Keith Scrivener

Cutbacks in local bus services are being vigorously opposed by Burrator Parish Council. Members have agreed to seek the reinstatement of several local services that were unexpectedly cancelled this autumn. Parish councillors have sent a letter to Devon Bus asking why the changes were made to schedules in the Burrator area and urging their immediate reinstatement.

Several residents have written letters of objection to the Parish Council but unfortunately no opportunity for consultation was offered to Burrator Councillors.

It would undoubtedly help the cause if aggrieved residents of Meavy, Walkhampton and Dousland wrote directly to the bus company and Devon County Council pleading for the services to be brought back.

The loss of the local bus link has made visits to Tavistock, Plymouth and Exeter much more difficult for Burrator residents. In particular the axing of the 'last bus home' service has made afternoon trips an impossibility.

News of a delay to the proposed pedestrian footpath for the B3212 from the Burrator Inn to Woodman's Corner makes the value of good local bus services all the more important. A lack of bus transport might force more people to make the dangerous attempt to walk the narrow road between Dousland and Yelverton.

The parish council has set aside £10,000 towards the cost of a new footpath along this dangerous stretch of the B3212 and its plans had met with a favourable response from Devon County Council's Highways Department. However, Burrator councillors have just learned that talks with the landowners on whose property the footpath would run had met with some intransigence and little success.

Councillors are hoping to hold direct talks with the landowners in the near future to encourage them to help bring about the creation of a footpath and to convince them of entering into a public-spirited agreement.

The Chairman and Councillors wish you all a Happy Christmas
and Peace and Prosperity for the Year 2005

Sue Andrew

Reflecting on the month that I spent in China in August of this year, I realise how very fortunate I am to have witnessed so many unforgettable sights and come close to so many extraordinary people. I was fortunate, indeed, in being with friends who had organised a programme designed to reveal the real China and its varied peoples, rather than the somewhat sanitised image available through the standard tourist package. Fortunate, also, in having travelling companions who were open minded and keen to experience as much of the local culture as possible - even if this sometimes meant uncomfortable journeys in public buses at strange hours.

Our visit was intended, primarily, to further our research into the three hares, a motif which is to be found on medieval wooden roof bosses in seventeen parish churches in Devon, including Tavistock, Chagford and Sampford Courtenay. The motif shows three hares running in a circle, linked by three ears which form a triangle at the centre of the design. Therein lies a puzzle - although each hare has two ears, between them they have only three.

The earliest extant examples of the three hares are painted on the ceilings of seventeen Buddhist cave temples at Mogao, near Dunhuang, China. These date to between 600 and 900 CE (Common Era). Our research has also revealed that the three hares motif is found in Islamic and Jewish contexts. It is clearly a powerful symbol that has crossed cultural and religious boundaries.

The Three Hares Project (Tom Greeves, archaeologist, Chris Chapman, photographer, and myself) was invited to give presentations on our research at two conferences -one at Dunhuang and another in Beijing. In between, we travelled along the ancient Silk Road visiting China’s famed archaeological treasures.

Our photographs emphasise the splendours of ancient Chinese civilisation: the gold, bronze and ceramic wonders of the Shaanxi History Museum; the silent beauty of the Terracotta Warriors; the overpowering statement that is the Great Wall. And yet, somehow, the images that I am drawn to most are those that show the faces of people along the way, both known and unknown. There are other faces too, committed to memory, as it did not seem appropriate to capture them on camera.

A day spent at the Heavenly Lake, near Urumqi in North West China, brought us into contact with Kazakh people who led us on horseback to their village of around twenty yurts on the mountainside. An elderly lady, wonderfully costumed, whose face was beautifully lined and bore the brightest eyes, showed us inside her circular felt-covered dwelling. Full of colourful textiles on floor and walls arranged around a central stove, the yurt was clearly a source of great pride to her.

Dunhuang will be remembered for the fierce determination in the face of the Director of the Dunhuang Academy, Fan Jinshi - her priority being to guard the Mogao caves at all costs, even if this meant not allowing access for genuine research. We were given permission, eventually, to visit ten of the caves decorated with paintings of the three hares.

In contrast, generosity and kindness shone in the face of Guan Youhui, now retired from his post as Director of the Art Department with the Dunhuang Academy. Mr Guan shared his unrivalled knowledge of the cave temples of Mogao, gathered during fifty years research, with much happiness and great enthusiasm. He was a delight to meet and his wisdom will long be remembered.

I shall remember, also, the shy curiosity in the face of a young boy in Linxia. I guess he thought we all looked a little unusual (in China, westerners are known as ‘big noses’) but he seemed to have little fear and came closer for a better look.

Many interesting faces were seen on the public bus to Xiahe - fine looking, rosy cheeked Tibetans, gathering for their annual religious festival, among them. And Labrang Lamasery revealed the noble face of our guide, Jamyoung Jinpa, who keenly showed us his place of worship there. We have a wonderful photograph of two monks who had just picked up some of their own prints in Xiahe and were poring over them with some amusement. Memories, too, of monks in the internet bar who were meditating deeply on the art of computer games!

Back in Beijing, a morning visit to the park housing the Temple of Heaven was a revelation. The faces were not those of city dwellers frantically rushing from home to work, but those of a relaxed community enjoying their public space. Some were practising, in graceful movements, T’ai Chi, others were ballroom dancing, playing with bats and balls, writing in water on the paving stones with long calligraphy brushes or playing traditional instruments and performing songs from the Peking Opera. Several old gentlemen were taking their caged birds out to enjoy the air, swinging them gently as they strolled.

I think, perhaps, my favourite photograph is of an elderly gentleman who was sitting alone in the park knitting with purple wool (it reminds me of the poem ‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph: “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple…”). He was delighted to be photographed in his own creation of a multi-coloured jumper and also keen to share with us his suppleness at the age of 82. His exercise routine and soft-shoe-shuffle were a joy to behold!

While it was an undoubted thrill to see the archaeological treasures of ancient China, particularly the cave temples of Mogao, the real richness of the visit, for me, was revealed in the people, the variety of their cultures, their resilience in difficult circumstances and their determination to enjoy life.

Running with the three hares has given me a keen awareness of the ancient cultural links between nations. My visit to China and the kindness and friendliness of her peoples has emphasised the importance of the bonds we still share.

Jenny Sharp

Meavy Oak Fair 2004 was very successful and we raised £1500 which we distributed to local groups and charities as follows:

Plans are being made for Oak Fair 2005 which is on Saturday June 18th with all of the traditional stalls and events plus a few new exciting events!

I am very pleased at the positive response to run stalls and events by the groups who benefited from Oak Fair 2004 but as always we can never have enough help!

Can you spare half an hour on the afternoon to run one of the children’s games, take a stint on the barbecue or hog roast, sell programmes or raffle tickets? On the Friday evening we will appreciate anyone who can help put up the flag-poles and marquees and on the Saturday morning we will again need help to put out the stalls. If you can offer help please contact me and I will allocate you a job!

Jenny Sharp can be contacted on 01822 853652.

Rosemary Weir

The group was started by the St. Peter’s Church Meavy Mothers’ Union thirty years ago and has been kept running by volunteers from Saint Peter’s Church congregation since. We meet each Thursday morning from 10.15-12.15 in Meavy Village Hall. We provide a wide variety of toys for the children to use. We have drinks and biscuits available for both Parents and Toddlers. The charge is £1 per child.

The number of children and Parents who attend each week varies from time to time but at present we have on average ten toddlers each week. It is an opportunity for the Parents to meet and for the toddlers to socialise and play in a larger environment with different toys to explore and use. We have an annual Christmas Carol Service in the Church followed by a Christmas party in the hall.

We receive financial help from Burrator Parish Council and this year we have received a grant from the Lions Club, Tavistock. We have also had financial help from St. Peter’s Church, and the Oak Fair Committee, Meavy. These grants assist with our running costs and the replacement or improvement of our equipment.

Rosemary Weir (Group Leader) 01822 852671.

Following earlier articles in the Burrator Beacon, I am pleased to report that legislation is now in place that should ensure that people’s lives need not in future be blighted by a neighbour’s evergreen hedge.

The High Hedges Law is incorporated in sections 65 to 84 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

A High Hedge is defined as “so much of a barrier to light or access-(a) is formed wholly or predominately by a line of two or more evergreens; and (b) rises to a height of more than two metres above ground level”.

Before lodging a complaint under the hedge law you will be expected to have contacted the grower in the last few months, asking him to reduce his hedge and explaining why you are asking him to do this. You will also be expected to have copies of correspondence to send with your application. If you have not written recently you should send a polite letter now. The Local Authority must then investigate the complaint, and decide whether or not it is justified, i.e. whether the height of the high hedge specified in the complaint actually is adversely affecting the complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of their domestic property. Whether the decision is positive or negative, the L/A is obliged to notify the decision to the complainant(s) and to the hedge-owner, and explain the reasons for it.

In the event of the hedge-owner refusing to reduce the height of the hedge the local authority may simply send in workmen to carry out the work and then charge the hedge owner for the full costs. The costs are recoverable as a local land charge on the property, so would be binding on successive purchasers of the property. This effectively means that, however awkward a hedge-owner wishes to be, and however prepared he is to go to court and pay fines, he must consider that the subsequent registered land charges will militate against his ability to sell the property freely. This consideration may be more effective than fines. (This information is taken from the newsletter of Hedgeline who run a helpful website at www.hedgeline.org and an information helpline on 0870 240 0627). In our area, the Act will be managed by West Devon Borough Council, and their contact officer is Mr.Chapman on 01822 813685.

In a letter I received from Ben Bradshaw a Minister of the Dept. of the Environment, he states that “the Government held a consultation on the implementation of the Act which closed 30th. June. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently evaluating the responses and implementation of the Act is expected at the beginning of next year”.

Hopefully I, and those of you also affected by these funereal trees, can look forward to a lighter, sunnier conifer-less environment in 2005.

With generous support and encouragement from Burrator Parish Council, the Walkham Valley Scout Troop has continued to thrive with numbers steadily increasing in all three sections. It has been a busy and successful year; the scouts managed to retain the District Raft Race Trophy coming in well ahead of all other competitors and were winners in the area Backwoods competition - a ‘survival in the field’ event. Numerous other enjoyable camps and activities have filled their programme. The Beavers & Cubs have been challenged with gaining their Explorers Badge and have had trips down the Tamar and exciting ‘wet & wild’ camps. Their success in the District football competition was most creditable and they have all made steady progress towards their Chief Scout Challenge Award. Overall everyone in the group has had a good, active year. The leaders’ aim is to maintain an interesting and worthwhile programme for all to enjoy.

Anybody out there who would like to assist the leaders in running one of the groups will be welcomed with open arms, leaders are always grateful for an additional helping hand or a volunteer who will run a particular event or lecture. Point of contact is Malcolm Young - Tel 01822 614649

A history of medical care at Dartmoor Prison was the subject of an entertaining talk and slide show enjoyed by Sheepstor residents at a social evening held in St Leonard's village hall this autumn.

Dr Patrick Drennan of Sheepstor explained some of the myths, misunderstandings and truths of health care at the prison since it was first built and opened in its isolated Princetown location in 1805. Prisoners may have suffered hardship and depredation in the jail's early years, but modern-day health care within Dartmoor's solid walls is now of an excellent standard.

Villagers who attended the evening event also enjoyed a wonderfully warming curry and stew supper, and a raffle at the end of the proceedings helped boost village hall funds.

Meavy Parish Hall

Val Smith

Meavy Parish Hall has recently been redecorated and is now looking bright, cheerful and welcoming. The much-needed work was able to be done thanks to generous grants from Burrator Parish Council (£2000) and West Devon Borough Council (just over £1000). We were able to replace the curtains and refurbish the stage curtains due to Meavy Friendship Group donating the profits of their October Jumble Sale (£230) and a donation in memory of Fiona Eastel. We were pleased to be able to use local companies, both based in Burrator Road; Wright Windows and Henry Dark.

However we cannot rest too much - due to new legislation we are going to have to replace the front doors to allow easier disabled access and we need to make sure our wiring complies to new EU regulations - more grant application forms and fundraising events will be needed!  The hall is available for hire at very good rates and is suitable for lots of events - parties, meetings, gatherings of all sorts! If you would like to enquire about booking the hall then please contact Val Smith on 01822 855909.

The Ring & Ride bus is a door-to-door service, which is available to the elderly, frail, disabled or handicapped of any age wishing to go into Tavistock. The bus is fitted with a wheelchair lift. Anyone without access to transport (either private or public) due to area exclusion is also welcome.

The Sheepstor, Meavy, Dousland and Walkhampton areas are served on a Monday with a pick-up time of approx. 9:45 am (this is dependent on the number of passengers that wish to be collected).  The bus then leaves Bedford Square on the return journey at approx. 12:45 pm.

Every third Thursday a trip is run to Plymouth (9:30 am.pick-up and 12:30 pm return).

On the first Saturday of each month we also run a trip to Trago Mills at Newton Abbot. (9:30 pick-up and 1:45 pm. return).

The fares are: Tavistock £1-20 Single or Return
Plymouth £2-10 Single or Return
Trago Mills £3-00 Single or Return

To book a seat on the bus just call Linda on 01822-618028 by 12:30 pm the previous day.

Please ensure that you let us know if wheelchair space is required or if you intend to bring a walking frame or large trolley so that the appropriate number of seats can be removed before the bus sets out.

During the summer various full day and half-day trips are organised on Saturdays and Sundays, details of which are posted nearer the time.  There are also half-price fares for bus travel around the County - please ring for more details.

Linda Bushell is Ring & Ride Co-ordinator

One of Devon County Council’s Library Services’ key aims is to support informal learning for all in a variety of ways.

Libraries have a good selection of the hugely popular Michael Thomas language courses in stock and library users can borrow courses for up to three weeks, renewing if they haven’t finished or the course is not in demand.

The full stock listing is available on the Library Catalogue in all libraries or on the website at www.devon.gov/libraries .

Thanks from Vivienne Wright

The Leukaemia Research Fund (Yelverton Branch) wish to thank everyone who supported the Craft Fair on 3rd November at the Moorland Links Hotel. This was our 31st Fair and we are pleased to announce we collected a record amount of over £900, which will be sent to Head Office in Great Ormond Street.

Exeter Diocese Report - John Weir.

There will be an open meeting in Meavy Village Hall at 7-30pm on Tuesday 11th January to discuss “Moving on in mission and ministry”.

Meavy Garden Society

February 21st 2005. A.G.M.  and March 21st Fun Show.

Burrator Twinning Association

Presents A Quiz Evening on Friday 14th January 2005 at 7.30p.m., at Walkhampton Memorial Hall.

Teams of 6 (max) £4.00 per person to include a light buffet
Tickets from Nick Shutt (854653) or Jim Knight (853277)