Serving the Village and Parish of Witheridge

WITHERIDGE VOICE

Spring 2016

Issue 24

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Neal MillerChimney Sweep Services

Full Public Liability InsuranceMember of the Institute of Chimney

Sweeps

Tel: 01884 861396 07821 602154

GSGarden Machinery

for New and UsedRide-ons, Mowers,

Chain saws,Brush Cutters etc.Service and Spares

Tel. 01398 3244550r 01884 860537

D. CHAPPLEJoinery

Est. 1983HARDWOOD WINDOWS

& DOORS

UNITS 1,2 & 3 TOLL GATE COURT

MARKET FIELD IND. EST.WITHERIDGE

Tel/Fax 01884 861221

Fully qualified and insuredtree surgeon.All aspects of tree, hedgeand fence work.Seasoned barn stored logs for sale.Friendly, reliable and tidy.

Tricia StoneCasual Labour, Admin,

Carer, Cleaning, GardeningIroning, NVQ3TASewing, Writing

A-Z if you need a temp to fill in4 sickness or holidayGive me a call01884 860324

Quick Learner, Hard Worker

EAST WORLINGTONPRE-SCHOOL

We welcome all children aged 2 to 5 Monday to Friday from 9-12 noon Wednesdays 9-3:30pm Optional lunch club until 1pmIf you would like to know moregive us a call onWe also run a Tums2Toddlers Groupon Tuesdays 2:00-3:30pm

For details contact Angela 01884 861371

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EditorialMy thanks to bothCarole and JimCampbell for theirhelp and supportto me whilstlearning the ropes

on the production of the Witheridge Voice.Alan and I moved to Witheridge last August,having lived in a very urban area all our lives.“Escape to the Country” is a dream come truefor us and we couldn’t envisage living anywhereelse now!As this is my first issue as Editor, I hope I havemanaged to keep up Carole’s good work. Ifthere is anything you would like to be includedin future issues, then let me know and I will domy best to accommodate it.Thank you to all our advertisers and to thosewho have contributed articles and information.Please keep them coming by e-mail, writtennotes, phone or I can come and talk with you.

Our AGM is on Thursday 12th May at 7.30pm inthe Committee rooms in the Parish Hall -everyone is welcome. The Summer issue will begoing out at the end of July and the deadline forarticles and information is Monday 27th June

Jill Horwood

ContentsFeaturesCommunity DefibrillatorTales of Dart RaffeJoys of SpringAll Roads lead to ThelbridgeNew Year’s Eve RaffleSpring Show ResultsIn a Former LifeWitheridge TriviaKnights of WitheridgeThen and NowNeighbour

Regular Community News Clubs

St Johns FayreChurchesSchoolsChildren’s ActivitiesParish HallSportsSurgery NewsCarole’s RecipeIncomers’ GuideParish Council

Library & Community InfoWhat’s happening

Page

5,6,7,913,15,1717

18,191932,3341,4242435355

1121,23,2729,34,392530,3134,35373945,47,4951,535557596162

Editor voiceeditor@btinternet.com Editor Jill Horwood Treasurer Jim Campbell

Chairman Gill Manning Secretary Jess CampbellAdvisor Carol Prynn Proof Reading CommitteeAdvertising voicetreasurer@hotmail.co.ukWebsite https://sites.google.com/site/witheridgevoicePosters ONE page of A4, LARGE type/full size jpegFacebook www.facebook.com/witheridgevoiceonlinePrinted by Burridge Printers 01837 82386

Cover Photo Gerald Manning and Carole CampbellAdverts for 4 issues from Spring 2016 - Winter 20161/6 page box: £26, 1/3 page strip (horizontal or vertical) £42 ½ page £56, Full Page £102One Off available for new businesses if space available £8.

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The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, PuddingtonA warm welcome, a friendly face and service with a smile!

Website: www.theoaks-bed-breakfast.co.ukTel: 01884 860005

Ensuite rooms

TV/Tea & Coffee Facilities

Lovely unspoilt viewsAmple Parking

WitheridgeNewsagentsThe store that sells more

Opening TimesM-F 7.00 am-6.00 pmSat 7.30 am- 6.00 pmSun 7.30 am-1.00 pm

Peter: 01884 860815 16a The Square

Thank you for your

continuing support

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In rural areas this is very difficult toachieve. The UK Resuscitation Councilsay that if you are more than 5 minutesaway from medical help, then localinitiatives are essential. In thesesituations, access to emergency first aidtechniques, including CPR and using anAutomatic External Defibrillator (AED),can make the difference between life anddeath.

AEDs can be based inside shops andvillage halls, but for 24/7/365 access it isbetter that they are kept in high-visibilityyellow weatherproof cabinets, eitherlocked or unlocked, and located onexternal walls in public places e.g. outsidea post office or village hall. Lockedcabinets can only be opened by amember of the public with an access codegiven by the emergency services via a 999call. As part of the Community Heartbeat

scheme, public awareness sessions and acommunity training programme can bearranged to ensure that everyone isaware of the AED’s location and how touse it in case of an emergency.

WHAT IS ADEFIBRILLATOR OR AED?

A defibrillator delivers an electric currentthrough the chest which aims to shockthe heart back into a normal rhythmallowing it to pump again. Rapidresponse using automated technologycan significantly improve the quality oflife of a survivor, as the longer the brain isstarved of oxygen, the more damage canoccur.

An AED is a portable defibrillator whichuses intelligent technology to restore a‘shockable’ heart rhythm. When appliedto a patient, a sequence of voicecommands and screen messages guidethe user through the defibrillationprocess. This means the machine may beused safely by people with no medicalbackground or training. Under currentguidelines, an AED should not berestricted to use by trained personnelonly.

WHAT IS COMMUNITY PUBLIC ACCESSDEFIBRILLATION (cPAD) ALL ABOUT?

THE TARGET SET BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR AMBULANCE TRUSTS ALL OVER THE UKIS TO REACH 75% OF LIFE THREATENING CALLS WITHIN 8 MINUTES. STATISTICSSHOW THAT EARLY DEFIBRILLATION CAN INCREASE THE SURVIVAL CHANCES OF APERSON WHO HAS SUFFERED A SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST (SCA) BY AS MUCH AS50%.

Our Village has a defibrillator. It ison the wall of the toilet blockopposite the newsagents.

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WHAT IS SUDDENCARDIAC ARREST?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is anelectrical malfunction of the heart wherethe heart stops pumping blood due to anabnormal rhythm known as anarrhythmia. As an individual loses pulse,consciousness and the ability to breathe,they verge on death and can only bebrought back to life in a very smallwindow of time using a defibrillator orAED.

● Out of hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest(SCA) happens around 100,000 times ayear in the UK, making it one of the UK’slargest killers.

● The potential for saving a life is depend-ent on time; the faster medical help isadministered, the better the chance ofsurvival.

● To achieve a positive outcome whendealing with SCA, medical assistance mustbe given within 4 to 5 minutes of theevent. In remote areas it can take morethan 8 minutes for an emergency medicalteam to arrive on scene, and this is whyCommunity Public Access Defibrillators(cPAD) play a vital role in helping to savelives in rural communities.

● Statistics suggest that the survival rateafter a SCA with CPR alone is 5%. By usinga defibrillator, the survival rate increasesto 50%.

● According to the British HeartFoundation’s Guide to GPs, ‘thedevelopment of the automated externaldefibrillator (AED) has been described asthe most important advance inresuscitation practices for many years.The AED has made the whole process ofdefibrillation simpler and has greatlyincreased the range of people who canuse one.’

● Current international resuscitationguidelines advise that evidence supportsthe establishment of public accessdefibrillation programmes (with theinstallation of an AED) when:

§ The frequency of cardiac arrest is suchthat there is a reasonable probabilityof the use of an AED at least once intwo years.§ The time from call out of the

conventional ambulance service todelivery of a shock cannot reliably beachieved within 5 minutes. (Forpractical purposes, this means almostall of the United Kingdom).§ The time from collapse of a victim until

the on-site AED can be brought in lessthan 5 minutes

DID YOU KNOW?

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WHO IS THECOMMUNITY HEARTBEAT TRUST?

To support communities in provision of AED Community Public Access Defibrillation(cPAD) services.

To promote, educate and train in all aspects of ‘First Person on Scene’, ‘Emergency FirstAid’, ‘Basic Life Support’ and similar medical programmes and schemes.

To fully support the establishment of Community Responder (or similar) schemes in localcommunities.

The charity is run by volunteers and local groups offering advice and support to meet theseaims on a local basis.

ALWAYS DIAL 999 IN AN EMERGENCY

cPAD SCHEMES DO NOT REPLACE THE AMBULANCE SERVICE BUT MAY HELP SAVE LIVES ONCEAN AMBULANCE HAS BEEN CALLED.

COMMUNITY HEARTBEAT TRUSTREGISTERED OFFICE: 78 Loughborough Road, Quorn, Leicestershire, LE12 8DX

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1132824

www.communityheartbeat.org.uk

Tel: 0845 86 27739

(Note staff are volunteers and part time and may not be available to answer the telephone.Please leave a message and we will return your call, or contact us via the website.)

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Clean Sweep

Tel: 01884 - 821297 or Mobile: 07773 - 618524

West Ridge Veterinary Practice

www.westridgevets.co.ukProviding complete veterinary care for your pets,horses and farm animals throughout Mid Devon

We care for your animals as much as you do!

5 Chapple RoadWitheridgeEX16 8AS01884 860236

Popes LaneSurgeryLapfordEX17 6PU01363 83317

HillmansWinkleighEX19 8HJ01837 83240

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Highly recommended local out-side caterers

Weddings, Cocktail parties, Birthdays, Hog roasts andSummer balls

A personalised event management service, equipment hireWaitress service and licensed bar.

Please contact Sally or Suzie onwww.relishcatering.co.uk

email: relish.goodfoodcompany@gmail.com

Need to rejuvenate old metal?We provide a variety of services ranging from powder coating to hotzinc spray and shot blasting. We keep a range of about 100 colours instock, and most are exterior polyesters, which provide excellentdurability and colour retention on gates, railings and garden furniture.

Telephone 01884 34506Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm or Friday 7 am to 1 pm

Email: coatingsupplies@aol.com www.industrialcoatingsupplies.co.uk

Units 1 + 2 Simmons Place, Kingsmill Industrial Estate Cullompton EX15 1BH

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Highly recommended local out-side caterers

A personalised event management service, equipment hire

Fifty years ago on 26th March 1966, George and EileenHaynes were married at St. Mary's Church, Luton. They

met in 1961 in Looe, Cornwall wheretheir families were on holiday. Georgelived in Burnham, Buckinghamshire andmoved to Luton just before he and Eileen were married, bothaged twenty. They have a daughter, Linda and three sons,George, Robert and John, also eleven grandchildren and sixgreat grandchildren. They moved to the village in 2006 to carefor George's mother, Doris.

Golden Wedding

Community News

In memory ofJohn Bryant

Doreen Hammett

Welcome to the VillageJoyce and Roy Harknett

Firefighters

On Saturday 12th

March, theFirefighters helda Charity carwash in aid ofthe Firefighters Charity, and raised£358. A big thank you to everyone whosupported us. Hannah Hawkins

Volunteers needed to helpwith planting, watering andTLC to keep our villagelooking at it’s best. Pleasecontact Chris Kershaw on01884 860208

Can you spare a couple of hours to help?A small, but enthusiastic group of volunteers gathered on12�� March for the Clean for the Queen litter pick. Wemanaged to cover roads within the village boundary andeven beyond. We collected 21 bags of assorted rubbish frompavements and hedgerows (bottle, cans, plastic, cigarettebutts, cardboard etc). Please can we all remember that litter is both unsightly and adanger to wildlife. We intend to plan our next litter pick just before St. John’sFayre. If anyone would like to join the litter pickers please contact me on 01884860817 or carol.northam1@pobroadband.co.uk Carol Northam

Litter Picking

Witheridge In Bloom

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w:framesfromtheattic.co.uk t:01363 877830

Have your picture or photograph mounted & framed insomething unique- antique, vintage, or pre-loved modern.Or choose a frame to make a mirror, pinboard or chalkboard.Look at the shop online or call to visit the workshop.Located in between Black Dog and Morchard Bishop.

Would you like to reduce the price you pay for your heating oil?Then join us and receive your discounted oil through your

local oil buying co-operative when we order in bulkon behalf of our membership every month of the year

For further information and a membership form either:e-mail us at: wopecnet@aol.com

go onto our web site at: www.wopec.netor telephone for a friendly chat: 01884 861186

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Tales of Dart Raffe – a boy’sparadise

During my first months at Dart Raffe, Ilooked in awe at the vast area of wildcountry to the north, known as DartRaffe Moors. It was 1947 and I was justnine years old.

Other than to walk a little way into thisarea, I had not ventured far because ofthe bogs, which according to the farmmen, had, since the beginning of time,swallowed up everything from sheepand cattle, horses and carts, tractorsand alarmingly not a small number ofpeople. It was said that on quiet foggynights, the voices of ghosts could beheard crying out for help. Father saidbest not go there because the bogswere a bit dangerous and anyway therewere plenty of other places to go andthings to do. Well, as I am sure you willunderstand, boys being boys, this hadto be my first area to explore.

Dart Raffe Moors are what is known asCulm Measure Moorland. They havethin black soil over a yellow and blueLias clay through which water cannotpermeate. Until 1838, the Moors wereopen country with no hedgerows andmay have been to some extent commonland. An Enclosure Act of about thattime divided the area into six largeenclosures, mainly with straighthedgerows planted with beech andhawthorn.

This enchanting, atmospheric, wildMoorland, with its Bronze Age burialmounds, bogs, little streams and pondsand the immensely varied flora and

fauna became my paradise. Despite thechanges over time, to this day it remainsa place of great fascination.

My first tentative exploration of theMoor did indeed confirm the presenceof bogs of varying size and nature.Some were just a few feet across witha small eye of oozing blue, treacly liquid,ranging up to the vast raised peat bogs,covered with sedge clumps as tall as me,that when walked upon quaked andrippled alarmingly. The whole area wasa maze of mires and bogs with myriadbutterflies, bees and insects and theconstant clicking sound of grasshoppers.Long ago, in the mists of time, some ofthese bigger bogs had given birth tobeautiful tiny streams only a foot or sowide that have cut deep into the clayand were completely concealed by tallreeds and grasses. These little streamswere veritable traps for the unwaryexplorer.

As the streams crossed the level areas,they hesitated to form little, clear,shallow ponds that were occupied bytadpoles in springtime and in summer

by myriads of translucent, blue-wingeddragon and damsel flies. On leaving theponds, the little streams quickened onto a larger, gravelly stream.

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Ø No need to book a tee timeØ Relaxed dress codeØ Clubs, bags and trolleys for hire.Ø Light meals & refreshments available

18 Holes £10 ~ 9 Holes £7 ~ Reductions for Juniors For further information contact: Jeff & Davinia Thorne

LEIGH ROAD – CHULMLEIGH-DEVON-EX18 7BL Tel: 01769 580519 website www.chulmleighgolf.co.uk Email chulmleighgolfcourse@outlook.com

Chulmleigh Golf Course18 Hole Pay and Play Course

Central Stores● In- Store Bakery● Groceries● Fresh Fruit & Veg● Paypoint● Cash Machine● Lottery● Newspapers

Beer Cellar Post Office●Access Post office transactions during all shop hours●Access all services as before except Premium Bonds

Shop & Post Office Hours 06:00 to 21:00 7 days a week

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After heavy autumn rains, I wasastonished to find sea trout and salmonspawning in this little stream, as it wasonly three or so foot wide and no moreanywhere than a foot deep.

The topography of Lower Moor wasundulating and varied. Wet, rushy areaswhere the whimbering snipe nested,

were interspersed with slightly higherdry knaps and knolls, populated byskylarks with their nests and broods,along with dozens of rabbits thatappeared to live entirely above groundrather than in burrows.

Lapwing and curlew seemed to nestwherever they fancied. Many was thetime when I was lured into following alapwing feigning a broken wing as sheattempted to protect her chicks bygetting me away from the nest.

The Moor, and the feel of the Moor,changed with the seasons and theweather or the time of the day ormaybe with my changing moods.Sometimes, on warm sunny days the skywas like a wide burnished dome and thehorizons seemed a long way off. Onthose days, I would feel happy and lightof foot, whilst on cloudy dull days, withthe wind sighing eerily in the reeds andsedge it felt as if those supposedly lost

souls in the bogs were mourning theirlot and calling out for help. It was attimes like that when I felt uneasy and abit scared and would leave the Moorrather quickly. The most exciting timeswere when just lying on my back in thewarm sunshine, motionless on a drygrassy knoll, staring into the blue andlistening to the skylarks trilling theirbeautiful song and rising ever higheruntil disappearing altogether, leavingtheir song hanging in the warm breezea long way from where they actuallywere.

At such times, I remembered awonderful story told me by my fatherwhen I wasn’t very old, maybe four orfive years old. It went as follows: Oneday amongst all the wild birds of thefield and wood, an argument broke outas to which of them was capable offlying the highest. So the raven and thebuzzard came up with an idea, that inorder to determine the truth, all thebirds should have a competition thevery next day. The raucous magpie,who had been making more noise thananyone else about his high flyingcapabilities, was sent off to tell all thebirds to gather in the nearby wood atsunrise.

Well now, the buzzard, being the hotfavourite to win, had taken control ofthe event and was making sure thatevery bird was quietly perched on abranch ready for the off. But the littleskylark, who lived on the ground whennot in the sky, and was unable to perchon a branch, came up with a good idea.He would hide away in the feathers of

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Joys of Spring

The days are getting brighterThe nights are getting shorter.The temperature is risingPond ice has thawed to water.

Birds ignore their peanutsAs insects come to life.A young dove on a wireLooks down for a new wife.

Buds appearing everywhereAnd leaves are turning green.Must buy some garden secateursSo where’s my magazine.

Some sunny day in AprilYou’ll find me on the beach.The novice surfers stand in lineAs the teacher’s there to teach.

The allotments are turned overWatched closely by the robins.Hungry soil is made readyFrom bulging compost bins.

Time to find the beansticksBefore the beans take root.Will avoid the clinging mudBy wearing my new boots.

© R.E.Thorne

one of the big birds when nobody waslooking. The buzzard gave the signal forthe off and the sky was darkened withthe magnitude striving to be the highflier of all bird kind. Up and up and upthey went, until all the birds had

dropped out of therace except thebuzzard and theraven. Still upwardsthe two big birdswent, until theraven dropped tothe face of the earthwith exhaustion.

The soaringbuzzard, excitedlydeclared to thewhole world that hewas the winner. Butit was not to be.The little skylarkpopped out fromunder the buzzard’swing to fly on andon, ever upwardstowards the sun.

The buzzard, who was tired and wasafraid of getting his feathers burnt,could fly no more and he also droppedto the face of the earth. The buzzardchallenged the skylark’s victory andasked that a panel be formed toadjudicate. All the birds, who admiredthe little lark for its cheekiness, electeda parliament of crows, knowing that thecrows hate the buzzard and that theywould come up with the right answer,which unsurprisingly they did. To thisday, the buzzard never flies higher than

the lark, for if it does, you will see thatthe crows mock the buzzard until itdrops to fly at a lower level to leave thelarks as masters of the sky.

Gerald Manning

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All Roads Lead to Thelbridge

A frequently asked question is “Whydid you move to Thelbridge” andafter almost 10 years we still strugglewith the definitive answer! We bothhave quite separate childhoodmemories of family holidays in the1950’s either in Gorran Haven or StIves - it was never cold, the sun neverstopped shining and wasn’t the seawarm in those days! I clearlyremember my father driving usthrough Lynmouth in August 1952 inhis Ford Prefect immediately after theflood.Sarabella and I met in North Devon inthe 1970’s, and with family then andindeed still living in Devon, no doubtWest Country runs in the blood. Ispent over 40 years in the “Smoke” ofLondon and when a move becameviable we both decided to move to“Fresh air” – but where? After hugesearching throughout the WestCountry, as often is the case, wecame across our eventual location bychance. Having made an offer, andbefore completion, we then read onemorning in the Daily Telegraph ( in2007) about a bull rampaging throughWitheridge main street – what hadwe let ourselves in for moving to sucha dangerous area?An estate agent we knew saidThelbridge was good but both wetand windy - for once an estate agentspoke the full truth! So, what do wethink now? Well for a start we arenot, and never (understandably) willbe, “local”, but everyone is so kind

and friendly and above all helpful.The informal neighbourhood watchsystem is much better than CCTV.It is such a helpful community. Ourthree daughters all had their weddingreceptions from here and many ofthe local ladies were amazing atoffering help decorating the marqueeon each occasion with flowers etc. Ifwe have a broadband problem thereis always help close by.We seem sometimes to be a sourceof local mirth. We both clearly recallwhen we managed to get both asmall tractor and car well and trulystuck in the mud. We were standinglooking rather forlornly at bothvehicles, fully aware that it wasbeyond self help. At that moment, aneighbour, who had been muckspreading, drove past on the publichighway and, from his high tractorcab peered over the hedge and askedif we needed any help. “Yes please”we chorused and he shouted “hold

on, let me just park my trailer”. Heproceeded to park his muck spreaderby the side of the public road andimmediately came into our field andretrieved both vehicles - now that is agood neighbour.

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Do we have any second thoughts? Absolutely not. Is there any downside toliving here? Well I guess to go anywhere involves a long car journey which onequickly accepts as norm, but what a small price to pay to be in such a quiet andprobably one of the most beautiful parts of mid Devon . We count ourselvesfortunate to live in such a community and area, but wish the rain would stop!York and Sarabella Dawson

New Year’s Eve Raffle

The Annual New Year's Eve Raffle drawn at The Mitre, was a roaring success.This year there were two prizes; first prize a large food & drink Hamper (withgin, whiskey, wines etc) donated by The Old Pound House and a second prizeof a chocolate basket, donated by The Mitre. The Draw took place at 10:30on New Year’s Eve and the winner of the first prize was Mr Robert Shepherd -congratulations; the second prize was won by Mr Michaels, who kindlyoffered the chocolate basket for auction, producing, what has become anannual tradition, the battling wallets of a number of celebrants, resulting in afinal bid of £95 for the chocolate basket. The winner was Mr Smale ofAlfreton, and this money added to the ticket sale of £426 making a grandtotal of £521, which is a fantastic amount.All prizes were donated by residents, and the total amount raised is onceagain presented to the Village Hall rebuilding fund. Thank you everyone whotook part, a great opportunity for all in the Village to take part in somethingthat benefits the entire Village. Thanks to Andy & Barbara for hosting thisannual event and without doubt, selling most of the tickets!

The Annual New Year’s Eve Raffle isorganised by The Mitre & The Old PoundHouse with 100% of all monies raised goingto benefit a good cause in Witheridge andfor this, the second year running, TheVillage Hall Rebuilding Fund, was therecipient of the funds raised.Robert Brown

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Newhouse Farm CottagesQuality self-catering accommodation in Devon’s Heartland

Open all year for long or short-breaks

Nine beautifully converted, well equipped Grade 2 listed stone barns with a choice ofaccommodation ranging from a one bedroom cottage with a four poster bed through

to our spacious five bedroom barn sleeping ten.

Take a stroll through 30 acres of flower-filled meadows, heated indoor swimming pool,games room and ‘Hayloft’ private function/dining room.

Newhouse Farm, Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon EX16 8QBTel: 01884 860266 : E-mail info@newhousecottages.com

or visit our website at www.newhousecottages.com

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Spring is here and hopefully it will bring the better weather.It is time to start digging and planting!Inquiries about plots Sam 01884 861527

Allotments

Little Dart SingersWe are a singing group based in Witheridge. We need memberswho enjoy singing and can commit to one evening a week and tothe 3rd Sunday each month. We occasionally sing with other localchurches. John Harris.Practice Tuesdays 7.20pm Witheridge Parish Church

The Witheridge Charity Knitting Group was startedon 7th June 2011. When attending the annualNorth Devon Hospice ‘Knit-in’, some of the ladies soenjoyed that special time of getting together,chatting and knitting, that we thought it would be agood thing to get together on a regular basis. Over the years wehave knitted for The Salvation Army, The Petroc Centre,premature baby units at two hospitals, a centre for dementiasufferers, Apostleship of the Sea, a refugee camp in Kurdistan andhospitals and orphanages abroad. We have made a wide range ofitems to supply to these causes. Unwanted wool oddments arealways welcome and we thank those kind people who have donated knittingyarn to us over the years.Our group meets every fortnight on a Thursday between 2.00pm and 4.00pm atthe Rest-A-While Centre. Future dates are: 19th May; 2nd, 16th 30th June;14th, 28th July and 11th, 25th August. We welcome anyone who would like tojoin us. Eileen Haynes 860212

Charity Knitting

St John The Baptist Church, WitheridgeThe Bell Ringers meet every Friday evening at 7.15pm for7.30pm in the Belfry

Bell Ringers

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All types of interior andexterior maintenance.

Kitchen and bathroom fitting. Gardening and fencing.

Free quotations, fully insured with references.

Call Trevor BroderickTel: 01884 861159 Mobile: 07979 914791

Email: silverhaul@hotmail.co.uk

PCBCONSTRUCTIONCONCRETING,GROUND WORKS,

SUPPLY & ERECTTIMBER & STEEL BUILDINGS

AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL,EQUESTRIAN

GENERAL BUILDING WORKPAUL: 07728492327

01884 861697EMAIL: PCBCONS@GMAIL.COM

Susan BennettMSc MAACP MCSP HCPC reg

With over 30 years experience offerstreatment for

Aches, Sprains, Strains, Sports Injuries,Back, Neck and all Joints

Daytime, Evening and Weekendappointments available.

Telephone for Appointment

DIANNE LEACH Nail & Beauty

Manicure – PedicureAcrylic Nail Extensions

Gellux - Waxing Lash and Brow Tinting

Swedish massage Indian Head Massage

Spray Tanning

Gift Vouchers Available66 Butts Close, Witheridge, Tiverton

Tel: 01884 860039Mobile 07513 497300

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DIANNE LEACH

Witheridge Young Farmers

Witheridge YFC's charity pledge auction made£2500, raising money for Children Hospice SouthWest and the new Devon YFC Rural Hub.Everybody enjoyed the marvellous donations, asplendid ploughman's lunch and not forgetting itwas a great social get together.

Emma Gillbard

Green garden waste will be collected again from March 2016.The cost of this service is £8 per year. We collect trailer loadsof garden waste, £10 for members, £15 for non members. Wealso sell finished compost at £1.25/bag delivered in the village,or collect at £1 per bag. Volunteers still needed. We meet on Mondays andThursdays 9.00am - 12.00. You need to be fairly fit, but most of us are in ourlate 60s, some in their 80s and still going. Tools and training provided pluscoffee and sometimes cake!To order compost phone Greg Henderson 860819Green garden waste collected Thurs mornings from March 2016

Witheridge Community Composting

Witheridge Ladies’ Club

In December we had an enjoyable gathering at the Thelbridge Inn where wetucked in to our Christmas lunch.In January we had a return visit from John West who gave us an absorbingand amusing talk on aspects of his life. He also brought several food dishes

for us to sample and comment on. A verywelcome, very tasty, start to 2016!In February we welcomed the medium RobertBrown who told us about his life, his retreats andhis counselling of bereaved parents. His talk wasvery well received.The Ladies’ Club also has a book club, craft club

and luncheon club. Why not come along to see what we are up to! A warmwelcome awaits you.(We are now meeting in the main hall, not the small meeting room).2nd Tuesday in the month. Parish Hall 2 - 4 pm. Coral Simmonds

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Fully qualified ElectricianAll works undertaken.

Fully insured and guaranteed

NAPIT and UKAS registered

Chartered Physiotherapist

Colette Frost BSc.(Hons), HCPC, MCSP

Premises in WitheridgeOr Home Appointments

Tel: 01884 860361Mobile: 07971297877cf.nimbus2000@post.com

Over 15 years experienceNeurological ConditionsMusculoskeletal ConditionsSports InjuriesBalance Problems

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St John’s Fayre 2016Sat 25th JuneIt’s hard to believe it is almost a yearsince we had fun at the 2015 Fayre.The SJF committee members havebeen feverishly booking stalls andentertainment so we can all haveanother fabulous day out right herein the heart of the village.As usual, the day kicks off with theParade at 11.15am, this year led byCrediton Town Band and Street HeatSamba, closely followed by TarkaPipes & Drums, New GenerationMajorettes, Vintage & Militaryvehicles and of course the schoolchildren in fancy dress. We are alsohoping thatMinnie &Mickey will beable to fit us into their busyschedule againthis year.Once the Fayre has been officiallyopened, there are plenty of stalls to

visit, many runby our villagegroups andcharities,including theLadies Club,The Youth

Club, People4Ponies, The Knights ofWitheridge and more.Throughout the day, there will beevents in The Square, the Village Hallcar park, including performances bythe various bands and majorettes.

Of course, no St John’s Fayre wouldbe complete without the Dog Showor Ferret Racing. Paul Zee andReally Wild will be on hand toentertain the children in the hall.There will be various children’s ridesand games around the field andFunlands Funfair in the SportsCentre Car Park.As always, there will be plenty offood to choose from – the coffeeshop inside the hall, Mabel’s IceCreams, Quince Honey Farm, &various hot food stalls dottedaround the village.Don’t forget to buy your programmefor a chance to win £50. Ask at theshop for your copy. New for thisyear is a children’s colouringcompletion, with a £10 prize for thewinner.Of course, we don’t just have eventslined up for the day time. At 7pm,the fun starts again with the liveband and licensed bar in the hubmarquee and yet more food. Somake sure you bring your dancingshoes…We are also on the lookout forpeople who would be willing to helpout in the lead up to and on the day.If you are interested, please contactone of the committee members, orvia our Facebook page.www.facebook.com/stjohnsfayre

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Paula ColeSeamstress

Alterations, Repairs and muchmore...

TEL: 01884 860964

Email: paulacole14@gmail.com1 Melhuish Close Witheridge Tiverton

Devon EX16 8AZ

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v Trained Animal Welfare Assistantv Cattery & Kennel experiencev Full Public Liability Insurancev Basic Disclosure Certificatev Cat & Dog sitting- daily visits and attentionv Administer any medicationv Feeding, cleaning litter trays, play, exercise.v Keeping your pet happy & contentv Peace of mind - your pets are in safe hands

Contact Tina 01884 861759 or 07956250129www.happy-paws.info

for Under 2’sFull time Care7:45 am- 6pmTailored to each child’s needs

The Hive, Fore Street, Witheridge EX16 8AHwww.witheridgepreschool.btck.co.ukSituated on the primary school site

Entrance behind Sports Club01884 861784

2-5 yearsAll aspects of tree surgery

Stump RemovalCrown Lifting and Crown Reduction

Hedge Cutting Grass CuttingTurfing

All types of fencing

Grounds and Garden Maintenance Wood Chip, Seasoned Logs

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01884 820839 07766168162

27

The Monday Club is open for anyone in the villagewho is over the age of sixty. We are a very friendly,young at heart group who meet every other week,either in the Day Centre or on our Coach trips.We have some very interesting  speakers coming to see us and some differentCoach trips planned for this year - look out for the posters regarding the Coachtrips as these are open for non-members and you will be made very welcome.We start our meetings at 2.30pm usually finishing about 4pm. Our coachoutings leave the square at 9am. The time home depends on where we havebeen and if we stop off for a cream tea on the way home! We are not usuallylater than 7pm. For more details please phone Val Dickinson 860709.

Monday Club

Rest-A-While

Hi Witheridge, so our weather has been wet andcold since Christmas, but you will always get a verywarm welcome at the Rest-A-While. We’ve beenpleased with all our new friends who have come inand joined us. On the last Friday of each month wehave a Bring and Buy sale with raffle, bric-a-brac, cakes and biscuits, so whynot come and join us. We are always looking for helpers, so if you have twohours a month free, please give me a call. Eirene860163 Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 12 noon.(Closed only Christmas Day)

Surprise Party“Happy Birthday to you, happybirthday to you, happy birthdaydear Queenie, Happy birthday toyou”, rang out from the Rest aWhile as  Queenie Pyne enteredthe room and walked right into asurprise party. 90 year oldQueenie was speechless; over 40

of her Rest-a-While friends had arrived to share in thesurprise, and what a wonderful time she and Gordy had. A big thank you to allthose who made the morning so special for them.Happy birthday Queenie from us all. Val Dickinson

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COSWAY SOFT FURNISHINGS

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Handmade Curtains, Roman Blinds& Accessories

Alan ThomasPainter &Decorator

Interior/ExteriorDomestic & Commercial

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Tel No 01884 861092Mobile 07713545772

Email: alanthomas.decorator@yahoo.co.uk

One of Devon’s most r espect ed i ndependen t f uner al d i r ect or sFami l y owned by Ryan and M el an i e Squi r es

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S

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Bingo

We are a Charity-linked Bingo with any spare monies going tovarious charities suggested by the Bingo supporters. We have11 games per evening, with the 11th game being the moneyflyer and there are two meat prize lines on every game.We have tea and coffee mid-way, while the draw is taking place, so everyone hasa chance to natter.I have recently taken over organising Bingo as Ken Botfield is leaving the area.We would like to say a very big “Thank you” to Ken and Desni for all their workover the years. We are a friendly Bingo club and I very much look forward to see-ing friends old and new.We meet on alternate Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Rest-a-While.The dates for the next few months are: 3rd and 17th May; 14th and 28th June;12th and 26th July.

Marion Crane 01882 860530

Witheridge Garden Club

In February we were treated to an excellent slide show of wildlife photographyby Kevin Keatley, a local wildlife photographer, and for our March meeting wehad an informal question and answer session ongardening topics – a very lively and entertainingevening.The results of the Spring Show are on pages 31 and32 of this issue – congratulations to all the winnersand thank you to everyone who helped in whateverway to make this show such a success.Saturday 7�� May is our annual Plant Sale starting at 2.30pm. If you have anyplants to sell, please bring them to the Parish Hall during the morning.

Programme for the next 3 months:Wednesday 25�� May ’Rescued from the Floods in Umberleigh’Wednesday 22ⁿ� June Sarah Chester from RHS Rosemoor ‘From Fashion to Horticulture’Wednesday 27�� July Henry Cruyss ‘Growing and Presenting Vegetables for Showing’All meetings start at 7.00pm in the Parish Hall.Contact Kit James, Chairman, for more information 01884 860666

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Witheridge Parish ChurchMany people, Christian and non, willquote from the bible to support theiropinions. I make no excuse for doingthe same. 'For you always have thepoor with you' (Matthew 26:11). Thisverse can sometimes be used as areason for not helping our neighbour,those in need either here at home, orin the developing world.Once a man was walking along abeach. The sun was shining and it wasa beautiful day. Off in the distance hecould see a person going back andforth between the surf's edge andand the beach. Back and forth thisperson went. As the manapproached, he could see thatthere were hundreds of starfishstranded on the sand as the resultof the natural action of the tide.The man was struck by the theapparent futility of the task. Therewere far too many starfish. Manyof them were sure to perish. As heapproached, the person continuedthe task of picking up starfish oneby one and throwing them intothe surf.As he came up to the person, hesaid: "You must be crazy. Thereare thousands of miles of beachcovered with starfish. You can'tpossibly make a difference."The person looked at the man. Hethen stooped down and pick upone more starfish and threw itback into the ocean. He turnedback to the man and said: "It suremade a difference to that one!"

We can all makea difference, nomatter howsmall, to oneperson, onecommunity, onecountry. Toquote again fromMatthew 25:40'Truly I tell you,whatever you did for one of the least ofthese brothers and sisters of mine, youdid for me'. Whatever your belief weare all called to be human and helpeach other through this life withcompassion and empathy.

May God bless you. Adrian

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St John the Baptist Parish Church Rev Adrian WellsMorning Worship and Communion Services start at 9:30am

Tues 3 May United Churches Luncheon Club Parish Hall 12 for 12.30

Tues 3 May Archdeacon’s Visitation Parish Church 7.30pm

Sat 7 May May Coffee Morning Church Rooms 10 - 12 noon

Sun 29 May Ecumenical 5�� Sunday Service Methodist Chapel 11.00am

Tues 7 June United Churches Luncheon Club Parish Hall 12 for 12.30

Tues 5 July United Churches Luncheon Club Parish Hall 12 for 12.30

Sun 31 July Ecumenical 5th Sunday Service led by Sarah, Bishop of Crediton

Tues 2 Aug United Churches Luncheon Club Parish Hall 12 for 12.30

Note : All dates are subject to change. Please check the church notice board

Methodist ChapelRev John Wiltshire 01363 877281

Sunday Services 11am (Except Churches Together service -see noticeboards)

Women's Fellowshipv 1st Thurs in month from March - December 2:30pm

Witheridge Music Season

The Witheridge Music Season is coming to an end with only one concert left in theprogramme. The two recent events were exceptionally well received.Oyez, Oyez, Oyez,” A  blast from the past” it certainly was , with Jonathan Weeks,but the entertainment was bang up to date. Jonathan played so many MedievalInstruments, it was surprising that he had any breath left for the funny commentary- he had us laughing and clapping our hands too. We look forward to part two nextseason.At a very special service in our Church in Witheridge, the Exeter Cathedral Choir,held us spell bound with their beautiful clear voices as they sung their way throughEvensong. A fantastic evening, enjoyed by everyone.The final event takes place in May and is a spectacular concert of music for organand trumpet given by Crispian Steele-Perkins, trumpet and Ian leGrice, organ.Details for these events can be obtained by phoning 01884 860709.From the Church of St John the Baptist, Witheridge

32

Spring Show Results 2016

Meg Kelly

Children’s ClassBest Exhibit

Ros Knight

Most Points in Show Runner Up

Sheila Manley

Best exhibit classes 1-4Best exhibit classes 6-20

Ann Webber

Best Exhibit classes 21-43and Best Exhibit in Show

Lucy Kelly

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Spring Show Results 2016

34

Witheridge Parent, Baby Toddler Group

‘Bumps and Beyond’, Witheridge's parent and toddlergroup, that meets at the Parish Hall on Wednesdaysfrom 9:30-11:30am, have had a great few months. Wehave enjoyed a Bookstart course thanks to SouthMolton's Children's Centre, enjoyed welcoming some

new families and babies and finishedwith a special ‘Spring into Easter’ endof term event with Easter bonnet making and bouncy castle. £1.50 per family per session. There are always refreshmentsand a warm welcome.Denise Henson

Witheridge Art Group

WANTED AMATEUR ARTISTS. Last year we  lost acouple of people from our group and would liketo build the membership up again, so if youwould like to spend a sociable hour and a half ona Wednesday evening from 7.30 to 9.00pm,drawing or painting - do join us. We are mostlyself-taught, although some have had tuition andwe are very proud of the progress we have madeover the years, as you will know if you have seenour exhibition in St.John's Fayre.We have tea and coffee facilities in the committee room of the WitheridgeParish Hall  and a ramp for wheel chairs.

We charge £1.50 a week and a yearly membership fee of £5.00. We havematerials if you would like to try us out before spending money on supplies.Please contact Eileen on 860564 or just come along and see us.

June Turner

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East Worlington Primary School PTFAWhat an action packed term we have had! Following our successful jumble saleon 6�� February which raised £690, we have been able to pay for a West End inSchools and Forest School day for the whole school.We kicked off our World Book Day events with style when we were visited bythe fantastic and talented Clara from West End in Schools who, to pick a few

things off her impressive CV, helped to choreographthe Olympic opening ceremony, the Take That tourand has starred in Charlie and the ChocolateFactory in the West End. The children enjoyedreading Gangsta Granny and Where the Wild ThingsAre and then they attended workshops where theydeveloped dance and drama to retell the stories.We then were treated to a day in the woods with

Forest School instructor, Tracey Maciver. The children created stick figures andmade dens and houses for them, as well as shelters using tarpaulins forthemselves. They also learnt about the woodland environment and collectedleaves to make bunting with leaf dying. The day was finished with a gettogether around the fire to toast brioche, marshmallows and drink hotchocolate!Dates for your diary:-Saturday 14�� May – Summer Jumble & Plant Sale, Witheridge Parish Hall, 2pmSaturday 18�� June – Duck Race & Dog Show, gates open 11.30am – seewww.worlingtonptfa.org nearer the time for full details.

Donna Webber Chair PTFA

Witheridge C. of E. Primary School - PTFA

The Witheridge School PTFA hasbeen busy since we formed a new Committeelast October. The Christmas Fayre was very successful and lots of fun. We raisedover £500 for the School and paid for all the children to go to a Pantomime orTheatre trip. Upcoming events include a Frog Racing Evening with the Knights ofWitheridge, and we will be collecting your old clothes and textiles for aBags2School fundraiser. All monies raised go towards the extras for  PrimarySchool aged children, like the new library, or trips, or even little things like waterbottles for little ones starting in Class 1. Hopefully we can raise enough money tosend the children on a whole school beach trip at the end of Summer term.We are always looking for new members to join us to help with our fundraisingefforts,so come and join our team, or support us by coming to one of ourevents. Thank you. Helen Johnson, Secretary to Witheridge

36

The Mount Pleasant Inn has been a popular meeting place since the1700’s when the weary traveller would stop for a rest.The pub was once an ostler’s house and the restaurant was ablacksmith’s forge. Anne and her family have been opening the doorsat The Mount Pleasant for 28 years this year. So if you are travelling byfoot, car, bike, tractor, horse or steam engine you are all welcome torest and refuel as many have always done.

For all enquiries call01884 860271

www.mpli.ltd.uk

37

I am writing this letter to let you know that at theend of the summer term, July 2016, I will behanging up my Brownie/Guide Leaders hat.

I have been volunteering with Girlguiding for over ten years supporting andencouraging girls from Witheridge Brownies and Guides to fulfil their potential.I have loved my time as a leader; it’s been fantastic to watch so many girls growin confidence in a girl’s only space. I have had lots of adventures, fun andlaughter, and made lifelong friendships during my time at Witheridge but feelthe time is right for me to move onto another chapter in my life. I would like tosay a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years.

Witheridge Brownie/Guide units will continue to run after I’ve finished. Therewill be a stand-in Leader, until a permanent leader can be put in place. We alsoneed to have some unit helpers. So we are now on the lookout for newvolunteers to join Girlguiding at Witheridge. If you, or someone you know,would like to come along to see what being a volunteer leader or helper is allabout then please contact me.

Anyone interested in volunteering a few hours a week please contact either meor Sam Eaton (district commissioner).

Jacqui Adcock: 01884 251494 jacquiadcock@yahoo.co.ukSam Eaton: 01884 258883 sam@honiton-hearing.co.uk

Jacqui Adcock

Witheridge Brownies and Guides

Children’s Activities Brownies With.School Tues 5.30pmGuides With. School Tues 7:15pmTaekwondo Parish Hall Mon 8:00pm

Fri 6:30pm

Youth Club Church Rooms 1st & 3rd Thur 7pm

38

39

I am happy to say that the Parish Hall is going from strength to strength. Theregular bookings are good and the one-off bookings such as weddings, partiesand events are up. The Hall looks brilliant, and the decoration has just beenfreshened up. When the sun shines in and with the wonderful views, it is a hallthat is hard to beat. So make the most of it,when we put on events please support them.

As I always say, if there is anyone who has anyideas of events we could put on please get intouch with me as we are always keen to hearnew ideas.

Oddsocks production of Much Ado about Nothing will be on 25�� August andthe gates will open at 6.00pm - don’t miss this, you will really regret it if you do:their last production was absolutely brilliant. It is world class theatre on yourown doorstep.Contact Clare Spicer at spicerclare@gmail.com

Parish Hall

On the 1st Tuesday of every month at 12 noon for12.30pm at the Parish Hall, a home-cooked threecourse meal is provided, for a small charge of £4,for people who live on their own. For the last sevenyears people have been able to attend and enjoygood fellowship and delicious food. The peoplewho have attended on a regular basis have beengrateful for the quality and variety of food that hasbeen provided.

If you live on your own and would like to attend,then we should be glad to meet you. Just ring ourChairman, Yvonne Childs on 01884 860012 to booka place, and then come along and enjoy theatmosphere.

United Churches Luncheon Club

40

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41

In a Former Life - Foster Carers

In 1993, at the ages of just 25 and 28,Peter and I became foster carers. Atthat stage we had no children of ourown, but were both involved withvoluntary youth work, where itbecame apparent that the needs ofsome young people were so muchmore than could be met at a youthclub.

The application process was fairlylengthy and quite invasive, involvinginterviews, both together andindividually, interviews with personalreferees and police checks, after whichthere were training sessions.

We opted to foster teenagers, as thatwas where our experience was, butsoon realised how little we reallyknew. Thankfully we had the supportof our own Family Support Worker,plus we attended a Foster CarersSupport Group regularly, as well asmany different training events.

Some young people just stayed for 1night. We were on the EmergencyDuty Team list, which meant that youcould get a call in the middle of thenight to take a young person for thenight, and then Social Services couldtake the time the next day to movethem on to a suitable placement, orstay longer with us. Others stayed formuch longer, the longest being 4years. Some went back home after awhile; some moved on to otherplacements for various reasons and

some stayed until they moved intosome form of independent living.

Each young person had an impact onour lives: each had a story to tell, apast to overcome and a future beforethem. Some flourished in our care andsome seemed to hit out againsteverything and everybody.

We did not always know the impactwe had on their lives. I remembergetting a phone call from one youngman several years after he had left uson fairly difficult terms. He was in amental health unit and he wanted meto go and visit him. When I got therehe apologised to me for the way hehad behaved and thanked me for thesupport we had given him at a difficulttime in his life.

Peter and I fostered for 17 years. Wedid alter the age range during thattime when our own children were alittle older, but it was mainlyteenagers. There were some toughtimes, but many good times too. Wesaw young people achieving things,both in and out of school, that theynever dreamed were possible -success in sport, relationships,university, business to name a few.Peter has given two away in marriageand our extended family now includesgrandchildren too. Facebook hasmade it easier to keep in touch withsome of the 106 young people whostayed, but some still visit face to face,bringing boyfriends, girlfriends,husbands, wives and children.

42

Our proudest moment was beingnominated for the Pride of BritainAwards for the London and South EastRegions. We reached the final andwere chauffeur driven up to the ITVstudios to meet the other finalists anda host of famous people.Unfortunately we did not win, but itmade us realise what a difference wehad made in the lives of some youngpeople.

We have heaps of stories to tell andwould be happy to share some of themwith you.

Andrea Court

We are often being told that in the olddays it was the man who went out towork, but that today there are morewomen than ever in the workforce.However in Witheridge in 1881 theworkforce was comprised of 269 menand 267 women.Guess who stilldid all thehousework!The mainoccupation formen wasagriculture andfor womendomestic service.

AnotherWitheridge talefrom down under - A report from an

Witheridge Trivia

Australian newspaper the WodongaExpress May 1916 : A pigeon thatwas entered in a race from Bordeauxhas returned to its loft at Witheridge,Devon, after an absence of threeyears.

Devon derives its name from theCeltic word’Dyfneint’. This beingthe tribe living here atthe time of theRoman invasion andmeans ‘deep valleydweller’.So are Witheridgefolk, living on top of aridge, really true Devonians?

At one time people whose surname isWitheridge (or variations) assumedthey could trace their family tree backto the village. Now it’s thought thatsome of them originally came fromthe ancient manor of Wederige (nearPlympton) most of which disappearedlong ago into the sea due to coastalerosion.There were no surnames in Anglo-Saxon Britain. They didn’t come aboutuntil the 13th/14th century, whenmany surnames developed after aperson left their village ie: Alfred ofWitheridge.

The first person ever to appear on aWitheridge census (1841) was ThomasComins a schoolmaster aged 50, livingat what is now 1 Fore St.

Jim Campbell

43

Knights of Witheridge

The Knights had a great turn out forour recent Pudding Quiz Night wherewe made £500 so a big ‘thank you’ toall who attended to support us. Weintend having two quiz nights a yearso the next one will be on Saturday12�� November giving you more thanenough time to read a fewencyclopaedias!

Our next event in conjunction withWitheridge School will be Frog Racingin thevillage hallonSaturday28�� Maywhere youwill beable to bet on your favourite colouredfrog, or if you prefer race it yourselffor prize money. It is tremendous funand can be seen on You Tube bytyping in Frog Racing to view someterrific examples of what is involved.

We will as usual be attending the St.John’s Fayre where by populardemand we will be bringing back ourBalloon Burst flying plane which weintroduced for the first time last year.We will also have this fun event at theSouth Molton Vintage Rally onSaturday & Sunday 4�� & 5�� June andhopefully at the Mid Devon Show onSaturday 23�� July, so see you there!

The Knights are pleased to confirmthat we will be offering funding toindividuals and local organisationswithin our Parish once again this year.Please go to our web site atwww.knightsofwitheridge.org.uk todownload a funding application formwhich must be forwarded back to usbefore our committee meeting to beheld on Tuesday 3�� May 2016 whereall applications will be considered.

Finally do remember that the Knightsnow own a large (3m x 4.5m / 10ft x15ft approx.) gazebo which isavailable for hire within a 5 mileradius of Witheridge. It is ideal forextending any social event from yourhouse into your back garden givingyou extra space for food and drink tobe laid out. Two Knights willdeliver/erect it and return after yourhire to dismantle/collect it all withinthe price which will go into our fundfor distribution back to our villageevery year. For further informationgo to our web site.

Fred HanburyChairman Knights of Witheridge

Witheridge Voice AGM

Thursday 12 May

Committee Rooms,Parish Hall

7.30pm

All Welcome

44

01837 82386We are the printers to call

Digital & lithographic printing

Leaflets flyers menus bookletsCards tickets stationeryCarbonless business formsA1 & A2 posters & banners

T Shirts & hot foil gifts

www.burridgeprinters.co.uk

Oil, Gas & LPG Installations Bathrooms & tiling Oil boiler servicing & repairs

Trading for over 25 years

01884 860971 – 07702 032409 Nomansland, Tiverton

Barber ShopOld Market Field Ind. Est.

Shop adjoining Leach BrothersTraditional Haircut

for Men & Boys

NO APPOINTMENTSTel 01884 861120Opening Times

Tuesday 11am - 6pm Saturday 8:30am - 2pm

45

Table Tennis

Come and join our friendly small group for adults aged16 or over. All equipment is supplied and we offer teaand coffee too. Come along and pass an enjoyable hour.All levels of ability, from beginners to Olympiccontenders, are most welcome.

Friday 11.00am - 12.00 in Parish Hall Greg Henderson

Mon 7.00 - 11.00 (skittles at home) Tues 7.00 - 11.00 Wed 7.00 - 10.00 Thurs 7.00 - 11.00 Fri 7.00 - 12.00 Sat 12.00 - 9.30 Sun 12.00 - 7.00

Short Mat Bowls

We meet in the Parish Hall twice a week throughoutthe year. Club shoes and woods are available forthose who have not played before. The first threeevenings are free, then a green fee of £2.50 persession and a subscription of £20.00 per year. Short mat bowls is open toresidents of Witheridge and surrounding villages. Children over 10 and under 16must be accompanied by an adult at all times.ACTIVELY SEEKING NEW MEMBERSTuesday & Thursday 7pm for 7.15pm start Greg Henderson

Badminton

The Badminton Club meets in the Parish Hall on Mondaysfrom 2-3pm, £2.50 per session.

We can provide rackets if needed. We welcome all ages andabilities. For safety reasons children are not allowed. Greg Henderson

Witheridge Sports Club

46

37 West Street

Witheridge

Tel:

01884 861232

The

Village

Hair

Shop

BEV & JOHN WILSONTelephone: 01884 860678

TURN UNWANTED ITEMS INTO CASH

We BuyGlass - Jewellery - Watches - Medals

Gold – Silver - Old Books etc

ANYTHING INTERESTING CALL US FOR A FREE QUOTE

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Trays of 30 also availableCall: 01884 861737

Why not come and learnTaekwondo?

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Fight your way to fitnessCompetitionsHAVE FUN!

First 2 lessons freeNO SIGN UP FEESNO CONTRACTS

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Family discounts!WITHERIDGE PARISH HALL

MONDAYS 8 pmFRIDAYS 6:30pm

Contact WAYNE SIBTHORPE

5th DAN INSTRUCTOR07827 44252401363 773047

47

1st TeamAs usual for the time of year, the fixture list has been decimated by bad weatherwith only 7 games being played since the start of December which results in usbeing 10th in the league table with games in hand so hopefully the minimum ofa 6th place finish is still possible.One game which did manage to go ahead was the St Luke's bowl semi finalagainst higher league opposition Buckland Athletic which after 90 minutesended up 1-1 and went to penalties from which Witheridge came away winners,so a huge well done to all the players and management as we can now lookforward to a final against either Exeter City or Plymouth Argyle, once a date hasbeen confirmed.2nd TeamUnfortunately the stop start season hasn't been too kind to the 2nd team withresults not going too well for them and they currently sit bottom of the divisionbut with a few games in hand, so hopefully a good run of games can help themclimb upwards, as I'm sure Darren and his players won't want to be there inMay.3rd TeamThe 3rd team continue to improve each game andare sitting mid table which is a credit to them in their1st season, as along the way they have had somevery good results against other teams which can onlyshow a promising future for Witheridge footballclub.

Witheridge Football Club

Tennis

After such a wet winter, and as part of our plans toimprove our facility, we have just had a pathway builtlinking the clubhouse to the steps down to the court –it is looking good!We are also planning two one-day Open Tournamentsduring the Summer, the first on Saturday June 18thand the second on Saturday July 16th which will be a lot of fun if last year isanything to go by!  Rachael had her first children’s coaching session during theFebruary half-term and will be running more during the Summer holidays.We are always looking for more members so please contact me, Vine, atevelynspragg@btinternet.com for more information

48

The Mitre Inn, 2 The Square, Witheridge

Andy, Barbara and the team welcome you to our traditional village inn, theway pubs used to be. We serve an excellent selection of home-made

dishes, sourcing local, fresh ingredients where possible, bottled wines andExmoor and Exeter brewery real ales.

We are extremely proud to have been awarded the 'Trip advisor certificateof excellence for 2015' courtesy of our customers reviews.

Sunday roast lunch at £8.00pp includes a weekly choice of two meats fromExmoor beef topside, west country leg of lamb, turkey breast, leg of pork and

home-cooked gammon ham. Treat yourself to a dessert for an additional £4.50.We cater for weddings, various celebrations and buffets with restaurant seating

for up to 34 and with additional places in the bar area.

Please contact us to find out what we can offer you for your function.

We offer a take-away menu for collection which includes our popular beerbattered cod, chips and pea puree, and home-made 1/2lb beef burgers.

Pre-orders always advisable especially during busy periods.

Our bed and breakfast rooms are clean and comfortable and are available from£50 per night for a single room and £60 for a double.

To book either a table or a room or for any other enquiries pleasetelephone 01884 861263 or email us at: the.mitreinn@mail.com

www.themitreinn-witheridge.co.ukLike us on Facebook to catch us early when we post offers and events.

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The John Kemp Spring Trophy was contested atWaterbridge on 30th March for an 18 hole Texas Scramblecompetition. The competition had been deferred for threeweeks as the result of a waterlogged course. On thewinning team were John Avens, Colin Gunn and Jim Steele.The Wooden Spoon trophy was won by Witheridge players Graham Clarke andKeith Jenkins and Chulmleigh player Michael Williamson.The dates of future meetings at Waterbridge are:the May Trophy on Wednesday 11�� May and the Summer Trophy on 6�� July.New members are always welcome. The emphasis will be on enjoyment througha team game. Contact Andrew Clark on 01884 860612 or e-mail atastonguy@tring92.f2s.com. ANDREW CLARK

Witheridge Golf Society

We have 2 league teams playing in the North Devon League mainlyon a Sunday afternoon. We also run a social side playing the oddFriday game plus some 20 over evening fixtures. Our season startsthe first week of April but our home fixtures do not start until theend of April as our outfield is usually unplayable early on.Anyone is welcome to play, from 14 upwards to 80 downwards,male or female.We also play some touring sides, dates as per web site (when we get some andwhen I put the fixtures up!). Our ground and clubhouse is situated atNomansland, 400 metres from the Mount Pleasant pub on the Witheridge side(between the two wind turbines) and our address is Gratton Park, Nomansland,EX16 8NW. We are affiliated to the Sportsmans club in Witheridge and alsooperate a fully licenced bar.

Club Contact: Dave Gooding tel  07967534420 or 01884 860840E mail account: Witheridgecc@hotmail.co.ukWeb site : (you can also contact me via this)http://www.spanglefish.com/WitheridgeCricketClub/We also have a Facebook account :https://www.facebook.com/groups/104677514153/

Dave Gooding

Witheridge Cricket Club

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South Coombe Country Cottages Set in a beautiful location with an indoor swimming pool

South Coombe is the perfect location for a quiet getaway. Its tranquil rural setting and country charm make it an idyllic place to stay. With its indoor swimming pool complex (comprising sauna, gym and games room as well as a 10m x 5m pool), guests can relax and take some healthy exercise inside or out.South Coombe offers high quality cottages that sleep from two to six peoplewith one cottage having wheelchair access. The cottages are less than a mileaway from the pubs and shops in Witheridge village.

South Coombe FarmWitheridge

Tel: 01884 860302

Email:stay@southcoombe.co.ukWeb site: www.southcoombe.co.uk

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News From The SurgeryI would like to thank the outgoingEditor Carol for all her hard work andwish her well for the future whilstcongratulating Jill on assuming thisimportant role for the WitheridgeVoice and wishing her every success.

New Computer SystemHavingmentionedthis inpreviouseditions ournew GPComputer System is finally upon us!We will have switched over to its useon the 13�� April which has involved alot of effort on the part of ourPractice Manager Jane Hunt and all ofour staff so a huge thank you to them.As the Witheridge Voice will not bepublished until after the switch over,there follows a brief resume of thetimetable of events that, hopefully,will have resulted in an updatedcomputer system in the surgery.Tuesday 5�� April there was no accessto any computer system during themorning.From the afternoon on 5�� until 12��April we will have been able to readyour medical notes but not add tothem – we will have documentedeach consultation as normal inanother way and they will have beenadded on 13�� April to ensure yourmedical records remain completewhich will have been a considerableundertaking.

From 1�� until 12�� April we will nothave received blood results etc.,electronically, as we normally do. Wewill have received paper results whichwill have delayed receipt by severaldays. Any urgent results for markedlyabnormal results will have, ascurrently, been phoned through to us.We will then have received all ofthose results on 13�� April!Routine blood tests will have beenminimised until after 13�� April.We endeavoured to keep the impacton our patients to a minimum andhope that this will have helped toclarify the situation.

Spring, lifestyle and healthAs the days grow longer we have agreater opportunity to re-considerour general fitness and by improvingthis we can help reduce our weight,our blood pressure and ourcholesterol and in this way helpprevent conditions such as diabetes,heart disease, kidney disease and alsostrokes and dementia. Exercise canalso help with bone strength, jointmobility and also our mood.So what can we do? Areas toconsider are exercise, smoking,alcohol and our diet.We can help those who want to stopsmoking – book a routineappointment with our Practice Nurseto discuss this if you want help.Recommendations for alcohol haverecently been changed – a maximumof 14 units for both men and womena week with at least 2 days of no

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PETE GOWENPAINTER AND DECORATOR31 Broomhouse Park, Witheridge,Devon EX16 8HB

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING AND DECORATING

Email: petegowen543@btinternet.com Telephone: 01884 860860 / Mobile: 0780 3748518

Rockhaye Cottage Bed & BreakfastOffering Peace & Comfort in the Witheridge Countryside

Having a family ‘get-together’ and can’t fit them all in? For a solution log onto our website for further information www.rockhayebedandbreakfast.co.uk

Telephone: 01884 860578

Toshiba v Linsar v Sony TelevisionsSatellite and Digital Installations

Desktops v Laptops v Printers v Upgrades v Virus RemovalWiFi v CCTV v Business & Domestic Installations

01884 8603269 Church Street Witheridge Tiverton EX16 8AP Email: stoneman.tv@btconnect.com www.stoneman.co.uk

53

alcohol. If you are concerned youralcohol intake is damaging yourhealth come and talk to us about it.There is a lot of helpful informationabout healthy diets and diet plansthrough the NHS website – I suggestlooking at the following or coming into discuss your weight with one of us.www.nhs.uk/Livewell/weight-loss-guide/Pages/losing-weight-getting-started.aspx

Exercise advice varies on your age andthe types of exercise do too, as anexample for those aged 19 to 64 oneoption is to do 2.5 hours of moderateaerobic activity a week such as cyclingor fast walking together with strengthexercises on at least 2 days a weekwhich work your arms, legs, back,chest and abdomen.

For more detailed information take alook at the followingwww.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-adults.aspx which has informationand links for all ages.Hayfever …If you suffer with hayfever – sneezing,runny or congested nose, itchy redeyes and throat are typical symptoms,now is the time to start thinkingabout its management, there aremany medicines that we can offer tohelp!

Asthma …This can worsen during hayfeverseason, if you have but rarely use

inhalers are they in date? If yourasthma worsens do you know what todo? Any problems with yourbreathing make an appointment todiscuss it!

As always, if you have health concernsplease do come and see us to offerhelp, advice and support.

Dr Thomas Owens

Witheridge Garage on Fore St closedabout 2000

and is now Anstey Close

Jim Campbell

Then and Now

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Ian BostridgeMaster Thatcher & Traditional Builder

All your thatching and building needs under one roof !For advice and quotations with no obligation contact me on

01884 861500 or 07734904898 or i.bostridge@talk21.com

Domestic Heating& Plumbing

01769 550867

Repairs, Installations,Bathrooms & Kitchens

(including tiling)

Devon Physiotherapy At HomeIn Pain? Can’t drive?

Can’t face the journey to a clinic? Sit back and relax, let the physiotherapist come to you

For fast effective physiotherapy treatment in the comfort of your own home

Telephone: 0797 4910719 Kathy Gardner M.C.S.P. Chartered Physiotherapist Registered with the H.P.C.

www.devonphysiotherapyathome.co.uk

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Neighbourby Eileen Haynes

Hello, I just called in to sayI’m fine, and how are you?

It seems so long since yesterdayAnd there’s not a lot to do.

Well, I hope I’ve not intruded,I don’t intend to stay,

In your plans I’m not included,And I’ll just be on my way.

Perhaps tomorrow I’ll call by,It may be different then,

You’re busy, but I’m sure you’ll tryAnd then we can chat again.

But if tomorrow will not doThere’s always the weekend

I like so much to visit you,And you’re quite my closest friend

Quick & Easy Recipes : BobotieA cheap and tasty South Africanfavourite

YOU NEED750g-1 kg lean minced beef2 tablespoon oil / butter1 thick slice of bread1 cup of milk1 tablespoon apricot jam4 tablespoons lemon juice2 teaspoons curry powder (more ifyou like it more tasty)75g raisins/ sultanas1 teaspoon saltPinch of pepper2 eggs2 bay leaves ( optional)

WHAT TO DO

Gently sauté the onion in theoil/butter. Soak bread in ½ of themilk. Mix all ingredients except themilk, egg and bay leaves. Put themixture in a casserole and press inthe bay leaves. Beat the eggs andmilk together and pour over themeat mixture.Bake 45mins at 180CSERVE With rice & mango chutney

VEGETARIAN LENTIL BOBOTIESubstitute 1 cup of dried lentils forthe meat.Cook the lentils first until soft.

Carole Campbell

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West Middlewick Farm

We have five spacious log cabins, with fantastic viewsavailable all year round.We welcome visitors for a week booking or short breakssubject to availability.Each log cabin sleeps six people, including a double roomwith en-suite and all the home from home comforts.Warm and cosy with central heating and an added logburner.Pets welcome in three of the cabins with enclosedgardens.Also available: B&B, camping, caravans, log pods

West Middlewick FarmNomansland

web: www.farmholidaysdevon.co.uke-mail: hello@farmholidaysdevon.co.ukTel: 01884 861235

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Incomer’s Guide : The LostGardens of Heligan (Spring )

Distance 84 miles Time 2 hoursDirections: Tiverton road, right fork toThelbridge → Lapford.   Left onto A377→  Copplestone,  right  in  CopplestoneA377 → A3072 Okehampton.  Join A30Launcestone–> A391 St Austell. B3273Mevagissey then brown signs to Heligan.Via M5 Witheridge  →Tiverton–>  M5south. Join A30 south. See above.Bus 471 from St Austell station.Bicycle Route 3 →Mevagissey, St Austell.Ferry Fowey à Mevagissey. 1.5 milewalk to Heligan. Ask on ferry for map.Open every day except Christmas Day10am-6pm, last tickets 4:30pmTickets -not National Trust or RHS.Adults £12.50 Seniors £10.50 Students£8 Children 5-17 £6 Family £30Carers assisting disabled visitors free.Parking lots.Toilets at entrance & Steward’s house.Food Kitchen 9:30 – 5:30pmShop & Plants 10–6pm (Sun 12-6pm)Dogs (on lead) in the gardens. No dogsin the tearoom.Things to do Boardwalks, exotic plants,hide, rare breed farm animals.Theatre in summer. (www.heligan.com)Accessible-shop, tearoom, northerngardens, hide, Steward’s house, notJungle or wider estate. Carole Campbell

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Garden Design & ConstructionWalling,Decking & PatiosInterior/Exterior Painting & DecoratingGrass Cutting & TurfingGarden Maintenance & ClearanceTimber Structures & FencingPruning & HedgingLight Digger Work

stoodleigh landscaping07801 442 453 stoodleighlandscaping@gmail.com

Steve King Plumbing and Heating Engineer

All Aspects of Plumbing and Heat Work Undertaken

Natural Gas - LPG - OilInstallation - Maintenance - Repair

35 Years’ Experience

Phone: 01884 798607

59

Witheridge Parish CouncilCouncil News

News in Brief (Full details on the website www.witheridgepc.org)Community Defibrillator – The defibrillator/cabinet has now been installed at the

public conveniences in The Square opposite the newsagent.In an emergency Ambulance Service call operators will issuethe cabinet code and instruct attendees to fetch theequipment if required. Over 40 residents attended theAwareness Sessions which demonstrated the equipment.

Playgrounds – At the time of writing Wickstead Leisure will be starting theinstallation of additional playground equipment at the parish hall playground. Atthe Adventure Playground new outdoor fitness equipment will be installed, and theremains of the trim trail which is reaching end of life removed.Audit 2016 – We are fast approaching year end, please watch the mainnoticeboard and website for information on exercising your elector rights to reviewthe process and accounts.Website – We have a new website as a result of a change in our district councilhosting systems. You can keep up to date with the parish council and its meetings/ decisions here at www.witheridgepc.org.Councillor Vacancy – If you are interested in co-option please contact the clerk.

Council & Committee Meetings

Meetings are held at the Parish Hall Committee Room, North Street, Witheridge. Un-Scheduled meetings are advertised separate to this notice. Residents can makerepresentations in writing to the clerk or in person verbally during the public session at thestart of a meeting.Agendas (with planning applications for consideration) are published at least three days inadvance on the council web site at www.witheridgepc.org together with minutes of allmeetings.Planning applications received after agenda publication will be dealt with owing to a 21 daylimit on the council responding to consultations from the Planning Authority. The parishcouncil is only a consultee, and does not determine applications. Paper copies areavailable on request.

Contacting the Council – Tel: 01363 460046 Email: parishclerk@witheridgepc.org

Please telephone or email to arrange a mutually agreeable time and venue. Contact detailsbelow, a full list of councillors and their responsibilities can be found on the website.

2016 Meeting Schedule Chairman: Cllr J Harvey Tel: 860629Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

7 4 3 7 5 2

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

7 RECESS 1 6 3 1

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A JOHNSON BUILDINGRenovations, Repairs and Modernisation

Extensions and Roofing

Kitchen and Bathrooms Fitted

Interior & Exterior Decorating

Bespoke projects catered for

References available on request Call Anthony Home:- 01769 550472 Mob:- 07545056229

61

Community Information N Devon

Library 2016 Monday 4 weeklyWitheridge Week 3

Dates Apr 11 May 9 June 6, July 4Witheridge The  Square 14:00 - 15:00Witheridge  School         15:05 - 15:50WRVS Home Library Service. For anyonephysically unable to reach a library.Phone 01392 384315Citizens Advice Bureau 01884 234926North Devon Councilww.northdevon.gov.uk 01271 374 776

RECYCLINGSouth Molton RecyclingStation Rd

R at junction into S Molton, 1st leftApr- Sept Thur 9-5, Sat & Sun 10-6

Oct-Mar Thur 9-4:30 Sat & Sun 10-4:30Tiverton Recycling Approx 2 miles fromTiverton on A396 Bickleigh on RHS.Apr - Sep M-F 9- 5 Sat & Sun 10-6Oct - Mar M-Fr 9- 4:30 Sat & Sun 10- 4:30

NHS Patient Advice & Complaints Team

NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHSNEW Devon CCG) patient advice and complaints team is a service to providepatients, carers, family members, the public and staff with help, advice andsupport with concerns or comments relating to NHS services.

The team provides free and confidential help to investigate and resolve problemsas they happen and aim to do this as quickly as possible. They can also organisein depth investigations of any problems relating to healthcare across a numberof different services.

Hearing from patients helps us to make improvements and gives us earlywarnings of system problems. It is very important for the CCG to hear whenthings are going wrong.

Phone 01392 267665or 0300 123 1672or text 07789 741099Or email pals.devon@nhs.net

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63

Andrew PrinceElectrics

Electrical ContractorTel: 01884 861648 Mob: 07714 618390

andrewprinceelectrics@hotmail.co.uk

Domestic, Industrial, Commercial,Agricultural

Test and inspection

S.L.PASSMOREPLASTERER

ALL TYPES OF INDOORPLASTERING

PLASTERBOARDINGAND DAMP-PROOFING

OVER 13 YEARSEXPERIENCE

FREE ESTIMATESCall Steve on

01884 881695 07584 284256 Email: stevepass@fsmail.net

John Burd Motor ServicesFriendly and Personal service

General Servicing and Repairs to all makes and modelsBodywork Repairs and Valeting Service

Tyres, Exhausts and BatteriesAir Conditioning and Four Wheel Alignment

Telephone: 01884 861361

Unit 1, Old Market Field Industrial Estate, Witheridge EX16 8TA

DANNY LEACHGENERAL HANDYMAN

SMALL BUILDING JOBS, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

ALL JOBS CONSIDEREDCALL

01884 860039OR

07709 429757

Witheridge Parish Hall

What would you like to do in the Parish Hall

THIS COULD BE:INDOOR SPORT

A WEDDING

A JUMBLE SALE

A CHILDREN'S PARTY

A CONCERT

A MEETING

OR ALMOST ANYTHING YOU LIKE

£15 an hour

including the use of china and cutlery.

(Negotiable for clubs and charities)

**Children’s parties ( Junior school age) HALF PRICE**

To make a booking or for further information telephone

Chris Kershaw on 01884 860208(weekdays between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm please)