The wise and the shy!

by Barry Edwards

Described as ‘a hooting woodland hunter with silent wings’, the Tawny owl is responsible for the most recognised owl sound, the classic ‘twit twoo’ call.

Photographer Barry Edwards captured these two young owlets, perched on a oak tree branch and bathed in sunlight in his North Devon garden, for our photo of the month.

The Tawny owl is nocturnal, so you’re more likely to hear them than see them. It’s actually the male who has the characteristic ‘hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo’ call and the female replies with a shrill ‘kew-wick’!

If you’re lucky, you may spot a roosting bird sleeping in a tree during the day. Pellets containing the remains of an owl’s food are a tell-tale sign that a roosting site is nearby.

The UK’s tawny owl population is estimated to have fallen by more than a third since the 1970s, mainly due to loss of woodlands.

You can see more of Barry’s photography on Instagram: @b_and_k_photo

Whether it’s wildlife like this, a landscape, nature, rural life, sports, special events, a local character or something else - please keep emailing us your pictures. We usually only feature one each month in the magazine, but show more on our Instagram and Facebook pages: @MoltonMonthly

The NHS nursing team in North Devon are saying “a huge thank you” to South Molton Community Hospital League of Friends, for a donation of £14,000 which has helped to buy vital new kit (above).

They have funded 24 community nursing bags and a bladder scanner, which will make life easier for the nurses when they’re out on visits across South Molton and Chulmleigh supporting patients.

The new scanner will mean people can be treated at home instead of having to make a hospital or GP appointment.

The nursing bags are designed to hold all of their essential equipment in one place, in a clean wipeable design to meet infection control standards. They will also mean the nurse won’t have to make extra trips back to their car when they need more supplies.

What’s On - August 2023 pages 11 - 16

Please contact event organisers before attending, as details are subject to change

1st - 5pm Heartbreak Productions presents Bad Dad outdoor theatre, Castle Hill Filleigh (advert page 15)

1st - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (every Tuesday) - info 01769 540036

2nd - 8am North Devon Show, Umberleigh Barton Farm (advert page 12)

4th - 10am Coffee morning for North Devon Hospice - SMART Swim Centre, South Molton (ends 11.30am)

4th to 6th - NDACMC Classic scrambler races and trials at Berrynarbor (advert page 14)

5th - 10am Garden Party at 79B South Street, South Molton - crafts, plant sales, raffle, refreshments, raising funds for South Molton Library (free entry, ends 2pm)

5th - 2pm Umberleigh Garden Show and Car Boot Sale at the village hall, info: l.holt262@btinternet.com

5th - 2pm Floodlight Fundraiser for North Molton FC, friendly football, BBQ & bar at the sports centre

6th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market

6th - 2pm Romansleigh Revel and Family Dog Show, Romansleigh Village

7th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036

8th - 10am u3a South Molton coffee morning Filleigh Village Hall ‘Combat cyber crime’ with Mick Harrison

8th - 10am CommuniTEA- drop in service from One South Molton at the town library (ends 11.30am)

9th - 7pm Illyria presents Pride & Prejudice outdoor theatre, Castle Hill Filleigh (advert page 15)

12th - 2pm Chittlehampton Fete at the village hall and playing fields (advert page 55)

17th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

19th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic@proton.me

19th - 2pm BBQ Party at George Nympton Village Hall (ad p55) 01769 572116 or gnvillagehall@gmail.com

20th - 10am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market

20th - 1pm Fun Dog Show at Hollow Tree Field, Chawleigh EX18 7EX; proceeds to Wembworthy Church

24th - 7pm Bish Nym Quiz Night £5pp up to 6 per team (every 4th Thurs): BishNymWhatsOn@gmail.com

25th - 7.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club with Andrew Nix at the Methodist Church Hall

26th - 2.30pm Village Fun Day & Bake Off at West Buckland Village Hall (cake entries 1pm to 2pm only)

27th - 11am Witheridge Motor Show at the village sports club, for Devon Air Ambulance & Over and Above

27th - 12pm South Molton Community Fete at the Pannier Market. Fun family dog show, kids fancy dress competition, traditional games, stalls, food and refreshments, music and entertainment (ends 4pm)

27th - 2pm The Sheep Group charity Speed Shear, Narracott Farm Umberleigh EX37 9AJ (bar & music)

29th - 5pm Illyria presents Robin Hood outdoor theatre, Castle Hill Filleigh (advert page 15)

A thatcher’s life for me pages 18 - 21

by Steve Tickner

Thatching and the West Country seem to go hand in hand. With cosy thatched cottages in just about every image of Devon it seems to be a thriving industry. And an industry it is. From the thatch that is grown across our county, to the workforce needed to bring in the crop.

At the end of each season you can see the stooks standing proud in the fields, drying in the last of the summer warmth before being stored ready for threshing and combing. The threshing machine itself is more than eighty five years old, still belt driven by an old Massey Ferguson stood by the side of it as it would have done years ago.

Bailing demonstration at South Molton Vintage Rally

In an industry so prolific here in Devon it is hard to imagine that there is in fact a shortage of people willing to learn this amazing trade. The hours can be long, the work hard, and in all weathers.

A chance meeting with master thatcher Shaun Clark, came to young Harry Tickner as he worked at a local garden centre in the summer break from university, then aged just 20. It changed his life and career path. “I’ll give you six months to see if it is for you!” said Shaun.

Those six months were the coldest, wettest working conditions Harry (pictured above right) had ever experienced, but he took to the job like a duck to water. That was four and a half years ago. Harry never returned to university, and is now a full time apprentice to Shaun Clark and Keith Otto, both renowned Master Thatchers.

Harry is about to turn 25. “I love the idea of learning a ‘craft’ skill and I hope to carry on this amazing trade,” said Harry. “Learning with Shaun Clark and Keith Otto has, and still is, an incredible opportunity for any apprentice. The open air and not being in an office have been a big plus, oh and earning a good wage too!”

He is now into his fifth year of training and still as enthusiastic as the first. From wind and rain to snow and ice, to warm summer days, the future is looking positive for Harry. Now currently working on the Old Court House Inn in Chulmleigh, Harry Shaun and Keith are replacing the whole roof on this beautiful gem of a North Devon pub.

Landlord Sam takes a wander around the courtyard as work progresses and is very much looking forward to the finished thatch. The smell of the fresh thatch is just lovely, and as Shaun says, even more so after a damping down with fresh rain - the smell still gets to him after thirty odd years! Sam bought the rather tired pub twenty years ago from Ushers Brewery and has over time refurbished this lovely old building back its former glory. The new roof is the ideal finishing touch with fresh thatch after thirty years of weather, and ready for the next thirty years.

If you are a young school leaver, or coming to the end of college or a training course with no real path, maybe having a chat with your local Master Thatcher may just be the ticket. Shaun Clark & Keith Otto, Master Thatchers: shaunclarkthatching.co.uk Writer, and Harry’s dad, Steve Tickner runs The Cheese Larder in South Molton

Emma goes pro with new England honour

South Molton rugby player Emma Sing (pictured right) has been awarded a professional England contract for the next three seasons, which includes the home World Cup in 2025. It means the 22 year old will be on a salary and can commit fully to the sport she loves.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the Red Roses, especially with the World Cup here in England on the horizon. However, we know there is a lot of work to do before then, and we are excited to bring the group together shortly to start preparations for WXV which will be the immediate focus for us all,” said the RFU’s Head of Women’s Performance, Charlie Hayter.

The announcement was made just a couple of weeks after Emma’s club, Gloucester-Hartpury, became the first non-London side to win the Allianz Premier 15s final with a 34-19 win over Exeter in front of a record crowd of almost 10,000. Emma scored two conversion kicks to help her team to an historic victory.

Her mum Wendy told Molton Monthly, “We’re excited and so proud of her, it’s Emma’s dream come true. It’s a home World Cup, and the way women’s rugby is being supported - it’s growing fast and I think it’s going to be an amazing event.”

Emma completed her bio veterinary science course in June, and can now focus on her career as a professional rugby player. She says she’s extremely grateful for her latest England opportunity and would like to thank her sponsor Ixora Energy.

North Devon Ramblers

by Janet Ellis

Do you like being outdoors, discovering new places, meeting people and preserving the countryside? If so, perhaps you might consider joining the Ramblers.

Not only do we play a valuable role in checking and ensuring the maintenance of our footpaths, but we also offer a variety of walks exploring the local area.

I joined the North Devon group of Ramblers 2 years ago and am still finding places and paths that I didn’t know existed! Walks of varying lengths are offered twice a week; the weekday walks tend to be shorter (4-6 miles), while the weekend walks are usually longer (8-12 miles).

You can find out about all the walks on our website: ramblers.org.uk/north-devon or contact our secretary, Janice Hurdle; janicehurdle@hotmail.co.uk - you can also find us on Facebook North Devon Ramblers.

It doesn’t cost a lot to join, the walks are free and all our walk leaders are volunteers. We try to car-share or use the bus where possible. If you would like to try it out first, you can join us for 3 walks before signing up. Once you have joined, you can then walk with other Rambler groups all over the country! Why not give it a go?

Jobs to do in August

1. Deadhead flowering plants regularly. Remove spent flowers as soon as they look scruffy, it will keep plants looking attractive and encourage more blooms.

2. Prune Wisteria and climbing shrubs such as Pyracantha after flowering. Also prune climbing and rambling rose that do not repeat flower.

3. Take cuttings of tender perennials such as Pelargonium and Osteospermum, as soon as possible. Place them in a greenhouse or cool conservatory to bring them on.

4. Prune apples and pears trained as restricted forms; cordon, espalier, fan, pyramid and spindlebush.

5.Cyclamen that have been resting over the summer can be started back into growth for winter blooms. Watering and careful replacement of the top layer of compost should be sufficient to ‘wake’ them.

This month at the nursery we revert to our part time hours, so we’ll be open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9-5 until the end of November.

Later this month we will be getting ready for the autumn/winter season with the arrival of the winter pansies, violas, polyanthus and primrose plugs!

Until next month, Jenny Howells

August Opening Times

Thursday Friday Saturday 9am - 5pm

Farm Life - wild holiday guests

by Roger Hill

We are now into peak holiday season. B&Bs, campsites and hotels are bursting at the seams. Our own guests are renting one of our barns, but there is no charge! We assume they belong to the same family that have returned in April for many years.

‘Hirundo rustica’ are their name, more commonly known as swallows. They are remarkable birds spending most of their time on the wing. Breeding in the Northern Hemisphere and migrating south in winter. Most British swallows fly to South Africa covering 200 miles a day at speeds of 17-22 mph. It is a hazardous journey with many perishing en route, so we are always glad to see their springtime return.

An influx of human visitors is fantastic for the Devon economy, but it clashes with the peak harvest season. Our narrow roads are invariably a meeting place for both parties so patience on both sides is required!

Added to the scene are numerous events such as our recent village tractor run with 53 tractors raising a huge sum for Devon Air Ambulance. We hope to have some days out in August including the North Devon Show (advert page 12), but probably not on a tractor this time. ‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)

The Red Arrows RAF display team flew over Exmoor and were seen from North Molton and other communities on Saturday, June 24th. They carried out a flypast for the Armed Forces Day event in Barnstaple. The photo above shows the view onboard as the jets flew over Exmoor.