Ashwater

Parish Hall

After waiting some months for the result of our lottery application, the hall committee has received some good news. Our application has passed the first stage of the two part funding process. This means we can now apply for a development grant to enable us to complete the second stage.
The stage two application will require detailed information in a range of technical areas and the grant, if awarded, will help us pay for any professional assistance and advice we will require to submit the application. During this stage a "Business Plan" will have to be drawn up. If there is anyone in the Parish with this sort of experience who could help would they please contact the Secretary on hallsec@ashwaterparish.org.uk. This is very positive news and it has given the committee new impetus. However it must be stressed that the awarding of a development grant does not, in anyway, commit the lottery to giving the hall project money in the future. What is important is the continued support of the parish through supporting the fund raising activities, which will be taking place in the coming months.
In the next newsletter we will detail how the money already raised has been spent.

Forthcoming Events

The 100 Club winners for June are 1st Prize Dave Gerry and 2nd Prize Elizabeth Forward.

Ashwater Fun Day and Revel - 7th July 2007

The preparations for the Fun Day and Revel are now really hotting up. There is some space left in the Table Top Sale and we are thinking of moving it up into one of the marquees so it is more central. If you have not bought any raffle tickets yet, please do so!! Alternatively, we would really appreciate it if you could take a few books to sell - £1 per book.
Ivan Buxton is responsible for raffle tickets.

People have been asking where we are going to fit everything so here is a little breakdown: We are using lots of spaces, but they are all an easy distance from the green. There will be car parks at either end of the village so cars will not have to park on the roads and green. We are going to use Gerald’s field behind the pub for one marquee, the family dog show (which is already proving to be very popular) and penalty shoot out will be on that space too - provided we get a break in the weather to go and mow it. The Car Boot sale will be in Edward’s field. Attractions such as the Gladiators Tournament, the Bouncy Castle, throwing wet sponges at local dignitaries (!) the carnival, egg throwing and childrens games will all be on the Village Green, where we will have another marquee just in case.
Cream Teas, arts, crafts and archive exhibition in the Church, stalls and bee demonstration in the garden of Buckingham House. The Folk Concert (Ali and John) will be in the Village Hall, bar opening at 7.30 and tickets (£5) are on sale in the Post Office/Village Stores. All offers of (sponsorship and) help gratefully received.

There are still spaces available for teams in the Gladiators Competition and entries for the mini wheeled carnival would be welcome. To enter anything (or if in doubt about anything) email Ali Rowe on ali@devon-art.com and she will pass your query on to the appropriate committee member. Above all, please make sure that it is your diary and that you come and bring all your friends, family and visitors.

Horticultural Society

The Society had a lovely day out at Rosemoor the rain stayed off until after our visit. We were greeted at recp. Then we went through to restaurant for a surprise Birthday cake and refreshments for Wendy Lee. We dispersed and enjoyed the gardens, especially the rose gardens where the staff answered our questions on roses. At 1.30 a picnic lunch spread was organised for all who wished to meet up.
The next meeting will coincide with the Revel Day, Letitia Yetman has kindly offered her Garden to be opened for the event and the Hort. club members will hold a produce stall, a honey stall and info on Bee keeping and gardening for Bees, planters for sale stall, along side the Village Photo Gallery. Any members wishing to help for a few hours on the day or contribute any produce to the stall will be gratefully received on the day it would give the members a fair chance of seeing other events as well, please call Letitia on 211131or Rhonda 221200 or Fiona 221403.
Show schedules are now available at the Post Office.

Parish Council

An emergency meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Parish Hall on May 6th. Under the public Participation item the application for a variation in the Premises Licence of The Village Inn was discussed by the 16 people who live in the vicinity of the Inn, with input from Barry Parsons, District Councilor and Peter Rundle, the Licencee.
If the existing hours are increased the major concerns expressed, which are factors under the 2003 Licencing Act were: Extra late night noise, the intrusive car park light staying on longer, an increase in inconsiderate parking.
Objections allowable under the act can only be made by those in the vicinity of the grounds of noise, crime prevention, disorder and safety of children. These apply to the site including the car park. The Police decide cases of public nuisance. Mr Rundle then agreed to display any licencing notices in a more visible position. He also mentioned that he could stay open 24hours a day if he wished. (On checking with the Licencing authority this would seem not to be true).

The Parish Council Meeting followed the open meeting and the members of the Parish decided to leave. The PC welcomed the comments from the public and agreed to write to the Community Council of Devon listing the principle comments from the open meeting.
The PC recommended approval of the application for a mobile home at Orchard Egg Farm.
The PC agreed to support the Fun Day on July 7th by paying the Personal Liability Insurance in full on this occasion. M Timney and M Gliddon agreed to continue to represent the PC at the Area Advisory Group meetings held 4 times a year to discuss District Policy.
The Parish Hall Committee intends to mount an appeal against the imposition of a Section 106 Agreement. The document will be scrutinised by a sub-committee of the PC.

Finally, thank you all for your support particularly in the Election, but also in the excellent turnout and discussion at the Emergency Meeting. The 15 minute of Public Participation to discuss an item on the agenda will be held before each PC Meeting from 7-30 to 7.45pm. We hope you will come to express any views you may have over major items.

From Our District Councilor

I am a great believer in teamwork, which we’re seeing in abundance with the up and coming Revel Day on 07/07/07. I’d like also to pay respect to the amount of time and effort the Parish Hall Committee and associates have put into the latter for the future benefit of everyone. Often - in fact, usually - unseen, there is a significant number that continue to work very hard on behalf of us all.
People ask me about what I’m doing and how I’m settling in at Torridge District Council. They seem surprised to find me still smiling! Please be assured TDC is not of the ‘cloak and dagger’ brigade. One of the real priorities for the council is to ensure that it listens to, and takes on board the views of its ‘customers’. Sometimes, this is not easy, but I learned very early in my career that good things often come out of the catalyst of criticism. In recent times, TDC has been viewed as a ‘poor’ council, openly criticized and publicly shamed. This view is changing. The new council, too, has been quick to align itself to the process of ‘inclusion’, effectively stating its intent to - as far as possible - put political affiliation aside. Whilst I respect that these are early days in the life of this council the signs are promising. There is a lot of hard work ahead, though, to get things changed and, effectively, ‘modernize’.
My first month at TDC has already shown there will be plenty of challenges. The committees to which I have been selected include Licensing, Planning, and, as Vice Chairman of the Policy, Performance and Resources Committee (one of the two main committees - the other being Community Development) I am also a member of the newly created Leadership Team. The nature and expanse of these committees will significantly assist me in helping others. I indicated in my election material that I will be holding local surgeries which I intend to do at the village halls in Ashwater and Halwill, the details of which I will enter in next month’s Newsletter.
At a site visit in St Giles on the Heath last week it was good to have other TDC councillors witness the deterioration of the A388 between Holsworthy and Launceston. I have written to Devon County Highways expressing concerns and will be doing so regarding other locations in our district.
During the election campaign I was given the opportunity to meet many talented individuals (one MBE, civil servants, world record holder - to mention a few) who wished to involve themselves in our community. This community is rich not only in spirit and I look forward to the combination of many attributes.
I wish you all well. Barry M Parsons (District Councillor)

Ashwater Agricultural Show

Ashwater Agricultural Show - Saturday 18th August 2007 - Horse Classes start 9.30. For a great day out with many attractions including Passing Showers, Falconry Display, Dog Show, 'Dog Agility', Various Stalls, Bouncy Castle, Car Boot Sale and of course the cattle and sheep. Please contact Jadzia Kent on 01579 371130 or email at jadzia.kent@btinternet.com for further information and/or schedules.

Church News

October 7th The Harvest Festival service will take place
October 8th there will be another service, which will be followed by the Harvest Festival Supper.

North Devon Walk and Talk (Holsworthy Group)

Welcome to North Devon's Walk and Talk Initiative aimed at helping you to enjoy the benefits of walking and enable you to become fitter for life. Walking is the best form of exercise available to everyone, young and old and for all abilities. It has the benefit of being safe, free and low impact. It is also a great way to meet people, make new friends and enjoy space and fresh air.

Walk Levels

North Devon Walk & Talk is offering an exciting range of walks in and around your local area. All walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders and are graded from level 1 to level 3. Our aim is to cater for all ages and abilities and we hope that you will discover a walk suited to you.
Level 1 Approximately 15 - 30 minutes up to 1 mile suitable for those that do little or no physical activity at present and people restricted by mobility problems who may walk slowly. The walk uses flat, level, hard surfaced paths and pavements with no steep hills or steps and is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Level 2 Approximately 30 - 60 minutes up to 2 miles suitable for those that do a small amount of physical activity but need to increase their activity level and those people with minor mobility problems but are able to walk at a moderate pace. The walk uses footpaths and pavements with some gradients, steps and uneven pathways.
Level 3 Approximately 60 - 90 minutes up to 3 miles suitable for those that do a certain amount of physical activity but wish to improve their general fitness and heart health. The walk uses a variety of footpaths, roads, tracks and pathways, some may be uneven, muddy and slippery when wet. These walks may include steps, inclines, stiles and narrow pathways.

The next walk is on 29th June starting at Pyworthy Village Hall at 10.30, it is a level 2 walk. It is hoped to put the next programme of walks in the Post Office.
For more info about this scheme please contact Tim Pryor, Scheme Coordinator, South West Forest, Cookworthy Moor, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5UX. Telephone: 01409 221896.

Devon Wildlife Trust

The Devon Wildlife Trust regularly holds events at their reserves all over Devon and new members are always welcome. Many of the nature reserves are open to all and entry is free.
The nearest reserve to Ashwater is at Halwill Junction where the wild flowers are blooming profusely at present.
There are a number of sites within reasonable distance, such as Dunsdon, NW of Holsworthy and Vealand Farm close by, both situated close to the Bude Canal. Volehouse Moor (near the Gnome Reserve at Putford) is always worth a visit as it straddles the River Torridge where kingfishers and otters frequent the site and the reserve at Halsdon near Dolton and Winkleigh is great for bird watching.
A very recent addition to the Trust’s sites is Ash Moor, off the Tarka Trail at Meeth, which was commissioned as a burial pit during the foot and Mouth epidemic of 2001, but never used. This reserve has great potential, but funds are needed to help with the transition.
Find out more at the Devon Wildlife Trust Stand at the Ashwater Revel and Fun Day on 7th July 2007 or ring Ivan Buxton at 01409 221073.

Ashwater Parish Calendar

Below is a list of events that are taking or scheduled to take place in the parish so that all involved have knowledge of the dates already booked. Please let me have the dates of your event/meeting and I will include them in the calendar.

My thanks to those who provide articles for the newsletters. Copies will as always be available at the Post Office and in the Village Inn. Any information for inclusion in or offers to help please contact Peter Capron, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Saturday July 07, 2007