Newsletter

News is the lifeblood of a newsletter and a Parish Newsletter needs Parish News. This month we have some really good parish news from the new hall committee - congratulations to everyone involved. Don’t forget the deadline for news of your events next month is Wednesday 22nd April.

Parish Hall

A lead-in period is needed to co-ordinate formalities and actualities. The provisional start date for work to finally begin on the building itself is around the 21st June 2009. As things stand the hall could be fully built and ready for occupation early next year.

The time and effort spent by everyone, but particularly the sub-committee dealing with planning and preparing the bids, securing grants and generally overcoming the many hurdles that cropped up on the way does not mean that everything will now run by itself.

There is an URGENT need for people to come forward in order to run the new hall. New faces would be appreciated as well as present and past supporters. By now you may be aware that a meeting will be held on APRIL 2nd 2009 and it would be nice if this is fully supported so that a General Purposes Committee can be proposed to handle the many and varied tasks that will arise, including the proposed sale of the old hall.

There is a requirement to assess the nature of the fittings and fixtures required to make the new hall fully operational and co-ordinate the day-to-day operations once it is ready to use. For example we will need a stage, sound equipment including PA and Induction Loop Hearing Systems, possible stage lighting and curtains, as well as a Cinema Screen and projector.

The kitchen layout requires planning and careful design with such things as a new oven, kettles, tea urn, tea pots, fire extinguishers and blanket, new chairs, additional tables, possibly crockery, cutlery and utensils, cleaning equipment (Hoover etc), fridge, dish washer, window blinds or curtains and much, much more.

It is not just a question of money, but researching, co-ordinating, designing and purchasing as well. The hall project has taken many years to reach the present stage of development and the building has been designed to last into the next century, so fitting it out correctly with good quality, functional and robust equipment is vital.

Additionally, as part of the lottery funding we have to monitor use of the new hall closely as milestones have been set and have to be met. There will be a need for a Caretaker/Janitor to look after the hall – after all it is a very valuable community asset. Bookings need to be co-ordinated, sporting events controlled to avoid date clashes, fees to be agreed, licences arranged and whilst maintenance should be minimal in the early years, jobs such as grass cutting, changing light bulbs, litter collection and so on will still arise.

Hopefully once regular bookings are received the need for fund raising for hall costs will be minimal. Until then however, ideas for events are still necessary. A modern hall, properly equipped can stage prestigious activities and attract professional acts from far and wide, but these things do not just happen – they need organising, planning and controlling, hence the need for a few active and enthusiastic people to take up the challenge.

Please attend the April meeting with your own ideas and be ready to volunteer, even if only for a couple of hours a month - you don’t need to attend endless meetings, just be part of a team that can be asked to help as and when required, although new blood on the Hall Committee would be welcome.

Voting for officers takes place at the Annual General Meeting on MAY 6th 2009. That is when all members of the parish can attend and vote to appoint the officers as well as voice their opinions and ensure the activities they support are represented.

It is your hall, and thankfully you have helped pay for it. Therefore you are entitled to help run it!

Horticultural Club

The next outing will be to Trevarno Gardens on May 9th so if you are interested and have not already put your name forward please contact either Wendy Lee on 211449 or Fiona Bull on 221403 as soon as possible. Non-members are also welcome at a cost of £10.00 per person for a seat on the coach and entrance to the gardens. Member’s tickets will be subsidised. Steve Mitchell will give a talk at the June meeting about showing vegetables and it is anticipated that the July outing will be a trip to a wild flower meadow in Bridgerule. The Annual Show will take place on August 15th in conjunction with the Agricultural Show. Please enter as many classes as you can to help maintain the customary success of the event.

Agricultural Show Committee - Quiz Night

Please make a note in your diary, on your calendar or wherever you record your appointments that on Saturday 25th April 2009 there will be a quiz night at Tetcott Village Hall, starting at 7.30pm with cider and pasties on the menu. Teams of up to 6, £3.00 per person, contact Jodie Richards on 07881 810500 to register your entries.

100 Club Winners

Parish Council

Dog Fouling Bins: suggestions for positions where bins could be placed are, between Cross Lanes and Chapel, near Sunny Pooh Corner and Henford Road.

Dog Control Orders: a notice has been placed on the notice board.

Boundary Committee: deadline is now 15 July 2009.

Barnstaple and District Civic Society - are inviting entries for building restorations, wildlife and countryside projects and heritage projects e.g. books/tapes. Schools, colleges and groups between 12 - 19 and also under 12 groups, plus individual adult and adult groups can enter. Anyone wishing to enter should contact Sheila Myers for further information. 01409 220212.

From our District Councillor

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

Refuse and Recycling - Easter Dates

Please note for the week commencing 13th April 2009 domestic rubbish (black bag refuse) and green wheelie bin collections will be ONE DAY LATE. The recycling (box and bag) - normal collection.

Ashwater Parish Church

Services for April

"He is risen, he is risen indeed!" Alleluia!!
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter. Bless you. Jane

Social Events

Dance

A big thank you to those who supported the dance at Tetcott Hall. Although we were thin on the ground everybody enjoyed themselves and approximately £150 was raised for the two churches.

Holsworthy Rural Crime Update and Advice From PCSO Beverley Harvey.

From 19th of February-21st March 2009 the following thefts occurred:

• 3 Cubic Metres of sawn timber from grass verge near Doves Cross, Broadwoodwidger.
• Plastic twin animal feed trough from West Wonford, Milton Damerel.
• A moped from Bridgerule.
• 5 gallons of petrol from a landrover near Clawton.
• Garden equipment (burner/patio heater) from Staddon Rd, Holsworthy Hamlets.
• Large cast iron trough from Milton Damerel.
• Various tools, Macaulic chainsaw, starter booster kit, small compressor, Oxyacetylene welding instruments, two cordless power drills and two padlocks from a property near Whitebear Cross Milton Damerel.

DISTRACTION BURGLARY

The most serious incident recently to occur was a Distraction Burglary at an elderly persons address in Holsworthy Town. Two males called at the ladies address and stated that they were doing some work for her neighbours and others in the area and wanted to know if she wanted anything done in or on her house. They asked her to come outside and look at something and then one of the males entered the property whilst the other engaged her in conversation.

Most people who call at your home are genuine. But sometimes, people turn up unannounced, with the intention of tricking their way into your home. They are known as 'distraction burglars' or 'bogus callers', whose aim it is to get into homes to distract people and steal their money or valuables. You should always be aware when someone you don't know calls at your door. Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, gas board, electricity companies etc. They can be convincing and persuasive. They often use 'props' like an identity card or wear overalls with a company logo. If you are expecting the caller, remember to check their identification very carefully against the letter you have been sent or the password you have agreed before you let them in. These official visitors should always arrange an appointment with you beforehand. If you are not expecting them and are alone, ask them to call back when you have someone with you. Bogus callers can also turn up as builders or gardeners. You should never agree to having work done by someone who is just passing, or take their word that work needs to be done at all. Do not be persuaded into paying them before they do any work. Do not accept any offer from them to drive you to the bank to withdraw money. If you think work needs to be done get quotes from trusted companies. You can check whether the company is reputable by contacting your local council's trading standards office.

If someone who looks official calls at your door, always do the following:-
Ask for their identity card, even if they have a prearranged appointment. Do they look like the person on the card? Is the name the same one as that on your letter? Close the door whilst you do this. If you are not expecting them and they have not shown you an identity card, do not let them in until you have checked they are genuine. Look up the phone number in the phone book and check it against the card the caller has given you. Do not be tempted to just ring the number on the card, as it may be a fake. Telephone directory enquiries it will help to check whether the company is genuine. Look at a recent bill to check the phone number. You should also think about keeping a list of useful phone numbers, like gas, electricity and water services, in a handy place. Many now have free phone numbers to help check the identity of their workers. Install a door chain.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS KEEP THEM OUT
DO NOT KEEP LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN YOUR HOME
Genuine callers will always be happy to make an appointment to call. They won't mind waiting if you want to phone and confirm their identity or want to arrange an appointment.
WHETHER YOU ARE AT HOME OR AWAY - KEEP YOUR FRONT AND BACK DOORS LOCKED

Ashwater Parish Calendar of Forthcoming Events

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

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