Ashwater

Newsletter Articles

Items of general interest are welcome and if not date specific can be held over for future issues. Don’t forget back copies also appear on the village website www.ashwaterparish.org.uk

Poppy Day

The Royal British Legion has again launched the sales of poppies across Devon. Please give generously as they are endeavouring to raise more than the £750,000 donated last year.

Parish Hall

Many have questioned why it has taken so long since the good news of the successful Big Lottery bid for work to start.
The main reason being the shortfall between the lottery grant and the sum needed to carry out the entire project. The committee have spent hours seeking further grants and obtained promises of funding from Torridge District Council, The Community Council for Devon and part of the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport. More aid has been secured from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and the 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust. The Parish Council has also made a fine contribution and adding everything to the generosity of members of the community who have exceeded all their personal pledges means real progress has now been achieved. Thank you one and all.
Western Power has moved an electricity pole and commencement of the groundwork is imminent. One way to ensure the bricks and mortar follow is to continue support of the fund raising events whenever possible.
Please note: change of date for Parish Hall Meeting - now TUESDAY 4th November at 7.30pm.

Chilli and Quiz Evening - Sunday 9th 2008

A chilli and quiz evening will be held at the Village Inn from 7pm on Sunday 9th November 2008.
Individuals can take part or form a team of four either on the night or beforehand. Book your place by ringing Ivan Buxton on 01409 221073 to avoid disappointment - just £8 to include a bowl of chilli and a quiz sheet. Meanwhile brush up on your general knowledge, as there will be prizes to be won.

Arts and Crafts - Sunday 16th November 2008

Tetcott Village Hall is the place to be from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 16th November 2008 where all manner of arts and crafts will be on sale.
Why not pay a visit in search of unusual Christmas gifts, relax over a cup of coffee and perhaps be lucky in the prize draw.
All proceeds are in aid of the Ashwater New Hall Fund.

European Launch of Ashwater Recipe Book

To launch our new recipe book, we will be having a tasting session (with wine or tea) on Monday 17th November from 7.30pm in St Peter's Church.
Everyone is invited to taste some of our amazing recipes, which include dishes from Devon, New Zealand , Mexico and many other exotic places, (although none from Glasgow!).
If you are able to supply one of your dishes / cakes for our tasting evening please speak to Ann Shadrick at Nervassa, or Maggie Edmond at Firhill or on edmondmgt@btinternet.com or Fiona Pates at Owl Cottage or fionapates@aol.com

Prize Bingo - Saturday 22nd November 2008

Come along to the Royal British Legion/Football Club at 8pm on Saturday 22nd November 2008 to enjoy a game of Bingo to help raise funds for the Ashwater New Hall project. There will also be a prize draw and everyone is welcome to attend and take part.

Horticultural Club

Parish Council

The Parish Council met twice in October, on Monday, 6th and Wednesday 8th. The brief meeting on the 6th was to discuss with Sue Southwell, Devon Community Council, how we work towards the provision of Affordable Housing in the Village.

Wednesday 8th was the usual monthly meeting at which all the Councillors were present, with apologies for absence from Sheila Myers (clerk). Steve Furse very ably took the minutes.
Public Participation: Ivan Buxton was welcomed to the meeting and we discussed the following:
Christmas Celebrations: Christmas Tree - Mary Gliddon to arrange provision.
Christmas Lights Competition: Details to be announced next month and an approach be made to the School to lead the Carol singing.
Updating the Ashwater Website:This has been discussed and the cost will be looked into.
Finance: The current balance is £4296.53. Setting the Precept will be discussed next month.
Election: If no one volunteers to stand for the vacant seats on the Council by October 22nd the Council may co-opt.
Road Closure: Quoditch Cross to Cross Lane will be closed from 31.10.08 to the 04.11.08 for SW Water to carry out work.
County Boundaries: Plans to the possible charges to the district structures of Devon County Council were discussed and continued support for ‘whole of Devon’, one of the Boundary Commission’s submissions, was expressed again by the Council. Plymouth and Torbay (already unitary Councils) will remain unchanged.
Dog Fouling: The Council agreed to look into the cost of providing and clearing the necessary bins.
Rebates in Council Tax: It seems that many are not applying for rebates to which they are entitled. There is a notice in the Parish Board giving a phone number for anyone who wishes to check that they are not paying more than they need.

From our District Councillor

My contact details, should anyone wish to speak to me about any matters are 01409 211234 / 07739 972043 or e-mail councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk
My every best wish.
District Councillor, Barry M Parsons

Ashwater Church

New incumbent for Ashwater Benefice

We are pleased to announce that The Reverend Jane Lucas has been appointed as Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Ashwater, Beaworthy, Clawton, Halwill and Tetcott with Luffincott. The Bishop of Crediton, the Right Reverend Bob Evens, will license Jane at Ashwater church on Monday, November 10th 2008 at 7.00 pm when we will be delighted to see you all. Refreshments will follow the service.
Jane is currently assistant curate in the Little Dart Team Ministry based in South Molton. and lives with her husband and family in Chumleigh where they have run the family farm and farm shop for many years. Jane and her husband will be living in the Rectory at Ashwater leaving her daughter and son-in-law to run the farm.
We are sure that Jane will be a great asset to the benefice so why not come along and give her a warm welcome!

Ashwater Methodist Church

September Fun Ride - Thanks

Sharon Martyn wishes to thank the following: All land owners who very kindly gave permission to use their land. Mark Gay and Roy Moon gaining permission from all land-owners. All that helped trimming out woods etc., all that helped marking out the course on the Saturday (many hands made light work on the day), all stewards (boring but essential job) and everyone that helped in any way on Sunday, all stewards that helped pick signs and markers at the end of the day (again many hands made light work of the job) and special mention to Roy Moon’s helpers "the 4 senior citizens from South TetcottT Hunt" Mike Woodward, Gordon Duke, Eric Jones and Morris Gregory, who with an average age of 75+years young!!!! Helped to clear Priestacott Woods.
Editor’s note: The hall fund raising committee wish to say a big ‘thankyou’ to Sharon for organising the event.

Harvest Festival Supper

The Harvest Festival Supper was postponed at the last minute as concern was expressed over the suitability of serving hot food at the Parish Hall. The resulting enquiry led to a site inspection by the Environmental Health Officer from Torridge District Council who confirmed the hall facilities are suitable for both serving and preparation of hot food. The Hall Committee previously elected not to permit preparation of hot food on the premises AND THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN THIS DECISION. Hall users may continue to prepare food off site (hot or cold) and serve it in the hall provided prior booking has been arranged, but are reminded it is their responsibility to comply with hygiene regulations. If anyone has any queries over the terms and conditions of the hall hire and/or the use of the hall they should contact Edward Gliddon, Lawrence Langston or any member of the hall committee. There are lists on the Parish Notice Board and in the hall.
NB. Editor’s Note: The postponement caused some consternation. The newsletter does not normally publish individual letters on contentious issues, but a communication expressing a personal view on this particular subject is shown at the end of this newsletter and any comments should be addressed to the writer.

Late News - Christmas Celebrations

Following the Parish Council Meeting arrangements have now been made for the Christmas Tree to be erected of the village green - courtesy of Nigel Stacey, who will be able to supply trees from stock again this year as well as competitively priced decorations, lights and wreaths: ring 01409 211467 or 07979735270 to place an order.

There will also be carol singing led by the children from Ashwater School and the Christmas Lights competition will again be held during December. Full details will appear in next months newsletter.

Letter from the Parish Hall Treasurer - Mr Brian George

Dated: 8th July 2008

Dear Ashwater Parishoners
From the original pledges totalling £2975 we have collected an even better sum of £2990 towards the New Village Hall groundworks.
I will be able to claim Gift Aid on individual donations, bringing the total to £3662.50.
If you require a receipt for your donation please contact me at brgeorge@sky.com or phone Ashwater 211643 or at the monthly Village Hall Meeting.
Thankyou

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary Gliddon
Fools Paradise
Ashwater
October 2008

As you know the Church Harvest Supper was cancelled. The root cause of cancellation came from complaints to our local Torridge District Councillor by people who chose to be anonymous. We on the Parish Council ignore anonymous complaints. Sadly Torridge do not.

Had these people, who were too cowardly and ignorant to contact the correct source of information, that being members of the Parish Hall Committee, they would have found out that the organisers of the Harvest Supper were abiding by the hiring rules of the parish hall concerning food, to the letter.

The Harvest Supper is part of our heritage in this village and should never have been cancelled as both my husband and I told the organisers. My name is Mary Gliddon and I have never been anonymous on any subject in my life. These people know who they are. Perhaps they might have the guts to explain to me face to face why they chose to deprive other people of an innocent and pleasant meal and get-together.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Tuesday October 28, 2008