Community News

from Tavy Links October/November 2021

Kids’ What’s On

From the Lions’ Den

The beginning of July saw the start of a new Lions’ year with Lion Barry Smith taking over as President from Lion Lyn Roberts. Barry thanked Lyn for her year in the chair which due to the pandemic had been somewhat unusual with all of the meetings taking place over Zoom. However, over the Christmas period between lockdowns, the club was very active with the Trees of Light, the new Christmas post delivery service and a bucket collection with Father Christmas in Bedford Square which altogether raised around £15,000 for local charities.

Barry said that he hoped his year would see a return to near normality - face-toface meetings have already started and planning for future activities is now well underway. The first major event will be the annual fireworks display at 7pm on Saturday 6th November which this year sees a change in venue from Tavistock Meadows to Tavistock Community Football Club at Langsford Park. Further details will be published nearer the time on the Lions’ website and Facebook page - the Lions are very grateful to the football club committee for allowing the event to return to Langsford Park after so many years. The club intends to run their Christmas postal service, which started last year, with the assistance and guidance of Tavistock Guides; stamps and post-boxes will be ‘posted’ around the town at various outlets and the club is grateful for the support of local traders. This proved to be a very popular service with around 4,000 cards being delivered in the week leading up to Christmas and again, full details will be available on the club website and Facebook page in due course. The centrepiece of Tavistock’s Christmas lights is always the Lions Club’s Trees of Light on the front of the town hall, so on the last Friday of November, the lights on the three trees will be switched on. For more details and the sponsorship form, see the What’s On section.

Father Christmas will once again be out and about on his wonderful sleigh visiting local schools and distributing gifts from the Lions and he will also be in Bedford Square on a couple of Saturdays before Christmas helping club members with their bucket collections. So, all in all, a busy time for the Lions which could be even busier if the ‘powers that be’ decide that Goose Fair and Dickensian Evening go ahead - but at the time of writing this has yet to be decided.

More details about the club can be found at www.tavistocklions.org.uk, on Facebook or by calling 0345 8334807.

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary by E. Scotney

Are you fi nding it diffi cult to manage on your own at home?

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

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.

Santé Care at Home live-in care service is designed for home-loving and independent-minded people like you... To fi nd how we can help you stay at home, call us today

01822 678010 / 07413 531000

Serving Devon, Cornwall & Surrey

Tavistock Library

Tavistock Library was a hive of community activity over the summer with this year’s summer reading challenge about nature and our planet, plus library trike story time sessions in the park, craft sessions and animal encounters. But just because summer has finished it doesn’t mean it’s all quiet at the library – October starts with Fun Palace followed by a weekend devoted to crime! The library has a warm welcome for everyone and in addition to a wide selection of books and audiobooks, there are also lots of events and regular activities for children and adults, as well as access to computers, free Wi-Fi, printing, scanning and photocopying. For children there are Tavy Tales and Bounce and Rhyme sessions, plus staff will still be driving the library trike round the town for story time sessions and giving out children’s books. While adults can enjoy Scrabble, sewing and reading groups, as well as one-toone support with online job searches, CV writing and IT help. The bookcases have even been pushed aside for live music sessions with local artists, with plans to showcase local talent on a more regular basis.

In addition, Tavistock Library has two newly refurbished community rooms and an IT area which are available to hire. As part of Drawn to the Valley Open Studios in the summer, six artists put on an exhibition and demonstrations in the Harrison Room which has been fitted with a professional art hanging system – look out for more DTTV exhibitions in due course, as well as artists’ cards on sale at the reception desk. The Harrison Room has also been recently kitted out with a new Tovertafel games console, designed for use in healthcare settings. Using infrared sensors, a loudspeaker and a highquality projector, interactive games can be projected onto a table, and are designed specifically for people with dementia. Some U3A activities are also held in the library, such as French and German conversation and calligraphy. The Friends of Tavistock Library is an informal group which fundraises for the library and sponsors special events, such as children’s storytelling. The Friends are staging a crime weekend 21st to 23rd October, including a murder mystery event, quiz night and crime writing workshop – for more details see What’s On. If you would like to join the Friends of Tavistock Library or help at events, please email romartin@ eastcotecornwall.co.uk or phone 01822 612218.

You can find information about the library’s full programme of events on Facebook @TavistockLibrary, www.devonlibraries. org.uk/web/arena/tavistocklibrary, or email tavistock.library@ librariesunlimited.org.uk or phone 01822 612218.

Tavy Tales Book Group: first Monday of the month at 4pm Bounce and Rhyme: Tues 2pm, Thurs 11am Sew with Sally: Thurs 9.30am Scrabble for adults: Fri 1.30pm Adult reading group: contact the library for details Job Club Thurs: 11am-1pm, book a session tailored to your needs Craft events: check Facebook for details Creative writing: check Facebook for details

My biggest Dartmoor challenge ever

This was not a stroll across the moor, it was a gruelling challenge to test the body and mind. It didn’t disappoint! 15 days later, hiking and living on the moor, I finally rounded the corner into Clearbrook to an incredible welcome over the line. From one glorious very hot day to zero visibility, soaked to the skin, fighting rivers in full flood, and a face-off with a charging steer, this was one of the toughest challenges. There were times when I was ready to crack - if it wasn’t for the incredible support throughout this journey, I may never had made it. When the chips were down, reflecting on why I was doing this and the support I had kept me walking forward - from the social media updates and comments, to those who tracked me down providing a morale boosting chat, to the incredible generosity of everyone who has donated. But let’s not forget the purpose of such an epic: raising critical funds allowing Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Tavistock to replace an aging operations vehicle and keeping the team operational to help save lives. Undertaking this challenge has shown me a whole new perspective on how critical this team of highly skilled volunteers really is - people rarely see what goes on behind the scenes. So the fifteen days of challenge for me seemed a small price to pay, and with your help I made it - weary, yes, but over the line! Your generosity has so far raised just over £10,000 including gift aid. Be proud of what you have achieved. There is still time to donate and see how close to that £20,000 target we can get at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/mybiggestdartmoorchallengeever I’ll end with a massive thank you to you all Chris Bunney

Morris Bros (Tavistock) Ltd

Your Local Independent Funeral Director

Arranging any funeral can be distressing, which is why choosing the right funeral director to ease you through the process can make all the difference. At Morris Bros, we understand the pain of loss and open our doors to you, offering both practical guidance & personal comfort. Simon & Lucie Luke live at the Foundry & are available to you 24 hours a day. Your loved one will stay with us; their care, attention and preparation only provided by us.

Telephone 01822 612023 (24hrs)

e Old Bedford Foundry Lakeside Tavistock PL19 0AZ www.morrisbros.co.uk

A pre-paid funeral plan with Golden Charter gives you and your family peace of mind with a range of plans to suit all budgets from just £1950. Your plan will be allocated to Morris Bros here in Tavistock. We also o er bespoke plans to suit speci c requests. Contact us for further details or to make an appointment.

Tamar Energy Community

Community Solar at Mount Kelly Swim Centre

Tamar Energy Community (TEC) has added an additional solar rooftop to Community Solar. Working in partnership with Mount Kelly Foundation, TEC has installed 100kW of solar PV on the Mount Kelly Swim Centre. This will help offset carbon as the Swim Centre is able to use power from the sun. Find out more at tamarenergycommunity.com/solar.

Young Solar

TEC is gathering a lot of data from our community solar installations, but we’re not using it as well as we might. We’re working with Plymouth University’s Low Carbon Devon programme to look at opportunities for more automation. At the same time, supported by a small amount of funding from Younity’s Community Power Fund, we’re really keen to connect with young people locally, who are interested in understanding more about solar generation as well as home energy consumption. Interested? Email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com.

Warmer Healthier Homes

Tamar Energy Community (TEC) is delighted to be working with West Devon CVS and other stakeholders across West Devon to deliver our Warmer Healthier Homes (WHH) programme which is funded by Redress. This pilot programme looks at how we can address fuel poverty and unhealthy homes across the area through a more joined up approach. A key part involves setting up a village partnership in a number of villages in West Devon, including Bere Alston, Lifton and Princetown. The village partnership brings together key stakeholders including the parish council, primary care trust, and community organisations such as the foodbank, church, school etc. to share concerns about health conditions and hard to heat housing within each village. Villagers will be invited to have an energy advice call or a visit; funding will then be sought as needed to improve insulation, heating etc. for the household.

If you’re interested in being involved or would like a home call/visit email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com, and check out tamarenergycommunity.com/ energy-advice or call 0800-233-5414.

On the roof at Mount Kelly Swim Centre with Simon Earland (TEC), Matt Shepherd (ZLC Energy), Guy Ayling (Mount Kelly) and Stevie Downing & Kate Royston (TEC)

Concerned about climate change? Join a creative local response.

Travel Action Group Green Drinks Social Online Book Group Monthly Newsletter & more...

" @TransitionTavi ! Transition Tavistock

Branching Out Fund

The Tree Council’s mission is to plant, care for and protect trees for our planet’s future. It has recently announced that its Branching Out Fund is now open for applications. The grant supports schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks to plant trees, hedges and orchards. The projects must involve young people up to the age of 21. Ideally planting should take place within National Tree Week – 27 November to 5 December 2021 – but this is not essential. The deadline for applications is Friday 17 December 2021, but please apply early to ensure availability of stock. More information and details on how to apply can be found at treecouncil.org.uk

Become a community developer

Does your community need new housing for sale or rent? Maybe improved sports facilities? A local renewable energy scheme? Workspace? Schemes that need financial assistance but would still belong to the community? The Diverse Regeneration Company (DR) based in Okehampton, is working with Resonance Community Developers on a social impact fund designed to help communities meet local needs. The fund helps communities create and own income-generating assets, such as affordable homes, sports facilities or renewable energy. The Fund has already started investing in community projects across three initial areas: Cornwall, Gloucestershire and the North West. The DR company is now looking for communities across Devon to get in touch, so Devon-based communities can also benefit from funding to help with pre-development feasibility, land acquisition and construction costs. The fund has been created and managed by Resonance Limited which is an experienced social impact firm, accredited B-Corp and social enterprise and has been supporting the community-led sector since 2002. Its vision is a world where capital serves people and communities; all are empowered to invest in enterprise for positive social impact; and resources are stewarded for future generations. Two previous similar funding schemes demonstrated that community assets can be successfully refinanced and attract community share capital. Many of the communities who invested through these two initiatives have since gone on to initiate further community projects. If you would like more information, please get in touch with Sophie Price at DR via admin@drcompany.co.uk or visit www.drcompany.co.uk or www. resonance.ltd.uk

rental home

REQUIRED

Local lady seeks long let cottage/bungalow with garden

• West Devon or North Cornwall • Very reliable

(no-fault eviction after 18 years) • Broadband not required • Central heating not essential • Rural isolation a bonus

The Market Inn

We are a community pub with the community at heart

• Family and dog friendly - large beer garden • Live music Saturdays, quiz nights coming soon! • Large selection of lagers, beers,wines gins,cocktails, spirits • Traditional food served daily plus Sunday Roasts • We cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free • Hire us for functions and Christmas parties. ! marketinn • marketinntavistock@gmail.com

01822 258379 • 2 Whitchurch road, Tavistock PL19 9BB

It’s all happening in Tavistock…

Summer in Tavistock has been truly wonderful and we have been pleased to see so many visitors coming to the town. Local businesses have reported good footfall and we are thrilled to see new arrivals joining our thriving high street. Some established businesses have also undergone a makeover. All this activity shows there is confidence in Tavistock as a great place to do business and all our businesses are worth a visit! Don’t forget to make the most of those Tavistock Gift Cards you have been given as they expire at the end of this year. There are plenty of ways to spend them – shopping, eating out with friends, a date night or some well-earned pampering. Find out more and where to spend at: tavistockgiftcard.co.uk We hope to bring ‘The Great Goosey Gander’ back, and after such a great response last year the town will play host to another Fiver Fest in October. Both promotions are designed to showcase our fantastic high street and give you the perfect reason to continue to #supportlocal. We will also be hosting our annual Halloween Trail during October half-term, which is sure to be fangtastic fun. Keep your eyes peeled for further details. At the time of going to press, we are forging ahead with plans for a Christmas light switch-on event and Dickensian Evening 2021. We truly hope that Christmas this year will be magical for locals and visitors alike. As the main tourist season comes to an end, we throw the baton to you and urge you to continue visiting and supporting the town.