Tavy Links-Dec-Jan 2016

TAVY LINKS December/January 2017

Issue 22

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TAVISTOCK • MARY TAVY • KILWORTHY • MOORTOWN • WHITCHURCH • HORNDON • LAMERTON • GRENOFEN • BRENTOR GULWORTHY • PETER TAVY • HORSEBRIDGE • MILTON ABBOT

. Tavy

Celebrating our wealth of local arts and crafts talent this WINTER...

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A FRE bi-monthly zine maga delivered by the Mail Royal INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LOCAL PEOPLE • GARDENING • EDUCATION • FOOD • HEALTH • HISTORY • WHAT’S ON

WINTER GARDENING

Stunning sculptures to enhance a winter garden

MAKING OF A GARLAND

The famous garland at Cotehele celebrates its Diamond Anniversary

WHAT’S ON

Lots of festive activities and a NEW full guide to events at the Wharf

DELIVERED FREE BY YOUR POSTMAN TO ALL PL19 0, 8 AND 9 POSTCODES £1.50 where sold

(a guaranteed circulation of more than 9000 homes and businesses)

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WELCOME

An alternative way to shop….

Whilst writing this in my garden studio, on a blustery but bright, sunny and unusually warm November day, I can’t quite believe the festive season is now only a few weeks away!

This season sees an endless supply of Christmas fairs and art exhibitions to visit and discover crafts and talents of all shapes and sizes. So in this issue of the magazine we have featured three local artisans and their skills to give you a small taste of the local talent on offer and some ideas for alternative spending.

Sue Fisher has also suggested various gardening events and exhibitions throughout the year to find artisan products for sculptural features for our gardens (page 30) and Rebecca Martin has been talking with ‘Devon Rural Skills’ to find out how we can all take a step back from our hectic lives and perhaps learn some traditional rural skills to ensure these techniques don’t fade away.

Our feature for this issue is the making of the world famous Christmas garland at National Trust’s, Cotehele. We started our discussions with Cotehele back at the beginning of this year and with the help of John Parker and his wonderful photography, taken throughout the year, we have a step-by-step guide to how it has been created. This year the garland celebrates its Diamond Anniversary and looks more magnificent than ever. I urge you to visit! (see pages 38 & 39).

We are also delighted that we are now able to publish a full listings guide on behalf of Tavistock Wharf. The listing will be a regular double page in our magazines, so do check this out for an astonishing array of events – all on our doorstep. (see pages 48 & 49) Two weeks ago on the 21st November our third magazine was launched – Oke Links. We are very excited about our new sister magazine to Moor Links and Tavy Links, which has been several months in the planning and is now a reality! We are delighted to have Jane Honey as our new Editor, to cover all the stories and events in and around the Okehampton area. If you would like to see a copy, they will be distributed by the Royal Mail, to all addresses with EX20 1, 2 & 4 postcodes or in and around the town for free pick-up.

With a jam-packed year now almost at an end, I’m certainly looking forward to some time to relax with family and friends over the Christmas period. So from all the team, we wish you a very relaxing and Merry Christmas too!

Lizzie

Lizzie Watt - Editor

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk 01822 853110 The deadline for any inclusions in the Feb/March issue of Tavy Links will be 6th January 2017.

We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our many local contributors for so kindly giving us their time and expertise and making our magazine so interesting to all.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Some useful information about our magazines: • We now publish three magazine titles: Moor Links, Tavy Links and Oke Links • They are all FREE bi-monthly magazines (Feb/ March, April/May etc) • Just under 25,000 copies are distributed by the Royal Mail within our three areas, to every house and business address.

• All our magazines are written by local people, for local people. If you’d like to be a contributor, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

• A minimum of 60% editorial content – always ensuring a ‘really good local read’.

• Several 1000s of copies are also placed within local Doctors, Dentists, Libraries, Pubs and Supermarkets etc. – for general pick up.

• Our community website - dartmoorlinks.co.uk.

See all our magazine stories, local news, blogs, weather and a fully comprehensive What’s On listing. Our handy Business Directory lists all our local businesses and services. Updated daily!

If you would like to ADVERTISE your businesscontact Tim, Jane or Victoria on 01822 615627 or 07450 161 929 Email: advertising@tavylinks.co.uk Website: www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk Please note that the opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the editorial team.

We have done our utmost to ensure that all the content is correct and accurate at the time of print, but we emphasise that Tavy Links or Olijam Communications Ltd accepts no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. All data contained in advertisements are subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines and are accepted by us in good faith at the time of going to press. Reproduction of editorial is strictly prohibited without prior permission from the publisher.

All rights reserved copyright © 2016

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INSIDE THIS ❤ ISSUE...

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CONTENTS

. Tavy

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20

EDUCATION

26

HEALTH & BEAUTY

30

GARDENING

40

WHAT’S ON

56

MUSIC & ART

68

HISTORY

60

DOGWALK

06 COMMUNITY NEWS

Christmas Post with the Girl Guides, Otters on Dartmoor and more...

LOCAL PEOPLE

Some of our talented and entrepreneurial, local artisans: From an artist, a local pottery and an award winning wool product.

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18 CHARITY FOCUS

A vital fund-raising time of year for Children’s Hospice South West.

You’re never too old or too young to learn! Rebecca has some great suggestions for alternative learning.

The importance of Dementia Research and how to get involved.

Sue Fisher suggests some useful places to visit for some garden ‘sculpture’ ideas, along with some top gardening tips for winter.

A full listing guide to events throughout December and January and a NEW full programme guide to Tavistock’s Wharf.

The Stannary Brass Band and music from Mount Kelly Choral Society

The Tavy from source to sea

38 FEATURE

We spend a year following the progress of the famous garland at Cotehele – from preparation to final hanging.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Charlie explores the spectacular coastal and country views from Pork Hill to Pew Tor

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Mass Otter Release Planned on Dartmoor for Summer 2017

Dartmoor National Park are seeking sponsors for a new public art initiative

The Chinese zodiac may say rooster but on Dartmoor, 2017 is set to be the year of the otter, as Dartmoor National Park launches a new public arts initiative to celebrate the incredible diversity of habitats and wildlife on the Moor and raise important funds to enhance visitor experiences and protect these amazing natural wonders.

Why otters? It may not seem the most obvious fit with Dartmoor but in reality, otters have a long history with the National Park and it currently provides an important stronghold for the globally threatened and protected species. Otters use Dartmoor’s rivers but also venture on to other habitats including Dartmoor’s blanket bogs where they search for food.

‘Moor Otters’ will be a series of 100 unique pieces of art that will be displayed in accessible public areas around Dartmoor and the gateway towns during the summer of 2017. Each threefoot tall resin otter sculpture will be designed and decorated by

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a different artist, and will portray the artist’s own interpretations of wildlife and conservation issues.

Visitors to Dartmoor will be encouraged to explore the trail between June and September next year, with a dedicated website and trail map available. The artworks will then be auctioned off at live and online auctions.

The project aims to raise £100,000 through business sponsorship and sales, which will be used for projects to conserve and enhance Dartmoor’s landscape and wildlife, as well as improve access for everybody. The money will also help develop Dartmoor’s Young Ranger programme, which supports educational access and engages young people in conservation projects, creating the conservationists of the future.

Businesses interested in sponsoring an otter should contact Dave Southern on 07491 925157 or email dave@moorotters. co.uk.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

28th year of ‘Christmas Post’ Christmas Post stamps for 25p from either a member of Girlguiding Tavistock or various retail outlets in the town.

Cards then need to be posted in special blue post boxes before the closing date, after which they are sorted by members of Girlguiding Tavistock.

They are then delivered around the town in time for Christmas. The stamps are available from the following outlets: Cards for Good Causes in Kingdom House Pillars Newsagents Tavistock Launderette Day Lewis Pharmacy Superdrug Spar (Ford St) Mainly Stationery Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK empowering nearly half a million girls to be their best and face the challenges of growing up today. We’ve been doing that through adventure, friendship and fun for over 100 years.

Every December since 1988 Girlguiding Tavistock has operated a Christmas Post delivery service in the town. An opportunity to provide community service and raise funds for local Gilrguiding whilst raising our profile in this part of Devon. The cost we charge has risen every so often of course, but has always remained well below the PO stamp charge, which has contributed to a decline in the number of cards being sent.

Local businesses have been very generous in their support – and we are extremely grateful. The money raised has been used in various ways over the years. Sometimes it has all been given to charity, or towards the upkeep of the Guide Hall or to help with the purchase of new tents. More recently funds have been divided between the Units as a subsidy towards their HQ subs.

The last opportunity for cards to be posted is at 5pm on Friday 16th December the special blue post boxes can be found in the shops where stamps are sold. The cards will then be sorted and bundled ready for delivery over the weekend of Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December.

The delivery area only includes within the town of Tavistock and Whitchurch. Please note we regret that we are unable to deliver to outlying areas and surrounding villages. However, the Brownies and Rainbows in Bere Alston provide a similar post service to their village. To avoid disappointment, customers are requested to ensure that envelopes are correctly and clearly addressed.

Girlguiding locally is run solely by volunteers, if you are interested in volunteering please contact Rica Olver on 01822 612743.

This postal scheme works by customers purchasing blue

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Looking Forward Heritage Project at Burrator The Project has been an exemplar in terms of the levels of community consultation, activity and engagement, as well as keeping us up to date and informed throughout its progress (One of our funders) South West Lakes Trust have reached the end of the three year Burrator Historic and Natural Environment Project. To recognise all that has been achieved the charity held an end of Project Celebration Event on Thursday 22 September, to which everyone who had been involved in it, from funders and contractors to work experience organisations, volunteering groups and families, were invited. Some of the families attending had come to our very first wildlife watch sessions in 2013! Over 150 people attended, spending time looking over the extensive photo displays showing the projects journey, along with taking part in activities of bird box making, marshmallow toasting, tea drinking, cake eating, bat detecting, and we also used the opportunity to use our cob oven for the first time, which had been made last autumn by our volunteers, and the mini pizzas went down a treat!

Many people also naturally asked what will happen next as the funding has come to an end? Well the good news is earlier this summer our SWLT Trustees made the decision that they would like to continue the Community and Engagement post here at Burrator permanently, funded through the charity’s trading arm, due to its success in community engagement and the projects’ invaluable role in achieving the charity’s aims of conservation, education and access.

This is amazing news and I would like to personally say a massive thank you to everyone that has supported the Project, because without which none of this would have been achieved!

Emily Cannon Burrator Heritage Learning Office

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Tavistock Guildhall Project Bringing A Landmark Building Back to Life

Local people of all ages are being invited to contribute to an exciting project to restore one of Tavistock’s most iconic buildings and put it back at the heart of community life.

The Town Council and a new Tavistock Heritage Trust are being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to develop proposals to repair and reopen the Victorian Guildhall complex in the town centre. HLF have granted initial approval for the £1.2 million scheme to create a gateway centre for the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site and a hub providing access to community services. The outline plans for the gateway heritage centre include police and justice exhibitions, a learning space for schools and groups and tourism information. A full application has to be submitted to HLF by June 2017.

The Guildhall complex combines a range of gothic architectural styles, from the medieval remains of Tavistock’ Abbey to early Victorian building by the Dukes of Bedford. In 1847-8 it was remodelled by the 7th Duke to provide the country’s earliest combined police station and courtroom. The court and the police cells below still survive and will form the centrepiece of the new heritage gateway centre. The Town Council, who acquired the Guildhall in 2014, and the Tavistock Heritage Trust, who will run the centre, wish to ensure that this magnificent building will, once again, take its place where it was originally intended to be, at the heart of the community.

Over the coming months local community groups and residents have the opportunity to help develop detailed proposals for the Guildhall. The project team are keen to collect ideas about how the story of Tavistock’s history could be told and what heritage

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and cultural activities people could take place in the building.

Organisations representing people of all ages, including children and young people, are invited to contact the activity team to book a visit to the Guildhall so they can have their say. For more information contact Andrew Thompson on 01822 612707 or andrew@andrewthompsonheritage.co.uk. There will also be open events for the public in the New Year.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Dartmoor National Park Consultation Issues for the New Local Plan I’ve just received a £2,000 gas and electricity bill for payments going back two years. I’m not sure if I owe this money - what should I do?

The first thing you should do is work out whether your energy supplier has made a mistake.

Your supplier may have the wrong meter reading or your meter may not be working properly. They may even have sent you someone else’s bill. Take a meter reading then call your supplier to discuss your bill.

If your supplier hasn’t sent you an accurate bill for more than a year, they shouldn’t ask you to pay for more than 12 months’ usage. This is the ‘back-billing’ principle, which applies to all suppliers.

If you think your supplier is at fault but they are still trying to charge you for energy used more than 12 months ago, make a complaint. They should look into your case and provide an explanation.

You may find that your supplier has billed you for the right amount and they are not at fault, particularly if you haven’t provided regular or accurate meter readings. In this case you will probably have to pay some or all of the money. If you don’t think you can afford to pay all at once, ask for a repayment plan. Tell your supplier how much you can afford each month. Be ready to give details of your income and regular spending. You may find it helpful to send them this information in writing too.

If you feel that you need further advice or help negotiating with your supplier, get in touch with the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 040 506 or pop into your local office.

For the most up-to-date advice, please visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk pop into your local office or call Adviceline on 03444 111 444 Tavistock Citizens Advice (Kingdon House) Mon, Weds, Fri 10am-2pm www.ruraldevoncab.org.uk

Copyright Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice.

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We are taking the first step in reviewing Dartmoor’s local plan.

The local plan is the starting point when we make a decision on a planning application in the National Park.

We have a current local plan for Dartmoor, but a lot has changed since it was produced.

This first consultation is an opportunity for residents, communities, visitors, businesses and other organisations to offer views on how the new local plan should guide future development on Dartmoor.

The local plan will cover issues such as; house extensions, design, the environment, listed buildings, housing, business, farming, tourism, quarrying, and land for development.

We would like everyone interested in Dartmoor’s future to tell us what is important about Dartmoor for them.

Please visit our web site to view or download our consultation paper, where you will see a number of ‘Talking Points’ we would like you to comment on. You can also join us on Twitter @ DartmoorPlan or facebook/DartmoorPlan.

The closing date for comments on this consultation is the 16th December 2016. If you have any questions about the consultation or the local plan review, or would like to discuss some of the issues, please do contact us.

Tavistock Townscape Heritage Initiative 2016 has been an impressive start for the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Initiative (TTHI), as the historic Butchers’ Hall conservation roofing project draws to a close. The Hall, often known as the ‘Old Auction Rooms’, is a Grade II Listed building originally constructed in the 1860s for the Seventh Duke of Bedford. The restoration works to the roof have taken almost 6 months to complete and attention will now turn to the internal restoration of the building, including removal of timberwork partitions and design and installation of a new shop front/ entrance at the Pannier Market end. Original plans from the 1860’s clearly show the Butchers’ Hall in the area of ‘new markets’ and many of the butchers’ tables remain intact as well as almost all of the original features and architecture. It is envisaged that the building will be available for re-use by June 2017. The Council will also be recruiting a marketing manager early in the New Year to explore options for bringing the Hall’s 400 square metres of space back into commercial use, possibly for themed markets to complement the Pannier Market offering.

The Pannier Market is the next ‘critical’ building to be addressed under the Townscape Heritage Initiative and work on this project is timetabled to commence in March 2017.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Rotary Clubs of Tavistock and Yelverton - Autumn Round-Up Throughout the autumn, Yelverton and Tavistock Rotary Clubs have hardly stopped. It’s been an incredibly busy few months.

The Hurricane Matthew disaster in Haiti, saw a quick reaction and response with collecting on behalf of ShelterBox at Morrisons, but perhaps even more impressive, two youngsters Lily Mitchell and Siena Critchley baked and sold cakes. No praise is too high for these young girls – well done!

Tavistock Club was 70 years old this October and, on Halloween, we celebrated at the Bedford Hotel. Club President Catherine Bailey welcomed the Mayor of Tavistock, Rotary District Governor Elect George Eamer, Rotarians from throughout the country and their guests. Referring to the speech made by the Club’s Founder President in 1946, Catherine was certain that in the past 70 years, Tavistock Rotary has achieved what the original members had hoped for and more. She told the audience of almost 80 guests, “We may be a club in a small town – a bantamweight in Rotary – but, over the years, we’ve packed the punch of a heavyweight. Looking to the future, I genuinely believe that through co-operation, we can achieve even more than we have in the past 70 years.”

Throughout the autumn, the Tavistock Club have also been selling crocuses to raise money to eradicate polio. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will treble our contribution, so every bag of crocus corms sold for £2 will immunise 30 children against Polio. The two clubs are planning a mass crocus planting at Princetown.

As we look forward, we will be helping Santa Claus when he visits. Throughout December, we will be accompanying him as he visits Tavistock, Princetown, Horrabridge, Crapstone, Buckland, Dousland and Walkhampton. He will also be found outside Morrisons and Tesco in Tavistock and at Yelverton and Bedford Square. All money raised will go to local charities and good causes.

As we did last year, the Tavistock Club will be proud to help CHICKS children’s Charity with their Santa Sprint on December 10th. Hundreds of people, all dressed in their free Santa outfits, will run, jog, walk, hop, skip, dance and generally have fun on a 1.5 mile course around Tavistock.

This year, Tavistock Rotary Club is also organising the annual Christmas Day Lunch at the Tavistock United Reform Church.

This is the first time that we have been involved in this amazing event and we look forward to working with the existing volunteers who have been doing this for many years and to meeting the many people who will be spending Christmas Day with us.

If you are interested in joining one of your local clubs, or supporting Purple for Polio or the Sensory Garden, please contact Graham Parker at grahamparker1@me.com

The Sensory Garden in the Meadows is also coming forward at a rate of knots. The work started on October 31st. Our ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, at £35 per brick, is a fantastic way of commemorating peoples’ support for this wonderful project.

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11

LOCAL PEOPLE

Kim Stead The inspiration behind ‘twool’ – an artisan product growing in awards and popularity!

Five years ago Kim Stead had a frustrating day in the garden attempting to rescue battered runner beans and raspberry canes after the twine she had used to tie them up with had rotted and come loose. Telling her sorry tale to a local farmer she asked why there isn’t a better alternative, was wool an effective option? It has been a steep learning curve, but Kim is now the successful owner of twool, a unique sustainable product made in Devon, from the wool of the rare breed Whiteface Dartmoor sheep.

Kim was born in Plymouth and trained in Graphic Design at the Plymouth College of Art and Design. She moved to London in her twenties and went on to forge a successful career with respected companies such as Conrans, Rodney Fitch and Peter Murdoch Designs, eventually heading up her own company.

After the birth of daughter Charlotte, she and her husband left the urban lifestyle behind and relocated to rural Devon.

After the initial idea for using wool as an eco-friendly British alternative to jute, Kim undertook a course at Coldharbour Mill to learn about the many processes in wool manufacture. She discovered that the long lustre wool from the local Whiteface Dartmoor sheep has a long staple length, the perfect natural material for creating a versatile, durable yarn.

Within six months Kim had sourced a small team of heritage craftspeople to help work the raw wool fleece. After shearing, the wool is scoured (cleaned) then carded (combed), spun and dyed. After which it can be spooled before weaving. Kim has worked closely with British companies who have all collaborated on each stage in the development of twool. “They are all experts in their field and it would have been foolish not to seek their advice”.

With nothing to lose, she sent a sample of twool to the RHS and received an order along with affirmation that this was a viable product. Kim went into full time production and was soon receiving orders from local garden centres and artisan companies. She was encouraged to enter a stand at RHS

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Chelsea Flower show in 2012 sponsored by the British wool marketing board. Kim was delighted to have been a finalist in Chelsea’s “Product of the Year” competition and has continued to be shortlisted three years running.

Kim is now very busy. Her beautiful bags have been taken up by Waitrose and she now supplies 15 local branches. She is in talks with a Dutch company who want to use her twine to enhance their garden hand tools and is currently pitching a concept to the RNIB to create their new line of dog leads. She has created a beautiful selection of coloured twine with a matching selection of heritage variety seeds and her recent feature on BBC’s Countryfile has increased the demand for twool - especially dog leads!

twool it seemed came from nowhere, at a time that was neither particularly convenient nor expected. “The lightbulb moment was the easiest thing, making it commercial has taken hard work.” Kim and her husband have had to make sacrifices and have taken a leap of faith, but Kim is determined to make a success of this product she believes in. “Our hope is twool will be a modern day thread linking sheep and wool in a commercial marketplace and be a potential life-line for this rare breed sheep.”

For more information call 01364 654467 or email on: info@ twool.co.uk Nichola Williams

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13

LOCAL PEOPLE

Corrinne Wright Corrinne, is a local potter with a worldwide following and has crafted some stunning pieces for Christmas displays.

Local craft potter, Corrinne Wright, created a new pottery studio last year at Longcross, near Lamerton and these Christmas Santa’s are just some of the new Christmas theme ceramic pieces she has made this year.

Corrinnes interest in pottery began about 10 years ago, when as a Community Nurse, she accompanied one of her less-able ladies to pottery classes at a local adult education centre. Her client only attended for a few weeks but Corrinne was soon hooked. Her husband, David, built her a small garden studio, and her reputation for making interesting work soon began to grow.

She moved to Devon from Hampshire when David took early retirement in 2013, and they both fell in love with Tavistock and its surrounding countryside. Her second studio, located in an old coach house garage, has been up and running since April 2015.

As a keen gardener, her inspiration for most of her work comes from the ever-changing colours, shapes and textures to be found in her Devon garden and the local hedgerows, while her quirky sense of humour often transfers to the characters and animals that regularly emerge from her kiln.

One very original development has been the commissioning of wedding figures featuring the details and colours of the dress and suit of the bride and groom (and even the bridesmaids) that can be made available in time for appearing on the cake or as a gift on the big day.

Approved For Wills & Inheritance Quality Scheme Wolferstans Solicitors are celebrating having been successfully reaccredited to the Law Society Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS), for the second year.

It is recognised that individuals who choose an unregulated Will writer to draft their Will risk leaving their loved ones in a legal minefield. Although your Will is one of the most important financial and personal decisions that you will make, very often individuals choose to draft a Will themselves or choose not to use a specialist solicitor, running the risk that their Will may be invalid, incomplete or contested after death, often at very considerable financial or emotional cost.

Currently there is no regulation surrounding Will drafting so anyone is able to hold themselves out as an expert in drafting Wills.

Samantha Buckthought, Partner and Head of the Wills and Trust Department at Wolferstans says “It is very difficult for those seeking advice to know who to trust and what to look for in choosing an adviser. This is why the WIQS scheme is so important, as it identifies firms who are skilled and accredited in the work, and who have signed up to stringent quality standards. We were delighted to have been one of only a handful of firms locally who were originally accredited under the scheme, and are really pleased to renew that accreditation this year.”

It is extremely important to talk to a specialist solicitor who can make sure that the Will is correctly and appropriately drafted, but also provides for exactly what the individual needs and chooses. A specialist will also be able to advise on complex financial issues such as inheritance tax and trusts planning, and advise upon potential challenges that could be made to the Will.

Wolferstans your local legal family Samantha adds “At the heart of WIQs is the Law Society standard for delivering experts, here for you when you need us tailored Wills and probate advice. In achieving our WIQs accreditation, we underwent an application and assessment process to demonstrate our adoption of best practice procedures in delivering Wills and probate advice. This benefits our clients by ensuring that they understand the issues in preparing a Will or seeking probate advice, and are aware of the options, costs and timescales in order to make an informed choice from the outset. This means that our clients can be confident that they will be seen by a specialist who will be able to give them advice to meet their individual needs.”

If you would like information or advice regarding drafting a Will or probate matters please contact Rebecca Bawler on 01752 292322 or email rbawler@wolferstans.com or alternatively visit www.wolferstans.com

01752 292322

www.wolferstans.com

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the featured artist for the Hampshire Artists Open Studios. She regularly receives commission requests and provides one-to-one tuition for those looking to try pottery for the first time.

Anyone interested in visiting Corrinne’s studio to see her work or to purchase an item are invited to make an appointment by phoning 01822 860662.

Since moving from Hampshire to Devon, her work has featured on the front cover of this year’s ‘Drawn to the Valley’ Open Studios event, and her foliage inspired tableware can currently be found in the guest-rooms of the historic Endsleigh Hotel at Milton Abbot. Her distinctive ‘elegant ladies’ are also regularly collected by people as far afield as Australia and the USA. All her work is individually handmade which makes each piece unique.

Self-taught, and taking inspiration from her cottage garden at Longcross, Corrinne also creates large outdoor fungi, textured vases, whimsical creatures, character heads and ethnic sculptures. Until 2014 she was based in the village of Botley, Hampshire where her work was chosen two years running as

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15

LOCAL PEOPLE

Charlotte Marlow A bronze sculptor who creates beautiful statues of lifelike human and equine figures.

The process takes her many months to complete from original concept, through sketching to sculpting in a wax medium before the many painstaking stages of making a multi layered mould and casting with bronze resin. Despite the time-consuming processes, she somehow infuses her statues with refinement and a realism that captures a brief moment in time.

never occurred to them that Charlotte, who had always enjoyed painting, might not be able to sculpt and Richard’s background of making props at the theatre meant he had the necessary knowledge to make the moulds and cast the bronze. Charlotte says without the combination of both skill sets they would not have been able to successfully create the sculptures.

Born in Farnborough in Hampshire she studied contemporary dance at Leicester where she met her husband, Richard while he was the Performing Arts Degree technician. In 1986 they moved to Cawsand and Richard began working as Head of Props at the Theatre Royal while Charlotte took a diploma in massage and became a masseuse, working at Health Farms in Surrey and then Plymouth. With two young daughters to support Charlotte and Richard decided to increase their income by making bronze wall mounted stylised faces to sell at the Pannier market. It

After much practice and experimentation Charlotte and Richard made a selection of face sculptures and sold them very quickly at the market. By 2006 Charlotte had designed a new range of free form human figures as well as beautifully decorated beeswax candles and they branched out selling at markets and galleries all over Devon and Cornwall including Cotehele Gallery and South West Crafts, Tavistock.

The many processes involved in creating bronze statues are long

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Charlotte says she loves to sculpt and finds it difficult to leave the figures alone. Let’s hope she continues to feel this way so that many more of her graceful, matchless pieces of art are produced.

For more information please contact Charlotte Marlow themarlows@outlook.com 07855174471 and fraught with potential for failure. Initially Charlotte sculpted in clay but soon moved on to wax, a less brittle material. After sketching and modelling Charlotte has to be completely happy with her figure before it is carefully coated with liquid silicon as it picks out every detail of texture on the wax. After a few coats it is covered in cling film before being encased in clay and finally fibreglass to create a hard casket mould around the original sculpture. The mould is then split to reveal the intricately detailed silicon cast, which is filled with an expensive bronze resin mixture, manipulated to slip around inside the silicon until it has coated every surface. Some of the pieces can then be back filled with iron resin to add weight. After it has set the silicon is removed from the statue and the process of wire wool polishing, buffing and waxing begins.

In 2012 Charlotte and Richard decided to outsource the complicated mould making and polishing procedure and now have the help of a local commercial caster. This has given Charlotte more time to dedicate to the inspiration required to make her exquisite pieces. She has a real feel for the human body based on years of experience both as a dancer and masseuse. Her pieces are very emotive and express a fluidity of movement that gives them a real sense of animation. She regularly takes private commissions and has created over 30 pieces in 20 years. Charlotte’s sculptures are fairly exclusive and have a limit on each edition before the silicon mould degrades.

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17

CHARITY FOCUS

Children’s Hospice South West Children’s Hospice South West is now in its 25th year of providing hospice care for children with lifelimiting conditions, and making the most of short and precious lives. Christmas is an important fundraising time of year for the charity.

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) was founded by Eddie Farwell and his late wife, Jill, after they became carers for their two life-limited children, Katie and Tom, who had been diagnosed with a rare degenerative disorder. The mental and physical toll of caring was immense and when they had the chance to visit the only Children’s Hospice in the world, Helen House, five hours away in Oxford, they realised what a wonderful resource it provided, allowing them to recharge their batteries and simply enjoy time with their family.

They started to form the idea of establishing a children’s hospice in the South West, so that hundreds of families in the same situation in the West Country could also benefit from a welcome break. By the end of 1990 they had formed a committee with a small band of friends and applied for charitable status. After several years of campaigning, fundraising and hard work, Little Bridge House opened in North Devon in 1995. Sadly, Jill was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2004. Eddie gave up work to concentrate on Children’s Hospice South West and took over as CEO, opening Charlton Farm in North Somerset in 2007

Little Harbour - St Austell

and Little Harbour in mid Cornwall in 2011. As a result, there is now a children’s hospice within 1½ hours for all families in the South West.

CHSW provides hospice care for children with life-limiting conditions, as well as their family, with available care ranging from respite and short breaks to emergency care, palliative care and end-of-life care. There is no charge to families for the care offered and the ethos of the hospices revolves around enriching the lives of children and all the members of their family, rather than just providing medical and nursing care. In fact, the main priority is making sure everyone can relax and have fun using amazing facilities, such as the messy play room, a multi-sensory room with lights, sounds and textures to soothe and calm, a soft play area, a games room and a jacuzzi for relieving stiff joints and muscle spasm, as well as the beautiful grounds and a chance to share experiences with people who understand.

Children stay in bedrooms filled with their favourite books, toys and DVDs, while their families also have spacious homely accommodation. When parents are caring for a sick child it can often put quite a strain on other siblings, so there is even a dedicated sibling team to ensure brothers and sisters have a chance to play and enjoy themselves.

Families are usually referred to CHSW through their care provider, although they can also self-refer. Some families visit regularly over a number of years staying three to four times per year at their nearest hospice, whereas some children might only stay in a hospice at end of life or for emergency care. However, all the families seem to be unanimous in their praise for the home-from-home atmosphere, the wonderful facilities and above all the dedicated staff who provide nursing care but are also there just to listen and support families at all times. The Children’s Hospice experience allows families a chance to draw breath and spend time together, enjoying activities they will

18

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Little Bridge House - Barnstaple

never forget and can put in their ‘treasure chest’ of memories for a time when they no longer have their much-loved child or children.

the Run’ - adults, children and even family pets dress up as Santa for a festive 2k run in Launceston (see website for other locations) on Sunday 11th Dec at 11am.

CHSW is funded almost entirely by voluntary donations. If you would like to make a real difference to children in the South West living with life-limiting conditions, then there are many ways to help. You could make a donation to the Christmas appeal, become a volunteer, join a Friends group and help with fundraising or shop online for Christmas gifts, cards, calendars and diaries. Alternatively, you could take part in ‘Santas on

For more details visit http://www.chsw.org.uk/ or contact 01271 325 270 To make a donation text CHSW44, followed by the amount, to 70070

Care Services for your loved ones Devon and Cornwall Care Services

specialise in providing professional support and care for you, your relatives or friends n Personal

Care service n Meal Preparation n Cleaning Service n We are able to work with any type of care no matter how complex n Sitting

We have packages to suit your needs and we are registered with the Care Quality Commission Free, no obligation initial meeting All managers and Carers are DBS (CRB) checked

Devon and Cornwall Care Services t. 01822 610734/611221 email: pauline_daccs@yahoo.co.uk www.daccservices.com

5 Canal Road Tavistock PL19 8AR

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Caring for People in the Community

19

EDUCATION

Going Rural with Your Skills Devon Rural Skills Trust I met with the inspirational Maxine McAdams to talk about changing her life dramatically from one sat in a windowless broadcasting room to one full of physical work outside creating ‘walls of art’ after taking part in a dry stone walling training scheme with the Devon Rural Skills Trust.

The Beginning After many years working in broadcast journalism for the BBC, Maxine wanted to undo the 4am starts and days inside a dim studio by getting outside and learning in the countryside during her limited spare time. Having grown up on Dartmoor, she decided that it would be exciting and rewarding to learn about the old traditional skills used in the countryside and contacted the Devon Rural Skills Trust. She applied for a free training course in dry stone walling with the trust which included 18 months of training of one-to-one sessions and Saturday courses.

Fast forward 18 months and she had left her repetitive and unsociable desk life for one of the outdoors, teams, physical

20

work and a new ‘life is too short’ attitude.

Devon Rural Skills Trust The trust was set up in 1980 because it was obvious that the use of important and traditional rural skills was dying out. Many old family traditions were no longer being passed on the next generation and it seemed these skills would slowly become extinct. To preserve these, the trust was created to ensure the methods were continued. They offer a variety of courses including: hedge-laying, stone-walling, charcoal making stoning and green wood working.

People from all walks of life are able to join trainee schemes and one-off Saturday courses to learn about the old traditional methods of the countryside. For many it gives them the opportunity to complete projects at home and preserve the history of their own properties; for others it can create a completely different career path or enjoyable pass-time.

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EDUCATION

The Benefits Having met Maxine, it is easy to see the health benefits of the outdoors. She feels the connection to the seasons and environment benefits people physically and mentally, as it is the natural way our bodies function so you genuinely feel happier.

Adults become more confident as they learn the skills which gives an alternate and useful hobby for people in the outdoors.

However, for Maxine, most of all, it is the satisfaction of seeing something come together like a work of art and changing something from chaos to being tamed.

people compete to create the best Devonian hedge. They need a good stretch of hedge and ample parking on one site. They continue to offer three trainee schemes a year and perhaps after reading this, it may be you!

Anyone interested in learning new rural skills or finding out more about the trust, can go onto the website at www.drst.org.uk.

Rebecca Martin Exciting Education

The Future The trust continues to grow but sites are needed for courses throughout the year and special events. For example, in October they have their popular hedge-laying competition where 50-60

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21

To Wed Or Not To Wed? Latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics reveal that there has been a decline in the number of couples deciding to marry with an increase in people preferring to just to live together. With a 4% decrease in marriage rates over the last 13 years and a 3% increase in people cohabiting during that same period, there is suggestion that this is a modern trend which is only likely to be more and more popular.

It is common for people to think that when couples are not married, a separation may be more straight forward to achieve. However, legally, there is a significant lack of protection for cohabiting couples when they separate which can often lead to complicated disputes when it comes to dividing property and assets.

Although married couples have wide protection from legislation called the Matrimonial Causes Act, there is no such legislation which assists to protect couples who live together in the event of a separation.

Cohabiting couples faced with a relationship breakdown instead have to turn to the rules under Civil Law which can prove to be complicated and at times, expensive.

Resolving a relationship breakdown when you are not married can be difficult and there may not be clear evidence about ownership of assets. For example, one person may own a property in their name only but the other person may have made significant financial contributions to the property whilst living there. There may be dispute about the extent of those contributions; how they give one person an interest in the property and how that legal interest may be quantified.

There may also be children of the relationship whose needs need to be Wolferstans your local legal family considered. Separation can sometimes initially lead to the non legal owner experts, here for you when you need us finding themselves homeless, as they may not realise what rights they have.

The legal protection hasn’t yet caught up with this trend of living together without being married and there is no immediate plan for the Government to change this.

If you are living with someone or about to move in with someone, you can avoid the uncertainty by entering into a Cohabitation Agreement which can set out your intentions at the outset and hopefully avoid any disputes in the event of a relationship breakdown. Perhaps not the most romantic gesture, but a way of offering certainly and security to you both.

01752 292384

www.wolferstans.com

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EDUCATION

Autumn Family Fun at Burrator We’ve had an action packed season, especially as there is so much to see in autumn!

See our website for all our forthcoming events over the winter here at Burrator: www.swlakestrust.org.uk

During the half term holiday, we held another family drop in day following on from the success of our August programme.

A staggering 146 people attended and learnt how to make conker people, cook bannock over the fire, enjoy pumpkin soup and create some amazing wild art, including a free standing giraffe!

At the end of October as part of our monthly family wildlife watch programme, families took part in an autumnal scavenger hunt, made leaf crowns, animals and dens, and learnt how to make apple juice.

Finally on Monday 31 October, we held our annual ‘Spooktacular’ event in partnership with DNPA. The evening started with a night walk to Lowery Barn, then lots of traditional Halloween fun, making ghost and bat mobiles, carving pumpkins, toasting marshmallows, and bobbing for apples, and finishing with spooky story telling by our very own Dartmoor Storyteller. I have to say the costumes get better and better every year!

Secondary school admissions round now open Despite increasing pupil numbers, Devon is still meeting 95 per cent of parents’ first choices for primary and secondary school places.

Parents in Devon are being reminded that the admissions round for primary schools, including moving from infant to junior schools, is now open.

The primary admissions round opened on November 1 and closes on Sunday, January 15 2017.

Cllr James McInnes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for education said: ‘We want every child to get a place at their designated school, but it’s important,

especially for schools that are popular with parents, that applications are made in a timely manner.

‘We work very closely with our school partners to try to maximise parental preferences, but unfortunately there are sometimes occasions when applications are received late and children have missed out on a place at their local school.’

For further information on how to apply, or if you are in any doubt whether you should be applying for a school place, visit the council’s website, http://devon.cc/admissions or contact the council’s admissions team on 0345 155 1019.

Physical Changes at Tavistock Primary Children at Tavistock Primary & Nursery School are benefitting from a number of improvement works completed during the Autumn term. Following a successful Awards for All lottery grant application, some exciting play equipment was installed to support the Early Years Foundation Stage learning goals for physical development. The Reception classes have also moved into some newly decorated classrooms with specially designed infant toilets.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

The expanding and very popular nursery unit has also moved into the much larger and previously used Reception space, ensuring that all children have the very best access to age appropriate learning.

A new lift means that current and future pupils have easy access to the Year 6 classrooms upstairs, providing access to all.

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KIDS WHAT'S ON BUCKLAND ABBEY

COTEHELE

FESTIVE FAMILY FELT

THE FATHER CHRISTMAS FAMILY TRAIL AT COTEHELE

4th, 11th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December, 11am-3pm Get ready for Christmas as Claire Packer from The Wet Felting Company arrives to help you create tree decorations, gifts and more.

Cost: £3 per child.

WINTER NATUREMAKE

Saturday 17th – Wednesday 21st December, 12noon-4pm Join the team from Naturemake as you turn unusual natural materials into winter wonderlands, reindeers, tree decorations and more. Cost: £3 per person.

AN AUDIENCE WITH OLDE FATHER CHRISTMAS

LET’S WASSAIL AT COTEHELE

Monday 19th to Friday 23rd December, various times.

Rediscover the Christmas magic as Olde Father Christmas invites you into the Great Hall for tales of Christmas past.

Cost: Adult £2.50, Child £4.50 (including a gift.)

WASSAIL

Sunday 8th January, 12noon-4pm Grab your bells, bring along your pots and pans and help the team from Buckland Abbey and Dartmoor Border Morris to make as much noise as possible to awaken the orchard and to wish them a bountiful new year.

Saturday 3rd - Saturday 24th December, 11am-3pm Follow the Father Christmas trail through the woods from reception to the Edgcumbe tea-room on Cotehele Quay, finding clues along the way and collect your Father Christmas biscuit at the end.

Dogs welcome. Cost: free but normal admission charges apply.

Saturday 17 December, 11.30am-12pm Come along for this pagan festival to scare away the evil spirits in the orchards and ensure a good harvest in 2017. Drums, kazoos and fancy dress encouraged.

Assistance dogs only, Cost: free, but normal admission prices apply.

in too Gifts for children available at £3 per gift.

Normal admission charges apply

HANNAH’S AT SEALEHAYNE HANNAH’S WINTER WONDERLAND

Friday 18th November – Friday 23rd December, 10am – 5pm.

For the first time ever, the Edwardian Quad at Hannah’s is being transformed into a Winter Wonderland, with a 15m x 20m skating rink, a giant 50 foot snowman (with a bouncy castle in his stomach!), pop-up gift and food stalls, musical Christmas light shows and even regular snow showers. There will be a whole month of special events.

Visit their dedicated website at www. winterwonderland.org.uk for more information.

AT HOME WITH MOTHER AND FATHER CHRISTMAS

LATERN WORKSHOPS

FESTIVE ART AND CRAFT FUN (WITH SPECIAL GUESTS)

CHRISTMAS AT PENNYWELL FARM

Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th , Thursday 22nd , Friday, 23rd December, 1-3.30pm.

Come and meet Mother and Father Christmas in their grotto.

Cost: £3 per child (includes a gift) and normal admission charges apply

Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st December, 1-3pm. Have fun making art using garland flowers, glue and paper (free). Father Christmas and his helpers will be dropping

Saturday 10th December, 10am-1pm and 2pm – 5pm.

Join Creation Myth Puppets Public to make lanterns for the Newton Abbot Town Council’s annual Great Puppet Lantern Parade on Wednesday 14 December (starting at 6pm).

Various times and days from 1st – 24th December. Experience the Nativity story brought to life where every child can be a star performer in a magical setting with the animals looking on.

Booking is essential.

Outstanding Childcare in Tavistock “Outstanding in the Personal development, behaviour and welfare of children” Ofsted October 2015 Free Childcare for 2,3 & 4 year olds subject to eligibility

54 Plymouth Road, Tavistock, PL19 8BU • 01822 613416 tavistock@bambinosdaynursery.co.uk • www.bambinosdaynursery.co.uk 24

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KIDS WHAT'S ON Contact them online at www. pennywellfarm.co.uk or phone 01364 642023

PLYMOUTH MUSEUM WILD ABOUT PLYMOUTH: CHRISTMAS STARS

Saturday 10 December, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm Get in the Christmas mood with specimens from the spirit collections including festive pickles, sea horses and star fish.

You can work with their guest artist to make yuletide decorations inspired by the natural world. Mayflower Museum, Barbican Tourist Information Centre, Southside Street, The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LR. Cost: Adults £3. Children £2 (5-16 years). Under 5s go free. Book now at www.wapstars.eventbrite.com

WILD ABOUT PLYMOUTH: NATURAL HISTORY SCIENTISTS

Saturday 21 January, 10am to 12pm Go along for a quiz with a difference and a chance to see inside one of the labs at Plymouth University. They will be donning our lab coats and investigating some weird and wonderful animals, just like real scientists. Peer down a telescope, examine skeletons and more!

Davy Building, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA This event is suitable for children aged 5+.

Cost: Adults £3. Children £2 (5-16 years).

Under 5s go free. Advance booking and payment by 13 January are essential.

Book now at www.wapscientists. eventbrite.com

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY SANTA BY STEAM

3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th December and daily from the 17th - 24th December, various times. Father Christmas and all his elves will all be at the South Devon Raliway this December.. During your trip from Buckfastleigh to the North Pole, all the children go and see Father Christmas in his wonderful grotto to collect their Christmas present and enjoy a drink and a biscuit.

The grown ups aren’t forgotten: there’s a

warming glass of mulled wine or a non alcoholic alternative and a mince pie for each of them. Go online to book at: www. southdevonrailway.co.uk.

WHARF CINEMA FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Friday 2nd December to Thursday 8th, various days and times. Follow the adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. Cost: Adults 5.50; Under 16 4.50

MOANA

Saturday 17th December, 10.30 am.

A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island.

Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui.

Cost: Adults 5.50; Under 16 4.50.

THE NUTCRACKER FROM THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE ENCORE

Sunday 18th December, 2pm.

Join the Wharf for this life production of the Nutcracker. A young girl’s enchanted present leads her on a wonderful adventure in this classic ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s glittering score Cost: Adult £15.00; Under 18s £12.50

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH THE EMPORER’S NEW CLOTHES

Tuesday 29th November, 1.30 pm Following sell out performances of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Stuff and Nonsense return to the Theatre Royal Plymouth with their latest production.

Inspired by the Muppets, Danny Kaye and good old family movies, this romp through a classic, eccentric tale tells the story of an Emperor who loves clothes more than anything. But there is a problem… despite a wardrobe the size of Paris, he’s run out of outfits and it’s his birthday tomorrow! He hasn’t got a stitch to wear! Phone 01752 267222 or go to www.theatreroyal.com for more details.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS Friday 16 December 2016-Saturday 14 January 2017, various times.

With star of television and Strictly Come Dancing Lesley Joseph and Blue pop sensation Duncan James leading a sensational cast, the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s pantomime will be the fairest of them all!

Phone 01752 267222 or go to www. theatreroyal.com for more details.

BURRATOR DISCOVERY CENTRE FAMILY WILDLIFE WATCH SESSION

Sunday 18 Dec, 10.30am-12.30pm Join the team at Burrator to make Christmas Woodland Crafts. Don’t forget wear your outdoor clothes.

Cost: £1 per person

FAMILY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Tuesday 20 Dec, anytime between 10am4pm. Children and adults can come along and join in the fun Christmas holiday activities.

Cost: £1 per person.

FAMILY WILDLIFE WATCH SESSION

Sunday 29th January, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Take part in the exciting session where all the family can learn more about the birds around us. Remember your outdoor clothes. Cost: £1 per person

To find out about...

A

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Matching Volunteers with Dementia Research Dr Ray Sheridan

West Devon residents diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers can be one step closer to the opportunity of taking part in the latest clinical dementia research studies by signing up to Join Dementia Research.

The Clinical Research Network (CRN) for the South West peninsula hopes to increase the number of people diagnosed with the condition on the Join Dementia Research register to support recruitment to dementia clinical studies being run in the region.

CRN Clinical Research Speciality Lead for Dementias and Neurodegeneration

Kerry Ward ITEC. MAR

Reflexology & Holistic Massage Therapist

Dr Ray Sheridan said: “Join Dementia Research provides a single point where people who would like to support research can make themselves known to researchers recruiting to studies. In the South West we currently have eight dementia research studies open for recruitment.”

too. Registering interest in clinical research with this service gets potential participants one step closer to taking part in a study. Research ranges from new treatments to surveys about what works in improving quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers.”

Current research studies range from clinical trials of new treatments to surveys identifying ways to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and carers.

Dementia is a broad umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders. There are many different types of dementia and some people may present with a combination of types. Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way but symptoms can include memory loss, impaired cognitive ability, confusion and problems with communicating.

Dr Sheridan added: “There are currently 1,290 volunteers in this region registered with Join Dementia Research, of which 14.3% are people living with dementia. We are seeking more volunteers with a dementia diagnosis as well as their caregivers to take part in research; though healthy members of the public can support this initiative

Join Dementia Research is funded by the Department of Health and provided by a partnership between the National

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Fourward Health t. 01822 855331 m. 07795 057397 www.fourwardhealth.co.uk /fourwardhealth 26

Services available from your local late opening independent pharmacy. If you need treatment for a Minor ailment, Winter ailment, or just advice, we can help and can often save you a Doctor’s appointment.

• Minor ailments- treatment available for Impetigo, Conjunctivitis, Urinary Tract Infection, Oral Thrush, Nappy Rash. (prescription charges may apply to non-exempt patients) • Winter Ailments- treatment available over the counter for diarrhoea, cough, fever and pain.

Ask your pharmacist for advice.

• Stop smoking - need help giving up? We can offer a full NHS service to help you quit.

• Medicines MOT- to help you get the best from your medicines talk to our Pharmacist.

• Flu vaccination- We are still offering flu vaccinations both NHS & Private • Emergency Contraception We are OPEN almost every day of the year Monday-Saturday 07.30-22.30 and 09.00-19.00 on Sunday.

Free delivery for housebound or elderly patients Monday-Friday and Saturday (emergency only).

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Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland.

Why dementia research matters

Dementia is increasingly touching more of us and research gives hope.

Dementia affects over 850,000 people in the UK, with 25 million of the UK population having a close friend or family member affected. In England there were 316,864 patients on GP dementia registers in 2013 and 16,786 of these patients were in the South West Peninsula.

People over 18 years old can register their interest and it is possible to act as a representative on behalf of someone interested in taking part in dementia research through Join Dementia Research via a national telephone service with charity helplines – Alzheimer’s Research UK 0300 1115 111 or Alzheimer’s Society 0300 222 1122 – or online at: www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk

For advice or to make appointment Foran advice or For advice or to to make an appointment call 855978 make an appointment “Our Chiropodists and

The prevalence of dementia in the South West Peninsula (Devon, Cornwall Contact & on Merry 855978 call 01822 Wishing aus very call Podiatrists are855978 all HPC Somerset) is 0.74% of the population “Our855978 Chiropodists and to make an appointment Gift vouchers are available Contact us on 855978 Wishing a very Christmas to all our clients compared with 0.57% nationally.

We are Wishing a very Merry Registered and off er clinics Podiatrists are all HPC to make antoappointment Merry Christmas to ask Christmas for advice Gift vouchers are available Gift Vouchers confident that the South West willor have all our clients Monday Registered and offer clinics to Saturday” are available toadvice all! or to ask for one of the highest sign up rates to this Monday to Saturday” Yelverton Foot Clinic initiative in the country.

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Valid only at participating locations from 1st January 2017 to 17th February 2017. © 2016 Curves International, Inc. curvestav@hotmail.co.uk Curves Tavistock

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27

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

On your marks… parkrun comes to the Tamar Trails The global, free-to-all running phenomenon, parkrun has launched at the Tamar Trails Centre near Gulworthy.

Since its launch in 2004 in Bushy Park in Teddington, parkrun has grown to encompass thousands of events around the world. Each weekly 5km ‘fun run’, organised by volunteers, is free and open to everyone.

The Tamar Trails parkrun launched on 29 October and takes place every Saturday at 9am. Runners of all abilities are welcome, and are timed for their own personal development, the ethos being “it’s you against the clock”. There is no cost to take part, but participants have to register with parkrun (a one-off, free registration).

The course is run entirely on trail paths, through the woodlands of the Tamar Trails, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. Heading north with a flat start, the path takes in some of the old mine buildings before winding downhill towards the Tamar River, followed by a steep climb and a flat section finishing close to the Trail Centre car park.

It offers an opportunity for the whole community to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful area and get physically active into the bargain. It’s an opportunity to socialise too, with runners invited to grab a post parkrun coffee in the Beach Tree Café.

For more information see http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ tamartrails/.

The weekly team of volunteers is led by a small group of running enthusiasts, headed by event director, Stuart Queen.

They are always keen to hear from new volunteers, email tamartrailshelpers@parkrun.com.

The weekly parkrun sessions come in addition to the recent launch of the Tamar Trail Runners and the opening of a running hub retail outlet at the Tamar Trails Centre. Organised by local runner Colin Kirk-Potter, the running club meets on Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. See www.runventureonline. com.

START YOUR NEW FITNESS JOURNEY TODAY WITH ACTIFIT’S VICKI TERRY PERSONAL TRAINING

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29

GARDENING

Ornamental Features...

As Sue Fisher explains, ornamental features make a beautiful contribution to the garden right through the year, but as leaves fall and perennials die back to reveal the bare bones of the garden, they really come into their own.

Many of the talented artisans that live and work around our region produce wonderful pieces ideal to use outdoors: decorative sculptures of all sizes in a range of media such as metal, wood, or glass, as well as larger features that have a practical use such as arbours or seats.

inspiration on how to place features to be seen at their very best. Garden shows, plant fairs and craft shows are likely to include some garden art too, plus there’s the Drawn to the Valley and Devon Open Studios schemes as well. We’re spoilt for choice around here!

Finding the ideal features for your garden can be a real pleasure in itself and provide a great excuse for some lovely days out. Around the South West there’s a wealth of outdoor sculpture exhibitions (mostly in spring or summer, not surprisingly), including Stone Lane Gardens near Chagford, Delamore Arts Exhibition at Cornwood and Coombe Sculpture Garden near Milton Abbot, while RHS Rosemoor near Torrington has a winter exhibition. These have the outstanding advantage of seeing exhibits in a garden environment so you can start getting an idea of how something will look at home, plus you’re likely to gain

To place features to be seen at their best, consider key viewpoints. Start from indoors, looking out from the most frequently used windows indoors (don’t forget the kitchen sink…….), and then observe which spots are seen most whilst going in and out every day. Out in the garden, decorative features make excellent focal points – best described as a visual way of taking someone by the hand and leading them around the garden from one point to the next.

Having something truly individual to admire, discover and enjoy will be a source of pleasure for a great many years.

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

• Sheds • Turfing • House Painting • Hedge Trimming

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30

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Looking good now...

Fruits and berries. Birds are likely to have already scoffed their favourites, but long-lasting crab apples like ‘Golden Hornet’ and ‘Evereste’ look good until the New Year.

Winter flowers. A few tough shrubs bloom in winter and are often scented too. Viburnum bodnantense is one of the first of the season.

Foliage. Gold leaves brighten the dullest of days. Good shrubs include Choisya Sundance and Goldfinger; Elaeagnus ebbingei Limelight; Euonymus japonicus Ovatus Aureus and Emerald n’Gold;

Crab Apple - Golden Hornet

Seasonal Jobs • Evergreens in containers are vulnerable to frost: move pots into sheltered spots or against house walls, and wrap in frost fleece during prolonged cold weather. Water during dry spells, but sparingly.

For pots and borders. Heuchera are immensely decorative evergreen perennials with large, scalloped edged leaves and now in a fantastic range of colours from purple to orange and lime-green.

Viburnum bodnantense

• To avoid pots of dormant bulbs suffering from waterlogging in winter, simply turn on their sides.

Remember to stand upright before growth starts, though.

• Put out a regular supply of bird food now the colder weather is here. Fresh water is essential too.

• C lear weeds: they’ve been a nightmare this year and the mild autumn saw a whole new crop emerging. If the lawn is still growing, mow during dry weather but with the blades set higher than usual.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Sue Fisher is a garden designer and writer based on the Bere peninsula.

31

Design and Installation Waterfalls and Streams Planting and Stocking Water Features Renovation Leak Repair

Dartmoor Pond Services Ellis Taylor

Tel: 01822 852699 M: 07836 576722 www.dartmoorpondservices.co.uk www.menforallseasons.co.uk 01822 834443 07977 272170

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Unit 8 Pixon Trading Centre Pixon Lane • Tavistock PL19 8DH

Visit our showroom to see a large range of garden machinery, tools and accessories.

We have equipment to suit the hobby gardener or the professional. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff are happy to discuss your requirements and offer advice.

The qualified, experienced engineers in our fully equipped workshop can repair or service your existing equipment.

Book your Winter Service now.

32

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GARDENING

Sue’s Top Tips Wildlife. Create hibernation homes

Time saving. Robot mowers: I’ve

‘Green’. Recycle kitchen waste into rich, nutritious compost that is wonderful for improving soil, encouraging healthy plant growth and plentiful crops, as well as minimising waste. While raw veg peelings, teabags, coffee grounds and the like can go in general garden compost, use a wormery or vermin-proof bin to compost cooked food scraps.

Something for the Christmas list, maybe?

Thrifty. Grow your own fruit - plant

all around the garden: beneath hedges, mound up leaves and hollow stems and make piles of stone, woody stems and logs. For creative ideas, do an internet search for ‘wildlife hotel’. It’s not too early to put up nestboxes either: birds need cosy overnight roosts during the winter months.

Betula albo sinensisSeptentionalis

just researched and tested these for the Christmas issue of Gardeners’ World magazine, and I was very impressed.

Quiet, efficient and emission-free; programmable for automatic operation; no clippings to dispose of; cuts little and often so the lawn always looks tidy. But – and a big but - very pricey!

now and start enjoying a delicious harvest from next summer onwards.

On walls, fences and post-and-wires, plant trained fruit trees in espalier, fan or cordon shapes. Climbers such as berry fruits, grape vines or kiwifruit do well on the vertical too, as well as over arches and pergolas. No space? Check out the fast-expanding range of patio fruit including bush raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’ and hanging basket Blackberry

Wildlife hotel on a grand scale

‘Black Cascade’. And strawberries, of course, which can be grown almost anywhere. Just bear in mind that a reasonable amount of sun is the main requirement for all fruit.

Favourite plant.

Chinese red birch (Betula albo-sinensis var. septentionalis). A winter star in my garden, with pink-bloomed bark that peels in ragged scrolls to reveal the rich brown underside that shimmers with colour when backlit by low winter sun.

Sue Fisher is a garden designer and writer based on the Bere Peninsula.

Tel 01822 841895.

Email: suefisher@talktalk.net Website: www.suefishergardens.co.uk

Wooden Gates Bespoke Gates, handcrafted to a high quality specification Gates can either be stained or painted and we provide a full fitting service

01566 774647 | www.elliotgates.co.uk |

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

33

NATURALIST

The Rowdy Robin

Before you sit down for your Christmas mince pies, please make sure that the bird table is just as well-stocked.

Life in the open country is becoming increasingly difficult for many of our well loved birds as stubble fields become a thing of the past and weed seeds as a food source are eliminated from modern agriculture.

Hedgerows and gardens are indeed now essential for the survival of many of the nation’s favourite species. The Christmas period is probably when many of us have the time to sit and observe the behaviour of the living world around us. After the ravages of the breeding season, a new set of feathers grown during the August moult, birds’ plumage is probably at its finest,. Hopefully they have replenished their bodily reserves during the autumn which at least this year has been quite benign. However the worst of the winter months are still to come and, surprisingly the early preparations for next years breeding season will soon be underway.

Much of this dramatic struggle to survive takes place in front of us. Robins tend to feed alone and when two arrive to feed at the same time quite a vicious scuffle usually ensues which only ends when one of the combatants withdraws.

Male robins are not shy in announcing their presence and New Year finds them in full voice singing from the top of a bush or post when they repeatedly use the same vantage point. Singing is their form of advertising, both warning off rival males and attracting any females and ‘staking out’ a territory large enough to provide food for their future family.

Boundary disputes occur regularly, often at the table, with two birds squaring up to each other, red breast feathers puffed out trying to outdo their rival.

Experiments have shown that the red colour is the trigger, a strategically placed tuft of red wool may produce the same response! Now watch for the arrival of a prospective mate. This is problematic, as not only does she appear absolutely identical to our eyes, but elicits the same initial response from the male who will immediately zoom in to attack the new ‘rival’. However at the last moment he pulls up short when, instead of meeting an equally puffed-up male, she ducks her head in a way that puts her red breast out of view. His aggessive response is temporarily dissipated, but the process has to be repeated several times until

he becomes accustomed to her as a prospective mating partner.

Naked aggression is less apparent in the other species I have mentioned.

The apparent co-operative nature of the long-tailed tits will even extend into the breeding season when parents are willing to lend a hand in raising generally large broods in a neighbour’s nest (often a close relative) if they have lost their own brood. And the female dunnock is happy to accept the attention of another male while their ‘original’ partner is out gathering the family food!

These different strategies are ways to achieve the same end and provide the best opportunity for survival of an individual’s genes and continuation of the “family”line.

I hope that I have shown that there is a lot to see from your window in winter and that even some well loved and common species can surprise us when we look more closely.

Pete Mayston

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35

Shaun the Sheep © Aardman Animations Ltd

FARMING DIARY

Party time down at Greenwell Farm!

Sheep dining in five star restaurants and rams with their feet up – what’s going on at Greenwell…!? Mat Cole tells us more.

With the Christmas party season closing fast I would just like to tip my hat to the fantastic Autumn weather we had. We were in t-shirts in the first week in November and although some of the animals didn’t like it, most were very happy. Those extra few weeks when we are able to keep the cows out make such a difference. The saving on the ground and the feed store was significant and all help save costs. I am sure we will pay for it somewhere but as a wise man once said “they can’t take what we’ve had” and beautiful autumns like this are welcome back anytime.

The cattle are now all shut in the barns and yards for the worst of the winter and the routine of feeding and bedding every day is well established. The cattle come in so we are able to feed them more easily and monitor their diet, condition, welfare and give them shelter and a dry place to bed down. If they stayed in the fields they would happily cope with the weather but accessing good feed is not so easy and it can be a struggle for the younger ones, especially if you want them to continue to grow and thrive to their potential. So to save the ground from damage and make their management much easier most farms these days house their cattle through the winter months.

We have a TB test looming in January and as I was reading an article I wrote last year I was reminded of the horror of TB and the affect it had on our herd and business last year when we had a breakdown with positive reactors. Fingers crossed we go clear and are able to relax for another 12 months, the trouble is having been affected in 2015 it is not a case of ‘if’ we go down again but ‘when’…. Let’s just hope that the actions being taken to eradicate this horrible disease work and we can get rid of the dark cloud of bovine TB for good.

The ewes are now well in lamb, the rams have loved them and left them and now have their feet up, the ewes however after

36

their brief liaison will now have to work. They will be scanned in January to establish how many lambs they are carrying. Usually ewes carry singles and twins, with a much smaller number with triplets and sadly there’ll be a few baron ewes. This of course is influenced by many factors including breed, body condition, weather and age but ideally we want two lambs from each ewe.

In reality we get just over 150 % at scanning. Once we have the results we split them into groups according to how many they are carrying and we can then look towards lambing, well able to manage the ewes needs accordingly. The most influential of which is the ewe’s diet and as you can imagine the more lambs a ewe carries the better star hotel and restaurant she gets to stay and eat at - all with a hope that come lambing we have as many viable lives as possible.

Whilst the farms core business is beef and sheep we have been known to diversify as opportunities present themselves. This autumn we hosted local band Mad Dog McCrea in one of our barns for a local fundraiser. It was a fabulous night with about 600 people in attendance; even local folk singer Seth Lakeman turned up for a spin. The evening was a great success and ran like a dream, the weather helped obviously… But Gemma and I in the post gig euphoria are nurturing ideas of becoming the next go to site of choice for the movers and shakers of the music world - so watch this space…

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Greenwell.

Mat Cole

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Do you have a Will?

Wills are cheap and simple to prepare when you consider what could go wrong if you don’t make one. If you die without a Will, you die Intestate and your estate will pass according to the Intestacy Rules, potentially benefiting those who you would not have chosen to inherit.

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If you lose the mental capacity to make decisions, your family is not automatically entitled to deal with your affairs unless you have prepared a Lasting Power of Attorney.

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Offices also located at Mutley Plain & Torpoint, but if you are unable to attend at the office, we offer HOME VISITS!

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FEATURE

A YEAR IN THE MAKING

Cotehele’s Garland

The famous garland at National Trust Cotehele is certainly not your average Christmas garland that hangs above the fireplace - but one that is 60 foot long, takes over a year to create, holds approximately 33,000 flower stems and needs greenery taken from over 60 trees! This year it is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary.

Having always marveled at the sheer size and complexity of it’s creation, I was thrilled to go and talk to Cotehele’s Head Gardener, Dave Boucher, to get a step by step guide to the making of this incredible work of floral art and what for me, really marks the start of Christmas.

January The preparation for the garland starts as soon as the previous year’s garland is taken down. In early January ordering of the seed packets of ‘annuals’ from suppliers Thompson & Morgan takes priority and the decision as to the colour theme for that particular year. This year the garland is white and blue to represent 60 years and the garland’s Diamond Anniversary.

Dave sticks with tried and tested flower varieties – those that will flower well over a long picking season, hold their shape and colour, will dry without becoming too brittle and are generally ‘reliable’. Over 2000 plants will need to be grown to achieve the required 30,000+ heads of flowers – so ‘reliability’ is key.

glass over them), within the greenhouse. Once strong enough they are then potted on. With space at a premium ‘overflowing with pots’ can become an issue! Once the final frosts have they are then planted out into well prepared ‘single dug’ beds. The plants are then ordered into neat straight rows and carefully labeled with the traditional Tamar Valley white labels.

May From mid May the flowers are picked on a weekly basis, increasing to daily from June. Flowers are picked constantly to ensure continuous flowering to achieve the numbers Dave needs

February & March The sowing of the seeds in trays starts in earnest from mid February and continues until mid March when all varieties will have been started. All sit in their seed trays (with a cover of 38

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for the final garland. As they are picked/cut they are stripped of all leaves and bunched in 20s, into varieties and colours – and tied with elastic bands. At there peak this process can take up to 70 man hours per week continuing right through to September.

September & October As soon as the bunches have been prepared they are hung upside down on washing lines of string within the roof space of the old potting shed or barn, where they hang in the dark to fully Once all is in place visitors are invited to come and view the annual spectacle in the Great Hall. For the visitor it is a truly wondrous site and for the gardening team the end of a year’s worth of preparation and hard toil.

Lizzie Watt The Garland can be viewed at Cotehele until 31st December (closed Christmas and Boxing Day) Photos courtesy of John Parker

dry out. Once dried, October sees the start of the grand ‘sorting’.

Dave creates 16 large boxes of identical numbers and varieties of flowers in each box to correspond with the 16 sections of the garland ensuring that every section will be identical.

November & December At the end of October and early November the base layer of Pittisporum is cut from over 60 trees from one of Cotehele’s tenanted farms. The top 18” of new growth is taken and bunched before being tied around the 60ft long rope. With its considerable weight it is carried into the hall by all 40 plus members of the gardening team and slowly hoisted into position across the length of the Great Hall. It then takes eight full days, working from a scaffold tower, from 7.30am to 4pm each day, for the gardening team to individually place every flower head.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

39

WHAT’S ON

DECEMBER 18 November to 7 January

Winter Garden Illuminations – RHS Rosemoor

The garden will be illuminated by innovative hi-tech, dynamic, constantly colour-changing lighting to create a

magical trail around the trees and shrubs. Running until 7 January 2017, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve) the gardens will be open until 8.30pm to maximise the effects of the lighting into the evening hours. Garden entry on these days will be half price after 4pm.The Garden Kitchen Restaurant will be serving simple family suppers, and the Rosemoor Shop will remain open until 7.30pm 1 – 23 December

Christmas at Buckland Abbey

We specialise in valuations for auction, insurance and probate purposes Regular auctions for antique furniture, paintings, ceramics, glass, clocks, gold, silver, jewellery, stamps, medals, coins and collectors’ items

Clarice Cliff Cowslip tea set SOLD £1,700

The First Nowell 10.30am-4pm Celebrate the Christmas season as the Great Barn is filled with festive joy as local flower arranging groups present their seasonal interpretation of the carol, The First Nowell.

1 – 23 December

An Elizabethan Christmas at Buckland Abbey

Step back in time to experience an Elizabethan Christmas at home. See the kitchen getting ready for a festive feast, admire the greenery in the Great Hall and discover the peace and tranquillity within the Chapel. 11am-2.30pm 3 - 11 December

Lister & Sons rosewood clock SOLD £9,000

A Festival of Nativity Scenes

St John’s Church, Horrabridge. This is now an annual event, when the church is filled with Nativity Scenes in a variety of media: wood, wool, paper, flowers, and so on, all Emerald & diamond ring SOLD £7,400

Collection of South Atlantic stamps SOLD £8,600

For professional advice and free valuations, please call 01752 721199 or email images to enquiries@eldreds.net

www.eldreds.net

1 Belliver Way, Roborough, Plymouth PL6 7BP 40

created by members of local organisations and churches, and also individuals. The effect is magical and the event has grown in popularity over the last two years. Entry is by donation. From 10.30am - 4pm each day (from 12noon on Sundays).

7, 14 and 19-23 December

Winter Lates at Buckland Abbey

Experience the Christmas magic under the evening stars inside and out, as the Great Barn and shop stay open late for more chances to get into the festive spirit and to tick off your Christmas shopping list.

4-8pm 8 December

Moors Edge U3A Christmas Party

General meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in the Woolwell Community Centre.

8 December

Tamar Valley Walk & Talk

St Ann’s Chapel/Honicombe Circular, 45-90 mins - meet: Tamar Valley Centre Tamar Valley Walk & Talk (10am) 9 December

Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir Annual Christmas Concert To be held at St Mary’s Church, Callington, 7pm. More details from www. tamarvalleymvc.co.uk

ANTIQUES, JEWELLERY & CERAMICS VALUATION DAY TAVISTOCK Thursday 23rd February 2017 The Bedford Hotel Plymouth Road Tavistock 10.00am - 1.00pm

One of twelve George II armchairs Sold for £46,000

St. Edmund’s Court, Okehampton Street, Exeter EX4 1DU T: 01392 413100 W: www.bhandl.co.uk E: enquiries@bhandl.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON 9 December

The Cavaliers’ Bottle Auction

This will take place at the London Inn, Horrabridge, at 7pm. All welcome Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December

Christmas Market, Dingles

Our popular Christmas Market is becoming a two day event this year!

Food and Craft Stalls, including over 30 stallholders with a good mix of Seasonal gifts,Glassware, Candles, Confectionery,Soft toys, Hand crafted cards, Lace, Pet foods, Jewellery, Leather crafts, Cushions, Soaps, Patchwork kits and more.

Face painting for the children. Father Christmas, mince pies and festive refreshments. Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Lifton. 01566 783425 10 December

Mount Kelly Choral Society

Will present a programme of Christmas music, 7.30p.m. at St Eustachius’ Church Admission is £10 by programme, available from Bookstop , Ward & Chowen in Tavistock, or on the door.

10, 11 & 17-24 December

Christmas Special at Morwellham Quay

Santa will welcome you into his Grotto, you can sit by the warm fire and listen to a Christmas Story, whilst enjoying free mulled wine, squash and mince pies, and then make a special Christmas Decoration

to take home and hang on your tree. 10am until 4.30pm Full details on the web site: www.morwellhamquay.org Tel: 01822 832766 11 December

Dartmoor Border Morris Mummers Play

Performed in “ The Round” of the Ox yard of Buckland Abbey. Come & watch brave Sir Francis Drake defeat the evil King Phillip of Spain, with the help of a Doctor & a Morris beast called “ Chatterly”. This family show is the traditional medieval story of how good always overcomes evil, with a help from the Winter Queen!!!

Starting at 1 pm followed by some dancing, then repeated again at 2.30 pm. www.dartmoorbordermorris.com

Todsworthy/Frieseland Triangle, 45-90 mins - meet: Tamar Valley Centre 10am.

17 December

Stannary Brass Band Christmas Concert

Patron, Angela Rippon, O.B.E, will be hosting their Christmas Concert which will take place in Tavistock Town Hall at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available from Ward & Chowen in Tavistock and Yelverton and are priced at £8 adult and £2 under 18.”

13 December

Christmas Edible Wreath and Room Sprays Hoots Roots – Shilla Mill Price £35 for day (10am -4pm) plus £5 Materials. www.hootsroots.co.uk 14 December

Dine out at Buckland Abbey

Enjoy a mid-week meal in the Ox Yard restaurant as the restaurant doors stay open late for selected dates in December , 6.30pm Booking essential, call 01822 853607 to book. £23.95 per person. Other dates available for larger parties.

Family-owned independent shop.

Stockists of a wide range of beautiful gifts including MOVA Globes and our exclusive Tavistock Tea Towels

15 December

Tamar Valley Walk & Talk

BRIAN BURLEY

MUSICAL ENTERTAINER Retro Music 1940s – 1980s Music for all occasions Special programmes for Care Homes VOCALIST • GUITARIST • SAXOPHONIST

07711054107

www.brianburleymusicalentertainer.com brianburley007@outlook.com

Locally Sourced Free-Range Beef, Pork, Lamb, Poultry, Gammon & Bacon.

Free local deliveries on order over £10 (10 mile radius of Tavistock Town Centre)

5 -7 Pepper Street • Tavistock • 01822 819759 18 Fore Street • Bere Alston • Yelverton 01822 840258

www.jandsdowningbutcherstavistock.co.uk

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Brocante of Devon The Gift Experts 39 Brook Street Tavistock PL19 0HE 01822 613137

Virtual Tour at https://goo.gl/maps/7MTyO 41

DREAMING OF

GORGEOUS

GIFTS

drakecircus.com

BL682_Drake_PressAd_Gifting_226.5x157mm_TavyLinks_AW.indd 1

03/11/2016 16:32

WHAT’S ON 17 December

20 December

21 December

Christmas Door Wreath Workshop with Amanda Randell

Family Christmas Holiday Activities

Dogworthy’s Christmas Cracker

Christmas workshop: Thu 1 Dec and 17 Dec 9.30am £67 Christmas door wreath (all equipment included) including two course lunch and glass of wine.

Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot, Tavistock 01822 870000 (booking essential).

17 December

Plymouth Arts Centre Xmas Workshop

Christmas Workshop with Maddy 1–4pm.

For families of all ages. £5 per family. On the fifth day of Christmas, my arts centre gave to me.....An ‘ Instant Christmassy Cloth Book Workshop’ Cut, arrange and stitch a cloth book using a range of fabrics.

Explore colour, composition, collage and pattern to make a simple narrative for your book. No sewing experience required and all materials provided. Advance booking essential.

17 December

Nine Lessons and Carols

At Our Lady of the Assumption, Tavistock.

A festival of Nine Lessons and Carols inspired by the original 1880 Truro Cathedral Service.

For choir and congregation - featuring Canticorum. 7pm – 9pm All welcome - Refreshments will be available after the festival. www.ourladytavistock.org.uk

Burrator Discovery Centre. Drop in between 10am-4pm. £1 per person.

19 December

Tavy Turners Club Family Social Evening

The Scout Hut in Pixon Lane in Tavistock at 7.30pm Gallery exhibition of work.

Family show. Jacolly Puppet Theatre’s Dogworthy entertains with his latest magic tricks. Refreshments in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. St Paul’s Church Hall, Yelverton, 2:30pm Tickets £5 (£4.50 for bookings of 4 or more) from the Cornish Riviera Box Office tel. 01726 879500

19 – 23 December

An audience with Olde Father Christmas

Buckland Abbey, on the hour from 3-7pm.

Rediscover the Christmas magic as Olde Father Christmas invites you into the Great Hall for tales of Christmas past. Booking essential, call 0344 249 1895 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland to book.

Children £4.50 (includes gift), adults £2.50.

21 December

The Christmas Extravaganza

St Mary’s, Sampford Spiney, the Christmas Extravaganza is something of an institution – a mix of popular carols, bad jokes and light hearted music and song, helped along by hot mulled wine and mince pies in the interval. Tickets are £5 per adult with children free; available from members of the PCC or at the door on the night.

Programme will begin at 7.15pm.

18 December

Burrator Discovery Centre Family Wildlife Watch Session

10.30am-12.30pm -Christmas Woodland Crafts. Wear outdoor clothes. £1 per person 18 December

Wreath Making Workshop

Live music from the 60s to recent...

ONE 4 THE ROAD

Always a great night !

A wide range of popular songs suitable for all occasions

Call Tim on 07778 308921 or 01822 617729 to make a booking for your event

www.lemonrock.com/one4theroad

Burrator Discovery Centre drop in between 10am-4pm. £5 per wreath.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

43

WHAT’S ON & online at www.crbo.co.uk/jacolly; or in person from Mansbridge Balment, Yelverton.

22 December

Tamar Valley Walk & Talk

Beyond Walking for Health...Around Kit Hill, 90mins+. Meet: 10am Tamar Valley Centre (or first Kit Hill car park at 10:20am) 22 December

Dogworthy’s Christmas Cracker

Family show. Jacolly Puppet Theatre’s Dogworthy entertains with his latest magic tricks. Refreshments in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Tavistock Town Hall, 2:30pm Tickets £5 (£4.50 for bookings of 4 or more) from the Cornish Riviera Box Office tel. 01726 879500 & online at www.crbo.co.uk/jacolly; or in person from Bookstop, 3 Market St, Tavistock.

22 December

Sheepstor Candlelight Carol Service

A traditional candlelit carol service at St Leonard’s Church, Sheepstor at 4pm followed by festive refreshments. Don’t forget your torch as you will need it to find your car! All very welcome 23 December

Christmas Wine Tasting Dinner

5th January

Tamar Valley Walk & Talk 10:10am - Hingston Down Circular, up to 30 mins - meet: Tamar Valley Centre to car share to Hingston Down Quarry 7th January

Bere Ferrers Wassail

Come & help Dartmoor Border Morris scare away the evil spirits with your pot`s & pans, making a racket that no evil spirit would want to hang around the orchard!! There will be pasties & song, but also a small charge on the door. www. dartmoorbordermorris.com

26th December

Dartmoor Border Morris

We will be out and dancing at their local pub, the Royal Oak in Meavy, from 12 lunch time!! Come and dance that Christmas dinner off, or bring your own instrument & join in the Morris style music session afterwards. www. dartmoorbordermorris.com

8 January

Wassail at Buckland Abbey

29th December

Tamar Valley Walk & Talk

10am - Calstock Quay Circular, 30-60 mins - meet: Calstock Quay, by the bus stop

Grab your bells, bring along your pots and pans and help the team from Buckland Abbey and Dartmoor Border Morris to make as much noise as possible to awaken the orchard and to wish them a bountiful new year. 12noon-4pm 16 January 2017

JANUARY

Tavy Turners Demonstration

2nd January

New Year Charity Breakfast

Clearbrook village hall - come along for a delicious, hearty breakfast between 9.00 and 12.00 a.m. in the Clearbrook village hall. Please contact Chris Britton at chris@ clearbrookdevon.co.uk to book or for further information.

W FR e’re IEN DL Y

Enjoy a complimentary aperitif with seasonal canapés to begin, then join us in the restaurant for a delicious four-course

dinner, with a carefully matched wine to accompany each course, introroduced by our wine expert Charles Steevenson.

Discover some tantalising wines from around the globe, and learn about their key characteristics and styles, in the historic setting of The Bedford Hotel. £50per person – booking essential.

At 7.30pm by Mike Edmonds at the Scout Hut in Pixon Lane in Tavistock followed by a hands-on opportunity. Competition: a pear 3” high.

17 January

Volunteer recruitment day

Buckland Abbey, 11-2pm Have you ever thought about volunteering

DO G

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP SINCE JULY 2016

A delightful Dartmoor village hotel with à la carte restaurant.

Rooms and restaurant recently refurbished.

Now taking bookings for Festive Season parties.

Christmas Day 5-course lunch £55 per head (single sitting).

Trina and Boycey look forward to welcoming you!

“A lovely meal in the restaurant, good friendly staff, nice breakfast . Would throughly recommend as good value for money” WilliamQ August 2016

44

01822 618474

The Coach House Ottery, Ottery, Devon PL19 8NS

trinafez@googlemail.com • www.thecoachhouseonline.co.uk

To promote your business to 25,000 homes - call 01822 615627

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

WHAT’S ON at Buckland Abbey? Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience and a way to learn new skills and make friends. Come for a chat, meet the team, enjoy some tea and find out how we can work together throughout the year ahead.

and buyers at 10 am. £5 per car/table.

Refreshments available.

11 February

An evening of music and humour!

Meavy Parish Hall 7.30pm “Dartmoor Prison’s Conscientious Objectors of WW1”- a talk by Simon Dell

Bere Alston Bowling Club with Black Jack Davey - 8.00 for 8.30 start, tickets £5 in advance (including a pasty supper) from the Bowling Club on Tuesday evenings or calling 07816 685484 or message via our Facebook page. Licensed bar open to non-members.

26 January

20 February

Evening Talk on ‘Sett Makers Bankers’ by Simon Dell

Tavy Turners A.G.M

17 January

Yelverton & District Local History Society

Burrator Discovery Centre 7pm arrival, 7.30pm-8.30pm £3 per person. Please book your place in advance, ring 01822 855700, e-mail heritage@swlakestrust.org.uk or just pop into the Centre.

29 January

Family Wildlife Watch Session

All about Birds. Burrator Discovery Centre 10.30am-12.30pm - Wear outdoor clothes. £1 per person.

At 7.30pm at the Scout Hut in Pixon Lane in Tavistock followed by a hands-on opportunity February 21

5 February

Car boot and Table Top Sale

Bere Alston Bowling Club - sellers at 9am

To find out about...

A

WHAT’S ON in your local area VISIT

Dartmoorlinks.co.uk

OPENING IN 17 JANUARY 20

Yelverton & District Local History Society

Meavy Parish Hall 7.30pm “The Road to Messines: Military Mining on the Western Front 1915-17” - a talk by Rick Stewart

LOOKING AHEAD : Tuesday 18th April to Sunday 7th May

TAVISTOCK FESTIVAL

FEBRUARY

events. A twenty day feast of activity and entertainment – both at the Wharf and at many venues in and around the town.

Festival brochures will be available from mid March and details will be published in Links magazines in April/May; details will also be available on the Festival website – www.tavistockmusic.co.uk – from early February.

The fifteenth Tavistock Festival is planned in partnership with the Wharf Arts Centre, Mount Kelly College, the Bedford Hotel and the Links magazines with events taking place in venues in and around Tavistock; the Wharf is acting as the Box Office for many of the ticketed

We have included as many events as possible here in the magazine but for a full and comprehensive list please see our new community website: www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk All event listings are FREE. Send details to editorial@ tavylinks.co.uk or upload directly to our website by pressing the SUBMIT button.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

ly refurbished Visit our New io and Hat Stud Dress Agency ar in the New Ye View our amazing, carefully selected ladies new and pre-owned designer clothing and accessories.....

We will always be looking for beautiful designer pieces to add to our constantly changing collection.....

The hat studio will be stocked with Fascinators, Hatinators and Hats in all shapes, sizes and colours to purchase or to hire for special occasions. A hat trimming service will be available.

All enquiries: whisperstavistock@gmail.com or Find us on Facebook @whisperstavistock Website and Phone number to be advised soon!

20 Market Street Tavistock PL19 0DE 45

TAVISTOCK’S MOST FLEXIBLE VENUE Whether you’re holding a gala dinner, a wedding, planning a dinner dance, or even an exercise class, our facilities and friendly and experienced staff make our elegant Gothic building at the heart of Tavistock the ideal place to hold your event.

Fully Licensed Bar Licensed for Civil Ceremonies Seating for up to 190 People Full Disabled Access Modern Kitchen Facilities Full Days Hire from £470

Call Ross and his team today to discuss your needs and reserve your time and date

01822 617232 Call Ross and his team today to discuss your needs and reserve your time and date

| www.tavistocktownhall.co.uk T. 01822 617232 E. townhall@tavistock.gov.uk townhall@tavistock.gov.uk www.tavistocktownhall.co.uk Tavistock Town Hall, Bedford Square, Tavistock PL19 0AE Tavistock Town Hall, Bedford Square, Tavistock, PL19 0AE Sp O Av f eci ai fer al la s bl e

ee e Fr ckl s i P Jar

Monday: 12pm to 9pm Tues to Sat: 11am to 9pm Open all Bank Holiday Mondays as normal Families Welcome • OAP Specials Available To place an order please call

YOUR LOCAL

WHAT’S ON

LUNCHTIME LECTURES TAVISTOCK WHARF Organised by Dr Ann Pulsford, in aid of Friends of the Wharf

Every Monday at 2pm-All Welcome

DECEMBER 2016

GATEWAY TO NORTHERN DARTMOOR 30th January 2017 ANNE ROBINSON SOLDIERS OF THE BOER WAR

12th December 2016 DOUG HERDSON DARWIN IN DEVON 19th December 2016 DR TODD GRAY ELIZABETHAN NAME CALLING

JANUARY 2017

FEBRUARY 2017 6th February LINDA ELLIOTT HISTORY OF TAVISTOCK’S SHOPS

9th January 2017 PAM KEMP TRAVELS IN TIBET

13th February IAN KILPATRICK ST PETERSBURG TO MOSCOW BY BOAT

16th January 2017 SIMON DELL DARTMOOR’S CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

20th February BARBIE THOMPSON HISTORY OF HORSES IN ART

23rd January 2017 ANDREW THOMPSON HISTORIC OKEHAMPTON:

at Lakeside, Roadford Lake

27th February DR TOM GREEVES LYDFORD CASTLE & DARTMOOR’S TINNERS

Sunday Carvery

With views over the lake it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hearty roast with friends and family.

12.30pm - 2.00pm Bring this advert with you to receive 10% off your carvery or in the café and gift shop.

To reserve a table call 01566 784859

from

£8.95

www.lakesideroadford.org.uk • PL16 0RL

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

47

Welcome to...

We at Tavistock Wharf are over the moon to now be publishing our events in Moor Links and Tavy Links magazines and as such be able to get the message out to everyone in the area that we are a premier theatre venue staging live music, live theatre, and cinema!

We are also a great venue for locals to drop in, visit our cafe and have a look around our art gallery.

As the Links magazines are delivered to every home in specific postcode areas – all very much in our vicinity - we hope with more people now being able to access our programming, we will be able to welcome more customers through our doors.

At the Wharf we are a friendly bunch and pride ourselves on operating a well run friendly and popular venue. Whether you are a cinema buff or like to hear bands on stage playing 100% live music, we will have something in our programming to interest all of you. Maybe you love opera but have never been able to afford a visit to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden? If so, check out our live broadcasts where you can be part of the audience, but at a fraction of the cost.

Box Office: 01822 611166

48

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

I, Daniel Blake

Moana (PG) 103 minutes

9 December - 15 December

16 December - 29 December

Snowden (15) 134 minutes

Collateral Beauty (TBC)

30 December - 5 January

6 January - 12 January

Passengers (12A) TBC

Sully (12A) 96 minutes

13 January - 19 January

20 January - 26 January

(15) 100 minutes A middle aged carpenter who requires state welfare after injuring himself, is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario.

The NSA’s illegal surveillance techniques are leaked to the public by one of the agency’s employees, Edward Snowden.

A spacecraft travelling to a distant planet & transporting thousands of people has a malfunction in its sleep chamber awakening two passengers 90 years early.

A young woman uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island.

Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui.

An advertising executive encounters three mysterious figures who encourage him to move on from the past.

The story of Chesley Sullenberger, an American pilot who became a hero after landing his damaged plane on the Hudson River in order to save the flight’s passengers and crew.

GALLERY.......................

Mount Kelly Exhibition The artwork of Jennie Hale and Mary Gillet will be presented alongside that of our pupils, showcasing artists of the present and potentially, of the future.

Monday 28 November to Friday 6 January 2017

LIVE brOADCASTS......

No Man’s Land live from the National Theatre

The Nutcracker From The Royal Opera House

Thursday 15 December 7pm

Sunday 18 December 2pm

The Tempest The Royal Shakespeare Company

Il trovatore

On a distant island a man waits. Today’s most advanced technology in a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s magical play.

The first revival of David Bösch’s new production for The Royal Opera, with two casts inc. Maria Agresta, Lianna Haroutounian, Anita Rachvelishvili and Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Wednesday 11 January 7pm

Tuesday 31 January 7pm

Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land

A young girl’s enchanted present leads her on a wonderful adventure in this classic ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s glittering score

Tavistock Wharf Box Office 01822 611166

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

Online booking available for all music events at...

Total Who Show

Friday 2 December

Joey the Lips

Saturday 3 December

Martin Harley

Tuesday 8 December Martin Harley is a supremely talented Roots and Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter with a burgeoning global reputation.

Lindisfarne This show plays all the hits from The Who’s early years: Tommy, Live at Leeds, Quadrophenia and many more.

Whole Lotta Led

Friday 16 December

Joey The Lips are renowned for their live performances featuring a varied portfolio of classic soul, blues, funk and motown material.

Bjorn Belief - Abba Tribute

Saturday 17 December

Friday 9 December Rod Clement’s keeps alive the unique legacy of one of British rock’s great bands.

Run for Home, Fog on the Tyne, Lady Eleanor, all the hits will be played!

Desperado

Saturday 10 December Hotel California is arguably one of the most iconic albums ever released, and probably the album the Eagles are most proud of.

Voodoo Room On 7th January 1996 Whole Lotta Led played their first show at The Farrier’s Arms in Bristol. Little did the band realise then that twenty years later they would still be together and performing.

Formed in Swansea in 2002, the band is made up of four accomplished musicians who not only sound like the famous Swedish performers they look just like them too.

Mad Dog Mcrae

Rock and Roll Outlaws

Friday 23 December

Saturday 31 December

Saturday 14 January VOODOO ROOM are a new and exciting Classic Power Trio, paying tribute to both “Hendrix” & “Cream.” Featuring some of the U.K.’s finest musicians.

Sam Brockington

Saturday 21 January

“A fantastic vocal talent with stand out lyrics and huge potential.” Sam Bonham (BBC Introducing Presenter)

Guns 2 Roses

Saturday 28 January Mad Dog Mcrea raise hands, lift feet and start parties wherever they play with their dance-demanding recipe of folk, pop, rock, jazz and bluegrass.

Tavistock’s finest and most popular rock bands are back with us to help bring in the New Year in full party style, always a fun fabulous night but be sure to get your tickets.

The most notorious Guns n Roses tribute and the only Guns n Roses Tribute to play lives with 4 different members of Guns N Roses!

FACEBOOK.COM/TAVISTOCKWHARF

For full details and how to book events visit our website: www.tavistockwharf.com

49

WHAT’S ON EXTRA Saturday 11th February

Judie Tzuke

Songs and Stories tour comes to Tavistock After the sell out success of the Songs and Stories 2015 tour, which saw Judie perform over 40 concerts around the country, she is back on the road performing these special acoustic concerts and will be calling at Tavistock Wharf on February 11th.

This promises to be an intimate evening of old favourites and new songs and tales from across her life and career.

Judie Tzuke is one of the UK’s finest Singer/Songwriters and is known all over the world for her timeless song, ‘Stay With Me Till Dawn’, with many top 10 albums, including the revered classic, ‘Welcome to the Cruise’ and her exquisite live shows.

Judie will be showing once again what an extraordinary artist she is!

She was born Judie Myers in London to an English mother and a Polish father. Her father’s family had come to Britain from Poland in the 1920’s and originally settled in Yorkshire. They changed their name from their original Polish name “Tzuke” to Myers because it was one of the more common names in Yorkshire at that time and they wanted to blend into the community where they had come to live.

Her father Sefton Myers, was a successful Park Lane based property developer, who also managed artists and singers. He co-managed and supported Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice while they wrote Jesus Christ Superstar but unfortunately he died a few weeks before the musical opened. He had also been Chief Barker of The Variety Club of Great Britain and was a very popular impresario. Her mother Jean Silverside was an actress in films and popular TV series’ such as The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin, The Marty Feldman show, The Goodies and

various other TV plays.

After an education in the arts, music and drama, by the age of 15 Judie spent most of her time writing poems which she turned into songs and playing folk clubs, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. In 1975 she met Mike Paxman and together they started to write the songs that were to become her first releases. After making some demo tapes, they managed to get a record deal with David Bowie and T.Rex producer Tony Visconti’s label Good Earth.

Judie decided to change her name back to her original family’s surname “Tzuke”. A single was released: “These are The Laws” which was recorded and produced by Tony Visconti and came out under the name of “Tzuke and Paxo”. Whilst at Good Earth, Judie and Mike met Bob Noble and Paul Muggleton who were also on the label with their band “Omaha Sheriff”.

Judie’s first album ‘Welcome To The Cruise’ was released in 1979 along with the single ‘Stay With Me ‘Till Dawn’. The song stayed in the UK charts for 16 weeks, and she made three live appearances on Top of the Pops.

Tickets to see Judi Tzuke cost £20 in advance from the Wharf’s box office on 01822 611166

Drake’s Auctions Drake’s Auctions Tavistock Tavistock

Auctioneers

Valuers

Sales are held at Parade Business Park, Tavistock, fortnightly on Mondays.

Viewings held from 9-12 noon Saturday and 12-4.30pm on the Sunday preceding sale.

See our website for the full auction calendar.

Antiques • Collectables • Jewellery • Quality Furniture • Household Appliances • Garden Furniture • Tools & Machinery We offer house clearance and valuation services, and take in goods at our office, every Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 4pm and Saturday 9am - 12 noon.

For more information call us on: 01822 616992

www.drakesauctions.co.uk Unit 6 Parade Business Park, Pixon Lane, Tavistock PL19 9RQ 50

Design, Print & Copywriting services - call us to discuss your next project 01822 853110

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

The Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature and the Arts TAVISTOCK & WEST DEVON BRANCH

The Devonshire Association was founded just over 150 years ago and is dedicated to the study and appreciation of all matters relating to Devon. It is the only society concerned with every aspect of the county and is probably the only one of its kind in Britain.

In 1861 a Cornishman, William Pengelly, advocated the establishment of a local organisation concentrating on Devon and covering all aspects of scholarly enquiry. At that time various meetings of the Royal Society and the Royal Institution were being convened regarding the possibility that the planet earth was thousands and maybe even millions of years old and November 1859 had seen the publication of Darwin’s Origin of Species. At this controversial period the Devonshire Association was formed, holding its first meeting in Exeter in 1862.

Membership grew from an initial 69 in 1887 to reach a record of over 1,800 in the Association’s centenary year. Today there are some 1,300 members. The Association is open to all who have an interest in Devon’s exceptionally rich history, natural science and cultural heritage.

Over 100 activities take place each year throughout the county – talks, exhibitions, symposia, concerts, excursions, walks, field trips and courses. Open to all is the three-day Annual Conference traditionally held in a different Devon town each year and including the AGM, a public lecture, research papers, a Dinner and a programme of local excursions. Another major annual event is the President’s Symposium, an event conceived and co-organised by the incumbent President.

The most significant record of the Association’s activities is contained in its annual Reports and Transactions series which has provided an outlet for a wide range of original research, reviews and scholarship on Devon since 1863. How fortunate we are to have, here on our doorstep in the Devonshire Association, the greatest source of information anywhere about the great county in which we live. For additional information please log into our web-site http://devonassoc.org.uk The Tavistock & West Devon Branch of the Association holds meetings on a monthly basis from September to April attracting highly renowned speakers on a wide variety of topics of local interest from science, literature and the arts to Dartmoor, industrial archaeology and folklore. Great emphasis is placed on the social aspect of our evenings. Over the summer months we enjoy outings to places of interest in the county and guided walks and excursions on Dartmoor. The annual highlight is our social evening – a buffet supper followed by a light-hearted talk, affording us a chance to reminisce and engage with new members.

Our next meeting on Friday, 16th December at 7.30 pm will be an illustrated talk on the "Discovery of the Sittaford Circle" by the archaeologist, Alan Endacott, followed on Friday 20th January by the annual Social Evening. Pre-booking essential. Both meetings will be held at the Tavistock Parish Centre. You are warmly welcome to come to either or both of these events. For further details, please ring 01822 852 636

Come and enjoy morning coffee by the roaring log fires Take afternoon tea or a light lunch Lunch and Dinner are both served in our elegant and relaxed dining rooms A private chefs table for special occasions Please call for a copy of our Diary of Events We welcome non residents and are open all year

A Family Run Hideaway in Devon See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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

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

51

NATIONAL TRUST

Feeling jolly at Cotehele The 60th-anniversary flower garland is up, the choirs have started to sing and the chefs are busy cooking festive lunches in the restaurants. It’s feeling a lot like Christmas at Cotehele, the National Trust place near Saltash.

In honour of the garland’s diamond anniversary, this year the gardeners have given it a new look. Choirs and local musicians are performing under it every afternoon until 24 December. The 60ft swag will adorn the Tudor Hall until 31 December (closed Christmas and Boxing Day).

Family activities include a Father Christmas dog-friendly family trail through the woods, festive art and craft fun with Father Christmas, and Mother and Father Christmas will be receiving visitors in their grotto for four days.

The Barn Restaurant at the House and the Edgcumbe tea-room on Cotehele Quay are serving holiday menus for lunch and afternoon tea. There are beautiful gift ideas for everyone on your list in the shop and in the ‘All Wrapped Up’ exhibition in Cotehele Gallery.

Lyrical links in the Library at Cotehele Saturday 26 November – 24 December, 11am-4pm Discover some items in Cotehele’s collection, and some aspects of its history, that link with the lyrics of Christmas carols and songs. Normal admission charges apply.

Let’s Wassail at Cotehele Saturday 17 December, 11.30am-12pm Come along for this pagan festival to scare away the evil spirits in the orchards and ensure a good harvest in 2017. Drums, kazoos and fancy dress encouraged. Assistance dogs only, free.

Volunteer recruitment day at Cotehele Wednesday 18 January, 11am-3pm Have you ever thought about volunteering at Cotehele? Pop in for a chat, meet the team, have some tea and find out how we might work together in 2017, free.

Find details of dates, times and prices at: www.nationaltrust. org.uk/cotehele.

Escape from the hurly burly and enjoy a traditional Christmas at Cotehele.

01579 351346 nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

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© National Trust Images/Matt Stockman. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Christmas at Cotehele

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

Make your own Christmas Garland or Wreath We’ve been hugely inspired by the wonderful Christmas garland at Cotehele and so thought it would be fun to re-create our own smaller version for Christmas. We joined Lyn Edwards at Hoots Roots who showed us a simple but effective way to make our own:

Step 3.

Add each bunch to your ring or rope – twisting in to place with more florists wire. Keep all the bunches going round in the same direction (clockwise etc.)

to create willow stars, Christmas trees, garlands and table-centres.

Step 4.

Step 1.

Leave as simple foliage at this stage or adorn with festive pine cones, baubles, cinnamon sticks or orange slices – again attaching with florists wire.

Use a woven willow ring for a wreath or a length of 1”inch thick rope if making a garland. (Willow rings should be available from good florists shops)

Hang on the door with a further length of string or use as a table decoration.

Regularly spray with water and it should last a good 2-3 weeks.

Step 2.

Create approximately 10 – 14 small bunches of foliage (all of a similar length of about 6”inches). Choose a variety of garden foliage with varying colours. Hold each bunch together with a good twisting of florists wire.

Lyn will be running her ‘Christmas from the Hedgerow’ course at Hoots Roots on Wednesday 14th December. Learn how

Craft Courses

Set in the Tavy Valley beneath the Shillamill Viaduct and the Tavistock Canal, we invite you to join us on an exciting programme of rural craft courses. We offer expert tuition in a tranquil setting in small friendly groups to suit all abilities.

December

Luxury Christmas Wreath Felted Christmas Wreath Edible Christmas Wreath Christmas from the Hedgerow

Regular Clubs

Tuesday 6th December Wednesday 7th December Tuesday 13th December Wednesday 14th December

January

Wet Felting Willow (Snails & Dragonflies) Willow (Zarzo Platter & Basket)

Spinning - Wednesdays and Saturdays Foraging - Commences in March

Wednesday 11th January Saturday 14 January Tuesday 17 January

Gardening and Craft for Children – coming soon!

To find out more please telephone Anne on 01822 258802 or check our Hoot’s Roots Facebook page.

Visit our website www.hootsroots.co.uk for full details, times and prices

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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NATIONAL TRUST

Buckland Abbey

Join us for an Elizabethan Christmas and floral festivities in the Great Barn.

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived – as we celebrate the festive season with a huge programme of events inside and out at Buckland Abbey this Christmas.

Open from 1-23 December, the ground floor of the Abbey is dressed for an Elizabethan Christmas. Discover the sights and smells of festive cookery in the kitchen, admire the greenery in the Great Hall and find a moment to reflect on the year gone by in the chapel.

Outdoors, the Great Barn once again comes alive with colour as local flower arranging societies have put together a unique interpretation of the carol The First Nowell. The Christmas display in the Great Barn is open every day from 1 December – 2 January (closed 24-25 December) from 10.30am – 4pm.

For the first time, the estate walks, garden, restaurant and shop will be opening up every weekend throughout January. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm,.

For more details on all of Buckland Abbey’s events this winter, head to the website nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland or give us a call on 01822 853607.

Winter Lates 7, 14 and 19-23 December, 4-8pm

Experience the Christmas magic under the evening stars inside and out, as the Great Barn and shop stay open late for more chances to get into the festive spirit and to tick off your Christmas shopping list.

The Great Tudor Christmas Cook-off 1, 6, 8, 13 and 15 December, 11am-3.30pm

Meet the Tudor cooks hard at work as they cook up a festive feast in the Abbey kitchen. Pick up a recipe card to try a modern day version of a Tudor classic at home.

An audience with Olde Father Christmas 19 – 23 December, on the hour from 3-7pm.

Rediscover the Christmas magic as Olde Father Christmas invites you into the Great Hall for tales of Christmas past.

Booking essential, call 0344 249 1895 or visit nationaltrust.org. uk/buckland to book. Children £4.50 (includes gift), adults £2.50.

Christmas at Buckland Abbey

When you come to enjoy a Tudor Christmas, you help us look after the Abbey all year round When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us to look after special places around Tavistock such as Buckland Abbey, Cotehele and Lydford Gorge for ever, for everyone.

nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland

© National Trust 2016. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images \ Grant Wyness

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#bucklandchristmas .

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NATIONAL TRUST

Winter at Lydford Gorge Winter walking revitalises the senses and celebrates the end of the seasonal year. Early nightfall. Crisp mornings.

Sharp silhouettes of leaf bare branches. Tune into the magic and beauty of the season and take a walk to the White Lady waterfall at Lydford Gorge.

This year as a new offer to our visitors we are opening our waterfall walk with its tearoom and a special Christmas Kiosk at our waterfall entrance every Friday through to Sunday from the 4th November up until the 18th December, 11am – 3.30pm with last entry at 3pm. So come and take a beautiful walk to the waterfall, warm up with hot chocolate and delicious cake then browse through our selection of local traditional gifts in our Christmas kiosk. With a winter entry fee of £3.50 per adult and free for children, or free entrance if you are a member of the National Trust, this is a special wintery experience you will not want to miss.

Our main shop at the Devil’s cauldron entrance is also open for Christmas shopping from Wednesday to Sunday from November 3rd until the 18th of November from 11am until 3.30pm. Then Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday December 19-24, 11am-3.30pm.

Lydford Gorge Winter Fayre Sunday December 4, 11am-3.30pm (free entry) Start off the Christmas season at Lydford Gorge. Local craftspeople will be selling Christmas gifts, local Christmas trees for sale, ranger crafts for all the family to join in with and hand bell ringers to entertain. Refreshments available from our tea-room.

The short walks to the White Lady Waterfall are open throughout the year. The other paths in the gorge are closed for winter maintenance work. The rest of the gorge reopens on Saturday 4 March 2017.

Volunteering: Making new friends, working in amazing places and knowing that you're helping a great cause - just three fabulous reasons to get volunteering. See www.nationaltrust. org.uk/volunteer

Winter walking revitalises the senses and celebrates the end of the seasonal year. Early nightfall. Crisp mornings.

Sharp silhouettes of leaf bare branches. Tune into the magic and beauty of the season and take a walk to the White Lady waterfall at Lydford Gorge.

Members and under 5s go free.

01822 820320 nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

© National Trust Images/nationaltrustimages/paulstapleton. Registered Charity Number 205846.

Lydford Gorge in winter

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MUSIC & ART

Saturday 17th December

Stannary Brass Band Angela Rippon, O.B.E, patron of Stannary Brass Band will be the host for their Christmas Concert which will take place in Tavistock Town Hall on Saturday December 17th starting a 7:30.

Angela is looking forward to hosting this extremely popular annual event and hopes that a full house will be entertained to not only traditional Brass Band music, Christmas pieces and joining in with carol singing.

The band’s special guests this year are the Plymouth Mayflower Harmony Chorus with the Carousel Quartet. The band is once again grateful to the continued support of the Lions Club of Tavistock, Fairway Furniture and Ward & Chowen Estate Agents.

Tickets are available from Ward & Chowen in Tavistock and Yelverton and are priced at £8 adult and £2 under 18.

Spring into 2017 with a Villages in Action show…..

In 2017, Villages in Action (ViA) is moving into its twentythird year as the rural touring scheme for Devon. Some of the remotest and smallest villages on the Moor have been delighted to receive the world-class performers the scheme delivers to Devon doorsteps. In spite of austerity measures in the arts, which saw ViA lose Arts Council and district council support, their programme of professional drama, dance, music, puppetry and comedy has continued undaunted through the tenacity and fundraising of their village-level volunteers.

accomplished Folk duo, Cosgrave and Banks, are in Lydford on 10th February. More shows are in the pipeline as February, March and April unfold and a spring Villages in Action programme will soon be available. Booking information for all performances, as well as info on how to support the scheme, can be found on the Villages in Action website www.villagesinaction.co.uk.

This January and February, Villages in Action promoters in Lydford and Mary Tavy are gearing up to host performers from across the world. The autumn season has seen village halls filling with over a hundred audience members and we hope spring will follow suit. Director, Roger Werner, believes touring shows add enormous value to village life.

“I’ve developed whiskers for shows that will make an impact. Something magical happens when highly talented touring performers do their thing in a full hall. A shared memory is made, which resonates with villagers for months and years to come.”

The season kicks off with jazz outfit, The Brubeck Project in Mary Tavy on 19th January. Droll and 56

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MUSIC & ART

Get involved with the Tavonians Tavonians Theatre Company is on the up! After two years without a major production, several are now being planned running into 2018. How has this come about? Well we have been extremely fortunate in being able to chose some very exciting and interesting plays at the same time as finding some new actors and welcoming back some previous performers. But we still need more people so that we can do even more exciting shows.

announced shortly) and we would love to see some new faces.

It will be staged in the Wharf in mid-March and then on a short tour.

Among the plays being planned for next year are Shadowlands and Betrayal. Shadowlands is a poignant, humorous and optimistic love story based on the life of shy Oxford don and children's author C S Lewis (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), and the American poet Joy Davidman. It is a beautifully touching play, dramatising the unlikely romance that blossomed between the academic and the poet. Auditions will be held either late in November or early in December in Tavistock (please see website for details which will be

Play readings are planned for 13 January (a comedy) and 10 February (a thriller) with further readings each month. These will take place in the Guide Hall. Details to be announced.

Betrayal is based on Harold Pinter’s affair with Joan Bakewell.

Whether you are interested in acting or doing something to help backstage or front of house, please come along or get in touch by email info@tavonians.org.uk.

A Christmas party is also planned for 15 December.

For further details of all of these events please check out our website (www.tavonians.org.uk) or our Facebook page. We look forward to meeting you.

Saturday 10th December

Mount Kelly Choral Society

RHS CHELSEA GOLD MEDALIST 2014

Mount Kelly Choral Society will present a programme of Christmas music on Saturday 10th December, 7.30p.m. at St Eustachius’ Church in Tavistock including Vivaldi’s exuberant setting of the Gloria and favourite carols for choir. The concert features soloists Rosemary Turner and Helen Haviland and will be conducted by Mount Kelly Director of Music, Julian Jensen.

Admission is £10 by programme, available from Bookstop , Ward & Chowen in Tavistock, or on the door.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Workshops available

One to one’s or groups Experience playing with flowers with your friends and learning techniques you can use at home.

MDPF

Master Florist 07973 226710 01822 870888

www.amandarandell.co.uk 57

BOOK REVIEW

Goodbye Pet & See You in Heaven,

by Bel Mooney Review by Natasha Church at Book Stop, Tavistock

Bel Mooney explores our relationship with pet animals, through the death of her beloved dog, Bonnie. The more I read this book, the more I became aware of my own complex connection with animal kind.

While highlighting the necessity of learning to let go of departed pets and keep living 'in the moment', Bel honours the depth of grief that can be felt when a pet dies. and reiterates that animals are just as worthy of our love as humans.

She describes the journey with Bonnie, from being an abandoned rescue dog to acting as a loyal, mindful, loving companion - a “chief comforter” - through life's ups and downs.

She says “Your dog will love you, no matter what you have become”.

the dog': “And why was I so attached so profoundly to this little mad dog...?

Why have I cried as one cries for a lost friend?

Is it not that the unquenchable tenderness which I feel for everything that lives...is a brotherhood of suffering”? Emile Zola (1840-1902) Partly biographical, partly spiritual and fully honest and delightful.

Do watch this space, as I am planning to hold an event with Bel Mooney in Spring 2017!

Literary quotes are scattered throughout, emphasising the validity of the human-animal connection and the 'ancient love of

Book Stop’s Top Ten for Christmas…..

• The Tobacconist by Robert Seethaler. A 17-year-old boy moves from 1937 Austria to Vienna – a novel in which the light illuminates dark times. Hardback £12.99 • His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae. Shortlisted for the Booker 2016. Triple murder in 1869. Paperback £8.99 • Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, by Carlo Rovelli. Everything you need to know about modern physics. Paperback £6.99 • Private Eye Annual, edited by Ian Hislop – No explanation needed! Hardback £9.99 • Eileen, by Otttessa Mosfegh. A hard-hitting depiction of a double life. Paperback £8.99 • Road to Little Dribbling, by Bill Bryson. Follow up to Notes From a Small Island. Paperback £8.99 • Night School, by Lee Child. New Jack Reacher thriller.

Hardback £20.00 • Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins. Mystery witnessed from a train window. Recently made into a film. Paperback £8.99

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Children’s Books • The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop, by Clare Balding. Girl protagonist helps a horse with a crisis of confidence. Hardback £10.99 • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down. Greg Heffley under pressure! Hardback £12.99

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M

.O

❤

oor

ke

Help support our local independent shops and businesses! . Tavy

Tavistock is lucky enough to have a wonderful eclectic mix of independent shops and businesses. It is vitally important that we all support them to keep Tavistock as one of the best places to live in the UK.

THE WATCHMAN OF TAVISTOCK

FUDGE-TASTIC

THE TOY CUPBOARD

Locally Handmade Fudge, Traditional & Pic ’n’ Mix Sweets, Turkish Delight, Liquorice ’n’ All Sorts Tavistock Pannier Market e: info@fudge-tastic.co.uk

Christmas presents? Now you can pay it off weekly or monthly.

PERFIX

TAVISTOCK MARKET WHOLEFOODS

PILLARS NEWSAGENTS

Tools, Ironmongery, Adhesives, String & Tapes.

All in Your Local Market

Natural wholefoods, superfoods, gluten free & vegan.

Homemade goodies too!

Daily & Sunday newspaper deliveries throughout Tavistock.

Tavistock Pannier Market t: 07712 639717

33 The Market, Tavistock, PL19 0AL. t: 01822 610267

HARMONY

DE LA TORRE’S

Modern and Traditional Lighting Gallery. Unusual Mirrors, Giftware and Occasional Furniture

A fantastic range of olives and products from around the Mediterranean.

Barsand House, Pym St, Tavistock PL19 0AW t: 01822 618933

30 The Market, Tavistock, PL19 0AL t: 01822 618478

Batteries, Watch straps, Watches, Scrap gold, Storm of London Tavistock Pannier Market t: 07523 924629 e: watchmantavistock@gmail.com

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

1 North Street, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AN t: 01822 613154 info@thetoycupboarduk.co.uk

4 West Street, Tavistock, PL19 8AD t: 07792 504782

This is just a very small selection of the types of businesses to be found in Tavistock. If you have a business that you would like to promote in our 'Buy Local' section - then please get in touch.

Call 01822 615627 to talk to Tim, Jane or Victoria

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DOG WALK

h t i w s Walk Charlie

Pork Hill to Pew Tor

There are many walks on Dartmoor with spectacular views, but perhaps the most breathtaking of all is one that starts with its very own lookout and ends with a window view of the ocean. From Tavistock to Yelverton, stretching out to Plymouth Sound and beyond - Pork Hill to Pew Tor has everything rolled into one.

Directions: From Tavistock take the B3357 towards Princetown up Pork Hill. At the top, turn left into Cox Tor car park.

Time: Approx. 1.5 hours It doesn’t matter how many times I do this walk, it always takes my breath away. It’s a bit like reading a great book over and over again – you never get bored. When you reach the top of Pork Hill and pull into the car park at Cox Tor you will be greeted with the most stunning view overlooking Tavistock and

afar. This is the start of your walk and it only gets better.

As usual, Charlie sprinted ahead in pursuit of an invisible something that took him into the brittle bracken. When I eventually caught up, the stench coming from his once shiny coat was enough to tell me he’d need a dip in the quarry when we reached Pew Tor! There are lots of paths you can follow to get to the tor, but generally, if you see Princetown mast to your left and keep heading forwards, you can’t go far wrong.

In the car park itself, you will see a plaque facing out towards Tavistock – it’s

• 1 & 2 hr walks - countryside, coast and moorland • Home Boarding - Day, night and longer stays • Secure garden with direct access to a private woodland • Fully insured with references & DBS check Contact Joanne today for a FREE meet and greet 01566 775494 / 07547156160 • dogwalkerandcare@gmail.com 60

re us k a d boo C Fin ace wi th F g on alkin W

g Do

Dog Walking & Home Boarding

a great lookout and has its own map of the surrounding areas set onto a piece of granite.

Charlie and I took our usual route straight ahead, following the path in the direction of Pew Tor just over the horizon. As you come over the hill you’ll see Pew Tor that sits 1040 feet above sea level – if you think the views are great now, wait until you reach the top! A little way along you will come across Windy Post Cross – a medieval cross that is dated by English Heritage between 1400 and 1499.

Alongside the cross runs Grimestone and Sortridge leat – the only remaining leat on Dartmoor that supplements drinking water.

It’s a small climb to Pew Tor and when we got to the top we were greeted by a string of Dartmoor ponies grazing in the winter sunshine. It has to be said that this is my favourite tor of all – the tor itself offers a window view of Dartmoor and on a clear day you can see the Tamar Bridge and across to Plymouth Sound.

Charlie was still in need of a wash so we carried on a little further and followed the path ahead, bearing right until we came to the quarry – one of two that were

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mined for Dartmoor granite. If you look closely you can still see the chisel marks where the granite was cut and sometimes even find the odd chisel jammed in the stone.

When we reached the quarry, I was relieved to see that Charlie had jumped straight in and as I sat on the edge I couldn’t help but let my imagination run away with me – because have you not heard? - Pew Tor is home to pixies that dance and sing under the rocks, and if you listen closely you might just hear the little folk beneath this magical place….!

To return to Cox Tor car park, either re-trace your steps or from the quarry head in a NW direction around the base of Pew Tor until you pick up the leat again and follow along back up to Windy Post.

RockinBikes

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Claire Frances

Wishing all ofof ourbikes, customers a Veryand Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A range clothing accessories to asuit all needs - looking forward to seeing you in 2017

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Quality Lightweight Kids Bikes Friendly Shop Rides

Cycle Hire & Demos Servicing and Repairs Gift Vouchers Custom Build Specialists Premium Scott E-Bike Test Centre • 0% Finance Available Rider-owned and family run cycle shop on the edge of Dartmoor.

Quality Brands, and Friendly Expert Knowledge We Quality stock theService best brands in the business!

Unit 7+8 Harrowbeer Mews, Leg O’ Mutton, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6WE

01822 258 022 Open 7 days a week. Free parking.

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

61

FOOD & WINE

An alternative approach to a classic Christmas For the avid readers of this publication, you may recall that twelve months ago I did in some detail wax lyrical on a flight of more traditional wines to compliment the festive season. That still holds true but with so many exciting and innovative new wines constantly flooding the market, there are inevitably many eclectic alternatives for the adventurous, open minded and enthusiastic imbiber.

There is no doubt that for many, Christmas is just not Christmas without bubbles. Champagne, whilst the undisputed champion might push the budget too far. Can I suggest that one does not automatically steer towards Prosecco, trust me, there are many plausible alternatives. My top tip is ‘Cava’, - top quality Cava has so much to offer.

With a little extra bottle age quality Cava is more akin to a Champagne than Prosecco.

For the perfect Christmas Day Red, aim for lighter, less punchy Reds. Turkey really does not sit happily alongside big, robust Red wines ... so, how about revisiting the all too confusing world of Claret, that being any Red from Bordeaux.

Ranging in price from £7 to thousands of pounds, my handy hint is to go for a Cru Bourgeois. Our star is still Chateau Cissac Haut Medoc 2011.

This vintage is in great shape and with a classic label will add elegance to any Christmas table ... at £16.99, a rare treat.

Viognier. My white grape of the moment, and no one seems to produce better than the French.

From the bouquet to the lingering palate there is the characteristic peachy-apricot fruit with an intriguing waxy texture and a twist of citrus.

Ideal with turkey and smoked salmon.

For many, Boxing Day offers the real focus for food. Previously I recommended any of the Cru Beaujolais, but why not try the less obvious Barbera d’Alba or a young Chianti both bursting with cherry and damson fruit, culinary spice and an invigorating edge... My Barbera d’Alba ...£19.49 .. might seem a little pricey but it is Christmas!

And now pudding wine. So important and with so many options and levels of intensity and style. Rutherglen Muscat is a hard one to beat at £11.99 .. Christmas in a bottle. That said, for less intensity try the Casa Silva GewurztraminerSemillon. Spicy ginger, rose petal and Turkish delight, not too cloying and a zippy citrus finish at £7.99 a half bottle. Do remember that a half bottle of pudding wine will serve 7 people so a little goes a long way.

The editor insisted that I focus on a mere 5 wines ... orders are orders ... but let’s not forget Port…!

Charles Steevenson Steevenson Wines

The private wine division of Steevenson Wines.

"VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS WINES" CLICK & COLLECT... OR FREE LOCAL DELIVERY T: 01822 616272

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E: info@farflungwines.com

farflungwines.com

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CHINESE RESTAURANT AND TAKE AWAY The secret of the Bird’s Nest long-running success can be attributed to two factors; the rich experience of its staff and management, and the high quality of its ingredients. Browsing through the menu is like taking a journey across Asia: from the fresh, exciting flavours of Thailand and China to the rich, complex spices of Malaysia, and from innovative Japanese dishes to the timeless classics of traditional Cantonese cookery.

We do not use MSG in any of our food!

AN AUTHENTIC TASTE OF THE ORIENT Sunday – Thursday 5 – 10:30pm Friday & Saturday 5 – 11pm Open All Bank Holidays Closed Tuesdays

4 Barley Market Street, Tavistock PL19 0JF TO RESERVE A TABLE OR ORDER YOUR TAKE AWAY PLEASE CALL

01822 610611

don’t leave your golden egg to the goose! your future depends on what you do today call Hansford Bell on : 01822 617960 look at our website: www.hansfordbell.co.uk

Culver House, 13 West Street, TAVISTOCK PL19 8AN

BUSINESS

Crowdfunding The modern phenomenon of crowdfunding turns conventional financing on its head.

Traditionally if you had a good business idea but lacked the necessary resources to put your plan into action then it was a question of persuading your bank manager to give you a loan or convincing a group of investors to back your project. The modern phenomenon of crowdfunding turns conventional financing on its head. Instead of a small number of people investing large amounts of money to get a project off the ground, crowdfunding works on the notion of small monetary contributions, but from a vast number of people, made possible in the modern world by the infinite reach of social media. Although the roots of crowdfunding have been around for a long time in the form of newspaper campaigns and subscription schemes, the first recorded example of modern crowdfunding was probably back in 1997 when Marillion fans used an internet campaign to raise enough donations to cover the band’s US tour.

Getting a book published is notoriously difficult and many authors turn to self-publishing to get their work into print.

However, this process obviously comes at a cost, with the associated dilemma of gauging potential sales and deciding how many books to have printed. Matt Buckett successfully used crowdfunding a year ago to launch his first novel - ‘The Weapon’. A local artist and illustrator with a penchant for visual story-telling, Matt started writing and illustrating his new graphic novel by uploading a page each week to his blog and encouraging readers to shape the future story line. As the weeks passed the planned ‘mini’ graphic novel stretched to ten chapters and demand grew for a printed version. A friend recommended crowdfunding and as Matt started to research the concept he realised it could be the way forward for his book.

There are numerous crowdfunding platforms to help launch a product, but Matt was impressed by ‘Kickstarter’ which specialises in helping creative projects – he explains below how he used it to fund his novel.

How did the Kickstarter scheme work?

My particular project was a simple proposal on the face of it, backed up by huge amounts of planning and preparation in order to deliver the goods on time. The basic proposal was to raise enough money through crowdfunding to print the book and post to recipients. As with all crowdfunding projects, the most important element to add to your project is the extra rewards and products you offer at various levels of funding as well as ‘Stretch Goals’ to entice the masses to help push your project as far as possible. This is what took all the planning and extra time. I set a basic level of £3 to fund the book as a digital download or £10 for the physical book (with a free book mark).

Then at all further levels I added bundles of different extras, including stickers, postcards, additional copies of the book,

See our new community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

prints, T-Shirts, baseball caps, Hoodies, original artwork, and even some of the original hand drawn pages from the book.

How did you advertise the scheme and ensure you reached enough people?

Advertising the project was probably the hardest part for me. I used my database and promoted the project through Facebook and Twitter, but as soon as the project went live I only had 30 days to fully fund it. I think one of the most surprising things was that the ‘Kickstarter’ community (i.e. people who browse Kickstarter looking for interesting things to back) paid attention right from the moment the project went live. My initial goal of £2750, which would have covered just printing the book and postage, was reached within 48hrs, and the first stretch goal in the first week. In the end I doubled the initial target leaving enough to invest in all the rewards I had planned for the backers, as well as a few extra free goodies. When I analysed the stats it was really interesting to see that over a third of my backers were strangers, mostly from the Kickstarter community. I was very lucky that a few bloggers picked up my story during the funding process as well.

Would you do it again?

The whole experience was amazing - exhausting, emotional, exciting and fulfilling, but above all I learnt so much about the process of self-publishing that I would not have gained if I had gone to a larger publisher. Of course I would do it again - after extensive planning and preparation.

Crowdfunding in the form of reward-based, equity-based or donation schemes is now used by millions of people all over the world as a means of raising capital to finance business ventures, events, charitable schemes and community enterprises.

Crowdfunding a business venture does not remove the problem of how to sell and market your product once you have raised the funds to produce it, but it does get the ball rolling and helps you test the market without a serious personal financial commitment.

You can view Matt’s original project page on Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1420411900/the-weapona-graphic-novel/description ‘The Weapon’ can be purchased online at http://www.ink-potgraphics.com or at Amazon.co.uk and Comichaus.com

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BUSINESS

Tech Tips from ChezvousPC Microsoft have replaced their “Hotmail Connector” software, and if you previously had Outlook set up with it, it will probably have stopped working by now! It’s an easy job to replace your account settings after removing the connector and you should be back receiving mail just like before!

Are you having iPad update problems?

If your iPad prompts to install updates, don’t set them going, then wander off. One of the updates requires you to create a Passcode and if you just leave your iPad to it, it seems to eventually give up waiting and lock you out. You now have a Passcode that you didn’t create! A trip to see us or the Apple store can get your iPad reset, but just easier if you haven’t got to do it at all!

When was the last time you backed things up?

Have a think about it – how many files or photos have you created since the last time you ran a backup? If the answer is

“Nothing important”, then congratulations; you back up regularly enough! If however there are things you would be worried about losing if your PC/Laptop refused to turn on tomorrow, then maybe it is time to consider dusting off that USB drive and taking 5 minutes to get up to date!

We are STILL getting reports of scam phone-calls!

People are still trying to con their way onto your PC – although we’ve now also started to come across the scam working the other way around – your web browser gets hijacked, and shows you a VERY convincing message, seemingly from Microsoft telling you to ring a number to get your PC fixed! DO NOT ring the number! It is the same scam and you are giving the same scammers full access to your PC! Just turn it off and if you keep getting the message, give us a ring and we’ll sort it out for you!

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CONSTITUENCY NEWS News from Geoffrey Cox MP

Mobile phone reception update...

In areas of Torridge and West Devon mobile phone reception is patchy at best, with many locations experiencing non-existent coverage, making it difficult to stay in touch with others while on the move, or even while at home.

I am contacted regularly by constituents who are concerned about poor mobile phone reception, with businesses and individuals stressing to me how difficult their lives can be without good coverage. They are especially concerned that they perceive Devon to be lagging behind other areas, which now benefit from strong mobile coverage.

In the 21st Century, having a reliable means of communication is essential, and the Government has been firmly committed to improving mobile coverage, such as through the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), as well as improving the wider mobile telecoms market. My colleagues have also ensured that 4G speeds become the norm, and signed a landmark deal with the four main mobile networks to invest £5 billion in the UK communications network, guaranteeing 90 per cent of the UK’s

landmass will have mobile reception by 2017. Alongside other programmes, this will ensure that 98 per cent of people will be able to get 4G mobile coverage by 2017. With its national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Devon faces many geographical challenges in its pursuit of stronger mobile phone signals, with the addition of large telecoms masts to rectify the problem also raising concerns in terms of aesthetic damage to the natural beauty of the area.

This is why I am pleased to see the work being undertaken by Vodafone’s Rural Open Sure Signal programme, which offers a smaller and more discreet option to obtaining a signal, and is currently being rolled out in various areas across Devon.

The Government will now ensure that Britain seizes the chance to be a world leader in the development of 5G, playing a key role in defining industry standards, as well as continuing investment in mobile infrastructure to ensure that everybody can benefit from good voice and text coverage.

Geoffrey Cox MP

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67

HISTORY

The Tavy from Source to Sea A typical river passes through three stages; torrent, valley and plain, and the Tavy is no exception. In company with others that flow southwards and some that head north to the Bristol Channel, the Tavy rises at around 1800 feet from the thick blanket bog of northern Dartmoor. The initially trickling stream, gathering others on its way, descends rapidly, skirting remote Fur Tor, and sites of prehistoric settlement at Watern Oak. Lopwell Dam

Soon augmented by the Rattlebrook, from nearby Great Links Tor and former peatworks, the Tavy passes through awesome Tavy Cleave, with its lofty rocks towering above. Whortleberries abound here among the granite clitter and some stunted oaks.

An adder may be spotted, as in the past at least could nesting ring ouzels. The sound of the river prevails in this otherwise quiet place. Beyond the cleave the valley widens. Water is abstracted from the right bank for the five mile Reddaford leat.

Cut around 1800 to power mines at Mary Tavy, the water is now used there by South West Water – as is that from the Hill bridge leat – for producing hydro-electricity. This depletes somewhat the river's flow, but the water returns to it downstream. (Here the Reddaford leat always gives me the illusive impression that it is running uphill.)

Attractive to the 10th century founders of Tavistock's former Benedictine abbey, the Tavy later served the needs of the surrounding farming and metal mining area, with the establishment of mills and foundries requiring water for power and processing. And, on the right just below Abbey bridge, water is taken off for the Tavistock Canal. Built 1803-17 to carry minerals and other goods on the four mile route to Morwellham on the Tamar, it is still maintained for supplying water to Morwellham power station.

Beyond Tavistock, where it passes close to the Crowndale site of Francis Drake's birth, the river receives outflow from the town's water treatment works, and is joined by the small River Lumburn. Its course is now more tortuous, the valley's sides

Now having fallen a thousand feet from its source, the river passes remains of tin, copper and lead mines in the parishes of Mary Tavy and Peter Tavy, and reaches ancient Harford bridge.

It has now left the granite country and surroundings change to green fields and habitations, with Tavistock ahead.

In the town the Tavy is crossed by three bridges. The first, Stannary bridge, was constructed in 1985, the second, Vigo bridge, in 1772-3. Just downstream formerly stood the ancient Great Bridge, which set travellers on the old route to Plymouth.

Of five arches it was built c.1260, but demolished in 1764 following authorisation of the next – Abbey bridge (rebuilt 1859).

Finally,West bridge, built originally c. 1540, was reconstructed 1939-40.

68

Reddaford Leat

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Civil Records-Part 1 Using Census We have looked at using the census records in the lastPart two issues.

Records 2 Like

Denham Bidge

mainly steep and wooded and not readily accessible. Soon comes the confluence with the River Walkham at Double Waters, and beyond, on the right, are remains of Virtuous Lady mine (named after Queen Elizabeth I) which was worked from 1558 intermittently until the early 20th century, and is said to have provided copper for the Spanish Armada.

Copper and arsenic were also obtained in the latter 1800s from the Bertha mines on the left bank hillside (Buckland Monachorum parish). Now narrow and deep, the meandering Tavy passes under Denham bridge (carrying a road to Bere Alston) and on in the vicinity of Buckland Abbey away to the left.

Lopwell Dam is reached and here the Tavy's character changes totally. This

marks the upper tidal limit of the Tavy and was an ancient crossing place. The lake, with its weir and salmon pass, is owned

by South West Water and managed as a nature reserve by South West Lakes Trust.

The river beyond is now estuarine as it passes Bere Ferrers with its 14th century church of St Andrew prominent on the right bank, and goes on to Warleigh Point. Here it is crossed by a railway viaduct, constructed in 1890 for the London & South Western Railway, before becoming united with the waters of the great River Tamar on the remaining stretch through Plymouth to the English Channel.

Helen Harris

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the census records, civil registration In the last issue wemuch discussed records also cover of theusing 19th census records, how to access them century, but also continue into the 20th and whatand thegive mainuspitfalls In century, useful are. information thisbirths, issue marriages we will look atdeaths. the types on and Forof information records give, England andwhich Wales,census only the indexes but bear in mind that they can vary to the civil registers are available toa great deal. but further information can view freely, be obtained by ordering birth,ofmarriage The 1841 census gives place or death certificates from the General residence (often just the name of a Register Office [http://www.gro.gov. village), first names and surnames, uk/gro/content/] at £9.25down including ages which are rounded to the postage. nearest 5 for people over the age of anddatabases shows All15, thesex, mainoccupation, subscription whether they were born in the county such as Ancestry and FindMyPast where theyindexes, reside inand 1841. hold these there are also free sites such as FreeBMD [http://give From 1851 to 1901 census records www.freebmd.org.uk]. much more information.The Forindexes example, show names, Quarter ofofthe year they show thethe relationship each in which the event was registered, person to the head of household, thus and the registration withgroup. providing a snapshotdistrict, of a family the and page number the Theyvolume also show marital status,ofplace register entry, so that you canmedical send for of birth (including overseas), the certificate.

They also sometimes disabilities, language spoken, and give give ages, which can be useful.

In full addresses.

FreeBMD, clicking on the district brings Thea1911 gives added up list ofcensus the parishes it covered, information, very useful. with relevantwhich datescan - bebe careful here as Itboundaries shows thechanged length ofover a present time. marriage, the number of children born, You maynumber need tooftrychildren different spellings and the still living. of names, and to remember that It also gives more detailed information people sometimes their middle for occupations andused nationalities.

And names.

It isborn not in always possible to for people Scotland or Ireland, locate person are looking for it givesthe more exactyou birthplaces. via these indexes, especially if the A census name is aschedule common was one, completed or the person for each andwhere was then lived in ahousehold, large city. But you collected by the enumerator, whohave can be reasonably sure that you copied thecorrect information found the match,into theannext step enumeration book, and these is to verify this by sending for are the birth, available or to death see online.

You will notice marriage certificate. that sometimes the handwriting is In Part 2 we’ll look at the kind of very difficult to read, and that the information found in birth, marriage enumerator had trouble spelling names and death certificates, and how it can of both people and places! be useful Susan Susan Francia Francia Historian and genealogist. family-historyresearch.co.uk 01822 820855 family-historyresearch.co.uk

69

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TRADE SECRETS

TRADE SECRETS Crispin Jordan Furniture Maker

Why did you become a furniture maker?

Who else works with you?

How much training is involved and what qualifications do you need to become a furniture maker?

What is involved in being a furniture maker? How does your day usually unfold?

I have always loved wood and feel an affinity with wood grain. It is a living material and has so much potential to make beautiful furniture .

There are plenty of vocational courses and apprenticeship schemes. The Guild of Master Craftsmen has information on qualifications and courses too. I have an ‘O’ level in design technology, but then I went off to university to study something completely different. I was later an apprentice to a coach builder who taught me all of the carpentry skills and secrets of the trade. The learning never ends though as there are always new techniques and new tools being developed.

How long have you been a furniture maker?

I have been making furniture for more than twenty years.

Where do you work and what do you make?

I work from home where I have a workshop. It’s an unheated space which presents difficulties working with wood in different seasons. I make and design bespoke furniture; from solid wood kitchens to chunky outdoor furniture and everything in between. I really like making individual and unusual pieces.

I am self-employed and work on my own, although you have to build up a good working relationship with clients.

Each day is made up of different tasks: I order in the wood I need for each individual job, visit clients and price up jobs as well as design and construct furniture.

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What is the best thing about your job?

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