco-Friendly

Free Design, Consultation & Advice

For all enquiries please call 01822 854363 sales@yelvertoncarpets.co.uk 50

•

Trimal House | Yelverton Business Park | Crapstone PL20 7PE To promote your business to 22,080* readers - call 07450 161929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

MUSIC AND ART

Until 4 September

Dress Code - Fashion Stories from The Box From lace to latex, and the 1700s to the present day, learn about Plymouth’s fashion, past and future. In the city’s first exhibition dedicated to fashion, highlights from The Box’s costume and textile collection will be displayed alongside paintings, drawings, film and archival material to tell important local and international stories about fashion and clothing.

The exhibition spans the 1700s to today and speaks to contemporary conversations about identity, sustainability, shopping, design, making and craft. A paper dress from the 1960s foretells the future of fast fashion, while a 300-year-old silk gown tells the story of global textile trade. A subversive garment made locally, and worn all around the world, represents one of several of the city’s histories of garment

production. On display on the first floor of The Box; free admission; open Tuesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm.

6 to 30 July

Intercultural Painting Intercultural Painting brings together three artist-researchers from very different cultures, Shaikha Almehana from Kuwait, Lei Liu from China, and Bogdan Sassu from Romania. All three are reaching the end of their PhD journey, and have throughout used painting to interrogate specific research questions, whilst also striving to create images capable of communicating with audiences who will not necessarily be aware of the ideas that underpin them. The paintings of Shaikha Almehama re-evaluate the role of the woman in Kuwaiti society by reimagining the domestic realm in terms of Persian miniature painting and Sufi poetry. Lei Liu’s research considers the ongoing presence of ancient Chinese philosophies in contemporary manifestations of shenshuihua (mountain-water painting), and his work updates this tradition for an era of ecology and environmentalism. Bogdan Sassu

Whoever you are, wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here!

reflects on the art of Communist-era Romania and its relationship to the international postmodernist movement in order to refresh the language of symbolism within contemporary European painting. Admission free at The Levinsky Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth;

By Dervish, Shaikha Almehana opening times: Tuesday Friday 10:00 - 17:00, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 17:00. For details see plymouth.ac.uk

Worship at 10.00am every Sunday Halls available for hire Russell Street Tavistock PL19 8BD tavistockurc.org.uk 07982 622949

Minister: Revd Robert Weston tavistockurcminister@gmail.com Local magazines for local people by local people. See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

51

MUSIC AND ART

Friday 29 and Saturday 30 July

Exon Singers Festival The Exon Singers are delighted to be returning to Tavistock after two dispiriting years when the pandemic put paid to visits! A more compact festival this year with two concerts in St Eustachius’ Church starts on Friday 29 July at 7.30pm with Jubilate, an

uplifting programme of choral music to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, while on Saturday 30 July at 7:30pm, A Serenade to Music marks Ralph Vaughan Williams’s 150th anniversary in a programme dedicated to the artform that speaks to

us as no other, with music to soothe the soul and raise the spirits. The choir will finish the festival by singing at Parish Eucharist on Sunday 31 July. For details see exonsingers.org.uk

Sunday 5 June The Pete Canter Quartet

featuring Dorine de Witt on banjo & vocals. A great evening’s ‘trad jazz’ entertainment! Admission £10 (members £8, full-time students £5)

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. Visit plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk or phone 01752 290758.

Swinging straight-ahead bebop and Latin jazz featuring some of the most talented and in-demand musicians in the West Country. Admission £10 (members £8, full-time students £5)

Sunday 19 June The Dave Vaughan Swingtet A swinging traditional six-piece Jazz Band from the North Devon/Cornwall coast with Dave on Saxophone and

Sunday 3 July Russell Sinclair & The Smokin’ Locos

Admission £12 (members £10, full-time students £5)

Sunday 17 July The New Washboard Syncopators

Admission £12 (members £10, full-time students £5)

Two Moors Festival 2022 Tickets will be on sale from mid-June for this internationally-renowned festival taking place from 5 - 9 October on Dartmoor, and 13 – 16 October on Exmoor, which attracts some of the most exciting performers in the world.

Venues on Dartmoor range from Exeter Cathedral to St Eustachius’ Church,

Tavistock, where I Fagiolini will perform ‘Re-Wilding the Waste Land’ on Thursday 6 October, including works by Marsh, Vaughan Williams, Leighton, Rajasekar, Byrd and Rowarth, mixing music for voices with T.S. Eliot’s epic poem. Ticket Price £15/£25/£30. For details see twomoorsfestival.co.uk

Care services for your loved ones

¸²

Devon and Cornwall Care Services A community care provider serving the local area since 2002

Upholstery Service Custom Made Footstools Collection & Delivery Available

µ

@fabricandfurniture.co.uk ² fabricandfurniture  Linda 07484 093494

 sales@fabricandfurniture.co.uk www.fabricandfurniture.co.uk

52

Personal Care • Sitting Service Meal Preparation • Cleaning Service We are able to work with any type of care no matter how complex We have packages to suit your needs to enable you to stay in the comfort of your own home Free, no obligation initial meeting All managers and Carers are DBS checked and trained to a high standard Tel: 01822 610734

Email: samantha@daccservices.com/pauline@daccservices.com Caring for People in the Community 5 Canal Road, Tavistock PL19 8AR • www.daccservices.com

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

MUSIC AND ART

Tavistock Wharf A story of survival and future success…

In late March 2020, Fleetwood Back (Tribute band) were due to perform at Tavistock Wharf but found themselves stuck in Europe due to new Covid restrictions. So began the start of nearly two years of Covid shutdown and disruption. Our café re-opened in April 2021, the cinema opened at the beginning of July and live music restarted near the end of July, with a sporadic performance schedule and under huge audience restrictions.

Capacity restrictions were in place for all of that time. Such was the impact of Covid on the Wharf arts centre.

Economically it has taken its toll on the business. Credit must be given to West Devon Borough Council for the allocation of government grants; their speed of service was life- saving. However, these grants in no way replaced the regular income from normal operation of the centre. In addition, the Wharf is staffed and supported by many volunteers, who themselves were vulnerable to Covid.

We have survived! However, the ripples of Covid are still here, people are less likely to plan ahead and book early just in case of cancellation. Concerts cancelled and rescheduled from last year are now stacking up in people’s diaries this year, which stops them booking new events. We are now operating a full arts programme again, both onstage and in

the cinema, along with our ever-popular Monday teatime talks. We are known for our range of cover-bands but looking ahead we are approaching Angela Court and talking with iconic, original bands. For example, the band YES will be performing with us in June, prior to a nationwide tour of premier venues like the Royal Albert Hall, and Seth Lakeman’s full band will be with us in September - watch this space for more news on other big names.

The Wharf is a very important community resource for Tavistock and the surrounding area; we have entertained and thrilled thousands of people over our 16 years. The support we get from our customers is vitally important to our future survival and we would like to thank all those that continue to support us, particularly the Friends of the Wharf. To those that have not been for a while, please look at our programme as I feel sure you will find something that you will want to see.

Angela Court

Check tavistockwharf.com or Facebook: Tavistock Wharf for instant updates on events.

Experience happiness at home from our carers Or realise a different kind of 24 hour care and support in Or our supported living bungalows in Tavistock and Yelverton

Providing high quality compassionate care for older people in West Devon.

Call 01822 616020 or visit moorcaredevon.co.uk

JOIN

OUR TEAM!

Personal Home Care & Supported Living in West Devon

search current vacancies,on our website

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

53

Welcome to...

FILMS......................

Talks@the Wharf...

SACRED SITES

THE DROVER’S WIFE A Lone bushwoman tries to run her farm and raise her children whilst her husband is away.

Authors of 13 books Peter Knight and Sue Wallace return to The Wharf with a new and inspiring talk. Over many years they walked, mediated, chanted, dowsed and drummed the prehistoric sacred sites and natural landscapes of Dartmoor.

20th – 26th May

Mon 30th May

TOP GUN: MAVERICK One of the Navy’s top aviators is where he belongs pushing the envelope as courageous test!

17th - 23rd June

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!

MUSIC.....................................

YES!

THE JAM’D Sat 4th June

50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CLOSER TO THE EDGE TOUR Mon 13th June The Wharf is delighted to be hosting an intimate show for this legendary and world class band who will be playing the Closed to the Heart album in its entirety. Plus a selection of classic cuts.

Tickets will be from £60.

BOOTLEG BLONDIE Sat 11th June

Enjoy a blast from the past when Blondie dominated the charts with hits like Denis, Picture This and Hanging on the Telephone.

DEBORAH BONHAM/BULLICK Fri 17th June

Hailed as one of the finest blues rock and soul singers the UK has ever produced, an absolute powerhouse

Widely regarded as the UK’s most authentic tribute to The Jam, a fantastic night of memorable music promised.

THE CUCKOO COLLECTIVE Fri 24th June

Performing an eclectic mix of soul and funk classics this 9 piece band are sure to get you up on your feet!

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 SPANDAU TOO Sat 25th June

WHITESNAKE UK Fri July 1st

THE LIQUID ENGINEERS Sat 2nd July

More than 40 years of hits from this tribute to the iconic 80s era supergroup Spandau Ballet. True!

Paying tribute to the very best of David Coverdale’s Whitesnake, playing classics like Fool for Your Loving, Here I Go Again, Lovehunter and Is This Love?

MOSTLY AUTUMN Fri 8th July

As a tribute to Gary Numan, main vocalist Pat Martin has put together material from throughout Newman’s 40+ career in the music industry, complete with Numan’s light show.

KEEPING BAD COMPANY Sat 9th July

KARNATAKA Sun 10 July

Counted among the top 100 best prog bands, they’re musical pallete draw on influences from the golden age of 70s rock whilst developing their own unique style.

Featuring all the hits from Bad Company’s 70s / 80s multi million selling albums Bad Company, Straight Shooter, Run with the Pack and Desolation Angels.

The bands powerful performances have been entrancing audiences throughout Europe and the USA, also seeing them perform with Robert Plant and Porcupine Tree

ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE FOR ALL MUSIC EVENTS AT...

www.wegottickets.com

c tavistockwharf

GENESIS CONNECTED Sat 16th July

ALEX VOYSEY BLUES BAND Sun 17th July

JOHN VERITY BAND Sat 23rd July

Celebrating the music of Genesis and the big selling acts conected: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Mike and The Mechanics

The band bring together 4 stunning musicians, breath taking grooves, riffs and a deep passion for Blues. An absolute belter of a show.

A very special show, over many years from his early Argent days John had produced some great blues based albums.

Go see him!

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

FOOD & DRINK

Saturday 30 July

Tavistock Street Food Festival Shelve the diet for another time and join us for a temptingly, tasty time in Tavistock.

We’re bringing a host of street foods and drinks, many from local producers, for a delectable evening of food, drink and music in Tavistock’s historic and very beautiful Bedford Square. An array of mouthwatering street food will be on offer, including seafood, vegan, posh hotdogs, Mediterranean, Jamaican, and lots, lots more.

Meet friends and family for a scrummy Saturday evening, grab some food, find a sunny spot, laugh, dance, hug (safely), and have some fun. Try new foods and chill whilst listening to live music – drink in hand, naturally! From 5 to 8pm in Bedford Square, Tavistock; entry is free and there’s loads of free parking nearby and plenty of space for social distancing too.

56

Tamar Valley Vineyard guided tours New this year - enjoy a guided tour around Tamar Valley Vineyard to hear about the history and nature of the valley along with the very special history of the vineyard site. Find out how this sleepy patch of Devon soil was transformed into a working vineyard in 2016 by the Williams family. Then, most importantly enjoy the views and taste some of the wine they have created suitable for adults and families. Adult tickets £14, under 18s free. Book at tamarvalleyvineyard.co.uk/visit-us or search for Tamar Valley Vineyard on eventbrite.co.uk. Please contact the vineyard for private tour options.

Tour dates in June & July (tours run from 2:00 - 3:30pm) June: Thursday 2, Friday 3 & Sunday 19; July: Sunday 10, Sunday 24

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

FOOD & DRINK

Where do you buy your wine?

The price of everything is rising, so where you buy your wine is worth considering. Most people choose supermarkets, wine merchants or online sites - so what are the pros and cons? I work at an independent merchant, but I’ll try to remain neutral!

Supermarkets keep extensive ranges, predominantly well-known brands. Their buying power has made really bad wine a rarity, and they offer eye-catching discounts. Quality-wise, they’re about consistency; big brands draw grapes from vast areas, keeping huge reserves for blending, creating identical products every year. Small producers, however good, are of little interest as they physically can’t fill supermarket shelves.

Most wine is of reasonable quality and there’s lots of lower-price choice.

Supermarkets are especially interesting at Christmas, when they may buy and discount quality wines.

Independent merchants focus on unique wines from smaller producers - quality wines reflecting their origin and the year.

Rather than being consistent, wines vary annually according to weather, growing

15%

conditions and winemaking techniques.

This is why vintages are so important in quality wine. You generally won’t find big brand names, and if you imagine you’re in a supermarket wine aisle, the prices below thigh level probably aren’t available. Merchants often supply the licensed trade, so they need quality, unique wines, since nobody in a restaurant wants to be served a bottle they can buy in the supermarket.

Mail order offers the ultimate in convenience, of course, with many companies using the same business model - what my dad called the ‘Coleman’s Mustard principle’ – making money from what’s left over! A typical online purchase is 12 bottles - usually two or more of each bottle. If you don’t like something, or it’s just OK, the chances are it’ll be consigned to a cupboard! Although most companies offer returns, few people take this up.

Quality is variable but tends to be midrange - more expensive than average supermarket bottles but less expensive than a merchant.

Tax alone on any bottle of wine starts at £2.88 - that’s before adding the cost of transport and bottling, or a profit margin, so a £5 bottle contains wine worth 30p to 50p! Luckily those costs apply to all wine, so with more expensive bottles the value of the actual wine increases dramatically. If the wine in a £5 bottle is worth 50p then in a £6 bottle this becomes more like £1.50 - three times better!

In summary, supermarkets dominate cheap and cheerful (and Christmas fizz) with wines intended for drinking immediately. Mail order is convenient and a bit of a lucky-dip, which can be great fun. Merchants generally offer the highest quality, often age-worthy and most expensive wines, but also specialist knowledge and advice, such as food pairings, providing the most personal experience. As they say on TV the choice is yours!

Dave Anning

OFF

YOUR FIRST ORDER!*

USE CODE: NEW15 *ONLINE ONLY

FREE

DELIVERY! CALL US | 01822 616272

IN TAVISTOCK BEERS | SPIRITS | GIFTS OVER 500 WINES VISIT US | SWBOTTLESHOP.CO.UK

MEET US | PLYMOUTH RD. IND. EST

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

57

OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE

Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers A very varied 3½-mile early summer walk near Peter Tavy with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers takes you up Peter Tavy Combe onto the open moor with splendid 360° views. Then return along a quiet lane and through woodland with the eerie remains of 19th century mining remains. Uphill to start but the views are worth it!

Park on the roadside near Peter Tavy Church (SX 513777).

1. Walk away from the church down the hill and cross the bridge over the Colly Brook. Turn left at the road junction and immediately left again onto the signed

bridlepath. Pass the village hall on the right and walk up the footpath alongside the stream to a lane.

2. Turn left up the hill. Pass some cottages and beyond them continue on a footpath to a gate. Here the Colly Brook comes tumbling down the steep sided valley over rocks and boulders. Ignore the path to the right at the junction but continue straight on uphill signed to Higher Godsworthy. Climb steadily through boulder strewn woodland to

a gate. Bear left across the field then right alongside a broken down wall to another gate in the top right corner.

Continue ahead, cross a lane to a farm, and go uphill (still!) alongside a wall on the right. Pause to admire the views behind, towards Tavistock and the hills of Bodmin Moor.

3. Go right on the stony track. Pass Boulters Tor and bear left on a grassy path towards another wall and a gate in the corner. The views from here are

01752 936815

morrisarchitecturaldesign@gmail.com

www.morrisarchitecturaldesign.co.uk

YOUR ONE-STOP DESIGN & BUILD PARTNERS

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL CONTRACTORS

New Builds • Renovations • Extensions

01752 695921

info@base-support.co.uk

www.base-support.co.uk

58

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

OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE

deep into the moor with Great Links Tor on the horizon. Go downhill alongside the wall on the left to another gate.

Carry on to a third gate and, shortly afterwards, a stream. Cross on a small clapper bridge and turn left. Pass a farm and turn left at the road junction.

4. Walk along this lane for nearly half a mile with views across the hedge to Brent Tor in the distance and Mary Tavy church in the valley below. Immediately before an open-sided barn, turn right through the right of two metal gates (signed as a footpath). Go gently downhill alongside the hedge on the left and through two metal gates into woodland. This is peaceful now but once was an industrial area. The remains of Devon United Mine, a near neighbour of the great Wheal Friendship, can be seen on both sides of the path. Even part of an old turbine survives near the river at the bottom. Pass this relic to a path junction by a footbridge over the River Tavy.

5. Do not cross the river, but turn left and follow this footpath back to Peter Tavy passing Longtimber Tor in the trees on the way. Go left just past the Peter Tavy Inn and back to the start.

Tavistock Ramblers walk on most Saturdays and Sundays, some Wednesdays and occasional Thursday evenings in summer. 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.

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.

- Est. 1982: 40 years of holiday letting excellence -

Join Devon’s Holiday Letting Experts With 40 years’ experience in holiday letting, we can deliver industry leading booking levels, combined with hands-on support from our team of experts, based in our office on Dartmoor.

Call | 01647 401615 (select option 2) or Email | help@helpfulholidays.co.uk

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

59

HISTORY

Tavistock celebrates Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee The information below is based on several articles from The Tavistock Gazette in May and June 1887. All quotes are from The Tavistock Gazette’s extensive report of the day printed 24 June 1887, unless otherwise stated.

Tuesday 21 June 1887 was a gloriously sunny day, a day befitting Tavistock’s celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Bedford Square was decorated with streamers and several large fir trees, with flags and more streamers suspended from businesses and homes throughout the rest of the town. The day started with a procession from the Guildhall accompanied by the volunteer band and the borough mace-bearers, to the church, where there was a service thanking God for the long reign of Queen Victoria. As well as prayers, it included a hymn composed by the Bishop of Exeter.

Afterwards, accompanied by a “merry peal of the church bells”, the dignitaries proceeded up West Street, down Russell Street to Plymouth Road and back to the Guildhall.

At 11 o’clock, the sports events started with races along Plymouth Road. There were so many onlookers it was hard, on occasions, to keep the course clear.

There were six running events for the children, which were followed after lunch by adult sports, including a 3-mile cycle race, a half-mile wheelbarrow race and two donkey races which “created much amusement”. A greasy pole erected in the Guildhall square with a leg of mutton at the top provided further amusement for many people, until two brothers assisted each other to claim the prize later in the day.

where they received their jubilee medal.

The hall was “very gaily decorated” with drapes and each corner had a picture of her Majesty. Evergreens and flags were arranged over the doorway while baskets of greenery hung from the ceiling. There was a profusion of bunting and tri-coloured rosettes everywhere.

In a testimony to forward planning and military precision, tea started promptly at 4 o’clock when about 1,400 children sat down. Grace was followed by a serving of hot tea and fresh buns – buttered, jammed and creamed “toughs” (also called ‘tuffs’, a yeast based, semisweet bun*1.), with enough provided for children to take away and eat on the streets later in the day whilst they enjoyed the band music and the general Queen Victoria by Alexander Bessano 1887

Queen Victoria by Alexander Bessano 1887

entertainment everywhere they went in the town.

people, requiring around 60 carvers and 120 waiters, with 1,600 attending on the day. Each visitor was asked to bring their own cutlery and was shown to the next available seat, with some tables having three sets of visitors. Rich and poor, young and old sat next to each other, with some tables having navvies and gypsies sitting next to aldermen and shop owners, all showing grace and politeness. The day finished with a firework display on the moor with traps ferrying people up there to see the bonfires. At 9.50pm, a royal salute of 21 shells was fired from the summit of Whitchurch Down, close to the main bonfire – a 50-foot-high construction.

This was followed by a flight of rockets which acted as a signal for people to light their bonfires – about 60 in the area, including on Mount Edgecumbe, Brent Tor and Kit Hill, all visible to the onlookers. After this a multitude of different coloured fireworks were set off on the down and the bonfires kept the sky alight until well after midnight.

At 3 o’clock children assembled at their various Sunday Schools or the Board School on Plymouth Road and marched to Market Hall accompanied by bands

In less than a quarter of an hour after the children left, Market Hall was cleared by a multitude of willing helpers and re-laid for the adults’ tea. It was open to all adult residents who lived within the parish, with the organising committee planning for up to 2,000

60

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

HISTORY

Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Service, Westminster Abbey

Queen Victoria by Franz Xaver Winterhalter 1843

At 11 o’clock, the town hall opened its door for about 150 of the more hardy Tavistock folk for a dance which lasted until dawn. Refreshments were provided by the Temperance Hotel, with packets of tea handed out to people still in the streets as well as those dancing.

The residents of The Union Workhouse also celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee.

On a normal day, the men would be breaking rocks ready for road building and the women would be plucking oakum (picking bits out of old ropes, which is where the term ‘money for old rope’ comes from) if they were not working in the bakery or infirmary.

Producing 140 loaves per week, it was the workhouse’s responsibility to provide bread for the paupers living at home across the different union parishes. All normal work was suspended for the day.

Those not working in the infirmary or bakery helped to cook the celebration lunch and decorate the men’s and

women’s dining rooms with greenery.

Lunch was served at 12 o’clock and consisted of roast beef, vegetables and plum pudding. After a lot of debate, and a vote of 15-9, it was agreed that one pint of beer was allowed for any adult who wished it. This was not universally approved of, with at least one letter being sent to The Tavistock Gazette to express the sender’s disapproval that people may become tempted by the “intoxicating liquors” that were likely to be the root of all their problems *2. As a special treat to all the residents, the guardians allowed the matron to buy extras, such as sweets, tobacco, snuff, tea, sugar, oranges and sweetmeats, supplemented with strawberries donated by some of the town’s ladies.

Although the workhouse was an ‘open’ house, with people able to go out for an afternoon with permission, it was felt that it would be better if the few ablebodied people stayed with the older residents and watched the fireworks

from the workhouse, as there was good visibility from the top of Bannawell Street to Whitchurch Down.

Tavistock, assisted by glorious weather, put on a fitting and joyous celebration for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, one that rich or poor, young or old, were able to join in and feel part of.

Nicola Gurr Tavistock Heritage Trust – Research Group

If you have any family histories of celebrating Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, or indeed the Diamond Jubilee, or have one of the medals mentioned, the author would be really interested to hear from you at nicola.gurr@ gmail.com 1. Parlby, G. (2021) ‘The story of the Tavy Tuff and the Birth of the Cream Tea’, Tavy/Moor Links August/September 2021 2. Anon (1887) Correspondence – The Jubilee Dinner at the Tavistock Workhouse, Tavistock Gazette, 17 June 1887

Effective, friendly, legal advice for you & your family GA Solicitors has advised the people and businesses of Devon for more than 200 years. With eight specialist departments, we can help with a variety of legal issues.

GAsolicitors.com | 01752 203500

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

61

LOCAL AUTHORS

The Dartmoor Pixies Pixies first came into my awareness as a child growing up in the 1970s. On family trips to Dartmoor in my parents’ car, we’d sometimes stop off at the Pixieland giftshop near Dartmeet, with its eye-catching garden, full of cheerily-painted pixie statues. Pixies were briefly mentioned by writers, such as Coleridge, in his poem ‘Songs of the Pixies’ (1793). However, the pixie’s acceptance into the canon of faerie folklore, Fairy Mythology (Keightley 1850) and their popularisation, was due to a series of letters written by historical novelist Mrs Anna Eliza Bray (1790-1883), to her friend and mentor, the poet laureate, Robert Southey. These were published, in three volumes in ‘A Description of the Part of Devonshire Bordering on the Tamar and the Tavy’ (1836). Bray was wife of Rev. Edward Atkyns Bray, and resided at Tavistock Vicarage.

Southey encouraged Bray to collect the history and customs of her local area. In her letter dated 24 April 1832, Bray introduces the pixies by saying ‘as no historian has here been found to record the acts of our pixies, I, unworthy as I may be to accomplish the task, will, nevertheless, adventure it’ and confesses that she has collected the pixies’ traditions at risk of being ‘laughed at’ by her wealthy and educated peers.

‘Pixie’, put simply, is a local synonym for fairy, though Bray notes that the local elders believed that they were a race apart, being ‘the souls of infants’ who had died before being baptised. Bray describes their clothing as green, that they can change their forms at will, enjoy music and dancing in a ring, are helpful, though also mischievous tricksters and sometimes malevolent. Their occupations, by command of the Pixy King, included helping farmers with threshing and farm maids

with butter churning. Some pixies were tasked with leading travellers astray, known as being ‘pixie led’ - the best remedy against this, was to turn one’s pockets or apron inside out.

Bray later shaped these descriptions into tales for children, in her book ‘A Peep at the Pixies’ (1854). She also standardized the spelling as ‘pixie’, in preference to ‘piskey’ or ‘pisgie’; which may come from the same root as ‘pooka’ or ‘Puck’.

Local maid servant, talented poet, Mary Colling (1804-1853), who became Bray’s protégé, played a key role in gathering the Dartmoor pixie folklore from the ‘local gossips’, of whom, Bray said, they were ‘less suspicious’. Bray helped to publish Colling’s poetry collection Fables (1831). Bray wrote that the pixies ‘delight in solitary places, to love pleasant hills and pathless woods; or to disport themselves on the margins of rivers and mountain streams’. She also visited the ‘Pixies’ Cave’ at Sheepstor. Reverend Polwhele had written of the cave and its traditions in A History of Devonshire (1797), the earliest known historical account of a Dartmoor pixie dwelling.

The complete professional service from measuring to making to installation Leading Local Manufacturers & Installers since 1990

01566 784478 info@ltb-blindsandcurtains.co.uk www.ltb-blindsandcurtains.co.uk 62

FACTORY AND SHOWROOM Unit C Tinhay Ind Est Lifton, Nr Launceston Devon PL16 0AH

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

LOCAL AUTHORS

Bray added more topographical detail in her visit account. The entrance way was only big enough for pixies and the interior ‘a hovel’.

On a beautiful summer evening in 1854, William Crossing (1847-1928), one of the greatest writers of all things Dartmoor, also visited the ‘Pixie’s Cave’ (Folklore and Legends of Dartmoor by William Crossing, Messurier 1997). Aged six at the time, he was accompanied by ‘good Ann Wilcocks’, his childminder, and recalls he felt excited at the prospect.

As they approached the cave ‘suddenly a little creature darted out from between the masses of granite, and as suddenly disappeared. I felt quite sure it was a pixy’.

However, Ann dismissed the boy’s sighting as probably being a rabbit. William writes of Ann’s response; ‘This disappointed me but was not convincing.’ Crossing’s ‘Tales of the Dartmoor Pixies’ was published in 1890, with additional stories he

collected from local people. Crossing introduces his pixie tales by guiding the reader along the Dart gorge to Newbridge and its ‘green sward’, where the pixies gathered to dance, stopping at their other haunts along the way.

More Dartmoor pixie tales were published in the wake of Crossing, including The Crock of Gold (Sabine Baring-Gould, 1899), The Magic Mist (Rogers, E.C, 1901), Tales of the Tors (Skinner, A.G. 1939), Devon Traditions and Fairy Tales (Coxhead, J.R.W, 1959). In The Saving, B J Burton (1985), tells the tale of a tribe of little folk, the Dini, whose plight is at the hands of ecological crisis created by the ‘Big-uns’(humans).

Bray, Crossing, and other nineteenth century authors, emphasized that pixies were long gone from Dartmoor, driven away by the ‘marching of intellect’. However, pixie sightings continued to be recorded by folklorists, such as Theo Brown (Tales of a Dartmoor Village, 1961) and up to present day,

by Mark Norman and Jo Hickey-Hall in their chapter ‘Pixies and Rocks’ for Magical Folk (Young, S & Holbrook, C, 2018).

Norman and Hickey-Hall cite a farmer’s account in 2010, who on burning down an old barn, saw a ring of small green figures standing around its smouldering embers. Over the last two years, more of us have been reconnecting with the outdoors, realising its importance to our wellbeing. Perhaps pixies never went away, maybe it is we who replaced the wild wastes of our imaginations with our smart-phone screens.

Claire Casely

Claire’s book on Dartmoor Pixies will be published next year.

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

63

LOCAL AUTHORS

Cowbells Down the Zambezi, & In Livingstone’s Footsteps

By David Lemon At the age of 68 David Lemon undertook the exciting challenge of being the first man ever to walk the whole length of the Zambezi River in Africa. On the way he met many interesting people, one of whom mistook him for Jesus and others a satanist. He was also identified as the spirit of a long dead explorer and often asked to run for the presidency of Zambia.

Readers can share David’s journey down the Zambezi River, with trials and tribulations, mosquitoes, injuries and weight loss. David vividly describes his time with cabinet ministers, drug smugglers, tribal chiefs and villagers, all of whom took him into their hearts. Many also housed and fed him, as well as taking photographs as he was something of a celebrity.

He also describes the wildlife he encountered, including hippopotami and his beloved elephants.

Exciting, poignant and brilliantly evocative of an Africa, its wildlife and people that is rapidly disappearing, ‘Cowbells Down the Zambezi’ tells the story of an epic walk among the River People of Zambia. Due to failing health he took a break

AIRSOURCE

halfway through and returned 18 months later to complete his journey. ‘In Livingstone’s Footsteps’ covers the second half of his adventure along the Zambezi River. Hit hard by cerebral malaria, leg ulcers and the debilitating heat of the Mozambican countryside, he struggled on, and at times the journey became a nightmare, but eventually he achieved his goal, three months short of his seventieth birthday. He covered 3200 kilometres and it took 292 ‘walking’ days, proving that with determination the almost impossible becomes achievable. He ends with the optimistic note that his adventures may not be over. David Lemon is an excellent writer; he recorded the events of each day with a Dictaphone as well as keeping a log, so that he could write the books. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and think you will be thrilled with the two adventure stories.

Review by Dr Ann Pulsford David Lemon’s talk on 16 June is part of the Tavistock Heritage Trust series -

SOLAR THERMAL

see What’s On for details.

OIL

WE SELL AND SERVICE AIRSOURCE HEAT PUMPS, SOLAR THERMAL AND OIL BOILERS All aspects of heating and plumbing from a dripping tap to full installations of heating systems, bathrooms, solar and underfloor heating • 1 Year Guarantee on all workmanship

APPROVED

Tavistock 01822 610222

2a Westbridge Industrial Estate • Tavistock PL19 8DE info@chamings.plumbing

www.chamings.plumbing 64

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

BOOK REVIEW

Book recommendations for summer by Valerie Church of Book Stop, Tavistock Booksellers’ choice Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor Jon McGregor’s latest novel is a fascinating and beautifully crafted read. The book comprises three parts as what starts out as an Antarctic thriller, morphs into an amazing and engrossing mirroring of the remote and solitary existence of the Antarctic to that of a subsequent stroke patient - both facing huge challenges and struggling with loneliness, endurance, understanding, discipline. To the consequent trauma of family and friends and the paths towards recovery. An entirely different but worthy successor to Reservoir 13 and If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things. Published by HarperCollins, £8.99

More recommended reads for summer Starry, Starry Night by Marcia Willett Escapist, feelgood summer

read about family secrets from favourite local author, £8.99

Elmer by David McKee One of the all-time classic children’s picture books, by one of Tavistock’s finest, £6.99

Mother’s Boy

by Patrick Gale A stunning novel of Cornwall, war and hidden love, £20

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro One of our favourite novels of 2021, now out in paperback, £8.99

The South West Coast Path by Stephen Neale Brand new illustrated guide featuring 1000 mini adventures, £20

&

K K TOP TOP

USIC M USIC M OOM R & ROOM

K TOP

&

OO

OO

OO

THE

THE

THE

MUSIC ROOM

ONE OF S TOP 50 BRITISH BOOK SHOPS TWO FLOORS OF NEW BOOKS AND A FURTHER FLOOR OF NEW VINYL and CDs 3 MARKET STREET, TAVISTOCK TELEPHONE 01822 617244 www.bookstoptavistock.co.uk bookstoptavistock@gmail.com @BookStop1

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

65

CROSSWORD

Cryptic clues Across

1 Mr Jim’s seaplane carries detective from 21 across (4,4,6) 7 High five halved for retro music player (4) 8 To aid descent, try a word with stains (10) 10 Pasta sauce in P.E.: capital! (6) 11 Drunken crew has bias towards walking sideways (8) 13 Shady work with dots and dashes (9) 15 South West mines produced it in quantity. (3) 16 Renoir went back to city in Brazil (3) 17 No, Trev, ley lines run back in this Devon village (9) 21 Writer: crucified, that is, by some critics (8) 22 Give up handing it in (6) 24 Apes in cart resemble fluffy feline (7,3) 25 Six and back reveals line for rotation (4) 26 Seedy place for puppets on t.v. (6,6) 1 Ragtime jazzed up for French detective (7) 2 Lasting sores from hornet’s nest: author 2&6 down (5) 3 Cheshire’s listening bank? (7) 4 Journalists press ahead with big meetings (4,11) 5 How to behave in a cast (3) 6 See 2 down (7) 9 Rats return to celebrity (4) 12 No eyed waiter brings a drink. (5) 14 Oasis rips apart skin condition (9) 16 Cobbler does work for the downtrodden (7) 18 Place it in visor for a guest (7) 19 The source of rivers and of species (6) 20 A net that holds a mountain: explosive stuff (4) 23 Mabel assumes responsibility (5)

Quick clues Across 1 One of the great female fictional sleuths (4,4,6) 7 Old music player in brief (4) 8 Usually the first or ground floor (10)

Set by Dizzy

Down

10 Kafka’s birthplace (6) 11 Sideways (8) 13 Artistic technique using dots (9) 15 ...-eared (3) 16 ___ de Janeiro (3) 17 Devonian village near The Rock (9) 21 Burgh Island author (8) 22 Give in, or hand in (6) 24 Fluffy pet from the Middle East? (7,3) 25 Line of symmetry (4) 26 Home of Elmo and the cookie monster (6,6)

5 Perform or pretend (3) 6 See 2 down (7) 9 Celeb or guiding light (4) 12 H2O or no-cal drink (5) 14 Immune condition leading to flaky skin (9) 16 Repairs shoes (7) 18 Tourist or day tripper (7) 19 Beginning or ancestry (6) 20 Active volcano in Sicily (4) 23 To hold responsible or take the rap (5)

Down 1 Simenon’s famous sleuth (7) 2 Author of Millenium trilogy featuring Lisbeth Salander - 2 & 6 down (5) 3 Home of bank of radio telescopes listening into space (7) 4 In which Whitty asked for ‘next slide please’ (4,11)

JOIN US EVERY WEEKEND FOR FRESH BEER

STREET FOOD

FRI & SAT: 3PM – 10PM

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

EVERY SATURDAY

66

TECH HELP

PC Running Slow?

Whilst we have all seen those adverts for pieces of software that supposedly ‘speed up your PC’ and whilst some may actually help clear up the clutter, they can also cause damage by overcleaning OR in some instances, because they constantly run in the background, they use up more system resources and end up slowing down your PC even further.

For your own maintenance, Windows has a built in the Disk Clean-up facility which can help clear out those redundant files, including old files from your Recycle Bin. Click Start, type ‘Disk Clean’ (without the quote marks) and click ‘Disk Clean-Up’ in the list. Choose your drive, which is most likely ‘C:’ and press ‘Ok’. Tick the relevant boxes on the little window that appears and click ‘Ok’. Another window will appear saying ‘Delete Files, enter ‘Ok’ and it will then do its thing.

Alternatively, if you need a PC deep clean this is something we offer at ABC Service.

There can be other causes of a slow PC. The most recent ones we keep seeing are clicking hard drives. This is usually a sign that the mechanics are going on the disk. Continued use can cause significant damage making data recovery more and more difficult. If you are hearing an unusual clicking noise from your PC, please shut it down and drop it into us to examine.

Security Software

being absorbed by Norton. With this said, we have launched ABC Security powered by Emsisoft. This security software/ company has been around since 2003 providing security to many individuals, businesses and enterprises across the globe.

It provides a whole host of functionality for our home and business clients, it’s easy to use and low on system demands.

Other news

We are officially part of the Made in Devon scheme: ’Consumers who want to know they’re buying from bona fide Devon companies can look on the Find a Local Business page or the Love to Shop Local page and rest assured they’re supporting a true Devon business that has the Trading Standards stamp of approval.’

Archie’s Corner

Archie continues to sit in his little perch in the window, however more so later in the day. Please do not panic if you don’t see him in the window during the day; he is still around, and it may be because we are coming into the warmer months and he prefers to find a cooler spot! As part of the Archie the Husky range we are now offering bespoke, named products so if you would like your name on a notebook or drawing pad, please let us know. We are also launching a calendar product for 2023… watch this space.

We have scoured the web, tested products, and spoken to a number of security software companies now that Bullguard is

ABC TP Ltd t/a ABC Service, 69 West Street, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8AJ | Company Number: 12478176 | VAT No. GB192768168 | Company Director: Brett J Kinsman-Daw

67

TRADE SECRETS

Realistic Home Improvements Ryan Barrett How and when did Realistic Home Improvements begin?

In 2009. Having worked for a national, then a local company, I realised there was a niche in the market, which was to provide the type of quality products that the national companies supplied, but on a local basis. A big step forward for us was in 2012 when we became an Ultraframe approved installer – Ultraframe being the number 1 conservatory and solid roof provider in the UK, supplying 80% of the domestic market. When we became a member of the scheme, we found out we were the only accredited company in Devon and Cornwall. We are also Which Trusted Traders.

Where are you based?

We are based at the Tamar View Garden

Centre in Saltash, where we have been since the company started up in 2009. At our base there we have many examples of our work.

Do you specialise in any particular type of project?

As we are the area’s Ultraframe approved installer, we get enquiries for conservatories, orangeries, and single storey extensions, but we also install a lot of windows and doors in various shapes, sizes and materials. All of our fitters, builders, and plasterers are employed by the company, they are all very methodical, they do a great job and our clients really like them.

How would you sum up your company?

We are a family run business. I may have started the business, but my wife Jennifer works with me daily. My daughter Jasmine also came to work with us last year and she is currently learning her trade by helping people obtain window and door quotations.

We appreciate our clients and our staff, and are continually looking to improve, whether that be with products, fitting techniques or customer service requirements. With us, you will get honest, expert advice, and we are here to help; we welcome anyone to contact us for a chat at any time.

BEST Windows , Doors & Conservatories PRICE Quality Products – Always Great Prices PROMISE SAFE & SECURE

Exciting local familyrun business supplying quality products and installations to homes in Devon for over 10 years

SUPER EFFICIENT

GUARANTEE 10 YEARS

GREAT SERVICE

Windows ■ Doors ■ Conservatories ■ Orangeries ■ WarmROOF ■ PVCu ■ Aluminium ■ Timber ■ Composite

✓ Highly recommended ✓ Friendly customer experience ✓ Building works undertaken 68

Call today for your free no-obligation quote:

01752 841008 www.realistic.uk.com To promote your business to 20,700* readers - call 07450 161929 advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk

Does your property need a Housewash?

before

Your property will look like it has just been painted for a fraction of the cost!

Please quote coupon code TL for your Tavy Links discount.

Housewashing is a process of cleaning the exterior of your home without the use of harsh pressure washers.

after

Instead, we gently apply chemicals to remove all red, orange, black and green discolouration from your home.

Contact us today for your FREE quote!

01822 368000 hq@outerclean.com

www.outerclean.com Local Services - Get the job done!

OuterClean 69

MoorView Glazing

Protecting your outlook Specialists in window, door & conservatory solutions

From glazing and framing to handles and hinges no job too small

• Professional Service • Secondary Glazing Specialists • Dartmoor & Surrounding Areas • Domestic & Commercial • Plastic & Timber Frame Repairs • Conservatory Roof Panels • Energy Efficient Glass • Safety Glass Installations • Misted Units and Lock Repairs

Call: 07579 051517

moorviewglazing@outlook.com

CARPET, CURTAIN & UPHOLSTERY CLEANing

Home • commercial • boats, caravans & mobile homes

AMTICO, KARNDEAN & SLATE hard floors cleaned & sealed

FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED • PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE

Call Darren FREE PHONE 0800 0830798 Visit our website www.moor2shore.co.uk & read our reviews

Your Local, Family Run Garage Door Company Repairs

Replacements

Automation

CALL TODAY FOR A

FREE SURVEY

FREEPHONE:

0800 328 1930

www.alliance-garagedoors.co.uk

Alliance Garage Doors Ltd • Mainbow Meadow • 1 Perry Lane • Forches Cross • Newton Abbot • Devon TQ12 6QA 70

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

C C

C C

OOK IT LEAN LEAN Aqua Tech OOK IT Water Services Quality Oven Cleaning

Quality OvenCleaning Cleaning Quality Oven Quality Oven Cleaning forDevon Devon & & Cornwall for Cornwall for Devon & Cornwall for Devon & Cornwall

Wells • Boreholes Servicing • Breakdowns Control systems pumps • Filtration

available 7 days a week

available 7 days a week

Contact Ian on Tel: 01409 478648a / 07591 036096 available 7 days week Email: ian@cookitclean.co.uk Contact Ian on Tel: 01409 478648 / 07591 036096 Contact Ian on www.cookitclean.co.uk Email: ian@cookitclean.co.uk

Private Water Engineers 01409 478648 / 07591 036096 www.cookitclean.co.uk www.aquatechwaterservices.co.uk Email: ian@cookitclean.co.uk www.cookitclean.co.uk 09/11/2018 11:32 Clean B'Cards.indd 1 Senior Citizens Discount

B'Cards.indd 1

09/11/2018 11:32

Tel: 01409 241312 Mob: 07825748720 Email: aquatechwaterservices@gmail.com

THE HANDYMEN 2 OLD BOYS WITH 100 YEARS EXPERIENCE BETWEEN US IN PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

• PLUMBING & HEATING PROBLEMS • LEAKING BATHS & SHOWERS RESEALED DECORATING • TILING • AND MORE...

DAMP PROBLEMS MISTY DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS REPLACED SLIDING SASH WINDOWS REPAIRED RENOVATED OR RENEWED

07307 045603

INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE ALL BOILER BRANDS & FUELS FREE Quotes uotes

07980 697004 / 01822 660364

11485

519088

info@clearbrook.biz • www.clearbrook.biz

!

s rks ad iew wo Re rev dy r o ou sb gm

@

SASH WINDOWS -RENOVATED-

Boiler repairs and servicing for oil, gas and LPG All general plumbing, including bathrooms and kitchens Gas Safe and Oftec Registered Fully Insured

BOILERS &HEATING

Vehicle Body Paint Repair & Refinishing Insurance Accident Damage Repairs

Call for a no obligation quote

07578 118892 Computer Problems?

Your local I.T. Guy, specialising in: • PC and Mac set-up and installation • Virus and spyware removal • Networking and broadband set-up and troubleshooting • Affordable websites for small businesses and the self-employed • CCTV supply and installation Call Tim:01822 600105 or 07768 852555 e-mail:help@berecomputing.co.uk Web: www.berecomputing.co.uk

Bere Computing Local Services - Get the job done!

Complete sprayable paint services • Paint applicators to any surface Vehicle mechanical repair • Welding & fabrication • Diagnostics 01822 859171 • OFFICE@GMSTAVISTOCK.CO.UK • GMSBODYWORKS.CO.UK

Sortridge Farm • Sortridge • Horrabridge • Yelverton PL20 7UA

AERIALS . SKY & FREESAT. INSTALLS . TV SALES .

RENTALS . REPAIRS .

Phone: 07725 553 804 01822 854386

Email: enquiries@yeltv.co.uk

New! Save money on your household bills – ask me how

Over 20 years of experience.

Visit yeltv.co.uk to ‘GET A CLEARER PICTURE.’

71

o g D W a a l s a i h D We come to your home in our customised heated mobile dog grooming parlour

Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning • Warm water Hydro-Bath • Shampooing Flea Treatment • Conditioning • Turbo Drying • Deoderizing • ID Microchipping • Clipping & Grooming • Hair De-Shedding • Recommended By Vets

YOUR DOG DESERVES IT!

Call Ian on Tel: 01837 880275 Mobile: 07513 271756 www.dialadogwashdevoncentral.co.uk

TYRES • EXHAUSTS • SERVICING • CLUTCHES

Friendly Family Business All Makes & Models Citroën & Peugeot Specialist

Visit our website to read our customer testimonials...

01822 616977 • westbridgemotorservices@gmail.com • www.westbridgemotorservices.co.uk

UNIT 2B LOWER WESTBRIDGE IND EST, TAVISTOCK PL19 8DE

• Heating Oil • Tractor Diesel • Oil Tank Cleaning • Lubricants • Coal • Oil Tank Replacement & Installation Moorlands House, North Road, Okehampton EX20 1BQ

Help us reach your community!

TAVY LINKS Do you have a story, know someone who is extraordinary, or have a local event to promote?

email rosemary.best@ linksmagazines.co.uk 72

t

… ef es ter nk l tim in ¼ ta ad n w ve Le d i u ha en yo

01837 55700

t n ex whe r de or

Local Reliable Service Call Us Today

www.moorlandfuels.co.uk

RUBBISH Fast efficient same day

COLLECTOR waste collection service AVAILABLE: Mon - Friday 8 am - 6pm : Saturday 8am - 6pm : Sunday 8.30 am - 5pm Bulky waste disposal and general rubbish collection service - no waste too big or small!

Offices • Private Houses • Shops • Warehouses • Commercial Buildings • House & Probate Clearance

CALL: 07714 576105 EMAIL: charles.painting@aol.co.uk WWW: rubbishcollector.co.uk 1 Coombe Lodge • Milton Abbot • Tavistock Pl19 0PJ

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

O

N

Ta P OW vi E st N oc k

in

Gemma Harvey

D E C OR AT I N G Local female Painter & Decorator gg Competitive rates gg Friendly & reliable service CALL NOW FOR YOUR F R E E Q U OTAT ION

07710 255570

YOUR LOCAL CAR PAINT & BODYWORK SPECIALIST EXPERT ADVICE WITH NO OBLIGATION

ACCIDENT DAMAGE REPAIR QUICK SERVICE FOR MINOR SCUFFS, BUMPS & DENTS WHEEL REFURBISHMENT & REFINISHING HEADLIGHT POLISHING & RESTORATION LEASE VEHICLE RETURN PREPARATION VEHICLE RESPRAYS & RESTORATIONS INSURANCE APPROVED REPAIRS FREE ESTIMATES & QUOTATIONS MOBILE QUOTES BY APPOINTMENT LOAN CARS AVAILABLE We can also paint vans, bikes, gates, railings, kitchens and even wheelbarrows if you like!

Unit 4 Westbridge Ind Est Tavistock PL19 8DE

01822 611499 / 07732 403230 info@willissgarage.co.uk www.willissgarage.co.uk

• O R I G I N A L LY E S T A B L I S H E D L O C A L LY O V E R 5 0 Y E A R S A G O •

DO YOU HAVE A SEPTIC TANK? GWT are specialists in waste systems

WE COVER:

Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset

We can install, maintain, replace or upgrade your system Full project management service available including: • Planning consent and building regulations • Advice on current regulations and changes to consider • System selection options and pricing • Effluent treatment plants • Power via solar systems • Full BS Standard certification Call 01237 879111 for great service sales@gwt.eu.com • www.gwtlimited.co.uk

We also supply rainwater harvesting and water treatment systems...

Now only

£895

*

for a fully £895 fitted electric *

garage door.

WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT.

for a fully WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING WHAT’S INCLUDED WITH EVERY DOOR: fitted electric • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING •2 REMOTE CONTROLS • FREE EXPERT MEASURING & FITTING • 2 REMOTE&CONTROLS garage door.

• ACOUSTIC THERMAL INSULATION • 2 REMOTE CONTROLS • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION WAS £1,354 INCLUDING VAT.

• FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS • FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS • AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS Garolla garage doors are expertly made to Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure our own UKare factories, strong Garolla in garage doors expertlythey’re made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidlyinbuilt.

The UK electric Garolla doorstrong rolls measure our own factories, they’re and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls upand vertically, taking upelectric only 8 inches solidly built.

The Garollainside door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, your garage,maximising maximisingvaluable valuablespace. space. your garage, maximising valuable space.

Give Giveususaacall calltoday todayand andwe’ll we’ll come come and and Give us up a call today andFREE we’ll come and measure measure upcompletely completely FREE of of charge. charge. measure up completely FREE of charge.

CALL US TODAY ON: CALL US TODAY ON:

CALL US TODAY ON: 01822 800 065 01822 800 01822MOBILE: 800 065 065 MOBILE: MOBILE: 07537 149128 128 07537 07537 149 149 128

*Offer valid for openings up to 2.4m wide & including 2 remote controls, 55cm white slats, internal manual overr override.

Electrical & mechanical services serving Dartmoor and surrounding areas - Domestic, Industrial, agricultural electrical installations - Fault finding, maintenance and repairs - Smart home technology - Solar battery storage and off grid systems - EV charging specialists

01822 859395 07851 711338 griffinelectric.co.uk info@griffinelectric.co.uk

DIRECTORY

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.

Aerial Services YelTV 71 Architects & Architectural Designers Morris Architectural Design Ltd 58 Arts, Galleries & Museums Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery 49 The Box 42,50 Wildwood Arts 48 Auctioneers & Valuers Eldreds Auctioneers 45 Bathroom & Tile Retailers Tavistock Bathrooms & Tiles 76 Bed Retailers Tavistock Beds 16 Beer & Wine Retailers SW Bottle Shop 57 The Stannary Brewing Co. 66 Book Retailers Book Stop 65 Bridal Retailers Two for Joy Bridal 42 Building, Construction & Maintenance Base Property Support 58 Marcus Allen Groundworks 22 The Handymen 71 Business Services Tavistock BID 30 Cafés, Tea Rooms & Restaurants Café Liaison 48 The Yard Café 44 Care Services & Care Homes Bluebird Care West Devon 18 Devon & Cornwall Care Services 52 Moorcare Devon Ltd 53 Santé Care at Home 27 Carpet Retailers Tavistock Carpets 17 Yelverton Carpet Company 50 Chartered Surveyors Balment Keep Ltd 28 Cleaning & Domestic Services Cook IT CLean 71 Moor2Shore 70 Outer Clean 69

Community Arts Centre Tavistock Wharf Computers & IT Services ABC Service Bere Computing IT Consultant Curtains & Blinds LTB Blinds and Curtains Days Out Chagford Show Devon County Show Ecofest Tavi Launceston Show South Devon Railway Trust Dental Practices Andrew Brown Dental Practice Harwood Dental Practice Dog Groomers Dial a Dog Wash Devon Electricians Griffin Electrical Estate Agents & Lettings Kirby Estate Agents Fuel Suppliers Moorland Fuels Funeral Directors Morris Bros Funeral Directors Furniture Devon Contract Waste Garage Doors Retail & Repair Alliance Garage Doors Garolla Holdings Limited Garden Centres & Retailers Endsleigh Gardens Nursery Tor Garden Plants Garden Services Dartmoor Pond Services Hartland Landscaping Hedge to Hedge Garden Services J A Francis Stone Walling & Patios Men for All Seasons Gardens To Visit The Garden House Gift Retailers Pens & Moor

54 67 71 62 35 36 32 19 41 12 3 72 73 75 72 29 72 70 73 21 25 22 20 22 24 23 44 42

Hair & Beauty Salons Ochre Hair Lounge 14 Health, Beauty & Nutrition Dr A E Aesthetics 42 Tara’s Treatments 14 Hearing & Mobility Alistair Kinsey Hearing and Mobility 12 Holidays & Holiday Lets Helpful Holidays 59 Toad Hall Cottages 10 Home Furnishings Fabric and Furniture 52 Rhoop Design 65 Home Improvements & Interiors Realistic Home Improvements 68 Hotels, Inns & Clubs Arundell Arms 56 Bedford Hotel 42 Lewtrenchard Manor 9 House Clearance & Waste Services Rubbish Collector 72 Interior Services Gemma Harvey Decorating 73 Kitchen & Bathroom Fitters Charles Gray Kitchens 2 Legal Services Paladin Advocates 26 Markets & Fairs Butchers Hall - Specialist Markets 46 Tavistock Pannier Market 43 Motoring, MOT & Vehicle Sales GMS Bodyworks Ltd 71 M & C White Motor Engineers 63 West Bridge Motor Services 72 Willis’s Garage Bodyshop 73 Occasion Cakes & Bakery Porsham Cakes 42 Plumbing & Heating Services Chamings Heating and Plumbing 64 Clearbrook Plumbing and Heating 71 DB Heating 4 Podiatrists Cannon Barn Podiatry & Foot Pain Clinic 14 Whiteley Podiatry 14

Pre-Schools & Nurseries Bambinos Ltd 33 Private Water Engineers AquaTech Water Services 71 GWT Ltd 73 Religious Groups Tavistock United Reformed Church 51 Residential Parks Berkeley Parks 15 Schools, Colleges and Educators Mount Kelly Foundation 32 Solicitors Curtis Whiteford Crocker Solicitors 28 GA Solicitors 61 Sports & Recreation Dartmoor Darts Aquatic 39 Sports Therapist The Sports Therapy & Massage Clinic 14 Transport Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership 40 Tree Surgeons Adam of Eden Tree Care 22 Countrywise Tree Care 22 Dart Forest Treeworks 24 Red Squirrel Tree Care 22 Venue Hire Bridestowe Village Hall 45 Windows, Doors & Conservatories Moorview Glazing 70 Sash Windows Renovated 71

LOCAL

MAGAZINES FOR LOCAL

PEOPLE

BY LOCAL

PEOPLE

Why advertise your business in TAVY LINKS? Links Magazines Readership Survey Reader Survey Source: Sample September/October 2020 97% of our readers use the magazines to find businesses 99% of our readers find the advertisements useful 99% of our readers say that Links Magazines are helpful to them 85% of our readers rate the quality of the Links Magazine as Good/Excellent 81% of our readers keep their copy of the magazine for more

than one month!

Delivered by the Royal Mail to more than 32,000 homes and businesses in West Devon, Dartmoor and North Plymouth.

To make sure your business is featured in the next issue of Tavy Links magazine, call us today on 07450 161 929 or email tim.randell@linksmagazines.co.uk

UR Y O R G RSA TIN E RA IV EB N EL N C TH A 10

SOLD

SOLD FOR TH E

BEST PRICE

SOLD

It’s a sellers’ market...

With our local expertise, multi-platform marketing and associated office in Park Lane, London, we’ll get the best price for you!

Call today for a FREE valuation 01822 612010 www.kirbyestateagents.co.uk

We have buyers waiting for your property !

Scan here to value your house in 60 seconds • Family run business • Town centre office• Local business with national exposure • Regular updates on progress from our dedicated sales progressor

Market Road, Tavistock, Devon PL19 0BW • cdl vvvvvvv sales@kirbyestateagents.co.uk • www.kirbyestateagents.co.uk

Over 50 ba room settings to inspire you

Amanda & James invite you to their showroom

TAVISTOCK BATHROOMS & TILES Unit 8 Plymouth Road Industrial Estate, Tavistock PL19 9QN

01822 618 619 info@tavistockbathrooms-tiles.co.uk

www.tavistockbathrooms-tiles.co.uk