February 2016 by Woodbury News

WOODBURY NEWS

FEBRUARY 2016

2 ALL BUILDING JOBS CONSIDERED

R. Miller & Son Painters and Decorators THORNS COTTAGE, WOODBURY

Tel: Woodbury 233773 All work expertly carried out under personal supervision.

Woodbury Village Hall

DustAway Limited

Woodbury Dance Studio

Hall and two Meeting Rooms, Fully equipped Kitchen

All Work and no play, We are here to help

RAD BALLET

Available for: Dances and Parties Wedding Receptions Meetings and Classes Jumble Sales and Craft Fairs Badminton, Plays, Business Lettings For bookings please contact: Robin or Marian Lennox Tel: 01395 232126 email:- woodburyvh@gmail.com www.woodburyvillagehall.org.uk

Friendly Efficient Cleaning Service. Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, one-off Cleans. Moving house, holiday lets, end of tenancy cleans, spring cleans. We also offer an Ironing service. Fully insured – all materials supplied.

Please call Iris 01392 427776 07879 427333 www.dustaway-cleaning.co.uk

Woodbury Salterton Village Hall Hall –Tables and Chairs, Well equipped kitchen with cooker and fridge, crockery and cutlery inclusive in hire. Modest Rates. For bookings please contact:

Pat or Gill Bricknell 01395 232463

Grades and Majors

Children from 2½ years Principal: Mary Griffiths ARAD, MA(Oxon) Tel: 01395 271249 marygriffiths@hotmail.com www.woodburydance.co.uk All classes at Woodbury C of E Primary School

James Sliman Electrical Services Reliable, Fully Qualified, Local Electrician with over 15 years experience. All aspects of electrical work undertaken from an extra socket to a full rewire Free Estimates - No job too small All work fully insured & guaranteed All work inspected, tested & certified to current standards.

01395 276323 07866 313812 www.jslimanelectrician.co.uk Previous customers said:

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For further references please visit: www.ourlocalexpert.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2016 EDITORIAL A warm welcome is extended to Mandy Westlake, the recently promoted Clerk to Woodbury Parish Council, and to Annette Evens, the new Assistant Clerk. A very wet welcome to 2016 – though at the time of writing we have had one of very few frosts so far this winter, and colder weather is forecast. The major feature of the New Year’s weather was spectacular flooding in the Parish (but nothing compared to that in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Scotland). Mindful that several properties in the village have been affected by flooding, Mike Jeans writes: “On 30 December, Woodbury experienced very heavy rain for a sustained period of time. The cover picture, taken by Paul Crafer from his house overlooking the Church Rooms at the bottom of Hayman’s Orchard, shows the resulting torrent of water coming down from the direction of the school and pouring down into Bonfire Lane, bringing with it mud and stones. The road and the footpath behind the seat was like a river. The water was only inches from flooding the Church Rooms and Haydons Cottage further down Bonfire Lane. The silt completely blocked the drain on the corner on Parsonage Way and Bonfire Lane and, at the time of writing, there are still pebbles left by the Church Rooms and in Bonfire Lane. The road out of Woodbury to the dual carriageway was flooded, but the road to Pink House Corner was just passable. Residents who have lived in Woodbury for 40 years or more said it was the worst flood they could remember." Further reports and photographs can be found on pages 18, 19, 22 and 29. OUR COVER PICTURE The cover photographs show the Church Rooms in Woodbury and the kegs forming a barrier against flood water in Woodbury Salterton (photo by Abbey Clarke). Woodbury News is a Private Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5263356 Secretary: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT. Tel: 233299 Registered Office: Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT. Tel: 233299 Chairman: Peter Payne, ‘Harsley’, Toby Lane, Woodbury Salterton. Tel: 232394 Editor: Mrs Sue Bury, Mayflower Cottage, 37 Greenway. Tel: 233753 Deputy Editor: Mrs Val Arndt, Castlehaye, Castle Lane, Woodbury. Tel: 233175 Subscriptions: Mrs Anna Crafer, 15 Haymans Orchard, Woodbury. Tel: 232007 Circulation: Mrs Beverley Simcox, 2 Beeches Close. Tel: 232858

ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH, WOODBURY Vicar: Reverend Karen Spray. Tel:01392 877400 email: church@revdkaren.org.uk Associate Minister: Reverend Christopher Cant. Tel: 01395 488178 email: chriscant@tiscali.co.uk USUAL SUNDAY SERVICES - 1st Sunday 11.15 All Age Eucharist. 2nd Sunday 11.15 Eucharist. 3rd Sunday 11.00 Sunday Club, 11.15 Eucharist. 18.30 Evensong. 4th Sunday 08.00 Said Eucharist, 11.15 Morning Prayer. 5th Sunday See Special Services. Morning Prayer every Monday at 09.15. SPECIAL SERVICES - Wednesday 10 February – Ash Wednesday Eucharist at Clyst St Mary, 19.00. NEWS AND EVENTS Next lych gate stall in Church on Saturday 6 February, 09.30-11.00. Woodbury PCC monthly draw December’s winners – John and Pam RoseCasemore. Draw made at Charity Coffee Morning on the third Tuesday each month in the Church Room. Prize every month ranging from £25 to £500. Details from Donoveen Tel. 01395 239363. Sunday Club Meets every 1st Sunday for All Age Eucharist at 11.15, and on the 3rd Sunday in Church Room 11.00-12.00, then into church to show what has been made/done. Opening Up to God This Course of Quiet Prayer is continuing monthly in 2016, every first Tuesday, starting on 2 February 2016, 19.30 to 21.00, Woodbury Church Rooms. For further information contact Viv ArmstrongMacDonnell viv.amacdonnell@tiscali.co.uk or Carolyn Keep 232318. FLOODLIGHTING ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH (dusk until 23.00) 6 January “In memory of Ruth Bridgewater”. 13 January “Happy Birthday Gordon (Davis)”. 13 January Bridget Williams “Happy Birthday Matthew, 13 years on 13th!” 20 January Gordon Davis. “In memory of my Dad who died one year ago”. 6 February To Lin, Happy Birthday, love from Colin xx. 14 February Murrough MacDonnell “For St Valentine's day and to celebrate 25 years of being married to Viv on 19 January 2016.” For your special event, contact Mike Jeans 01395 232544, or see the details and book it online at our website: www.whitecrossdevon.org.uk/woodburywith-exton/flood lighting-form.php. Digest available in church or from website www.white crossdevon.org.uk. CHURCH ALTAR FLOWERS - FEBRUARY 7 - Mrs P Tait. 14, 21, 28 no flowers (Lent). Many thanks to all those who helped decorate church for Christmas.

WOODBURY GARAGE

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6 WOODBURY COMMUNITY ORCHARD Woodbury Community Orchard had a good start to 2016 with our third annual Wassail on 8 January. The rain was mild and even stopped at some points! This year Imogen had worked with the school and Brownies to create lanterns that were used to light a procession from the village hall to the Town Lane Orchard - a big thank you to all the children who made them. We then shared cider or juice and sang traditional wassail songs, led by the Community Choir.

For those not able to come, try looking at our newly created Woodbury Community Orchard Facebook page (thank you Charlotte!), where a visitor has uploaded a short video of the singing, and there are some more photos. We are running two pruning events in Gilbrook - 17 January and 21 February between 14.00-16.00, £5 per attendee, to include refreshments; please come and join us. The more people who know how to prune well the better the harvest and juicing will be in the autumn! It would be great if anyone wanted to join a group visit to the orchards at Sheppey’s cider farm and museum (near Taunton) in May (date to be confirmed depending on blossom). Please let us know either via the Facebook page or alexthiemann@tiscali.co.uk. CORNERSTONES The Cornerstones Group concluded 2015 with the usual Festive Christmas Dinner at the Maltsters. An enjoyable evening was had by all – with big thanks to Samantha and Matt for their usual hospitality.

BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS Cont’d/… WE ARE POSH NOSH! With over two decades of experience in the catering industry we are at the forefront of special occasion and event catering in Devon and the West Country. We are committed to providing first class cuisine with outstanding levels of service. Phone:- 01392 444877 or email: info@posh-nosh.co.uk (9/12) COMPUTER REPAIRS AND UPGRADES; Broadband and wireless connections; Data recovery and backup; Windows, iPads and Apple computers, Virus and spyware removal; No fix no fee - Evening visits to suit you. Contact: Mark Doyle 01395 233694 (7/12) FARMHOUSE BED & BREAKFAST AND APARTMENT, twin and double rooms. CL Caravan Club site. Jenny Broom, Courtbrook Farm, Clyst St George. 01392 877710. www.courtbrook.co.uk (6/12) ACCOUNTS AND TAX SERVICE Sole Trades, Partnerships, Limited Companies and Personal Tax. Full range of advice. Fixed fee plans and free initial consultation/quotation. Wheelers Accountants Tel: 233184 (*) MATHS TUITION: Experienced, female Maths teacher available to teach primary to GSCE level maths, 11+ and SATs preparation. Reasonable rates. Telephone: Jane Moffatt on 01395 279952 (2/12)

PLUMBER For those little jobs that every one else is too busy or expensive to do.

Graeme 07527 873700

38 BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS Cont’d/… BABYSITTER available - Woodbury Salterton. Jess aged 17, first aid trained, happy to do week nights or weekends subject to availability in nearby villages. Contact evenings on 232200 or text on 07857717913. (4/4) FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER & REFLEXOLOGIST Former RGN provides routine nail and skin care (inc corns and callus) or a reflexology treatment. Nicky Mattin (MAFHP itec RF) 01395 233222/07807603690 (5/12) QUIRKY AND COSY COTTAGE, village centre, sleeps 7, linen and towels provided. Tel. 07890 233313. Email. Suffolkcottage@gmail.com (9/12) LITERACY TUTOR Qualified teacher and specialist in Special Needs offering 1:1 private tuition for children and adults to support learning in literacy and language skills. See www.katecoldrick.com for further information or phone Kate Coldrick BMus (Hons), BSc (Hons) Psych, PGCE on 01395 232472 (11/12) PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – James Waddell Interior & Exterior, Carpentry, Flooring, Fencing & Gates, Plumbing, Decking, Bathrooms & Kitchens, General Repairs. Free Advice & Estimates. 01395 263496 (9/12) FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER Nail Cutting and Treatment of Corns, Callus and Verrucas - Home Visits. Contact Lindsey Waddell MAFHP 01395 263496. (1/12) ROOFING Woodbury based RWI Roofing Specialising in Slating, Tiling, Re-Roof, New Roof, Repairs, Guttering. For a friendly, reliable service call Ray 232926, or 07988 691051 (As recmd in OurLocalExpert.co.uk) (8/12) SQUIRREL COTTAGE Self catering 16th century property full of character, available for weekly holidays and short breaks. Sleeps 5. Graded 5 Star. www.thecottagecompanydevon.co.uk Tel: Kay 0776 9975557 (11/12) GIVE BIRTH CALMLY - relaxed, confident and alert with KG Hypnobirthing classes. Find out more: libbyclaphamhypnotherapy.co.uk phone: 07986 157854 (6/12) BED AND BREAKFAST - Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor. 4 Star Silver 16thC Devon Longhouse on a working dairy farm. Sally Glanvill, Rydon Farm 232341 www.rydonfarmwoodbury.co.uk (8/12) RUBBISH REMOVALS Domestic and Commercial. Environment Agency licensed. No job too small. Tel: 0800 335 7610 / 07979 841376. www.rubbishremovalsexeter.com (10/12) WOODBURY HOLIDAY HOME TO RENT in centre of village. Luxury accommodation for 4 people, 2 en-suites, parking, courtyard garden. Weekly holidays & short breaks. www.woodburyholidays.co.uk 01579 350365. (7/12)

WOODBURY CHARITY COFFEE MORNINGS The Woodbury Charity Coffee and Cake Mornings, run by Anna, Liz , Vicki and Paul raised another £100 in December and this was presented to Woodbury Community Orchard at the Tuesday coffee morning on 12 January. The funds were gratefully received by Tim and Judy Green on behalf of the Orchard and will be used for ongoing maintenance and further investment in the project. The Community Orchard now has almost 60 young trees. Thanks to Anna, Liz, Vicki, Paul and their team for all the hard work in running the Charity coffee mornings and raising funds for local community organisations.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FRIDAY 4 MARCH AT 13.30 AT ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH This year’s event has been prepared by the Christian women of Cuba and is entitled Jesus said to them: Receive Children, Receive Me. Over 3 million people worldwide will be praying and worshipping together during this annual day of prayer, which in Woodbury is jointly celebrated by St Swithun’s and Christ Church. The service will finish in time for children to be collected from school.

WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB January meeting We had been looking forward to this month’s talk as it was Ben Candlin, who had previously excited us about exotic plants. This time he was talking about Plants from the Canary Islands. Most members had been to one or other of the islands – Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and the rest, but had not ventured far from the coast – and then Ben showed us a photograph of some of the roads (all hairpin bends for miles) which might explain why. Most of the plants on the islands are found nowhere else in the world, though some of their relatives were more recognisable. In the various climatic areas were palms, pines, brooms and even a dandelion – only it grew on a stalk! There were some amazing looking plants to admire, and Ben showed us that some of them could be grown in the UK. The next meeting is the AGM, and Ken Crundwell will also be showing some slides.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Open Gardens - Woodbury Woodbury Garden Club is hoping to organise an Open Gardens event again this year. In order to make it a successful event we will need a number of people to allow their gardens to be viewed. Gardens do not need to be large, just interesting and not necessarily weed-free. Any help on the day will, if necessary, be given by a Garden Club member. This event is always a very pleasant sociable occasion and often brings in visitors from surrounding villages. As always, local charities will be given a donation. If you feel you could open your garden, please contact any member of Garden Club or Annette 232698 or Gill 232847.

WOODBURY NEWS CLOSING DATES 2016 9 FEBRUARY. 15 MARCH. 19 APRIL. 17 MAY. 21 JUNE. 19 JULY (note change of date). ALL MATERIAL FOR THE MAGAZINE SHOULD BE SENT TO KAREN SQUIRES, WILLOWFIELD, OAKHAYES ROAD by 19.00 on the closing date, with a name and telephone number, or email to karensquires100@gmail.com

23 Jan. 26 Jan. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Feb. 19 Feb. 22 Feb. 27 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Feb. 1 March 4 March 5 March 10 March 19 March 5 April 8 April 14 April 16 April 22 April 16 July

FoSS AGM, Supper and Concert. St Swithun’s. 19.00. Woodbury Twinning AGM. 20.00. Du Buisson Room, WVH Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00, Church Rooms. (232318) Local History Society AGM, 19.30, WVH. Jumble Sale, WVH. 13.30. Bring jumble from 09.00. Tennis Club AGM, 19.30, Church Rooms. Exton Ladies. Devon Freewheelers by David Cooper. Twinning Wine Tasting Evening. 19.30. Du Buisson Room, WVH ‘Frog Focus’. 14.30. Clyst St George Church. Woodbury Salterton Talent Show in W/S Church 19.30. Petrushka, Sidmouth Manor Pavilion, 19.30. Petrushka, Sidmouth Manor Pavilion, 14.30. Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00, Church Rooms. (232318) Women’s World Day of Prayer. 13.30. St Swithun’s Church. WSDL Concert. 19.30. Glenorchy Church, Exmouth. Exton Ladies. Driving Safer for Longer. WSDL Quiz. 19.00. WSVH. Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00, Church Rooms. (232318) Charity Quiz, WVH. Tel: 07831 121268. Exton Ladies. The work of the National Coastwatch Institution. WSDL Coffee Morning. Hillside, W/Salt. 10.00. FoSS Concert. FoSS Afternoon Tea. St Swithun’s.

SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS FOR SALE Canon printer Pixma MG2950. New, unwanted present £25. Tel: 232890.

BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS HOME SWEET HOME DECORATORS - Lucy Ryan Lady interior and exterior decorator. Walls, ceilings, woodwork, up-cycled furniture, garden painting and more. Professional, very tidy, competitive, reliable and friendly. Fully DBS checked. Free estimates. Phone: 07872 065890 (2/12) HAIRDRESSER/COLOURIST Fully Qualified with many years salon experience. Available for mobile or from home (Exton). Contact Julie 07976 958557 or email: julie.morven@gmail.com for further info or to book an appointment. (3/6)

Behind the Scenes at Bicton Arena - Friday 19 February Bicton Arena 11.00 Booking essential. kate.ponting@clintondevon.com 01395 443881

1ST WOODBURY GUIDES Baden Powell Challenge Congratulations are the order of the day for these four Guides (Felicity Cutforth, Amy Charman, Beth Chivers and Megan Goddard) who have all recently completed the highest award possible in the Guide section of Girl Guiding.

Other Countryside Learning events we are offering in February include: Follow the Beaver Trail… - Tuesday 16 February Otterton Mill EX9 7HG Drop in from 10.00-16.00 Follow a self-led trail for all ages to learn all about these incredible aquatic mammals, the river’s newest residents. Join the Countryside Learning team to find out even more with fun activities for all ages. No booking required. The River Otter Beaver Trial is led by Devon Wildlife Trust working in partnership with The University of Exeter, the Derek Gow Consultancy, and Clinton Devon Estates. River Otter Bird Walk - Saturday 27 February White Bridge 10.00 The River Otter Estuary is designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is managed by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust. Join our Volunteer Bird Warden, Doug Cullen on a walk along the river to meet the winter visitors. Bring binoculars if you have them. Booking essential. kate.ponting@clintondevon.com 01395 443881. Conservation volunteering Join ‘Friends of the Common’ and staff from the Pebblebed Heath Conservation Trust for an active day in beautiful surroundings. Help us with winter scrub work, habitat creation and path maintenance. Keep active, learn new skills and help with the conservation of this special place. Work is suitable for all abilities. Gloves and tools provided but please bring lunch, and wear old clothes and stout footwear. Wednesday 3 February 09.30 Meet at the informal parking spot near junction N of Wheathills car park SY 041 851 Wednesday 17 (F) Feb 10.00 Meet at Uphams car park SY 042 862. As it is half-term, the morning is suitable for anyone 5+ and after lunch there will be an optional fun activity if all the work is done!

WOODBURY PARISH COUNCIL Agendas for future meeting, and minutes of meetings can be found on www.woodburydevon.co.uk

The Baden Powell Challenge is designed to encourage 12 and 13-year-old girls to stay in Guiding. The award is personally challenging and requires sustained effort over a long period of time. Generally it will take a girl around a year to complete the challenge which involves undertaking ten clauses. These are chosen from the five programme zones of ‘Skills & Relationships,’ ‘Global Awareness,’ ‘Celebrating Diversity,’ ‘Healthy Lifestyles’ and ‘Discovery’, which ensures the challenge is varied and balanced. Whilst carrying out their chosen clauses they develop many life skills such as organisation, communication, self-esteem and self-confidence, all of which are skills they will find invaluable in the future. OPENING UP TO GOD This Course of Quiet Prayer is continuing monthly in 2016 Learn new ways of listening to God. Explore and practise different modes of prayer. Find and refine your own style of spirituality. The course draws on a range of Christian traditions. Open to anyone wanting to develop their relationship with God in the company of others. Sponsored by the White Cross Mission Community. Every first Tuesday, starting on 2 February 2016 19.30 to 21.00, Woodbury Church Rooms Open to all, free of charge. For further information please contact Viv Armstrong-MacDonnell viv.a-macdonnell@tiscali.co.uk or Carolyn Keep 01395 232318.

WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL It is great to be back at school with all the energy and excitement about the New Year. Before the children returned the staff and governors spent time together, revising the vision, values and aims of the school. These will be shared and developed with the children and parents so that all ‘Team Woodbury’ aspire to the same things. As a school we are embracing ‘Building Learning Power’ which involves teaching the children how to learn. Effective learners have the skills and attitude to maximise their achievements both in and beyond school. The children have made an excellent start, learning about the four ‘muscles’ of resilience, resourcefulness, reciprocity and reflectiveness. Everyday I visit the classes and I have been impressed by how well all the children I have spoken to have explained to me their understanding of how they learn. Most encouragingly, they all could tell me how they were going to develop their ability to learn and I have been given many top tips to help me improve as a learner, such as: ‘being stuck’ is never a problem but ‘staying stuck’ is.

control. We also notify the fire services when we do any burning so they will not be called out unnecessarily. Work on the log cabin continues. I had a struggle to light the old wood burner in our current office this morning, so it is a bit chilly, and I am so looking forward to moving into the new one. We have a steady trickle of passers-by stopping to look at it and ask about the build, so there may be a rash of log cabins in East Devon over the next few years! So, a final note, please take care while you are maintaining your beautiful wildlife-friendly gardens in this wet and slippery weather: I was so surprised to hear a frog croaking in my pond (it was only the week after Christmas!) while I was stretching to reach the dead stalks round the back that I lost my footing and fell in! Not much good for the frog, who stopped croaking immediately and hid. Nicky Hewitt, Devon Reserves Administrator CLINTON DEVON ESTATES New Year Honours Firstly congratulations to Estate Director John Varley on his OBE for services to agriculture, environment and rural community. Bicton Arena Prepares for an Exciting 2016 Bicton Arena is recognised as one of the leading equestrian venues, not just in the South West of England but countrywide. The Arena boasts superb facilities, including cross country courses at a variety of heights located in the grade one listed parkland, two all-weather arenas along with its iconic main grass show jumping arena, and a further three competition rings. The Arena attracts in the region of 10,000 competing horses each year, with many more non-competing riders taking part in residential camps and training days. The venue is a popular base for local Pony Clubs and Riding Clubs as well as playing host to top level competitions that are affiliated to the governing bodies of British Eventing, British Showjumping and British Dressage. It is truly unique in its ability to host competitions in all disciplines rather than being exclusively a Horse Trials venue or solely a Showjumping Centre. The Estate prides itself on hosting efficient and professionally run competitions, clinics and schooling hire to all levels of riders. 2016 looks set to be an exciting year for the Arena with two International Horse Trials, a five day Showjumping Extravaganza with several Horse of the Year Show Qualifiers and many other exciting competitions. Dates for all arena activity can be found on www.bicton-arena.co.uk and if you have any queries please do get in contact via the “contact us” tab on the website. Have you ever wanted to find out what goes on up the drive beyond the gates? Join us for a unique tour with Arena manager, Helen West and afterwards stay on and watch the show jumping.

RSPB Cont’d/... As long as you can put up with the blackbirds and thrushes chucking the leaves everywhere in search of a juicy snail! And don’t forget that the birds need water to drink and clean their feathers. If the weather does get hard I usually put out an old plastic tray or dustbin lid and fill it with warm water each morning to try to keep it ice-free. I am also considering digging another pond in my garden, with a dish-shaped design especially to allow the birds easy access – because I just love watching the blackbirds bathing January 2016 The strange mild weather continues but, as I write, the forecast is finally hinting at cold to come. Vlad, our stockman, is expecting very harsh conditions as apparently there is an old Polish saying that it is better to see wolves in the woods in December than a man in a t-shirt (I think I got that right...). At present there are still butterflies out and about when the sun shines, and flowers on the brambles, and daffodils poking their noses up ready to make a show, but definitely no wolves. Last month I talked hopefully about all the birds we might expect to see once the weather got properly seasonal, but that still hasn’t happened yet. A winter bird transect (part of our regular monitoring) on the reserve this morning found all the usual suspects out and about: one Dartford warbler (calling), nuthatch, treecreeper, goldcrest, great spotted and green woodpeckers, yellowhammer and bullfinch. But no flocks of finches and linnets scouring the seed heads on the thistles and very few snipe in the wet bits of the reserve. The fencing project on the restored areas of heathland at Blackhill Quarry is finished now and there will soon be eight ponies going into the area that includes Seagull pond and Teardrop. These will be the eight ponies currently grazing on Venn Ottery Common. Vlad will be keeping a very close eye on them to make sure the new area is good for them, as we can always shift them back to Venn Ottery if it doesn’t work out. One of our ponies has had to be treated with antibiotics for an eye infection but, fingers crossed, that has cleared up now. Our intrepid staff shared out the “lookering” duties over Christmas and New Year between them to make sure the ponies are all healthy and in good condition, so problems like that can be spotted and dealt with very quickly, even when Vlad is on holiday. Scrub destruction continues in small patches on the reserves, so the occasional bonfire will be lit to get rid of the brash. As I write, our monthly Sunday volunteer workparty is due to happen soon (for those lovely people who want to help with our conservation work even though they hold down a full time job so can’t join the weekly Wednesday group). My job today is to co-ordinate the number of jacket potatoes needed to go in their bonfire. With the wet weather we have had all autumn and early winter these small, contained fires pose no threat to the heaths and our staffs are expert at making sure nothing gets out of

The photos show children engaged in learning, including working as a team to transport equipment across the hall, planning how to test materials to make a waterproof coat for a teddy, solving mathematical challenges and working together building 3D shapes using sticks and marshmallow! On behalf of all at Woodbury School, I wish you all a happy New Year. Alison Sparks, Head Teacher THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, WOODBURY A busy year - we have a new treasurer, Gill Dougal, who completed her Loman training in Plymouth, taking over from David Keep who wished to retire after giving sterling service to the branch for many years. An appreciation for his service was presented at the Christmas Coffee Morning. David will still be overseeing the fortnightly Thursday coffee mornings in the RBL room at the village hall. Fundraising events have helped the charity: a talk by two retired Royal Marines with slides on their service in Afghanistan was very interesting and provided an insight about a combat situation; a table-top sale on the Green commemorating VE and VJ days and the Annual Poppy Appeal have all boosted RBL funds. The Act of Remembrance on the Green, led by Reg Brown, was well supported by the local community and youth groups, and Woodbury School gathered on the morning of 11 November with veterans from Budleigh Salterton and Exeter. Ours was one of only a few Acts held on the day with the laying of a wreath and a short service led by David Keep and Rector Karen. Like all clubs we welcome new non-members and members. Our membership for a small club is doing well with approximately 40 members at the end of the year; any age and non-forces personnel are welcome to our evening events in 2016.

SEE WOODBURY NEWS ONLINE www.woodburynews.co.uk JUMBLE SALE SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY - WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL Doors open 13.30 Please bring jumble to the hall from 09.00 until 12.00 on the day or phone 232126 in advance. Entry 50p including tea or coffee No large furniture or electrical items please. In aid of Woodbury Village Hall, Charity No: 1155239

WOODBURY TENNIS CLUB The Club is preparing for activities in 2016. The AGM will be held in the Church Rooms on Wednesday 10 February at 19.30. It is hoped that many members and also anyone in the community who is interested in playing the game will come along. We intend fielding a men’s team and mixed teams in the local leagues and will also be hosting junior coaching sessions on Wednesday afternoon/evening during the summer term. The courts are in good condition and now have the luxury of floodlighting; thus play can be extended into the evening. The lighting was refurbished by local electrician Will Childs of Infinity Electrical Services and the Club was fortunate to receive grants from the Parish Council and Devon LTA to be able to complete the work. Club sessions on Sunday from 10.30 continue through the year; any player is welcome! The courts are available for the playing of tennis to all residents of the parish and visitors at a reasonable fee of £4.00 per hour, key available at 5 Escott Cottages (Pat Browne 232805, ruthandpatb@aol.com) or from Jackie Clarke 2 East View, Flower St (232832, jackie.clarke1@virgin.net), but if playing regularly, annual membership is more economical.

RSPB AYLESBEARE COMMON RESERVE December 2015 More mild weather! I’m not wishing for ice and snow, but this is getting ridiculous! Vlad has spotted foxgloves, ragwort and brambles in flower when he’s been out doing stock checks. Butterflies are still on the wing: red admirals and peacocks are not yet settled into hibernation. One appeared suddenly in my living room earlier this week: I assume it was happily dozing on a piece of firewood I brought in from the shed and got woken up by the warmth. Reserve management this month has involved scrub clearance on Aylesbeare and Harpford commons, fencing at Blackhill Quarry and dealing with windblown trees after the stormy weather a couple of weeks ago. But the new residential volunteers are spending a lot of time helping with the building work back at base, as our new log cabin is nearing the waterproof stage. They will have a strange skill-set when they move on into the world of paid employment, probably including how to sing merrily while you work, as ably demonstrated by our lead contractor. I have also had to get to grips with some fairly arcane building terminology just to make head-or-tail of the ordering. Two new grey Dartmoor ponies have arrived, bringing the small herd on Aylesbeare and Harpford up to twelve. There are five at Venn Ottery Hill, eight on Venn Ottery Common and four on Withycombe Raleigh Common, making twenty-nine in all. And Vlad also has to manage a small flock of volunteer pony checkers (the technical name for the job is “lookering”), who make sure the ponies are happy and healthy on a daily basis. I am writing this in the run up to Christmas, but I expect you won’t be reading it until the New Year. So I will run my usual winter homily about not forgetting the garden birds. The autumn berries and seeds have been very good this year, but they will be exhausted before spring arrives. This means that late winter is the time to spot the more unusual visitors on your feeders and tables: siskin and redpoll may join the goldfinchs, and brambling flock with chaffinchs, while redwing and fieldfares are more likely to be finishing off the berries on your garden shrubs than braving the bird table. Waxwings are another occasional winter visitor to the UK and flocks are often spotted in suburban rowan and whitebeam trees, eating berries. I often get reports of them in various supermarket car parks, as they seem less troubled by people than most wild birds. If you are lucky enough to get them at home, pieces of apple are a favourite snack! Leaving your winter garden tidy-up as late as possible will benefit all sorts of wildlife that lurk in the undergrowth – piles of leaves under shrubs and old stems and dead herbage left in the flower bed are all good places for birds, small mammals and even reptiles and amphibians to hunt.

WOODBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE At our meeting, on 10 December, we were instructed in the art of 'decopatch'. With varying degrees of success, we all produced a Christmas label by using torn scraps of paper, glue and surface decorations with copious amounts of glitter. Mulled wine and mince pies added to the feeling that Christmas was not far away. A report on Ted Neather’s talk How do children learn language? will appear in next month’s Woodbury News. The meeting on 11 February will be the annual birthday party. Pauline Wratten

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION COFFEE MORNINGS 4 and 18 FEBRUARY. 10.00 - 11.30, RBL ROOM behind WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL All are invited to join us on alternate Thursdays. WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION WINE TASTING EVENING FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY AT 19.30 WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL (DU BUISSON ROOM) Cost: £5 members, £8 non-members. To reserve your place, contact Jan Owen on 232694

RECIPE OF THE MONTH THAI RED CABBAGE SALAD This simple dish is packed with flavour and looks wonderful. It is also very healthy. The salad is delicious on its own and keeps well for several days. I like to serve the salad with a rare seared steak cut into thin slices. INGREDIENTS · ½ a red cabbage finely diced · 6 spring onions chopped into shards · juice and zest of a lime · 1tbs fish sauce · 2tbs sesame oil · 1 tsp light brown sugar (optional)

· 1 chilli chopped finely · 1 thumb of ginger chopped finely or

grated · a good bunch of coriander roughly

chopped

· 150g toasted nuts of choice (peanuts,

hazelnuts or cashews )

METHOD 1. Prepare the ingredients as described and mix together in a bowl. Leave covered in the fridge for at least an hour for the flavours to develop. 2. The salad should have a refreshing kick. Do increase the chilli, lime and ginger to taste. 3. For the steak: (200g-300g aged sirloin per person) Brush the meat with a little oil and sear in a hot pan (preferably a griddle). Allow the meat to rest for a few minutes. Season and then cut into thin slices and arrange on top of the salad. Our thanks once again go to Stephen Leger who can be contacted at: stephenleger55@gmail.com Tel: 01395 233549 / 07977 422164 Secret Gourmet. www.secretgourmet.co.uk

ADVERTISING RATES SMALL ADS.: (3 lines) Private £2.00. (3 lines) Business £5.00 (£50.00 per annum). DISPLAY ADS. £17 quarter page (£185 per annum). To: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT Tel: 233299 (e-mail karensquires100@gmail.com). The Woodbury News accepts no liability for:- i) Any claims made by the advertiser; ii) Any errors or omissions in the advertisement as submitted by the advertiser; iii) Any legal action as a result of the advertisement.

WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS

The stable has six stalls and the linhay (all enclosed in a walled court well supplied with water), the latter, which at a trifling price, may be converted to a coach house. The orchard is well stocked with good fruit trees and adjoins the garden. The furniture, which has been selected with great taste will be let with the cottage or sold’. In 1817 there appeared in the Journal of the House of Lords the following: ‘A certificate from the Right Honourable Henry Viscount Sidmouth, one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, that Ulric Theodore Hemmingson, son of Ulric Gualtherus Hemmingson by Petronella his wife, born at Macao, in China, had produced for him satisfactory proof that he conformed in all respects to the laws and regulations respecting aliens arriving at that part of the United Kingdom called Great Britain, or resident therein; and that he is a person well affected to His Majesty’s Royal Person and Government, and of orderly life and conducts, was produced and read, pursuant to the standing order. Ulric Theodore Hemmingson took the Oaths appointed in order.’ Now a fully accepted British citizen he decided to marry again. In December 1818 he married Baroness Louisa Julia, the daughter of Colonel Count Marie Joseph Xavier de Marguenat, of Morton House, Gloucestershire, and late Governor of the island of Tobago. Two daughters and a son were born of this marriage but not in Woodbury. It is not known whether Ulric ever returned to Woodbury though Springhayes and Parsonage Farm were still in his ownership. He died in 1869 at the age of 89. In his will he is described as formerly of Woodbury Lodge (his name for Springhayes) but late of the City of Brunswick. Gill Selley

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Celebrating Christmas Although by the time you read this Christmas will be a happy memory, we want to record in words and pictures how we celebrated this wonderful season at Woodbury Salterton. Woodbury Salterton Pre-School gave a concert in nativity costumes in church. Class 1 pupils from the school joined parents and family and members of the Village Hall committee. Although small in number the children did very well, especially 3-year-old Elesha Tigwell who sang a solo. Heidi Jeffery (Chairman) thanked Pre-School Leaders Traci Earle (in her absence, as her daughter was ill) and Katie Robertson, and presented bouquets of roses, including one to Katharine Wheeler for accompanying them and for playing each week at Pre-School.

The December Family Service was organised by the school under the leadership of Ellen Milford (Head of Learning). Esme Taylor, Megan Holt, Lola Webb, Alice and Eliza Rooke, supported by Arabella Taylor, Amelia Edwards, Finlay Webb and Maya and Lily Nash, revealed the messages inside the presents round the tree and then told the story of Christmas 1914 and the temporary peace. Everyone then sang Silent Night as had been sung by the German and English soldiers together.

Springhayes

30 UNUSUAL RESIDENTS OF WOODBURY PARISH Ulrich Theodore Hemmingson Ulric Theodore Hemmingson was born in 1780 in Macao, the son of Ulric Gualtherus Hemmingson and his wife, Petronella. Ulric, senior, was an employee of the Dutch East India Company in Canton from 1765-90. Whilst there he assisted the Hague lawyer and collector, Jean Theodore Royer (17371807), to assemble his collection of Chinese paintings (now in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden). Nothing more is known about the family who returned to Holland when Ulric Theodore was about ten years of age. On 20th July 1798 Ulrich Theodore Hemmingson was registered as an alien, a student (aged 17) in Edinburgh, having arrived two years earlier at Gravesend from The Hague. The Register of Aliens arose from the declaration of war by the French Republic against Great Britain in 1793 and the unease felt by the authorities about the impact on radical elements within the country. Whilst there he courted and married Catherine Jane, daughter of Colonel I Ferrier of Belleside in Edinburgh in 1803. There appear to have been two sons of this marriage who were born in London: Gualtherus Theodore in 1804, and eighteen months later Ulric Alexander. Two years later Ulric Theodore moved to Woodbury and bought the house in Town Lane known as Springhayes, though it is a mystery as to why he should have come down to Devon. It is not known whether he lived at Springhayes for very long, but we do know that a Mrs Campbell occupied the house as a tenant until 1817. He owned other property in Woodbury as well as in Lympstone, and it is rumoured that his wife did not like living in Springhayes. Sadly, she died in 1815 in Lympstone at the age of 29. Ulric appears to have moved away from the village after the death of his wife, though retaining possession of Springhayes as well as Parsonage Farm. The house he had acquired in Town Lane was very different to the present building as he completely altered it inside and out. An advertisement in the local papers, dated 3 July 1817, offers the house to be let and describes it thus: ‘The cottage has been recently fitted up in a style of rural elegance by mechanics from London and Exeter. It consists of three apartments on the ground floor (viz) an entrance saloon with double doors, recesses for book cases and concealed closets, a dining and drawing room, 14ft and 16ft square, communicating with each other and beautifully ornamented with fashionable paper and marble chimney pieces opening upon a rustic colonnade and into one of the gardens which is laid out with shrubs, flower plots and serpentine walks. On the first floor a breakfast room and four spacious and comfortable bedrooms also elegantly fitted up; on the second floor two good servants’ rooms and closets; on the ground floor the housekeeper’s room and the kitchen and other servants’ offices, wash house, laundry, larder, dairy, scullery, coal house etc.

Woodbury Salterton Primary School Nativity Play

The Church Choir went to Halsdon Retirement Home in Exmouth and sang carols. The residents especially enjoyed the first verse of Away in a Manger sung by Alice and Eliza Rooke. The Carol Service attracted a far larger congregation than in many recent years. Mulled wine and mince pies were served afterwards. The choir presented gifts to the organist and choir leader, Katharine Wheeler. A donation was made to ShelterBox from the collection. Carol singing round the village raised £200 for the Children’s Hospice South West. Christmas Wreath Workshop Another very successful evening was enjoyed under the tuition of Jane Butler assisted by Sheila Gerdes. A profit of £204 was made for the church, thanks to much of the materials being donated.

SEE WOODBURY ONLINE www.woodburydevon.co.uk

Church Quizzes Thank you again to all who supported our annual church quizzes and especially to the School for promoting the colouring competition and to Donoveen Alcock, Jackie Hatton and Dawn Cowler who sold copies in their own churches. The results will be announced in the next edition of Woodbury News. Colouring Competition Jill Dupain again kindly judged the entries. We had thirteen and these made a very colourful display in church with the words ‘Jesus Is Born’ reminding everyone of what Christmas celebrates. First prizes in the various class/age groups were awarded to Ellis Bown, Cara McCance, Aidan Bown and Megan Holt and second prizes to Eliza Rooke, Daisy Johansen and Alice Rooke. The prizes were presented by Revd Karen Spray at the School Christingle Service in church. All entrants received a small consolation prize to thank them for their efforts. Talent Show The Woodbury Salterton and District Talent Show will take place in church on Saturday 27 February at 19.30. Tickets cost £6 and this includes a glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles. If you would like to take part, please contact Debbie Jung on 01395 232328 by 14 February at the latest so you can be included in the programme. It is not a competition – just an opportunity to showcase local talent and provide a good evening’s entertainment while raising funds for our church.

PLEASE, does anyone know the whereabouts of Sue – ex Billington – who lived in Stokes Mead. She called on me before Christmas and left her glasses behind, but I do not have a contact number or address for her. I know she has re-married, so Billington is not her surname now. If anyone is able to help me, I should be very grateful. Jean Carpenter 232120.

WHIST The February Whist Drive will be on Tuesday 16th at 19.30 in the village hall. We warmly invite others to join us for an evening of fun and friendship. At the December Whist Drive Patrick Bricknell announced that the monthly Whist Drives had raised £403.28 in 2015 and this will be divided between the Village Hall and the Church. Patrick and Gill were warmly thanked for organising these enjoyable evenings and small gifts were given to them in appreciation. WOODBURY SALTERTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE The January meeting on Wednesday 13th at 19.30 in the Village Hall took the usual form of a Wine and Cheese evening with some social time. New members, or visitors, if you fancy hearing a particular speaker, why not come along? Editor’s Note : In order to maximise submitted copy and photographs into Woodbury News, it may be necessary to reduce the size of some items. The Editorial team will attempt to do this as carefully as possible.

FLOODING IN WOODBURY As you probably know, on 30 December, there was some very heavy rain, causing floods. Parsonage Way was quite badly affected by this. The water just seemed to be rising and getting faster, flooding the whole street - it didn't feel like the rain would ever stop! Unfortunately the water did manage to get into a few houses, but ours was lucky and our front garden was flooded but it did not get into the house. This was a very surreal, eventful day and I hope all affected by this will be able to sort things out as quickly as possible! Megan Goddard

Parsonage Way (photos - Megan Goddard)

IN MEMORIAM Private Thomas George Davey, Royal Army Medical Corps Died in France on 26 Jan 1916, aged 21

CAROLS AROUND WOODBURY A rather unusual experience this year, as I had to cancel Tuesday due to a chest infection. My grateful thanks are due to Sarah Owen who took over on the Thursday evening, however, and £517.70 was raised. It was a magnificent total and a record amount for one night. We have to thank those who turned out to sing, including the Community Choir and also those who collected. I hear there were more children than usual and this is most welcome. We also need to thank whose who gave generous donations. Ronald Peters, the Assistant Secretary of Save the Children in Exmouth said ‘I’d like to say a big “thank you" to all the willing helpers in your village’. Mike Jeans YOUR PELARGONIUM By now, your cutting should be growing on nicely, especially if you are feeding it, turning it and cutting back to make a nicely rounded plant. Keep up the routine until the end of February, re-potting if and when the roots show through the bottom of the pot. Remember to dust any cut surfaces with yellow sulphur powder to keep out the dreaded black-leg. DO NOT LET IT FLOWER! You want all of its strength to make it grow. Plenty of time for the flowers later on.

NEW FOOTPATH/CYCLE WAY OPENS AT GREENDALE BUSINESS PARK Work has now been completed by the Greendale Group on the new footpath/ cycle way linking Woodbury Salterton to Greendale Farmshop via Greendale Business Park. The 1.1 kilometre route starts at Honey Lane and crosses Grindlebrook via a new bridge before climbing up to Greendale Farm Shop and joining the A3052 Sidmouth Road at the bus stop for the Stagecoach 52 route service. Greendale’s Commercial Property Manager Tim Smith commented “the new footpath and cycle way improves links to the bus service and the village and we are encouraging local residents as well as all our employees and occupiers at Greendale to make full use of it.” The 52 bus service serves Exeter City Centre to Sidmouth in addition to the 56/56a bus service via Greendale Business Park which serves Exmouth and Exeter via Exeter Airport . Greendale Business Park has been developed over 30 years and currently provides over 1,500,000 sq ft (139,350 sq m) of industrial / warehouse units and secure open storage, which accounts for over 1,200 jobs. Occupiers include DHL, Fedex, SITA, Royal Mail, UK Mail, Kier, Marstons & PHS.

GET UP TO SPEED! (UPDATE) A funded programme called Get up to Speed is running free talks and workshops for communities and businesses to help boost digital skills in order that people can make the most of current or future faster broadband speeds. Get up to Speed is part of the Connecting Devon and Somerset programme. They have just developed a new session looking at how the different Google Apps can help communities communicate, collaborate and store information and have offered to run a session for Woodbury Parish. This free interactive one-day workshop can help you: ¨ Keep in touch with friends and family ¨ Stay organised at home and work ¨ Create, edit and share web based documents, spreadsheets and presentations ¨ Save and access your photos, videos and files on the cloud A minimum of 6 people per session would be required. Please contact Sandra Huish on 01395 232696 if you are interested in attending. The Woodbury News attempts to represent a variety of views within the Community, but does not accept responsibility for anything but Editorial comment. While it may publish unacknowledged material, nothing is included unless the Editor knows the name and address of the author(s).

WOODBURY SALTERTON DUMBUTU LINK We welcome you to all of the following events this spring: · Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir have once again generously offered us a concert on Saturday 5 March at 19.30 in Glenorchy Church in Exeter Road, Exmouth. This is always an evening of rousing singing. · A Quiz with homemade cakes and nibbles in Woodbury Salterton Village Hall on Saturday 19 March at 19.00. Please bring your own drink. Teams will be made up on arrival, max 6. · On Saturday 16 April at 10.00 we welcome you to a coffee morning at Hillside, Toby Lane, Woodbury Salterton EX5 1PU, followed at noon by our AGM. We hope to see you at any of these events, which are all to raise funds for Dumbutu's Well Project and awareness of our continuing support for one small village in The Gambia. Any queries please phone Leo 01395 268820 or email wilson.email@ tesco.net. FLOODING IN WOODBURY SALTERTON Neighbours turned out in force to come to the aid of those houses near the Diggers Rest in danger of flooding as the brook overflowed and water surged down through the village. Marc and Donna Slater brought out kegs from the cellar of The Diggers and filled empty ones with water to form a barrier in front of some threatened homes – thanks for that valuable help and thanks to all who gave assistance. Without wishing to praise one more than others there was comment on the especial hard work of the Mattin family. Two homes suffered some flood damage but Marc managed to rescue the pet guinea pigs from the garden of The Hive to the great relief of the Holt family. Abbey Clarke, who is studying photogr ap hy, took many photos, some of w h ic h were published in The Express and Echo, as was a photo taken by her sister Jess.

Sally and Philip Glanvill proudly display the Gold Award

Sally commented: “We are also delighted to have been selected as a finalist for the South West Tourism Awards and look forward to the ceremony to be held in Exeter Cathedral on 4 February”. For further information please log onto the website www.rydonfarm woodbury.co.uk British Indoor Rowing Championship: Sisters win Gold Rebecca and Emily Vater competed in the British Indoor Championship at the Olympic Velodrome London on 12 December. Rebecca came 4th out of 45 girls in her 6 min race for her year group. Rebecca went on to do 500m sprint claiming gold. Emily won gold out of 46 girls for her 4 min race for her year group. Emily then claimed silver in the 500m sprint. Well done girls.

ROUND AND ABOUT

Abbey also put a video clip on Facebook of water pouring like a waterfall over the wall by the bus stop. In two days this was viewed on-line 20,000 times!

THANKS Elizabeth Gage would like to thank all her friends and neighbours for their kindness, help and practical support following her recent operation; special thanks to Lin Milsom-Ashby for the meals. Olive and Pamela Hammick would like to thank everyone who helped search for their golden retriever, Millie, before Christmas. It was very kind of them all and we much appreciated their help. Joyce Jeans At the beginning of December, when we were considering our Christmas greetings, we remarked on how blessed we are with our neighbourhood, friends and the community of Woodbury. Little did we know that at the end of December and the beginning of January we would be the recipients of that blessing. A very big thank you for all the support and concern shown to us in so many different ways during my recent illness. Thank you, it has been most appreciated. CONGRATULATIONS Rydon Farm Bed and Breakfast takes Gold in Devon Tourist Awards Rydon Farm Bed and Breakfast in Woodbury was delighted to receive a Gold Award at the Devon Tourism Awards held at The Holiday Inn, Plymouth on 26 November. First time entrants to these prestigious awards, Rydon Farm picked up Gold in the ‘B&B, Guest Accommodation and Inn of the Year’ category. The 16th Century Devon longhouse has been occupied by the Glanvill family for several generations and has been run as a B&B and dairy farm by owners Philip and Sally for 28 years. The judges from the Devon Tourism Awards loved the fact that Rydon Farm is still a working dairy farm. Awards organiser Robin Barker said: “Excellence is elusive. It takes creativity, commitment, investment and persistence to achieve. Standards have to be maintained for every guest in all situations, at all hours of every day”. Sally Glanvill said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised by the Devon Awards scheme and pride ourselves on the quality of our food and service. We enjoy welcoming visitors to Devon and offer a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere for both business and leisure guests”. Rydon Farm already holds the title of Number One Bed and Breakfast in Exeter on Trip Advisor. Sally is a long time member of both Devon Farms and Farm Stay UK, co-operatives of friendly, farming families who love sharing the countryside with guests and have been offering bed and breakfast and self-catering properties for over 25 years.

On Sunday 3 January some members of the congregation had to hurry home for wellington boots to be able to get to the church through the flooding in the road outside the church gate and the lake under the lych gate. Local residents voluntarily worked for nearly four hours to clear the blocked drains under the road and churchyard. Grateful thanks to them. Do email your photos of local people or events to Karen at karensquires100@ gmail.com The editorial team still needs a wider spread of news, particularly about our younger people. What are you all up to? Why don’t YOU write an article or send in a photo?

EXTON NEWS

COMMUNITY POLICE REPORT PCSO 30028 Donna Baker Tel 08456569412 Donna.baker@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Wishing all readers a happy and safe 2016. Crime within the parish Between 19 November and 10 December unknown person(s) entered an unoccupied property in Exton; this was possibly a homeless person rather than a burglary. I would ask residents to make the police aware of any suspicious activity in and around vacant properties. Parking – can I remind readers to consider the following when parking their vehicle · Parking on the pavement is illegal. If you have to use the pavement ensure that there is still sufficient room on the pavement for a wheel chair/push chair to pass easily; pedestrians must not be forced out onto the highway. · Do not park on advisory white lines which are placed to maintain clear access to driveways. · Check that your vehicle is not likely to limit visibility for other drivers, particularly around junctions; if it is, find an alternative place to park. The next police surgery is Monday 8 February at the Parish Council office from 15.00 to 15.30. If you need to speak with me before this date, please email or ring me.

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, EXTON Sunday Services: 1st Sunday - 7 February, 18.00 Evening Service with hymns. 2nd Sunday - Lent 1. 14 February 09.30 Eucharist with hymns. 3rd Sunday - Lent 2. 21 February 09.30 Lay-led. 4th Sunday - Lent 3. 27 February 09.30 Eucharist with hymns. Ash Wednesday Service - 19.00 Joint Mission Community Service at Clyst St Mary.

EXTON CRAFT GROUP Meeting in St Andrew’s Church, Exton. Thursday 18 February between 14.00 and 16.00. THE WONDERS OF MODERN COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET At 21.00 in the evening of Christmas Day the phone rang and a soft Australian voice asked for me. It was a son of my second cousin Peggy. Although his news was very sad (his mother had died a few days before) I was amazed that he had found our telephone number. It transpired that a small album of various family photos, which I had sent to my cousin, contained one of St Andrew’s Church, Exton. By using the internet he found not only St Andrew’s Church, but also David’s name and phone number as being the treasurer. He had already found our address from his mother’s correspondence with me. We talked about his mother and our family connections and his wish to continue contact with his UK family. My cousin’s grandmother and my grandmother were sisters and past correspondence by letter is now by email. Audrey Elphick FROG FOCUS MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 14.30 IN CLYST ST GEORGE CHURCH Please support an event in February to highlight the serious decline of certain small native creatures. Two speakers from Devon Wildlife Trust will give an illustrated talk and children from Clyst St George Primary School will be contributing. Refreshments with cakes. Items for sale. Donations invited for Devon Wildlife Trust. For further information contact Julia Bowditch 01392 877040 or Juliette Limb 01392 877584.

DECEMBER WEATHER December was dull, warm, windy and drizzly until the last couple of days when a storm hit the SW. As mostly happens, the north of the country got the worst of it and they had already suffered massive flooding round Christmas, when all we got down here was the wind which blew persistently from the S and W. So our rainfall for the month was 131.3mm (5.17ins for the rest of us oldies and 139 % of the norm) and max/min temperatures were 16C/2C with not a frost in sight, let alone snow. We have a patch of cowslips in among the herbs and they flowered in November and are still going strong - and I am still mowing. As for the year of 2015, it was relatively dry with 768.2mm of rain which was 80% of the 10-year average. PJH CHARITY COFFEE MORNINGS EVERY TUESDAY, 10.00-12.00 CHURCH ROOMS, WOODBURY Coffee/tea and a homemade cake on vintage china, £2. All profits to local charities. Everyone welcome.

ELECTION FOR POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER East Devon District Council are currently preparing for the Police and Crime Commissioner May 2016 elections and are looking to appoint new temporary staff to help out. There are various roles available: · Presiding Officers - responsible for the conduct of the ballot in the polling stations, who must have a good knowledge of the voting procedures. Hours of work: 06.15 to 22.15 (without leaving the polling station) on 5 May 2016. · Poll Clerk - to assist the Presiding Officer in the conduct of the ballot in the polling stations. Hours of work: 06.15 to 22.15 (without leaving the polling station) on 5 May 2016. · Verification/Count Assistant - to open ballot boxes, ensure the contents agree with the Ballot Paper Accounts and then count the votes for each candidate in the election. Hours of work: (verification) 22.45 to finish, on night of 5 May 2016 and (count) 10.00 to finish, on Friday 6 May 2016. · Postal Vote Issuers - working in pairs, checking against lists that the correctly numbered ballot papers are inserted into the postal packs. Recording numbers and then sealing and counting the envelopes. Hours of work: 09.00 to 17.00 on Monday 18 April 2016. · Postal Vote Openers - working in pairs, opening and checking contents of envelopes. Check data against a computer screen (instruction given) and counting number of ballot papers received. Hours of work: 09.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 17.00, from Monday 25 April to Wednesday 4 May 2016. Please note that sessions are held depending on volume of postal votes received. The rates of pay for election staff will be confirmed prior to the election. If you are interested, please contact Electoral Services on 01395 517402 or email elections@eastdevon.gov.uk. An application is available from Mandy Westlake, Clerk to Woodbury Parish Council. Jill Humphreys, Electoral Services Manager. 01395 517550 www.east devon.gov.uk

EXTON LADIES GROUP The Exton Ladies’ Christmas Lunch is one of the highlights of our year and for many of us it marks the beginning of the Christmas season. The second Thursday in December saw many of us assemble in our very own local hostelry, the Puffing Billy, to celebrate together. As in previous years we had an excellent meal and the combined organisational skills of Pauline Sturtridge and the staff of the Puffing Billy ensured that everything ran smoothly and we all enjoyed a delicious seasonal meal. This year we also had the pleasure of meeting Adam who, together with his wife Charlotte, had only taken over as new managers the previous Monday. Thank you to Pauline and others who made this such a delightful event; we are already looking forward to next year’s lunch! After our lunch we staggered to the village hall for tea, cake, chat, card exchange and Christmas raffle! Thank you Elsie Wood, Chris Bilyard and Val Thomas for organising this part of the afternoon. During this time we were delighted to listen to Peggy Cooke who entertained us with her recollections of Christmas Past, particularly those of her childhood before WWII. She made us smile, not only at her personal recollections, but also at those of our own evoked by her talk. With Christmas and New Year celebrations behind us, on 7 January we met again in the Church car park to board a coach to Plymouth. On arrival we went our separate ways; some went in search of coffee, others hit the shops, many did both! After lunch we met at the Theatre Royal where we enjoyed the pantomime Cinderella. It was a spectacular production with the ladies of Exton keeping up with local children in the volume and enthusiasm of their responses! Well almost! A good day was had by all and once again thanks must go to Pauline Collas for her excellent organisation. Exton Ladies look forward to another year of fun and fellowship and offer a warm invitation to anyone who might like to join us. 11 February: Devon Freewheelers: a talk by David Cooper. 10 March: Driving Safer For Longer. 14 April: The work of the National Coastwatch Institution: a talk by Graham Nye of Exmouth Coastwatch. More details about the Exton Ladies Group can be found on the Exton village website http://www.extondevon.org.uk/. We usually meet in Exton village hall at 14.15 on the second Thursday of the month and you would be most welcome to join us. Please just come along.

WOODBURY NEWS to your door … If you are a new resident to the area, or would like your Woodbury News to be delivered to your door monthly, just call Beverley Simcox on 232858 and she will put you in contact with your local deliverer.

WOODBURY PARISH COUNCIL

VILLAGE RESILIENCE SCHEME Following the recent floods within Woodbury Parish, the Parish Council wish to establish a Village Resilience Scheme for Exton, Woodbury and Woodbury Salterton. The objectives of this plan are to: · Identify risks to the community. · Identify strategies to reduce and respond to an emergency, including warning the community. · Identify vulnerable people within the community. · Identify community resources available during an emergency. · Provide contact details for the community Response Team, community resources, the emergency services and local authorities. · Provide information and assistance to the emergency services when they arrive and throughout the event. The Benefits · Community Resilience plan specific for each village. · Better liaison with Council Officers and external agencies. · One focal point for communication before, during and following an emergency. · Training and Equipment (funding is available). Next step Residents, groups or associations who would like to be involved in the scheme for Woodbury or Exton, should please contact the Parish Clerk on 01395 233791 or woodburyparishcouncil@gmail.com. Please note: a meeting has been arranged for Woodbury Salterton residents at Woodbury Salterton village hall on Thursday 4 February at 19.30 to discuss the formation of a Resilience Group. Feniton Resilience Group will be attending to explain about the scheme.

OFFICE OPENING Times Open to the Public Monday – Friday 11.00‐12.00 Office Manned Hours Monday – Friday 09.00 – 15.00 Contact details Tel: 01395 233791 Email: woodburyparishcouncil@gmail.com HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY Woodbury Parish Council have arranged for a Housing Needs Survey to be carried out within the three villages of Exton, Woodbury and Woodbury Salterton. Survey packs will be distributed to the majority of homes in Woodbury Parish during the first week of February and all residents are encouraged to participate. If you have not received a Survey Pack and wish to be involved, please contact the Parish Office on 01395 233791 or woodburyparish council@ gmail.com Mandy Westlake, Clerk to the Council FLOOD PREVENTION A reminder that sand bags are now available from the following Parish Councillors: WOODBURY Cheryl McGauley, Brookside, Gilbrook EX5 1LG. 01395 232057 / 07786 706546. WOODBURY SALTERTON Patrick Bricknell, Rossli, White Cross Road EX5 1EL. 01395 232463 / 07929 134325. EXTON Graham Murrin, Exton Barton, Exton EX3 OPP. 01392 873017 / 07967 649901. Sand bags are free for all residents but please note that they are supplied unfilled by East Devon District Council. It is the householder’s responsibility to fill their sand bags. Guidance from the Environment Agency on best practice for filling sand bags can be found online using the following link https://www.gov.uk/ government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467902/ LIT_3833.pdf.