plained - National Trust Doone Valley Walking Weekend - page 10
plained - Councillor update - page 13
the boys n t door - The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team - page 21
plained - Family Fun Day - page 22
plained - Drink it in - page 28
plained - Heanton Nursing Home - page 30
The Braunton press - pages 32/33
Kids Page - page 34
plained - An exceptional September in your garden - page 36
plained - Pack it in - page 40
Maggies forever home - page 41
plained - Live Well in Braunton - page 48
perience - Barnstaple Carnival is back - pages 50/51
plained - Looking back - page 52
plained - James Martin’s Autumn Minestrone Soup - page 54
perience - The National Trust - page 56
perpl Just for Fun - page 59
Cat of the month - Brutus - 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 September 10.30am. This months speaker is Janet Few talking about “Coffers, Clysters, Comfrey and Coifs, The lives of our 17th Century ancestors.” 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 - 12. Little Ones Stay & Play
Creative Writing second Wednesday of the month 1 - 3pm. £2 1st Friday of the month Art Box 3.30 - 4.30. £1 Saturdays Playmobil 10 - 12.15
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 September 7th 10am – 12 Coffee morning at Christchurch. Money raised will go towards a new church laptop.
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
Tickets for the 50th Anniversary draw are only available until 30th August !
The opening hours revert to the usual times, as follows: Monday- Thursday 10am - 3pm, Friday 10am - 1pm. Admission is Free
BRAUNTON FUNDRAISING GROUP FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK
Saturday 14th September - Coffee and Crafts morning at Braunton Parish Hall 10am - 12. Admission £1.50 which includes refreshments. New Craft Stalls booked. Bookings can still be made by calling 01271 815125.
CHRISTIAN AID IN BRAUNTON
Autumn Market - Saturday 28th September, Braunton Parish Hall from 10am - 12. Refreshments available, stalls to browse.
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.
- 07561
Acupuncture
Treatment plans for muscular & joint pain management, fertility, anxiety, insomnia, cancer treatments, fatigue and hayfever. New space now close to North Devon Hospital. Contact Warren on acaciatherapies@outlook.com 07815 939 019 or visit www.acaciaacupuncture.co.uk
COMPUTER REPAIRS
Exmoor Computer Services
No Fix, No Fee. Repairs from £40. New PC’s set-up. Wireless problems solved. Networking issues. Virus removal specialist. Documents rescued. Free friendly advice Business Services to Domain Level Call Nick Burnell 07789 718799 www.exmoorcomputerservices.co.uk
I will assure you of a quick response and a reasonably priced service! Call Alan on: 01271 268513/07977 507433 or email: info@cornerwayselectrical.co.uk
National Trust Doone Valley Walking Weekend
14th-15th September
Visit the Lorna Doone Valley for a weekend of guided walks exploring the amazing and dramatic landscape of Exmoor.
Bookingnotneeded Free event (admission applies)
The Lorna Doone Valley will be hosting a weekend of guided walks around the Doone Valley and the surrounding area of Exmoor. The National Trust will be joined by other providers to deliver a weekend of walks. The walks will vary in difficulty and length taking in different aspects of the picturesque landscape of Exmoor.
As well as guided walks led by the North Devon Ramblers, there will be self-guided walks available for you to explore on your own.
More details will be released on how to book onto individual guided walks.
See either the National Trust -Malmsmead website or visit northdevonramblers.org.uk for more details
County Councillor Update
September 2024
Since I last wrote in this magazine I have also been elected to District Council for Braunton West and Georgeham. So now I represent you at Devon County Council and North Devon Council. At District I sit on Strategy & Resources committee and Licencing. At DCC I’m on a few more; Children’s Scrutiny, Adult Health & Social Care, Standards committee, Foster Panel, Equality Commission, Governance and the Mental Health Act Discharge of Guardianship panel. There’s always something new to learn and no two days are the same. Councillors have grants to spend from both councils and this year I have managed to help quite a few local groups and charities… Saunton SLSC, Access for All, Vista Wellbeing, Plastic Free North Devon, Chill Therapy CIC, Knowle Community Group, Devon Scout Jamboree, the Benita Project, Braunton Countryside Centre, the Pilot Gig Club and a few others. It’s the nicest part of my role!
I have also been elected as Vice Chair of Devon County Council this year, which is mainly a ceremonial role, representing the council at events. I was honoured to lay a wreath for DCC at the D-Day memorial service in Barnstaple and am looking forward to attending the opening of Barnstaple Fair ceremony this month. Please do get in touch if you have something I can help you with… pru.maskell@devon.gov.uk or phone 07379 398641
Find out what’s happening near you: sign up to local alerts.
Sign up to our two-way messaging system to find out what’s happening in your area. Receive alerts concerning crime, anti-social behaviour, witness appeals and crime prevention.
You can also respond directly to alerts if you have any information and be the first to know about community events and good news stories in your area. Subscribing is easy and free. You stay in control of your information and update your settings at any time to change the types of messages that you want to receive and remove the ones you don't want.
You can also share alerts with other people. Just hit the share button at the bottom of the email to post the alert to Facebook pages or groups, WhatsApp, or other social media sites. By working together, we can keep our communities safe. Sign up here: alerts@dc.police.uk
Heanton Nursing Home Celebrates New Garden Water Feature
Heanton Nursing Home are admiring the newest addition to their garden – a beautiful stone water feature. Generously fundraised and donated by Alan Fulford, husband to Dorothy, a resident at the North Devon care home.
Alan shared his motivation behind the donation, mentioning that ‘Dorothy loved to sit by the fountain at home.’ He and a friend attended numerous car boot sales selling gold to raise the funds needed to purchase the same fountain that he and Dorothy enjoyed together. Now, they can continue to enjoy the feature at Heanton Nursing Home. Danielle, a Kitchen Assistant, said how Dorothy ‘asked me to take her out to see it’ after a shopping trip, and after they settled in the garden listening to the calming stream, Dorothy said “oh it’s peaceful isn’t it.”
Heanton Nursing Home encourages a Continuation of Life to Family Members living at the home; and the stone water feature with multiple waterfalls can be enjoyed by all family and team members as it has been expertly positioned on the patio, to compliment the stunning grounds overlooking the estuary. Bree, an Admin at Heanton said how ‘our other family members are also enjoying it and sit out there longer than usual,’ and adds ‘we have also had comments from visiting professionals about how lovely it is.’
To thank Alan for his gift, the home has arranged for a plaque for the wall above the fountain, which will remind all of his kindness and generosity.
Reporting a Problem on our Highways
Just a reminder that youcan reportthe following Highway problems on the Devon County Council website:
If you are reporting an emergency that requires immediate attention, please call 0345 155 1004. An emergency on the highway is defined as something that is very likely to present an imminent threat to life or serious injury or serious damage to property.
The deadline for the public consultation is 6 September 2024. North Devon Council will meet in the autumn to determine the application.
Braunton Parish Council
Clerk’s Office
Chaloners Road
Braunton
Devon, EX33 2ES
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 held virtually. Councill or Surgeries are held in the Parish Hall on the first Saturday of alternate months. Full Council Meeting
7pm Tuesday 10 September 2024
Additional Council Meeting
7pm Monday 23 September 2024
Councillor Surgery—Parish Hall 10.30am Saturday 5 October 2024
Saunton Beach taken during lockdown
Unit 20 Farm Road, Caddesdown
Maggie’s mission to find her forever home
Three-year-old Border Collie Maggie is looking for a new home after she arrived at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre as a stray. Since being in Dogs Trust care, her canine carers have described her as a sweet and affectionate girl. Although she is nervous of new people, she warms to strangers quickly and loves to lap up all the fuss and snuggles. She likes reassurance as well as lots of praise and encouragement as she lacks confidence.
Although initially a little apprehensive, Maggie is happy to join calm dogs out on a walk. She enjoys exploring rural, peaceful areas where she can sniff around at her own pace. She is worried by traffic and will need a home away from busy roads and access to walks away from passing vehicles. Maggie does not yet play with toys; she possibly doesn’t know what they’re all about. She loves her food and has picked up some basic training already - she knows how to ‘sit’ and ‘paw’.
Maggie is looking to be the only dog in the home, with the possibility of being able to share her home with another dog in the future. She would benefit from having doggie pals when out and about, however we have no history of Maggie around cats, small furries, or livestock.
Elise Watson, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe said, “Maggie is looking for patient adult adopters who will help her settle into home life with positive reward training. She may have never lived in a home before and therefore she is not familiar with household noises, novel objects, and housetraining. She’s a wonderful girl with a great personality, and will make a great addition to a loving home.”
If you think you can offer Maggie a forever home, please visit https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/ crossbreed/3443864 for more information.
19 The Fairway - Braunton
After a five year break, due mainly to the Pandemic and its aftermath, Barnstaple is getting ready for its annual colourful cavalcade to burst back onto it’s streets this autumn.
An enthusiastic team of volunteers, together with the support of FlourishingBarnstaple, are working hard to restore the once, mile long spectacular, back to it’s rightful position in marking the closing stages of the historic Barnstaple Fair.
Saturday 21st September will see the town come alive with the appearance of a Carnival Village making camp around the Square and along the Strand, featuring stalls and attractions of every kind together with a programme of entertainment at the Millennium Mural on Queen Anne’s Walk keeping crowds entertained before the main event moves off from Taw Vale at 6pm.
Two new areas along the route, new for 2024, will include a ‘performance area’ appropriately positioned outside the Queen’s Theatre, where the newly introduced “Performance Class” trophy will be judged, and secondly a Quiet Sensory Area just as the parade enters North Walk is offered for those hoping to enjoy a “quieter” experience.
The event will be crowned by a dazzling firework finale taking to the skies at 8pm which can be viewed from Barnstaple Bridge, The Strand and along the embankment.
Of course, to make this a rip-roaring success, the event needs the involvement of the good people of Barnstaple. The Entry form for all classes can be found at www.barnstaplecarnival.org.uk as can details of how to book spaces to host stalls and attractions around the Strand area on the day.
Details of classes and prizes awarded for winning entries are available at www.barnstaplecarnival.org.uk and there is a downloadable guide to help anyone who wants to ‘have a go’ but doesn’t quite know where to start.
The team are also keen to welcome visiting entries from the surrounding towns and villages and a new prize winning class, with trophy, has been introduced for those making the journey. Visiting Carnival Royalty are invited to join the parade with Barnstaple’s chosen ‘heads of state’ which, this year invites every community, across all ages, to enter the contest. Details and entry forms can be found on the website.
The Barnstaple Carnival crew are also on the lookout for people who want to get involved, but who don’t necessarily want to be part of the parade. Stewards play a huge role in the organisation on the day, not only ensuring the parade safely navigates the streets of the town but act as a point of contact for the public answering questions and directing them as appropriate throughout the day. If you would like to join this elite team, please email stewards@barnstaplecarnival.org.uk.
As with all everything these days, the cost of the event continues to rise and, so that the team can meet their obligatory commitments, they are asking businesses across the area for help in raising the necessary funds to help cover the costs of the parade. If you have a business that would like to help and benefit from showcasing your organisation on the day, please contact scott@barnstaplecarnival.org.uk for all details of all sponsorship packages the event can offer.
The revival of Barnstaple Carnival has been supported by Flourishing Barnstaple, a North Devon Council Initiative to develop cultural activity within the town which, in turn, has been made possible thanks to support from the Cultural Development Fund, administered by Arts Council England, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Co-Project Manager, Kev Behan, says “The town’s fair week has been rudderless for the last couple of years and we hope with the resurgence of the annual parade it will ignite the creativity of the community and we further hope people will come out once more, either to take part, or in just to line the route to support the efforts of all those involved.” It will be great to see the town getting back together!”
Phoenix Care at Home Ltd Are Recruiting CARERS in the BRAUNTON AREA
Various Shifts Available Ring 01271 816577 to find out more or pop in to our office
2 Caen Shopping Centre Braunton, EX33 1EE
JUST FOR FUN
HIDDEN MESSAGE WORDSEARCH - RIVERS
July’s answer was:
‘We are indeed drifting into the arena of the unwell. Making enemies of our own futures’ - Withnail & I, by Bruce Robinson
CAT OF THE MONTH - BRUTUS
Meet Brutus, a rather large plump but still handsome twelve year old tabby who loves humans.
He seems to have spent quite a few years living the life of a stray but a kind couple spent a lot of time gaining his trust and finally took him into their home three years ago. Unfortunately he couldn't be persuaded to get on with their existing furry friends, so eventually it seemed best all round for him to move on.
Brutus has been well cared for and much loved in these recent years and although big and chunky he is a real lap cat when in the mood. He is often very vocal especially when he wants your attention and likes for you to talk to him in return. Once he knows you he is a very affectionate puss, greeting you with lots of face rubbing and dribbling when he gets a bit of fuss and a cuddle in return. He has had experience of visiting children but has mainly been used to living in a quiet home environment which would now suit him best. He obviously still loves the great outdoors and can use a cat flap. He has had the works at the vet including blood tests and a full dental. So, after passing his MOT with flying colours could you give dear Brutus the loving home he now needs?
