Newsletter Articles

At the risk of being boring please remember if you want an item of news to be included then details must reach me by the third Wednesday in the month.

Parish Hall

The Trustees have resolved to create a Company Limited by Guarantee to run the Parish Hall Charity. The new hall will be a very valuable asset to the community from both the net worth of the building and contents as well as a means of future income generation. Creating a limited company will ensure continuity of governance whilst protecting both the charitable status, trustees and their successors.

The fund raising team have been promised £2,000 from a London based Charitable Trust and are hopeful of positive news from other grant sources soon, but pledges are still needed (see the form at the end of the newsletter) to help bridge the gap between the lottery money awarded, funds already raised and the overall cost of the project. Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation - the reality of a new hall is inching ever closer.

A fund raising meeting will be held at Buckingham Farm at 7.30pm on 7th October 2008 and even if you cannot attend if you have any suggestions for events next year please let Jan Madge know on 01409 211104 so that plans can be drawn up and bookings made.

Horticultural Club

The AGM of the Horticultural Club was held on 13 September 2008 with 19 members in attendance followed by a picnic lunch in the delightful surroundings of Braddon Woods - thanks to George Ridge for permission to use this which made a very enjoyable day. The next meeting will be Monday 13 October 2008 at 7.30pm with a talk by Martin Catt on Fungi - all are welcome (members or not), but why not join on the night as annual fees are very reasonable at not much more than 1p a day.

Anyone who has surplus apples and would like to juice or cider them please contact Fiona Bull 01409 221403 as soon as possible.

Harvest Supper

A hot three-course meal will be served in the Parish Hall on Sunday 5th October 2008 to celebrate the traditional harvest gathering.
Everyone is welcome at 7pm for 7.30pm and the proceeds are in aid of the church. Please contact Ali at 211222 or Chris or Tony March on 211082 email:jatony.march@btopenworld.com – Adults £6, Over 65’s £5 and under 12’s £3 per head.
No bar, bring your own drink if you wish.

Cake and Wine Evening

For any further information please contact Ann Shadrick at Nevassa, or Maggie Edmond at Firhill or email: edmondmgt@btinternet.com or Fiona Pates at Owl Cottage or email: fionapates@aol.com

Arts and Crafts - Sunday 16th November 2008

Don’t leave it too late to book your table for the show at Tetcott Village Hall as places are beginning to fill - ring Ivan or Diane Buxton 01409 221073.
The table charge is just £10.00 with nothing else to pay. Starting at 11am this promises to be a bumper event in time to sell your craft for Christmas.

Skittles

The season is upon us and any ladies interested in playing please ring Lorraine Fishleigh 211551

Parish Council

The Parish Council welcomed Malcolm Timney to the Public Participation at the start of the August meeting being glad of his input when raising the matter of street lighting. It seems several villages are reducing the hours when street lights are on in the interest of reducing light pollution, costs and electricity. In principle, we would like to join them, but as nearly half the Council aren’t directly affected, we are not in a position to make a decision.
Please let us know how you feel. Should they be turned off at midnight or 1a.m., not at all or if it’s possible, to dim them? Please let Betty Batt (Tel: 221666) or Sheila Myers (Tel: 220212) know or come to the Public Participation session of the next meeting: 7.30pm - 7.45pm on October 8th 2008.

We were very sorry to receive Fiona Bull’s resignation from the Parish Council. Notices have been displayed for both empty seats on the Council on the notice board and in the shop. Two communications have been received from Plans Committee – one for E.Langaford Cottage (listed consent) and the other for regularisation of a 10yr. old situation. Approval of both was recommended.

The Parish Council have expressed their view of the proposal of the Boundary Committee’s submission for the future of Unitary Authorities in Devon with a recommendation for the Whole of Devon Authority to include Exeter and retain the name of Devon, excluding Plymouth and Torbay - already Unitary Authorities. We hope that the Parish representation on the Town Boards will ensure a more equable distribution of resources between Rural and Urban areas than has been the case.

Meetings attended by council members:
Roadford Consultation Group - seeking revision of S.W. Water’s appeal for Planning Consent to develop Higher Goodacre.
Proposed Wind Turbines at Dunsland Cross - seeking further information regarding the scoping report.
Sustainable Communities - in depth study of Holsworthy

A sub-committee of the Parish Council is to start to prepare a Parish Plan for Ashwater and in addition to the recent leaflets (parish walks guides), would be very glad of any ideas from anyone in the Parish concerning history of the area, either from their own time or their relations e.g. about the market; when mains water came or whether any bombs were dropped in the area - anything of general interest.
Also, any ideas for the future of the Village/Parish. Please contact Betty Batt or Sheila Myers (as above).

From our District Councillor

Dear Parishioners,
The front page of the ‘Torridge First’ newsletter this month is a timely reminder of winter months ahead and the ways in which Torridge District Council (TDC) may be able to help. There is advice and assistance especially for older people, the disabled, and vulnerable and there are grants for disabled facilities, single repairs, and Warmfront Scheme top ups. The Housing Reward Department offers such help on 01237 428848. Please be encouraged to get in touch and if you need my assistance details are below, as always.

I am still very annoyed about the post office situation. Many attended the meeting in the village hall and are aware of the level of deprivation in our area. At least, TDC is now putting into practice some degree of community access to services. Halwill Fun Day was the first of such action. Others, including St Giles on the Heath and Winkleigh have had similar successful days where TDC has worked with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, volunteer groups, Children’s Services, the police and more. Through its officers and councillors information is given out regarding the council and how best to use its services. My hope is that Ashwater will also benefit from such services soon.

In many ways these are testing times. TDC council will, on 11 November ’08 receive the outcome of its government assessment through CPA’ (Comprehensive Performance Assessment) measures. In other words, your district council will be graded. A month or so later the Boundary Committee will give its recommendation to the government in respect of a unitary council for Devon. Things are changing, and going to change quite considerably, it seems!

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
My every best wish.
District Councillor, Barry M Parsons

Yummy Mummy Week

Have you heard about ‘Yummy Mummy’ week? It is a chance to join in, have some fun and raise money at the same time for CLIC Sargent The Children’s Cancer Charity. Here is a note from the regional organiser:
My name is Sarah Bowden and I am a Fundraising coordinator for CLIC Sargent for the Devon/Cornwall region. Are you up for the ultimate challenge of 2008? You’ve got 24 hours to complete 7 challenges that will test your mental dexterity as well as physical fitness. Working towards 1 goal - to raise funds for children with cancer. 11th/ 12th October 2008. To find out more, visit: www.24sevenchallenge.co.uk

Ashwater Parish Calendar of Forthcoming Events

Adverts

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

Professional Hairdressing
All types of cuts, colouring and styles in the comfort of your own home.
Contact Claire for an appointment at 01409 211198. Mobile: 07970 990624.

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Ashwater New Parish Hall Registered Charity No. 1016238

Please click here to view the letter from the Treasurer of the Parish Hall Fund and make a DONATION.

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 Ivan Buxton, my e-mail address is newsletter@ashwaterparish.org.uk.
Thanks also to Kirk Engineering who kindly reproduce these newsletters for the Parish.

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Last modified: Sunday December 13, 2009