plained - Christmas Posting Dates - page 2
Newsround tra - All The News - page 4
perience - Village Carols around the tree - page 7
perience - CHSW Carols by Candlelight - page 8
posed - North Devon Footcare - page 10
perience - Christmas Craft Market - page 12
plained - Shoebox Appeal - page 15
perience - Santa is coming to Braunton! - page 17
the boys n t door - The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team - page 21
plained - Pru Maskell update - page 22
perience - North Devon Hospice Light up a Life - page 25
Kids Page - page 26
perience - CHSW Tawstock Court Christmas grotto - page 29
perience - Gordon Ramsay’s Cranberry mince pies - page 30
The Braunton press - pages 32/33
perience - Christmas at St Brannock’s & St Anne’s - page 36
perience - Christmas at South Street - page 37
The Dog N t Door - Betty - page 41
plained - Live well in Braunton - page 43
plained - Braunton Fundraising group for Cancer Research UK- page 44
plained - Braunton Museum - page 44
plained - Where there’s a wall - there's a way - page 50
plained - Spicing up Christmas dinner - page 54
perience - The National Trust - page 56
perpl Just for Fun - page 59
The Cats n t door - Jax and Binx - page 60
perience - What’s On - page 61 ind of Advertisers - page 62
Braunton Travis Perkins For all your building & landscaping projects Open for trade & non trade
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm Saturday 8.00am - 12.00
BRAUNTON & DISTRICT U3A
Monthly meetings in the Parish Hall, 1st Tuesday of the month. Next meeting 3rd December 10.30am. There is no speaker this month, we will be entertained by the Barnstaple Ladies Choir. Entry £2 includes tea/coffee and a biscuit. Members only, new members welcome, sign up on the day. For more information on U3A activities check the Braunton U3A website.
BRAUNTON LIBRARY
Every Monday, Under 5's, Mini Readers, read a story and have a sing song and craft, term time only 10.30 - 11.45.
Every other Monday Crochet & coffee 2 - 4pm, enquire in library for details. Tuesdays Lego Club 3.30 - 4.30.
Wednesday 10.30 - 11.30. Little Ones Stay & Play
Creative Writing second Wednesday of the month 1 - 3pm. £2 Thursdays 9.30 - 11am - Stay & Play
1st Friday of the month Art Box 3.30 - 4.30. £1 Saturdays Playmobil 10.15 - 12.00 - for 4 year olds plus Reading Groups - please ask for details Volunteers required to help with Library extra opening, 2 hours a month would make a difference. Other activities and events are all advertised on our Facebook page and website. Did you know that we have a free service delivering books to your door (Braunton area) if you are unable to get to the library? If you think you or someone else would benefit from the Devon Libraries Home Library Service then please contact us on 01271 812808
CHRISTCHURCH, BRAUNTON
Saturday December 14th - 10am – 12 Coffee morning at Christchurch. All money raised will go to Crisis at Christmas. Community Café meets every Thursday at Christchurch 2.30 - 4.30pm. Come along and enjoy a warm welcome, a cuppa and home made cake - all for just £1.50. All ages welcome. See you there.
THE BRAUNTON MUSEUM AND INFORMATION
The Museum will be open throughout the Braunton Christmas Market on Saturday 7th December from 12- 8pm. Admission is free. Tea/ Coffee available. Christmas closing - We shall close at 1pm on Friday 20th December. Reopen on Monday 17th February. For Half Term mornings only 10am - 1pm.
BRAUNTON FUNDRAISING GROUP FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK
We shall be at the Braunton Christmas Market on Saturday 7th December, with our Chocolate Tombola Stall. Look for our gazebo as you walk round. Lots of goodies to win! The market runs from 12- 8pm.
BRAUNTON PARKINSON’S CAFE
Second Monday of the month at the Vivian Moon Centre, Chaloners Road, Braunton, EX33 2ES - 10.30 -12noon. A Parkinson’s Cafe is specifically for people with Parkinson’s, their partners, carers, family and friends to meet together for a cuppa and a chat in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. It is organised by volunteers from Parkinson’s UK and the Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. Please join us for a chat and the opportunity to make new friends. Contact Sarah on 01271 816150 or just turn up.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF BRAUNTON CAEN MEMORY CAFÉ
Last Wednesday of the month at the Vivian Moon Centre, Chaloners Road, Braunton, EX33 2ES 2-4pm
A memory café is a friendly and informal café with a warm Rotary welcome in a relaxed atmosphere, for people with memory problems. Please come and join us for a chat, fun and refreshments, as well as making new friends. It is free of charge. Just turn up or contact Geoff on 01271 815377.
Richard Brook
Builder, Braunton
A Step in the Right Direction for Local Foot Health
As we move about our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the hardworking foundation that supports us – our feet. Every step, leap, and stride depends on our foot health, yet it’s often one of the most overlooked aspects of health. That’s why it’s fantastic news for Barnstaple that a new podiatry clinic, North Devon Footcare, has just opened its doors at Chivenor Business Park.
s a minor discomfort or a chronic condition, they are equipped to handle a broad range of foot health issues, ingrowing toenails, nail surgery, verrucae, sports injuries, diabetic foot care, and much more. They’re committed to personalising each treatment plan to fit the unique needs of every patient, recognising that no two pairs of feet are the same.
Footcare Tips
Here are some essential foot care tips from the podiatry team to help keep feet in top condition;
1. Trim Toenails Correctly: Cutting toenails straight across and avoiding rounded edges helps prevent them from growing into the skin, a common cause of ingrown toenails. Use a nail file to smooth sharp edges rather than cutting at an angle.
2. Moisturise Regularly: The skin on our feet is more prone to dryness, especially on the heels. A hydrating foot cream daily can prevent cracked heels and keep skin soft and smooth. Any cream is good cream if you’re actually going to use it! Just don’t moisturise between your toes.
3. Choose Proper Footwear: Shoes that fit well and have adequate arch support can prevent various issues, from bunions to plantar fasciitis. Look for shoes with a roomy toe box, that are suitably wide and made of breathable material. Something with fastening at the midfoot will secure your foot in place and prevent your toes ‘clawing’.
4. Avoid Walking Barefoot in Public Areas: Public showers, pools, and gyms can harbour bacteria and fungi that lead to athlete’s foot and other infections. Wear flip-flops or water shoes to protect your feet.
5. Don’t Ignore Pain: Persistent foot pain isn’t normal. If you experience discomfort that doesn’t go away or is stopping you from doing the things you love, consult a podiatrist for an evaluation.
Tel: 01271 533020
Website : www.northdevonfootcare.co.uk
Email: hello@northdevonfootcare.co.uk
Address: 26 Chivenor Business Park, Chivenor, EX31 4FT
The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team take this opportunity to wish all EX33 readers and their families a very happy Christmas and safe New Year!
Devon and Cornwall Police are urging Christmas shoppers to be on their guard for opportunist thieves preying on vehicles.
As the festive period approaches, police are recommending that people take care by keeping car windows closed and doors locked, and by keeping presents and valuables away from outside view.
Theft from vehicles in Devon and Cornwall remains low but the opportunity for this type of crime traditionally rises during the lead up to Christmas.
Shoppers should be aware and keep purchases with them rather than leave them on display in vehicles. This will reduce the opportunity for crime.
By taking simple precautions people can help police to reduce crime while preventing the heartache of losing valuable or sentimental gifts over the festive season.”
Police are asking shoppers to follow simple precautions when out and about during the festive season:
1. Lock your vehicles and close windows.
2. Park in a well-lit and recognised car park.
3. Leave nothing on display in your vehicle.
4. Plan shopping so that bulky items are collected at the end of the day rather than being stored in your vehicle.
5. When you get home make a note of any serial numbers of valuable items on the guarantee slip.
6. Register valuables using the free service at www.immobilise.com which enables police to identify the owner of the items if they are stolen
PCSO ANDY FRISBY POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICER
BRAUNTON VILLAGE
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team, Chaloner's road, Braunton. EX33 2ES
Telephone: 101. Ext 300001
Email: Andy.Frisby@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
I can’t believe that another year has passed and that it is Christmas again! Reflecting back on the year…
In January at NDC we agreed to support another 6 homes for Afghan interpreters and their families, in MOD homes at RMB Chivenor. These brave people worked alongside the British Forces in Afghanistan and had to flee when the Taliban took power. We welcome them into our community.
In February councillor drop in surgeries started in Braunton Parish Hall. These surgeries are an opportunity to meet your Parish, District and County Councillors for an informal chat. Keep an eye out for future dates.
In March I was able to visit Number 10 to celebrate International Women’s Day (the question we all wanted to know.. did Hugh Grant actually dance down those stairs - sadly not!). I also gave some of locality funds to Braunton FC Women’s Walking Football team and in March they competed in their first league.
In April I attended a Re-Dedication Service for George Aubrey Manaton of Braunton, who died in 1918. He is buried in the old Methodist Church and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission replaced his missing headstone in a moving ceremony.
In May I had the honour of being elected Vice Chair of Devon County Council.
In June Knowle community group invited me to see their new bench and planters that form part of their WW2 memorial. It was lovely to use my locality budget for this project.
In July we saw tractors at our NDC meeting as farmers protested at a proposal to ban meat products. Thankfully the motion received no support from councillors and was voted down. In August it was lovely to attend the Braunton Community Garden open day hosted by Live Well in Braunton. They created a fantastic space and hope to share it with other community groups.
In September it was an honour to go back to my former school and open Braunton Academy’s fantastic new English block following a £4million capital investment from DCC to provide this new facility and other improvements to the school. Well done to everyone involved in this project.
In October the Braunton Community Men’s Shed held their official opening and I was delighted to cut the ribbon! This group led by Roger Byrom have worked so hard to create this amazing space for the benefit of men in our community. We also saw the first road signs for otters go up at Heanton Court following a high number of casualties on that stretch. Thanks to Dave Webb from the UK Otter Trust, Heanton Court for the use of their land and to the community who donated more than enough funds to pay for the signs and to help Dave continue his conservation work.
November is Remembrance Day and Braunton always does it so well. From the amazing shop fronts displaying poppies, the knitted poppies adorning the village flower beds, RBL volunteers and Cadets selling poppies across the community, to the fantastic parade on Remembrance Sunday and the service on the village green on the 11th, attended by all of the schools.
Now it is December and I know that for some it is a difficult time of the year. We have some amazing organisations in the community who provide help and support and details can be found in the brilliant directory produced by Live Well in Braunton (copies can be found in the Library).
We also have some great independent shops and businesses in Braunton and I hope that people are able to support them this Christmas, they help to make the village the vibrant place that it is.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas
Pru Maskell
County and District Councillor
ChristmasDates
Saturday 7th December
Braunton Christmas Market
- Caen Street Car Park 12-8pm
Christmas Craft Market
- Parish Hall 11am-4pm
Tuesday 10th December, 12-2pm
Christmas Meal - Braunton Parish Hall (see details opposite)
Friday 20th December, 6pm
Saunton Park Christmas Carols on the green by Pixie Dell stores
Saturday 21st December, 5pm (Everyone Welcome)
Village Community Carol Service - Caen Street Car Park includes activity for children to decorate the Christmas Tree with stars
in
on Saturday 14th and 21st December 2024
Caen Street Car Park
Office Christmas Opening Times
The Parish Council office will close on Tuesday 24 December 2024 at 12pm and reopen Thursday 2 January 2025 at 9am.
Braunton Parish Council
Phone: 01271 812131
Email: info@brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Web: www.brauntonparishcouncil.gov.uk
Facebook.com/BrauntonParishCouncil
Twitter: @brauntonparish
Hours: 09:00 - 12:00 Monday - Friday
Tracey Lovell, Clerk to the Council
Angela Corner, Senior Council Officer
Julie Spain, Admin Assistant
Meetings Calendar 2024
Full Council meetings are held in the Council Chamber and additional meetings, to primarily consider planning applications, are heldvirtually.
Full Council Meeting
7pm Tuesday 10 December 2024
Additional Council Meeting
7pm Monday 23 December 2024
Betty is an adorable yearold Alaskan Malamute looking for a home at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming
Betty is a happy, fluffy girl who will wonderful addition to the family who adopts her. She is currently living off-site in a foster home on Dogs Trust’s Home from Home Scheme. Betty likes to play with toys and have a game of fetch.
She has been enjoying trips out in the car for long walks in woodlands, parks and trails. She has a great sense of adventure and will happily join her humans on a hike, plodding along gently on her lead and sniffing everything she walks past. Betty gets on well with other dogs and enjoys socialising.
If the motivation is right, Betty understands basic commands such as sit, wait, down, and responds to her name. High-value treats help motivate her, and her favourites are anything bacon or fish flavoured. When Betty is in the home, she settles down well and likes to be with her people. She is affectionate, loves a fuss and to snuggle up on the sofa with her human companions. Betty could cope in a quiet or busy home environment as long as she is not left alone for too long. She is housetrained and friendly with visitors.
Betty could share her home with children as young as eight-years-old. She could potentially live with another dog, however Dogs Trust has no history of her living with a cat. She would need a home without any other small pets, as one of her favourite hobbies is chasing squirrels.
Betty will make a wonderful addition to a loving family, as long as they’re not bothered by a bit of fluff!
If you are interested in adopting Betty or want to explore other dogs available for rehoming at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/ilfracombe for more information.
Unit 20 Farm Road, Caddesdown
Everyone at Live Well in Braunton would like to thank everyone for their support and hard work over the last year. We hope you all enjoy the Festive Season and check out the amazing local businesses and Christmas and Craft Fairs.
Without people in the community we would be unable to support those who need it. There are so many great businesses, groups and individuals who help to make things happen (sorry not enough space to name all, which shows how amazing you all are).
The Braunton Community Garden has opened for trial events including Halloween over the last couple of months and we look forward to Gardeners Co supporting some taught sessions from Feb 2025. We have been inundated with advice and donations from businesses and flowers, plants, equipment from residents.
The Braunton Men’s Shed is now open on Thursdays and we are looking forward to seeing it extend soon (no pressure). Thank you for their support and joint work with the community garden and helping to brighten up the village. The carriage being a huge talking point.
Wellbeing Walks. We have hit our 40th Walk in November and we are currently looking at how we can make it to 100!!! Thank you to Jess at the Braunton Countryside Centre who has built up the walks and made it a great success. Watch this space for updates in the new year.
Benita Community Project. Will be holding their next mealChristmas Dinner on 10th December 12-2PM at Braunton Parish Hall- All welcome, and we are hoping to have a visit from the man in Red!!!
For any further information, contact: connect@livewellinbraunton.co.uk
Braunton Fundraising Group for Cancer Research UK
As we approach the end of the year, it is timely to tell you how much we have achieved in 2024.
From October 2023-October 2024 we have been able to send in excess of £4,398 to Cancer Research UK. This has been possible because of YOU, the people of Braunton! Your constant support for our fundraising events is incredible.
Throughout the year we hold four coffee mornings and two quiz nights, we deliver cream tea’s to businesses and attend the Braunton May Fair and Braunton Christmas Market. Added to these, other events raised £570.18.
To all of these you have given your support and all we can say is a great big THANK YOU. As you are all aware, the research into cancer is not funded by the NHS but by public fundraising, direct debits, legacies and other donations such as collections at funerals. The scientists are costly but the results they have achieved are enormous, every day a new way forward is revealed, people who once had a terminal diagnosis are now given more hope and extra years to share with their loved ones.
Clinical trials take place at North Devon District Hospital on a regular basis, the benefit to these has proved remarkable and we hope this will carry on. Our committee is formed of a dedicated group of people, all of whom have had direct contact with cancer. Some with cures, others not so fortunate. We need new people to come forward and help us to build on our success, it is rewarding in so many ways, a little of your time will help to save lives. For information please call the chairman on 01271 814475. We meet monthly to plan our events and review where we stand.
By the time you read this article we shall have had our Christmas Coffee and Crafts morning and the Braunton Christmas Market, between them another £1000 may have been raised! The first event in 2025 will be a Quiz Night in February, more news of that at a later date. In the meantime we wish you a Happy Healthy Christmas and New Year. Remember TOGETHER WE WILL BEAT CANCER.
Braunton Museum has had a memorable year!
In July we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. From humble beginnings in The Shambles in Church Street in 1974, to The Bakehouse Centre where we are now established.
Invited guests came along to a small celebration at the end of August, where we shared some light refreshments and a slice of cake. It was particularly poignant that we had an original volunteer with us, Anne Elliott who was able to cut the cake on our behalf. Thank you Anne, it was great to have you.
Throughout the Spring/Summer we had been running a grand draw, ticket sales went very well, the £100 first prize was won locally. We appreciated the support of all the local businesses who donated some lovely prizes. Monies raised from this will be used to add to our Model Railway Area and improve other displays in the museum.
As we enter 2025 we hope to continue being the Museum for Braunton, where we tell the story of times gone by through our displays and memorabilia. Alongside books by local authors which add the written word, as seen by local residents.
Footfall into the Museum has remained very similar to past years and our statistics show that we are keeping pace with like sized museums elsewhere in the country.
We are proud that we offer free admission, it has been our practise to encourage visits by local groups and organisations, particularly the schools in Braunton. In this way we hope to foster interest in the place where we live and work.
The Museum is self funding and our volunteers deserve to be recognised for the time and service they provide. Please continue to visit us and in this way enable the Museum to remain in Braunton for a further 50 years!
Painting and Decorating
• Interior and Exterior
• Competitive rates
• Honest, reliable and tidy
• OAP Discounts
• No job too small
• Braunton based Call Grant Williams on 01271 816019 or 07867 847832
We now have availability in the Braunton area!
Braunton Care is a well established, family run, CQC registered care provider within our local community of Braunton.
We have a dedicated team of experienced and fully trained carers that cater for a wide range of needs and ongoing development in health and social care services.
All staff are DBS checked and undergo a thorough recruitment and induction process to ensure a good quality service is provided to you or your loved ones.
Braunton Care are committed in providing the best quality care for yourself, or for a relative, on an individual, private and confidential basis in your own home.
Our aim is to support independent living to enable you to stay comfortably in your own home.
Some of the tasks we can assist with (but aren’t limited to):
-Personal Care (washing, dressing, bathing)
-Meal times
-Domestic tasks
-Shopping
-Appointments
-Dementia Care
-Sitting Service
-Medication Prompting
-Social activities
-Palliative Care
ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS
October’s answers was:
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Brian O’Driscoll
CATS OF THE MONTH - JAX & BINX
Jax and Binx are two good looking boys who've lived together all their lives, and are very close so must be rehomed together. A little bit shy to begin with, once they know you they love plenty of attention which they repay with face rubbing, nose bumping and lots of purring.
Now two years old, they've always been kept as indoor cats in a relatively small flat - not really an ideal situation. And when a boisterous puppy was added to the mix it all got a bit much and their owners sensibly decided they should move on.
As there is no reason for these young energetic cats to be kept indoors, we'll be looking for a new home with outdoor access, so they can begin to fully appreciate life.
There should be no other animals in the household. As with all CP cats, they've been neutered, microchipped, flead, wormed and vaccinated.
For further information please contact:
T: 03453714203
E: barnstaplecats@hotmail.com
W: www.cats.org.uk/barnstaple
F: barnstaplecatsprotection
Reg charity; 203644 (England & Wales) SC037711 (Scotland)
For more details on any club or event please ring the relevant number
Dance / Fitness / Diet Classes:
Dancing Feet Academy of Dance - 816213
Salsa & Flamenco Dance Lessons with Mercedes - 269146
Yoga with Jules - 07813 874121
Yoga with Simone - 07860 604698
Cardio Kick! - 07876 406077
Toddler Groups:
South Street Baby Group - 07776 261541
South Street Toddler Group - 07776 261541
Noisy Nippers @ South Street - 07776 261541
St Brannock’s Babies & Toddler Group - 07980 915660
Paratroopers Fitness for 3 - 5 yr olds with Laura - 07775 182391
Tag Rugby for Years 2, 3 and 4 with Laura - 07775 182391
Chatty Paces Running Group - Start at the Athletics Track - 07980 342144
Braunton Belly dance Club - 325793
Hypno Yoga for Pregnancy and Birth with Kristina - 07907508624
Women's Meditation and Relaxation Circle with Kristina - 07907508624
Paula Harrison Yoga - yoga@paulaharrison.eco - 07917 365318
Private/group yoga and somatic movement classes - 07738014383
Pilates, Yoga, Soundbaths and Over 60s sessions sue@sensegreaterpeace.co.uk
Clubs:
The Saturday SOB Club (SOB = Short of Breath) - 890217
Braunton Original Badminton Club - 374419 or 890185
Braunton Bridge Club - 07734 219859 www.bridgewebs.com/braunton
Braunton Camera Club - Meet on Monday evenings contact Chairpersons 07812753361/01271883306
Art group Thursdays at the Vivian Moon Centre 1pm to 3:30pm. Always open for new members! brauntonartgroup@gmail.com
The Village Quilters (4th Saturday) - 813460
Vivian Moon Community Centre Coffee Morning - 815924
Rotary Club of Braunton Caen. www.brauntoncaenrotary.co.uk
Rotary Club of Braunton - www.brauntonrotary.org
Empathy - need some company - See www.brauntonchurch.org
Air Cadets 722 Chivenor Squadron - 07920 091557
Aikido Club - 01769 560605 or 861243
Braunton Army Cadets - 07970 082963
Croyde Surf Lifesaving Club - 890101
Croyde Surf Club www.croydesurfclub.com
Braunton Karate Club - 07736 936738 unionkaratedo.com
Braunton Art Group - 07909 753846
Georgeham and Croyde Art Group - 890215
Braunton Twinning Organisation - 549828/814532
Braunton Tennis Clubwww.clubspark.lta.org.uk/brauntontennisclub
Georgeham and Croyde Garden Club - 07989841432
Natural Dog Club monthly meeting - 01271 624602
(2nd Wednesday of every month)
Fireball Beach Volleyball - 07583738712 www.fireballbeachvolleyball.com
Church Services (Sundays unless stated)
Beaver Colony - 816780
Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Braunton Sea Scouts - 871374
Braunton Rainbows - 816340
Braunton Brownies - 816340
Braunton Guides - 816340
Cub Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Beaver Scouts (1st Chivenor) - 07826385553
Braunton Caen Rotary Memory Café (last Wed 2-4pm) - Stan 816340
Braunton Lodge of Freemasons - 07947 183919
See Hear Centre, Barnstaple - 01271 373236
Braunton Bowling Clubwww.brauntonbowlingclub.co.uk - 812121
Braunton BMX Club - www.brauntonbmxclub.org.uk
Braunton Youth Club - www.brauntonyouthclub.co.uk
South Street Evangelical Church. (currently meeting at Christ Church) 4pm. Tel: 07879 773085
Coastal Community Church - Tel: 813515
(Currently meeting at Sticklepath Primary School, Barnstaple at 10.30am) Life GroupThursdays at 10.30am in Braunton. www.coastalcommunitychurch.org.uk
Christ Church Braunton. 10.30am, Wednesday 10.30am. Tel: 07775 804439
Our Lady Star of the Sea at Ilfracombe is now the mother church of the parish. For information please phone 01271 863563
St Brannocks C of E Church (Braunton). 9.45am, Wednesday 10am. Tel: 813367
St Augustine's (Heanton). 11am. Tel: 815795
St Anne’s C of E Church (Saunton). 11am. Tel: 813367
St Marys C of E (Croyde). 9am. Tel: 890616
Croyde Baptist Church. 10.30am. Tel: 07969 969 664 www.croydebaptist.co.uk
St Georges C of E (Georgeham). 10.30am. Tel: 890616
Christian Science Society Barnstaple 11am Wed 6.15pm Tel: 323741
www.christiansciencenorthdevon.co.uk
