Ashwater

I would like to thank you all for reading these newsletters and wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. I would also like to thank all those who have helped to make these newsletters possible: the contributors and distributors and especially our printer, all of whom have given their time and effort to make sure that each month there is a newsletter for you. Many thanks also go to Brandy North who has put in a lot of effort on the website for us again this year.

Christmas lights competition

Marion Perkins will judge the Ashwater Christmas lights competition on the evening of the 20Th December.

Village Green Christmas Tree and Carols

With the weather being so bad the tree was finally erected on 10th December just in time for the carols with the school children. Our thanks to Nigel Stacey and Tosh Williams of Ashmill Electrics to for donating the tree and providing the lights again this year. Even at this late Stage Nigel can supply all your needs this year including trees freshly cut or rooted from his farm also he can supplying decorations, lights, wreaths etc at very competitive prices. Nigel’s telephone number is 01409 211467 or 07979735270.

The carols round the tree again proved very popular and our thanks to the School Children for a superbly entertaining time with many parents and others joining in the fun. Mulled wine, thanks to Rosemary Timney, and mince pies, made by Jan Capron, added to the festivities and a little over £85 was raised for the New Hall Fund.
A great vote of thanks to all who helped to start Christmas off well.

A SECURE AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS

It is Christmas time again, so 1 would like to remind everyone of a few things to bear in mind over the festive period. Please do not tempt burglars by leaving presents on display. Take them with you or lock them in the boot and make sure your vehicle is secure each time you park. In your homes presents under the tree, which may be visible from any windows, could also attract unwanted visitors. Close the curtains when you go out. Lock windows as well as doors, put a light or even the radio on a timer switch. If you are going away over Christmas ask a trusted friend or neighbour to pick up your post, open and close a few curtains, turn a light on etc, and keep an extra look out for your property. Devon and Cornwall Police operate a key holder service. If you ring 09014700440, and leave details of the dates you are away and key holders name and telephone number. You can also inform me if you wish so that I am aware and can keep an eye on your property when in the area.
I would like to wish everyone in the parish a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. PCSO 30103 Beverley Harvey Ashwater Parish Hall Events.

Ashwater Parish Hall Events

Those who did not come to the "Carols and Crumpet" evening certainly missed a very good evening, with plenty of music for all tastes. A bar with Beer from The Country Life Brewery of Abbotsham the evening went down well.

23 January 2008 - Wild Cornwall: Illustrated Talk by Dartmoor Guide and Local Historian Paul Rendell. Tickets £3.00 on the door.
2 February 2008 - 7.30pm Pete Coe: Folk music and Song. "A one man folk industry", Pete has been on the scene for many years and has a fine pedigree as a singer and songwriter who plays melodeon, banjo, dulcimer and bouzouki. He has recorded 10 albums and broadcasts regularly on local and BBC radio and has appeared in several TV programmes. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a truly lively performer. Tickets £5.50 (Under 16yrs and accompanied by an adult free). Reserve your seat now: Tel. Ivan on 01409 221073

Horticultural Society

The Horticultural Club will be doing the pasty walk again this year. It will be held on Sunday 20 January. Details are being finalized and will be posted in the post office and on the notice board in the village in January. In the meantime if anybody wants any info they can call either Wendy Lee or Fiona Bull.

Cornish & Devon Post - Ashwater Correspondent

Ivan Buxton has taken over from Carol Reid as our village correspondent. Please let him know of any news items you would like featured in the local paper and he will endeavour to arrange coverage. Information about events, gatherings and news items of local interest can be sent to him by email: ibuxton16@btinternet.com.

Devon Trading Standards

Devon County Council Trading Standards Service want to recruit more volunteer Consumer ‘Watchdogs’ who will look out for rip-off traders in their communities. ‘Watchdogs’ receive basic training in consumer law, and keep a look out in their local community for sharp trading practices, illegal goods and rip-off traders such as bogus door-to-door salesmen and tarmac gangs. ‘Watchdogs’ are then able to pass information to Trading Standards Officers who can take appropriate action. ‘Watchdogs’ also give their views on the development of service planning and delivery, helping the Trading Standards Service to be even more responsive to local needs.
Trading Standards believe ‘Watchdogs’ can make a significant impact on consumer protection in Devon, giving communities a stronger voice in local affairs and making our environment a safer place to work and shop. The aim is to enlist at least one volunteer from each Parish in Devon to act as our ‘eyes and ears’ in the county.
So if you’re interested in joining the scheme please contact the Watchdog Coordinator at Devon Trading Standards on 01392 381381 or go to www.devon.gov.uk/watchdogs where you will find information.

Parish Council

The Parish Council welcomed Malcolm Timney to discuss the progress of the new parish hall lottery bid and how soon the £5000 grant promised by the Parish council should be guaranteed.
As the progress on the bid has reached the point when the Parish Council grant must be available if the bid is to be successful, there was a unanimous vote that the new hall was essential for the village.
The Parish Council has been saving towards the total grant of £5,000 but a shortfall of £2,000 remains. This will have to be recovered through the Parish Precept which will need an increase in the hoped for 5%. Should the lottery bid be completely successful, the precept will be reduced at the earliest opportunity when the grant is paid off.
Parish notice board - we await a third quote.
Planning - final consent on new parish hall received with conditions, Three Gables - recommend approval and the Bonsai Nursery – Parish Council to write to the inspector at the enquiry. A formal business plan has not been submitted.
A separate committee will be set up outside the Parish Council to discuss advertising in the newsletter.
Grass cutting - tenders are invited for 2008.
Next meeting Wednesday 16 January 2008.

From Our District Councilor

I’d like to thank everyone for the support given to me over recent months since the May elections, and thank as well as congratulate the Ashwater Parish Council for its fine start to a new term.
You may have seen ‘some’ of my comments regarding a recent planning application for Roadford Lake on the front of the North Devon Journal and elsewhere last week. It has not only been my belief that Torridge District Council (TDC) has to improve a lot. As part of TDC’ Leadership Team and other committees I see evidence of this constantly. One real priority, though, is that TDC must consult ‘effectively’ with its residents and work towards more speedy, efficient and satisfying ends. The Government Office for the South West (GOSW) has indicated recently that TDC is improving its performance significantly – to what extent and in which areas will be seen in the early part of 2008. I ask that you help me to continue the improvements by voicing your concerns at my surgeries/calling me on 01409 211234, (next surgery is on 15th January between 6.30 and 8pm in the Parish Hall).
I’d like to wish each and everyone a very ‘Happy Christmas’ and fruitful 2008. Kindest regards. Barry Parsons

Village Green Grass Cutting

Ashwater Parish Council invites tenders for cutting the village green for the year 2008. Applicants must present a certificate of public liability insurance. The tender will comprise 13 cuts, and the grass should be strimmed where necessary and removed. Any additional cuts by arrangement. Apply in writing Sheila Myers, Springfield Bungalow, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy EX21 5UF or email:clerk@sheanddave.plus.com

Further Education

Further to last month’s note on the Camera Course we can have a day course in Jan on DIGITAL CAMERA Use run by the people from the adult education in Holsworthy, A course will be held in Holsworthy on JAN 26 2008 between 10 to 4 p.m. if you want to join apply individually by phoning Alison Skinner 01409 254 505 between 2 and 5 p.m.

The Ashwater 170 Club

The club has had another successful year and I will try to publish all the winners in the January Newsletter.

News From Devon County Council

Devon welcomes rethink on Exeter unitary bid

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that the Government will not be going ahead with Exeter City Council's proposal for a unitary council for the city.
The Government says the Exeter unitary bid has not met its affordability test and that there are still a number of risks with the financial case.
Instead, the Government has asked the independent Boundary Committee, a division of the Electoral Commission, to carry out a thorough review of local government arrangements in Devon and report back its findings in 12 months. The Boundary Committee will be asked to look at the feasibility of a unitary Exeter in the context of examining options for unitary arrangements in the wider county area.

£48 million 'Investment in Devon' plan gets go-ahead

A multi-million pound investment proposal to improve the lives of Devon's people has been given the go-ahead by Devon County Council's Executive.
The cash windfall has come from the highly lucrative sale of Exeter Airport in January this year. From the original £60m received, £12m was used to pay off existing borrowings against investments the Council had made in improvements to the airport.
The Executive have signed off a proposal to invest the remaining £48 million into six special funds, created specifically to improve the lives of people of all ages, across the whole of Devon.
One of the key aims of the projects is to realise the Council's aim to be the greenest authority in the country.
A Local Projects Fund of £1.55 million will support smaller projects which can make a significant difference to towns and villages in Devon. This will enhance the support that Devon County Councillors already give to projects in their local areas through the County Committee fund, which allows them £10,000 each year for one-off grants for community activities. The Local Projects Fund will allow them to bid for up to £25,000 for a project, together with the facility to club together for larger projects.
Four further funds consisting of £5million each will also be created:

1. A Green Fund, to promote carbon reduction and environmental projects;
2. A Community Fund, to develop provision for young people, older people, community centres and library enhancements.
3. An Economic Development Fund, for projects to develop the Devon economy;
4. A Schools Estate Development Fund, to support schools projects which are unable to be developed as part of the named Capital Programme;

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: Wednesday March 12, 2008