Newsletter

Apologies to contributors if your article was not included this month - we ran out of space! Newsletter items to ibuxton16@btinternet.com by Thursday 17th December. Please note the early date this month, so the next issue can be delivered before the Christmas break.

Ashwater Shop, Post Office and Newspaper Round

After hearing about the closure of Ashwater shop and Post Office in December, the Parish Council set up a Steering Group to examine the feasibility of establishing a new shop and Post Office. This would keep these vital services in the village and surrounding area. The Group presented its findings to a very well attended public meeting on November 11th.
Amongst the 75 plus people attending, there was overwhelming support for trying to keep a shop and Post Office in the village and agreement to fund-raise to achieve this. There was also support from a number of people, especially from outlying areas, who were unable to attend but phoned.

Speakers from external agencies outlined the practical and financial support that is available for this type of community project. The key issues of locating a suitable site, raising enough funds and managing a community shop and Post Office were outlined and it was agreed to set up an Action Group to move the project forward.

This Group has been established and has already met under the chairmanship of Bryan Lewens. It is actively working towards providing a new community shop, Post Office and newspaper round but needs your help. There is much work to be done and money will have to be raised from this community. The Action Group is working as quickly as possible to minimise any gap between the closure of the shop and Post Office, and the provision of new facilities. Various temporary arrangements are being considered.

The existing premises will definitely now be unavailable. We would like to thank the Greys for providing the shop for many years and to Barrie and Hazel for running it.

In order to keep up a newspaper delivery service during the time it will take to establish new premises, we may need volunteers to collect and deliver newspapers in a rota. We are also looking for the right person to manage the new shop and PO in a paid capacity. (See details at the end of the newsletter).

This preliminary stage in setting up the shop is one of the most crucial and challenging but there is every reason to expect a positive outcome. For further information regarding the project, offers of help or support, please contact Bryan Lewens 211241.

NB Editor’s note:
The following item has been included by special request of a Parishioner:
"Many of us are saddened by the forthcoming closure of our Village Shop and Post Office! We remain well aware that we have enjoyed wonderful personal devoted services from Hazel and Barrie for almost 20 years. Hazel has performed tireless work to ensure that the shop runs smoothly whereas Barrie has consistently worked diligently starting early 7 days a week delivering our newspapers.
Consequently, it now seems appropriate for those whom Hazel and Barrie have helped in numerous ways to take this opportunity to express their gratitude and good wishes. To achieve this Lyn Jennings of Ashdon (next to the old village hall), has kindly offered to keep a Collection Box at her house for those wishing to donate by 31st December 2009 towards a suitable farewell present. Also, a book will be there for those wishing to record a farewell message to Hazel and Barrie. "

Parish Hall

The weather has intervened and the building completion date for the new hall might be affected as the floor screed has been slow to dry. Although the 15th December 2009 is still a possible handover date this could not be confirmed at the time of going to press. Once we have possession equipment such as nice comfy chairs and a stage will be ordered for installation in the New Year. Everyone including current hall users will be informed as soon as the premises are ready and the doors are open.

Christmas Carols on the Green - 8th December

Join us for a glass of mulled wine, a mince pie and traditional carols around the tree from 6.30pm. The tree will be erected on 6th December at 11am (volunteers please) and once again has been donated by Nigel Stacey’s Christmas Tree Farm. Ring 01409 211467 or 07979735270 for indoor and outdoor lights at competitive prices as well as trees to your choice.

Christmas Lights Competition

Mrs Huckle’s China Matching Service are sponsoring the awards again this year. Print out and return the entry form from this newsletter to the Post Office by 12th December 2009. Alternatively email name and address to ibuxton16@btinternet.com Judging will be in Christmas week with awards for Best Overall, Best Small Display, Most Artistic and Judge’s Choice plus highly commended entries.

Badminton Club

The new hall has a badminton court. Anyone interested in playing should contact Wendy Lee on 01409 211449 to register an interest. All age groups, beginners and anyone who has not played before or those who have not played for years are all welcome. We thought to play early evening during the week, but times can be arranged to suit the majority.

Art and Coffee

Are you interested in beginning to learn how to paint or draw? A group is being set up to ‘self teach’ each other on a week day morning over a cup of coffee in the new hall. The aim is for anyone to come along for an informal session with a few paints and pencils and see how matters progress.
At this stage it is not intended to undertake formal lessons or tuition, but simply get together to exchange thoughts, ideas and see how it goes. Please ring Sue Lugger 01409 221640 or Rhonda Fry 01409 221200 if interested advising which day and time you would prefer.

Horticultural Club

The next event (Christmas Wreath and Candle Making) is almost fully booked in the old hall on Monday 7th December 2009 at 7pm and the £5.00 entrance fee will include mulled wine and mince pies plus the materials for the wreaths. Ring Fiona Bull 01409 221403 to participate.
The Club has donated native shrubs and trees to be planted around the new hall on 17th December 2009. The following day the School Children will plant four designated species and the event will be marked with a suitable plaque. In the New Year there will be the annual post festivities walk. Details to be announced.

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 3rd December 2009 at 12.30pm.

Parish Council

The public meeting regarding the future of the shop/post office was well attended by residents of Ashwater. A meeting has been arranged to form a committee to continue with the project to set up a new shop/post office.

The parish council is working to produce a parish plan which will benefit the future of Ashwater, with regards to the needs of the parish and future issues.

A letter has been received from Torridge District Council with regards to flood protection and planning for the winter months, more information can be obtained from www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The lengthsman service has been completed in the parish.

The Hospital Hoppa Minibus Service trial has been extended until March 2010 and a poster with more information has been placed on the notice board or call 01409 259001.

A parish councillor attended the meeting for the proposed Holsworthy Agri-Business Park. The consultation will be on the 1 December 2009.

The parish council would like to thank Stacey’s for again providing this year’s Christmas tree for the village green. If anyone would like to volunteer to help erect the tree, they should meet on the village green at 11.00am on Sunday 6 December.

From our District Councillor

As it did when threatened with post office closure our community has once again rallied in support of those working towards ensuring that we continue to have our own village shop in Ashwater. Whilst commending the efforts of Bryan Lewens (Chairman) and those working alongside him on the steering group seeking a way forward it is important that we remember and thank those who have worked tirelessly for so many years to provide our village with its own shop. In this regard, I would like to express sincere appreciation to Mr and Mrs Grey who own the current shop, and, who after almost 35years of involvement of running, then leasing out the property now wish to fully enjoy their retirement. Of course, Barrie and Hazel Thomas are well known to our community and have been wonderful ambassadors for our village. We will miss their knowledge, humour and compassion as well as all the hard work on our behalf when they take their retirement at the end of the year.

With the new village hall almost complete and potential for a new shop this is quite a significant period in the history of Ashwater. Given what has happened already I have every confidence that the many hurdles that lay ahead will be a distant memory in a few months time and that we can look forward to a new chapter in village shopping.

On the Torridge District Council front the Chief Executive, John van der Laarschot, is about to leave to commence his unitary duties in Stoke. He has been especially supportive of me, and, I have to say, Ashwater. Most certainly, he will be a hard act to follow after leading Torridge District Council from being a 'Poor Council with Poor Prospects' in 2006 to a 'Good Council with Excellent Prospects' in 2009, and, now rated as the 'Best Council in Devon'. The council will appoint an interim Chief Executive during the last week of November '09. Given the outcome I am pleased to have been centrally involved on the panel for this new appointment.

A lot of my work is now Devon County orientated and I am pushing strongly in respect of road maintenance, rural transport, equality of education, and care in the community for which we, in Torridge, are especially vulnerable. My priority will always be with my own community and please feel free to get in touch with me should you feel that I may be able to assist you in council-related matters.
My telephone number is 01409 211234 and e-mail addresses: councillor.parsons@torridge.gov.uk or barry.parsons@devon.gov.uk

Ashwater Church News

Details of Church Sevices on the Ashwater Church page.

Christmas Tree Festival

We are having a Christmas Tree Festival in church from Friday, December 11th.
It will commence with a Christingle Service at 6pm, to which all children (and their parents!) are invited. Pupils from Ashwater Primary School will be there complete with their Handbells.

Poppy Appeal

The coffee morning in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal raised £108 and the Remembrance Day service on the village green followed by the service in church raised another £147. Our grateful thanks to all those who helped or supported the event.

Church Cleaning

Due to illness our church cleaning rota has been sadly depleted. If any ladies (or men!) feel that they could spare a couple of hours once every 4/5 weeks would they please contact Ann Shadrick (tel 211403) or Rev Jane Lucas (211205).

Special Notice

Mary and Edward Gliddon would like to wish everyone in Ashwater Parish a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year and great joy in our new hall and hopefully a new shop. Owing to Mary being incapacitated they will not be delivering cards this year.

ADVERT

Visit Santa in his Woodland Workshop and enjoy a unique experience at The Alpaca Park
December Weekends between 11.00 and 15.00
5th/6th, 12th/13th and 19th/20th December
at
The Alpaca Park, Hope Farm, near Halwill Junction, Devon EX21 5DL, just off the A3079, (follow the signs) for more details telephone 01409 220216
£7.50 children (including a present, squash and home-made biscuit) £3.50 adults (including home-made mince pie and coffee).
www.thealpacapark.com

NOTICES

Exciting Business Opportunity
Ashwater Shop and Post Office Action Group Seeks enthusiastic manager for a new Post Office, Shop and Newspaper Round Starting 2010
For further details please contact Bryan Lewens 01409 211131 By Monday 14th December 2009

Volunteers needed!
In order to keep the shop and newspaper round going We also need volunteer drivers to maintain a newspaper round. Please contact Bryan Lewens (01409 211241)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY COMPETITION

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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