WOODBURY NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2021
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SEPTEMBER 2021 EDITORIAL As we read in this issue of Woodbury News about village life gradually returning to some form of pre-pandemic norm, it seems that social events are creeping back into empty diaries at last. There are coffee mornings, cream teas and lych gate stalls on offer – and indeed some are already taking place. Members of dormant and virtual clubs and groups are beginning to meet in person rather than via the ubiquitous Zoom. In view of this, maybe YOU could learn to play whist (page 6), or can help with the Brownies (page 7) or with the Dumbutu Link (page 15). Members of Woodbury History Society, for example, and of Woodbury WI, now meeting in the afternoon rather than the evening on the second Thursday of the month, have ‘reallife’ programmes arranged and encourage visitors and potential new members to come along to their meetings to see what they have to offer. Events in the very near future include Hope4Kibera’s live jazz and cream teas on Woodbury village green on Saturday 28 August and Woodbury Salterton’s Sale Trail on 11 September, as well as the Devon Open Studios from 11-26 September. Events have been listed in this issue as planned to take place within certain parameters; due to circumstances outside our control, however, anything planned could sadly be cancelled at short notice, and/or different types of restrictions lifted or imposed. Whilst we in this relatively tranquil part of Devon can enjoy the events mentioned above, it is tragic to learn of the devastating effects of earthquakes, floods, fires and man-made disasters in other parts of the world. May we remind our readers, too, that Covid-19 is still with us, and although so many people are now doubly-vaccinated and most government restrictions have currently been lifted, it is perhaps still sensible to take extra care both at home, at work and when out and about. The cover photo, kindly provided by Paul and Anna Crafer, is of King Sully. Do read all about his exploits and sad demise on pages 20 and 21. 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: Jeremy Boyden, Rosemary, Broadway, Woodbury EX5 1NR. Tel: 233072
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ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH, WOODBURY Vicar: Reverend Bill Lemmey 01395 232161 Email: revbillwhitecross@gmail.com Administrator: Jill Dupain dupain@hotmail.co.uk SUNDAY SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 5 September - 14th Sunday after Trinity, Holy Communion at St Swithun’s, 11.15; Evening Worship at Exton 18.30. 12 September - 15th Sunday after Trinity, Holy Communion at Exton 09.30. 19 September - 16th Sunday after Trinity, Evensong at St Swithun’s, 18.30. 26 September - 17th Sunday after Trinity, Zoom Family Service, 09.30 - for a link to this please email dupain@hotmail.co.uk. Look out for announcements about additional services and changed church opening times.
LYCH GATE STALLS Saturdays 09.30-11.00 until the end of September; if wet, in the church. Further information will be available on the church noticeboard and in the monthly Digest. To receive this by email please send your email address to st.swithuns.digest@gmail.com. FLOODLIGHTING ST SWITHUN’S CHURCH 6 August One year late due to Covid restrictions, Sue and Nick Burgess celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary (1960-2020). For your special event, contact Mike Jeans on 01395 232544. Floodlight dedications are displayed on the church noticeboard at the lych gate. FoSS (FRIENDS OF ST SWITHUN’S) FoSS will be hosting a Cream Tea in the garden of 5 Escott Cottages (Ruth and Pat’s) on Sunday 19 September from 15.00. Since we have not had any concerts or functions recently this tea is cost free to members with £5 charge for guests (anyone in the community). We need to know the number of those attending, so please email or speak to Jo Lovejoy (joanna.lovejoy44@ gmail.com) if you would like to join us. If the weather is unkind, we will have to cancel the event as there will still be a reluctance to attend a large indoor event. But we hope for a sunny September. We plan to restart our activity programme in the New Year with our AGM followed by a Supper Concert in church on Saturday 22 January, dependent on the pandemic situation. Pat Browne
5 ST SWITHUN’S SHUTE As you're walking along Church Stile Lane you may wonder why this structure has suddenly appeared amongst the churchyard graves. For many years the church has suffered from a damp and decaying floor in the north aisle, due mainly to cracked rainwater drains and the path outside being some 60cm higher than the floor inside. Volunteers from Friends of St Swithun's (FoSS) aim to rectify this by installing new rainwater and land drains following the excavation of the path down to internal floor level. The 6-metre shute will enable the excavated tarmac and gravel to be discharged from a dumper into a skip without getting dangerously close to the retaining wall edge and risking its collapse into the road below. Hopefully it will be dismantled by the end of August when excavation work is complete, the timber to be re-used to retain the re-graded grass incline beyond the path. Chris Sheppard CHARITY COFFEE MORNING TUESDAYS IN THE CHURCH ROOMS From 10.00 until 12.00 Bean-to-cup coffee, or tea, and home-made cakes.
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BRIDGE CLUB A small, friendly group of bridge players meet every Thursday in the DuBuisson Room in the village hall from 18.45 to 22.00. Players of all standards very welcome. Please contact: Tricia Brine 01395 876349. Mike Wallwork WHIST GROUP We used to have a Whist Group in the village which had to close. Now we are able to mix more we wondered if anyone would be interested in starting it up again? This would be open to everyone. Before we can take this any further we need some idea of numbers. If you don’t know the game, it is easy to pick up. Please telephone Ann on 01395 239175 or Jill on 01395 232349. Ann Shell
WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB Vegetable Growing and No-Dig Gardening TUESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 19.15, WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL Visitors welcome (£3 entry)
7 1ST WOODBURY BROWNIES We have the most amazing girls in 1st Woodbury Brownies and have a waiting list for places, so an opportunity has arisen to enlist some additional volunteers. Have you got one and a half hours to spare on Wednesday evening (18.00 to 19.30), maybe every week, once a month or on a rota basis to come along and help with our activities? Why don’t you give it a try (no previous experience necessary) and you will be made very welcome by us all. Looking forward to hearing from you. Please contact Bee Patterson (Waterlily!) 01395 742624 or 07785237457. Bee Patterson WOODBURY VILLAGE GOLF SOCIETY Oake Manor Golf Club - 12 August The journey to Oake Manor was a good one - decent roads and nice and quick; what was not so good was the drizzle landing on the windscreen which was not forecast. Fortunately we only had a few light showers and the afternoon turned out to be glorious. The course was in great condition but, all the same, only ten out of 26 players managed 30 points or over, and five of those scored 30. Paul Crafer was welcomed back into the fold with spontaneous applause after a long period of illness. As usual our chairman did his very best to achieve nine teams of 3. However, as luck would have it, one of our golfers reported in injured, so the number was reduced to 26, so 2 x 4 had to be played. As the results show, playing in 4s seems to have its advantages. After the game we had an excellent meal. After a few jokes and a welcome to Jim Norton, who was Jerry Woollen's guest, our chairman presented the prizes. Nearest the pin on the 16th was Mike Elstub. No 2s were scored on this hole; however there were two 2s, one on the 10th by Jim Norton and the other by Simon Davies on the 14th. Team scores were: third with 75 points, Peter Heron, Alan Quantick and Charlie Kislingbury; in second place with 77 points, Bob Thomlinson, Simon Davies, Jerry Woollen and Jim Norton; and the winners with 81 points were Stewart Price, Peter de la Mare, David Moore and Charlie Collins. For Individuals: in third place with 34 points, Peter de la Mare; in second place with 36 points, Charlie Collins; and the winner with 38 points, Jim Norton. The next outing will be on 9 September to Tavistock Golf Club which is described as an undulating moorland course with magnificent views over Dartmoor National Park. Jeremy Browne, Past Chairman WVGS 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).
8 WOODBURY GARDEN CLUB In spite of our Flower and Veg Show having to be a smaller affair this year, there were a goodly number of entries and plenty of visitors in the afternoon, many of whom enjoyed their first opportunity to sit down with tea and cake at a proper village function and have a good old natter to friends. The number of entries was down because, as well as some classes being omitted to enable social distancing in the hall, many members found the weather had meant their produce was not ready in time or had been damaged by bad weather - too cold, too hot, too wet, too dry, too windy, you name it, we’ve had it!
Even so, there were some beautiful flowers, especially the large number of entries in the ‘container of cut flowers’ class. Joyce Jeans won that class, and the trophy for the best entry in the flower classes, with her stunning display. To top that, her entry won our new trophy, Best in Show, too - congratulations Joyce! Other trophies were won by Ann Hildred, Chris Grist, Ken Crundwell and Katrina Walsh. Well done to all who entered the show and thanks especially to the members who served teas and did all the ‘behind-the-scenes’ work that a village hall function entails.
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We are hoping our September meeting (Vegetable Growing and No-dig Gardening) will see us all back to normal or at least a close approximation of that. Debby Mullier WOODBURY AND DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Our Autumn Coffee Morning will be on Wednesday 6 October from 10.30 until 12.30 at the White Hart in the village as we have two guests coming: Kevin Jeffery, the Devon County Chairman, and Reg Wilkinson, Chairman of Brixton Branch and a brilliant Poppy Appeal fundraiser, who will talk about his experiences. Quite a few members have said they will be able to attend - any other members who would like to attend please ring me as soon as possible as places are very limited due to the ongoing indoor restrictions. There will be a raffle — contributions gratefully received — and a sales table. The usual £1 contribution towards coffee is your entrance ticket (cash or cheque please as we do not have a card machine). All monies raised will go to the Poppy Appeal. Our AGM will be towards the end of November, and hopefully a coffee morning back in our room in early December. Sandra Huish 01395 232696, email sandrahuish@hotmail.co.uk 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 Jeremy Boyden on 233072 and he will put you in contact with your local deliverer. Any queries regarding delivery of Woodbury News within Exton should be directed to Ann Morris on 01392 875666.
10 WOODBURY TENNIS CLUB The summer season is almost at a close. The club league teams have completed matches with only one men’s B and one ladies match to play, both postponed due to Covid isolation restrictions. In a strange season it was great to see that around 25 members were able to play competitive tennis against other clubs. All teams have retained their positions in the various divisions: men’s A 4th, B 5th, ladies 3rd and the mixed 5th in their respective divisions. The captains of all the teams deserve a big thankyou for seeing that all matches were played and that Woodbury did not have to forfeit any. The junior programme completed the required ten sessions during the summer and will restart for seven autumn sessions on Wednesdays from 8 September with coach John Wingate. The club had a new and different gathering on Sunday 15 August — a Triples competition organised by Garry Sheward: 33 players in 8 teams competed for prizes. With a few supporters we had 40 members gathered at the top of the playing fields for friendly competition and a social gathering with barbecued food and Pimm’s to drink, an event thoroughly enjoyed by all. The final was between the experienced Woodbury Warriors and the newly formed Uppers and Downers, with the Warriors coming through in a closely fought match.
Woodbury Tennis Triples tournament The players prepare to play with instructions from Garry Sheward
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A match in progress
The two finalist teams: Woodbury Warriors Garry Sheward, Christine Sheward, Mary De Jong, Andy Brown. Uppers and Downers Tim Downer, Claire Marks, Alan Marks, Michael Lunn.
There is still a lot of tennis to play: club sessions on Sunday morning (all), Tuesday morning (ladies) and open session Friday evenings. The club has entered men’s and ladies winter league teams, with home matches on Saturday mornings, so those members who wish to compete against other clubs will have that opportunity. Any enquiries about the tennis club to Pat Browne (ruthandpatb@aol.com). Enquiries concerning juniors to Helen Ryland (helenryland@btinternet. com). Pat Browne
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12 WOODBURY COMMUNITY ORCHARD We want to say a big thankyou to Darren and Rhys in the village who have recently worked so hard strimming and grass mowing around the trees. We had let the grass grow long in areas to encourage wildlife and pollinators, but now the bulk of the grass is mown and looks beautiful. There are a good number of trees laden with fruit - so please help yourselves to windfalls and ripe ones as they become ready.
The orchard is a lovely place for a picnic, a walk, or a play area for youngsters. We also have a juicer that can be hired if you wish to make juice/cider, in return for a donation. Please contact alexkthiemann@gmail.com or leave a message on our facebook page. Alex Thiemann
13 WOODBURY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
Woodbury WI had their second outdoor gathering since the start of lockdown on Thursday 12 August. We brought our own seats and drinks and enjoyed Chris Lear’s famous cream tea in a happy gathering. This was not on the village green, as advertised, but outside St Swithun’s church so that, with the unpredictable showery weather, we could dash inside if necessary. About 24 ladies happily caught up on gossip and had a jolly time, eventually in the sun! The next meeting is to be in Woodbury village hall at 14.00 on 9 September, when Val Sutherland’s talk will be entitled Sin and Tonic. Please come and join us for a good laugh - and to ensure the WI will meet for many a year to come. Elspeth Fisher
14 WOODBURY TWINNING ASSOCIATION At last we have been able to resume activities like so many other clubs and societies, and isn’t it wonderful! We started with a BBQ for members, past and present. Joyce and Cedric Peachey very kindly let us use their delightful garden, for which we are most grateful. It was a lovely event, enjoyed by everyone. Our next event will be the ever popular Progressive Supper on Saturday 4 December. This will be different from those in the past: rather than people hosting in their own homes, we will be holding it in the village hall. This will allow for better social distancing and ventilation. We hope to get people into the Christmas spirit and more details will follow later. Then in January there will be a Quiz with Supper, again in the village hall. Finally, on Tuesday 22 February our AGM will take place in The DuBuisson Room of the village hall at 19.30. We are so looking forward to seeing both new and old members again after such a long break. As always, for more information phone Nita 232314 or Jan 232694. Jan Owen WOODBURY HISTORY SOCIETY The Origins of the Parish of Woodbury and its Manors An illustrated talk by Gill Selley will be held in the village hall on THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER AT 19.30 Visitors are welcome to attend. Current and updated Covid Special Conditions of Hire dated 19 July 2021 will be adhered to. These can be viewed on the Woodbury village hall website at www.woodburyvillagehall.org.uk COFFEE MORNING AND BOOK SALE SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER - 10.00 - 12.00. THE DUBUISSON ROOM, WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL All proceeds to go to Budleigh and District Hospiscare.
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19 OCTOBER. 7 DECEMBER.
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WOODBURY SALTERTON NEWS Holy Baptism Revd Margaret Scrivener baptised twins Faye and Luca Smale during the service on 1 August. With the easing of restrictions, a large group of family and friends were able to be present. The choir sang a special song of welcome and, in addition to the baptismal candles, Margaret presented each of them with a baptismal bear. We pray for them as the newest members of our church family. Coffee Mornings These continue until further notice on Saturday mornings at church from 09.30 until 10.30. Sale Trail On Saturday 11 September you are invited to participate in a Sale Trail. This will be a chance to try and sell any unwanted items which you may have turned out during lockdown – or to grab a bargain. Those wishing to have a table of items to sell should register with Mark Lovett with a £5 donation. Tables can be placed by your gate, or on the Plantation, or in the churchyard, and a map will be available showing the various locations. THE WOODBURY SALTERTON DUMBUTU LINK "Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start." Nido Qubein You may be aware of the ongoing Woodbury Salterton Dumbutu link, a successful cultural and development link with Dumbutu village in The Gambia, West Africa. This is a long-standing local charity which supports, by sponsorship and engagement with the local community, education initiatives and also some agricultural development with a women's garden project. After a difficult year of virtual meetings and Covid restrictions we are now looking for a new treasurer to fill the position that will be left when our present treasurer, Malcolm Randle, steps down after many years of valuable service. If anyone feels able to take on this role — which will not require a huge investment of time, but will be very rewarding — please contact Malcolm at mrandle200@gmail.com or Gemma Bennet (Chair) gemjoyben@hotmail. com. On a separate but linked plea, we are continuing to collect reading glasses for the WSDL, so if you have any unwanted pairs lying around, please consider donating them to the charity. Hopefully, the more reading that adults can do alongside their children, then the bigger the education initiative can grow. Alex Thiemann
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EXTON NEWS ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, EXTON CHURCH SERVICES - SEPTEMBER 5th - 18.30, Evening Worship with Revd Bill Lemmey. 12th - 09.30, Holy Communion with Revd Margaret Scrivever.
ROUND AND ABOUT
OBITUARY The life and times of our much loved and admired Nancie Grist. Undiminished over 90 years, Nancie’s Christian life is an example of how to give love to all. She was born Evelyn Nancie Harris, in Dartford, Kent, on 7 August 1929. She was the youngest of a family of ten. Her two grandfathers were professional gardeners, and this may well be where she developed her keen love of gardening and nature – it was noted in many of her school reports that Nancie “has done good work in the garden”, “she has a keen interest”, or “collects a lot of pictures and specimens.” Throughout her lifetime Nancie would always be ready and willing to pass on her knowledge, expertise and skills to others. Repeatedly, within these reports, she was described as useful, reliable, a keen and intelligent worker, enthusiastic and hardworking, conscientious – how we can all resonate with these words as we picture and remember Nancie. Nancie would often share her memories of her experiences through WW2, particularly of the time when an incendiary bomb came through the roof of her home and down onto her bed. Thankfully, being the studious schoolgirl she was, the bed was empty as Nancie was downstairs under the dining table completing her homework. After leaving education, Nancie became a secretary with the Christian organization Toc H on Tower Hill where, in 1949, she met Bob Grist who had returned to England following his time as a Staff Officer in India. He was considering ordination into the church and had been sent by his father to discuss his suitability with Tubby Clayton, founder of Toc H. Nancie was smitten and the couple married in 1951.
17 Over the years, Nancie and Bob raised three sons, Philip, Peter and James, with Nancie fully embracing the busy role of clergy wife, mother and later, mother-in-law, granny and great-granny. Bob’s ministry took them to various parishes including Byker, Petrockstowe and Cheriton Bishop before moving to Woodbury in 1987. Sadly, any plans they had for a long and happy retirement together in Woodbury were not to be, as Bob’s health failed and he passed away in 1990. Nancie continued with her many interests and hobbies, always showing great interest in people and making them feel welcome. She joined St Swithun’s church choir, a monthly book group, a discussion group and, with her dear friend Dr Deryck Laming, she started a Saturday Club taking young children on outings, playing games and learning new skills. Together, they also set up Woodbury Music Society, raising thousands of pounds for local schools, pre-schools and churches, enabling them to purchase musical instruments and encouraging young children to experience the joy and delight of music. She was clerk to Woodbury School Governors, often seen busy in the garden (passing on her knowledge again), volunteering in the office and also often hearing children read. She was always keen to join working parties maintaining and enhancing the school grounds – occasionally even with her hands down the drains! Being a very creative person and a dab hand with a needle and thread, she was asked by Ursula Brighouse to take over the church kneeler project, which she did without hesitation. And so, the list goes on… With her usual smile, Nancie would always say, “If you want something doing, ask a busy person.” Nancie enjoyed many foreign holidays, with some destinations being visited multiple times. Being Nancie, she kept meticulous notes with details of countries visited. Michael Portillo, Jane McDonald and the like would have been hard pressed to keep up with her! She had many willing travelling companions but was not phased by travelling alone. She visited a host of places around the world including Spain, Egypt, Malta, Turkey, France and Cyprus but also countries many of us might struggle to find on a map of the world: Thessalonica and Macedonia, Jordan and Syria, Peloponnese, Croatia, Iceland and Israel to name but a few. She travelled by air, sea, land or train but was adamant she never wanted to ride on a camel again…! Nancie’s health had deteriorated during recent years, but her spirit, faith, determination and sense of fun remained undiminished. Many of us remember with great fondness and admiration her 90th birthday celebrations held at 21 Fulford Way. It began with Nancie sitting in her recliner, dressed in a carefully chosen birthday outfit waiting for the arrival of her first guest. We had planned for there to be a short break after lunch to allow Nancie to have a rest and maybe a sleep but oh no, she had other ideas. cont’d/…
18 Nancy Grist OBITUARY cont’d/... The party continued all through the afternoon and early evening, and she was most insistent that the choir call in to join the party after choir practice. By ten o’clock we all needed to go home for a rest. The deterioration in Nancie’s health continued and the following six months were spent in and out of hospital, undergoing various tests and examinations. Eventually, it was evident that she required 24-hour care and she was pleased when a room was found for her at Green Tree Court Nursing Home in Pinhoe where she received exceptional care. Nancie passed away very peacefully and quietly on 20 February 2020 with family at her bedside. Her funeral service was due to be held on 23 March 2020 but unfortunately with Covid restrictions and lockdown coming into effect on that day, it was only possible to hold a small burial service with five mourners present. After months of uncertainty, a Celebration of Life service was held for Nancie on 7 August 2021 - which would have been her 92nd birthday. Following the service at St Swithun’s church, a reception was held at the Maltsters Arms where Sam and her team had prepared a sumptuous buffet for us to enjoy while we shared joyous memories of Nancie. We all felt so blessed to have had such a remarkable lady in our lives. Nancie’s family would like to thank everyone for their moving tributes, messages of sympathy and kindness shown during this difficult time. Thank you also to everyone who made the Celebration of Life service such a wonderfully special occasion. A quote from Nancie’s Dartford C of E Junior Girls’ and Infants’ School report Summer Term 1940: “Nancie has been an excellent scholar in every way. She has done splendid work and has been most loyal and helpful. We shall miss her.” As, in her own words, Nancie now moves on to her “next adventure,” the words written by her headteacher all those years ago are as relevant today as they were in 1940. We are left with Nancie’s life theme: here is love, pass it on. Dianne Radford
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19 DEVON OPEN STUDIOS Woodbury artist Liz Swan is excited to be taking part in her first ever Devon Open Studios this year. Her Woodbury studio at Ford Farm Lodge, just off the Broadway, will be open on the following days from 10.00 - 17.00: Saturday 11, Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Friday 24 September. There will be original paintings, cards and prints available to buy, with 10% going to Hope4Kibera.
Liz describes her work as “Art from the heart” and she endeavours to capture the feeling of a place, rather than an exact representation. Her preferred medium is oil paint, but she also works in acrylics and mixed media. There are four other artists in Woodbury taking part in the Open Studios this year, and two in Woodbury Salterton, plus others in Ebford, Exton and Lympstone, so why not make a day of it and visit them all? For more information on all the artists taking part have a look at the website www.devonopenstudios.co.uk. Chris Marriott, one of the artists exhibiting in Devon Open Studios, has produced a calendar for 2022, celebrating the NHS and supporting St Petrock’s, the Exeter charity helping the homeless.
20 SULLY, KING OF WOODBURY It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sully, the selfappointed ‘King of Woodbury’, aged 19½. The end of the school term coincided with the end of Sully’s term in office. Sully moved into the village at a young age and set up home in Govetts, with his owners (slaves) Martin and Estelle Goddard. He often followed them around the village and soon learned the way to the White Hart. Using this knowledge, he was able to make a surprise visit to the White Hart kitchen (entering through the open window) and proceeded to taste-test the cream gateaux that were ready to be served to that night’s guests! Sully enjoyed exploring other people’s houses, making himself at home and helping himself to any available food. One particular house was in Castle Cottages, where he had a special friendship with Lucy, who he allowed to give him a glitter makeover. Although he was so upset when Lucy moved out of the village, a whole new world was about to open up to Sully as, just across the road, was a school with many more children. Classes were disrupted, the chefs in the kitchen were always finding him around and the playground was full of children to fuss over him. However, as most people know, when Sully had enough of a fuss, he would take a swipe at you to say he didn’t want any more. Sully got a reputation of being a loveable cat, but one who would only give you his love and attention on his terms. At around the age of 11 his owners moved to Orchard Close, but Sully was having none of it. He started hunting for new owners who lived on his old patch. After much searching, he found a new home in Haymans Orchard with us. Neither of us had ever owned or wanted a cat, but he managed to worm his way into our hearts. We feel so privileged that a special cat chose to live with us for the last seven years of his life. Being a sociable cat (to humans, not to other cats and dogs), he would often be seen at open gardens, film nights, coffee mornings and any other events that the village organised.
21 Whenever he saw people sitting on the WI bench, he’d go over and investigate in the hope of some love and affection, which he invariably received. Sully had the uncanny knack of being able to antagonise any dog he came into contact with although, in the last few months of his life, he mellowed and ‘allowed’ other animals on his patch. He single-handedly tried to introduce traffic calming to Woodbury by constantly walking down the middle of the road. Having been hit by a car when he was one, which caused him to walk with a limp, you would have thought he would have learned his lesson. Learning was obviously not his thing, otherwise he wouldn’t still be at primary school aged 19½. The pandemic was a godsend for Sully, as the school had to leave doors and windows open for ventilation, meaning that he could come and go as he pleased. After breakfasting at home, he would leave for school in time to greet the teachers with constant meowing until he was given a second breakfast. He would then hang out in the year 5 classroom to greet all the children arriving for their school day. He would usually stay for the register, often meowing during it, which the children thought was so funny as he was telling the teacher he was at school too. He would usually stay for the first lesson, sitting nicely on the floor watching what the children were learning and then take himself off upstairs to the staff room for a morning siesta. Sully knew when it was lunch time and would return to class to see what offerings of lunch there were. He enjoyed the ham and chicken from the children’s sandwiches, but especially loved Fridays as it was fish and chip day. Sometimes he would follow the class out to the playground for play time, sit and watch them and enjoy being stroked. The afternoons were spent relaxing in the library, either on the chair or the beanbags. Although he enjoyed being fussed over by the children, he was equally happy just snoozing. At the end of the school day, he would often lie in the corridor so that all the children would have to step over him to leave. After getting up, he had to make the difficult decision of whether to visit the After School Club for yet more attention or return home for a snooze. We seldom saw him before six o’clock! Sully was a character who was loved by the children and many others in Woodbury. He touched many hearts and will be sorely missed. Anna and Paul Crafer
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From Justin Parsons Webbers Park We have recently returned home after a week’s camping at the park for the second summer in a row. What a great touring park it is, friendly staff, very clean and tidy, and with donkeys, goats, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs to look at, they have it all sorted. Oh, did I mention the view too? For us, to open the tent zip each morning to the view out over the Exe and straight out over St Swithun’s church tower too, what more could we ask for! My best friend resides in the village and so do other friends, so we are regular Woodbury visitors. We camped this summer so that we could bring the dog with us to enjoy the area and for her to have endless amounts of fun in the sea and on the beach. We even survived the Thursday night gale and many thanks to Gordon Davis for all of his help and great times spent together. We managed to get ourselves out of a cooking disaster on the first night when the gas cooker valve snapped just as I went to put it all together. I learnt more of the history of Webbers Park and will say what a great, peaceful part of Woodbury it is. With grateful thanks to the staff for a great stay and to all of our friends and the folk of Woodbury for making the village always such a fantastic place to come. I will be visiting again throughout August and the upcoming weeks and months, but that will be to stay with my best friend, not under canvas as the weather turns colder. From Gill Selley I would like to thank the ‘lovely litter ladies’ of Woodbury who walk the lanes with their trolleys and pick-up sticks, removing all the rubbish discarded from cars and dropped by thoughtless people. At the same time a thankyou to the members of the Garden Club who plant, water and tend the flowers and shrubs on the Arch which give so much pleasure. What a wonderful village this is, with so many caring and unselfish people who give up their time for the benefit of the rest of the parish.
23 THE MYSTERY OF THE VANISHING FARM If you walk up Couches Lane from Broadway, bear round to the left and then continue going uphill, you will reach the hamlet of Woodmanton. Halfway up this second overgrown lane was an ancient farm which was occupied by the Lee (or Leigh) family in 1536 and was probably farmed long before that date. The farm, of about 24 acres, was a leasehold property in the Manor of Woodbury and was held by the Lee family from this early date until the middle of the 19th century. The mystery about Sparkhays is that if you walk up the lane now there is no sign of the farm or any indication that one existed there for nearly 500 years. Sadly cob and thatch buildings do not leave much evidence of their existence, but it is likely that there are artefacts under the soil in the farmhouse area and the surrounding fields. So what happened to Sparkhays farm? The tithe map of 1839 clearly shows the dwelling house, barns and lands, which were situated each side of the lane from Couchhays to Woodmanton. In the early 18th century there were 11 farms in Woodmanton, all but one being leasehold estates of Woodbury Manor – the odd one out was Reeds & Rocketts, now known as Lower Woodmanton Farm, which was always a freehold estate. By the end of the century five of these farms had lost their lands which had been incorporated into the lands of the remaining larger farms, predominantly Woodmanton Farm. Two farms called Presford and Pedricks were amalgamated and renamed Ford & Pedricks (later just Ford Farm). Taylor’s estate consisted of just lands which became part of Mallacks Farm. Heathys Farm lost its lands to Woodmanton Farm and the dwelling house is now known as Woodmanton Cottage. Two other small farms, Richards and Symonds, also disappeared as did Sparkhays. The only difference between Sparkhays and the other obsolete farms, with their dwelling houses, gardens and orchards, was that Sparkhays Farm with its yard and barns has vanished completely. A rental of 1605 recorded that Sparkhays was held by John Leigh and his son Thomas for the annual rent of 6s. 11d. Members of the Lee family held the farm continuously until the middle of the 19th century. In 1796 the farm consisted of seven orchards, six fields of arable, and two meadows. Forty years later one orchard remained, four fields were arable and the remaining eight were pasture, so it can be seen that the lands were being farmed in a different way. Could this be because all the fields, which ran along both sides of the lane coming down from Woodmanton, would be fairly wet and more suitable for pasture? It is likely that the farm, with this pasture on each side of the road, was very suitable to be the dairy farm for Woodmanton Farm. Since the Lee family leased or owned several estates in the parish, as well as those in Woodmanton, including Gulliford, Exton and Ebford, one cannot be sure whether they actually farmed Sparkhays or rented it out to an undertenant. cont’d/...
24 THE MYSTERY OF THE DISAPPEARING FARM cont’d/... In 1859 Mrs Lee still leased the estate but had a tenant, Fred Hern to farm it. But 30 years later it had been divided between two men, William Dunscombe who lived at Bridge Pitt Farm and also farmed most of the lands of Sparkhays, with John Furze holding a small part of the farm. It is likely that after Mrs Lee, no members of the family were still in Woodbury or did not want to lease Sparkhays, and so the Manor decided to split up the lands. This does not explain, though, what happened to the farmhouse and its outhouses. A member of the Middleton family, who have farmed in Woodmanton since the 1930s remembers, when she was a child, her father pointing out to her a mound in the ground and telling her that this was the old Sparkhays Farm. Perhaps it burned down, or just crumbled away!
Gill Selley
1839 map of Sparkhays Farm
25 WEATHER REPORT July was a month of considerable extremes with a very wet second week, 44mm of rain, followed by a third week heatwave from Thursday 15th to Friday 23rd. A cooler, more pleasant, but showery nine days, including the gale force storm Evert on 30th, brought the month to a close. Total rainfall was 78mm (3 inches) here at Ebford, which was well above the recent 20 year average of 55.6mm (2.2ins). Norman Cann RSPB AYLESBEARE COMMON Another month has flown by for the RSPB Aylesbeare Common Team. As we wave goodbye to one of our residential volunteers and welcome a new one, we look back on what has been a busy month in our summer work programme. From Sunday 25 to Saturday 31 July, East Devon Heath Week was celebrated with a variety of events and self-led activities running throughout the week. The annual event, which took place virtually in 2020 was able to run at a limited capacity and aimed to help visitors learn more about the heath, its management and wildlife they may spot while out exploring. Nightjar walks, pond dipping and printmaking were just part of the fun at Aylesbeare Common. Members of the RSPB team were also present in the creative cabin which visited different locations across the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths during the week. This provided an opportunity for visitors to ask questions and get involved with events. We are encouraged by the visitor engagement with Heath Week and look forward to next year when large-scale events such as the Festival will be able to run again. Over at Venn Ottery Hill, several days of hard work have seen the foundations laid for a wildflower meadow in the apple orchard. A digger spent the morning turning over the ground which was then weeded by volunteers to remove gorse and reeds. These plants thrived in the low nutrient, wet soil and had very much made themselves at home, proving hard work to remove. Once the ground was clear of weeds, we used green hay (a process by which wildflowers are cut and collected from a donor site as they begin to shed their seeds) to introduce wildflowers to the area. The owner of a wildflower strip in a neighbouring field kindly allowed us to cut some of their wildflowers to use in the process. Once cut the material needed to be spread within an hour to prevent the green hay composting; fortunately some volunteers were on hand to help and the hay was successfully spread within the allotted time. The rest of the green hay was spread on the roadside verges by Venn Ottery Hill and Common. Now we wait to see if our efforts will pay off with a diverse, species-rich habitat developing, attracting bumblebees and butterflies. cont’d/...
26 RSPB AYLESBEARE COMMON cont’d/... A couple of days this month have been spent at Quantock, near Stockland, working with volunteer groups to clear the boundary fence line from bracken, bramble and fallen trees and fix any broken sections or rotten fence posts. Remnants of bracken sprayed last year were raked into piles and burnt, leaving the ground exposed for a more diverse range of species to colonise and create a new wildlife habitat. Between 1 March and 31 July, a ‘dogs on lead’ policy was in place on Aylesbeare, Harpford, Venn Ottery and Bystock pools. As contained within the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act), visitors using their open access rights must keep their dogs on a short lead of no more than two metres within these dates. As this time has drawn to a close, we ask that visitors to the heath continue to keep dogs on leads around livestock and follow the Pebblebed Dog Code which can be found at www.pebblebed heaths.org.uk. Ellie Woolway, Devon Reserves Administrator Exe Estuary (01392 833311) & Aylesbeare Common (01395 233655) Eleanor.woolway@rspb.org.uk. Mobile 07834174541
NOTE TO CONTRIBUTORS FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM We are most grateful to all contributors for sending in copy and photographs for inclusion in Woodbury News. Without your efforts, our monthly publication simply would not exist. However, please may we remind you to help us by sending in your contributions by the closing date, and even more importantly, before the deadline of 19.00 on that day. If you are not yet on the list of people who have already provided me with their email address so that I can send you a reminder each month, please do so now. This arrives in your inbox one week before the deadline. Emails go out bcc, so no-one knows who else is on the list. Sue Bury (Editor), suebury@aol.com
HOSPISCARE OPEN GARDEN AT ROSSLI, WOODBURY SALTERTON Gill and Pat Bricknell will be opening their garden from 10.00 16.00 on Monday 30 August (Bank holiday Monday) to raise funds for Hospiscare. Admission is by donation. Tea/coffee, cakes and plants for sale.
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Lower Otter Restoration Project update A significant milestone has been reached in the Lower Otter Restoration Project as preparations for the construction of the new road and excavations for the creek network have begun. Until September, machinery and all work will be excluded from areas near hedges, providing a buffer zone to allow birds to raise young with minimal disturbance. The plan shows an area immediately north of the road with an example of these exclusion zones along with the trackway in brown and the new creeks in red.
cont’d/...
28 Lower Otter Restoration Project update cont’d/... Parking on South Farm Road is now unavailable, although businesses at South Farm Court remain open as usual. To enable machinery, cars, delivery lorries and agricultural vehicles to use this route safely, please choose alternative parking arrangements for the duration of the works, including Lime Kiln car park (1km to the south) which enables straightforward level access to the reserve for those unable to walk far. Vehicles left on the road edge on either side of the bridge or in passing places are very likely to cause an obstruction. Towards the end of the project in 2023 visitors will be able to use new parking, more appropriately sited for the benefit of wildlife and enjoyment of this special site. The area south of South Farm Cottages, on the bend, is the main compound where many of the vehicles and material for the construction phase will be stored; it also has a welfare unit for staff. At the end of the project this area will be returned to fields. North of the cottages (and accessed from East Budleigh Road) is another work site, where machines are busy preparing the ground. This will be the new, and flood-free home, for Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club. Last month, 419 orchids (mainly Southern marsh with some hybrids) were moved from the valley to a temporary home, with similar habitat and orchids present, near East Budleigh. The Friends of the Commons and members of the Hardy Orchid Society dug up and teased the rhizomes from the turf, retaining the part with the new shoots which were then transferred and replanted. Hopefully these will do well until such time as there is suitable habitat established within the project area. In addition, the flowering spikes attached to this season’s corms were retained and the seed will be dried and stored to repopulate wet grassland in the valley in the future. Populations of notable sedge species will also be conserved to repopulate these areas in the future. A Liaison Group has been established to provide effective and timely twoway links during the delivery phase, enabling the local community, specialist groups and wider public to be knowledgeable and well connected to the LORP and the team delivering it.
29 A broad membership including county, district and town/village councillors, residents’ groups or representatives, local businesses and other organisations will meet regularly. Meeting notes and actions will be shared on the LORP website, http://www.lowerotter restorationproject.co.uk and additional members are welcome enabling them to share updates and information with their communities and the wider public. This will provide a conduit between local residents and the project team, allowing productive dialogue and feedback. Kate Ponting BEd (Hons), Countryside Learning Officer, 01395 443881, 07917 104250 kate.ponting@clintondevon.com
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 28 August Hope4Kibera. 14.00-17.00. Live Jazz and Cream Tea on Woodbury Village Green. 30 August Hospiscare Open Garden at Rossli, W/Salterton. 10.00-16.00. 2 Sept. Woodbury History Society. The Origins of Woodbury Parish and its Manors, a talk by Gill Selley, WVH, 19.30. 8 Sept. Start of autumn junior tennis coaching. 9 Sept. WI Sin and Tonic. 14.00. WVH. 11 Sept. Woodbury Salterton Beetle Drive. 11 Sept. Woodbury Salterton Sale Trail. 11&12 Sept. Gulliford Burial Ground - Heritage Open Day event. 11-26 Sept. Devon Open Studios. 14 Sept. Woodbury Garden Club. Vegetable growing/no-dig gardening. 19.15, WVH. Visitors £3. 19 Sept. FoSS Annual cream tea, 5 Escott Cottages. 15.00. 2 Oct. Coffee Morning/Book Sale. 10.00-12.00. DuBuisson Room, WVH 6 Oct. RBL Autumn Coffee Morning. The White Hart. 10.30-12.30. 9 Oct. Hope4Kibera. 19.00. Quiz evening in Woodbury Village Hall. 9 Oct. Woodbury Salterton Harvest Supper. 12 Oct. Woodbury Garden Club. Roses. 19.15, WVH. Visitors £3. 14 Oct. WI Emotional Dowsing. 14.00. WVH. 4 Nov. Woodbury History Society The Blackshirts of Devon, a talk by Todd Gray, WVH, 19.30. 9 Nov. Woodbury Garden Club Garden Pests. 19.15,WVH. Visitors £3. 11 Nov. WI The Chelsea Flower Show. 14.00. WVH. 4 Dec. Twinning Association Progressive Supper. WVH. 9 Dec. WI Practical Workshop on Weaving. 14.00. WVH. 16 Dec. WI Christmas Lunch. WVH. (time tba) 22 Jan. FoSS AGM and supper concert. St Swithun’s Church. 22 Feb. Twinning Association AGM. DuBuisson Room, WVH. 19.30.
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WOODBURY NEWS - ADVERTISING RATES 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.) To: Karen Squires 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.
SMALL ADVERTISEMENT WANTED Retired couple seek a property to purchase in Woodbury. Please phone 01392 873641 / 07713 881860. (1/3)
BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS ALTERATIONS TO LADIES AND GENTS WEAR, MADE TO MEASURE CURTAINS AND ROMAN BLINDS, ALTERATIONS TO CURTAINS. Contact Shirley on 01395 223523. (9/12) EXE INTERIORS & HANDYMAN SERVICES for all home improvement requirements inc. painting & decorating, wall & floor tiling, bathrooms & kitchens, handyman service. Call Sean 07967 777396. (10/12) 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. (19/24) 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. (12/12) 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). (12/12) MATHS TUITION: Experienced, female Maths teacher available to teach primary to GSCE level maths, 11+ and SATs prep. Now providing virtual tutoring and online support. Reasonable rates. Jane Moffatt on 07730 877889 janepmoffatt@gmail.com. (8/12)
31 CARPENTER Chris Isaac Property Maintenance, Kitchens, Doors, Flooring, Fencing, Fascias/Guttering, Tiling, General Repairs. Free Estimates. Reliable tradesman. 07855170674/01395 233933 chrisisaac carpenter@gmail.com. (5/12) RUBBISH REMOVALS Domestic and Commercial. Environment Agency licensed. No job too small. Tel: 0800 335 7610 / 07979 841376. www.rubbishremovalsexeter.com. (4/12) 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. (4/12) PROPERTY MAINTENANCE – James Waddell Interior & Exterior, Carpentry, Flooring, Fencing & Gates, Plumbing, Decking, Bathrooms & Kitchens, General Repairs. Free Advice & Estimates 01395 263496. (3/12) 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. (2/12) 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. (1/12)
BICTON ARENA Please note the following dates, which may impact on local traffic Pony Club Regional Championships 25 - 29 August British Show Jumping Show 9 - 12 September International Horse Trials 20 - 24 October 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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Mike Dickson Gardening All Jobs Considered Specialist in hedge cutting, shrub pruning and grass.
Tel: 07985 697205
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 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
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Tel: 01392 795689
35 Further to many recent enquiries:
Robert Miller Local Painter & Decorator of many years, is still in business. A lifetime of experience! All painting and decorating jobs considered. Contact Bob on
01395 233773 or 07800 854839 THORNS COTTAGE, WOODBURY
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!!
Facial Rejuvenation treatment Discreet clinics now available. Speak to our friendly team.
Tel: 01395 442552
www.budleighdentalpractice.co.uk
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Woodbury Dance Studio RAD BALLET Grades and Majors
Children from 2½ years Principal: Mary Griffiths ARAD, MA(Oxon) Tel: 01395 271249 marygriffiths@hotmail.com www.woodburydance.co.uk All classes at Woodbury C of E Primary School
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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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