Burrator BEACON

Tristan Nichols

Well, year in year out there always seems to be a new twist on and old tale (journalistic technique I suppose!). Personally I think that this tale in particular will never end.

Of course I'm speaking of the Burrator Reservoir situation. This issue of The Beacon features an article on the subject, with Borough Councillor, Nicholas Waterhouse, shedding new light (or old as he explains) on the controversial site.

There is also new hope for the 'proposed' B3282 footpath from Dousland to Yelverton.

All this and more included in this edition, so read on and enjoy!

News from your Burrator Parish Council

by Michael Spry (Clerk)

The past couple of months are traditionally the quietest in terms of Council activity and this year has proved no exception to the rule.

There have been a couple of resignations, with two Meavy Councillors, Ashmore and Dungar, leaving and Mrs Sue Boylett of Meavy joining. There were two vacancies, however all Councillors are up for election on May 6th. May I suggest that if you could be interested in filling one of these vacancies you give me a call and I will advise you of the date for the next Council Meeting.

Meetings are generally scheduled for the last Thursday in the month, but the location varies to ensure that meetings are held in the three Village Halls within the Parish. Members of the public are welcome to attend and see what's involved without committing themselves in any way.

There are three sub-Committees that take care of Finance, Planning and the Management of the Royal Oak Inn, made up of Councillors who choose to join them, although only Councillors resident in Meavy Parish can be on the Royal Oak Committee.

There are also a variety of 'outside bodies' on which the Council has representation which require nominees from within the Council membership.

Having been Clerk for for just short of a year, I can honestly say that the Council deals with a wide range of issues, most of which are interesting, and there is a wealth of experience available in dealing with the varied matters that come before the Council.

This experience is available to all residents of the Parish and is obtainable from either your local Councillor, myself, or the Councillors stated in the Council listings page of this magazine.

So, if you live within three miles of the Parish boundary and are feeling public spirited, want to put something back into the Parish in which you live, or simply want to change something you feel passionate about, join up!

Since the last issue, the weather has at last enabled the builders to carry out the majority of the restoration work that was needed at Walkhampton bus shelter.

The last of the new notice boards have been erected - there are a total of seven around the Parish and the left hand 'unlocked' side can be used to display events, functions etc. taking place within the Parish. And amongst the on-going work at the Royal Oak Inn the bar-tops have been totally re-furbished and look really smart.

The Planning Committee has not had a lot of building applications to consider although there has been one application in respect of Moxhams Garage in Walkhampton that will, if it proceeds, have the effect of the garage relocating to the industrial units at Trathens' old yard near Woodmans Corner. The Walkhampton garage will be replaced by new housing.

New rooms at Meavy School are now present through previous planning applications and new development work is evident with several new properties being constructed in Walkhampton.

A site meeting was held with The Dartmoor National Park Authority and South West Water at Burrator Lodge to consider SWW's application for a new forestry store. The application was upheld.

We have had the first Internet correspondence including compliments on our website appearance from someone in Dallas, USA, and, from Ruth Mitchell in New Zealand - an enquiry concerning family history.

Mrs. Mitchell is trying to trace descendants of John Tamblyn (1801-51) of Swanscombe(?) on Dartmoor, as I am not a genealogist, can anyone help?

The Parish Council is again helping with the subsidies to provide free bus passes for qualifying people. If you do qualify both Walkhampton and Dousland Post Offices know all about them so get yours at either!

And finally as we are heading rapidly towards summer don't forget that we operate a Home Composting scheme for those gardening enthusiasts. Those interested should contact Councillor Ellis for further information.

The Meavy Oak Fair Committee are also appealing for volunteers to come forward to help with this year's show scheduled for Saturday 19th June. Without additional help with organising events this year's show could be the last! Those willing to offer their assistance should contact the organiser, Kate Luffingham on 01822 852837.

Well, that's about. Sorry there is not much in the way of real news but perhaps you will give becoming a Councillor some real thought and then you can be mentioned 'in despatches' next time!

For those of you who remember the story entitled Speeding: Menace to Society run in the Summer edition of the Burrator Beacon last year, you might find it interesting to know that over 500 signatures were collected from members of the public.

The petition began to circulate around the area after a local resident's 12 year old son was hit by a speeding car, while crossing the main road in Dousland - thus putting him in hospital.

The mother, Mrs. Moira Brook-Williams acted swiftly and proceeded to gain as much support as possible from the surrounding community.

Mrs Brook-Williams said: "It's a calmer stretch of road now, the signs have vastly improved the area. It has put my mind at ease knowing that my children can cross the road safely."

Once the staggering amount of signatures had been collected, Moira planned to take the petition to the local Council in order for action to be taken, but as she found out things were already in the pipeline.

She said: "I had them all ready in front of me when a Councillor told me that measures were already being taken. And sure enough, within a couple of weeks the signs had been placed on the stretch of road."

Right to Roam - footpath for the Millennium?

Nicholas Waterhouse

Residents who have been fighting for 20 years for a safe route for walkers from Yelverton to Dousland may have something extra to celebrate for the Millennium.

Local County Councillor, Gretta Madigan and I have for some time been talking to 'SUSTRANS'.

'SUS who'? - 'SUSTRANS' stand for 'sustainable transport' and they are a voluntary body who received £40 million from the Millennium Commission to set up a national cycle and footpath (and often bridleway) network.

The national route comes through Yelverton on its way to Plymouth, and the idea of having a spur out to Burrator Reservoir area appeals to them.

The good news is that Ben Hamilton Baillie, their regional director in the southwest, has confirmed that they are now committed to the project and are talking seriously to local landowners to secure the necessary continuous wayleave for the path.

Full details of the proposed route cannot be given yet because the negotiations are confidential. However is clear that a key element is to use the old railway line, which joins the B3282 near the old Trathens Yard/Hollywood bungalow, and offers a broad path to accommodate walkers, cyclists, and perhaps even horses.

Crossed fingers please, - there's plenty of room for things to go wrong for the 100th time, but SUSTRANS have what we've never had - lots of money and an urgent need to spend it.

They have to wind up in June next year!

Room - for improvement

The French have a saying that only temporary things really last writes Borough Councillor, Nicholas Waterhouse.

More than 15 years ago Meavy School got itself a 'temporary' classroom, and very welcome it was too. And it's still there, - but not, Meavy hopes, for long.

Passers by on the road from the old Smithy to the Village Green have seen a handsome new building grow out from the old school into the playground.

In a few short months Meavy School has acquired a brand new classroom and a Music Room. (The School has a great reputation for Music, but brass and drums practising in the main hall had been giving teachers in the adjoining classrooms problems!).

The new block also offers a much-improved staffroom, while the head teacher has been able to emerge after many years from a space originally used as a broom cupboard!

The Governors have to fit this building out and pay their share of the cost, as they haven't any money they are hoping that the new £100 limit for 'GiftAid' giving will bring back some benefactors to their aid!

So the 'temporary' is sitting empty on the playground hoping for someone to befriend it. It could be free to a good home - it only leaks a little bit!

Raymond Butler

Walkampton Wasps Football Club was formed in 1995 to fill a need in the local community by the correspondent and Suzanne Butler.

There was always local 'gentleman', forever telling us that Walkhampton used to have a very good local team, but that was a long time ago - these gentlemen will probably know who they are, so how long are we talking about?

Everybody who lives in rural communities will know that, without transport, it can be difficult getting their children to all kinds of activities within the district, so there was a need for some kind of extra curricular activity. Unfortunately for the girls, this turned out to be football, though we regularly have girls on training sessions and friendly matches.

So began the long process of forming, and financing a football club. This was a difficult, and time consuming task, but once people realised we were serious about the venture, and we had enough boys to form a team, a lot of people could not have been more helpful.

The boys who started the first team raised the money to buy their very first football strip by having a sponsored bicycle race, raising £300.

Local business firms, Fairway Furniture and Seacrest plc, have also sponsored both teams. Burrator Parish Council and West Devon Borough Council also contribute financially!

The first season for Walkhampton was a complete shock to the lads, not realising quite how competitive league football was, and how seriously all the Plymouth teams treat the sport, players and managers alike.

Nevertheless, they show great commitment and enthusiasm, and received a trophy for the best sporting team.

The second season we were able to enter two teams into the Devon Junior Minor League, under 11's and under 12's. This time the under 11's finished a respectable sixth, and the under 12's were runners up earning promotion.

This was the same season that Raymond was nominated as Devon Coach of The Year, and received an award for 'rookie coach'.

The present season sees the under 12's at present in third position in their division, and the under 13's midtable. It is also to be noted that as The Burrator Beacon went to press the under 13's had reached the final of the cup after beating Railway Beacon 3-2. The under 13's will now play Prince Rock at Home park on 2nd May.

This season will also see the under 13's visiting Germany to participate in a football tournament. Good luck to them!

The Club, supporters, parents and sponsors will have had, we hope, a lot of pleasure from watching lads of Walkhampton Wasps play the game they so obviously enjoy, and may they continue for a long time yet.

The Club is still growing, and if there are any lads interested in joining for next season, at under 12, 13 or 14's, please contact Raymond Butler on 01822 854439.

The Great Green Corrugated Iron Shed Drama

This arose in connection with an application (which did not directly concern it), to extend an existing 'Small Stone Shed' nearby. (Let's say GGCIS and SSS from now on). It came to a head at the March meeting of the National Park after involving English Heritage, the Department of Culture Media and Sport, an archaeological dig, much burrowing in the record offices, The Times, the Parish Council, (twice), a site inspection, and an assortment of experts.

A retired property developer argued eloquently that the GGCIS was a valuable part of our heritage, and its demolition part of a conspiracy to create a theme park.

English Heritage and the Department of Culture Media and Sport said neither its appearance nor its design merited listing. The archaeologists explained that they had found two postholes on the site, which they thought might be part of a fence. The researchers explained that the GGCIS was actually less than 100 years old (although its 100th birthday is getting close).

It was not as originally claimed connected with the building of the Dam. It had been built later as a base for a major commercial project, the covering of the reservoir catchment with conifers, not native to Dartmoor, for profit.

The GGCIS supporters maintained that its demolition was a subtle step towards commercialising Burrator. It was reported that Burrator Parish Council, apprised of these facts, had withdrawn its objections to the SSS, which was the actual subject of the application decided. With the ground thus cleared by setting out the facts, Members started to discuss the application (for the SSS, with various asides about the GGCIS).

It soon became apparent that though some members sympathised with the Corrugated Iron Tendency, most were for the SSS.

A passionate speech from the Chairman of the Dartmoor Preservation Association in strong support of Corrugated Iron and adamant in opposition to Stone, failed to turn the tide.

The Chairman of the Park correctly assessed the meeting's mood, and asked if anyone wanted to propose an addition to the conditions before he took the vote on the SSS. He clearly expected, as did most people, the Green Shed's defenders would propose an extra condition to protect it from demolition. To everyone's astonishment the opportunity was refused, and the Chairman of the Dartmoor Preservation Association and his supporters sat silent.

Time for a 'white knight'. To prevent a vote to accept the SSS without ever testing whether there was support for a stay of execution for the GGCIS, the elected Borough Councillor for Burrator Ward proposed a condition preventing demolition of the GGCIS without written consent. That was promptly agreed, so the GGCIS was saved, for now. Whether, if South West Water appeals, a Ministry Inspector will prove as tender hearted as the Member for Burrator remains to be seen....

What now? The real importance of the GGCIS is for the future of Burrator Lodge on the other side of the road. The lodge is more than a century old, and its growing repair costs go straight onto our water bills.

The Lodge deserves an appropriate public use, not the ludicrous scheme for a Tea-House of the August Ice Cream Cone put forward by South West Water some years ago and foolishly included in a traffic management scheme by the old Park Committee.

Behind the scenes and with the full co-operation of the Park Chief Executive I have been quietly arguing for such an appropriate use. I wish it had been possible to get the help of any of the pressure groups campaigning against inappropriate uses of the building.

When an appropriate use is found, there is no possibility of agreement from the Highway authorities without off-road parking for those using it. There is only one place to put it, so then, "Goodbye, Great Green Corrugated Iron Shed."

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Hannah Tozer

On Sunday 7th March 1999, nine children from Lady Modiford's Primary School travelled up to Taunton to take part in a national dance show at the Brewhouse Theatre.

The dance group is part of the Margaret Morris Movement. Their presentation was a 'Snowflake Dance'.

All of us that took part had great fun trying on our purpose made snowflake dresses and crowns, and couldn't wait to perform on stage. When we arrived at Taunton we were all a little nervous but still very excited.

In the morning we had the opportunity to practise 'on stage' to get used to performing with an audience - who were made up of others who were taking part.

Performers ranged from ages four to 'older ladies' MMM being open to all ages. The majority of our group was between eight and 11. I am 10 years old.

One of the highlights of was to have the stage makeup put on in the interval ready to go on and perform.

The performance went really successfully with a cheer from the audience at the end and a personal compliment from the MMM Director of training, Jim Hastie.

Our teacher, Jane Johnston, who takes MMM classes locally, was in a performance with another lady. They danced as butterflies.

This I feel was a very beautiful dance and one of the best of the day. I am very proud of her, and glad she is our teacher!

Our many thanks to Mrs Johnston for organising and encouraging us to take part and enjoy this dance. And we did.

New grant aided initiative for school

A new grant-aided initiative providing after-school care for children enabling parents to work or take part in training was launched at Lady Modiford's School in Walkhampton on Monday 22nd February 1999.

The 'Playlines' Club meets in the school at the end of every school day until 6pm, though there is now scope to extend the scheme to include before school and holiday sessions.

The key thing is that the club is exciting and fun-packed.

Literally hundreds of pounds have been spent on games and equipment. Visit at any time and you can see children lying on the carpet with equipment, playing Monopoly in a group, or engaging in some artwork.

The coming of spring has enabled the outdoor equipment to be used and the sound of happy children drifts down to the main school.

The other thing which drifts is the smell of warm toast and it is very difficult to keep away when that is in the air. All the children have a break every day for a snack and a drink.

The fee per session is very reasonable at £3.50 and, after only a few weeks, the popularity of the scheme seems assured with many of the sessions almost fully booked.

The Club has joint leaders in Catherine Aston and Wilda Ayres and they are supported by Donna Thomas.

The exciting activities provided by the ladies have ensured a flying start for the Club.

Disasters don't stop post for Long!

Eileen and Chris Long must have wondered whether they had made the right choice in moving down here after their first six weeks were plagued with disaster.

The new owners of Walkhampton Stores moved down from London about 12 weeks ago and now, at last, they have a chance to sit back and take a deep breath of the moorland air.

Chris said: "The first few weeks were unbelievable. Within 48 hours of us moving here the chimney caught fire and the house was filled with smoke. Then a few weeks later our pipes burst and now we have a gaping hole in the ceiling."

Eileen joked: "All we need now is an infestation of locusts and then we'll know that it can't get any worse."

But all things happen for a reason, (apparently), and the chimney catching fire seemed to be the turning point.

Eileen said: "When it happened our neighbours were great, it was like an ice breaker. We hadn't really spoken to them before and when they found out what had happened they were really comforting.

"The pub owners were also as good as gold as, like us, they were relatively new to the area having moved down here last summer, they knew exactly what it was like to be a fresh face."

Chris and Eileen decided to move down here after having spent 14 years in London working as social workers for adults with learning disabilities.

Chris said: "We needed to get away from the stress of London. We like it down here; there is a tremendous feeling of freedom. Our son, Elliott can go out around here and play with the other kids without us worrying if he is safe."

Walkhampton Stores is now open seven days a week with opening hours as follows:

Yelverton & District Local History Society

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition of The Burrator Beacon - see you in the next edition.