February 2017

WOODBURY NEWS

FEBRUARY 2017

2

3

FEBRUARY 2017 EDITORIAL

Two Woodbury Lives As the reports from the Woodbury Garden Club (pp8/9) and the History Society (pp32/33) remind us, lives have been lived and orchards have blossomed, perished, and blossomed again in this ancient settlement beneath Woodbury Castle. This edition of Woodbury News pays tribute to the lives of two extraordinary people of the Parish (pp24-29) whose contributions to the community have been exceptional. Whilst we mourn their passing, we celebrate the fact that they gave so much to the people amongst whom they lived.

Reg Brown

Donoveen Alcock

OUR COVER PICTURE The robin was voted Britain’s favourite bird, and here he/she is, pictured by Tony Bennett on one of his many types of bird feeder (pp33-35). Winter is a tough feeding time for our wild bird population, especially in periods of bird flu epidemics and other such attacks. Our wild birds are also part of the Woodbury community — so please do your bit to ensure their survival!

Woodbury News is a Private Company Limited by Guarantee No. 5263356 Secretary: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT. 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

4 ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH, WOODBURY Vicar: Reverend Karen Spray. Tel: 01392 877400 email: church@Revdkaren.org.uk Associate Priest: Reverend Sid Humphries. Tel:01395 274512 Email: revsidh@gmail.com SPECIAL SERVICES Sunday 29 January - Candlemas. 18.30 Eucharist at Aylesbeare. This is the only service in the Mission Community on that day.

USUAL SUNDAY SERVICES 1st Sunday: 11.15 Eucharist. 2nd Sunday: 11.15 Eucharist. 3rd Sunday: 11.15 Eucharist. 4th Sunday: 11.15 Morning Worship. 5th Sunday: See Special Services. Morning Prayer every Monday at 09.15.

NEWS AND EVENTS Next lych gate stall in Church - Saturday 4 February, 09.30-11.00.

Woodbury PCC Monthly Draw - Draw made at the Charity Coffee Morning 3rd Tuesday each month. Prize every month ranging from £25 to £500. Details from Ken Crundwell 01395 232826.

FLOODLIGHTING ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH (dusk until 23.00) 6 February Colin Ashby. “Happy Birthday Lin, with love from Colin”.

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.

CHURCH ALTAR FLOWERS - FEBRUARY 5 and 12 - Mrs P Tait. 19 and 26 - Mrs P Michael. Many thanks to everyone who helped to decorate church for Christmas.

Digest available in church or from website www.white crossdevon.org.uk.

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FRIDAY 3 MARCH AT 13.30 AT CHRIST CHURCH This year’s event has been prepared by the Christian women of the Philippines and is entitled “Am I Being Unfair to You?". 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.

IN MEMORIAM Sergeant Charles Philip Carder, 10th (service) Battalion Devonshire Regiment Killed in action in Salonika on 10 Feb. 1917, aged 35

5

6 WOODBURY CHARITY COFFEE AND CAKE MORNINGS This year the Charity Coffee and Cake Mornings have decided to support four main charities with £500 each, with other local charities being supported when they are fundraising for special projects. The four main charities are: Hospiscare (Budleigh Salterton and District), Church Rooms, Stallcombe House and Woodbury Community Playing Fields.

The first £500 cheque was presented to Jeremy Browne, Chairman of Budleigh Salterton and District Hospiscare, who, after thanking everybody for their wonderful generosity, informed us all about their plans to employ six nurses to provide emergency cover when the NHS District Nurses are unavailable. These nurses, who will also cover Exmouth and Lympstone, will cost Budleigh Salterton and District Hospiscare an extra £120,000 a year.

Vicki Weatherburn is shown presenting the cheque to Jeremy Browne.

FoSS (FRIENDS OF ST SWITHUN’S) The AGM is to be held on Saturday 28 January at 19.00 with a concert and supper to follow at 19.30. Tickets are still available at £7.50. The next concert will be on Thursday 20 April at 19.30.

FoSS is supporting the Church Bell appeal, having given £2,500, and now is acting as the support group for an application to Pennon Environmental Fund, now being considered, when 10% of the grant will have to be sent to Pennon (SW Water). If this application is successful the refurbishment will take place in the spring.

WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION FILM NIGHT AT WOODBURY PARK SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY Members only. Contact: Nita Goffron 232314 or Jan Owen 232694.

7 WOODBURY COMMUNITY ORCHARD We have just celebrated the 4th Woodbury Wassail at the orchard — what a lovely evening. Thank you to the Community choir, led by Sarah Owen and to all who carried lanterns, sang, made noise and shared a drink to wish good health to the trees. It was good to see plenty of children present, reviving an ancient village custom.

The autumn has also seen us planting a few new trees donated

by Marian Mead for friends, and donated by the WCO to Ken Crundwell to celebrate his big Ken and Marian planting their trees birthday!

Those of you walking around the trees might have noticed several new bird and bat boxes around the site, donated by Tony Bennett of Wild Woodbury, who has added a deluxe hedgehog hotel to the bug house — we can’t wait to find out if it is occupied yet.

We are holding an AGM on 1 February at 20.00 at the Maltsters — this is an informal get-together to decide what events to put on in the year, and who can help get involved with them. Please come along and add any ideas, or pop in to meet us and have some cider. The orchard needs to be used and loved by everyone so if you want to hold picnics, run arty events or do a wildlife survey let us know.

We belong to a larger group “Growing Orchard Communities” and they are running a lot of free workshops between now and April about all things orchardy — from GPS mapping, cider tasting, running an event etc. If you want to go to any of these do get in touch via email (alexthiemann@ tiscali.co.uk) or Facebook - Woodbury Community Orchard.

8 WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB January talk A change had to be made to our programme for January and therefore a very big thankyou to Roger Stokes, who came at the last moment, and gave us an extremely interesting talk on The Rise and Fall of Woodbury Orchards from 1798 - 2016. Using various tithe maps Roger could show us how the number of orchards had increased from 1798 (130 acres) until 1839 where there was not a house in the area without an orchard behind it. This remained more or less the same until 1905 when there was a slight decrease in the number of orchards but by 1963 things were changing dramatically. Three traditional orchards remained, one at Gulliver’s Farm, one in Woodbury Salterton and one in Woodbury.

Roger gave many reasons for why this had happened. Many orchards were attached to farms and often farm hands received cider as part payment.

With the development of machinery, however, fewer farm hands were being employed and less cider needed! Large companies were now producing cider, eating apples and other fruit were being imported and orchards were being neglected. There was no incentive to plant new trees. Generally village life was changing and improvements in transport made life more flexible. An interesting part of the evening was an insight into the records kept by the Glanville family into the activities surrounding their orchard over many years. Roger also gave us details about the production of cider in the area and introduced us to the terms 'hogshead cider’, ‘keeving’ and 'straw cheese’.

The history of cider is fascinating and goes back many hundreds of years. A ‘cheese’ is made when straw and pulp is layered alternately before pressing. (see photo on right)

9 You may ask what constitutes an orchard! We were told 5 or more trees. An orchard can comprise fruit or nut trees. Roger gave us a list of 15 varieties of apples found in our orchards. Remember the name Tom Putt, a variety attributed to Woodbury and found throughout Devon and Somerset? He ended by giving us details of the present day community orchard being developed at the end of Town Lane, near the cricket ground. Look out for details of that in the future and let us support our own orchard in 2017!

Our next meeting is the AGM on 14 February in Woodbury Village Hall at 19.30. NB This will take the form of a ‘bring and share’ supper. Joyce Jeans Keep a diary!

Having been given the honour of thanking Roger for his extremely interesting talk about the Orchards of Woodbury, I pointed out that we were indebted to him and his ancestors, together with long-standing families of the village, for keeping detailed records of happenings in the village, and that without them, we would not know anything about the history of the area.

How many of us regret not asking our parents about their lives when they were young? I wish I had asked my father about his Great War experience, as he was wounded at the Somme. All I know is that on Saturday and Sunday they played football with the Germans and on Monday they were trying to kill each other! My mother certainly never told me anything of her youth.

This made me think how sad it would be if the historical past were forgotten and I wondered how many of us keep diaries these days in which to record daily events. I certainly do not, but I am recording details of my life on computer for my children to read. Having lived through the war, seen a Doodlebug, walked through the last pea-soup fog in London, seen Blue Streak (the first UK rocket engine) being tested, flown on Concorde and drunk champagne from the Football Challenge Cup, I feel they just might be interested.

You may not know this, but even if you are not a member of the Woodbury History Society, you can still access the web-site where you will find some very interesting information about past events in the village. Especially interesting is the report by the late Reg Brown on the Great Flood of 1960 and he explains why such floods occurred – the farming methods had a great deal to do with it – and maybe there is a lesson for us to learn.

It’s not too late to start keeping a diary of some kind, or to record events in your life, so make it your New Year Resolution to do so and the history of Woodbury will be safe, and your children will have something about you to remember. Happy New Year to everyone!

Jean Carpenter

10 WOODBURY FOLLIES 2016 – THE SHOW MUST GO ON So, the show did go on, and by all accounts, it was very well received!

The Woodbury Music Hall committee was pleased to be able to donate £1,500 which was shared between the following local good causes: St Swithuns PCC Church Bell Appeal Woodbury C of E Primary School Stallcombe House Woodbury Village Hall Woodbury Community Orchard Wild-Woodbury Will the show go on this year?

The committee have planned an open meeting on Tuesday 25 April in the Church Rooms at 19.30 and would like to welcome as many people as possible to come. We did get the Follies back on track in 2016, and for it to happen again, we need to have more people to help in any way: front-ofhouse, production, light and sound, new ideas and new acts etc.

Please put this date in your diary and come along to see how you might help.

We know there is even more talent lurking out there!

If you are unable to attend the meeting but want to find out more please email either Phil philslater6022@gmail.com or Karen karens.weir@ btinternet.com

FoSS CONCERT AND SUPPER SATURDAY 28 JANUARY ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH AT 19.30 (following the AGM at 19.00) Barbers’ Shop, Nigel Alcock, Bel Canto.

Tickets £7.50 from Pat Browne, Committee members, Rook Pie or on the door.

OPENING UP TO GOD This course of Quiet Prayer draws on a range of Christian traditions.

It is continuing in 2017 and is still open to anyone wanting to develop their relationship with God in the company of others.

Each meeting is complete in itself.  Learn new ways of listening to God.  Explore and practise different modes of prayer.  Find and refine your own style of spirituality.

Sponsored by the White Cross Mission Community.

19.30 to 21.00, WOODBURY CHURCH ROOMS Tuesday 7 February, Mondays 6 March, 3 April, 1 May, 5 June, 3 July.

Open to all, free of charge.

For further information please contact Carolyn Keep 01395 232318.

11 WOODBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Reg Brown, Vice-Chairman of RBL Woodbury, proposed that I be Chairman of the branch rather than him and kept his promise to guide and support me in the job. My first challenge was the Remembrance Ceremony on the village green. Reg, having been Parade Marshall for a number of years and an RAF man, knew exactly how it should be organised and we now have a short video of the 2016 event that he commissioned as a lasting guide.

The 1914-2014 First World War commemorations would not have been so successful in the August of 2014 without his generous support — it was a daunting task for just a few of us but Reg knew who to ask and what to ask for.

We raised a lot of money for RBL and it was a brilliant community event involving the whole parish. There were numerous and generous things Reg did for the Legion over the years — his final gift a large box of chocolates delivered days before he died for the raffle at our Christmas Coffee Morning.

We will all miss you, and remember you Reg. Sandra Huish (RBL Chairman, Woodbury) Annual report The fortnightly coffee mornings have continued throughout the year thanks to David Keep.

The Branch was represented at the Devon County AGM at the Crownhill Branch, Plymouth in January.

In April the Queen’s 90th birthday was celebrated with a Floral Display in St. Swithun’s. We were also pleased to welcome Carole Arnold to a coffee morning; Carole is the Devon Poppy Appeal Organiser and gave us an update on the county operation as a whole. The boats and trough by the garage in the Arch and the tubs on the road at the entrances to the village were planted up (assisted by the Brownies) with geraniums, donated by Jean Carpenter, and other plants paid for by the Parish Council.

On 30 May Peter Hill and John Treasaden were VIP guests in Plymouth, celebrating the surrender of the German fleet following the Battle of Jutland 100 years ago; Peter Hill’s father was serving in HMS Beellerophon at the time. The 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme, in which so many soldiers died and were injured, was also remembered.

In October we attended a County meeting when Terry Whittles, the National Chairman was the guest, and an informative presentation was given on The Work of the Area Welfare Team in Devon – the RBL Hub in Plymouth received over 5,000 enquiries for assistance last year.

We also welcomed Becky Simmonds as the Branch Poppy Appeal Organiser.

In November at the AGM we welcomed Christine Grist as a member and Branch Chaplain, replacing David Keep who retired after many years as Chaplain. Sandra Huish, Chairman, and the principal Officers were re-elected.

We look forward to events in the New Year and welcoming anyone to our Thursday coffee mornings which are held in the RBL room at the back of the Village Hall. You do not have to be a member, and dates are noted in the Woodbury News each month.

12 WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL Happy New Year from all at Woodbury School. After a busy end of term with the Nativity Service, Carol Service, Christmas Fayre and class parties we were all ready for a break. However, we have all returned refreshed and raring to go!

Alison Sparks, Head Teacher Goodbye and Thankyou to Mrs Blower Many of you will know and may well have been taught by Mrs Blower, as she has been part of Team Woodbury for 24 years! Mrs Blower has decided to retire so it was with a huge amount of appreciation and some sadness that we have said goodbye to her. Mrs Blower leaves a huge legacy; she has helped so many children with their learning but also so much more. As the lead firstaider, her skill and compassion have patched up many injuries; as our IT expert, she has been instrumental in keeping us digitally up to speed; she has also taught recorder club for years and we have lost count of how many residential visits she has accompanied! Last week, the children made a special presentation to her, telling her what she means to them and giving her a memories book, art work and a poem they had created, as well as singing her favourite hymns. Mrs Blower made an emotional farewell speech, which included a thankyou to all those people who have come into school to help her with her DT or art lessons. She also presented the school with two beautiful wooden shields which will be awarded at the end of the school year to children in year 6 for creativity and endeavour in Design Technology and for application of Computing Technology. We all wish Mrs Blower a long and happy retirement.

13 Willow Class Visit to St Swithun’s Church In RE, the children in year 1 are learning about celebrations. Rev. Spray helped them develop their understanding by inviting them to church where she talked to them about how Christians celebrate baptism and marriage. The children also dressed up and through roleplay learnt what actually happens in the ceremonies, asking many questions and taking their learning very seriously.

Our New Mud Kitchen We were thrilled that a mud kitchen has been installed over the holiday in our Foundation Stage outside area. The children thoroughly enjoy making ‘meals’ and serving them – whatever the weather! Apart from being great fun, the benefits of this are immense as it will help the children develop their social skills and imagination.

WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION After another successful year for the Twinning Association which saw an increase in membership, we are all looking forward to a further year of varied activities. On 18 February we have organised another Film Night at Woodbury Park (members only) and on 17 March, we are planning a Barn Dance, as we haven't had one for a long time. This is open to everyone.

Tickets will be £10pp to include a light supper. Please contact either Jan Owen on 232694 or Nita Goffron on 232314.

SEE WOODBURY NEWS ONLINE - www.woodburynews.co.uk

14 WOODBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Seated one day at the organ… was the theme of Dr Francis Burroughs’ talk on 9 December. Mulled wine and mince pies had ensured we were all in a festive mood and Dr Burroughs raised plenty of laughs as he entertained us with stories of weddings and funerals he had attended. He started playing the organ while he was still young and soon realised that weddings at £1.1.0d were more profitable than funerals at 10.6d. The downside was that weddings took up more of your time if the bride arrived late which, of course, she always did. In the beginning, his repertoire was limited so, if a bride was too late, the guests had to be satisfied with a repeat performance. We were able to imagine the characters as he spoke: the groom and best man who needed to prop each other up; the gypsy bride with the dress wider than the church aisle; the bridesmaid fainting; a guest having a heart attack; choir boys taking bets on the best man finding the ring; donkeys ‘performing’ at Pet Services; Oxford Don wives needing to be introduced before the ‘Peace’; choosing inappropriate music, such as ‘Fight the good fight’ and many other unforgettable occasions. As a grand finale he accompanied our singing of Jerusalem and then The Twelve Days of Christmas (with actions) which will, probably, be added to his list of hilarious stories for the future.

The next day we enjoyed our Christmas Luncheon at the Exminster Golf Club. This is a lovely setting for a meal and the staff made it a most enjoyable occasion. So, we thank our Committee for organising anot her full and interesting year and we look forward to even more fun in 2017.

At the January meeting Margaret Edwards was acting president as Lin Ashby was away. She started by wishing us all a Happy New Year and then passing on the sad news that Donoveen Alcock had died before Christmas.

Donoveen was an active member and former president of WI in Woodbury; there followed a minute’s silence in memory of Donoveen. After that the business of the meeting was conducted before Margaret introduced the speaker for the evening.

The talk was entitled Have Wig, Will Travel and Margaret Barnes, a former barrister, gave us an insight into her life working in the criminal justice system. She told us that the law is still a very male-dominated profession and, although there is a greater percentage of women entering the Bar now, there is still only one woman in the Supreme Court. She showed us her gown (similar to a graduate’s gown) and her wig, made of horse hair and modelled on an eighteenth-century man’s wig.

Margaret has represented all types of offenders — murderers, rapists and robbers — and has worked with a number of defendants in high-profile cases.

She illustrated her talk with stories and amusing anecdotes from throughout her legal career. Since retiring, Margaret has had an interest in creative writing and has recently published her first novel, Crucial Evidence. This novel draws on her experiences as a barrister defending in the Criminal Courts.

Marian Lennox

15 WOODBURY TENNIS CLUB The AGM of Woodbury Tennis Club will take place in the Church Rooms on Wednesday 8 February at 20.00. All members and interested guests are invited. The meeting will be short and entertaining.

Club members are playing every Sunday morning during the winter, with 610 members normally present, but there is always room for a few more, so please come along and get the required exercise. The Club has a team in the East Devon Winter League, Div 5; all matches have now been completed, with four wins and one draw, the final match against Teign Valley being won 6-3, thus ensuring that the team remains in the same division next year.

The Club will be organising junior coaching with senior coach Steve Wood during the summer term; new and returning members should contact Helen Ryland (helenryland@btinternet.com) to ensure that they are on the list.

WOODBURY NEWS CLOSING DATES 2017 21 FEBRUARY. 21 MARCH. 18 APRIL. 16 MAY. 20 JUNE. 18 JULY. 19 SEPTEMBER. 17 OCTOBER. 14 NOVEMBER. 5 DECEMBER. (SEPTEMBER ISSUE WILL BE A DIRECTORY) 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 ROYAL BRITISH LEGION COFFEE MORNINGS 2 & 16 FEBRUARY. 2, 16 & 30 MARCH 10.00 - 11.30, RBL ROOM behind WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL All are invited to join us on alternate Thursdays.

Don’t miss …

THE BIG FAMILY QUIZ THE MALTSTERS ARMS SATURDAY 8 APRIL, 16.00 TO 19.00 Disco, raffle, prizes, food.

Tickets on sale soon Proceeds to Woodbury Community Playing Fields

16

WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS HOLY TRINITY CHURCH In Memory — Thankyou Our sincere thanks to Rose Channon and her family for the kind gift of £200 for the Floor Fund in memory of Derrick.

Derrick died just before Christmas and his funeral service at the Crematorium was conducted by Rev. Sid Humphries. We extend our sympathy and prayers to Rose and her family.

Christmas 2016 – A review School Nativity Pupils at our village school performed Hey Ewe in church.

Class 1 acted the story of the curious sheep, a role in which Ellie was superb, and the rest of the school sang the songs. The church was packed with proud parents and friends. A retiring collection was kindly taken for church funds.

Pre-School The children gave a Christmas performance in nativity costumes in the village hall with songs accompanied on the keyboard by Katharine Wheeler. It was a poignant occasion as the pre-school was to move from its home in the village hall and become part of the school from January. Presentations were made to leaders Traci Earle, Michelle Ely and Sarah Greenham.

Pre-school Nativity with helpers — Traci Earle, Michelle Ely, Sarah Greenham and Katharine Wheeler.

Christingle The school held a Christingle Service in church, led by Rev. Karen Spray. A retiring collection for The Children’s Society raised £56.

Christmas Communion The midnight communion was conducted by Rev. Sid Humphries.

17 Church Decoration The church was beautifully decorated prior to the Carol Service by Sally Rawlings and her team of helpers. Thanks especially to Sally who has taken on organising the flowers and flower rota from Sheila Gerdes. The lovely Christmas tree was again donated by Devon Clinton Estates.

Carol Service The candlelit carol service was very well attended and was generally enjoyed. The choir, including very noticeably and audibly our new young choristers, sang Do you hear what I hear and Heaven invites you to a party. Mulled wine and mince pies were served afterwards.

The collection was divided between the church and ShelterBox, £316 (which included a donation) was sent New choir members Kayla Kendall, to ShelterBox’s Syrian Appeal.

Lily Nash, Eliza Rooke and Joanie Haines.

The Church choir also sang carols at Halsdown House Nursing home Carol Singing To the great delight of the organiser, Debbie Jung, there was a greatly increased turnout for this annual event.

Thirty three people went round the village singing carols and ending up singing and being entertained in The Diggers Rest. This raised £207.70 for The Children’s Society.

Church Competitions Colouring Competition All the entries in the Children’s Colouring Competition were on display at the back of the church.

First prizes in their age section were won by Ellis Bown, Brodie Nosworthy, Niah Bown, Samara Gray and Katie Abbott. Second prizes to Sam Holt and Libby Pearson and third to Daisy Johansen and Megan Holt. The winner of the adult Transportation Quiz was Pam MacDiarmid from Exmouth and the Children’s Quiz The Christmas Alphabet was won jointly by Sam Holt and Katie Abbott – they decided to share the prize rather than draw lots for it. The final figure raised by the quizzes is not yet known but will be about £500.

18 Christmas Table Decorations Nineteen people came to the village hall for a fun evening making a table decoration and enjoying a glass of wine. Debbie Jung and Jill Dupain arranged the evening, which proved so popular that there was a request for it to become a regular event. ÂŁ161 was raised for Church Funds.

A suggestion was made that people would like to do an arrangement for Easter – date to be arranged.

Parochial Church Council Jenny Kemp is standing down as Assistant Church Warden and flowers were delivered to her home in appreciation of her service. She will remain a PCC member. A new member, Mark Lovett, was welcomed to the January meeting, as was Rev. Sid Humphries. A vote of thanks was proposed to Debbie Jung for the attractive posters she had made for the Christmas events and services.

Thankyou to the Woodbury Salterton 2000 Society This village organisation, set up in the year 2000 to organise village get-togethers, has sadly had to be wound up. The annual May Day event, with its procession of the May Queen and Jack-in-the-Green on a decorated float, followed by refreshments and other stalls, has not been well supported the last two years and with the high cost of public liability insurance it is no longer viable. In the past the May Day has proved a happy social event and a village tradition, and has raised a lot of money which has been used to support village clubs and societies. The Committee has divided funds left in hand between the Church, the School and the Village Hall. The Church thanks them for the donation of ÂŁ164. A huge thankyou to all the committee members for all their hard work and efforts over the past 16 years and for all the pleasure they have given and what they have added to our village life.

Whist Drive These take place in the Village Hall on the third Tuesday in the month at 19.30. The February one will therefore be held on 21 February.

What about joining us for a fun evening? Gifts were presented to Gill and Patrick Bricknell in gratitude for their arranging of these enjoyable monthly events, which also raise money for church funds.

Winter Monthly Coffee Mornings Always on the first Saturday on the month in church from 09.30 until 10.30. Bacon butties are served. The February one will be on the 5th.

19 WOODBURY SALTERTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE President Jenny Kemp wished all members a Happy New Year at the January 11 meeting. The Christmas meal had been greatly enjoyed and she thanked Gill Bricknell and Glenys Clarke for making the arrangements and Ann Short for organising the fun game which raised money for our social fund. Secretary Terrie Newman had printed out the six resolutions on which members had to vote with brief notes on the arguments for and against each.

Members each voted for their preferred one.

As The Diggers’ Rest does not open until noon, the venue for the monthly Coffee Morning will be changed in January to Greendale as an experiment.

The February event will be on the 16th at 11.00.

The February Games Afternoon with tea will be held at the home of Jenny Kemp at 14.00 on Wednesday 15th.

The questionnaire from DFWI about when the Centenary in 2020 should be celebrated was filled in.

Radio Devon Poppy Appeal Ngaio Southard said she has been knitting poppies for this appeal and has the pattern if other members would like to make some. As a tribute to the 11,000 Devon men and women who lost their lives in the First World War it is planned to create a carpet of 11,000 red hand-crafted poppies in the Craft and Garden Pavilion at the Devon County Show.

The traditional New Year Wine and Cheese buffet was then enjoyed.

The speaker at the February meeting on the 8th at 19.30 in the Village Hall will be Rev. Karen Spray. She will be showing photos and talking about walking the Camino de Santiago. Anyone who has not had the opportunity to hear Karen’s account of her pilgrimage is very welcome to join us for the evening.

WELL DONE WOODBURY SALTERTON At the Bangers (Kenniford Farm, of course) and Mash Evening, over £488 was raised for the newly refurbished village hall. Chairman Pat Bricknell used the new sound system to welcome everyone and to explain the grants that had enabled the toilets to be refurbished and the heaters and curtains to be replaced. The hall is available to hire every morning, as the play group is now assimilated into the school. It is also available most afternoons and evenings. The hall is medium-sized and ideal for exercise classes, meetings, parties etc. Tables and chairs available separately. Call Patrick on 232463.

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?

20 WOODBURY SALTERTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL January 2017 Happy New Year to all from Woodbury Salterton C of E Primary School. We are delighted to be back in school to see that our redecoration of the school is complete; we are really proud of our building.

Clubs are starting back up again: we have breakfast club each morning from 07.50 and a variety of lunchtime clubs including choir, football and running.

This term sees the start of two new clubs with Creation Station joining us and Fizz Pop Science returning to stimulate our creative and inquisitive children. Multi-sports and football will continue on Thursday and Friday until 16.30. Please get in touch if you would like to book your child in to any of these fun activities and use our wrap-around care.

Woodbury Salterton FSU starts! We’re delighted to be offering places for two, three and four-year-olds as part of our newly established Foundation Stage Unit (FSU). As a teacherrun provision, we’re able to offer a number of full days and with our Food-for-Life dinners the children can also take advantage of a quality hot meal. Any parents who would like to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact the school office to arrange a visit.

Looking back to December, before we broke up for the Christmas holidays, we can share our school news with you: Sports Hall Athletics Success Well done to all the Class 3 children who took part in Sports Hall Athletics at the East Devon Tennis Centre. The children competed against 10 other primary schools in javelin, ball throwing, hurdling, sprinting, jumping and a very exciting relay race to end the morning. As usual, Woodbury Salterton children shone with not only their sports skills and competitiveness, but excellent behaviour, friendship and teamwork.

Another opportunity to see our school values in action!

21 Well done team! Well done to class 3 girls in playing their first football match at Woodbury Primary School. They all showed great enthusiasm and team spirit and said they would all like to continue and look forward to another match in the New Year!

Christmas Lunch - what a treat! All the children had an enjoyable and tasty Christmas lunch in school. With their Christmas crowns and party hats, the children all enjoyed the wonderful food and treated the staff to a couple of carols too. Thanks to all our kitchen staff from our federation partner school Littleham who make and serve our Food-for-Life high quality meals.

Hey Ewe! Our village church was packed with parents and families who were treated to a wonderful retelling of the Nativity Story through the eyes of a very curious sheep.

There were wonderful songs and some excellent characters. The performances marked the start of Christmas for many. All of our children dressed up and were involved and there were some real stars of the show, especially our adorable little sheep Ellie.

PTA News Fundraisers for this half term include Bag2School on Tuesday 21 March. Bag up all your unwanted clothes, soft toys, bags, belts and shoes. Please bring your double-wrapped bags to school before 09.00 on the collection day. If you have difficulty delivering them at that time please get in touch with our school office and they will pass a message to one of the PTA members who will be able to assist you. All items are recycled to countries in need of such items and our PTA can raise funds to use in school.

Last time we raised £200 — so go on and have that spring clean sort-out and help raise funds for your local school in the meantime!

Also planned is the PTA Valentine Disco on Thursday 9 February 18.0019.00 in the village hall. Tickets cost £2 and are available from members of the PTA or you can ask at the office.

22 WOODBURY SALTERTON PRIMARY SCHOOL Cont’d/…

This term the children will be exploring the value of Courage which is already one the school’s core values. Once again, they will be using an acrostic poem to help them think about this. Courage is…

Carrying on when things are difficult Overcoming fear Understanding and facing a challenge Risking being out of your comfort zone Always believing in God’s promises Going for a goal Empowered by encouragement Governor news Our thanks to two of our local governors who stood down at our last FGB before Christmas. Jane Butler and Susan Merrick have worked really hard to support our school both before and after our Federation with our partner Littleham C of E Primary School. They will be missed by us all, and the valued contributions they have made in the past years in personnel, school development and Susan in her role as chair are much appreciated.

To find out more about our lovely school please call our office on 01395 232649 or visit our website www.woodbury-salterton. devon.sch.uk or see our Facebook page. We have places available from 3-11 years.

EXTON NEWS ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, EXTON

SUNDAY SERVICES 1st Sunday - 4th Sunday before Lent - 5 February, 18.30 Evening Service.

2nd Sunday - 3rd Sunday before Lent - 12 February, 09.30 Eucharist Service.

3rd Sunday - 2nd Sunday before Lent - 19 February, 09.30 Lay Led Service.

4th Sunday - 1st Sunday before Lent - 26 February, 09.30 Eucharist Service.

EXTON CRAFT GROUP Our meetings have recommenced in St Andrew’s Church Exton, 14.00 16.00. Bring a craft of your choice and enjoy an afternoon of good company with tea and biscuits provided.

EXTON LADIES GROUP Exton Ladies started the New Year by celebrating their 7th anniversary with a Beetle Drive. Much laughter could be heard resonating from the village hall before the eventual winner was named as Gay Harris who was presented with a prize. This was followed by Chris Bilyard blowing out the candles on the beautifully decorated cake, and the ladies singing Happy Birthday, before they tucked into a delicious tea provided by Val Thomas.

The next meeting on 9 February will be the AGM followed by a speaker.

New members welcome.

23

WOODBURY PARISH COUNCIL

Greenside, Greenway, Woodbury EX5 1LP 01395 233791 woodburyparishcouncil@gmail.com http://www.woodbury-pc.org.uk/

FLOOD PREVENTION Sand bags are now available from the following Parish Councillors: WOODBURY - Councillor Cheryl McGauley, Brookside, Gilbrook EX5 1LG 01395 232057 Mobile 07786 706546 WOODBURY SALTERTON - Councillor Patrick Bricknell, Rossli, White Cross Road EX5 1EL. 01395 232463 Mobile 07929 134325 EXTON - Councillor Graham Murrin, Exton Barton, Exton EX3 OPP 01392 873017 Mobile 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

Keep Britain Tidy is launching its biggest-ever litter campaign, The Great British Spring Clean, to encourage 500,000 people to get out there and make sure their neighbourhood is one of which they can be proud.

The Spring Clean, which will take place from 3-5 March, 2017, has won the backing of TV naturalist and writer Steve Backshall, the BAFTA-winning Deadly 60 presenter.

Steve said: “Litter dropped in a British street is a horror show for wildlife —so many animals are injured and even die from the things we throw away. This is such an important issue and I’m proud to be supporting Keep Britain Tidy, and their campaign – The Great British Spring Clean.”

The campaign is being backed by charities such as the RSPCA, the Marine Conservation Society and Keep Wales Tidy and businesses including McDonald’s, Greggs, Costa, Harrogate Spring Water and The Helping Hand Company.

It builds on the success of 2016’s national clean-up, which saw 250,000 people get stuck in to clean up their communities, including hundreds of school children, thousands of community groups and 400 local authorities across the country, who between them collected more than 300,000 bags of rubbish.

To take part, simply go to www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk and register today!

24

ROUND AND ABOUT

DEATHS Donoveen Rosemary Alcock (02.06.1927-13.12.2016) We are sorry to report the death of Donoveen Alcock just before Christmas.

A service celebrating her life was held in St Swithun’s on 22 December, conducted by the Rev. Karen Spray. The organ was played by Nigel (with whom she shared a love of music) and many people were in attendance, including members of her family and friends in the choir and congregation.

Moving tributes were given by her daughter and granddaughter and members of the choir, and are summarised below.

Donoveen was born in Urmston in Lancashire and lived in Sale for 32 years.

A dedicated teacher, the majority of her working life was spent teaching children with special needs. On marrying choirmaster Nigel 33 years ago, she continued to use her expertise and experience when they moved to Woodbury. She ran the playgroup, gave piano lessons, guided young choristers and sang alto in the choir. A Christian with sound principles, Donoveen gave selflessly of her time for the village and St Swithun’s church and raised about £30,000 for it through organising fayres, quizzes, raffles, monthly draws, and providing her famous chocolate cakes, pots of preserves and hand-made cards for all occasions. For some time Donoveen also served as Church Warden and then Verger.

Always reliable (‘she did what she said she would do’), in particular Donoveen was a staunch member of Woodbury WI. She served as President and on the committee, frequently won the Flower of the Month competition and the annually-awarded trophy, contributed to discussions, voiced her opinions on national Resolutions and gave votes of thanks.

Donoveen’s presence and indomitable spirit will be missed, and we send condolences to Nigel and her family.

As reported in the December issue of Woodbury News we were sorry to announce the death of Reg Brown on 1 December. A history of Reg and his links with Woodbury are featured later in this issue.

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 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.

25 THANKS ‘SAINTS’ in the Church and Community Donoveen Rosemary Alcock – from Nigel and family How do my family and I find words to sum up our gratitude to all our friends in Woodbury and the Mission Community, for all their love and support at this very difficult time in our lives? It is nigh on impossible! We have so many individuals and groups to thank.

Above all I wish to publicly record my eternal thanks to Donoveen’s family who have welcomed me lovingly into their hearts from day one of my thirty three years of marriage.

Firstly, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Reverend Karen Spray for the love, prayers, and support shown to me, not only during my beloved Donoveen’s short time spent in Intensive Care, but also through her passing and subsequent ‘Thanksgiving of Life’ Service in church on 22 December 2016.

Our thanks also to all the clergy.

Secondly, my special thanks go to Colin Ashby, my illustrious and immensely supportive friend and Deputy DoM., who has been managing the services and choir throughout this period. However, behind a good man is an even greater woman – Lin Milsom-Ashby, who has not only given me love and support, both spiritual and practical, but organized with Sue Hudson the smooth running of the service. Our thanks go to all the ladies in the church for arranging the refreshments afterwards.

Thirdly, my intensely loyal and dedicated choir, who have propped me up, and risen to the challenges which have inevitably been imposed on them.

They are not only the church choir whom I love and respect enormously – they are my immediate church family, as is the whole congregation of St Swithun’s Parish Church.

The ‘Thanksgiving’ Service which, although I found it incredibly difficult to maintain my concentration, was truly a magnificent memorial to our indomitable and magical Donoveen — the one and only ‘organiser’.

I truly bless the day that we came to live in this wonderful village of Woodbury. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and God Bless You All. Nigel Alcock 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.

SEE WOODBURY ONLINE

www.woodburydevon.co.uk

26 REG BROWN AND WOODBURY THE EVACUEE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE Act One – Reggie the evacuee We so often hear of the miserable time that was spent by those evacuees who were, for their safety, spirited away from their homes, families and friends, that we might well get the impression that all of them were unhappy. For 7-year-old Reggie Brown from Croydon, nothing could have been further from the truth. Even the long train journey to Devon, even the medical inspection in Exeter’s Guildhall, even the bouncy charabanc ride through Devon lanes could not depress him, for what he had seen through the bus window looked (and smelt!) heavenly.

He, together with a friend from home, sat and waited for a host family to pick them. Eventually, with night’s shadows falling, they were the only two left, sitting on a bench in the centre of the village hall with no host to take them.

Then a woman, who had declared that she would only take “girls, never boys”, took pity on them and they found their first wartime home in Woodbury. Reg (known then as Reggie) had already fallen in love with what he had seen on the journey in. He was aware of the clean country scents, the autumnal tints in the trees and the cows strolling purposefully up the village street.

Above all he liked the people. The morning after he arrived, he saw men walking to work and greeting each other with loud shouts and laughter. The women came from inside their cottages to sit making lace outside their front doors where the light was better. All of them spoke a strange language which he took some weeks to master – but soon he was as fluent in the Devon dialect as in the Croydon/cockney he had left behind.

Some weeks later he left his first host to be billeted with Bill and Dorothy Havill who farmed from Higher Venmore Farm on the outskirts of the village.

27 Bill Havill taught him the crafts of farming and he was soon milking cows by hand, driving cattle, pulling mangles – a really useful farmer’s boy. He was also well-versed in the wildlife around. ‘Uncle Bill’ was a lover of nature and aware that in Reggie he had a willing and enthusiastic pupil.

At the same time Dorothy Havill heard him reading to some of the other children and realised that he had a talent for performing. From then on she was likely to throw a script at him in the morning, saying: “Learn that.

You’re performing it for the WI this afternoon.” And he not only performed it, but was word-perfect as well. From his first visit to the church, all he wanted was to be a member of the choir. (Dorothy sang in the choir and Bill was a bell ringer.) Reg joined the choir and soon became ‘top boy’.

When VJ Day came, Reg was the only evacuee left in the village and had no desire to return home. But he had about a year’s schooling left, so he returned to Croydon where he and his peers now barely understood each other. He missed the wonderful countryside ways he had discovered. To find himself sitting on the forecourt of his parent’s greengrocery shop every Saturday trying to sell cut flowers was a dreadful substitute for all the activities that he had been enjoying in Woodbury.

Act two – Reg the villager On leaving the RAF, where he had served as a ‘regular’, he returned to Woodbury, living again with Havills. Once there he threw himself into village life as only Reg could. He spent close to four years as secretary to the Cricket Club. “He wor the best secretary we ever had” one long-time player told me.

But there were many more activities:  He started and ran a Youth Club, which was very successful.  He was a very active member of the Carnival Committee.  He was a regular singer with St Swithun’s Choir.  He formed and ran the Woodbury Players – an ambitious theatre group, which regularly performed in the village hall.  He played football, badminton and, of course, skittles for Woodbury.

The one thing he regretted was the very short time he had spent studying.

Devon had given him a good start in life-skills but it was difficult to move forward when other pupils were so far ahead and you had no tutor. Croydon might not be as beautiful or as exciting as Devon but the education there was notably superior. (One subject that bewildered Reg was algebra, which had not been taught at all in Devon.)

He returned to Croydon in 1962 at a time when universities were relaxing their rules for admittance. After totally dedicated study, he left University five years later with an Honours Degree in English and American Literature together with a post on the academic staff of the University of Kent at Canterbury. He also had professional qualifications, which meant five sets of letters after his name.

Cont’d/...

28 Cont’d/…

Act Three – Reg the student As it happened, it was to be nearly a quarter of a century before Reg was to live in Woodbury again. Throughout their lives Reg had remained like a son to the Havills. He visited them frequently and thus kept in touch with village life and all the gossip.

When they died, within three weeks of each other, Reg was horrified to learn that the farmhouse was likely to be bulldozed and he set out to save it.

By this time ‘he’ had become ‘we,’ Reg and I having met and married in Croydon before he began his serious studies. In spite of having three young children and few savings he decided to buy Higher Venmore Farm and restore it. It seemed like madness. We both had jobs in East Kent and there seemed little chance of finding anything as good in the West. In spite of this we bought the house and put in essentials such as indoor plumbing. We then proceeded to use it for superior camping during the school holidays. Days in Devon were very lively. There was usually a dog or two about and to complete the company, friends or friends’ children joined us.

It was not until all three of our offspring had completed their degrees and we had both retired that the work on the farmhouse could begin in earnest. By the time we started, the house needed major work. In spite of having suffered a heart attack, endured a quadruple bypass operation and being diagnosed with lupus, Reg threw himself into the work.

Act Four – Reg the Councillor The first two years were the worst. To restore a house which had not been updated since the 1930s took every ounce of our resolve (and much of our savings!). For three years Reg was not able to join in village life as he would have wished. Once Higher Venmore became habitable however, he was able to start on new pursuits.

He was Chairman of the History Society for four years and Vicechairman of the Royal British Legion.

He was Chair of the Village Design Statement and wrote a handbook to help councillors who needed to understand the rules for planning.

He haunted the corridors of East Knoll on behalf of Woodbury and became an expert in raising money for the many projects he worked on. He took on the role of Project Manager for the restoration of the Church (or Parish) Rooms.

29 This had been his first classroom when he arrived in Woodbury to a severely overcrowded school, so he had a great affection for it. Reg was the Councillor who, together with a local blacksmith, designed and supervised the Woodbury sign on the Green.

The list of all he achieved during those years is endless. He worked long hours at home – often well into the night and, above everything else, he got things done. He was proud when, in 2008, he was given an Achievement Award by Devon County Council as ‘someone who made a difference to their community.’

Leaving Woodbury and Higher Venmore was very difficult for Reg. Nowhere would have been a suitable substitute and Sidmouth certainly did not fit the bill. From the day we moved in 2013 until he died on 1 December 2016 he spent hours travelling backwards and forwards to Woodbury. His final engagement was as Parade Marshall for the Remembrance Ceremony on Woodbury’s Village Green. He died seventeen days later.

On 20 December we laid him to rest in the Churchyard extension in the village he had loved so dearly – the evacuee who made a difference.

Janet Brown FUNDRAISING CAROLS AROUND WOODBURY I received a letter from Mr Peters, the Assistant Treasurer for Save the Children in Exmouth, in which he told me that the final audited amount raised by Carols around Woodbury was £460.38. He was very grateful for this as he said there were very heavy demands for funds at the moment to support the work Save the Children is doing worldwide. This amount compared very favourably with previous years considering there was only one evening of carols and we need to thank the people and families of Woodbury who gave their usual generous donations. We also need to thank the singers, of course, and the collectors, not forgetting those who donated and served mince pies and mulled wine in the Church Rooms afterwards.

Mike Jeans DECEMBER WEATHER Apart from the fact that December was a dry month there were no notable features; there were a couple of lovely calm sunny days on the 28th and 29th but by and large it was dull and drizzly. The gauge measured 16.9mm (0.67ins and 17% of average) and max/min temperatures were 16C/0C with winds mostly from the SW. As for the year as a whole, with 816.3mm of rain (32.1ins and 87% of the 10 year average) it was the second relatively dry year on the trot; Dartmoor was particularly affected with Fernworthy, for example, showing its ancient architectural bones and the river Teign down to a trickle; Exmoor was not quite so dry and following the pattern of most years, NW England and Scotland got any rough weather that was going. I do wish someone had not started giving ridiculous names to minor storms that blow over an odd tree!

PJH

30 THREADING OUR WAY TO ZAMBIA! We first met Rosemary and Michael Stapleton four years ago in a chance meeting at the border town of Katima Mulilo in Namibia.

Over the years we have become firm friends so when Rosemary contacted us asking if we could bring over a “few things so some of the local women could learn to improve their sewing skills giving them a source of income and hence some independence”, we were happy to help.

We placed a few small notices in the village and were overwhelmed by the generous support of our neighbours and many other kind people in Woodbury – so much so we managed to fill an additional bag (22kgs!) with sewing and knitting paraphernalia. Much of this was collected at Jean Carpenter’s home which we really appreciated – thank you, Jean!

We took this some 1500km up to Zambia, to the Stapletons’ place near the village of Likanda where they live out in the bush by the Zambezi. Linda and Rosemary sorted through all the different bits and pieces making up both sewing and knitting kits.

Headmaster receiving knitting

These were then presented, firstly, to the school where knitting classes take place for the female villagers and pupils and, secondly, at Rosemary’s home where villagers were presented with sewing kits. Sadly, an elderly woman had just died so quite a few women were unable to attend as they were supporting the bereaved family.

31 When we left a few days later we were greeted by calls of “Thank you, thank you” from the villagers and we just wanted to echo that as we know how much this support means to these people so, again to the kind, generous community of Woodbury, “Thank you, thank you”!

Like to know more? Please contact Gordon and Linda Cameron 232145.

Linda, Rosemary, Ruth (aged 3) and 6 Villagers

WANTED Please - has anyone any unwanted double knitting wool? I am making blankets for less fortunate children. Any colours considered. Thank you. Anna Eyres 232183.

WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION BARN DANCE WITH MUSIC BY PHOENIX FRIDAY 17 MARCH, 19.30 WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL £10pp to include light supper. Bar available.

Contact: Nita Goffron 232314 or JanOwen 232694.

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.

32 AN IDLE AND DISSOLUTE PERSON IN THE 17TH CENTURY Before the days of a national police force the parishes elected constables to deal with misdemeanours in the village.

The offender would be apprehended and taken before the local magistrate who would then decide whether he or she should be committed to Petty or Quarter Sessions.

In 1675 a young man called Robert Butler, who was a woolcomber by trade, was charged with stealing a peck of wheat and oats from a local farmer.

The farmer stated that grain had been taken from sheaves of corn in his barn. This Robert denied, even though a suspect bag was found hidden in his parents’ garden. He was taken before the Justice of the Peace but managed to escape from custody. The family lived in a cottage (which later became known as Thornleigh) in Town Lane. The constable asked two of the parishioners to search Butler’s house. They found his father, Nathaniel, at the back of the house warning his son (known as ‘Robin’ by the family) of the search party. The father refused to say whether his son was at home.

The men then heard Robert’s sister tell her mother that ‘the cage was open and the bird has flown, but the net is left’. Evidently eight men had been sent to capture him but he managed to evade them. After a ‘hue and cry’ he was found in Heavitree from where he was taken to the House of Correction in St Thomas in Exeter. The following year he was committed to the High Gaol in Exeter for escaping from custody and committing a felony. His parents were charged with concealing a prisoner and then helping him to escape.

Robert did not learn his lesson, as two years later he was committed to the Workhouse on a charge of stealing a pig from another farmer. The Justices found him guilty of a felony and being a ‘very idle, dissolute and disorderly person’ having been twice before tried for felony. He was now committed to Bridewell at St Thomas and kept there till the next sessions for a period of hard labour. He was ordered to be whipped and kept in gaol until he could find surety for his good behaviour.

By this time the people of Woodbury had had enough of Robert Butler and sent a petition to the Justices of the Peace of the Devon Quarter Sessions thus:

‘The humble petition of the parishioners of Woodbury whose names are thereunto subscribed - showeth that whereas one Robert Butler being now a prisoner tried and found guilty of felony before Your Worships this instant Sessions; and whereas the said Butler hath ever been a very extravagant and idle fellow taking ungodly courses and thievish practices, having been twice before now imprisoned and tried for felonies, and being a dangerous man not fit to live at liberty in a Commonwealth, our said parish have been very much prejudiced by his surreptitious courses already, and are like to suffer more and more damage by the said Butler, in case he have his liberty again, and not restrained by Authority.

33 The humble request of your petitioners therefore is that in tender regard of the premises, Your Worships would be pleased to command that the said Robert Butler may be so restrained by committing him to the Workhouse, and getting his living in a lawful way, that so the said parish and other places adjacent may be no more damnified by his thievish conditions but be discharged of such an intolerable burden.’

At the bottom of the document is a list of 24 of the leading men of the parish, including John Bolt, the vicar of Woodbury.

One of Robert’s brothers, John Butler, who was a mariner, became the lessee of the cottage. The cottage, known as ‘Butlers’, remained in the hands of the family until the early 1800s, the last tenant being another Nathaniel. The family appears to have settled in Topsham, though still holding the lease of the cottage with an undertenant living on the premises.

The cottage was quite small at the time that Robert Butler was living there, but had 1½ acres of land attached to it.

Gill Selley

With winter finally here things are changing. Our three hibernating species of mammals — hedgehogs, bats and dormice — should now be tucked up and having a good old kip! If you see any of these species out and about they probably need help so please let us know straight away on the numbers or addresses below.

Coming up to Christmas, members of the Wild-Woodbury team were busy building and putting up bird boxes, bat boxes and bug hotels in order to make sure that we hit our 2016 targets. We had stands at craft and school Christmas fairs where we gave away lots of nest boxes and bird feeders in addition to telling people what we are doing next.

This is the time of year when it is most important to put out food for the birds. Most of the wild seeds, berries and brambles have now been exhausted. The birds are using more energy foraging and are getting ever diminishing returns. If we get a very cold spell and the ponds, puddles and bird baths freeze over, the smaller birds will start to die of dehydration within a day or so. In those situations it is as important to provide clean water as it is to provide food. We humans like a varied diet. We eat many different foodstuffs and would not be overly happy if every meal we had was an unchanging mix of all the things we can eat. Birds are the same; although a general seed mix will provide them with nutrition, they would prefer to eat a variety of different foods and that is how they achieve a balanced diet.

Cont’d/...

34 Some birds such as house sparrows and robins will eat a bit of everything. Other birds have favourite foods. The more varieties of food you provide the more species you will attract and sustain. The problem is that different types of food need different containers. The good thing is that the various foods and containers are inexpensive and readily available from supermarkets and bargain stores. There is no perfect collection of foods but if you want to attract some of the more unusual birds, in addition to a general seed-mix, the following would be a good start:  Sunflower hearts — these small white seeds are like a magnet to goldfinches, green finches, and a variety of colourful tits, including the beautiful long-tailed tit and even siskins. They are large enough to be put in the conventional upright feeders that are used for general seed mixes.  Peanuts — these commonly attract a wide variety of tits, woodpeckers and other species, they are served in a mesh feeder — never in a mesh bag which can trap birds’ feet and cause painful injuries.  Suet blocks, suet balls, coconut shells filled with suet based feed — the blocks go into a metal cage, the balls go into a tall cylinder a little like a peanut feeder but heavier and with larger holes, and the coconut halves have a string attached and just need hanging. Suet feed tends to last longer than seeds and the birds love it. The blocks are great for fixing to a fence or a wall and the other two can be hung from a tree or a feeding station.  Dried mealworms — these are a favourite of many types of bird and are an important part of a balanced diet. They can be put into most types of feeder with small holes.  General seed mix — a great general feed for most types of bird. It can be put in upright feeders, mixed with melted suet or lard and moulded in a cake tin, tipped onto a bird table or sprinkled on the ground. It’s available in big bags and is great value for money.

All of the above will attract a range of smaller birds to your feeders but they can also be put onto a bird table for the larger birds such as collared doves, starlings, magpies and wood pigeons. They can also be put on the ground to attract a range of ground-feeding birds such as blackbirds, the ever present robins and sparrows, wrens, and a whole host of others.

There are no best options and it is worth swapping and changing to see what your local birds like.

35 You can also add a few sultanas or rolled oats if you have some in the kitchen. Whole black sunflower seeds or niger seeds are worth a try and so are special mixes for specific species but the first five on the list are a great start.

There are a few very important things to remember:  Bread is bad for most birds and animals as it contains very little nutrition and quickly goes mouldy, causing respiratory problems.  Feeders should be filled with a small amount of fresh food on a regular basis so that it doesn't get stale or mouldy and cause infections.  Feeders need to be checked regularly for mould or trapped stale food and they should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a month to stop the spread of infections.  If you put food on the ground only put down small amounts. Scraps left by the birds will get cleaned away at night by wood mice in the winter and hedgehogs in the summer. Large amounts of food left on the ground can attract rats, so be vigilant.  If you keep chickens or domestic fowl they need to be kept in a covered enclosure away from wild birds and the risk of bird flu contamination.  Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling bird food or feeders as they can spread infections to humans.

If you start feeding now you will have a range of birds visiting your garden within hours. The next thing you should do is apply for a free “Great Garden Birdwatch” pack from the RSPB website http://www.rspb.org.uk, and spend an hour taking part between 28 - 30 January. The results help to spot population trends and highlight problems early, so you are really doing your bit for conservation and having fun with nature!

If you have any questions please get in touch with us at info@wildwoodbury.org or call Tony Bennett on 07971 082384.

Please join our Facebook group Wild-Woodbury and check out our website http://www.wild-woodbury. org to find out more about what we are doing to help our local wildlife.

Tony Bennett

36

Winter storms and roadside trees The wet and blustery weather of late winter can bring trees down across the countryside, leaving gardeners and larger landowners to clear up the mess.

Much loved though they are, trees associated with roadsides can present a risk to the public in high winds. Although the impact of storms is unpredictable, regular inspections and management help ensure that the risks to people from falling branches and trees are kept as low as possible.

Over the winter period our forestry team inspected the trees adjoining highways that run through Estate land. Trees are graded as being of high, medium or low risk, with this risk dependent on both the intensity of traffic, and features that might make the trees likely to fall over or drop branches.

Trees deemed to present a significant risk are then managed. Inspections look at the amount of deadwood in the crown, general tree health/dieback, the presence of fungal fruiting bodies on or at the base of the tree, the lifting of the root plate or the presence of hanging branches, scarring and rot. Old age, erosion, squirrel damage and tree disease can also all create different problems and necessitate specialist management. Dependent on the tree in question, limbs will be removed, crowns reduced or even the entire tree felled if it is considered to be high risk.

To assess the roadside frontages across the whole Estate entails significant work and takes around six weeks. Management work is timetabled in advance as far as possible to avoid the bird nesting season. The potential presence of bats, all of which are European protected species, provides an additional constraint. Estate staff or contractors are trained to assess trees for their wildlife interest, with protocols in place, sometimes guided by ecologists when necessary, to ensure disturbance is avoided. The soft felling of a tree, whereby the tree is taken down in sections and left in situ for a period of time is one means of allowing wildlife to move on.

Forestry in the UK faces many challenges. Ash dieback (Chalara spp.) is already in East Devon and over the coming years will undoubtedly impact greatly on the health of our ash trees, which are amongst our most common tree species. Evidence from the continent, where the impacts of this disease have already been felt, indicates that we can expect a high proportion of our ash trees to die over the coming years. This will greatly increase the workload of those doing annual tree inspections.

37 In preparation for these impacts, the Estate is already undertaking a count and plotting of our all roadside ash. Dutch Elm disease has been around for many decades, and continues to kill trees once they reach a certain size.

You will often see dead elms along roadside verges. The fungus Phytophthora Ramorum which affects larch trees, amongst others, is also a great problem. This has devastated plantations of this species across the UK, although most plantations are not close to roads.

Managing trees is expensive work, and the costs of work on a single tree can on occasion cost thousands of pounds. The removal of hanging limbs needs specialist climbing training, and traffic often needs to be routed safely, which means getting the permission of the Highways Authority should traffic lights be necessary.

A risk management approach is taken when managing trees. The formation of deadwood in trees is natural, and creates valuable wildlife habitat. Any that is spotted during tree inspections, but which does not present a significant danger to the public, is usually left in place. Retaining standing deadwood across the Estate is an important part of our forestry and wildlife management plan.

Kate Ponting

Hedgehog Hotel and Bat Houses in-situ at Woodbury Community Orchard, donated by Tony Bennett of Wild Woodbury. .

WOODBURY PARISH COUNCIL Agendas for future meeting, and minutes of meetings can be found on http://www.woodbury-pc.org.uk/

38

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 28 Jan. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Feb. 8 Feb. 9 Feb. 9 Feb. 14 Feb. 18 Feb. 21 Feb. 2 March 3 March 3-5 March 6 March 9 March 17 March 31 March 3 April 8 April 13 April 25 April 1 May 4 May 5 June 3 July 7 Sept.

FoSS AGM. Concert and supper. 19.00. St Swithun’s Church.

Community Orchard AGM. Maltsters. 20.00.

History Society AGM and Social. WVH. 19.30.

Lychgate Stall. St Swithun’s Church. 09.30-11.00.

Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

Woodbury Tennis Club AGM. Church Rooms. 20.00.

WS PTA Valentine Disco. 18.00-19.00. WSVH. WSWI Camino de Santiago. WSVH. 19.30.

Woodbury WI: Birthday party, bring & share.

Exton Ladies Group. AGM. Garden Club AGM. WVH. 19.30.

Woodbury Twinning Association. Film Night at Woodbury Park.

Whist Drive. WSVH. 19.30.

Local History Society Ware Family, film (part 2). WVH. 19.30.

Women’s World Day of Prayer. 13.30. Christ Church.

The Great British Spring Clean. www.greatbritishspringclean.org.uk Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

Woodbury WI: Words! Where do they come from?

Woodbury Twinning Association. Barn Dance. 19.30. WVH. Charity Quiz. WVH. 18.30 for 19.00 start. 07831 121268.

Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

The Big Family Quiz. The Maltsters Arms. 16.00-19.00. WCPF. Woodbury WI: Craft ‒ Easter Eggs.

Woodbury Follies Open Meeting. Church Rooms. 19.30.

Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

History Society. History of Organ Building in Devon. WVH. 19.30.

Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

Opening up to God. 19.30-21.00. Woodbury Church Rooms.

History Society. Devon in the First World War. WVH. 19.30.

SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS

TO LET 3-bed semi-detached family house with garden and garage in Woodbury. Unfurnished. Available immediately. Tel: 233299/07989 673377.

BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS

CHILDRENS PARTIES - Captivating, interactive storytelling with pirates, fairies, puppets and face painting (ages 0-10). Enhanced DBS clearance.

01395 233874 www.bootoagoosetheatre.co.uk OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Woodbury Salterton. Private house, with room and facilities. £4 per hour, Monday to Friday. Flexible arrangement.

Tel: David 01395 233297 / davidrouse@talktalk.net. Reference required . (4/4)

39 BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS Cont’d/…

TOOBY SWEEPS New Chimney Sweep in Town (Former Royal Marine), NACs Member. Certificate given. From £35 Call 07803 059844. (2/3) 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 (8/12) 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) PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – James Waddell Interior & Exterior, Carpentry, Flooring, Fencing & Gates, Plumbing, Decking, Bathrooms & Kitchens, General Repairs. Free Advice & Estimates 01395 263496 (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) 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 & BREAKFAST SW Tourism 2016 Gold Award winner. Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. 16thC Devon longhouse on working dairy farm.

Sally Glanvill, Rydon Farm 232341 www.rydonfarmwoodbury.co.uk (8/12) 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: 07484 272534 (2/12) RUBBISH REMOVALS Domestic and Commercial. Environment Agency licensed. No job too small. Tel: 0800 335 7610 / 07979 841376. www.rubbishremovalsexeter.com (10/12)

40 BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS Cont’d/...

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) 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 (1/24) 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 / 07730 877889. (2/12)

ADVERTISING RATES

ALL BUILDING JOBS CONSIDERED

SMALL ADS.: (3 lines) private £2.00.

(3 lines) Business £5.00 (£50.00 p.a.).

DISPLAY ADS.: £17.00 ¼ page (£185 p.a.)

R. Miller & Son

To: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT Tel: 233299 (e-mail karensquires100@gmail.com).

THORNS COTTAGE, WOODBURY

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.

Painters and Decorators

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

41

42

Welcoming New Patients A friendly, caring practice providing the very latest treatment techniques, in a relaxed setting:

 Routine dental care with oral health assessment

 Cosmetic dental treatments including whitening, implants, veneers

 Crowns made on the day of your visit, with no need for impressions!

Finance available to make your desired treatment affordable.

Call us to book an appointment.

Tel: 01395 442552

www.budleighdentalpractice.co.uk

Little China Fish & Chips and Chinese Food to Take Away Telephone Orders Welcome 01395 233353 The Arch, Woodbury EX5 1LL OPENING HOURS CLOSED MONDAY Tuesday 5pm - 10pm Wednesday - Saturday 12 noon - 1:45pm & 5pm - 10pm Sunday 5pm - 9.30pm Food Allergies If you are allergic to any ingredients, please advise when making your order.

Cash Only

43

44

WOODBURY GARAGE  MOTS  SERVICE  REPAIRS  ALL MAKES & MODELS  ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS The Arch, Woodbury, Devon, EX5 1LL

woodburygarage@hotmail.co.uk

45 James Sliman Electrical Services Reliable, Fully Qualified, Local Electrician with over 15 years experience.

Woodbury Dance Studio

All aspects of electrical work undertaken from an extra socket to a full rewire

RAD BALLET

Free Estimates - No job too small All work fully insured & guaranteed

Children from 2½ years

All work inspected, tested & certified to current standards.

Principal: Mary Griffiths ARAD, MA(Oxon)

01395 276323 07866 313812 www.jslimanelectrician.co.uk

Tel: 01395 271249

Previous customers said:

“Very neat & tidy work, & a nice guy.”

“I am delighted to recommend James, he is highly competent and reliable, I trust him implicitly.’

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

Grades and Majors

marygriffiths@hotmail.com www.woodburydance.co.uk All classes at Woodbury C of E Primary School

TREE SURGERY & CONSULTANCY  Fully Insured and qualified staff  All aspects of tree work  Stump grinding  Tree survey/reports  FREE quotations Office: 01884 232911 Mob: 07703105126 24 hr call out enquiries@arboricare.co.uk www.arboricare.co.uk

46

Woodbury Salterton Village Hall

Woodbury Village Hall

Hall –Tables and Chairs, Well equipped kitchen with cooker and fridge, crockery and cutlery inclusive in hire.

Modest Rates.

Available for: Dances and Parties Wedding Receptions Meetings and Classes Jumble Sales and Craft Fairs Badminton, Plays, Business Lettings

Hall and two meeting rooms, Fully equipped kitchen WIFI, sound system and projector

For bookings please contact:

For bookings please contact: Robin or Marian Lennox Tel: 01395 232126

Pat or Gill Bricknell 01395 232463

email:- woodburyvh@gmail.com www.woodburyvillagehall.org.uk

47 WOODBURY SALTERTON

W.S. TAXI 1 - 8 People

LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE

48