Community News

Rugby firm meets chancellor on North Devon visit

On the ball - Rishi Sunak (centre) meets Aramis owners Vic (left) and Roshni Mahajan (right)

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak met local business owners during a visit to North Devon on January 12th.

Among those invited to the event in Ilfracombe were South Molton based rugby equipment manufacturer Aramis.

CEO of Aramis Rugby, Vikas Mahajan said it was an honour to meet the chancellor. “It was great to have a frank discussion where I laid out challenges faced by small businesses here, including labour and housing shortages, and red tape on exports. He was very understanding and assured us of continuing support for North Devon.”

The chancellor had been visiting Ilfracombe based pharmaceutical company Pall Corporation, who have helped with the Covid vaccine rollout and announced a £60 million investment creating 200 new jobs.

Fundraising triathlete Jade Kingdom has set herself a new challenge - she will ‘race’ the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, running UP the 500 foot zigzag path next to it!

“Beating the railway or not isn’t really what’s important,” said Jade. “What is important is that whilst being active and working with the local community to have a little fun, we raise some vital funds for the North Devon Hospice - so please support and donate whatever you can.”

Jade, who has Downs Syndrome, has already raised more than £20,000 for the hospice. Her latest event is due to take place on February 12th, and she is aiming to raise at least £500 - £1 for every foot of the climb. To donate and find out more go to:

justgiving.com/fundraising/downsyndrometriathlete

A metal detectorist has found what is believed to be one of England’s earliest gold coins whilst searching farmland at Hemyock near Tiverton. The coin (right) is made from gold and depicts King Henry III. It is thought to have been made in 1257, and could make half a million pounds when auctioned.

Awards for Hayes team

Hayes Machinery, the garden machinery and ATV dealers based in South Molton, have won two top industry awards - the 2021 Most Creative Communications Award and Overall Dealer of the Year 2021. Business magazine Service Dealer presented the awards to owner James Hayes (right). James said, “This is a fantastic achievement for us, especially as we are only a small company when compared to others across the UK.”

Only eight Henry III coins are known to exist Photo courtesy Spink & Sons

In the swim - pupils raise money for defibrillator

83 children swam a combined total of more than 20 miles, to help raise funds to buy a life saving defibrillator for their school.

The pupils from years 5 and 6 at South Molton Community Primary School took part in the ‘swimathon’ on January 17th at the town’s swimming pool.

They have now raised more than half of the £3,000 needed. Other fundraising events at the school have included a sustainable fashion swap shop, Christmas gift shop, pumpkin trail, teddy bear raffle and a hamper raffle from Lush Hair Salon.

School PE Coordinator Alison Holland said, “We are so proud of each individual child as

Some of the children who took part, with pool manager Sam Mason they challenged themselves to achieve their own personal best and never gave up to gain a fantastic total distance!” She thanked the pool staff and parents for their support.

The number of positive Coronavirus cases hit record levels in January, but with restrictions now easing, they have starting falling again according to official figures.

By the third week of January they had fallen 536 to 836 in North Devon, and were down 283 to 605 in Mid Devon - still almost double the number at the same time last month.

Devon’s Director of Public Health Steve Brown said, “We know that the Omicron variant is highly infectious, and we are now seeing an increase in hospitalisations in Devon. Thankfully, it’s not leading, to the same extent, to deaths or stays in Intensive Care Units.” Meanwhile more than 85 per cent of those eligible for their Covid-19 booster vaccinations have had their jabs.

A pop up vaccination clinic took place in South Molton on January 25th

NFU Mutual and their staff at the local South Molton branch, nominated charity South Molton and District Volunteer Bureau to receive a donation of more than £6,400 last year. The donation comes from a national £2 million ‘Agency Giving Fund’ launched by NFU Mutual. The service is a lifeline for those who do not have friends or family able to help, and volunteer drivers have continued to provide a vital service during the pandemic.

Filleigh cash boost

Filleigh Village Hall is to receive a grant of £36,394 towards the refurbishment of its main hall, meeting room and foyer. The money comes from cash contributions from developers locally, through North Devon Council’s Section 106 fund.

Volunteer bureau car outside NFU in South Molton

Cameras on council staff

A number of North Devon Council officers will be allowed to use ‘Body Worn Video Cameras’ whilst carrying out their duties from this year. It’s hoped the cameras will help improve safety for staff if they face physical or verbal abuse.