Newsletter

Despite the adverse weather just as the January newsletter was being dispatched most copies duly arrived, but apologies if not. Copies, as always were available at the Post Office and the Village Inn.

Post Office

To clear up any misunderstanding please note the Post Office hours of business are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm plus Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm. Closed all day Wednesday and Sunday.
The shop opens from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday plus 8.30am to 1.00pm Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday 9.00am to 12.00pm. Both the shop and PO close for lunch between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.
The PO handles inland parcels up to 6kg and International letters and packets up to 2kg can be accepted. The Special Delivery Service (up to 6kg) is operating along with the usual postage and mail facilities.
A banking service accepting the Post Office Card Account and all commonly issued bankcards is available as are ‘E’ top-ups and bill payments.
If in doubt ring Hazel or Barry on 211310.

Parish Hall

The re-tendering process has been completed and subject to one or two slight amendments final acceptance of the preferred quotation should be shortly resolved. Details then have to be approved by the Big Lottery Fund before contracts can be signed. Once these aspects are concluded a start date should be capable of agreement and it is hoped a suitable announcement can be made during March.

Horticultural Club

Ashwater Gardening Club's next meeting will be at 7.30 on 9 March in the village hall. Gill Casey, who was the Judge for flowers and flowering arranging at last year’s show, will give the talk. She will be speaking about flower arranging, giving us hints on exhibiting our arrangements correctly, and what looks good in relation to flowers and containers. Raffle prizes always greatly appreciated.

Looking forward to the show we now have the categories for the photographic section and so that everybody stands a good chance to get out with their camera this summer they are listed here:

1. Vegetable/s
2. Flower/s
3. Wildlife (which can include animal/s, mammal/s, bird/s, reptile/s etc)
4. Pet/s
5. Local winter scene
6. Digitally enhanced photograph (colour or b/w)
7. Photo with humorous caption
8. People/person
9. Seascape
10. Photograph taken by a child/young person (16 and under only).

Please remember to put your name on the back of all photographs.

100 Club Winners

Parish Council

Grass Cutting on the Village Green.

The parish council are inviting contractors to tender for cutting the grass on the village green for this year. The quotation should be for approximately 15 cuts, strim and the cuttings taken away. The contractor should have their own public liability insurance and be able to supply a copy to the parish council. All tenders should be submitted to the parish clerk, Sheila Myers, Springfield Bungalow, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy EX21 5UF or email: clerk@sheanddave.plus.com.

Digital Switchover

Notices have been placed on the village notice board.

The parish councillors attended the Holsworthy Advisory Group meeting last month to represent the parish. The deadline date has been changed from 13 February 2009 to 15 July 2009 for the Boundary Committee Decision.

The parish council would like to send their best wishes and good luck to Hazel and Barry Thomas with the new post office partnership.

Playgroup and Blue Peter Sale

Jumble Sale and Cake Stall 7th March 2009 from 2pm-4pm.
Have you got any nice surplus clothing and items for sale?
Ring Vicky 01409 254112, Karen 01409 211085 or Shirley 01409 211049. Items can be collected.
The Blue Peter Bring & Buy sale will also take place and Owen, Jess, Michael, Elizabeth and Ben look forward to your support. Ring 01409 211262, 01409 211237 or 01409 271103.

From our District Councillor

I can be contacted at 01409 211234/07739 972043 or e-mail: councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk

Torridge District Council - Dog Control Orders

Dog owners should be aware that the District Council are seeking to strengthen the dog control orders regarding removal of dog faeces and keeping dogs on leads. They are also proposing to increase the penalties for breaches of the orders. Press notices have been posted and full details are available from council offices or online at www.torridge.gov.uk/dogcontrolorders.

Ashwater Methodist Church

Services in March:

The first of the Lent Bible Study evenings is at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 4th March at Chapel. It is arranged on an ecumenical basis and runs for 5 weeks. Everyone is most welcome, and please don't feel that lack of Bible knowledge is an obstacle because this is a good opportunity to hear or take part in a discussion on the big issues.

More details of any of our events from Maggie Elliott on 01409 211282

In case it is of interest to any local groups, please be aware that the School Room at the Chapel is available to be let out for meetings.

Thought for the month: Peace starts with a smile.

RingGo - A New Ticketless Parking Service

RingGo allows you to pay for your parking without having to visit a parking meter - you just need a mobile phone and payment card. You can register either on the Internet: http://www.ringgo.co.uk/ or during your first RingGo call at 0117 341 9000.
When you get to the car park or on-street location, there will be RingGo signs and stickers nearby.
When you call RingGo to use the service, if you're a new caller, it will ask you for your number plate, colour and make of your vehicle the location of where you're parked, how long you want to park for and your card details.
The next time you call, RingGo remembers you from last time and will ask you to confirm the vehicle that you want to park, the location, how long you want to park and your card security code.
To extend time simply call RingGo again and it will ask you how long you want to extend for and your card security code.
No ticket is needed. The parking attendant will look up your number plate on their handheld recorder. This will check on the back office system to make sure you are parked with RingGo.
North Cornwall District Council are offering RingGo on 01208 804111 and West Devon Borough Council on 01822 670673.

Wind Farm - A Problem For Bats

Natural England has objected to the plans for a wind farm bordering Ashwater Parish at Dunsland Cross, Brandis Corner.
The impact upon bats, dormouse and the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Whiteleigh Meadows are cited amongst reasons for the objection.
According to bat surveys undertaken by the proposed wind farm developers and confirmed by an independent survey commissioned by opponents to the turbines the site is an important foraging and commuting area for a number of bat species.
The proposal will also sever an important hedgerow used by Dormice, creating a 40metre gap leading to habitat fragmentation and as it stands at present does not provide sufficient buffering to the abounding SSSI.
The plans are currently before Torridge District Council for determination and a public meeting will take place in March.
The Parish Councils of Bradford and Cookworthy, Halwill, Black Torrington and Ashwater are opposed to the application for a variety of reasons including the close proximity of the turbines to nearby homes, which might be adversely affected by noise emissions from operation of the industrial scale wind farm.
The developers, Bolsterstone Plc, propose operating four turbines with a maximum overall height of 105metres (as a height comparison the ‘New’ A39 Road Bridge at Bideford is 24metres above the high water level) and maintain the energy produced will contribute towards the Government renewable energy targets.

Holsworthy Rural Crime Update and Advice From PCSO Beverley Harvey.

Unfortunately there continues to be thefts in this area and further afield. Within the last five weeks from mid January the following have occurred:

• Large quantity of Solar lighting from Pyworthy
• Heating oil from Buckland Brewer
• 2x roles of high tensile wire, 2x sheep troughs, 1x black drinking trough and trailer lighting board from Bridgerule
• A car and car registration plate from Bradworthy
• Large quantity of power tools from Chilsworthy
• Chainsaw and various power tools from Sheepwash

• Try to secure or immobilise equipment when not in use. If possible move machinery from fields, particularly those near to roads.
• Mark and record your property, record serial numbers, chassis and models numbers.
• Paint your postcode and the first two letters of your farm or name of your property onto tarpaulins, trailers, horseboxes etc to make them identifiable.
• Use British standard locks and locking bars.
• Consider joining a local Farmwatch/ Neighbourhood watch scheme
• Keep firearms and ammunition stored separately in secured locked containers and cabinets.
• Encourage employees and visitors to be security conscious, look out for suspicious vans/ vehicles. Try to get registration numbers or partial numbers and contact us.
• It is also very important that you have adequate insurance cover for vehicles, equipment and livestock as well as your buildings and contents insurance.

Local businesses form an important and vital role in helping to sustain our community. They rely on our support and in turn back the parish newsletter by placing small advertisements, which enable it to be presented free of charge to residents of the parish as well as visitors. Please take time to read the adverts and make a note of the phone numbers or locations for future reference. You never know when you may need their goods or services and why travel long distances when local journeys are cheaper or as will be seen, home attendance or delivery can sometimes be arranged.

Ashwater Parish Calendar of Forthcoming Events

ADVERT

Sunday Carvery (except 22 March 09)
Free glass of wine if you have three courses
Booking recommended on 01566 784859

Mothers Day Carvery - 22 March 09
Three courses for just £18.95 per head
Including complimentary Bucks Fizz and a gift for Mothers
Booking essential

March Special Offer
Buy one large soup and get second free with this voucher (Mon – Fri)

ADVERT

Ceres Art and Craft
Art, Craft and Card Making Materials.
Telephone Rosemary at the shop in Bude 01288 354070 and your purchases will be delivered to your house - as long as it is in Ashwater Village; if not collect from our house in Henford.

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

ADVERT

Professional foot care in the comfort of your own home.
Painful Callus Reduced Toenail Clipping Ingrowing Toenails Painful Corns Removed
Paddings & Dressings Verrucae Treatment Reflexology
Everything you require to keep your feet pain free
Claire & Simon Neate DIPCFHP
Qualified foot health practitioners
Mob: 07968232344 / 07870508867

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 13, 2009