Summer 2008

Market at Walkhampton

Simon Ward

Responding to a number of requests in a village survey late last year and, also identifying an obvious absence of retail opportunities since the closure of the village shop, Walkhampton Memorial Hall has organised a weekly market and coffee shop.  

Held every Saturday (subject to bookings), from 10am to 12 midday, the event has attracted very good numbers and already turned the eyes of local suppliers. Regular stalls include bread, savouries and cakes supplied by Honey’s Bakery, fruit and vegetables from Luke's Farm, meat from Bidders and eggs from Withill Farm.  

Maddie Handel cutting a ribbon held by Julia Curry and Jenny Edge, two ladies who did most of the work to get the market going.

There is a Children’s Book and Toy exchange, a regular book stall and, recently added, Tavistock Country Market cakes and preserves attending on the first and third Saturdays in the month. Also proving popular are Mrs Scawn’s marinated Olives, Lucy’s Face Painting (children only) and the various plant stalls that nature seems to provide at this time of year.  

The coffee shop, run by teams of volunteers, serves free trade cafeteria coffee, teas, orange juice, all to wash down the fabulous array of home-made cakes that the residents of Walkhampton seem eager to provide. Each item, coffee, tea, cake etc, costs just 50p. That’s right - no typo here - just 50 pence an item.  

To make the market a success it does need volunteers to come forward. The coffee shop, at current levels, needs a team of four, preferably five or six to operate efficiently. If you think you could put such a team together, phone Julia Curry on 853697 and she'll sort out a date for you.  

Market tables can be hired for just £1 for the two hours. Setting up is between 9am and 10am on the Saturday. If you’ve got something to sell, maybe tasteful bric a brac, perhaps surplus garden produce, hand-made crafts or even if you just want to attract new members to your local organisation, then phoneme, Simon Ward on 859425 and I’ll set you up with a table.

Simon Ward is Secretary for Walkhampton Memorial Hall

Editorial

Jenny Sharp

Another jam packed issue that highlights the great community spirit that we have here in the Burrator Parish. It is at this time of the year with the Fairs, Fetes, Shows and other summer events going on that the word ‘volunteer’ comes into its own. As with all these things, we all enjoy going along and enjoying ourselves, what often is not always obvious is the months of hard work that has gone on in making them happen.

So when you go along to Garden Shows in Meavy and Walkhampton, the Fete in Sheepstor, Walkhampton Play Park Fun Day, the wonderful Art and Craft Show or the open gardens please remember that they have only happened because of the hard working volunteers and those persuaded that it would be fun to help out!

It is not just the events that need volunteers to make them happen, practically everything that goes on in our community is brought about by the willing giving of time and effort; our schools, churches, halls and the Parish Council all function because of it. It is great to hear people say – “well let’s just get on and do it ourselves” – the area down by Meavy Ford is now looking great because of this attitude. It is good to see new initiatives such as the Market at Walkhampton Hall, go along to support them in this venture.

Please keep the articles coming in, the deadline for the next edition is 4th September, let me have all the details of the Autumn events and remember to set your dates for the Winter and Spring events early so they can go in the Dates for Your Calendar page in plenty of time.

Clerk’s Report

Lucie A Luke

The Planning Committee have had a quiet quarter with very few applications being submitted to Dartmoor National Park.

There have been a lot of repairs and maintenance undertaken at the Royal Oak Inn since the start of the year and more electrical works will be scheduled in later on this year.

Finance Committee have met regarding the annual grants for churchyard maintenance in the Parish.

Walkhampton Bus Shelter is scheduled for a re-paint and tidy up shortly.

The Parish Council are pleased that Dousland Post Office is not on the list of proposed closures however have written to object to Lovaton’s public telephone service being proposed to cease as there is no mobile coverage there.

Chairman's Report

Chas Symes

The month of May has been an important time for the Parish and it’s Council. It is the time when the Parish has its Annual Parish Meeting, receive reports about what’s happened in the past year and also elects the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Parish Council. The Meeting also elects members from the Parish Council to its various Parish Council Committees to fulfil the Council business for the forthcoming year. I thought it would be helpful to copy the report as Chair of the Parish Council that I gave to the meeting, in this Burrator Beacon.

Copy of the Chairman’s Report for 2007/2008 given at the Annual Parish Meeting:

“It is with a sense of privilege and pride I present my first Annual Parish Meeting Chairman’s Report.

“I would like to thank all my fellow councillors for their support to me in my new role last year. I would also like to thank Lucie Luke who has supported me in her role as Parish Clerk. Sometimes, if I have forgotten a particular point of procedure, Lucie has assisted me to fulfil my duties and responsibilities as Chairman.

“This last year has been eventful. We have welcomed new councillors to the council as co-opted members. We have had new situations to deal with as a parish, such as, controversial planning applications, possible Post office closures and dealing with perennial concerns with issues such as industrial estates, quarrying, car parking in Walkhampton, light pollution in Dousland as well as highway issues in Meavy and Sheepstor. For me, the challenge of being a councillor is trying to listen to both parts of the debate and then attempting to come to a reasoned decision. There are always both sides to a conflict between parties in our Parish and we have to make difficult decisions sometimes, knowing we are not going to please everybody in the community.

“There have also been issues that have been outside our control which have impinged on our way of life in the Parish. We have seen closure of local amenities such as Post Offices and Shops. There have also been threats to Pubs and Transport in Burrator. Post Office closures have been planned nationally and it is only recently that we have learnt Dousland Post office has not been included on the closure list. Boundary changes are being considered for County and Borough Councils. Consultation is in progress and although we might feel a degree of powerlessness, we need to engage with the process.

“I had the pleasure of attending a Dartmoor Society Seminar and gave a presentation to a varied audience from Devon about Burrator Parish Council. The topic was close to all our hearts, ‘What Future for the Dartmoor Village?’ It was useful to see how other Dartmoor Parishes tackle similar problems to our own, concerning changes within our community. Other speakers gave examples concerning community run shops, shared transport systems as well as a local hydro electric system to promote environment sustainability. We should consider as a Parish Council a couple of projects that we could agree at the start of this year to promote a change within our community. Although ‘nothing stays the same for ever’, we, as a Parish Council need to balance the good of the past and present with the future possibility of better to come. It is with this in mind, I use as an example the Burrator Beacon and its Editor, Jenny Sharp. When Jenny took over as editor, the Beacon was already a thriving and sought after parish council magazine. It has moved from strength to strength and shows how vibrant the Parish Council is to the electors. Finally I would thank all the councillors and the clerk of the council for giving their time and support to the business of the council and serving our local community tirelessly.”

I stood for election in the Parish Meeting and was again privileged to be elected as Chair of the Council for another year. Tim McDonald was re-elected as Vice Chairman. Traditionally, The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council are usually elected for two years to promote consistency of business. The Vice Chairman is usually elected as Chairman at the end of these two years. I feel confident that we will do our best as a Parish Council to serve you as electors in this forthcoming year. However we need your help! You will read in my Report above that I have asked the members of the Parish Council to consider two projects to adopt that will change things in Burrator for the better in this forthcoming year. I am also asking you as electors of the Council to let us know what type of project you would like us to consider for changing Burrator for the better. I would like you to contact our Parish Clerk with topics that interest you.

Better still; put yourself forward as co-opted members of the Council as we still have a few vacancies!!

Meavy Ford 

Michael Parle 

Whilst reminiscing about the old days over a pint at the Royal Oak, mention was made of Meavy Ford. Talk was of how the area around the ford has changed over the years. A particular point was made of the north bank of the river, between the ford and the stepping stones. There was a time when this was a grass bank, but it had become overgrown with a mass of brambles and had become a dumping site for unwanted car parts.

It wasn’t long before someone suggested that the council should do something about it. However it was felt that the council (whichever one that may be) would not want to do anything, and even if they did would take ages getting around to it.

So a few residents of Meavy decided they would take ‘self-help’ action. Their thoughts were: “If we want the bank cleared of brambles and rubbish and restored it to what it was, why not do it ourselves?” So that is what happened. On a cold Sunday in March John Smith, Steve Bradfield, Doug Allison and myself gathered together with forks, spades, secateurs and with the mini digger kindly loaned by Richard Radmore (it would have been many days work without it!) we set to work. Kept supplied with tea, coffee, chocolate biscuits and bacon baps by Jenny, a good day’s work resulted in the area being cleared, a few weeks later grass seed was sown on the bank and is doing well. Positive comments have been received by a number of people which makes it all worthwhile!

Tamar Concert Choir at Walkhampton

Simon Ward

On Saturday 26th July, Walkhampton Memorial Hall will be filled with the many voices of the Tamar Concert Choir. Performing such classics as 'I Got Rhythm', 'Putting on the Ritz', 'New York New York' and even the Abba song, 'Winner Takes it All', the 35-strong choir will likely be swamping the stage in an effort to make spines tingle.  

Formed in 1990 as the South West Concert Choir the name was changed just three years later to its present Tamar Concert Choir. It started with just six members, but now has 50 and has developed into a friendly mixed group performing easy listening classics.  

With all that spine tingling, the audience will probably need the half time glass of wine that comes free with a £5 ticket. A CD of the choir called Moments in Time will also be on sale on the night, coincidentally costing £5. You can purchase tickets from the Book Stall at The Walkhampton Village Market, or phone Simon Ward on 859425. 

Simon Ward is Secretary for Walkhampton Memorial Hall

Children’s Hospice South West

Sheila Glenville

Many, many thanks to all the kind people who brought cups and saucers into the Post Office in the last two months. We had a fantastic response and will no longer need to beg, steal or borrow for any of our events. Many thanks also to Jean Thompson for the tea urn, a valuable piece of equipment when making tea for a large number of people.

Talking of teas, I would like to remind everyone that we are opening eight gardens in Walkhampton on Sunday 20th July starting from the Memorial Hall at 1:30pm and ending at Eggworthy Farm, the home of Barry and Linda Landick for a strawberry tea.

There will also be a home produce stall, raffle, jewellery and several other stalls so if you are not a keen gardener please just come along and enjoy the setting and a strawberry tea. Tickets are and available from Yelverton Post Office or Linda Landick on 852142.

Parish Walk

The last Parish walk was on a glorious sunny Saturday morning at the end of April. Three ladies, one man and a dog set of from Cadover Bridge along the pipe track through North Wood and Plym valley woods to Shaugh Bridge for coffee before the climb up the tram track way to The Dewerstone. A welcome stop for lunch with great views all round at the top, then back over Wigford Down to Cadover Cross. Expertly lead by Mavis Goddard, the walk was enhanced by her knowledge of the history of the area, being able to identify the birds and plants we saw and the chance for us all to have a good chat in good company - a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

The next Parish Council Walk for 2008 is Friday 4th July - 6:30 pm - meet on Meavy Village Green for an evening stroll of about 2½ hours (4½ to 5 miles) around Lovaton, Brisworthy and Ringmoor and then back to the Royal Oak for a well deserved drink. We look forward to having many of you join us.

The September walk is on Saturday 27th September. Meet at 10:00am at Princetown Car Park for a circuit to the east of Princetown around Royal Hill

If you have any ideas for walks for next year or would like to lead a walk, please contact Michael Parle, details on back page or talk to him on the walk on 4th July.

A View of the Dewerstone which was climbed (from the other side!) on the Parish Walk on a glorious spring day in April. Photo: M A Parle

Mystery Plaques

Following the request for information in the last edition of the Beacon about some small aluminium plaques from Peter Swaine another one has been discovered by Mike Dobson. It is on the road from Walkhampton to Yelverton and is on the right hand base of the second gateway, on the right hand side of the road, immediately after the village name sign, which is just past the 30mph sign. It is number 5 and this one has a name on it: Ted Davey.

The inscription is:  

Reflect and if you feel your journey wants for lack of twist and turn

and for constancy of change or modification is what you yearn,

recall only life’s gravest change is ever certain

then lost time demands your call of caution.

Hear me now, stop you fool

and admire the view!

Does any one know Ted Davey and his connection to this plaque? The other ones are numbered 1 and 4, so there are now at least 5! The search is on to find the others – hopefully another instalment in the next edition!

Meavy C of E Primary School

Sue Blair – Head Teacher

We have had such a really exciting term so far with our annual visit to Grenville House for the Residential for year 5 and 6. It was greatly enjoyed by all those children and adults who attended and quite a few challenges were taken up and achieved. It is wonderful to see children surpass their own expectations.

ACTIVITIES

We had a puppet troupe who are based in Totnes visit us in May. They performed ‘The Mousehole Cat’ and what a super performance! It really stimulated the children’s appetites for all aspects of narrative performance and some children really enjoyed joining in.

One class climbed Sheepstor as part of their studies this term and had an excellent day. As part of the theme of ‘Around the World’ the school will be visiting Paignton Zoo in July.

COMMUNITY

We were very pleased that OFSTED felt that we made an outstanding contribution to the local community. We are very proud of our links with our neighbours. MEAVY OAK FAIR - At the time of writing we are busy with our preparations for Meavy Oak Fair and all of the children will be once again participating in the opening pageant. This occasion is a real community event and is an opportunity for all parts of the community to come together and have some fun.

The theme this year is ‘Around the World’ and we have a variety of activities to represent this but the annual maypole dance will still be featuring as I am sure you will all be pleased to hear.

DRAKE’S DARTMOOR

Drake’s Dartmoor launched their website on Monday 2nd June at Buckland Abbey. It was attended by many people from the different authorities and three of our children along with some children from St Andrew’s school took part in a shadow puppet performance as part of the occasion. They really did us proud and it was wonderful to be part of such a worthwhile initiative. The children have included their report in this issue. Here is a report of the visit compiled by Annabell, Clarissa and Rebecca:

Drake’s Dartmoor On Monday the 3rd June we went to Buckland Abbey to represent our school at the launch of the Drake’s Dartmoor website. We did a shadow puppet performance in front of a large audience. The puppets that we used were made with recycled materials by Meavy and Buckland Monachorum schools. The puppet show was about Drake’s trail and Dartmoor and the new cycle path. We would like you to log on the website so you can learn about Drake’s Trail and see some of our work.

SPORT

We have been incredibly successful in our sporting events this term. We have won the swimming gala organised for the learning community of small schools and were joint winners in the football. We have come first in the tag rugby tournament and are now participating in the S W finals. In addition to this we were winners of the Hockey tournament held at Marjons on Friday 6th June. The children have been very enthusiastic throughout and deserve the success they have achieved.

As the end of another school year is soon upon us and we reflect upon the past year we think particularly about those children and adults who are going to pastures new and wish them every success for the future.

Meavy Parish Hall – what’s in a name?

Jenny Sharp

When talking to people about Meavy Hall, I am always surprised by the number that are under the impression that it is run by the Parish Council or the Church – I assume this happens due to the word ‘Parish’ in its title. This actually refers to the old parish boundary of Meavy which covers Meavy Village, Lovaton, Hoo Meavy, Brisworthy and Dousland south of Boundary Road.

However there was a link to the church, the conveyance of 1955, which I have a copy of, was between the Reverend Stephen Wheeler (the incumbent of the United Benefice of Meavy with Sheepstor) named as the vendor; the Church Commissioners for England; the RH David Patrick Maxwell Viscount Kilmuir (Lord High Chancellor of England) and the RH Massey Henry Edgecombe, second Baron of Roborourgh named as the patrons and William Stanley Northmore of Gratton Farm and Theodore Garlick Bostock of Dunbar, Dousland named as the trustees. The land was sold by the vendor (Rev Wheeler) to the trustees for the sum of £5.00! I would be interested to know a bit more about how this sale came about.

The trustees then went on to build the Hall under the chairmanship of Mr R Brown in 1956. Obviously the value of the land on which the Hall is built has increased and in 1984 the Hall became a registered Charity and so is held in trust by the Charity Commission. The volunteers that make up the Management Committee are tasked is to “provide and maintain a village hall for the inhabitants of the Parish of Meavy and its immediate vicinity without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants”.

I hope that we are doing this, we do try our best! In March this year Joyce William stood down as chair and the mantle has been taken up by John Smith who will no doubt continue the good work of his predecessors. Last summer saw the replacement of the Windows in the Hall which were paid for by grants from the Borough and Parish Councils and over £1200 from Hall Funds. They have made a huge difference to the damp problems that the old windows caused. We were very worried for a while after receiving notification that an objection to the new windows had been made and we may have to apply for retrospective planning permission which could have resulted in us having to remove the windows. Luckily this was not needed in the end.

Other improvements last year were new stage curtains that were installed at the end of the year in time for the pantomime, made possible by the total cost being met by a generous donation and new tables for which we are thankful to the Council for a grant towards the cost. Our maintenance plans for the coming year are to replace the guttering which is in serious disrepair and to replace the card tables – we are grateful to Meavy Friendship Group who have donated the money for the tables.

So please help us to keep our objective by supporting our fundraising events, booking the Hall for your activities or even volunteering to be part of the Management Committee.

Jenny Sharp is Treasurer for Meavy Parish Hall

London Marathon for MacMillan Cancer Support

Paul Waldron

WE DID IT!! Thank you to everyone who made a donation to MacMillan Cancer Support and supported my London Marathon Challenge. So far to date you have helped raise over £2300 for MacMillan Cancer Support which is fantastic!! THANK YOU.

I was very proud to run for Team MacMillan and the 800 runners in the Team aim to raise over £1.3m for the charity, the biggest single event fundraiser of the year for MacMillan I believe. Along the Marathon route there were loud, enthusiastic MacMillan cheering points full of supporters giving all the runners, but especially those wearing MacMillan vests!, that extra boost of confidence to make it the next few miles.

The crowds in London on the day were amazing and when they cheered and called out your name (when they spotted your shirt) it made the cramp and miles disappear into a blur of emotion. The whole route was a carnival of bands, radio stations, parties, BBQ’s and the most enthusiastic people I have ever seen. I was so carried along with the atmosphere and the famous landmarks that I didn’t notice the mile markers or even look at my watch, probably why it took me 5 hours to complete the race!

I may not have proved myself to be an Olympic runner but I ran all 26 miles 385 yards blister free, I enjoyed every moment and I think I smiled all the way round. Above all I have memories of the weekend that will last forever and together we have helped MacMillan Cancer Support raise money that will make such a huge difference to families affected by Cancer. I can't thank you enough for your generosity.

The new face of Drake’s Dartmoor

Susanne Martin

The launch for www.drakesdartmoor.co.uk took place at Buckland Abbey, near Yelverton, on Monday 2 June. The Drake’s Dartmoor website aims to promote local tourism, support local businesses and promote ‘Drake’s Trail’.  This new Sustrans cycle route 27 will link Tavistock and Plymouth on a purpose built route for the first time providing a safe route for Plymouth families to cycle or walk to the fringes of Dartmoor.

Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, officially presented the website to local businesses, VIP’s and interest groups at the launch ceremony. The launch also included children from three local Primary Schools (Buckland Monachorum, Meavy and Walkhampton) with their fantastic artwork and a shadow puppet show under the title ‘Images of Dartmoor’ in co-operation with Jacolly Puppet Theatre, based in Yelverton. Attendees were able to experience the new website at first hand with interactive displays and discussed with members their interest in the area and its future development.

“Drake’s Dartmoor is confident that with our new website we can achieve our aim of ‘promoting environmentally sustainable tourism on the south western side of Dartmoor for the benefit of all in the best possible way’,” says Howard Boulter, Chairman of the group. Due to its importance for regional tourism this new website is being financially supported by West Devon Borough Council (WDBC), Dartmoor National Park Association (DNPA) and has been personally supported by Devon County Councillor Alan Hosking and West Devon Borough Councillor Margaret Garton.

The objective of the new website will be to promote the local area, tourist attractions and accommodation in this part of Dartmoor for visitors and residents alike. It will offer new possibilities for local groups and businesses by providing opportunities for marketing and special offers. The website will also be the vital link for everyone who wants to enjoy the locality through cycling and walking.

Howard Boulter adds “the new multimedia face of Drake’s Dartmoor will take our organisation of likeminded and enthusiastic businesses and individuals to the next level of communication, co-operation and sustainable success for themselves and the surrounding area.”

For further information contact me, Susanne Martin (Project Manager) on 01822 854061 or Susanne@drakesdartmoor.co.uk.

Planning Committee Summer 2008

Doug Allison

Well here we are again. It’s been a very quiet time over the past 3 months on the Planning Committee; it looks likes Burrator Parish has reached saturation point with regards to the building of conservatories. Also in the current climate of house price reductions many may be waiting to see which way the market swings.

I will be asking the committee to endorse a letter to send to DNP Dartmoor National Park requesting DNP to send representation to explain to Councillors and Parishioners alike in an open forum how in detail they came to pass Knowle Terrace as a valid and reasonable build.

I must say I have my own motives for this, as Chair of the Planning Committee I am still trying to grasp the fact that that although DNP has allowed the Planning Committee to have a small consultation part to their Planning process at the end of the day all the workshops Planning Committee members have attended, and the core strategies we have all read through that DNP have developed, I as a planning Committee member sometimes gasp at how differently the decisions we as a Planning Committee make appear to be in direct contradiction to DNP findings on the same Planning Application even when we try to follow their own policies.

Again this is a personal view from the Chair. I know within our Planning Committee we do have councillors who know far more in-depth on the ins and outs of DNP Planning than me!

I would like to thank everyone on the Planning Committee for their commitment over the past 12 months and hope that we as a Committee can continue to make sure that we continue to keep Burrator an un-spoilt yet thriving community to work, play and live.

Doug Allison is Chair of the Burrator Parish Council Planning Committee

Meet your Councillor:

Rachel Waldron

Hello Parishioners,

My name is Rachel Waldron and I moved to Walkhampton from Wiltshire with my husband and two dogs in December 2006.

Soon after moving in I felt honoured to be asked to be the Treasurer on the Walkhampton Memorial Hall Committee. This is a busy and interesting committee with new projects and events happening all the time. Our Rural Community Buildings are very important especially now as we are losing our local shops and post offices.  These venues should be there for the whole community providing a social area for a variety of clubs and all age groups. 

In December 2007 I volunteered to join Burrator Parish council and in January this year was pleased to be appointed as a co-opted member.

The parish council is an effective way to get involved in community life as it deals with local people and local matters on a day to day basis, something I want to be part of. Whilst I do not have any previous council experience, I am keen, prepared to learn and passionate about village life and the countryside.  Rather than seeing my inexperience as a disadvantage I believe that with a clean starting sheet I will be able to bring new ideas and perhaps a different perspective to the fore. 

Being a councillor, a treasurer and exercising two energetic dogs requires time and commitment but when I do find myself some free time my favourite hobby is gardening. Since moving to the village I have planted a variety of plants and vegetables and it is wonderful to see them grow and enjoy picking the fresh vegetables for the kitchen. I have also been known to enter a few pickings at the local flower show.

I look forward to the challenges and assignments ahead of me as a Parish Councillor and if you see me out and about or more often than not in my garden, please stop and say hello.

Garden Shows

Meavy Garden Show

Brenda Burt

The Annual Summer Show will be held on Saturday 9th of August in Meavy Parish Hall from 1­00pm. The Show Schedule is available from me, Brenda Burt on 852984 and a copy may also be seen in the notice board on the outside wall of the hall. Entries from non-members are welcome but a charge of 50p will be made for each, and non-members are not eligible to win any of the trophies.

Visitors to the Show -admission 50p per person- are given a voting slip on entry and invited to vote for their personal choice for the best exhibit in each of the sixteen classes. The votes are processed to determine the First, Second, and Third places and the winner of the Gordon Cross Cup for the most points in the Show.

There will be plants for sale, a raffle and the light refreshments, at a small charge, will include homemade cakes.

Brenda Burt is Show Secretary for the Meavy Garden Show  

Walkhampton Cottage Garden Show

Mary Geen

This year's show will be held on Saturday 23rd August in Walkhampton Memorial Hall at 2.30 p.m. As usual there will be classes for Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Flower Arranging, Home Cooking, Home Brewing, Produce, Photography and Handicrafts, including painting and drawing. There are children's classes for most of the above.

Full details can be seen in our Show Schedules which are available from late June. Schedules are available from Yelverton Stores, Dousland Post Office, Yelverton Garage, Corner Shop at Leg O'Mutton, the Walkhampton Inn and Horrabridge Post Office. If you have any difficulty in buying a Schedule, please contact Mike Dobson on 852937 or Mary Geen on 855887. Show entries are welcomed from residents of the Parishes of Walkhampton, Meavy, Sheepstor, Dousland, Sampford Spiney and Buckland Monachorum. There is a small entry fee for adult classes, but all children's entries for 16 and under are free.

The Tea Tent at the show will be open from 2.30 p.m. serving not only tea, coffee and soft drinks, but also delicious home made cakes etc. Do try and support the show by entering classes, otherwise please come along and see the many talents displayed by local people.

Mary Geen is Hon. Secretary for Walkhampton Cottage Garden Show

Dartmoor Farming Apprenticeships

Justine Colton

Following on the success of our last intake of students – this year we will be looking to take on 8 – 10 young persons aged from 16 upwards to undertake a Dartmoor Farming Apprenticeship.

The young persons should be practically minded and interested in farming on Dartmoor. The Apprenticeship will run for approximately 14 months and include working for an NVQ 2 in Livestock production in conjunction with Duchy College where students will spend just 20 days of the course brushing up on Key Skills and Health and Safety. The students will work in a rota around different Dartmoor farms learning traditional skills such as Stone Walling, Hedging, sheep shearing, lambing, livestock handling and completing courses such as Livestock transport, chainsaw safety, ATV handling etc. All courses are fully funded and apprentices will be paid in line with the Agricultural wages board regulations.

There is scope for young persons working at home to come onto the course while continuing to work at home thus gaining a qualification and the relevant Health and Safety training which is so important today.

We will also be looking for Dartmoor Farmers who are interested in taking on an apprentice and passing on traditional skills that are peculiar to Hill Farming and in danger of being lost. The farmers will be fully supported within the group and will benefit from training the workers of the future in the ways of the Dartmoor farmer.

For further details and application forms please contact:- Students: - Liz Clarkson at Duchy college 01579 372345 and quote ‘Moorskills’ Farmers: - Mrs Sandra Dodd at High Moorland Business Centre 01626 836013 or by . 

Justine Colton is Training Co-ordinator for Dartmoor Farming Apprenticeships

Visit a Dartmoor Working Farm

Bridget Cole – Greenwell Farm.

Arnold and Bridget with sons, Neil and Mathew, their working dogs Holly, Meg, Gyp and Tink, would like to show you the working life of Greenwell Farm over the weekend of Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd August.

On the farm there are sheep, cattle and ponies. Watch sheep being shorn, sheep dogs working, maybe have a go yourself, and learn how we show our pedigree Whiteface Dartmoor sheep. Meet some of our cows and calves and maybe a bull! Meet and handle Neil's different types of Dartmoor ponies and watch a horse having his toe nails cut and shoes fitted. Take a look at the tractors and quad bikes, essential to the running of the farm.

Enjoy a taste of our ram roast, tea and cakes and local ice cream. Great fun day out for all the family, there will be events between 12 noon to 5pm. Entry adults £3, children 14 and under free. The farm will be signed from Yelverton, we look forward to seeing lots of you here.

News from St Peter’s Church, Meavy

Sarah Gordon

Produce Stall at Yelverton Fete
St Peter's Church, Meavy, will be running a produce stall at Yelverton Fete on Saturday 5th July - in aid of Catalyst (Tavistock) All offers of produce, including cakes, jams etc would be very welcome. Please contact Sarah Gordon - 01822 854298 if you can offer anything.

Songs of Praise
It has become a tradition at Meavy to have a Songs of Praise service on Meavy green in aid of the Mission to Seafarers. This year it is Sunday 6th July - 6.00pm. All are welcome for this service; if the weather is wet the service will be in the church.    

Devon Historic Churches Trust Walk
Join a walk in aid of the Devon Historic Churches Trust on Saturday 13th September. We are walking from Yelverton to Buckland Monachorum, then on to Horrabridge and back to Yelverton. Bring your own picnic for lunch at Horrabridge. If you cannot make the whole walk, you can join us at Horrabridge. Participants can make a donation to the Devon Historic Churches Trust. For more details contact Sarah Gordon 01822 854298 or Douglas Henderson 01822 855383

Sarah Gordon is Secretary to St Peter’s PCC

Letter to the Editor

Generous response urns grateful thanks - Mike Spry

In the Spring issue of the Beacon I made an appeal for an electric urn & tea cups on behalf of Children’s Hospice South West & the volunteer fund raisers who actively support the Charity in our area. The response was simply terrific & clearly shows the power of the local press - the first call was a "promise" by a Dousland resident of the urn & this was followed by the donation of over 100 matching cups & saucers. Now the fund raising coffee mornings will be much easier for the volunteers. Very many thanks to Jenny for including the article in the BB, to the staff at Yelverton Post Office for dealing with the donations & to everyone who donated - it's a terrific cause amongst the many.

Books on Wheels - Edwina Lawrence, WRVS Books on Wheels coordinator

Earlier in the year the article in the last edition of the Burrator Beacon did a great job in getting a great response for volunteers to deliver books and tapes to housebound people. I am now able to take on more clients so if you or anyone you know is housebound who would like to have library books or spoken word tapes delivered to their home please contact Tavistock Library on 01822 612218. Books on Wheels is a partnership of Devon Library Services and WRVS.

Obituary - David Lee

Tony & Patricia Medlen

Many of you will remember a familiar figure walking along the lanes wearing his reflective jacket, waterproof trousers and cap. Usually carrying a flask and smoking his pipe he would also be listening to his transistor radio. Those on foot would either smell his pipe or hear the sound of his radio in the distance. As a regular at the Royal Oak for many years he was known to a large number of people.

After a short illness David died peacefully on Tuesday 15th April 2008 at Devonia Nursing Home and was cremated at Efford on 28th April. A measure of the respect for David could be seen by the amount of people who attended his funeral - the chapel was full to capacity and many were standing in the aisles to pay their last respects.

David’s parents separated when he was a young boy and the family of six children was split up and taken into care. David went to Dr. Barnardos and was eventually sent to Greenwell Farm at Hoo Meavy as a farm labourer in the late 1950s where he lived until recently. Many of the Barnardo boys became farm labourers and Henry Cole, who farmed Greenwell at the time, said that David was the best boy he had from them.

David Lee was probably the last of the old style farm labourer. He used to work on several farms in the area and over the years had tended many of the gardens in the locality of Hoo Meavy, Clearbrook and Meavy, working a day or half day or a few hours here and there. David was prepared to do many different types of work but he loved growing vegetables and at one time supplied them to the local pubs to raise money for charity. A couple of years ago he had heart trouble and was fitted with a pacemaker but this did not stop him working in our vegetable garden! Last year he won a competition at the Royal Oak for the longest runner bean which measured 21 inches. In his younger days David had a tremendous capacity for work and would keep plodding on all day, even in the most inclement weather. As he got older he took a pride in sweeping, whether it be a drive or a farmyard. He also liked to chop wood and cut logs by hand and was quite happy to do that all day.

Now that he has gone there will be no one to replace him and we shall not see his type again. We shall miss the smell of his rich Condor tobacco and the swishing sound of his huge yellow jacket, the muffled sound of his radio coming out of his pocket and those Wellington boots without which he was rarely seen. Our garden shed is quiet but David’s presence is still there. We shall miss this quiet and gentle man who has been such a loyal and trustworthy friend for so many years.

To have your event included in future issues please send details (date, time location, contact name and phone number) to the Editor as soon as you have decided on the date. This will ensure maximum publicity and avoid clashes with other events. The next issue will be distributed at the end of September so details of any Christmas fayres etc can be included, and anything else up to March 2009.

Notices

Parish Council Meetings

Full Council Meetings are usually held at 7:30pm on the last Thursday of the month (but not always!), the dates of the next few are: 31 July - Walkhampton; 25 September -  Sheepstor; 30 October - Meavy; 27 November - Meavy.

Details of the subcommittee meetings as well as the agenda for the Full Council meeting are posted on the black Parish Notice Boards which are situated throughout the parish: Meavy (Parish Hall) Sheepstor (outside the Church), Walkhampton (by the Pub), Hooe Meavy (on the right as you go up the hill from Clearbook to Meavy), Lovaton (by the phone box) and Dousland (one at the Burrator Road/Iron Mine Lane junction and another outside the post office).

Residents of the parish are welcome to attend the council meetings – you should check the notice board to see the location and times.

Local Needs Housing

The Parish Council wishes to draw to the attention of local residents to the need to contact the Housing Department of West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813554 – if they wish to be added to The Housing Register.

It is a requirement for anyone wishing to be considered for placement in a house built for “Local Social Housing Needs” to have previously registered their housing request with West Devon Borough Council and be on the list.

Sheepstor Fete

from Trevor Rookes of Sheepstor Hall Committee

After a break last year, Sheepstor Fete will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, the 25th August at 14:30 and will include a Barbecue, Welly Throwing, Bale Tossing, Wheelbarrow racing, Tombola, Produce stall and lots of family fun games. It will be held in Jobbers field in Portland lane, not far from the church. All are welcome; please call Corrina on 852613 if you will be coming so that we have an idea of how many burgers to buy!

Walkhampton Arts & Crafts Exhibition

from Michael D’Oyly

The popular Walkhampton Art and Crafts Annual Exhibition & Sale will this year be held in Walkhampton Memorial Hall on Thursday 28th, Friday 29th, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August 2008. The times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 7.p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Entry is free and there will be an exhibition of paintings for sale and a variety of craft stalls. There will be lunches & teas available each day. As usual at Walkhampton Memorial Hall there is plenty of parking space. For more information please contact me, Mr. Michael. D'Oyly on 852268.

Village Halls

Please support our local village halls for your meetings, parties and activities All the halls have disabled access and they vary in size and facilities so one of them will suit your requirements. All the Halls are run by willing volunteers who strive to keep them in good repair providing vital facilities for our communities.

Booking details can be obtained from the following:

Advertisements

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Endpiece

Burrator BEACON Editor  Jenny Sharp 

Editorial Team  Michael A Parle, Chas Symes.
Internet Edition Editor 

Published and issued quarterly, free of charge by Burrator Parish Council.
Copy to be sent to the editorial team or the clerk by the 4th September for the next edition to be published at the end of September 2008.
Burrator Parish Council is a body which complies with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  Contact the Clerk Lucie Luke for specific details about parish business.

Advertising

The charge for adverts ranges from £14.10 (inc. VAT) per small advert per single issue to £169.20 (inc. VAT) per full page advert for 4 issues. For full details of advertising rates see BeaconAdvertRates2007.pdf. Adverts must be booked and paid for in advance. Cheques made payable to Burrator Parish Council and sent to the clerk. 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.

Burrator Web Site

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 Lucie Luke or councillor 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.