Country News Feb 2021

country news february 2021 Parish Magazine of Shillingford St George and Dunchideock LOVE IS IN THE AIR? And there was me thinking it was mostly Nitrogen, Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide! At time of writing, we’re back in Lockdown. If you need any help, have a look inside to see what you can find!

From the Rectory “What would you like for Christmas?” I hesitated. There’s not much I want or need. Chocolate’s always a safe option. Or for me, something savoury. “How about a nice book?” I mulled it over and into my mind popped “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel. For years I’d felt that her three novels about Thomas Cromwell and the Tudor Court of Henry VIII were a huge gap in my reading. They’re so very long. Lockdown is the perfect time to set off on this particular marathon. I’d heard the author on the radio talking about how year on year the people of that age lived with disease. The things we've been learning: social distancing, face coverings, quarantine, have been part of the everyday life of many generations before us. It all features in the book. Cromwell loses wife and children to the “sweating sickness”. His household goes into a Tudor version of shielding. The disease is worst in the summer. It takes its toll year after year. Nearly a hundred years later, English literature received two further disease-inspired gems. “No man is an island” and “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for you” (John Donne) both came from the author’s close encounter with death as he lay ill in plague- infested London. So today, approaching a whole year of living with Covid19, we share in the experience of many millions before us. In this latest wave of the virus many churches are closed. Magazines are going digital. The dark nights and the fatigue may be getting to you. They are to me. It’s at time like this that we really learn the lessons of faith. It’s a word which is spelt T-R-U-S-T. Because it’s a way of life and an act of love. As I read through the prophet Amos in my daily Quiet Time, I’m struck by how flimsy is the faith and trust of the people he addresses. Life was so easy for them, in a time of economic prosperity, that they lost contact with the living God. Now, for us, with life much harder, is the time to cultivate good practices of prayer, prioritising and kindness. And as for my Christmas present? With a following wind, I’ll have finished it before this magazine gets to you. Then there’ll be volumes 2 & 3 to read!! Mike Partridge 2

Shillingford St George Church Calendar for February 2021 Date Name Service Time 7 February The Second Sunday before Lent Private Prayer 9.30 Readings Isaiah 40.21-31 Mark 1:29-39 Prayers Our Mission Community with Time Name Alphington & Ide 9.30 Date The Sunday next before Lent Service 14 February 2 Kings 2.1-12 Private Prayer Time Readings Mark 9:2-9 9.30 Prayers Name The Willows & Ilex Close Date The First Sunday of Lent Service Time 21 February Genesis 9.8-17 Private Prayer 9.30 Readings Mark 1:9-15 Prayers Name Manstree Lane & Manstree Terrace Time Date Lent 2 Service 9.30 28 February Genesis 17.1-7,15-16 Private Prayer Readings Mark 8:31-38 Prayers Name Glebe Lane & Place Farm Area Date Lent 3 Service 7 March Exodus 20.1-17 Private Prayer Readings John 2:13-22 Prayers Road through Shillingford St George The PCC and people of Shillingford St George have agreed that the church should close for public worship, to help protect us all from the virus. The Bishop of Exeter has given his permission. St George the Martyr Shillingford will be open for private Prayer on Sundays from 9.30 to 10.30am. You can also join the 11am Mission Community Sunday worship by going to YouTube and searching for St Michael’s Alphington, or by requesting a Zoom link from me. Rev Mike Partridge From the Churchwarden As well as the times outlined above, the church will be opened on request should anyone wish to come in to church for quiet devotion. Please contact the Rector or churchwarden (details on the back page) should you wish to do so. Advent and Christmas service attendances were well below previous years – unsurprisingly! But we did raise £135 to send to the Children’s Hospice SW. Notwithstanding the church was effectively “closed” for 22 Sundays in 2020, I would like to thank all those who continued to clean the church and provide flowers throughout the year. My thanks also to all who keep a “watchful eye” on the church; happily, incidents are few and that is down to all of us caring for this precious old building and churchyard. NM 3

A message from Shillingford Local History Society. By the time this edition of “Country News” arrives, it will have been almost a year since members have been able to meet in the village hall to enjoy a talk and to chat over a buffet supper – our usual practice at our February meeting. Whether we will be able to hold our usual May meeting remains to be seen…but in the meantime, I’ve been attempting to fill the gap with local history articles written each month, especially for this newsletter. Jan Wood, Chairman Below you will find an account of the celebrations which erupted in Devon after the initial defeat of Napoleon in 1814. In our current situation, I must admit that I very much envy their freedom to gather together and enjoy themselves! The 1814 Peace Celebrations In the spring of 1814, after almost 20 years of war with France, Britain and its coalition forces defeated Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. On 5 April despatches arrived in London announcing the fall of Paris to the allies. The news spread rapidly, carried across the country, including westward to Devon, by stage and mail-coach. Church bells pealed and in towns the residents poured onto the streets to celebrate. Even before peace was officially declared, the windows of shops and buildings were being decorated and illuminated. The abdication of Napoleon and his exile to the island of Elba in April 1814, was followed by an armistice signed on 23 April, and the return of the exiled Bourbon King Louis the Eighteenth from England to France shortly after. The news of the official cessation of hostilities on sea and land reached the city of Exeter by mail on Thursday April 28th, and next morning the Mayor of Exeter published a notice announcing a week of public celebrations. Invitations were sent to 300 of the principal inhabitants of the city to celebrate the return of peace at the ‘Mayoralty-house’ – presumably Exeter’s Guildhall. The Exeter Flying Post newspaper reported that dinner and drinks were served, songs were sung and many toasts were made, including to the Royal family, “the brave and gallant British hero, Marquis Wellington”, the allied rulers and their armies, the “heroes who have nobly sacrificed their lives….”, as well as some hoping that “May Commerce again flourish in this ancient and loyal city [of Exeter]” and that “May 4

the Americans be taught their duty by the mouths of British Cannon &c.” – it had not been forgotten that America was also at war with Britain, as the War of 1812 was continuing, and those peace negotiations did not begin until August 1814. Next day, the windows and streets of the city, decorated with coloured and plain lamps, transparent paintings, flowers, laurel wreaths and bushes, were crowded with spectators, and because the weather was so good, invalids who had been confined to home since the beginning of winter, apparently emerged ‘like butterflies’ (!) Several tradesmen’s firms gave dinners for their workmen and paraded through the streets with music and the insignia of their trades. Long rows of lamps illuminated the city’s houses at night, fireworks were lit, and large coloured balloons were let free. A good display of rockets was let off from the church-yard, reportedly without a single accident. In Gandy Street, cabinet-maker Mr Tucker had built a platform stretching above the street on which there was a very large cage containing an effigy of Napoleon, life- sized and in his uniform, with a chain around his neck, held by an effigy of the Devil sitting outside the cage. But Exeter’s role as an important agricultural centre hadn’t been forgotten either, and outside Mr England’s butcher’s shop near the New London Inn, the newspaper reported that there was a beautiful painted transparency of a ‘true North Devon bullock, fat, with the words over it England’s Glory’. More dinners and balls were planned for the rest of the week, together with fireworks at Haven Banks across the river in St. Thomas, and collections had apparently been made so that the poor and sick of the city parishes could be treated to ‘good beef and pudding’ on the following Saturday. Peace talks began on 9 May, and The Treaty of Paris signed on 30 May 1814 ended the war between France, Britain and its allies. With the war over and the Hanoverian Kings marking 100 years of sovereignty, there was a lot to celebrate, and in the summer of 1814 celebrations continued all over the country. Newspapers published accounts of the elaborate royal ceremonies and celebrations in London, and in Exeter, when His Majesty’s Proclamation of Peace was received by the Mayor later in June, peace was proclaimed at the usual places in the city. This was accompanied by a large procession including soldiers, 5

military bands, Trade Incorporations, Charity School boys, the Mayor and members of the Exeter Chamber (the predecessor of Exeter City Council). Another procession of floats displaying the various aspects of the woollen manufacturing trade, including one which held a fully rigged ship with bales of cloth on board, wound through the city streets on the following Monday morning, and another organised by the city’s blacksmiths and including a float with smiths actually making tools on anvils, took place on the same day. Market towns and rural parishes throughout Devon organised their own festivities in June and July. At Chudleigh in late June, the streets were decorated with laurel, oak and flags, and a procession of the tradesmen and classes of labourers, bearing the emblems of their trade, accompanied by young women and schoolchildren from the two local charity schools wearing wreaths of flowers, and a music band, made its way to the sports field. There, a dinner of roast beef, plum pudding and cider was laid out. About 1200 local people were entertained, and sports competitions, dancing, a bonfire and fireworks followed. Later that week, there was a ball and supper at The Kings Arms Inn for ‘the genteel of the neighbourhood’, a separate ball and supper for the servants, and a dinner at The Clifford Arms for the gentlemen and respectable inhabitants of the town. In Woodbury, celebrations began with the ringing of bells, hoisting of colours, and the fixing up of laurel, roses and other flowers. At 11 o’clock a large number of the inhabitants met on the Green, where the Prince Regent’s Proclamation of Peace was read by Metcalfe Graham Steele esquire, mounted on his charger. The most important parishioners then processed to the church accompanied by a band and members of the late corps of Woodbury Volunteers for a service and sermon – following this the procession made its way through the village, joined this time by little girls dressed in white who danced at intervals, and two decorated waggons bearing the usual fare - roast ox, bread, plum puddings, and hogsheads of cider. The local landowners, including Lord Rolle of Bicton and Mr Lee of Ebford Barton, had paid for the celebrations. The food was distributed amongst the poor of the parish and the late Volunteers, who sat in circles in a large field next to The Globe Inn. After the hogsheads of cider had been broached, the villagers loosened up and dancing began. The gentlemen of the parish later held their own dinner at The Globe Inn, and dancing continued there until nearly midnight. 6

Similar festivities held in Buckfastleigh and Barnstaple in June were reported in the Exeter Flying Post newspaper. Even in late July, celebrations were continuing, and those held in Rattery, Hennock, Colyton, Witheridge, Morchard Bishop, South Molton and Black Torrington were all reported in the newspaper. Even the events in the small village of Bridestowe in west Devon were reported at some length. We can only presume that there were local celebrations held in Shillingford and Dunchideock as well, but unfortunately a record of these don’t appear to have survived. However, a report of the celebrations held in nearby Whitestone does exist – remembered by Thomas Zeal, the young lad who grew up near Clapham, and whose early years have been described in a story published in the September edition of “Country News”. By 1814, when he was 17 years old, his father was renting Southway and Bondhouse Farms from Thomas Sowden Esquire of Whitestone. Thomas recalled that “peace was proclaimed in 1814 and there was great joy among the people at large. The parishioners of Whitestone subscribed a considerable sum of money for all the inhabitants to have a public dinner which took place in July of this year in a field near Widdleton belonging to Uncle Butland of Pitt Farm, Whitestone.” This hill is now spelled Waddlesdown and is the highest point in Whitestone, with a tall radio mast on the top. Thomas’s uncle Nicholas Butland had moved some years earlier from Underdown Farm, between Haldon House and Kenn, to take up the tenancy of Pitt Farm, which still exists and is close to Waddlesdown. Thomas wrote in his reminiscences that “nearly every man, woman and child in the parish was present. I was also among the number to wait with others on the poor working people — roast beef and plum puddings, bread and cheese, cider and beer in profusion - but no drunkenness. All returned to their homes happy”. Jan Wood, Shillingford Local History Society 7

A Happy New Year to all our supporters. Here is a short update on progress to date. The Friends of Shillingford Wood \"The Friends of Shillingford Wood\" is now a registered charity in its own right. This will help and give more credibility when applying for grants and of course give us the opportunity to ask for and then apply for “Gift Aid” which will boost contributions by 25%. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions our application for a bank account though sent, has been delayed. Recent sales of the Shillingford 2021 calendar exceeded our expectations, having sold nearly 275 copies! They were sent nationally and even world- wide, one being sent to America. Support has definitely grown following recent coverage on Devon Live, Express & Echo and Devon Radio. All this wonderful support is fantastic and will hopefully help in our endeavour to raise the necessary funds needed to purchase the wood. Subscription on our FB page is now at over 400 and continues to grow. Anyone who wishes to receive information about any of the above can email me - [email protected] A Misty Winter’s Day in Shillingford Wood 8

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Closed January and February Reopening March 2021 for the New Season 10

Latest News from Shillingford Parish Council. Parish Council Meetings From 2021 Shillingford Parish Council will change their meeting day to the second Tuesday of every other month. Meeting dates: Tuesday 9th February 2021 Tuesday 13th April 2021 Tuesday 18th May 2021 - Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 8th June 2021 Tuesday 10th August 2021 Tuesday 12th October 2021 Tuesday 14th December 2021 Internet at Shillingford Abbot Cllr J Parrott and Cllr C Carr (with help from his grandson) have been hard at work trying to improve internet speeds in Shillingford Abbot. They have signed up to the Community Fibre Partnership and the next stage will be looking for grants and funding. Planning The Parish Council discussed a planning application for the retention of four field shelters and installation of an additional field shelter and two toilet blocks at The Outdoors School, Shillingford at the recent meeting. The application had attracted a lot of attention and there was representation from those opposing the application - the applicant of the planning application also attended the meeting and answered questions from the public and Councillors. The Parish Council opposed the application and will also be following up on a number of planning condition breaches. Since the meeting, the planning application has been withdrawn by The Outdoors School, but the Parish Council will still be following up on the planning breaches. Churchyard Desecration The Parish Council has been made aware of an ‘incident of desecration’ of the churchyard and asks all residents to be vigilant and report any such events. Precept 2021/22 After thorough discussion, Shillingford Parish Council decided not to increase the precept for the year 2021/2022. 11

Teign Valley & Haldon Hill Mission Community The Teign Valley & Haldon Hill Mission Community includes the parishes of Ashton, Bridford, Christow, Doddiscombsleigh, Dunchideock and Dunsford. Rev’d Ruth Frampton (Priest-in-Charge) can be contacted on 01647 253164 or [email protected]. Pastoral Care If you would like, or know someone who would be glad of, a call or “virtual” visit from Rev’d Ruth Frampton, or another member of the church community, please contact the rectory (contact details above), or the Churches’ Administrator (see Getting in touch… below). Coronavirus As a result of the current lockdown, services of worship are only being held at St Mary’s Dunsford, and other churches are closed. The situation is, however, constantly changing – please check the “A Church Near You” website for your parish for updates. 12

Coronavirus and services of worship (cont) - Please do not come to a service if you are suffering any symptoms of coronavirus, but contact NHS 111 - Please ensure that you clean your hands on entering and leaving the church building - Please observe social distancing and follow all the safety guidance inside the church Private Prayer - Days and Times of Opening: With the exception of Ashton, all our churches remain open for private prayer, as follows: Monday Dunsford 10:00am - 12 noon Tuesday Bridford 12 noon – 2:00pm by appointment* Wednesday Christow 12 noon – 3:00pm Thursday Dunsford 2:00pm – 5:00pm Friday Dunchideock 10:00am – 12 noon Saturday Bridford 10:00am – 12 noon by appointment* Sunday Christow 12 noon – 3:00pm Doddiscombsleigh 12 noon – 6:00pm * for Bridford please telephone 01647 252180 / 252515 / 253239 to make an appointment Sunday Services The 9am telephone service continues (see details below for how to join). For details of services at Dunsford, please see the separate schedule below - check the “A Church Near You” website for any changes. In line with national requirements, church services have strict measures in place to ensure people’s safety e.g. the wearing of face coverings, increased cleaning, hand sanitisers, social distancing of 2 metres, no singing, communion in one kind only, no refreshments or meeting afterward. You will be asked to give your name and contact details in order to comply with “track and trace” requirements. This information is covered by GDPR and will be destroyed after 21 days. Alternatively you can use the NHS app to scan the “track and trace” QR code. Wednesday Evening Prayer There is a regular, short service of evening prayer each Wednesday at 6pm by telephone – see details below for how to join. For telephone services, you do not need internet access, but simply a landline or mobile telephone. Between 5 and 10 minutes before the service begins, please dial 0333 011 0616 and enter the code 334 7721, followed by the # key, when asked. You will also be asked to give your name. The cost of the call is the standard cost for any 01, 02 or 03 number, but will vary according to your telephone contract. It may well be covered by your “inclusive” minutes, or by free evening or weekend calls, but you are advised to check. 13

Giving It is now possible to make a donation towards the general mission and running costs of each of our six churches through an online giving page on the “A Church Near You” website – see https://www.achurchnearyou.com and search for the relevant parish. The “Give Now” button will enable you to make an online donation, which can also be Gift Aided. Treasurer Wanted! Christow Church is looking for a volunteer treasurer to supervise its money and prepare the accounts. Phil Trotter, our valued treasurer has retired after many years' service. We are very sorry to see him go and wish him well. He is happy to help whoever is willing to take over and to lead them through the systems. Full training is available! Resources During this time, you may find the following online and telephone resources helpful. Daily Prayer: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily- prayer General prayer resources: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/ coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer Daily Hope – a free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers – 0800 804 8044 Recording of Rev’d Ruth Frampton’s “Reflection” from the previous Sunday – 01647 407047 If you are anxious about the current situation or would like prayer or pastoral support (e.g. because of illness or bereavement), please do not hesitate to contact Rev’d Ruth Frampton or the Churches’ Administrator (Steve Cook) – contact details above and below. There is a separate notice elsewhere in the magazine giving details of how the churches are working together with local parish councils and others to co-ordinate shopping, collect medication etc for those who need to “self-isolate” or who can’t leave their homes. From the registers… Funeral: 26 January – Colin Bond (Dunchideock) Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have died. Getting in touch… If you wish to discuss plans for a postponed or future baptism/christening, banns of mar- riage, wedding, funeral, interment of ashes or memorial service, or have any other en- quiry, please contact Steve Cook, the Churches’ Administrator, on 01392 832332 or email [email protected] 14

A prayer and some thoughts from Rev. Ruth Frampton: Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. A familiar prayer for many of us in the evenings, but a prayer I have found myself repeating at all times of the day and night in these Covid times. But February brings its own light. On 2 Feb we celebrate Candlemas, the commemoration of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple: the baby Jesus was brought to the Temple to be dedicated to God and was recognised by the elderly Simeon and Anna as the “light of the Gentiles.” Traditionally on this day people would bring their candles, together with all the church candles, to be blessed in the name of Jesus, Light of the World. We will celebrate this feast in St Mary’s, Dunsford at our 10.30am service on Sunday 31 January – why not bring a candle with you for a blessing? This has been a dark winter indeed, but we have seen so many glimpses of light in our communities: of kindness and sharing, of care and conversation, of hospitality and warmth. Now the days are noticeably longer, flowers are beginning to bloom, the promise of Spring is closer - just listen to the birdsong! On Wed 17 Feb we start our annual six week pilgrimage towards Easter. Let us use the days of Lent to discern with God how best to build on these signs of light and hope, to live in harmony with our community and with all creation. 15

Dunchideock Parish Council Newsletter Vacancy Dunchideock Parish Council still has a vacancy for one councillor. If you are interested or you know of someone who might be interested and you or they would like further information, please contact the current Chairman, Cllr Stephen Moor, 01392 832697, [email protected] or the Parish Clerk, [email protected] or any other councillor. An application form should be obtained from the Parish Clerk and returned by Wednesday 24 February 2021. Candidates will be invited to speak in support of their application at the virtual parish council meeting on Tuesday 9 March 2021. The official notice is published on our notice boards and on our website: www.dunchideock.org.uk Road Works Devon County Council has given notice that their contractors will be undertaking drainage works on the road between Haldon Gate & Haldon Plain starting Monday 1 February until Friday 5 February 2021. The road will be closed and diversions will be signposted. Further details will be publicised on our notice boards and on our website www.dunchideock.org.uk once they are available. Bus Shelter Project In response to a request from a resident for a bus shelter at Webberton Cross we have been considering various options and obtaining prices. Progress has been made insofar as we now have prices from various national suppliers and have a bespoke design and quotation from a local business. We will need to make an application for grant funding and also for planning and highways permissions. We will also need to agree terms with the landowner. Contact Getting to a Parish Council meeting is a bit more difficult when Covid means they have to virtual Zoom. The online video conferencing system isn’t everyone’s cup- of-tea, although everyone is welcome and instructions for joining are on the agendas, on the Noticeboards and the village website. Online or not, please don’t forget that your Parish Council is here.... SM 13 January 2021 PLEASE SEE THE WEBSITE FOR AN IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THE PARISH COUNCIL WHICH WAS TOO LATE TO INCLUDE IN THE MAGAZINE www.dunchideock.org.uk 16

www.dunchideock.org.uk A link to Country News Online can also be found here. Dunchideock Village Hall 100+ Club December 3. R Cayley 1. S Crabb 2. R Mallett 3. L Huxtable January 1. A Mallett 2. J Buxton The (Christmas) Quiz! Many thanks to those who entered into the spirit of the ‘alternative’ Christmas quiz, £54.00 was raised for the Village Hall. The draw for the prizes was done by Rick R. The Adult winner was P. Ouseley and the Children’s was young Mr. Anderson (apologies if I spelt names wrong). I hope all those who took part enjoyed trying to do it! Judith Random ‘Love’ Quotes Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby — awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess. Lemony Snicket I married for love, but the obvious side benefit of having someone around to find my glasses cannot be ignored. Cameron Esposito Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. Michael Scott, 'The Office' An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her. Agatha Christie Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love. Albert Einstein All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you're offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone's feelings. David Sedaris Love is a lot like a backache: it doesn't show up on X-rays, but you know it's there. George Burns 17

A little bit more local history from Jan Wood… A CONSERVATIVE MEETING AT DUNCHIDEOCK In April 1945, not long before the end of the second World War in Europe, the local Conservative Association held a whist drive and dance in “The Barn” next to Dunchideock House, by permission of the then owner, Mrs. Winckworth. About 100 supporters attended. Mr W. M. Pile, the Conservative agent, made a short speech in which he emphasised the importance of the coming election, because the leaders of the new post-war Government would be those who would have to represent the nation at the Peace Conference. A vote, therefore, for the Conservative candidate, Col. Amory, ‘would be a vote for Mr Churchill’. At that time, Dunchideock fell within the sizeable Electoral Constituency of Tiverton, and its Conservative candidate was more properly known as Derick Heathcoat-Amory, a member of the wealthy textile manufacturing family whose seat was at Knightshayes near Tiverton. He had been educated at Eton and Oxford, and was serving as an officer in the second World War, having been wounded and captured in 1944 – but obviously freed again by spring 1945. Mr Moore, the secretary of the local Conservative branch of Ide and Dunchideock, thanked the organisers of the whist drive and dance for their support. In the meantime, the wartime food shortages continued, and the local newspaper mentioned in the same report that Dunchideock Egg Week helpers had collected 13 dozen eggs and £3.5s.6d. in cash for the patients in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. V.E. Day came and went, and the general election was eventually held on 5 July 1945. Although Labour won a landslide victory and Churchill was replaced by Clement Atlee as Prime Minister, Derick Heathcoat-Amory still won the seat for Tiverton. He continued to serve as a Member of Parliament when the Conservatives were returned to power in 1951 and was appointed Minister of Pensions, followed by other ministerial roles and eventually he became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1958. In 1960 he was elevated to the peerage as Viscount Amory of Tiverton, and moved to the House of Lords. He also served as Chancellor of the University of Exeter from 1972 until his death in 1981. 18

Teign Valley Larder Update February 2021 A new year, a new home? The Holy Grail for the Teign Valley Larder is a permanent site in Christow, which would not only provide the largest selection of items of our five larder sites but would also serve as a home for the store cupboard, where we would store restock items not out on display. We have been very fortunate so far in that kind residents have donated space in garages and sheds, and St James’s church in Christow has allowed us to use the church porch right from day one. A substantial trailer has always been at the top of our list for a more permanent home, and has always trumped other options in terms of versatility. Its only major drawback has been an available site upon which to place it, even on a temporary basis, and (as we recently discovered) the need for planning permission. Needless to say, this has left us feeling frustrated, especially since we have the funding to buy one and to kit it out according to our needs. Thankfully, we are very pleased to report that the Parochial Church Council has stepped in and allowed the Teign Valley Larder to use space within St James’s church for a trial period subject to review later in the year. If all goes to plan, then we will use the funds raised to fit out the new home, and maybe buy a smaller trailer for spare stock storage, which could be kept elsewhere. Talking of churches, the church hall in Ashton has become the new home for the village’s collection box. The donation box is still in Lower Ashton just down from the Manor Inn. Finally, the Christmas Dinner service was successful, with the joint enterprise of Acorn Community Support, the Teign Valley & Haldon Hill Mission Community, and Teign Valley Larder providing Christmas Dinners to 35 local residents – most of them single. We would like to thank all of them who responded by making a donation, as well as the volunteer team of drivers who made the deliveries. As always, thank you to everyone who has donated money and/or food, and you can always check teignvalley.org for items that are in short supply (supplies of UHT milk are currently running low!). 19

Coronavirus – help for those “self-isolating” who need shopping and/or medications collected – STILL AVAILABLE! The situation with Coronavirus continues to change, so these arrangements may well have to be reviewed. We plan to keep this scheme running as long as it is required. Government and NHS advice is available as follows: NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ Government information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action- plan/coronavirus-action-plan-a-guide-to-what-you-can-expect-across-the-uk Teignbridge District Council: https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-help-and- advice/coronavirus-updates/ Significant numbers of people in the valley are still having to “self-isolate” or not leave their homes to go shopping etc. The churches and other groups are working together to try and ensure that those who may need practical help with shopping, collecting medication etc in this situation can receive help if needed. Details are available at the following: A Church Near You websites: Ashton – https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8766/page/53729/view/ Bridford – https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8767/page/53727/view/ Christow – https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8765/page/53726/view/ Doddiscombsleigh – https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8793/page/53728/view/ Dunchideock – https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8770/page/53671/view/ Dunsford - https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8792/page/53725/view/ Christow website - http://www.christowparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Doddiscombsleigh website - https://www.doddiscombsleigh.org/ Dunchideock website - https://www.dunchideock.org.uk Dunsford website - http://www.dunsford-village.org.uk Mission Community Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/tvhhmc/ Each village has a local co-ordinator to link up those offering to help with shopping and/or collecting medication with those who need some assistance. Arrangements are currently as follows: Ashton: John May - T: 01647 252212 or E: [email protected] 20

Bridford: Kathy Fitzjohn - T: 01647 252515 or E: [email protected] Christow: Phil Trotter - T: 01647 252874 or E:[email protected] Doddiscombsleigh:Elliott Fairs - T: 01647 253169 or E: [email protected] and Toby Berry - T: 07764 547556 or E: [email protected] Dunchideock: Steve Cook - T: 01392 832332 or E: [email protected] Dunsford: Karen Morris at The Shop - T: 01647 252330 or E: [email protected] DUNCHIDEOCK PARISH COUNCIL Temporary Road Closure Haldon Gate to Haldon Plain Monday 1st to Friday 5th February 2021 The parish council has been advised of this temporary road closure for drainage repair work to be completed near Haldon Belvedere. Details of the DCC alternative route are on the parish council website and notice boards. The Clerk of Shillingford St George Parish Council also has details. DUNCHIDEOCK PARISH COUNCIL There is a vacancy for a Parish Councillor that can be filled by co-option Applications are invited from any legally qualified person who is willing to serve the community and wishes to be considered for the vacancy. If you are interested and would like to know more about the skills and role of being a Parish Councillor, would you please contact the Chairman, Stephen Moor, 01392 832697, [email protected] Application forms are available from the Chairman. The closing date for applications to be returned to the Chairman is Wednesday 3rd March 2021. Applications from previously unsuccessful applicants will not be considered. Candidates will be invited to speak in support of their application at the virtual Parish Council meeting to be held on Tuesday 9th March 2021. The successful candidate will be invited to remain for the duration of the meeting. 21

Teignbridge District Council funds a Home Improvement Loan Scheme for homeowners and land- lords (subject to eligibility). We understand the expense of maintaining your home. We want to help you to take the stress out of funding repairs, im- provements or adaptations to your home. We see you as an individual, not a credit score. For a free, no obligation home visit or more information: Contact Wessex Resolutions CIC on 01823 461099 or visit: www.wessexresolution.org.uk 22

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Shillingford St George Priest in Charge: Rev. Mike Partridge, The Rectory, Alphington Ex2 8XJ (day off Thursday) Tel: 01392 491476 or 07751 725306 Email: [email protected] Churchwarden: Nick Mansell, Tel: 832660 or email: [email protected] Dunchideock Priest in Charge: Rev. Ruth Frampton, The Rectory, Christow, EX6 7PE (day off Thursday) Tel: 01647 253164, email: [email protected] Churches Administrator: Steve Cook, Tel: 01392 832332 or email: [email protected] Country News Editor this month: Anne Barwell (833958) Editor March: [email protected] Front Cover: Advertising Ed: Michelle Saunders (07856 663696) Treasurer: [email protected] Main Distributors: Judith Travell (832600) [email protected] Michelle Saunders (07856 663696) [email protected] Elizabeth Jenne (832240) [email protected] Peter and Liz Wareham/ Elizabeth Jenne Articles for March issue should be sent to the editor by 15th February Country News Advertising Rates For all ads please contact the Advertising Editor (see above) Classified: £1 for up to 3 lines, per issue Box advertisements: Quarter page: £4 or £30 per annum Half page: £8 or £60 per annum Full page: £16 or £120 per annum Payments in advance please, to the Treasurer 24