Ashwater

Introductions

After Many years Peter has now had to stop producing the newsletter. I have taken over the task and am looking forward to the challenge.
My name Is Andrew and have lived in Quoditch for around 17 years. I have to admit that mainly due to the fact that I have a business in Holsworthy (PC Plan-IT) I spend more of my time there than I do in Ashwater.
If you need to contact me with any articles for the newsletter, please email them to: newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.
As this is the first newsletter I have produced, and due to not knowing if Peter gave me all the information I needed, I may well have not been in contact with all the relevant contributors. If I have missed anything out or if you usually produce articles for the newsletter please get in touch with me so that I can organize things slightly differently for next month.

Ashwater Gardens

Ashwater Horticultural Society held two weekends of open gardens. It was two splendid days of good weather to visit six different gardens; eat cream teas; chocolate cake; with teddy Bears’ picnic and games for the children. Significant sums of money were raised for the Devon Air Ambulance, RNLI, Ashwater play group and the new village hall.
Thanks to all took part and who visited.

Our next event is the show in August - please enter for this and come and see us. We have a varied and interesting programme for the autumn so join us, just £5 for the year.

Ashwater Post Office Closure Proposal

All those who wish to write and participate in the consultation exercise are reminded that the closing date is 30th June 2008.

Wind Farm

There is a possibility that a wind turbine development will be built on the doorstep of the parish.

Up to four turbines measuring 125metres in height feature as a proposed planning application on land to the south west of Dunsland Cross.

Although the application has not yet been submitted to Torridge District Council an anemometer has been erected and noise measuring equipment installed around the location. There is some concern that the anemometer does not have planning consent and the proposed turbines would be detrimental to the area.

Further information is available from Steve James, View Farm, Dunsland Cross, Brandis Corner, EX22 7YH.

Parish Walks Guide

Two coloured guides are now available from various outlets around the parish including the PO/shop and the Village Inn and are currently free of charge. They feature circular walks and incorporate a few facts about the area, both past and present. The intention is to expand the number of guides so that all the footpaths within the parish and immediately adjoining areas are covered in due course.

Parish Council

The Parish Council AGM was held on 14 May 2008 with all officers re-elected. Reports will be put on the notice board.

Ivan Buxton has produced two Parish Walks Guides which will be printed once approved.

If anyone knows of any roads that need repairing please contact the clerk (Sheila Myers) as a list is being compiled to be sent to the Highways Department.

The notice board is getting full and people are requested to please remove any notices once they become out of date. The parish council would also like to advise that the notice board is for local events only and businesses can be advertised in the newsletter at a very competitive rate and thank residents in advance for their co-operation.

A letter received from Torridge District Council regarding changes to complaints procedure will be placed on the notice board for information.

A meeting was held on Friday 6 June 2008 regarding the proposed closure of Ashwater Post Office. Betty Batt chaired the meeting and the speakers were Geoffrey Cox, MP, Des Shadrick, Devon County Council, James Morrish, Torridge District Council and Barry Parsons, Torridge District Council. Approximately 120 people attended the meeting and the residents of Ashwater were encouraged to write a letter to Post Office Limited stressing the importance of keeping the post office open.

On Wednesday 11 June 2008 the parish council held the Ashwater Annual Parish meeting and approximately 30 people attended. Betty Batt congratulated the Parish Hall Committee on the successful lottery bid and thanked them for all their hard work and a toast was made to the continuing success of the project. Des Shadrick was a guest at the meeting and he gave a short speech discussing the possible change in structure of local government in Devon. Jim White from Ruby Country gave a talk with slides about the work of his organisation, which is designed to support tourism, agriculture and conservation in the area. Maggie Elliott from the Methodist Chapel then spoke and said that they are still giving out welcome packs and a summer club will be running in the school holidays. Terry Darby from the Church reported that the rector had left and that they were seeking a replacement which they hoped would be in place in the new year. Trevor Moon thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for their support.

A map of Ashwater has been placed on the village notice board.

Road Closure - an application has been made to close the road from Tower Hill House to Dubbs Cross on Monday 7 July 2008. This closure is to enable South West Highways to carry out Major Drainage works. The work should be completed by 17 July 2008. Details will be placed on the notice board.

Finally, the chair and councilors would like to thank Peter Capron for all his hard work in editing the newsletter and wish him well for the future. Andrew Kemp has kindly undertaken to edit the newsletter and the parish council would like to thank him and wish him luck with the project. Please support Andrew by sending your articles and news to him.

New Parish Hall

The good news announced in May can hardly have escaped attention following the well attended meetings that ensued. Those however, who may have missed the meetings and press announcements will no doubt be pleased to hear that a successful bid for Big Lottery Funding has been made.

Nevertheless, there is still a substantial shortfall between the money on offer and the overall project costs. This means even more urgent and energetic fund raising efforts must be made this summer and autumn, otherwise the scheme could still founder.

Consequently a new fund raising team is being organised and it is hoped that a full events programme can be arranged. Everyone in the parish is asked to support as many as possible as it is vital that as much money as possible can be raised.

Hopefully a full schedule selected from the many good ideas already being considered will soon be available but as a starter there will be some woodland nature walks at Moorhayes Farm on 19th July 2008 commencing at 2.00pm and 5.00pm each followed by "tea and buns."

Tickets are limited at £4.00 each (children under 16yrs free) so grab one while you can, they are available from the Post Office/Shop or by telephoning Ivan Buxton.

From Our District Councilor

Dear Parishioners,
It was so good to see such significant support for the village post office at our meeting with Geoffrey Cox M.P. in the Village Hall on 6 June. I know that, more than any, Barry and Hazel certainly appreciated us all being there; the meeting was testament to their status and our support of them. I’d like to take this opportunity, again, to ask you to ensure that you do send in your consultation returns to FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp required) or e-mail consultation@postoffice.co.uk since the closing date is 30 June 2008 for them.

If it helps my comments include:

• Dissatisfaction with the access criteria - the lack of clarity making it very difficult for people to make an informed view.
• In respect of the "Indices of Deprivation 2007 - Devon Summary" only Torridge appears in the most deprived 100 districts of any summaries.
• The most prevalent forms of deprivation in Devon relate to barriers to housing and SERVICES (inc. road distance to GP surgery, general store/supermarket/primary school/post office or sub-post office) and the living environment.
• FOREST WARD (almost half of which is ASHWATER) rates at 0.2% - BOTTOM OF THE BARRIERS OF INDICES OF DEPRIVATION!!!
• 1 : 6.5 people in Ashwater is 70 years or over which, significantly, restricts many (for a variety of reasons) in terms of any postal service mobile facility.

My contact details, should anyone wish to speak to me about the above or any other matter are 01409 211234 / 07739 972043 or e-mail councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk

I am delighted with the raising of the profile of Ashwater at Torridge District Council (TDC). Officers and councilors even find us nowadays! Significantly, along with our local M.P., James Morrish (Leader of TDC) attended our post office meeting, as did our County Councilor, Des Shadrick. We have had the Head of TDC’ Community Planning as well as TDC’ Head of Strategic Planning visit us in the last few weeks. Rest assured that no stone is being left unturned to support the new village hall venture. Ashwater’s success here is testament to the will of its people and I know there is a very strong will amongst officers and members at TDC to help to make the transition into the new village hall.

My every best wish.
District Councilor, Barry Parsons

News from Devon County Council

Devon County Council has stepped in to retain the popular Summer Sunday Trains from Exeter to Okehampton.
Following the announcement of the sale of Dartmoor Railway by Ealing Community Transport, the County Council has stepped in to secure the Summer Sundays train service. The Council will ensure continuation of the train service which has operated each season since 1997 as part of the Dartmoor Sunday Rover network of buses and trains.
First Great Western is being contracted to provide five return trips each Sunday this summer between Exeter, Crediton and Okehampton.
Dartmoor Railway will provide the safety cover for the operation and will manage Okehampton station each Sunday as in previous years.

Orchard Hen Farm now available for Free Range Eggs as fresh as a daisy £1 a doz
Also available slow grown free range pork £2.25 lb sold as halves or whole only
Open 6am until 11am (guaranteed) after 11 am please call at the house
. Contact no. 01409 211087

Croft Homes (Builders), Ashwater.
All types of building work undertaken
(01409) 211373 – www.crofthomes.com

Ashwater Parish Calendar

One Last Time!

Could anyone that would usually supply articles/adverts for the newsletter and have been forgotten this month please get in touch with me at newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk or phone after 7pm.

I don't want to miss you out next month!!!

My thanks to those who provide articles for, and distribute the newsletters. If you know of anybody who did not receive a copy please let me know: 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 Andy Kemp, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.
Thanks also to Kirk Engineering who kindly reproduce these newsletters for the Parish.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Sunday June 22, 2008