Molton Monthly - February 2024

Welcome to the February edition of Molton Monthly. On the cover this month is Gwen Kingdon, who some of you will know from her selfless work in the local community over many years. Now aged 80, Gwen has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s New Years honours.

Photographer Karolina Andreasova captured Gwen perfectly for the front page picture, serving with a smile even as the news of her ‘gong’ was announced. Congratulations and well done on everything you have achieved.

As I write this, we’re at the end of the first proper cold snap of the winter with temperatures as low as -10 recorded in parts of North Devon and Exmoor. The weather is set to flip back to wet and windy, and you can see photos in this issue from damaging Storm Henk which kicked off 2024.

How long does it take to answer a question?

I have asked Link Road contractors Griffiths for an end date to their delayed A361 roadworks - no reply as we go to print. You would hope it was info at their fingertips given the amount of public concern. Maybe I’ll have an answer for you next month...

Peter Robinson, Editor & publisher Molton Monthly is also published free to read on our website moltonmonthly.co.uk and we have daily updates for news and events on Facebook and Instagram @MoltonMonthly

What’s Inside - February

P6-7 Photo of the month

P8 Gwen receives King’s Honour

P11-15 What’s On

P17 Alpaca killed in ‘hound attack’

P20-21

P26-27

P31

P34-35

Storm Henk hits North Devon

Anger over Link Road project

February gardening tips

Health & Wellbeing

P38-39 Farm Life - Devon hedge laying

P43 Ploughs blessed for year ahead

P47 Garden latest and AGM

P50-56

Community News

P61 Schools and Learning

P62 Index of Advertisers

P63 Local Information

Molton Monthly magazine is printed on recycled, carbon neutral paper using solar energy as part of our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. More than 5,000 copies are delivered free, door-to-door, by our dedicated local team to East and West Buckland, North Molton, South Molton, Heasley Mill, Filleigh, Charles, Clapworthy Mill, Bishops Nympton, Bish Mill, Chulmleigh, Chittlehampton, Alswear, Kings Nympton, George and Queens Nympton. We also have pick-up points around South Molton, Pathfields Business Park, Filleigh, Atherington, Chawleigh, Umberleigh, Rose Ash and Chittlehamholt, plus it is available at select North Devon and Exmoor pubs.

Little, but large in character

Standing at just 20cm tall, the little owl or Athena Nocturna, is about the size of this page of Molton Monthly! They were first introduced to the UK in the late 1800s.

This beautiful image was captured for our February photo of the month by Alice Rainger, “It has taken many hours of waiting patiently to take this picture. These owls have captivated me since I first stumbled across them on one of our leisurely walks here in South Molton.”

“They have huge characters for such small owls and can be very protective of their territory and their young. I often watched them put the magpies in their place! I feel very lucky to have such a wide variety of nature to connect with on our doorstep.”

Alice says she has a deep passion for British wildlife, and as a mum of two energetic boys they often find themselves exploring Exmoor and the stunning countryside in North Devon. You can see more of her work on social media: facebook.com/aliceraingerwildlife

Whether it’s wildlife like this, rural life, a landscape, nature, special events, sports, 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

‘King’s Honour’ for Gwen’s service to the community

Gwen Kingdon has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s 2024 New Year Honours list.

The 80 year old from South Molton has been involved with the town’s community life for many decades, including the Methodist Church, South Molton Town Band, Age Concern and Sunshine Circle.

Mrs Kingdon said she was very surprised to receive the award, with the news delivered in a Cabinet Office envelope.

“I felt very humbled because a lot of the things I have done I have needed help with and have always had help, so I felt as if the award was on behalf of a lot of other people,” she said.

Even as the news was announced, Gwen was serving refreshments with a smile at the Methodist Church (above and front cover)

Tributes poured in from the community she has served, alongside her husband Ray, for the past 60 years. Elaine Symons said, “Congratulations Gwen, well deserved for all you have done for so many years.”

Rose Bertram added, “Congratulations Gwen, you really deserve it for all you have done for our community.”

Butcher John May summed up the feelings of many, saying, “Gwen is a real diamond! Well done to you.”

Another recipient was retired colonel Brian Gorski, who has received an OBE in addition to his MBE, for services to museums and the community in Bury, Greater Manchester, but he now lives South Molton.

What’s On - February 2024 pages 11-15

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

1st - Exmoor Food Fest 2024, all month in Exmoor restaurants, pubs and eateries: exmoorfoodfest.com

2nd - 10am Coffee Morning for North Devon Hospice at SMART Swim Centre, Mill Street (ends 11.30am)

2nd - 8pm First Friday Jazz presents the Hot House Combo at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert page 12)

3rd - 6pm Family stargazing event in the observatory at The Poltimore Inn, North Molton (advert page 14)

3rd - 7.30pm Eyes Down for South Molton Vintage Rally Club Bingo at The Coaching Inn, South Molton

4th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 3pm)

5th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036

6th - 4.30pm Community Flood Action Drop-in session at Chulmleigh Pavilion (ends 7pm)

6th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (every Tuesday) - info 01769 540036

7th - 10am One South Molton community meeting in the Old Assembly Room (ends 12pm)

9th - 10am South Molton Repair Café with Plastic Free North Devon - YMCA, Mill Street (ends 12pm)

9th - 7pm Quiz Night at Knowstone Parish Hall, £3pp teams up to 6: davebarrett30@hotmail.com

9th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘The Great Escaper’ (12A) - tickets £5 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion

10th - 9am Free Trees Giveaway with Saving Devon’s Treescapes at Chulmleigh Town Hall (advert page 12)

10th - 10am Pancake Morning at North Molton Victory Hall (ends 11.30am)

13th - 10am South Molton u3a presents, ‘Going Underground - the Cave Elephants of Mt. Elgon’ with Steven Powles at Filleigh Village Hall

13th - 10am CommuniTEA- drop in service from One South Molton at the town library (ends 11.30am)

17th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk

18th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm)

19th - 7pm South Molton Sisters W.I. monthly meeting at the YMCA - fun, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm)

20th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

21st - 7pm Chulmleigh Folk Club - sing, play, recite poetry & more at Chulmleigh Town Hall; £2 entry

24th - 2.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club AGM & music with Elaine Methodist Church Hall

25th - 10am South Molton Festival of Food & Drink at the Pannier Market

25th - 9am Pre lambing breakfast with Exmoor Hill Farming Network, Winsford Village Hall (ends 12pm)

25th - 10am South Molton Strugglers - Castle Hill Corker: southmoltonstrugglers.co.uk/castle-hill-corker

Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - for events see advert page 12

Pop-up Police Station - Chulmleigh Town Hall 10am 5th; South Molton Pannier Market 10am 8th & 24th

Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions 10am-1pm 9th & 23rd - £2 donation requested

South Molton Sisters W.I Craft & Natter Amory Centre garden room 10.30am-12.30pm 3rd, 7th, 17th

Police investigate death of pregnant alpaca in alleged attack by hounds

Detectives are investigating reports that a pet alpaca was attacked by hounds and died on New Year’s Day. Ruby (photo right) was pregnant and her unborn baby also died. A young alpaca Ruby was nursing escaped.

The alleged attack, said to involve dogs from Tiverton Staghounds, happened at Rosebud Alpacas near Kings Nympton.

Owner Lucy Aylett told Molton Monthly, “We are totally devastated and shocked. We’re also trying to run a small business as are others in the community, and this has an impact on that.”

Lucy and her husband Nick Stringer (pictured above, right) are well known for breeding alpacas, and the couple run popular yoga and glamping on their smallholding in the North Devon countryside. Their ‘yoga with alpacas’ classes have previously been featured in Molton Monthly

A spokesman for Devon & Cornwall Police said, “We are investigating a report in relation to hounds that attacked an alpaca which died as a result of its injuries at a rural property in the Kings Nympton area, between 10.30am and 12.35pm on Monday, January 1st.”

Detectives are appealing for anyone to get in touch who witnessed the incident or have information that can help, they are also asking for any dashcam or CCTV footage.

Please contact police via their website or by calling 101 quoting reference number: 50240001262.

Storm Henk hits hard

2024 started with one of the most powerful storms of the winter so far, with gales and heavy rain causing severe problems.

The Met Office named it as Storm Henk and issued an amber warning as winds in excess of 60mph battered North Devon.

Around 365 properties in Chulmleigh, including Wallingbrook Health Centre, were left without power for several hours as falling trees brought down power lines (right) Phone and internet services were also disrupted.

One of the ancient trees on Leigh Road was felled by the winds on January 3rd, blocking the road into the town from the A377 and bringing down cables (pictured right)

Parts of the A377 and neighbouring roads were flooded around Colleton and Chapelton (photo opposite page)

Train services were suspended between Crediton and Barnstaple for several hours due to flooding on the railway lines.

Trees were also brought down at North Molton and Kings Nympton (below), blocking roads into both villages.