South Molton Community Garden News

by Rebecca Blackman

The garden is looking beautiful at the moment. The rose at the entrance is covered in blooms and the plots are growing well.

We have squash in the ground now and we’re experimenting with wood shavings and holly leaves as pest control. Work on repairing the compost bins is underway, the sweetcorn and beans are coming along nicely, and we’ve been enjoying punnets of strawberries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries.

The team day in June was combined with an afternoon cream tea and we were blessed with wonderful sunshine. We harvested the garlic, ticked off a few jobs, then we shared a cream tea, good company and a little bit of live music.

Our annual visit to Rosemoor also took place in June and we had a great turn out. We had a lovely afternoon having a picnic together and exploring the gardens.

We welcome new members! If you’d like to join us, come along on a Thursday afternoon, weather permitting, around 2pm. Alternatively, please telephone Fran on 01769 572186.

Community News pages 50 - 53

Police investigate fatality among spate of bad crashes

Police investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the A377 near Chulmleigh are appealing for witnesses.

Officers were called to reports of a collision involving a Volkswagen Amarok and a Volkswagen Polo on the A377 near Leigh Cross, Chulmleigh at around 4.25pm on Saturday, July 15th.

The driver of the Polo, a 32-year-old man from Exeter, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. The male driver of the Amarok sustained non-life changing injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The A377 was closed in both directions for six hours for investigation work.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information or dashcam footage that could help with enquiries, please contact the police via their website or by calling 101 quoting log 620 of 15/7/23.

The A361 at South Molton was closed for seven hours following a collision between an HGV and a Peugeot 107 Urban on Thursday, July 13th. The occupants of the car, a woman in her 50s and a young child, suffered serious injuries and were airlifted to hospital. Officers say they would like to thank members of the public who stopped to help.

Witnesses ref: log number 524 of 13/07/23.

Also on July 13th the A399 north of Aller Cross was shut due to an accident involving two cars. The link road was closed again for around six hours on Saturday, July 15th (below), following a multi-vehicle collision involving cars and a lorry near the new Landkey roundabout.

Tragedy as body of missing man found

The body of a man missing from South Molton has been discovered in the sea along the South Wales coast.

Giles Jeffrey, who was 53, had been reported missing on June 19th. A number of his personal belongings were located in the Lee Bay area, near Ilfracombe two days later.

South Wales Police found his body on Sunday, July 2nd and contacted their colleagues in Devon. His next of kin have told, and police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Record crowd at county show

The 2023 Devon County Show (right) welcomed in excess of 96,000 people across its three days, one of the highest attendance figures in its 151-year history. CEO Chris Skelton said, “This means we can continue to develop our charitable commitments to the Devon agricultural community, and ensure a full-scale event in May 2024.”

Tree planted for retiring headteacher

It is a tradition at South Molton Community College that when a Principal leaves the school, a tree is planted in the school grounds. On Wednesday, July 12th, head girl Jasmine and head boy Daniel planted a ‘Mountain Ash’ tree for David Lewis who retires at the end of August (pictured below right).

Mr Lewis said, “I would like to thank the many colleagues I have worked with over the past nine years in South Molton for their unstinting support and dedication.”

“Above all, I will miss the students who never fail to impress me with their efforts, make me despair at their pushing of boundaries, always make me smile at their antics and who daily make me so very proud to be their Principal.”

David Lewis went into the teaching profession in 1991, after a career in the military and medical electronics.

Thank you to Barbara!

Barbara Cropper (right) was rewarded for her 20 years of service as treasurer of North Molton Victory Hall, with a special presentation at the Summer Sunshine Market in the village hall on July 15th. While stepping down from the role, she will remain on the hall committee.

Peer to preach in North Molton

Lord Leslie Griffiths will be preaching at North Molton Methodist Church at 11am on Sunday, August 6th.

He was a leading opposition spokesperson and Labour whip in the House of Lords from 2017 to 2020, and is now known for his broadcasts on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the day’.