Newsletter

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year to one and all. Thank you to all contributors, distributors, advertisers, readers and of course Tim Kirk for printing the newsletters again during the past year. Don’t forget to send articles to be included by the third Wednesday of the month.

Advertising

The newsletter reaches every home in the parish and quite a few others as well, so why not advertise your business to the neighbourhood and at the same time help defray the cost of the paper and printing required to keep the news flowing? The rates are very reasonable. Please support your local businesses and shop local where at all possible. Your purchasing power is important.

Refuse Collection Dates - Christmas and New Year

Domestic Black Bags and Green Box and Bag Service, there will be a normal collection on Monday 22nd December and Wednesday 24th December, with no collection on 25th and 26th followed by normal collection on Monday 29th and Wednesday 31st December. The next Green wheeled bin collection will be on 13th January 2009. Full details are on the Parish Notice Board.

Christmas Lights Competition

Winners will be notified and details put on the Notice Board as well as in the January Newsletter.

Carols on the Village Green

The weather held just long enough for the Children to lead the singing, thanks to them and the School for their participation. Special thanks to Ann Shadrick and her team of ladies for providing the mince pies, thanks also to Phil and Dee for allowing use of the Village Inn and another thank you to all who turned out on a bitter night to sing along and those who made donations in aid of the New Hall Project.
A final word of thanks to Nigel Stacey for the magnificent Christmas tree, surely his best yet, don’t forget even at the last minute he has trees and lights for sale at 01409 211467 or 07979735270.

The Alternative Christmas Quiz

Entry forms are now on sale for £1.00 in the Post Office in the days running up to Christmas. All proceeds will go to the New Parish Hall Project. Please use the envelope provided with the form to send in your entry by the twelfth day of Christmas, which despite arguments to the contrary we consider to be 6th January 2009 - you will have to supply a stamp purchased from the village Post Office! The winner will be announced in the January newsletter.

Parish Hall

Work has started on the site! All things being equal, the official ‘sod busting’ ceremony should have taken place just as the newsletter was going to print. Hopefully you will be able to read about it in the local press even if you were not able to attend. The project began around 14 years ago, so is it any wonder that the odd ‘Doubting Thomas’ questioned if it would ever happen? Obstacles have appeared at every stage and even now there will be other challenges to meet, but perseverance will prevail.

Whilst at times it may have seemed money and effort had been thrown into a bottomless pit the rewards for all the community zeal are coming to fruition. In the past year alone your support for social events, fund raising, sales and donations have raised the equivalent of more than £100 per head of the population of the parish. Thanks are also due to all who have donated prizes or their time. The demonstration of commitment both by way of cash and support for activities has undoubtedly helped gain success in securing grant aid from a variety of sources that otherwise would have declined to assist.

Please continue to back the project, for whilst we do have the Big Lottery Grant to draw upon there is still a little way to go before the first block can be cemented into place. There is still a need for more fund raising events and any new ideas or volunteers are more than welcome. Now is the time to start contemplating who will run the new hall, so come along to the next hall meeting on 21st January at 7.30pm in the old hall - hopefully it will not be long before we all have a nice new, warm, spacious, comfortable and central venue to utilise for parish events.

100 Club

There are still a few tickets left at £5.00 each and they make excellent gifts with a chance of winning a cash prize each month.
There are two prizes each time of at least £10.00 and £5.00, but you need to get in quickly as the first draw is in January 2009 and don’t forget all profits are in aid of the new Parish Hall Fund. Ring Kate Davis 211482 or call at the Old Rectory.

Horticultural Club

The next event will be a visit to Stone Lane Gardens and arboretum near Chagford. Meet at the gardens on Sunday 11th January 2009 at 11am. The gardens are approx 5 acres with lots of winter colour and we have it on good information that the bark on the trees is wonderful at this time of year. Entrance to the garden is £2 but we propose £3 with a £1 going to Air Ambulance. For those who wish we will then be booking a carvery lunch at the Bullers Arms in Chagford at 1pm. The cost of the carvery is £7.50 (without drinks or dessert). The Club proposes to pay £5 of the £7.50 for members. Non-members are very welcome to join us but will have to pay the full £7.50 plus any extras. For the energetic a guided walk around Chagford is planned (weather permitting) after lunch. To book the carvery please contact Wendy before 1 January 2009. For those without transport, lifts will be available - for further information or to arrange a lift contact either Wendy 211449 or Fiona 221403. Please bring suitable clothing and footwear if you intend to do the walk.

On Monday 19th January at 7.30pm we are going to hold an evening meeting in the Village Inn to discuss this year's show schedule. Would anybody that has any input for 2009 please attend so that all your ideas can be aired. This meeting is open to non members of the Horticultural Club so if you would like to see any changes or have new ideas now is your opportunity to be heard.

Parish Council

Everyone on the Parish Council wishes you all compliments of the season and look forward to representing the needs of the parish in the coming year.

From our District Councillor

I wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year. Don’t forget to book ahead if you wish to attend any of the following surgery dates: 7 January 2009 or 2 February 2009 (6.30pm - 8.00pm). I can be contacted at 01409 211234/07739 972043 or e-mail: councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk

Ashwater Church

Wishing all the parishioners of Ashwater a very Happy and Healthy New Year. God Bless you all. Rev. Jane Lucas

Ashwater Methodist Church

If you are reading this over Christmas don't forget our candlelit carol service in the Chapel at 6.30 pm on 28th December led by Philip Luxton.
"Cell Church" starts again on 7th January - 7.30 pm - at Yeo Farm.
More details of any of our events from Maggie Elliott on 01409 211282
Thought for the month: On the motorway of life make time to stop at the services.

Adult Learning

The Adult & Community Learning brochures for the Spring and Summer Terms 2009 are now available from ACL Centres, Holsworthy Library & Visitor Centre. Lots of things on offer (daytime and evening sessions), why not learn a new language, improve your maths or literacy skills, take up a new hobby or improve your computer skills? Concessions available. Brochure and pre-course information also available on-line at www.devon.gov.uk/adultlearning.
The Holsworthy Office is on the Ground Floor of the Skills Centre and is open 2-5pm daily (01409 254505) for enquiries/bookings. You're never too old to learn - ACL had a 97 year-old on a course this year!

Citizens Advice Bureau

Christmas is normally a happy time of year, but for some it can be stressful and difficult. Should you feel overburdened with problems or simply need advice then the CAB may be contacted by telephone at Holsworthy - 01409 253372, Bude - 01288 354531, Bideford - 01237 473161 and legal aid is available at Bideford - 01237 479222.
Alternatively access the website at: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

To report a crime, for information and advice ring 08452 777 444 - please only ring 999 if life is threatened, if people are injured, if offenders are nearby and/or immediate action is required.

Ashwater Parish Calendar of Forthcoming Events

ADVERT

Peter and Emma Down: Opening Times for their Farm Shops Wednesday 1pm - 4pm, Thursday 10am - 6pm, Friday 9.30am - 6pm, Saturday 9.30am - 6pm Sunday 10am - 12noon

Distribution of Newsletters

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: Sunday December 18, 2011