April 2019

WOODBURY NEWS

APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019 - EDITORIAL

At the time of writing this editorial, which is about ten days before readers will actually read it, the editor is raising her head above the parapet to comment on how sad and neglected the village of Woodbury appears to her at the moment. The recent heavy rains and fierce winds brought with them a plethora of debris – broken twigs, dead leaves, small pebbles and the inevitable mud.

But, between the day of writing this and the day of reading it, there is to be a big ‘clean-up’ in the village, so hopefully the words above will no longer be especially relevant. Overall, however, the days of regular weed-killing on both edges of the pavements, sweeping up leaves and clearing drains seem to be a thing of the past. Weeds and even summer annuals sprout up through the drain covers, and together with the dead leaves that fall through the gaps, this doesn’t add up to a solution of how to get rid of the waters that come down from the skies and from the Common.

We therefore look forward to the Parish Council’s appointment of a handyperson, who may well be able to keep things better in control. Maybe we too, as residents, could take more care of the pavements that abut our properties, and could prise out the annual weeds on a regular basis?

Our thanks, however, are extended not only to those who volunteered to take part in the clean-up, but also to the two volunteer footpath wardens, Tim and Judy, who ensure that the footpaths around out villages are kept easily accessible to those wanting to walk a little further (see page 25).

OUR COVER PHOTO shows local children celebrating World Book Day, dressed up as characters from their favourite books.

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: Jeremy Boyden, Rosemary, Broadway, Woodbury EX5 1NR. Tel: 233072 Editor: Sue Bury, Mayflower Cottage, 37 Greenway, Woodbury EX5 1LU. Tel: 233753 Deputy Editor: Val Arndt, Castlehaye, Castle Lane, Woodbury. Tel: 233175 Subscriptions: Anna Crafer, 15 Haymans Orchard, Woodbury. Tel: 232007 Circulation: Beverley Simcox, 2 Beeches Close, Woodbury. Tel: 232858

4 ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH, WOODBURY Vicar of the White Cross Mission Community: Reverend Sid Humphries. Tel:01395 274512 email: revsidh@gmail.com Associate Priest: Reverend Nigel Mason. email: revdnigel540@gmail.com SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS Friday 19 April Good Friday 09.30 Clyst St Mary - The Cross of Christ, a sequence of music and readings with combined choirs of Woodbury and Clyst St Mary. 14.00 Woodbury Service of Meditation of the Cross with music.

ST SWITHUN’S SUNDAY SERVICES - APRIL 1st Sunday: 11.15 Holy Communion. 2nd Sunday: 11.15 Holy Communion. 3rd Sunday: Easter Day 08.00 Holy Communion (Said), 11.15 Holy Communion. 4th Sunday: 09.30 Breakfast Service. Mondays at 09.15 Morning Prayer.

NEWS AND EVENTS Next lych gate stalls in church Saturday 6 April, Saturday 4 May, 09.30 - 11.00.

Woodbury PCC Monthly Draw - Draw made at the Charity Coffee Morning 3rd Tuesday each month. Prize every month ranging from £50 to £500. Details from Ken Crundwell 01395 232826.

Further information - Digest available in church. To receive this by email, please send your email address to st.swithuns.digest@gmail.com FLOODLIGHTING ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH (dusk until 23.00) For your special event, contact Mike Jeans 01395 232544. Floodlight dedications are displayed on the church noticeboard at the lych gate.

CHURCH ALTAR FLOWERS - APRIL 7 & 14 - Lent (no flowers). 21 & 28 - Easter lilies. If anyone wishes to purchase an Easter lily in memory of a loved one, please add your name to the order list in church. Please note we will decorate church for Easter on Saturday 20 April.

WOODBURY NEWS CLOSING DATES 16 APRIL. 14 MAY.* 11 JUNE.* 16 JULY. 6 AUGUST. 17 SEPTEMBER. 15 OCTOBER. 19 NOVEMBER. 10 DECEMBER. 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 * NB - New dates.

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6 FoSS (FRIENDS OF ST SWITHUN’S) Following on from a very successful supper concert in January with local musicians, the committee of FoSS has arranged for visiting musicians to perform along with local favourite Bel Canto choir, under the direction of Robin Lennox, and the ever popular Woodbury Whalers directed by Mike Jeans. They will be joined by The Devon County Junior Choir, a very talented group of youngsters under the expert direction of Rachel Smith.

This promises to be one of our best and most innovative concerts and will be performed in church on Saturday 27 April at 19.00 (note the earlier start as we will be entertained by all the choir including the youngest members).

Tickets at £8.00 will be available from the usual sources: Rook Pie, Pat Browne, committee members or on the door. As usual there will be drinks and nibbles at the interval. This is an evening which cannot be missed!

FoSS is proposing to finance further masonry work on the external walls of the church, to help finance the refurbishment of the bells and to support the work providing a proper drainage system for the church.

Pat Browne WOODBURY GUIDING RAINBOW UNIT LEADERS URGENTLY NEEDED Here is an update on our search for new volunteers to take over our thriving Woodbury Rainbows Unit after Easter 2019. After 8, 10 and 15 years volunteering with Girl Guiding, our Rainbow Leaders are ready to hand over to a new group of volunteers. Many girls in and around Woodbury have benefitted from the great experience Rainbows provides, and we are asking if you, or anyone you know, may be interested in keeping Rainbows alive in our village. It is a fun and rewarding role and you will make some girls very happy!

We have had a small amount of interest but as yet no-one has stepped forward to take on the role of Leader which can be one, two or even three people sharing the role.

No previous experience is required, just some enthusiasm and a desire to support your community. Please get in touch for a chat or come along to a session to see what we do. Woodbury Rainbows need you; it will be a sad day if we have to close at Easter.

01395 232631/07873735588. sarich301@gmail.com Sarah Hales (Rainbows Leader) WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION CAR TREASURE HUNT SATURDAY 13 APRIL Meeting at The Pit Stop Café, Greendale Industrial Estate at 10.30 followed by lunch at The Oak Barn, Budleigh.

Contact: Nita Goffron on 232314

7 WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB Sue Fisher came and gave us an illustrated talk on How to make the most of a small garden. Sue writes regularly for Gardeners’ World and is the garden columnist for Moor Links magazine. She offers advice on garden design, including planting and plant supply. She also writes books on small space gardening. Some of her tips for small gardens included having some areas hidden from view to create an air of mystery; designing borders with long sweeping edges; dividing the garden into separate areas using screens or trellis; using mirrors to create the illusion of space; concealing boundary walls and fences with flowers to hide the limits of your garden.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 9 April, 19.30 in Woodbury village hall when John Studley will be talking about Vegetable Growing.

The plant sale will take place in the village hall on 11 May at 11.00.

Joyce Jeans WOODBURY LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY The next meeting of the Woodbury Local History Society will be held in Woodbury village hall on Thursday 2 May starting at 19.30 and will be a talk on The History of Dalditch Camp by local military historian Simon Fogg. Attendance is free for society members and £3 for non-members. All are welcome.

Dalditch was the site of an important Royal Marines training camp during WWII, and this area of Woodbury (East Budleigh) Common has been used for military purposes for hundreds of years. Simon exhibited part of his collection of military artefacts at the Royal British Legion exhibition in the village hall last November and will have some on display at the meeting.

Nick Burgess WWA PAINTING WITH PENNY SILVERTHORNE To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the death in Woodbury of the botanist Rev’d William Keble Martin, Penny will be holding watercolour painting classes in the studios at Trevanin Farm, Woodbury Salterton for students (beginners or experienced) to paint flowers in the style of Rev’d William Keble Martin.

The finished pieces will be displayed at St Swithun’s Flower Festival from 12 – 14 July.

Dates are Wednesday 3 April and Thursday 4 April, 10.00 – 16.00.

Costs £40 per day, paper and flowers provided but you will need your own paints and brushes.

Please contact Penny on 01395 232369/568365 or pennysilverthorne@gmail.com for more details or to book a place.

8 MAYTREE IS ON THE MOVE You may remember reading in the January edition of Woodbury News that Maytree Pre-School was looking to relocate from the village hall, hopefully to the cricket pavilion. As you may have heard recently, that plan has had to be shelved. We were disappointed when we realised this project was unlikely to happen, but it has opened the door to another possibility.

Previously Maytree had looked at moving to a purpose-built community building in the large playing field but this proved too expensive. Since then things have changed such that we can now consider moving to the playing field. Maytree committee members met with Woodbury Community Playing Fields, the Parish Council, Scout and Guide leaders last month and all agreed that a joint venture to renovate the existing Scout and Guide hut would be advantageous for all parties. We are working with local businesses to reinvigorate the building so that it will offer more storage, be better insulated, and be more pleasing to the eye. By pooling our resources everyone stands to benefit and the project is within reach.

This is not going to be achievable without the support of the community.

We need to raise significant funds and need volunteers to carry out some of the smaller works. We would be particularly interested in hearing from any tradespeople who could offer a couple of hours’ free labour.

To raise funds, Maytree has recently started collecting clothing which we can sell at a weighing station. The clothing needs to be unstained and not ripped; in other words, it needs to be in a condition where it could be worn again. We can accept all types of clothing, shoes, handbags and costume jewellery. Donations can either be left at Maytree Pre-School during sessions, or at 9 Orchard Close. Larger donations can be collected. If you would like your donation collected, please email healthandsafety@maytree preschool.com or contact the Pre-School. You can also visit Facebook.

You can also make a cash charitable donation. As a registered charity we can claim Gift Aid back on any cash donations made. We will also be holding events to raise funds through the next six months.

These are very exciting times for all of the groups involved and we would welcome you to be part of it.

Martin Goddard, Maytree Project Manager FoSS SPRING CONCERT SATURDAY 27 APRIL AT 19.00 (note earlier start) ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH Featuring Devon County Junior Choir, Bel Canto Choir and Woodbury Whalers.

Tickets £8.00 from Rook Pie, Pat Browne, committee members or on the door.

9 FRIENDS OF WOODBURY SURGERY (FOWS) A Reminder Friends of Woodbury Surgery now operate from the Parish Council Office, Greenside, Greenway, Woodbury EX5 1LP. One of the coordinators is normally there on Tuesdays from 15.00 – 16.30 and Fridays from 09.30 –11.00.

Our telephone numbers are: 01395 206123 or 07961 809423 If no-one is available to take your call, you can leave a message at any time on either of these numbers, and we will return your call as soon as we can.

If you need help with transport to the surgery or local hospitals, opticians or dentists, or if you need medications delivered, PLEASE do get in touch with us. We have a dedicated team of volunteers to help you!

If you have to cancel or change an arrangement already made, please leave a message on either of the FOWS phones (not the surgery phone) so that we can inform our volunteers in good time. Thank you.

Val Arndt and Elisabeth Neather, FOWS Coordinators WOODBURY TENNIS CLUB The winter league matches have finished and although we did not win many matches we scored sufficient points to have successfully competed. Friday club sessions will start on Friday 19 April when we hope to have a reasonable gathering for the official start to the season.

The junior programme will run during the summer term with the experienced Exmouth coach John Wingate. All those on last year’s list will be contacted; new members (8+) wishing to join, please email Helen to express interest (helenryland@btinternet.com).

There has been no increase in subscription rates, so we hope Woodbury residents who have played or wish to play the game visit the club and join in.

The club is open to all; please come to the courts on Sunday morning and try it out, or contact Pat Browne 232805 (ruthandpatb@aol.com).

Sadly, the club has lost a most committed member, Jackie Clarke. She represented the club as a team player for many years, was Chair and latterly President when her playing days were over. She regularly came to the courts to support the players, both young and old. Many club members attended a moving memorial service in Clyst St George on 1 March.

Pat Browne CLYST VALLEY CHORAL SOCIETY 50TH ANNIVERSARY - Haydn's Creation SATURDAY 4 MAY, 19.30, St Margaret's, Topsham SUNDAY 5 MAY, 19.30, Holy Trinity, Exmouth Tickets 232318.

10 WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL School News This half term we are focusing on our school and Christian value of forgiveness. We have begun to consider when we may need to offer forgiveness and the benefits of doing so.

We were very fortunate to have a generous donation of wood chip from Shaun Ficken at Ace Arboriculture to help repair the damage to our forest school area caused by the recent weather. This was then kindly spread and used to create additional paths by Captain Ryan Morris and his squad from CTCRM in Lympstone. We are extremely grateful to both Shaun and Ryan for their help.

We marked Comic Relief, with the children wearing their own clothes in return for a small donation to the charity, and with a cake stall after school to raise additional funds. We were thrilled to have raised over ÂŁ288.88 for this worthwhile cause.

We are looking forward to our school Easter celebrations over the next few weeks, with our Easter service and tea planned for Friday 5 April when we also finish our term. We will then be back to start the summer term on Tuesday 23 April.

Class News In February, Ash class visited Exeter synagogue as part of their learning about Judaism. They were shown around the synagogue by Stuart Raine, who explained how Jewish people worship. He spoke about important Jewish festivals, such as Bar and Bat Mitzvah, and even helped them to reenact a Jewish wedding. The children had a great morning and were particularly amazed at the length of the Torah and where it was kept in the Ark. It was a real privilege to listen to someone else talking about their faith and the children were especially praised for interest and excellent questioning skills.

11 Cherry class enjoyed a visit from Rev’d Nigel and Christine. They spent time talking about the importance of prayer to Christians and discussed how and why we pray. The children had time then to compose their own prayers and to reflect on different ways to pray.

We celebrated World Book Day and saw some fantastic literary characters coming to school to take part in a day of activities and lessons designed to increase the children’s love of reading and their appreciation of literature.

Every class enjoyed fun activities to support their learning and were able to share with their friends and teachers information about their favourite book and why they think others should read it – with some very persuasive arguments.

Sports News A team of Year 5 and 6 pupils recently took part in a Quicksticks hockey tournament held at Exmouth Community College.

They were pitted against teams from schools within the local learning community and showed excellent sportsmanship and teamwork throughout.

Our Key Stage 2 hockey players also excelled in the East Devon Hockey tournament in March, gaining first place. They will now go on to represent Devon in the area final and we wish them the best of luck.

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A team of Year 5 and 6 pupils recently came second in the East Devon Athletics tournament and then progressed to the Devon Athletics final in Plymouth where they did fantastically well.

Woodbury have also hosted two friendly football matches against Marpool Primary School where our Year 5 and Year 6 teams were both victorious.

Outdoor Learning Maple, Chestnut and Ash classes have been enjoying forest school every week this half term with some challenging weather to start with. The children recently learnt about all things Welsh to celebrate St David’s Day. They heard some traditional Welsh legends, recycled plastic bottles to create daffodils, built a Welsh castle in the den area and enjoyed tasting some bara brith and Welsh cakes baked on the campfire. The classes also celebrated St Patrick’s Day by learning about the history of Ireland and putting together Irish limericks and tasting traditional soda bread.

Alison Sparks, Head Teacher WOODBURY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION The Royal British Legion room at the village hall has now been in existence for 20 years, and we are celebrating this with a birthday party.

The event will be take place on Wednesday 3 April from 10.30 - 12.00.

Everyone is welcome, especially any of the door-to-door Poppy Appeal collectors. There will be the usual tea, coffee and a special birthday cake and a raffle for the Poppy Appeal. A lot of fundraising for the room was done by the late Mrs Ann Templer.

Sandra Huish WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION Host Families needed to host French Twinners 8 - 10 JUNE Please contact Nita Goffron on 232314 for further information.

13 WOODBURY WIDE AWAKE Commemorating Rev’d William Keble Martin in Woodbury The WWA events team have been busy putting together a year of workshops, concerts, talks, exhibitions, walks, wildflower projects and many other activities. These events will continue from April through to November in locations in and around Woodbury Parish. The name Woodbury Wide Awake is taken from the title of a front cover drawn by William Keble Martin for Woodbury News shortly before his death.

Here are the details of April and May events: Wildflower Painting Workshops: Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April.

Local artist Penny Silverthorne will guide both beginners and those with more experience to paint in the style of William Keble Martin at Trevanin Farm, Woodbury Salterton. Book direct with Penny 01395 232369/568365 or pennysilverthorne@gmail.com (see page 7).

Herbal Medicine Past and Present: Thursday 11 April 19.30, St Swithun’s.

Exeter University’s Dr Anne Stobart talks about household medicines from the seventeenth century onwards.

Poetry in Nature Writing Workshop: Sunday 5 May with South Devon ecopoet and workshop facilitator Roselle Angwin. This will the first of three Sunday afternoon workshops throughout the year. Details: 01395 239078.

Landscape Change by Patrick Dillon: Thursday 9 May. Prof Patrick Dillon of Exeter University talks about landscape change since William Keble Martin’s time and its impact on wildlife.

Bloom of Beauty Concert with Grace Notes, an a cappella ensemble: Sat 11 May 19.30 St Swithun’s.

Floral Beauty - a concert of ballads, folk songs and poems set to music, some especially commissioned for the festival. Entry by donation at the door.

Nature Walk: Edible Plants through History with Robin Harford: Sunday 12 May 14.00 Robin is an Exeter-based researcher in the history of wild plants as food.

Macro-Photography in Nature: Tuesday 21 May 19.30 Church Rooms.

Dorset-based Colin Varndell is a superb wildlife photographer. A follow-up workshop is planned.

More information is available on the website: www.woodbury-wideawake.co.uk and on the Woodbury Wide Awake Facebook page.

To get involved or to discuss any of the events please phone 01395 239078, e-mail info@woodbury-wide-awake or message us on the Facebook page.

Graham Rawlings PLANT POTS PLEASE I intend to run a plant stall at the Keble Martin Flower Festival in July but I need pots. If you have spare medium or large plastic plant pots (NOT small ones, please), could you drop them by or in the porch at Heatherdene, Broadway, just before Fulford Way. Many thanks, Carolyn Keep

14 WOODBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE The ladies of Woodbury WI met on Valentine’s Day to celebrate the 99th birthday of their local WI with a bring and share supper and a beetle drive.

The President, Lin Ashby, opened the meeting and asked for a minute’s silence to reflect on the life of member Lin Oakley, who had died suddenly the previous week.

Various courses, trips and activities from DFWI were announced.

The Treasurer reported that the finances were healthy, and that there were 35 members who had paid subscriptions.

Jill Effer reported that the quiz team would be taking part in their first round soon and that a new team member had volunteered.

The raffle was drawn and the three winners invited to judge the Valentine’s Day competition A Heart (any medium).

The card, made by Ann Shell, was chosen as the winner.

There was then a surprise item: a mysterious performer came onto the stage and gave a spirited and humorous rendering of I’m just an old fashioned girl.

The audience was most appreciative and Jean Carpenter received fulsome applause. Members then enjoyed a sumptuous supper before a lively game of beetle organised by Ann Shell. Great fun was had by all and the winning table received prizes of chocolates.

Lin Ashby We had a most unusual and aweinspiring talk on Honiton Lace on 14 March by Pat Perryman, who has been lace-making for nearly 50 years. She very enthusiastically told how she started and became hooked on this intricate work. She has made many a mounted wall hanging for Royalty and other famous people, and ruffs, cuffs, and shawls for Members of Parliament, notably the Speakers Bernard Weatherill and Betty Boothroyd.

We were delighted by little anecdotes and amusing stories such as when Pat and her husband went to a Queen’s Garden Party, met Princess Anne and travelled all over the world, teaching.

It was incredible to think of the hundreds of hours each item takes to make.

She brought items of her work to show us and told us about the history of lace-making in Honiton and surrounding areas, including Woodbury.

15 There is a fabulous display of lace-making, its history and collections in Allhallows Museum in the High Street, Honiton. Well worth a visit.

April’s meeting is making Suncatchers for Easter.

Woodbury WI meets monthly and runs a varied programme including Book Club, WI lunches, holidays away, outings and sports activities.

New members are very welcome - if interested please contact Lin Ashby 233854 or Elspeth Fisher 239248.

Elspeth Fisher FRIDAY NIGHT FLIX FRIDAY 26 APRIL - Untouchable Meetings are in Woodbury village hall at 19.30. Doors open 18.45.

To receive the email newsletter email fridaynighfflix.wvh@gmail.com WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION Twenty-two members had a fabulous Indian meal in February at Spice and Stone in Broadclyst. It was a lovely evening.

In March, we went to The Northcott Theatre to see a hilarious production by Mischief Theatre Company.

This month we are holding a free car treasure hunt on Saturday 13 April starting at 10.30 followed by lunch - see the box insert on page 6.

Our French friends will be visiting us from 8 to 10 June; as always, we are looking forward to this very much.

Jan Owen ROYAL BRITISH LEGION COFFEE MORNINGS WEDNESDAYS, 10.30 - 12.00.

RBL ROOM behind Woodbury village hall.

3 & 17 APRIL AND 1 MAY. (3 APRIL is the RBL Room 20th Birthday Party) Then every other week throughout the year.

NB Please note new day and time.

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WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS HOLY TRINITY Holy Baptism Sister and brother Harriet and Jack Mottershead were baptised at the February Family Service by Rev’d Sid Humphries. It was a real family affair as their grandfather read the bible story and their two older brothers Josh and Matthew led prayers, as did Harriet. The choir, of which Harriet is a member, sang our welcome song to each of them. Despite being older, Harriet and Jack were pleased to receive knitted baptism bears.

Lent - Foods Given Up We are joining the other churches in the Mission Community in following Lin Milsom-Ashby’s idea of donating the items we have given up eating in Lent (eg chocolate, biscuits, sweets, sugar, coffee etc) to the local Food Bank.

This will provide a treat for those in need. There is a box in the church porch into which donated items can be placed. These will be collected up at Easter. Unfortunately two packets of biscuits mysteriously disappeared so you may prefer to donate any items directly to Jill Dupain or Debbie Jung.

Thanks to Debbie Jung who decided that as part of her Lent observance she would go into church each week and give it a good clean. This is much appreciated.

Easter Lilies If anyone would like to remember a loved one by donating an Easter lily to be used in the church Easter decorations, please contact Sally Rawlings (01395 233739).

Good Friday - Passion Re-enactment This year there will be an enactment of Our Lord’s Passion in our church. A rehearsal starts at 09.30 then after a break for coffee and hot cross buns the Passion will be performed at 11.00.

If you have not previously attended this at our church or at Clyst St George last year, why not come and join in or just come and watch? It is very moving. Parts of the story are read and there are roles to take as the crowd, soldiers etc. Children have especially enjoyed taking part in this but we also need some adults. It brings the story alive.

Monthly Coffee Morning with bacon butties Saturday 6 April, 09.30 until 10.30 in church. All welcome – including dogs.

17 APCM - Annual Parochial Church Meeting This is like our church AGM when we review the past year and consider how our church has progressed, discuss future plans and review our finances. We need especially to discuss finance, as our church ran at a loss for the first time last year with expenditure exceeding income. The meeting begins at 19.00 in church on Wednesday 3 April. It is usually a short meeting but it is important and we need your support.

APRIL WHIST DRIVE WOODBURY SALTERTON VILLAGE HALL TUESDAY 16 APRIL AT 19.30 WOODBURY SALTERTON WOMEN’S INSTITUTE President Gill Bricknell drew the attention of members to an appeal in Devon WI News for toiletries for patients with mental health problems admitted to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth who cannot be supported at home. Patients are sometimes admitted in a critical state without clothes or personal hygiene products. Members were asked to bring any items, including unwanted gifts, to our April meeting and these will be handed over at the Spring Council Meeting on the 27th.

A venue for our summer outing was discussed and it was decided to see Sister Act in Exmouth on 7 June.

Gill showed the WI bulb order catalogue and suggested that we could make it a WI autumn project to plant more bulbs in the village.

Gillian Laws gave a talk on the Exmouth Talking Newspaper with which she has helped for 23 years. In 2012 she told us about this excellent service but technology has moved on considerably since then, so there was much of new interest to learn.

Exmouth’s Talking Newspaper was one of the early ones to start (in 1981) and is one of over 600 in the country, all run independently. It covers Exmouth and the surrounding villages and there are two listeners in our village. Over 100 people receive the local news on memory sticks each week and comment how very much this means to them: ‘When we go out to coffee with friends we can enter into the conversation about what is happening locally.’

The scheme is a charity run by volunteers, who also work hard to raise money to provide this important service for those who cannot read the local papers for themselves.

The speaker at our meeting on Wednesday 10 April at 19.00 in the village hall will be Marilyn Bishop, who will tell us about Beryl Cook, the artist with the common touch.

The coffee morning at The Digger’s is on Thursday 18 April at 11.00 and the lunch on Tuesday 30 April at noon.

Katharine Wheeler

18 WOODBURY SALTERTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL World Book Day was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to be reminded of the enjoyment of books and reading. Local author Emma Richardson paid a visit to class 1.

Wearing a fantastic costume, she was accompanied by her pet dragon and came to share with us two great books – Winnie’s Midnight Dragon and Spells. The children enjoyed joining in with the magic spell words and loved the Spell Book (especially the bit where they saw the handsome Prince!). Many thanks to Mrs Richardson, and all the parents for the wonderful costumes on the day.

Once again this year, we’re encouraging everyone to take part in the daily 40Acts challenge: 40 nudges in a generous direction. Lent is usually about ‘giving stuff up’, isn’t it? What if you could add something transformational to the traditional? What if you could give up chocolate and give the money to your favourite charity? What if you could turn the TV off and spend more time helping your neighbour? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness that reflected God’s amazing generosity? Well, that’s where 40Acts comes in. We will be encouraging the whole school community to spread acts of generosity through simple daily acts of kindness.

19 During the week of 11-15 March our learners of all ages took part in British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. The children have explored a variety of subjects covered in this year’s themes centred on journeys. They have also discussed topical issues such as plastics, encouraging the children to think about hidden plastics in products we use without realising – like a tea bag, for example.

Our thanks to the PTA for once again raising valuable funds through the Valentine disco and Bag2School and for agreeing to buy class 3 a wonderful Word a Day book to delight, amuse and inspire rich vocabulary in their writing.

For further information or to arrange a visit to our school, please contact the office on admin@woodbury-salterton.devon.sch.uk.

Clare Rooke, Chair of Governors, Pebblebed Heath Federation DEVON BIG BREAKFAST IN AID OF FORCE SATURDAY 1 JUNE, 08.00-11.00 WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL Come and start the day with a great British Breakfast Tickets are on sale in April - Adults £6, Under 12s £3 from Chris Lear 01395 232772, chrisalear06@gmail.com or at the door, but it does help with catering if tickets are bought before.

Many thanks for your support.

WOODBURY COMMUNITY LONG TABLES SATURDAY 6 JULY, 17.00 WOODBURY VILLAGE GREEN Tables £15 for six people. Bring your own chair, gazebo, food, wine.

Decorate tables with flowers, candelabra etc, but please take all rubbish home.

Draw prizes, music, entertainment, ice cream van.

To reserve a table contact Chris Lear 01395 232772 chrisalear06@gmail.com Once paid, you will be allocated a number for your table(s) This is going to be a great community event raising funds for FORCE. 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.

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EXTON NEWS ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, EXTON SERVICES FOR APRIL Sunday 7 - Lent 5, 18.00 Evening Service. Sunday 14 - Palm Sunday 09.30 Holy Communion. Sunday 21 - Easter Day, 09.30 Holy Communion.

Sunday 28 - Easter 2, 09.30 Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday - 18 April. 19.00 Stripping the Altar and Holy Communion at Farringdon Church.

Good Friday - 19 April. 09.30 at Clyst St Mary Church. Cross of Christ.

09.30 at Woodbury Salterton Church. Easter Workshop also, 11.00 with Clyst St George and Woodbury. Passion Play. 14.00 at Woodbury Meditation of the Cross with music.

EXTON’S VILLAGE HALL IN STATION ROAD, EXTON St Andrew’s hall, Exton, was rebranded several years ago as Exton Village Hall, Devon. This working name has been officially registered with the Charity Commission and is the name used to promote the hall.

There is new modern signage on the front of the hall displaying the name Exton Village Hall and the hall also has a website www.extonvillagehall.uk where information for hiring and details of clubs meeting at the hall can be found. The website also covers hall events such as plays and shows, along with other information about Exton. Contact details for the hall committee and various clubs and societies can be found on the website.

Paul Mcloughlin EXTON LADIES GROUP The meeting in February was preceded by a short AGM. Chris Bilyard invited members to put forward a candidate to take over running the club for the coming year. As no-one came forward, she agreed to do it for one final time but would stand down at the 2020 AGM after being in the post for nine years. Valerie Thomas would carry on as treasurer for the coming year.

The speaker for the afternoon was Kevin White who, after many years collecting stamps, decided twenty years ago to collect fans. These range from the early 1700s to the 1950s. He brought along many fans from his large collection, some worth a lot of money. He also explained the language of the fan, which was fascinating.

Chris Bilyard

21 EXTON DRAMA CLUB Entertaining Angels A comedy set in a vicarage garden THURSDAY 4 SATURDAY 6 APRIL 19.30 EXTON VILLAGE HALL Tickets £9 from Hilary Hoar 01392 875042 or mail hilaryhoar@hotmail.com Contains adult themes and may not be suitable for children.

EGG HUNT AND COFFEE WITH HOT CROSS BUNS FRIDAY 19 APRIL THE GOOSEFIELD, EXTON 10.00 - 12.00 Adults £2, to include coffee and bun, children free.

ESTUARY LEAGUE OF FRIENDS Exton Drama Club have 30 free tickets for Estuary League of Friends to the preview of Entertaining Angels, a comedy with emotional ups and downs. In Exton village hall Thursday 2 April at 19.00. Contact Emily McCarthy by phone at Nancy Potter House.

Lego Club for 4-10 year olds. Free on Saturday 30 March, 13 and 27 April. Fun starts at 10.30. We are always looking for more Lego. If you can help, please leave it at either our charity shop in Topsham or at the office.

Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins at Sandy Park - Saturday 27 April. A fun afternoon for volunteers to make a box collection for our charity funds, and you get to see the game for free. Ring the number below for details.

We have many interesting outlets for volunteers who are always welcome.

For all enquiries ring 01392 879009.

Audrey Elphick WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB John Studley will be sharing his expertise on VEGETABLE GROWING TUESDAY 9 APRIL, 19.15 FOR 19.30 WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL Everyone welcome - £3 for non-members.

22

WOODBURY PARISH COUNCIL

David Craig, Clerk to the Council.

Woodbury Parish Council Offices, Greenside, Greenway, Woodbury, EX5 1LP Tel: 01395 233791.

Email: woodburyparishcouncil@gmail.com.

As the Parish Council is in purdah, this is an ideal opportunity to make parishioners aware of two important organisations.

Westbank delivers services across Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh to raise awareness of the issues surrounding loneliness and to explore ways we as individuals, communities and service providers can work together to improve the health and wellbeing of those people living in our communities who are lonely or socially isolated. For further information please contact Nina Parnell 01392 824752 or nina.parnell@westbank.org.uk. No-one in the parish should be lonely; loneliness can affect any age group and it can have a devastating impact on our overall health.

Tri-Hards is a non-judgemental group of like-minded people from many walks of life, backgrounds and experience. Their mission is to improve the physical and mental well-being of as many people as possible in the community through exercise, friendship and support. The group welcomes anyone regardless of physical fitness, background, experience or age. The majority of activities are free and focused around walking, running, cycling and swimming. Tri-Hards also organise paid sessions of horse-riding, martial arts, kettle-bells, boxercise and rowing. Established in Exmouth, it has nearly 3,000 members. The Tri-Hards are coming to Woodbury in May, so keep an eye on noticeboards for more information. In the meantime, the best way to find them is on Facebook. It’s a private group, so just request to join; alternatively email info@tri-hards.co.uk.

Agendas for future meeting, and minutes of meetings can be found on http://www.woodbury-pc.org.uk/ WEATHER REPORT The record-breaking warm temperatures of February, brought by the jet stream’s deep tropical air, were accompanied by a very modest amount of rain, 42mm, and mostly during the first ten days of the month.

So my recordings here at Ebford for January and February together amount to only just under 100mm, not enough to “fill dykes” nor reservoirs for that matter! However as I write, after the first ten days of March we have received 44mm, enough for most farmers and gardeners at this time of the year.

Norman Cann

23 EDDC CARDBOARD-ONLY RECYCLING SACK TRIAL The trial of a cardboard-only recycling sack in Woodbury is now well underway and Suez UK and East Devon District Council have been delighted with the response from residents.

The council’s recycling team have seen first-hand how residents are using their new sacks and they have picked up some very valuable feedback along the way with many residents taking the time to stop and give their comments. A number of residents have also visited us at our village hall drop-in sessions on 12 February and 12 March and again we appreciate the time they have taken to come and speak to our team.

There is a further opportunity to tell us how you are finding the trial as questionnaires are being sent to all participating households in the trial area from Monday 25 March. This is another chance to give us your feedback in a more formal way. All the comments we receive will be built into our assessment of the trial and we anticipate learning valuable lessons from them.

For further information about the trial call us on 01395 571515 or look at our website at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish/woodbury-trial/ Aliston Stoneham, Communications and Public Affairs Manager

GULLIFORD BURIAL GROUND Gulliford Burial Ground is located in Meeting Lane in the Parish of Woodbury and is now looked after by Woodbury and Lympstone Parish Councils. This past winter the gates to the site have been closed due to a fallen wall, which is in the process of being repaired, and hopefully the Burial Ground will soon be open again.

The Friends of Gulliford Burial Ground was set up in 2018 to support and promote this historic site and, as such, we have had open days and even a ceramic exhibition. Our annual garden clear-up this year is on Sunday 12 May from 14.00-17.00 and, as so much was done in 2018, we only have paths to weed and the odd ivy to clear. We would be very grateful if anyone feels they could help with this – just come along with a trowel, etc.

On Sunday 23 June (30 June if rained off) we are conducting a free tour at 14.30 for Woodbury residents to show how Woodbury played a major part in the establishment of Gulliford, and details of the Woodbury folk buried there – from the Lee family of Ebford to a whaling merchant from Woodbury’s Exe shoreline. On Sunday 11 August we are again conducting tours at 10.30 and again 14.30 at no cost. Alongside the 11 August tours will be a free photographic exhibition entitled Our Beautiful East Devon.

We now have a website, www.fogbg.org.uk, where the history of the site, photos and details of forthcoming events, including membership forms, can be found.

Angela Coles (lympiron11@hotmail.co.uk)

24

ROUND AND ABOUT

THIS IS FOR LINDA I met Lin in 1971 when we worked for a very short time in Switzerland. Afterwards we had to go our separate ways when her work permit ran out and we went to different parts of the world.

Thirty-odd years later we met up again. I moved to Woodbury and for the last fifteen years we had a ball travelling all over the world and enjoying life in Woodbury.

Lin was a member of the Woodbury WI, Connections, Twinning Association and a very active member of the Exeter Outdoor Group. She was on the go constantly and always up for a challenge. Lin was always friendly and kind, a very dear and loyal friend to those close to her. I am sure Lin will be missed by everyone who met her in and around Woodbury.

She was taken away too soon after her cancer had moved to her liver.

I don’t know what else to say about my Lin except that she was special and I will miss her for the rest of my life.

Udo Plenge THANKS I would like to thank all my friends in the village for their kindness and thoughts during Richard’s illness and sadly his death. This is why I love Woodbury. There will be a raffle in aid of ELF at the Tuesday charity coffee morning on 9 April. Thank you.

Liz Hill The Directors of Woodbury News express their gratitude to Joan Bamsey for all her efforts in delivering the magazine to her neighbours in Park Close for numerous years. She has now ‘retired’ from this role. Thank you again, Joan.

If anyone in Park Close or indeed any other area would like to renew or start a subscription to the magazine, please contact the delivery co-ordinator Beverley Simcox on 01392 232858.

The children at Holding Hands Community Playgroup would like to say a special and long overdue thank-you to Jan Huntley for organising the Summer 2018 craft fayre to raise funds for our playgroup. Jan and the other stall-holders kindly donated their earnings on the day and we were able to purchase some lovely new toys, mats and equipment to help our youngest members enjoy their playtime even more. We are so grateful to Jan for all her hard work and kindness in organising this. Holding Hands runs each Wednesday morning 10.00-11.30 in the function room at the Maltsters Arms in Woodbury.

25 WOODBURY FOOTPATHS Wet and windy weather is not very conducive to getting out and about, but let's hope by the time the Easter holidays arrive the sun will be out.

Whatever the weather, copy Paddington Bear, don hat, coat and Wellington boots and go out on an adventure. We have fantastic lanes, footpaths and streams for Pooh sticks!

Spring has sprung in a big way this year. Daffodils and magnolia trees, flowers and blossom in the hedgerows - I wonder how many you can identify? Rev’d Keble Martin, the Victorian flower illustrator could give you a clue — see the article about him in February’s Woodbury News).

Can you spot any birds? Listen for their calls. I wonder how many you can recognise?

Suggested Walks: 1. Walk to the Digger’s Rest in Woodbury Salterton via the path by the allotments, Bonds Lane, Pyle Hayes Farm and turn right to Woodbury Salterton.

2. Access Woodbury Common via Cottles Lane, Castle Lane and the footpath opposite Cottles Farm.

3. Walk to Exton via the path from the car breaker's yard, with refreshments at The Puffing Billy.

4. Take the footpath opposite Parsonage House to Toby Lane. Turn left to walk to Woodbury Salterton. If you wish to extend the loop, walk straight across the road, along the lane ahead to meet Dog Lane. Turn left to walk down to Woodbury Salterton.

If you need a leaflet that describes these walks in greater detail it can be purchased from the Parish Council Office or Woodbury Post Office.

Judy Green and Tim Frampton are your local volunteer footpath wardens.

We endeavour to walk the paths several times in the year, cutting back brambles and checking the signs. We also have a small annual grant which allows us to hire a contractor to strim the most well-used paths in June or early July.

If you see anything amiss whilst you are out and about walking our footpaths, please contact us via the Parish Clerk (details on p.22).

We are hoping to organise a competition for the under-18s in the very near future – prizes for the most unusual illustration or photo of a wild flower or bird that you have identified on one of the Woodbury walks.

Details will be published in next month’s Woodbury News and circulated to our schools.

Judy Green Be Safe, Be Seen Pick up Poo and Litter Above all, have Happy Ramblings

26 A PROFILE OF ANNA EYRES It is likely that if you’ve lived in Woodbury any time at all you will have heard Anna’s name — it’s quite possible that you will know her by sight. She cuts an unusual figure with her love of colourful stockings — she is a true individualist and cares not what Paris might be wearing. It’s also probable that you have heard her spoken of with great respect and affection. I was lucky here, as one of her daughters lives over the hedge from me. Let me fill you in so that you will feel able to chat with her as she goes about her business in the village.

For thirty years Anna ran various playgroups – ten years in Exmouth, and then twenty years in Woodbury: “So yes, for thirty years I had the best job in the world.” Anna has a profound belief in spending time talking and listening to children. “I can tell immediately if a child comes from a talking, listening family and if you read with a child, it becomes apparent right away.”

Anna’s own journey to literacy was far from straightforward. Her family have been Woodbury folk for five generations and she went to Woodbury primary school herself: “I spent lots of time in the corner for ‘talking’; I was a busy, talkative child and I think some of the male teachers just didn’t know how to cope with me. Eventually one of them worked out that I only kept up with my Janet and John by memorizing what my friends were reading. I went home and told mum I’d been put back with the babies for my reading.

Mum took the heavy family bible off the shelf and my reading finally began.” Anna caught up by the time she was seven and she went on to the Community College in Exmouth, but she felt she had already been marked down as ‘not very bright’. Figures were a problem and the word dyslexia hadn’t been invented; learning problems were not talked about then.

Anna decided that her best option was marriage and children. She found Michael and she told her special chum that she would marry him soon. She met him at sixteen, became engaged at seventeen, and married a year and three quarters later. Her first daughter came along after five years, followed by her second daughter twenty months after that. At this point Anna decided to do a course which would qualify her for work in a residential home; however, when the village school advertised for somebody to organize a playgroup, she badly wanted the opportunity and somebody had the wisdom to see that she was exactly the person who would love the job and give it her energies for two decades.

27 Anna estimates that 3,000 children would have passed through the playgroups while she was in charge.

Anna kept pace in an environment which was continually changing and new processes put in place, but towards the end she considered there was just too much admin and measurement and not enough time to spend reading and listening to children. “If you want to do the best for a child, listen to them reading regularly - we can all do it and, believe me, small children are addictive,” Anna beamed.

As a postscript, I had occasion to interview Anna about flora and wildlife change in Woodbury Parish for a video about the naturalist William Keble Martin, who was a vicar here at the end of his life. Anna had a natural gift for putting together quite complicated international agricultural, food supply and pesticide issues in a way that is easily coped with by those of us who struggle with such things. If you want to find out something about the village in living memory and a good deal before, Anna knows lots about lots.

She has made her mark by listening and reading and thinking — while knitting her colourful jumpers and blankets. A true autodidact – or as Anna prefers to put it, a true self-taught person. Whatever the preference, she’s a true breath of Woodbury life.

Andy Price

WOODBURY CRAFT GROUP 5 APRIL 13.00-15.00 IN THE CHURCH ROOMS COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING WOODBURY SALTERTON VILLAGE HALL 09.00 - 12.00 1st Monday of each month, if a Bank Holiday 2nd Monday of the month. £2 for unlimited drinks and cake.

Everyone welcome (from babies to retirees).

Come and feel part of a community and get to know the people living within the village.

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.

Any queries regarding delivery of Woodbury News within Exton should be directed to Audrey Elphick on 01392 876909.

28 HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CAUGHT IN A TRICKY SITUATION? Whilst in Oslo waiting for a bus to take us to the airport in the foyer of the Hotel Scandinavia, which also doubled as the SAS air terminal, two Woodbury residents (known only as 008 and 008½) were suddenly plunged from being able to forget their troubles for a couple of weeks into what can only be called the fantasy world of James Bond. The whole episode was like a scene from a Hollywood movie. It so happened that during the Easter weekend, the Vice President of the United States, Walter Mondale, was visiting Norway and at the time in question was coming to the hotel to attend his final press conference before leaving.

We, totally unaware that this was going to happen, entered through the doors to find the foyer heavily infiltrated with Secret Service men. They immediately gave us a good looking at as we walked across to the information desk. We parked our bags and took a seat on the comfortable sofas provided, and just watched - and they watched us! The portable American Embassy, set up in one corner of the foyer, seemed to be the control centre of the whole operation, with a telephone link to the proper Embassy further down the road.

It soon became apparent that no chances were going to be taken. In the basement shopping area some agents were buying souvenirs for their wives and ‘secretaries’, whilst others in the foyer seemed to be divided into three groups. There were the ones in brown suits who did nothing other than look behind the many pillars and seats, presumably for unidentified packages.

There were those who kept wandering past us and other people to get a closer look from different angles, and there were those who had a plastic tube coming from their ears and down their arms (presumably radios), who kept wandering in and out through the doors. The tension showed. The thin man with the dark glasses, who was obviously in charge of the whole security operation, began mopping his brow, sighing and continually pacing up and down and looking at his watch. Two others, much to our amusement, after much pacing, suddenly sat down and took two copies of a Donald Duck comic out of their pockets and proceeded to read them for fifteen minutes.

This we assumed was to calm their nerves.

About 30 minutes before the Vice President was due to arrive panic struck, and the brow mopping and pacing rate of the thin man increased dramatically. It was the bodyguard’s nightmare. He had been informed that a brown Peugeot car had suddenly appeared unattended in the street outside.

Police guarding the entrance and the plastic tube men rushed in and out appealing for an owner to move the car, but no-one appeared to want to own it. The thin man repeatedly looked at his watch — it was getting close to arrival time. All of a sudden there was a wailing of sirens and a mass of blue flashing lights as the Presidential car arrived outside, accompanied by a fully armed military escort. Soldiers armed with sub-machine guns covered both ends of the short street. Donald Duck had vanished!

29 Out of the car stepped Mr Mondale and the Norwegian Prime Minister and their wives, but they were preceded and followed by a new type of agent wearing blue mackintoshes. These blue fellows continually turned their heads around the room, obviously looking for any potential trouble. What was most noticeable was that they never took their hands out of their pockets, and it was quite plain that they had their hands on concealed guns.

We had the distinct impression that if someone had got up and shouted "Oi!" they would have been very much chancing their luck - like dead! However, as swiftly as they came, the whole party disappeared into the press conference room and the tension subsided. The thin man heaved a sigh of relief, mopped his brow and sat down ready to do the action replay in reverse in about half-an-hour. 008 and 008½ decided they had seen enough, and should get out while the going was good. The bus with engine running was waiting outside, so on they hopped and away to the airport.

However, all was not over as 008½, who seemed particularly prone to disasters at airports, had a problem when passing the security check. The metal detector bells rang and buzzers buzzed. "Turn out your pockets" they told him. Red-faced, out it all came, along with the culprit - a strip of throat tablets with a metal foil backing. "OK, OK" they said.

The worst was past, or so we thought. Flying has never been for those with a nervous disposition, but on seeing that the name on the plane was Bent Viking, even 008 and 008½ had a chilling sensation down their spines.

However, Bent went straight and fast and travelled the 1,000 miles to London in 90 minutes. It then took 5 hours to do the next 180 miles. On arriving at St David's Station we found the station full of police, and thought we must be having a bad dream. Surely not again! But no, they didn't want us, they were only packing the Plymouth Argyle fans off on the train home.

After 14 hours travelling we were home again. Quite a day!

Story by 008 - Do you know who it was? (Name and address supplied).

Footnote: Like Elisabeth Neather’s long-lost piece last month from 40 years ago, this episode was also found when having a sort-out of old paperwork. It also took place 40 years ago this April, and was originally written in 1979.

008½, who was then just a young Woodbury teenager, is now over 50 and has therefore graded up to become a fully-fledged 009!

Have you got an interesting photo to illustrate your article?

If so, we'd love to see it, but please remember that we need high resolution photos - not too dark, but clear and sharp - as low resolution photos do not reproduce well on non-photographic paper.

Please remember to ask permission from any people included in your photos, and that photos of children require parental permission.

Please email submissions to: karensquires100@gmail.com.

30 RSPB AYLESBEARE COMMON 2019 is in full swing and we have been working hard on lots of areas ready for the spring/summer period. A snipe survey on 1 March across the reserve flushed 56 common snipe, plus six woodcock and two jack snipe. We were joined by staff and volunteers at RSPB Exminster Marshes and a team of 11 of us walked all day across the mires and heath of the reserve, getting wet and muddy in the process. The figure is consistent with snipe surveys done at a similar time in previous years.

Plenty of chainsaw and brushcutting work has been taking place across the reserve to maintain the heathland habitat and keep the woodland areas pushed back. At the southern damselfly mire on Aylesbeare Common North, a morning of intense brushcutter action prepared the area to create an ideal breeding habitat for when the damselflies return. Our winter work is nearly finished and we will down tools on 1 April, ready for the breeding bird season.

Groups of students from Exeter College have been regular Wednesday afternoon visitors, undertaking an enrichment course to enhance their ecological and biological studies. They’ve helped with mulching the thousands of trees planted at Venn Ottery Hill last year and had a thorough tour of the site and some conservation career chats with Aaron.

Fences at Venn Ottery Hill and on the grazing fields at the north side of Aylesbeare Common have been upgraded to make them stock-proof – approximately 500m of new posts, barbed wire and stock netting has been put in.

Some replacement tree planting has been carried out along the reserve boundary near Newton Poppleford/Outer Hanger to replace some loss of the hedgerow there and at Venn Ottery Hill.

There has been a lot of work around Five Ponds area of the reserve this winter, opening the ponds, upgrading the footbridge, building a revetment alongside one of the ponds, and some digger work to scrape bare earth for invertebrates and reptiles.

If you would like to get involved (practical work or not) please do not hesitate to contact us on devon.reserves@rspb.org.uk and we will be in touch. 01395 233655. Eleanor.woolway@rspb.org.uk Ellie Woolway, Devon Reserves Administrator 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 is available online via Facebook and Twitter.

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32 CLINTON DEVON ESTATES Finding hope in the ashes Public safety issues will force landowners with steady, established tree management programmes to change focus and be ready to bring down dangerous trees as ash dieback continues to take effect in the UK. The disease affecting ash and its related species will result in millions of infected trees near buildings, railways and by roadsides being cut down.

Ash is the third most common tree in Britain, growing well across the landscape, especially in the damp climate of the south-west of England and Wales. Chalara or ash dieback is caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and spreads when the fungus releases spores onto the wind. Affected trees suffer leaf loss, crown die-back showing as dead branch tips, and lesions on the bark.

The disease was identified in the Eastern counties of the UK in 2012. The first signs appeared on the Estate in May 2017, in woodland near Woodbury and is now rapidly spreading through young ash saplings on woodlands throughout East and North Devon. Two and three-year-old saplings are clearly showing signs of ash dieback and it is only a matter of time before we see mature trees with the disease. Chalara kills younger plants and slowly weakens more established trees. Older trees may resist the disease for some time before prolonged exposure makes them vulnerable to other pests and fungal attack.

Ash is an important species for insects and birds and one of the only broadleaf species that is not attacked by the destructive alien invader, the grey squirrel.

This poses an interesting question for woodland owners about what species will replace the oaks, sweet chestnut and beech lost to squirrel, now that ash isn’t the answer.

At this time of year, it can be hard to spot signs of the disease. Bunches of seeds (ash keys) can still be retained on the branches and be mistaken for blackened dead leaves – a symptom of the disease. Healthy ash trees should be in full leaf by late spring, so mid to late summer is the best time to survey for the disease.

Individual gardeners are not required to take any particular action even if their ash trees do become infected. However, keep an eye on tree safety, and prune branches or fell trees to reduce risk of injury. Slowing the spread of the disease by burning or composting fallen leaves to break the fungus’s lifecycle is also good practice and manageable for smaller landowners.

Although 70% - 90% of the nation’s ash may be affected, tree experts remain positive some plant strains will be found that show tolerance or resistance.

Foresters will continue to adapt their silviculture and hope that scientific research into disease-resistant specimens may see ash recover over decades rather than taking several centuries.

Kate Ponting BEd (Hons), Countryside Learning Officer.

Tel : 01395 443881. DDI : 01395 446918. Mobile : 07917 104250

33 LOCAL RESIDENT MAJOR EVENT INFORMATION International Horse Trials 19 – 21 April* Arrivals from Thursday 18 April onwards Departing times throughout the day *large event, expect heavy volumes

Seeing the Wood for The Trees The Wild-Woodbury project has now been running for over three years. The objectives we set out in 2016 have all been exceeded and the scale of the work we do has expanded massively.

Our initial intentions to reverse the damage being done to our local ecosystem by inconsiderate development, removal of trees and hedgerows, and the use of toxic chemicals in pesticides and poisons is still our main aim and the reason for our existence.

Our motto ‘Conservation is not enough’ still applies. The rate that we are losing viable habitat and the pressure on wildlife has not diminished. The tree officers are constantly under pressure to allow the removal of trees and hedgerows including many that have legal protection such as ‘Within a Conservation Area’ or ‘Protected by a tree preservation order’. There is literally a constant chipping away of the habitat that makes Woodbury a rural area instead of urban sprawl.

People often think of a tree or hedge as an individual organism, but it is not.

A mature oak tree or a length of hedgerow will be a complete ecosystem in its own right. They provide numerous niches for fungi, lichens and moss, and shelter for delicate plants. When they shed their leaves they provide nourishment for soil-bound creatures such as worms and insects. The early buds provide food for caterpillars and larvae, and the mature leaves provide food for them throughout the summer. These creatures themselves become a food source for highly endangered species such as hedgehogs, dormice, bats and newts (frogs and newts live in sheltered moist spots in the roots of hedges and trees for most of the year). The structure of the hedgerow or the branches of the tree form a framework for songbirds to build their nests in, or to scrub around in looking for food while protected and hidden from predators. One mature oak tree provides habitat for 300 - 400 different plants and animals, whereas a newly-planted tree will provide little if any ecological benefit for at least a decade - a bird cannot build a nest in what is little more than a stick and it certainly won't find food for its offspring there.

Cont’d/...

34 WILD WOODBURY Cont’d/...

The threat to our trees and hedges is not coming from unscrupulous housing developers as we have had relatively few new housing estates created in the last 10 years. Most of the damage is being done by gentrification and an obsession with tidy lawns and flower beds that are free from leaf litter.

People love the rural feel of our villages but find it a little too inconvenient when it comes to actually living with nature. If we are not careful, we will end up with a bland landscape made of manicured lawns and picket fences like the those portrayed in the Stepford Wives or Edward Scissorhands.

The trees and hedges that we do have left in the Parish need to be protected and cherished as the devastating ash dieback, sometimes referred to as Chalara dieback of ash, has now reached Woodbury. Approximately half of the trees in the Parish are ash, and most are going to die within the next 15 years - many within the next five years. Young trees are the most susceptible to the disease and die quickly once they have contracted it. The Woodbury landscape is going to change massively unless we start planting more trees and hedgerows instead of removing them.

In November last year we planted 38 new trees as an extension to an existing copse in the cricket ground. The trees were planted to commemorate the 38 soldiers from the Parish who died in WWI. The new trees were a mix of native species with a high proportion of hazel in order to make the habitat more attractive to dormice.

If you have an area in your garden where we can plant a tree or hedgerow, or know of an area that would be suitable for planting, please let us know. We have the funding to purchase the trees and hedgerow plants, and the volunteers to help with the planting of them - we just need the will of the people.

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

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

Tony Bennett

WOODBURY NEWS ADVERTISING RATES SMALL ADS: (3 lines) private £2.00.

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To: Karen Squires, Willowfield, Oakhayes Road, Woodbury EX5 1JT Tel: 233299 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.

35

SMALL ADVERTISEMENTS

FOR SALE Honda 17 inch Rotary Mower (HRX426PXE) in excellent condition. £120. Tel. no. 01395 232789. (1/2)

BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS HOLDING HANDS COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP every Wednesday 10.00-11.30 at the Maltsters Arms function room. £2 per family to include craft, toys, songs and activities based on a weekly theme. Snacks for little ones. Hot drinks and cakes for adults. Come along and hold a friend’s hand.

PATIOS, WALLS, FENCES, SHEDS AND GENERAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE M & S Property and Landscape Building Services. Local craftsman, 30 years experience. For reliable service call Mark 07802 800509.

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) MOBILE FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER - providing services such as nail cutting, corn and callus removal, diabetic foot care. £5 off your first treatment. Call Ruby Bowden on 07792 698961. (5/12) ENGLISH AND FRENCH TUITION Key Stage 3 - GCSE offered by well -qualified, experienced teacher. Competitive rates. Contact L Hamilton on 01395 233416 or email linjahamilton@yahoo.co.uk. (4/6) BOO TO A GOOSE THEATRE Top 10 in UK 2017. Magical pop-up children’s shows for stress-free parties with puppets, games and face painting. www.bootoagoosetheatre.co.uk 01395 233874. (11/12) SYNERGI EVERTHING PLUMBING AND HEATING For all your plumbing and heating needs. Large or small jobs at fair prices. Boiler servicing, repairs and care plans. Local, reliable and efficient. Gas, Oil, and LPG. Tel Synergi 01395 542226. www.synergisw.co.uk. (11/12) 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. (12/12) PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – James Waddell Interior & Exterior, Carpentry, Flooring, Fencing & Gates, Plumbing, Decking, Bathrooms & Kitchens, General Repairs. Free Advice & Estimates 01395 263496. (10/12) RUBBISH REMOVALS Domestic and Commercial. Environment Agency licensed. No job too small. Tel: 0800 335 7610 / 07979 841376. www.rubbishremovalsexeter.com. (11/12) ELECTRICIAN James Sliman Local, reliable, fully qualified and experienced. NAPIT registered and insured. From a socket to rewire 01395 276323 07866 313812 www.jslimanelectrician.co.uk. (8/12)

36 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) 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. (8/12) 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. (8/12) 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). (7/12) PRIVATE CLEANER Weekly, fortnightly, monthly and one-off. I am experienced, flexible and reliable. I offer a friendly service. Contact Ya 07429 430812. (3/3) MATHS TUITION: Experienced, female Maths teacher available to teach primary to GSCE level maths, 11+ and SATs prep. Reasonable rates. Jane Moffatt on 01395 279952/07730 877889 janepmoffatt@gmail.com. (3/12) 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. (2/12)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

3 April Holy Trinity Annual Church Parochial Meeting. WS. 19.00.

3-4 April Woodbury Wide Awake Painting Workshop. 10.00-16.00.

4-6 April Exton Drama Club Entertaining Angels. Exton VH, 19.30.

5 April Woodbury Craft Group. 13.00-15.00. Church Rooms.

8 April Woodbury Village Hall AGM. 19.30. The DuBuisson Room.

9 April Garden Club. Vegetable Growing. WVH. 19.15 for 19.30.

10 April WSWI. 19.00 WSVH. 11 April Woodbury WI Easter Craft, WVH, 19.00.

11 April Woodbury Wide Awake. Dr Anne Stobart. 19.30. St Swithun’s.

12 April Charity Quiz. 18.30 for 19.00. WVH. (07831 121268) 13 April Car Treasure Hunt, Woodbury Twinning Association.

19 April Egg Hunt in The Goosefield, 10.00 to 12.00.

19-21 April Bicton Horse Trials.

21 April Family Easter Dogshow. Bicton Arena. 12.00. £2 per class.

21 April Tractor Ted Roadshow, Bicton Arena. www.Bicton-Arena.co.uk

37 26 April 26 April 26 April 27 April 2 May 2 May 4 May 5 May 5 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 11 May 11 May 11 May 12 May 12 May 14 May 19 May 21 May 28 May 1 June 6 June 8-10 June 15 June 23 June 28 June 6 July 12-14 July 16 July 11 Aug.

Friday Night Flix. Untouchable. WVH. Doors open 18.45.

Start of Friday Club sessions, Woodbury Tennis Club.

Exton Garden Club Camellias. 19.30. Exton VH. FoSS Spring Concert. 19.00. St Swithun’s Church.

Local elections.

History Society Dalditch Camp on the Common. WVH, 19.30.

CVCS 50th Anniversary. St Margaret’s, Topsham, 19.30.

CVCS 50th Anniversary. Holy Trinity, Exmouth, 19.30.

Woodbury Wide Awake Writing Workshop.

Woodbury Wide Awake talk. Landscape Change.

Hospiscare A Bit of a Do. Gipsy Hill Hotel, Exeter. 19.00.

Garden Club. Plant Sale. WVH. 11.00. Free entry.

Visit to Slimbridge Woodbury Twinning Association.

Woodbury Wide Awake Bloom of Beauty Concert. 19.30.

Exton Garden Club Spring Plant Sale. 14.30-16.00. Exton VH. Gulliford Burial Ground Annual Garden Clear-Up. 14.00-17.00.

Woodbury Wide Awake Nature Walk. 14.00.

Garden Club talk on Hestercombe Gardens. WVH. 19.15.

Cream Tea. WSVH. WWA. Macro-Photography in Nature 19.30. Church Rooms.

Community forum on cardboard recycling, 18.00-20.00, WVH. Devon Big Breakfast. 08.00-11.00. WVH. D-Day The Normandy Landings, Church Rooms. 10.30-16.00.

Twinning Association host Bretteville friends.

Woodbury Community Fun Day. 14.00-18.00.

Gulliford Burial Ground Free Tour. 14.30 (30th if rained off).

Concert in The Goosefield.

Woodbury Community Long Tables. Village Green. 232772.

WWA Flower Festival and Exhibition. St Swithun’s Church.

Cathedral rooftop tour Woodbury Twinning Association.

Photographic Exhibition Our Beautiful East Devon. Gulliford Burial Ground.

11 Aug. Gulliford Burial Ground Tours. 10.30 and 14.30.

12-16 Aug. Green Banana Drama Theatre Summer School. WVH. (see ad.)

31 Aug. Big Devon Breakfast for FORCE. WSVH. 5 Sept.

History Society Current Archaeology in Exeter. WVH, 19.30.

7 Sept.

Exton Garden Club Autumn Plant Sale and Coffee Morning.

10.30-12.00 in Exton VH. 19 Oct. Bangers and Mash Supper. WSVH. 9 Nov. Classics Galore Concert for FORCE. Great Hall, Exeter University (see classicsgalore.co.uk for more information) 23 Nov. WWA Exhibition on the local natural environment. WVH. 30 Nov. Exton Garden Club. The Self-seeded Garden. 14.30 Exton VH.

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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 WOODBURY GARAGE Local family business

Woodbury Village Hall Hall and two meeting rooms, Fully equipped kitchen WIFI, sound system and projector Available for: Dances and Parties Meetings and Classes Exhibitions 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

Woodbury Dance Studio RAD BALLET Grades and Majors

Children from 2½ years     

MOTS SERVICE REPAIRS ALL MAKES & MODELS ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS

The Arch, Woodbury EX5 1LL woodburygarage@hotmail.co.uk

T: 01395 233004 M: 07527 125956

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

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WOODBURY SALTERTON

W.S. TAXI 1 - 8 People LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE

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T.D. BUILDERS General Quality Building Service * New builds & Extensions * Brickwork & Block work * Rendering & Plastering * Drives & Patios * All types of building work undertaken !!

FREE ESTIMATES

01395 233995 or 07751 738092

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