|
|
Autumn 2001 |
|
|
Autumn 2001 |
Our photo
for this edition is of Huckworthy Bridge. Ann Ellis
suggested we show our parish boundaries as a reminder of just how wide an area
the Parish covers.
A new feature this time is the first of a series of profiles of all our Councillors. Hopefully it will provide an insight into the people who freely give of their time and effort to serve the community.
Keep your news items coming in – anything you would like to share with others.
The Summer has been a very quiet time in terms of Council activity. The stepping stones at Meavy have again needed re-positioning as a result of their being moved by the swollen river during the Winter. This time the pile of boulders on the South bank have been moved further back from the riverbank in order that they do not form a breakwater and the higher waters will flow more freely.
Unfortunately a reduction in Council income has resulted in a severe cut-back in grants being made in the early part of the financial year, and a further appraisal of the applications will be made in February when it is hoped the financial position will be more favourable.
A number of Planning Applications are currently being “processed” which involve the construction of new property within the area. The two new Cottages at Meavy continue to attract substantial opposition from the Parish Council and local residents alike, whilst the field adjacent to the old Methodist Chapel in Walkhampton, we understand, will be given Outline Planning approval provided a number of pre-conditions are met, whilst a new Agricultural dwelling is proposed at Lovaton. An application to convert a redundant dwelling at Sheepstor into a Camping Barn has been made as part of farming diversification. In addition there are a number of proposed extensions to properties in the pipeline.
Walkhampton’s 30mph speed limit should be introduced by November/December this year and we hope that it will help reduce the speed of vehicles through the Village, but particularly approaching it. There are some roads where exceeding 30mph would be somewhat difficult, but a couple of the approach roads enable significantly higher speeds to be achieved.
The map shows the area to be included and it is pretty well the built-up area – the Village signs should hopefully include “Please drive carefully”.
The Council have in the past expressed concerns regarding traffic problems in two areas and I am again in contact with DCC Highways and D&C Constabulary regarding them. One is Burrator Road, where the fact that a 30mph speed limit exists does not mean it is adhered to and where a satisfactory solution is proving extremely difficult to produce. The second is at the Old Trathens Yard at Dousland where it is felt that a lack of adequate signing could contribute to an accident involving a vehicle either reversing into the Yard or parking within the area of the splay. It is hoped that positive progress will be made with both before too long.
BREAKFAST on top of Sheeps Tor! Hooray! It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in June and we were sitting atop Sheeps Tor, just after 9 am with a packed breakfast of bacon and egg sandwiches and a flask of tea. At last our part of Dartmoor had been opened again after the ravages of Foot and Mouth disease had forced the closure of the National Park and kept us off the moors since February.
In our last issue of the Burrator Beacon we reported on how the closure of the moorlands to walkers and holidaymakers had had a devastating effect on local pubs, hotels, shops and businesses. It was, of course, also the worst of times for our farmers, and our thoughts are still with all of them and we hope that the disease has now completely passed us by.
We are glad to report now that most of the southern sector of the moor was reopened on Saturday June 9 and the north moor followed on July 14. A few small areas, notably around Dunnabridge near Two Bridges, remain closed at the time of writing - but acres of commons and access land, footpaths and public rights of way, are now being enjoyed once again by all of us.
On that first Saturday morning in June, there seemed to us to be no great rush of people going up the tors. We sat in splendid isolation, feeling literally on top of the world, as we looked down on life in Sheepstor village and once more surveyed the 360 degrees around us of beautiful green hills, valleys and a shimmering blue Burrator Lake. We spotted a small group of walkers crossing Yellowmead. Down below us a couple in boots and with backpacks could be seen in the distance slowly making their way up Gutter Tor.
I wonder, did anyone beat us up to the top of Sheeps Tor that first morning? - we certainly didn't see you coming down.
Enjoy the beauty of the moors once again.
Ted, our esteemed Editor, has come up with the idea that the readers of the Burrator Beacon would like a brief profile of the people representing them on the Council. It has been my misfortune to go first, because of my role as Chairman.
Attending Walkhampton Flower Show brought back memories of how I started to take an interest in local matters. My father, Buck Taylor, was heavily involved in the above, plus Walkhampton Rangers, Walkhampton Hall, Burrator Twinning and numerous other activities. Somehow we became participants, willing or otherwise. I think of the latter when I remember wet Saturday afternoons, watching “the team” playing football. Sorry, but I am not a great lover of football!! However, much of the involvement was fun, the barn dances, cricket etc. I am so pleased that we now have a cricket team once more. Well done Chris, Mike and company.
Following my father into Burrator Parish Council is a hard act to follow. However, I feel because of this I have some insight into parish matters. Also, my mother has a very good memory!
The last of our four children will soon be leaving home, to go to Cardiff University, so Nick and I will be left like Derby and Joan. Hopefully, I will have some more time for my hobbies, such as reading, walking and music. I am also a trustee of West Den, which is a local action group.
Retirement looms a little while in the future; I work as a Lecturer in the Education Department of H.M.P. Dartmoor, and apart from serving on the Parish Finance, Planning and B.B. Committees also help with the newsletter deliveries around Dousland.
I would like to say that if anyone has any problems, our names and contact numbers are in the Beacon, or come to the meetings. It is useful to know the needs of the community.
I was elected at the Annual Meeting in April as Vice Chairman to Burrator Parish Council.
Aged 47, I am the Editor of a number of newspaper websites operated in Devon and Cornwall by a large national newspaper group. As such, when I joined the Council two years ago I was quickly conscripted into being a member of the Burrator Beacon editorial team and I enjoy reporting and taking photographs for our parish quarterly magazine. As well as delivering the copies around Dousland I am also a member of the council’s Planning Committee.
My wife Suzanne and I have lived in the parish for six years. We moved to Devon from Lincolnshire in 1985 and now enjoy living at Sheepstor on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor from where we can pursue our favourite pastimes of walking and gardening.
Living with us is my daughter, Kelly Louise, who has just qualified as a barrister.
It is with regret that we record the death of Mrs Margaret Frederick, widow of the late Captain John Frederick who died on August 4th in Derriford Hospital. Mrs Frederick came to Dartmoor in 1973 when her husband retired from the Royal Navy to farm at Bellever Farm for the following 10 years. Mrs Frederick stayed on at Bellever after the death of her husband before moving to Woodview, Meavy.
She was an active member of the community, serving on the Parochial Church Council and on the Citizens Advice Bureau. A great lover of Dartmoor and country life she was a keen walker especially with her dogs.
Mrs Frederick is buried in Meavy Churchyard with her husband. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Thursday October 4th at 7:00 pm. Harvest Thanksgiving - Followed by Supper in parish hall.
Sunday October 7th at 11:00 am. Harvest Eucharist - Followed by shared lunch & auction
Friday October 5th at 9:15 am, to be confirmed
Friday October 5th at 2:00 pm, to be confirmed
There were no entries for the summer quiz which was possibly due to the poor reproduction of the photo. This was not the fault of the printer but to the quality of the very old photo that we gave him. There were two boys in the original photo, both sitting with their legs dangling over the parapet of the bridge. Better luck next time!
The Autumn quiz is:-
In one of the parish churchyards can be found a sad tale of an eight year old boy who was lost on the moor. Which churchyard do we refer to and what is the first line of the inscription on his tombstone?
Answers please to the Editor by the end of October 2001. The Editor’s decision is final.
The prize for being drawn from the correct answers is a £10 meal voucher kindly donated by Jan & Roger Sawyer of the Walkhampton Inn.
We meet in the village hall in Meavy each Thursday morning from 10.30 to 12.30. It is a time for the children to play with the good selection of toys and equipment that we have for them to use and to mix with other children of the same age. It is for children aged up to 3 years. Parents are responsible for their own children and we lay on drinks and biscuits for the parents and children. The group is partly supported financially by Burrator Parish Council and we charge £1 each week.
The group is run by Mrs Rosemary Weir on behalf of the local Mothers’ Union and St. Peter’s Church, Meavy.
Contact Mrs Weir for further details on 852671
I much enjoyed the piece about the Fishing Feast, (Summer 2001), and look forward to learning the source of the story about the Restoration celebrations, which I hadn’t heard before.
Not many people seem aware that the toast drunk with the wine (“may the descendants of him who brought us water never want…”) is a historical absurdity.
Drake died childless and therefore never had any descendants; being a bit picky about such things, in the years I went I always said firmly “May the heirs…” Even the heirs were getting pretty remote in the last couple of hundred years. The title was revived in the 18th century in favour of a rather distant connection who had to change his name to Drake to do it.
The research was carried out by our intrepid reporter, Elizabeth Hopson who obtained all the necessary information in the form of newspaper cuttings from Plymouth City Library.
If you have an old fridge-freezer which is using too much electricity and costs a lot to run and you are claiming certain benefits (including Council Tax Benefit), you may be able to buy a new model for £50 or £25 for a small fridge under a scheme operated by SWEB. You need to fill in a form which you can get from:
Fridgesavers (SWEB), Freepost EH2357, Edinburgh EH6 0JP
The new ACAS Arbitration Scheme was launched in May as an alternative way to resolve straightforward unfair dismissal cases. It is claimed that this scheme will be quicker and more informal than an Employment Tribunal hearing. Discussions and outcomes are also confidential. However if workers choose to use this scheme they can no longer go to a tribunal and have no right of appeal. You can contact ACAS on 02072103742.
If you have any queries about recent employment legislation on holidays, the minimum wage or working hours either as a worker or employer, please contact the CAB.
The Local Government Ombudsman deals with complaints about local authorities such as district and county councils and National Park authorities and various others. For example, the body may have taken too long to act, not followed its rules or treated you unfairly. You must have suffered a real injustice as a result of what it did. The Council for Local Administration in England (the Ombudsman) normally acts as the ‘ultimate rung’ and will not consider a complaint until the complainant has been through every stage of a local authority’s procedure.
Following a pilot study, the Local Government Ombudsman is introducing greater flexibility into the system and from 1 April will accept complaints when people have not been through all the stages. The purpose of the change is to try to ensure complaints do not find themselves trapped in an unsatisfactory round of internal local government procedures.
For more information contact Tavistock Citizens Advice bureau at:
Kingdon House, North Street, Tavistock. Tel. (01822) 612359
I am pleased to be able to say that the article about the pen and ink drawing of “Blackie” in the last issue caused much interest.
Kevin from Plymouth, who is a keen collector of Lenkiewicz pictures, and his mother Joyce came to my house to view it and we spent an enjoyable evening discussing the works of Robert L. Joyce had read a copy of the Beacon while having lunch in the Burrator Inn, where I always leave a few spares, and it all went from there. I was able to get the picture authenticated by the artist and the donor (who wishes to remain anonymous), and Kevin was happy to pay £525 for this original collector’s item.
My thanks to the lady who kindly donated it to the coffee morning, to Robert Lenkiewicz for writing a few words on the back and of course to Anna and her team at Hyde Park Framers, Plymouth for framing it so beautifully free of charge.
A cheque for £525 has been added to the £205 taken at the coffee morning and will hopefully go towards improvements to the car parking area at Walkhampton Church.
We feel it proves what we have known all along, - that our magazine is read and enjoyed by people over a wide area. It really does pay to advertise with us!
The Parochial Church Council of St. Peter’s Church has initiated a fundraising appeal to finance a programme of repair, restoration and alterations to this ancient church which has been a focal point of village life for many centuries. This work will ensure that the church and churchyard are maintained and adapted for future generations and that access will be improved for all members of the congregation and the many visitors.
The Fabric Fund Appeal was launched at the end of July with a service of Songs of Praise and Dedication which was attended by the Bishop of Plymouth. This has been followed by a number of social and fundraising activities and will conclude with a Harvest Thanksgiving service and supper on 4th.October.
At the time of writing at the end of August, the appeal has raised over £8000 towards the target of £20,000 and the PCC is very grateful to everyone who has contributed to the total so far.
It is hoped to place the contract for the re-slating of the Lych gate roof so that the work can be carried out during this autumn and save it from the ravages of another winter of wind and rain. The restoration of the door to the Drake chapel is to be carried out by Matthew McCann at his workshop in Walkhampton. The plans for the new gates and the Drake chapel are on display in St. Peter’s Church and plans are being prepared for the access improvements to the churchyard and South porch.
If you would like any information about the work in the church, the appeal or future events please contact:
Douglas Henderson on 01822-855383 or Sarah Gordon on 01822-854298
This year’s show was one of the most successful that we have had, with a record number of entries. The show was opened by Mr Stuart Fraser of The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum and we were blessed with really glorious weather. The hall was full of visitors and entrants who were anxious to see how successful they had been. Highlights of the show were the magnificent vegetables grown by local experts with the local plumber winning the LEEK class! All classes were well supported, especially Cooking, Home Brew & Handicrafts; children’s entries were at their highest level for many years, as were entries in the photography classes.
The overall picture in The Memorial Field was a typical village scene of many years ago with the Tea Tent full to overflowing and the village cricket team engaged in action at the top of the field.
At the end of the show prizes were presented by Mr Fraser and Mr Brian Taylor, President of the Society.
Whilst we cannot always be so lucky with the weather, the show committee were delighted with the success of this year’s event and look forward to putting it on again next year.
Our thanks go to everyone who worked on setting up the show or who helped on the day - it could not happen without your support.
The “Roaring Twenties”. The country was slowly recovering from the horrors of a major War. The BBC was created. Millions flocked to “the movies”. Women were at last given the vote, and some dressed outrageously as “flappers”. And Yelverton was marketing its delights to the world, as “the Dartmoor Health and Holiday Resort”.
Mrs. C. Gibbs of Dousland purchased a “Homeland Handbook” of Yelverton and loaned it to the Tavistock Times which reproduced some of its intriguing adverts. The Devon Tors Hotel (telephone Yelverton 4) boasted of its pleasant and sheltered balconies, its electric light, and 1½ acres of kitchen gardens. Fernleigh Private Hotel (telephone Yelverton 33 –Tuberculosis Cases not taken) said that railway season tickets between Plymouth and Yelverton were only 17/1p per month (85p), while Carisbrook, although not having a telephone, would arrange conveyances to meet trains to order. W.A.Roberts’ Pharmacy, as well as “dispensing pure drugs at moderate prices” had a “Photographic Dark Room for the use of Amateurs” and “a Lending Library of Popular Novels”. Yelverton Stores (prop. W.H.Gulley) recommended GULLEY bread and GULLEY cakes, as well as Goodbody’s, while Dilleigh’s of Plymouth would deliver groceries to the door each Wednesday (“traveller calls on Mondays”).
These advertisements were designed to attract visitors to the delights of the surrounding Moor – “the lofty tower of Walkhampton Church…the richly-wooded valley of the Meavy River, with its old-world village and deeply interesting church….just beyond, like a giant sentinel, lordly Sheepstor lifts its bold front”. A number of walks and drives in the area are recommended, including “a drive around Burrator Lake, Sheepstor, Shaugh and Bickleigh which will occupy about 6 hours”. The book contains the Yelverton telephone directory (41 names!) and a list of local farms which contains many familiar names – Cole at Greenwell, Northmore at 6 farms including Lovaton and Goodameavy, Hillson at Gnatham and Crapstone.
The guide book strongly recommends the Yelverton area as “a delightful place of residence for wearied workers and even more emphatically an ideal health resort “for such as suffer from jaded nerves, complaints of the throat and chest, overwrought hearts and general weariness. Men and women have come to Yelverton haggard and weary, weak and spiritless, and in a short time have gained vigour and courage as to be ready and eager for another onset in the stern and inevitable battle of life”
May this help us all to reflect on the blessings of living in the Yelverton and Burrator areas.
Our first full season has been a real success-not so much from the number of matches won, three out of fifteen, but from the effort that the players have made in getting the club established and the enjoyment that they have had.
Funds have been raised, new kit purchased and much work has gone into the wicket. Over the season many players have seen a real rise in their skill levels.
Among the highlights of the season was the organising of a Kwik competition with Walkhampton School; five schools took part, Brentor, Mary Tavy, Princetown, Meavy and Walkhampton. A great time was had by all the players, boys and girls, and the eventual winners were Mary Tavy. The Cricket Club presented a Shield and it is planned to make this an annual event.
We welcomed some new players during the year and among these was Mike Spry—Clerk to Burrator Parish Council-and the last time he played was 8 years after our last King passed away, or in the same year as The Beatles came to prominence! Also, he did admit that his mobility on the days after the match has been affected.
All in all it has been a great first season and next season is already eagerly awaited. New players are welcome, young and old, please contact Chris Long at Walkhampton Post Office who will be happy to see you.
Warmest congratulations go to Pauline Hemery of Meavy and Peter Hamilton-Leggett of Walkhampton on the occasion of their marriage on Wednesday 22nd August at St Peter’s Church Meavy.
Our best wishes also go to Mr.Bill Hopson who celebrated his 90th.birthday on July 14th.with a party and Bar-B-Q.at his Sheepstor home. Family and friends joined him in a game of croquet on the lawn.
Bill is still very involved with Sheepstor Church as Treasurer and was also a Warden for a number of years.
Entries for the Meavy Flower Society's annual show were well up on last year. There was an excellent selection of Roses and many colourful pot plants. Members, friends and visitors enjoyed the July afternoon and the unusual experience of having to judge the exhibits themselves, by choosing their personal favourite in each class. However that makes hard work for Brenda Burt and her team of tellers to analyse the votes.
The entertainment was completed by a well supported raffle organised by Pat and Louise Lyons, and a good chat over a cup of tea with home made cakes, or a cream tea, supplied by members of the committee.
In presenting the trophies for each class Captain Gordon Cross, the President was pleased to note the presence of several fresh faces among the winners.
This fox turned up at approx 8-30pm. after we had gone into the house following an evening meal on the terrace.
I had thrown a small piece of meat onto the grass beneath the bird table and I watched as the fox ate it and then wandered inquisitively all over the garden. I took 20 photos and was astounded when he looked into the lounge, ignoring the flash of the camera.
He didn’t go anywhere near the neighbour’s chickens which live in a small run just over the fence. He obviously prefers local Huggins beef!
The Times is read by the people who run the country.
The Financial Times is read by the people who own the country.
The Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country.
The News of the World is read by the ‘girlfriends’ of the people who run the country.
The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country.
The Morning Star is read by the people who think the country ought to be run by another country.
The Daily Express is read by the people who think the country ought to be run as it used to be run.
The Daily Telegraph is read by the people who think it still is run this way.
The Sun readers don’t care who runs the country, provided they don’t ban Page Three girls.
The Burrator Beacon is read by people who know better than all the above !
The South West Lakes Trust is running an environmental open day on Thursday 27th Sept., which is too late for inclusion in this issue. A full report will be carried in our next Burrator Beacon.
The Walkhampton Art and Crafts held its 17th Exhibition, as usual, over the weekend following the Bank Holiday.
About 400 pictures were entered for hanging and 21 craft tables booked -unfortunately many of these were for cards and prints. Despite this, the turn over, in excess of £2000, whilst not breaking any records, is better than last year boosted, in part, by sales of works by one or two of our more prestigious artists. Particularly gratifying was the number of cards sold of the Millennium Wall Hanging. Cards of each section are still available.
Thanks to the generosity of our patrons the donations to the Dartmoor Rescue Group exceeded £350.
Bud and Michael would like to thank all those who gave their time to help with stewarding as well as those who helped set up and dismantle the boards with such efficiency. Also to the Forum for providing, as usual, such excellent fare.
|
WITHILL FARMnear WALKHAMPTONB&B and self-catering
accommodation Call Pam Kitchin on 01822-853992 |
COMPOST BINS FOR SALE -- £12
WATER BUTTS -- £12
GOOD VALUE AT THIS SPECIAL PRICE
Contact Ann Ellis on 01822 854383
Walkhampton, Nr Yelverton, Devon PL20 6JY
Telephone 01822 – 855556
| REAL ALES |
FINE WINES |
| GOOD FOOD |
WARM WELCOME |
Your hosts: Roger & Jan Sawyer
Email: info@walkhamptoninn.co.uk
Sale, Service and Repair of Garden Machinery
FREEPHONE 0800 526683
Unit 22, Pixon Lane, Crelake Industrial Estate, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8DH
Terry Wright Tel. 01822 852275 |
FOR ALL YOUR DOUBLE-GLAZING REQUIREMENTS WINDOWS, DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES IN UPVC EST: 1983 |
 |
ELECTRICAL SERVICES |
HARDWARE AND PET SUPPLIES |
| ‘Wedderlie’, Sparkatown Lane, Dousland | 17 Station Road, Horrabridge |
Telephone: Day 853610 Emergency 854800
Mobile No: 07967 877489
Professional Caring Service with over 20 years experience
Clipping, handstripping, trimming, bathing etc. Terriers & Gundogs a speciality
For all details and appointments: Tel Linda Minett on 01822 855445
For all the latest about
Dartmoor get this bi-monthly magazine
Full of news, book reviews, nature notes, articles. Over 40 pages
On subscription for only
£14.00 per year
Cheque payable to “Dartmoor News”
The Coach House, Tramlines, Okehampton Devonshire EX20 1EH
For all coal and smokeless fuel requirements
Also Pressure Washing – Houses, patios, Drives etc
Telephone: 01822 853973
BURRATOR BEACON EDITOR Ted Whitehead, Moorland House, Golf Links Road, Yelverton PL20 6BN Tel.01822 853435
EDITORIAL TEAM Anne Ellis, Elizabeth Hopson, Keith Scrivener INTERNET EDITION EDITOR Michael Parle
Published and issued quarterly, free of charge by Burrator Parish Council. Copy to be sent to the Editor by the end of month prior to publication. Next edition published in September.
Advertising
The charge for adverts is £10 per advert per single issue or £24 per advert four 4 issues. One full page advert costs £30 per issue. Adverts must be booked and paid for in advance. Cheques made payable to Burrator Parish Council and sent to the Editor (address above). We have 800 copies distributed free of charge to every household in the Burrator Grouped Parish. The Burrator Beacon is also on the parish council website, so why not take the opportunity to publicise your business.
Please contact the Editor with any enquiries or adverts in writing. Please include any illustration preferably in the form of a clear line drawing.
Apart from providing information from the council, the web site can be used by any business within the parish to advertise and attract new business. This service is provided free of charge to all council tax and business ratepayers within the parish.
We have many businesses that could benefit from the national and international coverage that World Wide Web provides. If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer get in touch with either the clerk Mike Spry or the council chairman Michael Parle.
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.
