Newsletter - Appeal

Newsletter items to ibuxton16@btinternet.com by Wednesday 25th November - Please.

Ashwater Shop - Public Meeting

Everyone is invited to attend a meeting and presentation at 7pm on Wednesday November 11th in the Parish Hall. The steering group have conducted considerable research into the viability of continuing shop and Post Office facilities in the Parish.
Please come and hear what they have to say, add your views and help determine what will happen in the future. There are many within the community who rely heavily on the shop, so even if you only use it occasionally bear in mind the need of others and think what it will be like if your only practical access to supplies and services provided by the shop and Post Office is by use of the infrequent bus, advance transport booking or reliance upon friends and relatives for a lift elsewhere.
Please spare an hour and a half on the 11th - you could make a difference.

Parish Hall

Many of you will know by now that the Old Parish Hall was sold at auction on 15th October 2009.
Legal completion will coincide with the Hall Committee taking possession of the new hall, which could be as soon as December 15th. The actual date is dependent upon when the building work finishes and hopefully the November Newsletter will carry an appropriate announcement - so watch this space.
Meanwhile the booking details are now available and anyone wishing to make a reservation for next year should ring 01409 211437.
Suggestions for new activities are beginning to come in - how about joining in with or learning to play badminton for fun, take up keep fit or participate in forming a home brew club.
Don’t forget we still want to display pictures of Ashwater from years gone by including any you might have of the old hall in use. Why not bring them to the next hall meeting on Wednesday 4th November - you may not have many chances left pay a visit to the building that has served so well.

Remembrance and British Legion Poppy Appeal

We need little to remind us of the horror and plain futility of war, yet mostly it's just words or pictures that briefly strike a chord and then we get on with what we are doing. The violence, pain, suffering and grief are all too easily dismissed as yet another news item appears as regular as clock work. Obviously we cannot and indeed should not all spend our lives in a state of constant recollection, but for a brief period just once a year it’s not too hard is it?
Even if you cannot attend a remembrance service, spare a thought for those that died so you have that choice or think for a moment about how many continue to suffer on behalf of us all. Please also donate as generously as you can when buying your poppy – times might be harder than they were recently, but without your donation they would be much worse for those not helped by the proceeds from the annual poppy appeal.

Horticultural Club

Everyone, whether a member of the Horticultural Club or not are urged not to miss a popular talk being given by George Kestell on 'Gardens through the Ages’ at 7.30pm on the Monday 9th November at the Village Hall.
Booking is not essential but for more information or to join the club please ring Fiona Bull (Tel: 01409 221403).
The dark nights are upon us, but unlike some of our favourite plants we don’t’ have to be dormant and the lack of daylight means even those weeds can wait a bit longer - come and join our friendly group, we don’t sting or scratch and you will be most welcome.
The December Meeting in the Village Hall 'Christmas Wreath Making' will now take place a week early i.e. 7th December at 7.00pm. Please book, (01409 221403), as this session is restricted to the first 20 and very useful for saving money on buying commercially made festive wreaths.

Ashwater Lunch Club

Advance booking is essential. Please phone 01409 211200 (The Village Inn) at the latest before 11am on the day. The next lunch is on Thursday 5th November 2009 at 12.30pm.

Mobile Library

The mobile library visits fortnightly on a Thursday outside the Village Inn from 11.30am - 12.10pm.
The next dates are 5th and 19th November. Please use the library, as it is a vital service requiring support.

Parish Council

Graham Hockin has been co-opted as a parish councillor.

The work on Footpath No 13 has now been completed, fencing has been replaced, the ground re-stoned and two gates erected, one for the cattle and the other for pedestrians.

A parish councillor attended the recent Holsworthy Area Advisory Group meeting where the Holsworthy Agribusiness Park and Livestock Market was discussed.

A steering group has been set up to look into the provision of a shop/post office in Ashwater and the group will be liasing with the parish council.

A letter has been received regarding the introduction of a Pay and Display Scheme in Holsworthy town centre. The parish council strongly oppose this scheme and will be sending a letter stating their views. If anyone wishes to write with their objections, they can send a letter to Lester Wilmington, Head of Highway Management, Devon County Council, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD.

A public consultation has been launched and is seeking views on how living in rural areas of Devon impacts on residents’ abilities to access health care and how health services can be improved. The group wants to know what people think about their access to accident and emergency facilities, services provided at community hospitals, maternity services, remote care, and transportation to health services. Anyone interested in taking part in the consultation, and giving evidence to the task group, or would like an informal chat or more information, can contact Janine Gassmann on 01392 384383 or a letter can be sent to Janine Gassmann, Scrutiny Officer, County Hall, Room G36, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD. Her email address is Janine.gassmann@devon.gov.uk.

The shop meeting at 7pm will precede the parish council meeting on 11 November 2009.

From our District Councillor

I can be contacted at 01409 211234/07739 972043 or e-mail councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk.
Barry will be attending the first hour of the shop meeting on 11th November in the Parish Hall.

Holsworthy Rural Crime Update

Holsworthy Industrial Estate: A rear spoiler from a grey Nissan sports skyl, was stolen from JAP Imports, valued at approximately £800 (property recovered and enquiries continuing).
Rural Bradworthy: Hand tools, approximately 30 Draper Spanners.
Broadwoodwidger: A scrap metal tank was stolen.
Sutcombe: Criminal damage to motor vehicle in St Andrews Close.
Pancrasweek: 600 Litres of red diesel was stolen from a farm and there was damage caused to the chain and nozzle on the hose attached.

HOW SECURE ARE YOUR HEATING OIL/FUEL TANKS?

Recently as above in the Pancrasweek area 600 litres of red diesel was stolen from a tank, which was visible from the road. Over several months during last winter heating oil was stolen from a number of properties within the Holsworthy rural area. Please use a good quality substantial padlock on your tanks, or better still if they can be located in buildings/sheds.
My concern is that due to oil and fuel prices and now that we are all filling our tanks and coal/wood stores that this kind of incident may become a more regular occurrence.

HAVE FUN AND STAY SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN

Always be accompanied by an adult when you are trick or treating You should only go to houses of people that you know and who are happy for you to call.
Stay safe, keep to places that you know and are well lit. Do not take short cuts through gardens, alleyways or parks.
Watch out for traffic, drivers might not see you.
If you are wearing a mask make sure that you can see where you are going and are aware of your surroundings.
Carry a torch and a fully charged mobile phone.
If residents in your area have notices on their doors to say that they do not wish trick or treaters to call PLEASE respect their wishes.

NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD BEAT MANAGER

As of the 1st of November, PC 1347 Anna Rock will be the Neighbourhood Beat Manager replacing PC John Shepherd.

PCSO 30103 BEVERLEY HARVEY, HOLSWORTHY POLICE STATION.

Wildlife Suffering?

A variety of recent reports have been received of strange behaviour by wild birds as well as a decline in numbers of well-known seedeaters like members of the finch family. Those of us who recall the peculiar turn of events around fifty years ago when the population of many species of birds crashed dramatically are becoming a little apprehensive. During that time the affect of pesticides in the food chain was identified as a cause. No one would advocate jumping to conclusions, yet the number of birds at the bird table seems to have recently and rapidly declined in some areas. Other reports of birds wandering aimlessly about on the ground and not bothering to fly on first approach appear to support the need for investigation. If you have experienced a dramatic drop in birds attending your feeders or have seen them appearing unusually tame please report it to the RSPB or let Naturalist Trevor Beer know in writing at the North Devon Journal, Avery House, Liberty Road, Roundswell, Barnstaple EX31 3TL. Alternatively if you have access to email facilities send details to Ivan at ibuxton16@btinternet.com.
Apart from the seasonal change in behaviour aided by ample insect and hedgerow weed seeds still about pending the first frosts there does not seem to be a problem in and around Ashwater at the moment - maybe however your experience differs.

Ashwater Parish Calendar of Forthcoming Events

To publicise your event email details to ibuxton16@btinternet.com and it will also appear on the Parish Website.

Don’t forget if you would like to advertise your business it only costs £10 per issue.

ADVERT

LAKESIDE, ROADFORD LAKE

Café and gift shop
Open daily - 10.30am to 4.00pm

Winter specials

Mondays: roast of the day
Tuesdays: homemade curries
Thursdays: over 60s’ lunches (two courses - £7.50)
Fridays: beer battered cod & chips

Gifts for all the family - Jewellery, handbags, kitchenware, jigsaws, toys and much more…

Sunday carvery & special Christmas Sunday carvery Served every week in the Burrator Room - booking recommended.

Tel. 01566 784859
www.swlakestrust.org.uk

Late News

Poppy Appeal Coffee Morning

Saturday 7th November in Ashwater Church 9.30am - 11.30am. Coffee, Cakes & Bring and Buy. Come and join us.

Ashwater Playgroup - Christmas Bazaar

Saturday the 14th November 2009 lots of hand made items, cakes and games.
Father Christmas meeting up on the Village Green at 1.30pm, face painting, draw any donations of draw prizes or cakes for the day will be gratefully received.
Please ring Vicky on 01409 254112 or Shirley on 01409 211049.

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