WALKHAM TEAK GARDEN FURNITURE

SHEEPSTOR ST. LEONARD’S
Friday 24^th September at 7.00 pm followed by supper in the village hall

MEAVY SCHOOL
Friday 1^st October at 9.15 am

LADY MODIFORD SCHOOL
Friday 1^st October at 2 pm

MEAVY ST. PETER’S
Sunday 3^rd October at 10 am

WALKHAMPTON
Sunday 3^rd October at 11 am followed by lunch

PEARL ANNIVERSARY – LEYTHORNE-EVRY

UPVC Windows and Doors, Fascia Boards, Guttering and Conservatories.

Lammergeier, Yennadon, Dousland, Devon

Telephone: 01822 855554 or Mobile 0403 207000

Walkhampton Green

Ted Whitehead

On a recent site meeting at Walkhampton, some members of the planning committee looked at the village green where the grass was being cut by the man who is employed to trim various areas in Walkhampton and Meavy. It seemed tragic that such a little gem was hidden from general view by an overgrown hedge. Some time after the green was handed over by the developers to the P.C. a working party of Lou Trembath, Buck Taylor and myself came up with a design for the bus shelter together with a bridge which would be wide enough for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The path could also be used by schoolchildren coming from Lady Modiford’s giving them a pleasant detour away from the traffic and would give everyone easy access to the new Village Green.

The full Council accepted our recommendations and in due course Halfyard & Easterbrook of Tavistock built the shelter. A group of villagers all met on the green armed with an assortment of tools and we cut the waist high grass and weeds down to create a rather nice lawn.

It was felt that a seat would enable the villagers to enjoy the green and that some hedge pruning was necessary. D.N.P. approval was given but for some unknown reason none of this work was completed. The seat hasn’t yet been installed and meanwhile the hedge has become neglected and overgrown, with some quite dangerous branches. The green is no longer visible from the village centre and in fact quite a few people have said they didn’t know there was a village green in Walkhampton.

We have now reached a stage where some serious work has to be done on the hedge. The Parish Council would welcome any constructive comments – please contact the Clerk or myself in writing. Or attend the next planning meeting on 14^th October, when it will be an item on the agenda.

The Chairman has also asked me to find out how villagers would feel if the area between the stream and the war memorial was grassed over with a smaller area for parking by the bus shelter and traffic going on one side only. This would give even more of a village green appearance to the centre and would avoid the haphazard way traffic passes the war memorial on either side at present. Compare today’s arrangement with the photo above, taken sometime around 1905.

Please let the Council know how you feel about this separate proposal and if necessary a public meeting could be arranged in Walkhampton for everybody to air their views. It could be a Millennium project!

COLIN VASS

PLUMBING AND HEATING ENGINEER

Registered CORGI Gas Installer

Institute of Plumbing Registered Plumber

5 Knowle Terrace, Walkhampton PL20 6JT Telephone: 01822 852185

Walkhampton Cottage Garden Society

70^th Anniversary Show

Tricia Spry  (Treasurer, Walkhampton Cottage Garden Society)

This year marked a special anniversary as it was 70 years since the first show was held in Walkhampton and I am pleased to report that it was as successful as ever.

Sid and Mavis Fairchild who recently retired from the Walkhampton Post Office and Shop opened the Show. It was nice to see them both again, looking relaxed and well and obviously enjoying their new lifestyle.

Once again the "Weather Gods" smiled on us and we were able to enjoy warmth and sunshine which enabled the tea tent to expand to tables and chairs in the open. This always seems to encourage people to linger awhile.

The show had a total or 141 classes, 30 of which were specifically for children. As always the vegetable and cookery classes were very well supported, with some close but friendly rivalry. Each year sees a fluctuation in the entries for various classes. Some years we have lots of handicrafts and hardly any wine, another year it will be the other way round.

This year however saw a marked increase in the flower arrangement sections due probably to the flower arranging classes that were organised earlier in the year by the Society which proved to be a great success. The photographic section also expanded this year with some really atmospheric photos of "Dartmoor in Summer and Winter".

Anyone who attended the show will have been impressed by the produce and cookery sections. It always amazes me that from one recipe so many different looking cakes can be baked! This must make the judge's decision even more difficult. However, without exception they all looked very appetising and I would not have said "No" to a slice of any of them.

The men's' cookery class is very popular. Although I suspect that this is the only time in the year that some of these gentlemen bake a cake, the results are excellent.

The children's' classes unfortunately seem to be dwindling in entries over the years. This is a great shame as the future of the show lies in their hands. If we can generate enthusiasm in the youngsters to enter the show, hopefully this will continue into later years and the show will then be guaranteed a sure future. Potential young entrants please note: all children's' classes are free entry.

Traditionally the show is held on the last Saturday in August which is towards the end of the school holidays. It is therefore difficult for the organising committee to encourage entries through the schools. If anyone has any constructive suggestions as to how we might attract more young people to enter the show, we should be pleased to consider them.

Finally a big "Thank you" to a lot of people without whom we could not run the show and without whom it would not be a success. We must thank our President, Honorary Vice-Presidents and Patrons for their continued support; the Judges who give their time and expertise so readily; the local businesses which advertise in the schedule; the gallant gentlemen who turn out to help us erect and take down the tent; the ladies who work so hard year after year in serving the teas; the behind the scenes helpers who cope with all the dirty dishes and the hopefully unforeseen crises. In fact all the people who help with the hundred and one jobs which are necessary to make the afternoon a very enjoyable occasion.

Burrator Twinning Association

Nick Shutt

"Hello, Nick. It's Ted House here. Can you and Corinne host a family from Mathieu this year?

"Of course, Ted. How many is it this time?"

I have almost lost count of the number of new friends I have made as a result of being asked to host families and children from Mathieu by the Twinning Association Committee over the last few years.

As many will know, our parish is twinned with Mathieu, a small village in Normandy. Our twinning association, which is open to all who live in Burrator Parish, has been in existence over 21 years, in which time there have been numerous memorable visits and occasions.

For my part, I was first made aware of the activities of the twinning association through my children having the opportunity to go to Mathieu with Lady Modiford's School. But there is a lot more to the twinning than the children's visit to Mathieu and we all have the opportunity of being involved if we so wish.

For example, this year a group of 19 adults visited Burrator and stayed over the period of the Ascension. A great time was had by all with a mixture of organised events and free time. A dinner for all our guests was organised by the committee and the whole event was a great success.

Do not be daunted if your command of the French language is rather limited! Each year the French/English dictionaries come out in our house as we seek to hold conversations with our visitors. Thankfully, most of our visitors have an excellent command of English and rather enjoy polishing it up while they are here.

Above all, being involved with the twinning is great fun. I am personally very grateful to the hard-working committee (of which I am not a member) for all they do in organising events in such a competent manner.

Hole in the Wall

Michael Parle

Last July a large gap appeared in the wall along Meavy Lane. Nobody saw it happen, nobody seems to know how it happened, but some 15 yards length of Devon wall fell into the field below. And it happened in the middle of the afternoon!

On investigation, it was not just the fallen wall that is a problem. The road alongside the wall had also partially collapsed. It looked as if the unstable ground was the cause of the damage to the wall.

This stretch of Meavy Lane has been quite a trouble spot during past winter months and for a couple of occasions more recently. The cause of the trouble is water - too much of it. The lane was flooded on number of times to a level that was a hazard to traffic. In fact a number of vehicles broke down in the middle of the flood, with one vehicle apparently suffering considerable damage to the engine.

Local residents believe that it is this large amount of excess water that has undermined the road surface and caused the landslip that resulted in the wall collapsing.

Highway engineers from West Devon Highways department have visited the site and agreed that the road needs rebuilding. However, they will not repair the damage to the wall. Nor will they do anything about the excess water draining from the land above.

The work on the lane is scheduled to be undertaken over a three weeks period starting on Monday 4^th October. The lane will be closed whilst the work is done.

Something needs to be done however about water drainage and run-off. This is a problem in other parts of the parish, not just in Meavy. To help identify what course of action might be taken, the Parish Council hope to have Nick Payne attend a future council meeting. He is Head of Environmental Services at West Devon Borough Council.

Obituary

Well-known Meavy woman and church verger, Ruth Stevens died aged 70 on July 5^th in hospital after a brave battle trying to overcome a big operation.

She was born Ruth Mary Peek on September 12^th 1928 at Coldstone Farm in Wotter to Fred and Mary Peek. The family moved to 2 Heather Cottages in Meavy where Ruth grew up with her brother Don. They went to Meavy School and Ruth left at 14 to go to work in a local shop, Barratts, and then Harveys, at Yelverton. Ruth met Vic, a Royal Marine who was based here but originally was from Nottinghamshire, at a local dance. They were married in 1948 and lived with Ruth’s parents. Their first child, Joyce, was born there by candle light during a power failure.

When the first houses at Marchants Way were finished Ruth and Vic and their baby daughter were the first people to move in. Babies, Dawn and Alistair arrived to complete the family and Ruth was content to spend her days caring for the home and family. When the children were grown up, Ruth worked as a dinner lady in the kitchens of Meavy School for several years. She also belonged to the Meavy Friendship Group and the Village Hall Committee. After her mother’s death in 1979, Ruth took over as verger at St. Peter’s and joined the PCC in Meavy, continuing so for 20 years. She also enjoyed the flower rota and arranging flowers for weddings and services. One of Ruth’s regular commitments was to sell the poppies in the village every year since her father could no longer do this.

After Vic died, on Christmas Day 1994, Ruth joined the Royal British Legion and enjoyed the new friends she met there. She loved to walk locally with the two dogs Mack and Bracken and enjoyed meeting up with people to have a chat and pass the time of day. Ruth loved spending time with her family – her three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, the third of which was born prematurely and only came home from the baby unit a few days before Ruth herself was admitted to hospital.

A popular member of many local societies, Margaret Paton died suddenly at home in Dousland on August 19^th.

Margaret and Bill Paton came to Dousland from Plymouth in 1978 and, after retirement became involved in several aspects of life in that community. After Bill’s death in 1988, Margaret joined in and undertook further activities locally. She was a member of the Parochial Church Council and a governor of Meavy School where she delighted in sharing time in the children’s classes. Margaret was also secretary to the Meavy Flower Society, a member, and sometime president of the Women’s Institute, a steward at Buckland Abbey, and a prison visitor. Though these pursuits were gradually curtailed because of the needs of the family, she retained her interest in, and devotion to the life of the local society whose tenets she admired.

Margaret also found enduring pleasure in her daily walks with her dogs across Yennadon Down. Her daughter, Susan, her son John, and her sister have all greatly valued the caring support given them, not least that by the Rev. Richard Tebbs and Mrs Tebbs.

Farmer and well-known horseman, Derek (Dick) Radmore of Hermspitt Farm, Meavy has died. Born in Plymouth in 1924, he was one of 10 children and at the age of 10 years his family moved to farm at Plympton. Dick helped with the market gardening, milking cows and contract work with heavy horses. Horses were to play a great part in the life of Dick and his family. Brother Bert Radmore was a champion horse ploughman for Devon. Dick still owned a shire horse "Demelza" at the time of his death. He also excelled at rodeo riding when younger, winning many contests some of them at Walkhampton Gymkhana.

Dick married Moira in 1945 and they moved to a small farm called Parkland at Cornwood which was part of the Delamore estate. The ground there hadn’t been farmed for many years and it took very hard work with the heavy horses to get the land into good heart. Eldest son Roger was born in 1948. In those days the family had no running water in the house, nor any electricity. The water had to be carried home from a stream and sticks gathered every day for the hearth fire.

In 1955 the family moved to Hermspitt Farm at Meavy, part of the Maristow Estate, where four children were born in the next six years – two sons, Richard and Roy, and two daughters Diana and Yvonne. The family continued with the love of horses, competing regularly in gymkhanas and at shows. They all still ride today. Roger farms at Tregony in Cornwall, Richard farms Hermspitt, Roy farms at Sheepstor and Shaugh, Diana is married to a farmer and Yvonne’s husband works for ECLP. Having farmed at Hermspitt for nearly 44 years, Moira said there had been bad times and good times but mostly very happy times. Dick’s whole life had been devoted to his family and working hard on the farm for them all.

WE value greatly their contribution to the Parish. They will be sadly missed.

Praise for Appraisal?

Keith Scrivener

You were asked what you thought of life in your village and you certainly told them. In the autumn of last year a questionnaire was delivered to every home and farm (however isolated) in the parish of Burrator to collect and collate opinion upon issues affecting the needs and environment of the people who live here.

You were asked for your views on countless subjects and you gave them – including some on subjects not counted upon. The results are being put together for publication shortly in the Burrator Parish Community Appraisal.

You will be able to see the results for yourself when the final document is due for delivery in October. Most of the issues identified in the appraisal have attracted high levels of favour. Some responses were surprising; others were perhaps only to be expected. What is clear is that the population of the parish is ageing with only low levels of young people being added. There was strong support of the parish primary schools and for retaining the unspoilt nature of the countryside and the beauty and unique wonder of Dartmoor.

Here is a sneak preview of some interesting statistics and comments in the appraisal:

• Most vehicles in the settlements were parked off the road at night. Walkhampton was the exception. Is there a parking problem in Walkhampton?

• In Sheepstor 50% of respondents favoured provision of up to 10 new homes.

• A total of 32 people have had to turn down a job opportunity because of lack of transport.

• Nearly as many people walk as go by bus. No part of the parish is served by bus after 6 pm

• It was found that 48 people want to arrange to car share facilities.

• It was felt that a NHS dentist was needed in the parish.

• Dousland was split on the issue of becoming a separate electoral ward.

• People in the parish in general like to support the local shops.

• On the environment one commented – ‘Loose bulls and bullocks are a problem’.

• Another said ‘Replace overhead cables with underground ones – but leave some for the swallows’.

Whilst little support of major change has been identified by your comments, the report does form the basis of an agenda for the parish for the next few years. To this end a public meeting will be held later in the year when all residents can have the opportunity to form local action groups to take any recommendations forward

Meavy Flower Society

The flower show which was once again held in the village hall was a tremendous success, with members of the public choosing the exhibits that they liked the best.

Although the weather has been very changeable the flowers and plants on display looked absolutely superb and everybody agreed the standard was as good as ever.

The monthly meetings are very social occasions but you learn a lot about your garden at the same time as enjoying the evening. If you haven’t already joined and think you would like to, please contact Margaret Duffy on Yelverton 854969.

Where am I? Can you guess where this tower is situated? Clue: it has recently been capped with a cock of gold? The prize of a £10 meal voucher has been kindly donated by JEFF GALE, of THE BURRATOR INN, DOUSLAND. Answers please to the Editor by 31st October, giving your name, address and telephone number. Only one entry per household please. The Editor’s decision is final.

12 Churchview, Walkhampton, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6JS

Telephone: 01822 854158

How Was It For You?

Ted Whitehead

I awoke early on the 11^th to a bright sky with some relief, thinking that we would after all be able to see the moon pass across the face of the sun, but sadly …

We had decided to stay at home, thinking it would probably be quieter than at Peek Hill. As the sky darkened we went into the garden with the video and a camera and proceeded to film this eerie event.

The temperature dropped dramatically and the birds stopped singing. Two rockets went off skywards, set off to mark the happy occasion of my neighbours’ two sons proposing to their girl friends and being accepted.

But the silence was really shattered by the wailing sound of a nearby burglar alarm going off in protest at the assault on its photosensitive cells, it was no longer a beautiful silent occasion. The security lights came on as I walked around to the front of the house and the darkness lifted as quickly as it had descended reminding me of the two hurricanes and H Bomb explosion I had witnessed abroad. It made me realise what power there is in nature as well as that thought up by man.

THE HAPPENING HAD HAPPENED!

Meavy Show Success

This year’s Meavy Show and Gymkhana in August was the biggest and best in recent years. It was held at Hermspitt Farm, Meavy by kind permission of Mrs Radmore and family and organised by a committee headed by Mrs Sue Boylett.

The day included show jumping and showing, fancy dress and gymkhana, clear-round jumping, and not forgetting man’s best friend in the family dog show.

The event was much enjoyed by a record number of spectators and competitors (with two legs or four!) and raised the magnificent sum of £700 for the NSPCC.

Photo Courtesy Tavistock Times Gazette.

Holding the bucket for the ponies to check the cash is Area NSPCC chairman Sam Doel. Also shown from the left is chairman of the show organisers committee Sue Boylett, with a few other show organisers, Aileen Thompson, Linda Dean and Fiona Spreadbury. The ponies are Rosie and Buzz and their riders are local entrants Libby and Peter Miller, lead by their auntie Verity Nichols.

Cranmere, Burrator Road, Dousland.

Telephone: 01822 853474

Society Dates

Yelverton & District Local History Society

For further information on the contact Yelverton & District Local History Society Mrs. S. M. Ball on 01822 853345.

Meavy Flower Society

All are welcome. For further details contact Margaret Duffy on 01822 854969

Millennium Boundary Boulders

If you have read the clerk's notes, you will know that we plan to have four 'Millennium Boulders' as boundary markers. The council is currently in negotiation with landowners and the Dartmoor National Park to determine the exact locations.

The proposed locations are:

1. At grid ref. SX587733, on the left hand side of the B3212 going out of Princetown, about 100m beyond the cattle grid. At this point there is a road sign "Unfenced road for four miles". The boundary marker to be positioned 4m before this sign and 3m in from the road. This would position it at a height of 1m above the road.
2. At grid ref. SX555647, near Cadover bridge, on the left hand side travelling north. About 80m beyond the bridge there is a farm track for Lower Cadworthy Farm. Boundary marker to be positioned after the track, 7m from the track and 3m from the road. This would position it at a height of 1m above the road.
3. At grid ref. SX528685, on the left hand side of the B3212 travelling towards Dousland. To be positioned approximately 30m to 40m beyond the road junction at Woodman’s Corner, 3m from the highway.
4. At grid ref. SX524697, on the north side of the road from Horrabridge to Walkhampton crossing Knowle Down. To be positioned on a natural rise in the ground on the left hand side of the road going uphill, about 60m inside the parish boundary.

The above are suggested positions for each boundary marker identified as being suitable sites by members of the Planning Committee of Burrator Parish Council.  Each position is subject to agreement from the landowner and Devon County Highways and planning application to Dartmoor National Park.

To recycle the Yellow Pages Book 0800 783 1592

To report vehicles with smoky exhausts 01506 445 216
You will need the number and name of the firm if possible.

Water leaks in the road 0345 776677

Environment Agency 0800 807060
If you are at all worried about pollution of any kind. This service covers various things including illegal dumping of hazardous waste, fish in distress, flooding incidents etc.

Grants

Annual Grant Awards paid out by the Parish Council for 1999-2000

• Meavy Community Workshop £200
• St. Peter’s Church, Meavy £550
• St. Leonard’s Church Sheepstor £569
• St. Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton £32
• Meavy Village Hall £1000
• Meavy Parent and Toddlers Group £100
• Meavy Primary School Renewal Fund £1000
• Meavy School PTA £500
• Walkhampton School PTA £500
• Walkhampton Pre-School £500
• Walkhampton Primary School £1000
• Walkhampton Wasps Football Club £300
• Walkhampton Hall £2000

With Thanks

To Anne Ellis, for her many years of valuable service on the council and especially for the many hours given up as Chairman of the Planning Committee.

To Tristan Nichols, for the tremendous effort he has made over the past three years as editor of the Burrator Beacon. Tristan has taken on more responsibilities in his job as a reporter with a local newspaper. We wish him every success for the future.

Council Meetings

GENERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

September 23^rd Sheepstor

October 28^th Walkhampton

November 25^th Meavy

December 16^th Walkhampton (only if sufficient business)

PLANNING COMMITTEE

October 14^th Walkhampton

November 11^th Meavy

December 9^th Walkhampton

FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

December 9^th Walkhampton

FOOTPATHS

Will be held immediately after planning meetings when required.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Will meet at least four times per year, dates to be set by Chairman.

Next meeting will be 14^th October at Walkhampton.

Burrator BEACON Editor    Ted Whitehead, Yelverton 853435

Editorial Team   Michael Parle, Elizabeth Hopson, Keith Scrivenor.

The opinions expressed in the Burrator Beacon are not necessarily those held by Burrator Parish Council. Every effort is made to ensure that information in these pages is accurate. However, the Council cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Including information does not imply recommendation.