clyst valley news june 2020btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site674/newsletter/...clyst valley news...
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CLYST VALLEY NEWS
JUNE 2020
CB Chimneys
For All Your Chimney
Needs
Clean & Efficient Service
Brush & Vacuum Sweep
Bird Guards/Cowls, Chimney Pots
Repairs & Maintenance
STEVEN CORNISH
Tel: 01395 268046
Mobile: 07970 892085
WOODBURY SALTERTON VILLAGE HALL
Hall – Tables and chairs,
well equipped kitchen with cooker and
fridge, crockery and cutlery included in
hire.
Modest Rates
For bookings please contact:
Pat or Gill Bricknell
01395 232463
HELP WITH ALL YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS
Repairs and upgrades, Internet connection and wireless networking, virus removal, performance issues
and web page design.
www.clystvalleycomputers.com Tel: 01392 876747 Mobile: 07503 111004
Professional Female Decorators
07789 683457 / 01392 875952
Angie Pearman
at 4 Paws Owner of Crufts 2005 class
winner
Hernwood Diamond Rose
Qualified Dog Groomer Grooming for all breeds of dog
Clipping, bathing and hand stripping Call Angie on 07717284017
Or 01404 850538
The Old Milking Shed Kenniford Farm,
Clyst St Mary, Exeter.
CLYST ST. MARY VILLAGE HALL
The hall is available for hire on most weekdays at reasonable rates Excellent facilities for meetings,
exhibitions, trade shows etc. Large car park and well equipped
kitchen For details of charges and availability
contact the Caretaker
Karin Hurst 01392 873402
Chiropody/Podiatry
Rebecca Penn HcPC Reg.CH15174
Clinic/Domicillary appts Local Home Clinic with parking
daytime/evening appts
07786554462
MAKING RUGBY FUN FOR AGES 7-60
Come and join us at Bravelands, Oil Mill Lane,
Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1AF
We welcome players of all abilities
Call Cheryl McGauley on 07786706546
www.exeterathleticrfc.co.uk
EXE INTERIORS & HANDYMAN SERVICES
- Painting & Decorating - Wall & Floor Tiling
- Bathroom Refurbishments - Laminate & Vinyl Flooring
- Odd jobs around the home
Tel: 0796 77 77 396
01395 233178
[email protected] www.marlowaccountants.co.uk
Friendly – Approachable – Affordable
Family run with family values UNIT 4 WOODBURY BUSINESS PARK WOODBURY EX5 1AY
Mike Dickson
Gardening
All Jobs Considered
Specialist in hedge cutting, shrub
pruning and grass
Mobile: 07985 697205
Complete Body Workout Class
Monday morning. 10.30
Clyst St. George Village Hall
Specialising in fun and fitness
Maintenance for older bodies For details, please contact
Lill Kynaston
01392 875726 / 07980 083224 [email protected]
MESSAGE FROM REV’D NIGEL MASON In the midst of this lockdown, whether we be isolated in our own home, a key worker, returning now to work or furloughed, the opportunity of observing the world suddenly seems new. ‘Nature is continuing to do its own thing,’ the presenter on BBC’s Countryfile programme proclaimed. And it’s true – even from my own window I can see blue tits taking food to the nest box by the conservatory; young robins and sparrows who have not yet learnt to be fearful of us being nearby; and the garden now in summer bloom, with bees buzzing. ‘I know a bank where wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding violet grows: Quite over-canopied with lush woodbine, with sweet musk roses and with eglantine.’ Oberon’s words to Puck of course in Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer’s Night Dream which can make us thankful for glimpses of God in wild flowers as well as in garden flowers. But we cannot be too romantic when at this time across the world there are suffering and real anxieties and we all wonder when this is going to end and some form of normality shall return. We have to remain realistic and be concerned. Yet there is a need, indeed a place, for hope. ‘Who would have thought my shrivelled heart could have recovered greennesse?’ the 17th century poet and priest George Herbert wrote in his poem The Flower. But it did and he went on to proclaim, ‘These are thy wonders, Lord of love, to make us see we are but flowers that glide…Thou hast a garden for us, where to abide.’ I have heard of folk seizing opportunity – of speaking with friends of maybe long ago, school day pals, on the telephone or through social media; of jigsaws being completed; of dusting and polishing; even of a book being written and completed! And all that reading! And, speaking personally, I have walked through the streets of Venice (a place I have visited, although that does seem of a different age), courtesy of YouTube! And sat in the National Theatre watching great productions – all from the safety and comfort of my own home! William Blake experienced the darker side of life as well as the sense of the divine dwelling in everyone and in one of his poems, The Garden of Love, wrote: ‘I went to the Garden of Love, and saw what I had never seen: A chapel was built in the midst where I used to play on the green. And the gates of the chapel were shut, and “Thou shalt not” writ over the door; so I turned to the Garden of Love that so many sweet flowers bore.’ I pray that all of you, and those whom you love and pray for too, are safe and well and trust in hope. God bless you. Rev’d Nigel [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHITE CROSS MISSION COMMUNITY
Following Government guidance around non-essential contact during the coronavirus crisis, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended; consequently, there will be no services at any of our churches until further notice. More details are available on the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches. New prayers and worship resources: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-liturgy-and-prayer-resources. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contributions, photos and letters to the editor for the July 2020 issue of the Clyst Valley News should be sent, preferably by email, to the editor, Peter Skelton, at [email protected] or to 3 Brockwells Court, Frog Lane, Clyst St Mary, EX5 1BX by Monday 15th June 2020 at the latest, please. Please note that contributions may be edited.
PLUMBING & HEATING
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All Aspects of Central Heating Mob: 07791100611
Email: [email protected]
All Jobs Considered
Specialist in hedge cutting, shrub
pruning and grass
Mobile: 07985 697205
Custom made Curtains and Blinds
By
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1000’s of fabrics to choose from
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Foam cut to size for boats/caravans etc
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01392 277921 www.rochellescurtains.co.uk
YOUR PHOTOS NEEDED FOR THE COVER OF THE CVN!
There must be a lot of budding photographers out there snapping away around our villages. After all, our neck of the woods is rather photogenic. Why not share your results with our readers? Most months we aim to put one nice pic on the magazine
cover and we need yours! So please do send in your efforts to the editor, Peter Skelton, who will choose one each month to take pride of place on the front cover. Go on! Don’t be shy! The best results are when you use relatively high definition settings but that’s not a must. Just email them across to [email protected] and we’ll do the rest. Simples! Thanks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHY NOT ADVERTISE IN THE CLYST VALLEY NEWS? If you are interested in advertising in the Clyst Valley News for 2021, you can be put on our waiting list, with no obligation. Please contact the Editor, Peter Skelton, at [email protected] or on 01392 879857. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EDITOR’S NOTE
Hello and welcome to this June edition of the Clyst Valley News – our third digital, full colour version since the coronavirus lockdown forced us to suspend distribution of the usual printed version. Please do get in touch with me with your thoughts on this means of disseminating the magazine; and whether you think it is a methodology we should continue with post-coronavirus. I would really welcome your feedback as we start to contemplate what the ‘new normal’ will look like.
I’m truly grateful to our long list of contributors for once again managing to come up with content for the magazine at a time when most village activities have been curtailed. I’d especially like to draw your attention to Clyde Bish’s second fascinating ‘From My Front Door’ local walk in the Clyst St Mary section. Lots of intriguing historical background to some familiar landmarks. Do give it a try! Much to my surprise I had a tremendous response to my request for pictures from around our villages and also of our socially distanced VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations. You can see collages of these in the magazine. Warmest thanks to all contributors. A big thank you too to Roger Norman for his splendid cover photo of Bishop’s Court, the former summer palace of the Bishop of Exeter. You can read more about the palace in Clyde Bish’s walking piece. Stalwart readers of the CVN will be aware that I have written on more than one occasion over the years about the pleasures of cycling, especially in a part of the world where we are lucky enough to have excellent provision for cyclists in the form of dedicated trails and wider pavements to be shared with pedestrians. So it’s felt like a significant deprivation not to have been able to get on the saddle over the past two or three months when lockdown was at its strictest. (Although I have in fact been pedalling most days – in our spare bedroom on a fairly elderly exercise bike but that’s not quite the same…) Since we’ve been allowed to venture a little further from our homes, I’ve given my trusty velocipede some much needed tlc and been out for a ride two or three times so far. Nothing too ambitious but it has been an absolute delight and genuinely felt like a turning point in the COVID 19 story. Admittedly, the weather has been superb for cycling and to feel the sun and breeze on my face again as I work my way up through the gears, moving steadily away from the village, has been close to ecstasy. Clearly I’ve not been alone - lots of other folk have taken to their two-wheelers too and, although I do sympathise with pedestrians who may feel the traffic on the trails has become a bit frantic at times, I’ve been impressed with the way both cyclists and those on foot have tried really hard to maintain social distancing in a polite and friendly way. I guess we’re all feeling the pinch at the moment and there’s a sort of unwritten understanding that we all need
to get out into the (much fresher these days) air and clear some of the cobwebs. Let’s count our blessings: we are really privileged to have such stunning countryside on our doorstep to enjoy; and facilities to make our daily excursions a positive pleasure. And let’s spare a thought for the many, many other folk, particularly those living in cramped, high-rise blocks in urban sprawls, who do not have the good fortune to have ready access to the lush greenery that we often take for granted. I hope you enjoy the magazine. If you’ve got any items that you think will be of interest for the July CVN, then please do ping them along to me at [email protected]. Stay safe and keep well. A big shout out to all the NHS and frontline workers in our communities to thank you all for the magnificent job you are doing to keep us safe and sane. We owe you one. Best wishes. Peter Skelton. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLYST ST MARY
Clyst St Mary Church Just to remind everyone that the church is still locked and closed on orders from the Diocese, but the churchyard is open for those of you visiting your loved ones. All the Churchwardens of the White Cross Mission are meeting via Zoom every week so the churches are keeping up with events and needs around our communities. If you need to chat or have any questions, please look on the church notice board and you will see ‘phone numbers
for Pat Cusa and Linda Beattie. Coffee Mornings
These have been suspended until further notice.
VE Day with the Teddies Here is the King with his teddy subjects waving the flags. Peppa Pig is driving the car and Action Man is the protection man. Take care and stay safe. Pat Cusa Walking Group Walks have been suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak until further notice.
Wombles Obviously and sadly, we have had to suspend our litter picking activities over the last few weeks - although the litter doesn’t get any less...which might lead to the question as to whether those going out more at this time are the mess-makers in our society?! However, I appreciate that many of you are walking for exercise and already two very kind volunteers have borrowed the equipment to ‘go it alone’. If you’d be happy to do this, please let me know and I’ll leave the gear outside my garage for you to collect. If full sacks are too much for your own bins, I will
arrange to get them collected from opposite the village shop. Roger Norman (01392 874597 or [email protected]) Village Hall
We are in urgent need of new members to help in the management of the Hall if we are not to lose this important village asset. If committee work is not for you, we also need helpers for maintenance and repairs. If you think that you would like to get involved, please get in touch. At our
website www.clyststmaryvillagehall.co.uk you can view a calendar of current Hall bookings and hire charges as well as downloading hire forms and conditions of hire. We have several Saturdays and Sundays available for hire in the post-coronavirus period. Anyone wishing to start a regular club should contact the caretaker for the special rates available to regular hirers. Clyst St Mary Primary School
Well, we are still graced by the beautiful sunshine that is helping us through these difficult times so we hope you are all managing to enjoy it.
At school learning opportunities for the children via our online systems and face to face for the children of key workers remain in place. Plans are being made for the safe, wider opening of the school on 1st June, or whenever is deemed safe, so local residents can look forward to once more seeing bigger numbers of parents in the playground at drop off and pick up times and the greater sense of normality that will bring, despite the social distancing that will apply. Ever since lockdown began we have been posting daily challenges on our website for children and families to participate in at https://www.clyststmary.devon.sch.uk/daily-challenge/. Do take a look and feel free to join us! We would love to see photos of your participation. Please email to [email protected]. In the week running up to VE Day each challenge built towards a VE Day Party and you can see pictures on our VE Day webpage, https://www.clyststmary.devon.sch.uk/ve-day/ including photos of the ‘growth’ of the Clyst St Mary VE Day tank produced by our 3D printer which was kindly donated by our PTFA. [See also the pictures later in this magazine. Ed] We wish our entire community well and hope that life will continue to improve for us all. In the meantime let’s carry on looking for silver linings and making positive memories to take into the future, whatever that may hold. Take care! Clyst Valley Pre-School
Although we are closed due to the current situation we do hope to re-open in June. The staff and committee are working hard to make sure that we can continue to offer a safe and
stimulating environment for our children and their families. We were rated Ofsted Outstanding at our latest inspection and welcome children from 2 years 8 months to school age. We offer high staff to children ratios, whilst accepting 30 Hours funding and tax-free childcare. Places are available in September across the whole week and we suggest that you take a look at our website www.clystvalleypreschool.org. You can contact us via the link, where we will answer any questions you may have.
Table Tennis Club The Table Tennis Club has suspended all play for the time being but hopes to be
back very soon! If anyone is interested in joining the club, please contact Pam Gardner either by telephone (07714 097220) or by email at [email protected].
FOR THE TENNIS, SHORT BOWLS AND BADMINTON CLUBS PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR NOTICES IN SUBSEQUENT ISSUES OF THE CVN AS TO WHEN ACTIVITIES WILL RESUME. From My Front Door – Again (Another Lovely Local Walk)
Although the recent slight relaxing of the lockdown rules allows driving to a place to exercise, there is still a lot of history - both natural and man-made - to discover whilst walking our local footpaths and still-quiet lanes. This walk goes out to explore Sowton village using the original path connecting it with Clyst St Mary, making a small detour on the return trip. It is about 5.5 km (3.25 miles) long but as it is
Ray Steer-Kemp
primarily a there-and-back walk you could turn round at any time. As before, within the directions I have included some brief notes. (If you would like further detail I would recommend Clyst St Mary by Jean Axford or the more recently published Not Forgotten. There is also the internet and the Westcountry Studies Library when it reopens.) The walk starts at the lower car park in Frog Lane. Opposite the car park and to the right is Clear Water Court. This name echoes the name of our river, Clyst, meaning clear-flowing stream in Saxon. 1. Turn left on leaving the car park, walk up the road. Frog Lane is quite aptly named for much of the left-hand side was marshland before the pumping station was installed to prevent flooding. The terrace of houses on the right is Tugela Terrace, named after a battle during the Boer War involving local-boy-made-good Redvers Buller. On the left just before the road turns, number 33 is named Toad Hall - a quite appropriate name. Where the road turns right it follows the route of the Roman road to Dorchester. This road would have forded the Clyst somewhere on a line from the Travelodge site to where you are standing. 2. Continue forward where the road bends right then follow the footpath left and cross the stile. The tree overhanging the stile with the triangular leaves is a rare Black Poplar. It is a male tree. (You may find it surprising to learn that trees (and other flowers) can be single sex, but it is not uncommon. Another example is holly - so if you have a holly bush which has never produced berries, it may be a male one.) 3. Cross the small wooden footbridge and continue to and cross the next stile. The stream to your right is the mill leat - but more about the mills on your way back. For the moment let us concentrate on the hedge behind the stream. Dr. Max Hooper of the Nature Conservancy suggests that if you count the number of different types of trees or shrubs in 100 metres of a natural hedge and multiply by 100 you will get a good estimate of the age of a boundary feature. Give it a try.
After you have crossed the stile face the bridge ahead, then turn half right. On the skyline you will see a single flat-topped tree and to its left a spire and chimneys. These belong to Bishop's Court, originally the summer palace (and escape from disease outbreaks!) of the Bishop of Exeter. Built (or perhaps altered) by Bishop Branscombe in 1268, it was in use as such for 300 years. The Bishopstock Festival featured as the final location in the TV marathon blues transmission of 1998 to end ‘A Perfect Day’. 4. Continue forward on the raised path, crossing the bridge over the River Clyst. Walk on to a second smaller bridge. This is the original bridge over the River Clyst. If you look to the left you can see a ditch which marks the river's natural channel. Part of the Clyst to the north of the Old Causeway was straightened to help with flood prevention early in the 20th century. 6. Cross this bridge and follow the path on through a small gate built into the main gate. At the next gate the path bends to the left of the wire fence to a stile. Cross the stile and continue along a wide track. You will notice how fine the soil is here. The River Clyst has not always followed its present path, meandering back and forth across the valley bottom, depositing fertile silt, labelled alluvium on geology maps, along its path. Hence the lush meadows along our walk. Lucky cattle! 7. This track turns left through another small gate by the side of a larger gate. Continue on but stop by a field entrance on the left. The water course you have been following on your right is the tail-race of a mill leat. But where is the mill? If you look to your right you can see a small bridge with a tall building adjacent to the leat. This would be an ideal place for a mill. The building looks like the original mill building in Clyst St Mary, now demolished, so perhaps it was. 8. At the end of the track pass through yet another small gate by a larger one. The track leads through a farmyard, past the maybe-mill and on to a lane. Continue along the road to the junction ahead. You have now reached the village of Sowton, a name of Saxon derivation meaning South Settlement. (So nothing to do with pigs.) But in the Domesday Book it is recorded as Clist Fomison (perhaps because it was held by Richard Fomicun of Gloucester - and the scribe couldn't spell!) On the way up the village street you will pass a number of Listed Buildings - Sowton abounds in them - but we will make our first stop by the church. On your right the building next to the row of - you've guessed it - listed cottages is the Village Hall, but was originally the school. Although education was compulsory from 1880 it was not free. For example, local labourers' children were charged 1d per week (but if you weren't from the parish the fee was doubled!) Even as late as 1923 there was only one teacher, with the infants being taught by a senior pupil. Turning round we face the church, dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. The church was rebuilt during the ecclesiastical revival of the mid-19th century. The son of John Garret of Bishop's Court decided the design - High Church ecclesiological, influenced by the Tractarians. This result was a rare design which is now a Grade I Listed Building. You will have noticed a Commonwealth War Grave plaque from WWII. If you enter by the lychgate - a memorial to Sarah Garratt - and walk round the left side of the church and up through the churchyard you will come on the left to a granite memorial to Sgt Maurice Frederick Causley of the Devonshire Regiment, who was killed on 1st March 1941 in a motorcycle accident on the Honiton Road, age 22. He is named on the Pinhoe War Memorial. As you approach the road junction (having passed a listed telephone box!) look up to the left. The large building within the trees is the Old Rectory. At the junction you will come face to face with an impressive memorial. This is the Sowton War Memorial, unusual because it lists the names of all who served in the Great War, not just those who died. It is probably for this reason that the monument is located here. It seems that the memorial tablet was intended for the church but the Bishop of Exeter decreed that only the
names of the fallen could appear on Anglican church memorials so this wayside cross was built to house the tablet. The drive to the right leads to Bishop's Court. The Court Lodge is Grade II listed - and so are the Gatepiers! The house behind you with the chequer-board brick is December Lodge. Surely not another lodge for Bishop's Court? The drive to the right of the building by the road sign leads to the Old Rectory you have seen through the trees so perhaps it was the lodge for the Rectory. It is not listed so it may be a more recent lodge - built in December perhaps? If you fancy a wasted journey walk 50 metres up the lane to the right of the Memorial to the pink house and look at the plaque on the gatepost. (I did warn you!) 8. Now it's time to turn back, retracing your route past the church and through the farmyard. At the end remember to take the left track. The right track was originally another footpath which led to Moor Lane. It was a registered footpath when the motorway was built so a culvert which carries a stream under the carriageways had a raised walkway built into one side to maintain the route. (The path is no longer open.) 9. Go back through the two small gates, turning right after the second one, then back over the stile and along the footpath. It is worth remembering that in days gone by you had to be buried in your parish church. So if you lived on the side of Clyst St Mary village street opposite the school your parish church was St Michael's at Sowton. Picture a funeral procession travelling along this path, the coffin being carried by six bearers... 10. After crossing the small then larger bridge over the river turn left to visit the weir. On the way listen out for (or possibly spot) reed warblers. You may see the abandoned remains of a swan's nest just before the weir. The swans had begun nesting a month ago but the river level rose and flooded the nest. The mill leat starts to the right of the weir. It was important that the water level was regulated so a spillway was incorporated to drain excess water if the level became too high. The wood behind the mill leat is rumoured to house a Holy Well. 11. Follow the mill leat, cross over the stile and continue on the path back to the wooden bridge. The right-most of the new dwellings ahead of you is built on the foundations of the old mill. There is no record in the Domesday Book of a mill here but there are references by the 12th century with it variously named as Clyst or Clist or the Lord's Mill. In the 13th century costs for repairs are recorded in the Estate accounts. It was originally a corn mill which later became a saw mill. The new dwelling is aptly named Mill House, with a rather larger replacement to the original cottage, retaining the name Mill Cottage. 12. Climb back over the stile and head back down Frog Lane to your car park starting point. [Grateful thanks again to Clyde Bish who researched and compiled this delightful walk. Ed] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLYST ST GEORGE AND EBFORD
Church Services
All services have been suspended. Please see the notice in the White Cross Mission Community section.
CSG Parish Council Chairman’s Report June 2020
Ebford now has a defibrillator, thanks to the efforts of Ebford Residents Group, and in particular Cllr Dominic Hazell, Anna
Smith and the owners of Orchard End, Jill and Paul on whose garage it is mounted. Also Ian White and Richard Barwick (RBL) who organised the electrician. The defibrillator is fully operational; its use is self-explanatory and won’t shock a patient if not needed. It is located in
Lower Lane opposite Ebford Cottage, on the garage wall, and is very obvious, being round and green. The Parish Council continues to meet by Zoom so that we can keep paying the bills and keep up to date. Our County and District Councillors usually join us, so any questions about services, do contact one of your Councillors. VE Day 75 was celebrated in Clyst St George and Ebford but with distancing. Drive/front garden parties; with bunting, tea, scones and even some alcoholic drinks to round off the day. There was sharing of memories and, thanks to the good weather, we all had an enjoyable day. John Manser [email protected] 01392 874861 Norman’s Weather Report
April showers were very slow to arrive this year and the first half of the month continued the near drought of the second half of March. The first significant and useful rain, 9 mm, fell on Friday 17th and was followed by two cool, cloudy days which minimised any evaporation. However, before that any garden planting or sowing had been carried out with a watering can close at hand! However, what might have been a very dry April was mitigated by three wet days
at the very end of the month, yielding 22 mm, almost an inch of rain. So April’s total here at Ebford was 33 mm (1.3 inches), rather less than our 20-year average 0f 49 mm or about two inches. No predictions would be at all sensible for the month of May! Norman Cann
Clyst St George Parish Hall All our users will be aware that we have taken the decision to close the Hall until further notice. It is a regrettable decision but our main priority is to keep our Hall users safe. For the villages of Clyst St George and Ebford there are groups set up to care for the vulnerable members who will now be in isolation. The Ebford Residents Group is happy to receive any
requests for help and they can be contacted by email to [email protected] and for Clyst St George residents Claire Marks is organising assistance and she has an advertisement on the Clyst St George and Ebford Facebook page. Furthermore the Estuary League of Friends is arranging assistance for local residents and Darts Farm is taking orders for food delivery. We are extremely lucky that we live in an area where there is so much support for and within the local community. Pamela Diffey, Chairperson Greetings Cards
We are always grateful to receive cards (except Christmas ones) for remaking and they can be left in the church which is normally open between 9 am and 5 pm each day. Visitors will also find boxes of made up cards for sale covering birthdays, get well, sympathy, new home, thank you, anniversary, etc as well as
cards with no message or wording suitable for any occasion. Do call in and enjoy a few quiet moments browsing and perhaps buy a card. Linda Wilkerson (01392 873699) SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Nature Garden Clyst St George has a delightful nature garden by the side of the parish church. The aim of the garden is to grow local Devon indigenous plants and trees and to encourage a Devon meadow with local wild flowers. Should you wish to help develop this ‘green’ facility, you can come along on the first Saturday of every month from 9.30 to 11 am. (PLEASE CHECK IN ADVANCE.)
Little Dragons Pre-School We are pleased with the outcome of our Ofsted inspection in April 2018, where we were judged to be ‘good’. We still have a few spaces for children so do come and visit and meet our highly experienced staff team. We are based in Lady Seaward’s School and open four days a week,
from Monday to Thursday 8.45 am ̶ 3.15 pm during school term times. For more information please telephone Elly on 07939 995486 (in school hours), email [email protected] or visit our website www.littledragonsclyststgeorge.com. NB ALL SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WOODBURY SALTERTON
The New Vicar Zooms In! Morning Prayer has been held weekly for churches in the Mission Community via the Zoom platform. Rev’d Nigel Mason has been leading the Wednesday sessions and on 11th May Jill Dupain (Administrator) invited our new Vicar Rev’d Bill Lemmey and his wife Daphne to join in. Rev’d Bill led the worship. This was the first opportunity many had had to see and hear our new Vicar.
Monthly Coffee Mornings These have been suspended until further notice.
What About a Quiz? Before the lockdown started I had begun to sell a summer quiz in an effort to raise some more funds for our church. I named it The Scarecrow Event Quiz because I was connecting it to our annual Scarecrow Challenge in June. Sadly this is unlikely to take place which means a loss of fun to the village and a financial loss to the church of around £500. If you would like to have a go as a diversion in these difficult times, I can send the quiz by email or by post. Copies cost £2 and there is a £10 prize for the best entry. Entries to be in by the end of June. You can telephone for a copy on 01395 232009 or request one by email at [email protected]. Payment for same could be made by cheque made out to Woodbury Salterton PCC or by bank transfer to the church’s account 30- 93- 14, account no 02863238, Lloyds, Exeter. Woodbury Salterton PCC account. Thank you to those who have already supported it. I even had an extra £10 donation from Mrs Margaret Taylor in Exeter because she said she had so enjoyed having something different to which to put her mind. I have been spending the lockdown in planning out my usual autumn quiz for the church. Entitled Britain in Bloom, it will come out in October. Thanks. Katharine Wheeler Scarecrow Challenge
This popular annual event was planned to take place on Sunday 14th June from 2 pm in the Glebe Field The theme this year is People in History – from Caveman to Spaceman! However, because of the coronavirus lockdown, it is unlikely to be taking place, sadly. Please check on the latest position.
The WI to the Rescue!
An appeal went out from the RD&E Hospital to the Devon Federation of WIs for headbands for their staff. The masks that have to be worn were causing
irritation and soreness over the ears so a pattern was sent for a headband which tied on and had buttons each side over which the mask tapes could be hooked. There was a speedy response from WI members and soon the hospital had received 1500. Then a further appeal went out for another 500 for use in community hospitals. Forty-one headbands were sent from Woodbury Salterton WI. These were made by Gill Bricknell, Brenda Randle, Katharine Wheeler, Ann Short, Carole Shortland, Valerie Davieson, Debbie Jung and Jenny Kemp. Woodbury Salterton C of E Primary School
A Message from the School Team. We would like to say thank you to our children and their families for all of your support during the challenging last few weeks. We all hope you had a lovely half term and we are looking forward to seeing you all again soon. Please see our website for a short video reminding you all to live life in all its fullness in these strange and difficult times and to enjoy doing the things that are special to you: https://www.woodbury-
salterton.devon.sch.uk/category/latest-news/ Phased Re-opening. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement governors have met with our Executive Head Teacher Mrs Gray to discuss the measures that she and Mrs Milford our Head of Learning will have to put in place to ensure the safe and phased return of more of our children. This has involved a significant amount of work to ensure thorough new risk assessments and staff training are in place to follow the policies and procedures required by both the Government and Local Authority. At the time of writing this piece it is hoped that this work will inform our decision about when and how to re-open safely in a phased and well considered way. School continues to be open to a small group of children of frontline workers with our curriculum delivered via directed home learning posted on our website and in home learning packs for those children unable to access the internet. We thought we would share a glimpse of school life with you this month. Themes for learning have included ‘The Body and Castles’; on our website there are some excellent examples sent in by the children of work completed at home. Several children built models of some amazing turreted structures and learned about why and how castles were built and where there are castles in our country and around the world. ‘The Body’ topic stimulated learning such as finding out about the digestive system, listening to stories such as Funny Bones and drawing pictures of the body. We are very proud of your efforts and determination in your approach to working at home. Mental Health Awareness Week 2020. This year’s theme was kindness during the week running from 18th to 24th May. This theme is particularly apt as we have seen all over the world that kindness is prevailing in uncertain times. We have learnt that amid the fear, there is also community, support and hope. The added benefit of helping others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing. It can help reduce stress and improve emotional wellbeing. Kindness could transform our schools, places of work, communities and families. Let’s shape a society that tips the balance in favour of good mental health, for all of us, but especially for those who are most vulnerable.
Collective Worship. Each week our school celebrates collective worship and we share this through our website to help our children have a sense of connection even though they may be at home. We thought you might like us to share two of these acts of worship with you. Firstly we want to tell you about a Christian prayer initiative called ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ that runs every year between Ascension and Pentecost. The children were told a story about a Princess named Aurelie and looked at some pictures of tiles that are part of the Pater Noster Church in Jerusalem. The tiles all say the same thing but in different languages.
Over 150 years ago, a French princess called Princess Aurelie (who had been born in Italy) moved to the Holy Land. Whilst she was there, she started her own collection of special words, which were all written in different languages. She had a good start with her collection as she could speak fluent French and Italian. The princess loved these words so much that she had her favourite words painted on to beautiful ceramic tiles with flowers around the edge. In total, she had 39 copies of her favourite words written in 39 different languages on huge tiles, which are now part of the Pater Noster Church in Jerusalem. Her favourite words were the words that Jesus taught his
disciples when they asked him how to pray which we can find in Luke Chapter 11 verses 1 – 4; we know this as the Lord’s Prayer. Princess Aurelie’s favourite words were the words of the Lord’s Prayer. Tourists from all over the world visit the tiles today; at the spot where Jesus taught the prayer to his disciples. In addition, today there are even more languages. The princess believed these were the words of God’s Son, Jesus. She repeated them many times every day. She wanted everyone to know the words and she wanted everyone to know about Jesus. There are nearly 7000 languages in the world and during the ten days between Ascension Day and Pentecost Christians across the globe join in prayer. 21st May is Ascension Day, which is when Christians remember the day that Jesus said goodbye to his disciples and ascended into heaven. It is the start of the Thy Kingdom Come initiative when Christians pray for others each day for ten days. The children were encouraged to complete some of the activities on the Thy Kingdom Come website as part of their home learning and send them into school with the intention of making a special Thy Kingdom Come book to share with each other when they are back at school. As we reached the end of this half term, in our act of collective worship we gathered as a virtual school and said this prayer we want to share with you: ‘Father, we thank you for each child in our school. We thank you for the joy they bring and the gifts and abilities that you have given to each one. Please will you bless them and watch over them. Grant them strength, patience and kindness at his time. Will you grant them understanding and endurance as they face any challenges that they have? Please protect them from anxiety and worry. We ask your blessing on each family that they are part of, praying that you will draw them close to you and each other. We thank you for loving each one of us. Amen’ Whist Drive
This has been suspended until further notice.
Village Hall Activities
The committee of Woodbury Salterton Village Hall would like to thank the Parish Council for the grant they supplied for the replacement of the front door of Woodbury Salterton Village Hall. The Hall is a great asset to the village and is a great space for community and private events. We have a few regular groups open to all; please pop in and say hi: community coffee
morning, first Monday of the month , 9 to 11.30 am; Woodbury Salterton parent and toddler group, Monday mornings, 9 to 11 am; Woodbury Salterton WI, second Wednesday of the month, 7.30 pm; whist, third Tuesday of the month, 7.30 pm. (PLEASE CHECK IN ADVANCE WHEN THESE ACTIVITIES WILL RESUME.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Peter Bridging the Gap I saw the photo of the abandoned bridge that was published on the front of the May issue of the newsletter. It was described as a cattle bridge; however, cattle have always refused to cross that bridge. According to my father, the bridge was used by Bishop’s Court estate when they owned all the surrounding farmland. Before my grandfather bought our farm he was a tenant of the estate. The estate owned the shooting/hunting/fishing rights to the land. They used the bridge to access the woodland on our farm for shooting/hunting. My father can remember the hunt crossing the bridge with their hounds and horses, and when the first panel collapsed he can remember riders unsuccessfully trying to make their horses cross the gap in the bridge. It was the Garratt family that owned Bishop’s Court, and during that period they were the Masters of the East Devon Hunt. Hope this is of interest. Kind regards. Andrew Mortimer, The Barton Sowton
--/-- Dear Peter Clyst St Mary Flood Scheme After many doubts, this looks really promising. Now the CVN is online, you might like to include this picture. Kind regards. Chris Scanes, Clyst St Mary
--/-- Dear Peter Walking Safely
As more of us are walking on roads without pavements at present, guidance from the Ramblers website (https://www.ramblers.org.uk/)might be useful and hopefully make things safer for both
pedestrians and drivers: ‘Different rules for walkers apply when there is no pavement depending on the size of your group. Small groups should keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic. Keep close to the side of the road and be prepared to walk in single file. If you come
across a sharp right-hand bend it may be safer to cross to the left-hand side of the road and cross back after the bend.’ It goes on to point out that large groups (troops, etc) should walk on the left with people in yellow jackets back and front - probably not appropriate for most of us! Thank you and safe walking! Kind regards. Roger Norman, Clyst St Mary
--/-- Dear Peter Ethan’s Marathon Effort My son Ethan has just completed today 104 laps at Clyst St George Cricket Club. He has raised over £1600 for NHS charities. He started this on 5th May on his tenth birthday, originally wanting to raise £500 and do 100 laps as per Captain Tom Moore. Then it was suggested he do 104 as equivalent to a marathon so he changed it. Plus also raising what his initial target was. He has completed this challenge wearing his Royal Marine Cadets combats including the heavy boots. This is the link to his progress on JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jenny-dean3?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=jenny-dean3&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=07ea5f3397b94bf4a496b6c4b0b913a4. All donations very welcome. Thank you for reading. I thought it would be nice for the area to know that there have been some positives coming from the younger generation. Kind regards. Jenny Dean, Clyst St George [Well done, Ethan! Ed]
--/-- Dear Peter Withybed Memories
During a recent COVID-induced clear out I discovered these photos. They were taken of the weir on the Clyst in the mid-80s. With so many people now using the footpaths by the Clyst I thought people might be interested in some of the recent history of what I knew as Withybed. In the 1940s and probably before, it was a popular picnic place for local families. At that time there was also a path on the Sowton side of the river
with a grassy area by the weir and no brambles! I am told that my first visits were on the back of my father's bike. I don't remember that, but one of my earliest memories was of sliding down the upstream side of the weir and getting into deep water! As a teenager I spent many happy hours there with my friends, and at that time there was a pool just round the bend in the river above the weir. The river was much less silted up and we even had a diving board! I can remember diving off the riverbank and trying to reach the riverbed. Kind regards. Liz Whittaker, Clyst St Mary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AND FINALLY…
Exmouth and District U3A Monthly Meetings Meetings have been suspended because of the coronavirus crisis but will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. Look out for our announcement and stay safe!
Cryptic Quiz on Devon Towns and Villages by Barbara Scales See how many you can work out… 1. Queen of Scots goes before a Devon river…………………………………………….. 2. Welsh instrument at shallow river crossing…………………………………………. 3. This bird of prey has its own place of worship………………………………………. 4. Scooter rider vs rocker gets interred but in the present tense……………………………………………………………………… 5. Female pig weighs heavy……………………………………………………………………. 6. It led the wise men and they were a bit annoyed…………………………………… 7. Green vegetable goes before ancient form of punishment…………………… 8. Sounds like what the bee produces before 20 hundredweight……………… 9. Monarchs crown?…………………………………………………………………………….. 10. You may do this if you hurt your leg against 14 pounds…………………………. 11. The start of the place where cup finals are held finishing with what a dog may do with a bone………………………………………. 12. County drinks fortified wine………………………………………………………………. 13. The highest place for the faker?………………………………………………………….. 14. Former orifice for dentist………………………………………………………………….. 15. Tool clergyman used before missing the i…………………………………………….. 16. Place with lots of pubs?…………………………………………………………………….. 17. Well known for making headgear……………………………………………………….. 18. Do chocoholics live here?…………………………………………………………………… 19. Tree followed by men’s clothing shop………………………………………………….. 20. Stream follows the first part of the fruit……………………………………………… 21. Precious metal weighs a lot!……………………………….………………………………. 22. Attached to a place for sitting……………………………………………………………… 23. Fruit comes before what sounds like a barrier…………………………………….. 24. A wee dram before the monster?………………………………………………………… 25. Sounds like a shortened version of a young person going before the estuary minus the river………………………………………………………………………. [Thanks again to Barabara for compiling this. Answers on the next but one page. Ed]
The Exeter Forum Meetings of the Forum have been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak until further notice.
Keep Busy Topsham: Responding to the Crisis by Pulling Together Two community organisations are working together during the coronavirus crisis to provide essential information and inspiration for people in and close to Topsham. They are Estuary League of Friends - a hugely respected charity based in the town - and Love Topsham, a group
of volunteers running a community interest company focused on encouraging local business and initiatives. Estuary League of Friends, which delivers social care services primarily for the elderly, has its base at Nancy Potter House in Topsham. In addition to serving that town it covers Countess Wear, Ebford, Exton, Clyst St George, Cat & Fiddle Park and Clyst St Mary, Ringswell Park, Digby and Sowton and The Rydons. Complementing all of that there is the activity of Love Topsham, working on communications and in particular its website www.lovetopsham.co.uk which is serving as a one-stop-shop for help, guidance and positivity. Check out the town calendar on the site for activities for the whole community too - and they are still going on, even in lockdown, via Zoom, Facebook Live or other platforms. More detailed news in next month’s magazine. P0etry Corner Overlord By John Smith (of Clyst St Mary) He struts the tended ground But Overlords can only rule the land As if he owns this place With consent of our acknowledgement (Which I suppose he does) And you who are seignior of my plot And I seem just mere steward Have my small welcome on fork or spade Of this his ancient field. Where you sweet robin deign to perch. ©John Smith
Dressed in bright red waistcoat Marking as Overlord His colour of the warrior brave Shouting to all creatures near I am master, so just beware. No fair-weather friend this, No absentee landlord missed, Even in frosty days so quiet He still checks his land And deigns to feed upon this ground. Small wonder his sense of ownership So strong. His ancestors lived here long Before we Johnny-Come-Latelys Did arrive. They knew this land And passed the knowledge down.
Lockdown Laughs My overweight parrot died today. I was upset but it’s a huge weight off my shoulder.
I saw absolutely disgusting behaviour on the beach today...I saw a man and a woman having an argument in front of loads of kids...Suddenly the woman smacked the guy in the head and it all kicked off...There was a massive brawl and someone called the police. This poor constable turned up on his own and took his batton to the man but the guy managed to snatch it off him and began assaulting the constable and his wife. Then out of nowhere a crocodile crept up and stole all the sausages...
Patient: Doctor, doctor, I think I’m a bridge. Doctor. Oh dear! What’s come over you? Patient: Four lorries and a number 6 bus!
The government has advised local councils to save money on lollipop men and women by moving all schools over to the other side of the road. My plumber seems to haave connected my combi boiler to my toilet. I’ve been having hot flushes ever since. Last night I got so drunk that when I got to the bottom of the stairs, I took off my shoes, coat, top, trousers and underwear. Then I crept upstairs very quietly, so as not to wake the kids or my other half. It was only when I got
to the very top I realised I was still on the bus home. Answers to the Cryptic Quiz on Devon Towns and Villages
1. Mary Tavy 2. Harpford 3. Hawkchurch 4. Modbury 5.Sowton 6. Starcross 7.Chardstock 8. Honiton 9. Kingswear 10. Lympstone 11. Wembury 12. Devonport 13. Topsham 14. Exmouth 15. Axminster 16. Beer 17. Luton 18. Cadbury 19. Ashburton 20. Cranbrook 21. Silverton 22. Seaton 23. Appledore 24. Totnes 25. Teignmouthl
Thanks to Lesley Hockin, Andy Price, Mike Fernbank, Love Topsham, Paul
Dunn, Trupti Desai, Rob Snow, Pat Cusa, Mary Gibbs and Kathaarine Wheeler
The Countryside Code
Respect Protect Enjoy
Respect other people • Consider the local
community and other people enjoying the outdoors
• Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available
Protect the natural environment • Leave no trace of your visit
and take your litter home • Keep dogs under
effective control
Enjoy the outdoors • Plan ahead and be
prepared • Follow advice and local
signs
Produced jointly with Natural Resources Wales
www.gov.uk/natural-england
Wills | Powers of Attorney
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Clyst St George Parish Hall
Versatile space and lighting with well appointed kitchen.
Disabled access and toilets. Hearing loop.
WiFi PA system with overhead projector.
A medium size hall and a small meeting room are available separately or together.
Ideal for up to 100 personevents. Parking for 20vehicles.
For further information contact the Booking Officer
07834 234546 [email protected] www.devonvillagehalls.co.uk/clyststgeorge
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To discuss a home visit contact: Charlie Siegle on 01392 455555
The Forum, Barnfield Road, Exeter
www.kitsons-solicitors.co.uk
01392 925 926 [email protected]
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SDM Plumbing & Bathrooms Ltd Bathroom design &
installation Wall & floortiling Showers fitted, service to taps & toilets, outside taps fitted. Radiators moved or
replaced.
Trading Standards Approved CRBchecked Contact Steven Medlock BEng (Hons)
07779020426 / 01395 268958
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Thanks to Joe Dunn, Anna Smith, Ray Steer-Kemp, Roger Norman, Pat Cusa,
Paul Dunn, Steve Tasker, Stuart Bird, Christine Chittock and Rob Snow