Molton Monthly Magazine February 2025

Your community news and business advertising magazine est. 2007

Dramatic rescue for elderly couple trapped in rising flood

PLUS inside...

What next for Ukrainian refugees?; New Lidl store could open; Link Road speed cameras; what’s on and more

February 2025

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Molton Monthly Magazine - February 2025 Welcome to the February edition of Molton Monthly Magazine. It has been quite a dramatic start to the New Year, with severe weather warnings flipping between floods, gales, snow and ice.

Huge respect goes to the local fire crews for battling the elements to save two people stuck in rising flood waters in their car near Chulmleigh. It’s a timely reminder, especially with the condition of some of our roads, not to attempt driving through floods.

As we approach the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we speak to Galyna who fled the fighting with her son in 2022 and is now a science technician at Chulmleigh College, but in an emotional interview she explains how their future remains uncertain.

A new Lidl supermarket could open in South Molton in 2026, and we speak to the town council about what’s happening and when.

The North Devon Link Road is now largely open, but there have already been several incidents and issues. This month we look at how the average speed cameras work - you can read more from Devon County Council about the troubled project on our website.

Peter Robinson, Editor & publisher

Molton Monthly Magazine 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 Couple rescued from floods P11-17 What’s On P18-19 Lidl looks to open new store

P22-23 P26-28 P31 P34-36 P38-39 P37 P43 P47 P50-54 P60-61 P62 P63

Link Road speed cameras Uncertain future for Ukrainians February gardening tips Health & Wellbeing Farm Life - winter rations White-tailed eagles for Exmoor Help town bloom in 2025 South Molton Community Garden News roundup Schools and village halls Index of Advertisers Local Information

Molton Monthly Magazine is printed on recyclable, carbon neutral paper using solar energy as part of our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future.

More than 5,250 copies are delivered free, door-to-door, by our dedicated local team to East and West Buckland, North Molton, South Molton, Heasley Mill, Filleigh, Swimbridge, Heddon, Clapworthy Mill, Bishops Nympton, Bish Mill, Chulmleigh, Chittlehampton, 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.

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Here’s looking at you!

by Marley Kerslake

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The striking short-eared owl is a winter visitor to North Devon and Exmoor, flying in from Scandinavia and possibly more distant climes like Siberia.

Seeing a ‘Shortie’ swoop over grassland as it hunts small mammals is a memorable sight.

They’re unusual owls because they prefer to be out and about in daylight.

19-year-old photographer Marley Kerslake was delighted to witness their return, and he captured this beautiful image for our photo of the month.

“I have been photographing and filming wildlife since I was fifteen years old. In the last four years I have focused on capturing images of local wildlife in North Devon and at times further afield,” said Marley. “I am especially interested in birds of prey, specifically owls and often photograph them on Exmoor and surrounding countryside.”

You can seen more of his work at ‘Marley Kerslake Photography’ on Facebook and Instagram: @marley_photographyy_ Whether it’s wildlife life like this, a landscape or seascape, rural life, 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

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Elderly couple saved from rising flood

The dark coloured car was stranded in around 4 feet of flood water, and inset, the rescue boat on its way - photos by Hannah Bostride

A dramatic rescue saved an elderly couple trapped in their car as flood waters quickly rose around them. A specialist boat crew from Barnstaple was called in to reach the stranded pair at Bridge Reeve near Chulmleigh on Sunday, January 6th. A Control Operator from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue stayed on the phone with the frightened couple giving advice and reassurance as the icy water reached the chests of the two occupants in the car.

“It was not safe for them to leave the vehicle due to the fast flow of the water,” said a spokesman for Witheridge Fire Station, who attended along with the South Molton crew.

Firefighters in waders were unable to reach the car because the current was too strong. The boat team took the couple to dry land where they were checked over by ambulance crews. The occupants were said to be uninjured but suffering from the cold.

Torrential rain left many roads impassable as the Environment Agency issued the highest level of alert, Flood Warnings, for both the rivers Taw and Torridge in North Devon.

The Fire Service warned people never try to drive or walk through flood water, “Vehicles can become stuck and even swept away in just 30cm of flowing water.”

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What’s On - February 2025 pages 11 - 17 (plus more on p60)

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

2nd - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 3pm) 2nd - 10.30am Woodland Working Parties at South Molton Community Woodland (ends 12.30pm) 4th - 7.15pm South Molton & District Flower Club - demonstration ‘Spring Abounding’ Filleigh Village Hall 4th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036 6th - 9am Rootstock - Devon’s future farming conference Westpoint, Exeter: rootstock.ag 6th - 9.30am Free EFT Tapping Group with Jacqui Footman at South Molton Library (every Thursday) 6th - 7pm South Molton Backgammon Club at The Coaching Inn - info: joolzgammon@gmail.com 7th - 2pm Winter Wellbeing Walk at South Molton Community Woodland: onesouthmolton@gmail.com 7th - 8pm First Friday Jazz presents the Hot House Combo at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert page 14) 10th - 7pm for 7.30pm Fun Quiz with Chulmleigh & District Garden Society at Chawleigh Jubilee Hall; Max 6 per team, £3pp inc bread & cheese, wine available. Entries by Feb 5th: dianaM@farmline.com 10th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036 11th - 10am South Molton u3a - Lisa Chanter presents ‘Lost Country Houses’ at Filleigh Village Hall 11th - 10am CommuniTEA drop-in sessions with One South Molton at the town library (ends 11.30am) 11th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036 12th - 10am Coffee Morning at Chittlehamholt Village Hall 12th - 7pm Bingo at Oxham Hall, Mariansleigh (advert page 60) 13th - 2pm Memory Cafe the Baptist Church South Molton (ends 4pm) 14th - Valentine’s Day 14th - 10am Rose’s North Devon Hospice Coffee Morning at SMART Swim Centre, South Molton 10th - 7pm Film Night screening ‘Touch’ at Rose Ash Village Hall: rose-ash.com/tag/film-nights/ 14th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘The Critic’ (15) - tickets £5.50 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion 15th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk 16th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm) 16th - 9am Cantus Clarinet & Saxophone Day workshop, plus concert at 3pm. Barkham Exmoor, Sandyway - tickets: barkham-exmoor.co.uk 17th - 7pm South Molton Sisters W.I. monthly meeting at the YMCA - fun, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm) 18th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm) 18th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036 20th - 10am Benefits Clinic with Age Concern at the Amory Centre, South Molton (advert page 14) 20th - 12.30pm South Molton Lunch Club (age 60+) at The Coaching Inn (advert page 14) 20th - 7pm South Molton Backgammon Club at The Coaching Inn - info: joolzgammon@gmail.com 21st - 7.30pm Eyes Down for Bingo with South Molton Vintage Rally Club at The Coaching Inn (ad p14) 22nd - 2.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club AGM followed by music with Elaine at the Methodist Church Hall (all welcome) 23rd - 9.30am Cobbaton Combat Collection winter open day and sale, near Chittlehampton (ends 3pm) 23rd - 10am South Molton Festival of Food & Drink at the Pannier Market (ends 3pm) 23rd - 10am Castle Hill Corker running event at Castle Hill Filleigh; southmoltonstrugglers.co.uk 25th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036 27th - 2pm Memory Cafe the Baptist Church South Molton (ends 4pm) 27th - 7pm Quiz Night for ChemoHero at Bishops Nympton Parish Hall (advert page 12) Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - events page 12; South Molton Library - events page 12 Filleigh, Oxham and Heasley Mill Village Halls - adverts page 60 The Wellbeing Cafe - Thursdays 10am at South Molton Library Create ‘n’ Chat Group 2pm-4pm South Molton Church Hall, Duke Street 13th & 27th - info; 01769 574187 Police drop-in: 10am-12pm 10th Chulmleigh Town Hall; 9am-1pm 1st South Molton Pannier Market Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions; 10.30am -1.30pm 14th & 28th; £2 donation requested. Scrapstore open on Tuesdays 9.30am - 12.30pm.

South Molton Sisters W.I Craft & Natter Amory Centre garden room 10.30am-12.30pm; 1st 5th 15th 19th Text only what’s on listings are free, deadline 12th each month, display adverts may carry a charge Please mention Molton Monthly Magazine when contacting advertisers

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Major new supermarket could open in town The cut price giant Lidl is considering opening a new supermarket in South Molton. The firm’s agent has entered into a ‘provisional exclusivity agreement’ on a plot of land owned by South Molton Town Council off North Road. This means the council can’t sell the land to anyone else for 18 months, and Lidl has the option to walk away if the decide not to go ahead.

Mayor Jacqui Footman said, “We are delighted that Lidl is formally considering opening a store in South Molton. An additional supermarket has been on the town’s ‘wish list’ for the past 25 years so is long overdue, especially given the rate at which the town has expanded.” Public reaction to the news has been mixed - although most appear to welcome the idea, some have expressed concerns it might harm independent businesses in the town centre.

The announcement follows months of work behind the scenes by Town Clerk Andrew Coates, including looking at various possible sites around South Molton. “I’d like to thank Andrew for his long-standing and ongoing work to secure a new supermarket operator for the town which will be of benefit to everyone,” added the mayor. If approved the store could open in 2026.

The first Lidl opened in the UK in 1994, and the German brand prides itself on being ‘Big on Quality, Lidl on Price’. South Molton Town Council says that as part of the proposed deal, Lidl have indicated that they could contribute additional funds for the benefit of the wider community via a Section 106 agreement, if a planning application is submitted and approved.

Over the coming months, Lidl will carry out further assessments on the long term viability of building a new store from scratch and its financial sustainability.

If it goes ahead it will be similar in size and design to the latest Lidl supermarket to open at Roundswell in Barnstaple. A spokesman for Lidl told Molton Monthly Magazine, “We don’t currently have any firm plans for South Molton, but we’re exploring options in the area and will be sure to keep residents updated as and when there are confirmed developments to share.”

Executives from Lidl assessed many options for the potential location including the former Norringtons Yard next to Central Car Park, and the old Mole Valley Farmers head office site off Station Road, but the land off Hacche Lane is their preferred option.

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Main photo Karolina Andreasova Lidl are looking at land owned by South Molton Town Council on Hacche Lane near the recreation ground

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Link Road average speed cameras - how do they work?

A series a tall yellow poles with cameras on them now loom over the A361 between Aller Cross roundabout at South Molton and the new Landkey roundabout. These ‘average speed cameras’ are one of the key new features of the delayed North Devon Link Road project aimed at improving safety.

We asked Devon County Council, how do they work?

“They are a type of speed camera that calculate the average speed of a vehicle between any two cameras positioned along a section of road. They use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to record a vehicle’s license plate as it passes the entry and exit cameras.

The cameras then calculate the vehicle’s average speed based on the time it took to travel between the cameras and the distance between them.”

What will the speed limit be?

“With completion of main construction work, the A361 North Devon Link Road has been returned to the national speed limit (60mph for cars), and the 30mph stretch at Borners Bridge has been removed. The approach from Station Road, South Molton will be 40mph.”

What other safety cameras will be used?

“An existing spot speed camera will remain at Borners Bridge, South Molton. Mobile camera enforcement activities will continue to be deployed at sites along the A361.”

‘Opening ceremony’ criticised

Devon County Council held an opening ceremony just before Christmas to mark the ‘completion’ of the delayed £67 million North Devon Link Road scheme - one full year behind schedule. It was met with derision from motorists on social media, who pointed out there had already been two incidents at the new Landkey roundabout and problems with standing water in heavy rain.

No further closures or diversions are planned, but work will continue at night for ‘several months’ with temporary traffic lights.

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Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety at Devon & Cornwall Police told Molton Monthly Magazine, “Road collisions shatter lives, leaving behind a trail of devastation which affects families, friends and all emergency service workers.”

“It’s important to remember that road safety is a shared responsibility, and we would like to take this opportunity to ask all drivers and riders to adhere to speed limits and to play their part in helping us to keep our road network safe.”

“As a force, we are committed to reducing the number of fatal and serious casualty collisions on our roads and will continue to work with partner agencies to carry out proactive operations that target dangerous drivers.”

Average speed cameras between South Molton and Landkey - photo by Bianca Robinson

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For the love of Ukraine p26 - 28 As the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, a mother who settled with her son in Chulmleigh after fleeing the fighting has been speaking of her hopes, and fears, for the future.

Galyna Tsvigun now works as a Science Technician at Chulmleigh College, where her son Yaromyr is a student. She has just celebrated receiving her Writing, Speaking and Listening Level 1 in English Language.

“Since arriving in the UK I have had the good fortune to be surrounded by supportive and kind people, helping me to settle and build a new life for us both,” Galyna told Molton Monthly Magazine.

“I thank them with all my heart. They help me to continue to have hope for a better future.”

Galyna Tsvigun and her son Yaromyr at Chulmleigh College

But her positive approach to life in North Devon is tinged with tragedy. When they arrived in Chulmleigh on April 27th 2022, Yaromyr, then aged 10, had just lost his father to the war.

Hryhorii Shevchenko, was killed in action just two months after the war started in February that year. Like many young Ukrainian men he had not been in the military before - he signed up to fight against the Russian invasion, and gave his life for his country.

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Yaromyr’s father Hryhorii Shevchenko, was killed in action just two months after the war started in 2022

“When I first arrived I was in a state of shock, my son had lost his father, I had no relatives in Ukraine, I was scared, confused and didn’t know where to turn or how to begin creating a new life for the two of us,” said Galyna. Their host family and the Chulmleigh community rallied round to help them settle in.

“They have left a beautiful country fighting for its existence. This was unimaginable to us until we met them,” said Michael Johnson, Executive Headteacher at Chulmleigh College.

In the capital Kyiv, a flag flutters for each Ukrainian life lost in the war - photo by Stasya Khromenko

“Adversity can bring the best out of people and I think that every member of our school community who has joined us from Ukraine is a role model that we can (and do) look to as an inspirational example of both tenacity and resilience.”

Galyna and Yaromyr are thriving at the school, but their future is still uncertain.

Continued on page 28

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“It goes without saying that my dearest wish would be to return home to Ukraine, but in reality, there is so much uncertainty. I have so many questions about how our future in Ukraine might be,” added Galyna. “If an agreement is reached to end the war would this guarantee no further conflict in the future? Will I have a home to return to? Will I have a job? What will this mean for my son and his ability to continue his studies?” He wants to go into IT like his late father.

To add to the trauma, she says their future in Chulmleigh is also in the balance because it’s not yet known what will happen when the original ‘Homes for Ukraine’ visas expire. The UK government is said to be consulting with Ukraine and other countries that are providing sanctuary to decide whether to extend the visa scheme.

“We are trying to build a future in a new country without the certainty of being able to stay, and as a result, trying to hold the fragments of what we have left behind in Ukraine together as best we can,” said Galyna.

At home the conflict with Russia dates back to the time of the Soviet Union. “I want the world to understand that during the occupation of Ukraine by the USSR over half of Ukraine was forcibly Russified, and this meant being forced to

The area shaded pink shows Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukriane

speak Russian. When Putin speaks of ‘liberating’ the Russian-speaking Ukrainian population we do not view this as ‘liberation’.

What is he liberating us from? Our families, friends, homes and lives? The vast majority of Ukrainians who speak Russian are resolutely Ukrainian and don’t want to be part of Russia.”

A story of war

On February 24th 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which had started in 2014. The invasion is the largest and deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War. The Ukrainian government says as of January 2025, 43,000 of its troops have been killed and more than 200,000 Russians.

The latest figures from the United Nations estimate that more than 12,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war, including around 650 children. More than 8 million people have fled the country creating Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II.

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Your jobs to do in February 1. Plant seeds of half-hardy annuals in pots and trays. French marigolds, Cosmos, Dahlias and Mesembryanthemums are all easily grown from seed.

2. Root cuttings can be taken of perennial poppies, Verbascum, Acanthus and Phlox.

Divide clumps of perennials which have grown too large for their allotted space.

3. Cut Cornus down to the ground to encourage lots of bright new red or yellow stems.

4. Sow vegetable seeds: Aubergine, Chilli, Cucumber, Tomatoes and Peppers can all be sown now if provided with some heat. A kitchen windowsill is ideal.

5. Fruit bushes and trees and ornamental trees can all be planted now; they will start developing a root system whilst the soil starts is still moist.

This month we will begin potting up again. We now buy in a lot of our perennials as small plugs early in the year, they are potted into 1.4 litre pots and will be available to buy in a month to six weeks from potting.

They will continue to establish quickly when planted out into your gardens, as the compost is loaded with slow-release fertiliser, to ensure you have a stunning display for the summer.

Until next month, Jenny Howells

Opening Times

Thursday - Saturday 9am to 5pm

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Health & Wellbeing Services

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Health & Wellbeing Services

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Health & Wellbeing Services

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White-tailed eagles for Exmoor They have already been spotted occasionally soaring high in the skies over Exmoor, and now the National Park is aiming to release more White-tailed eagles in the area in the hope they will start breeding again.

The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England have been reintroducing White-tailed eagles into southern England since 2019, and now plan to release a small number in Exmoor National Park.

Rich Eales, a ranger for Exmoor National Park, White-tailed sea eagle over Exmoor said the iconic bird used to breed on Exmoor until they were persecuted due to threats to fish stocks, “You look at a lot of place names along our coast and they mean things like ‘eagle ridge’, so the clue is in the name.”

White-tailed eagles are the UK’s largest bird of prey, with a wing span of 8.2ft (2.5m). Exmoor National Park has been carrying out a public survey, ending on January 31st.

Website: roydennis.org/white-tailed-eagle-reintroduction-in-southern-england

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Farm Life - winter rations

by Roger Hill

My father used to measure the 1st of February as halfway through the winter feed rations for our cattle. The food used to be a combination of hay, plus roots like kale, cabbage, turnips and swedes and home grown oats.

Today the rations revolve around silage, both grass and maize, plus cake. I do not mean Victoria sponge or lemon drizzle, but cattle cake! Our biggest problem here is that we have to feed for an average of six months because of the weather.

Compare the latter with our friends in New Zealand whom we stayed with just outside of Wellington on the North Island. Instead of six months, they only have to make enough silage for six weeks. It is not fed during the winter, but when they experience drought in the height of summer. The rest of the year their cattle stay outside eating grass.

Another striking feature of their farming is the use of irrigation almost all the year round which keeps the grass growing continuously. Their capital costs are so much lower than ours with fewer buildings needed for housing, less machinery and lower labour requirements. If I was starting farming again I might consider a swap...

‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (tupperthetractor.com and quoitatcrossvineyard.com)

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Tucking into some yummy silage!

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You can help town bloom Volunteers with a love of gardening are needed so that South Molton can enter the South West in Bloom competition again.

The town won RHS gold medals in both 2021 and 2022.

“We are desperate for new volunteers who love gardening and enjoy hard graft in terms of digging and weeding!” said coordinator Sue Harrison. “We love to have a laugh and a chat whilst working hard to keep the town bright and cheerful. At the moment we’re not going in for the ‘Bloom competition’, as we need more helpers and volunteers who not only love to garden but have an artistic flair.”

South Molton in Bloom won gold in 2021 & 2022

The group is also looking for help with graphic design and websites. To get involved phone Sue on 07885 510400 or email; sue@southmoltoninbloom.co.uk

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South Molton Community Garden

by Rebecca Blackman

The recent weather has not been particularly conducive to gardening and many of us have enjoyed a little rest over the past few weeks.

The garden has a wintery calm about it. We are still plodding along with work on the ‘Willy-Nilly Garden’ and still haven’t found the rhubarb, but it may surprise us in spring!

Photo by Matilda Blackman

One of the first jobs this year is cutting back the raspberry canes. It seems no matter how much effort we put into creating paths between the canes, they are so good at creeping and sprouting up everywhere, we still end up with a jumbly mass of raspberries every year! It’s usually a great crop for late summer and into autumn. We’ll weed the paths, once again, and then try to keep them clear as the year goes on.

New members are welcome. If you’d like to join us, please visit the garden on a Thursday afternoon, around 2-3pm (weather permitting). Alternatively, see our website for more info: southmoltoncommunitygarden.co.uk or Facebook @southmoltoncommunitygarden

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News roundup pages 50 - 54 Grant kicks off new era for football club South Molton Football Club will receive a £314,187 grant towards the £2.3 million cost of new sports pitches and facilities at Limers Lane. The funding contributes to the club’s long-term goal to move from its site at Alswear Old Road to a new ground.

The club says it is “thrilled and grateful” to have received the latest funding from North Devon Council. “It will make a huge difference to the building of new sports pitches and a clubhouse for the future young footballers of North Devon,” said Vikki Macnab, Secretary South Molton Football Club. “Currently we have just the one pitch which is being used by all of the different youth teams and the senior team, and

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With 200 members, the club has outgrown its current site on Old Alswear Road

moving to Limers Lane will enable there to be an additional full size pitch, as well as two Junior pitches. We are very excited for the future of The Images.”

The new grant is funded by Section 106 contributions from the Nadder Lane and Old Tannery housing developments in South Molton. The club is applying for a £250,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

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Market in running for third win!

Celebrating the win last year photo by Karolina Andreasova

South Molton Pannier Market has been voted in the top 10 in the UK for the fourth year running and is hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins. The prestigious ‘Britain’s Favourite Market 2025’ award is organised by the National Association of British Market Authorities as part of the Great British Market Awards. More than 40,000 votes were cast and the results will be announced in Birmingham on January 30th.

South Molton won the award in 2023 and 2024 and this year is facing tough competition from Bury, Chelmsford, Market Drayton, Nantwich, Oxford, Pontypridd, Shrewsbury, Swansea and Tavistock. Mel James from the Pannier Market team said, “We are hugely proud, but also incredibly humbled by the amount of support we’ve had. Thank you to everyone who voted.”

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Snow and ice follows floods

As well as flooding (page 8), the beginning of January 2025 saw temperatures plummet with weather warnings for snow and ice. Amanda Adams took this photo just outside North Molton.

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MP wins bus fare reduction North Devon MP Ian Roome has celebrated a victory for local bus passengers, after a petition to reduce bus fare increases won concessions from Stagecoach.

Child tickets increased by 138% - for example the ‘Child’s Return’ on some routes in North Devon went up from £2.10 to £5.

Now the bus operator has agreed to reduce this fare to £3.20 (from January 13th) for South Molton Community College routes.

More than 1,000 people signed his petition in less than 48 hours. “It is refreshing to know that Stagecoach is listening to our collective voice. They have shown that community concerns cannot be ignored,” said the MP. Under the government’s new scheme, the cap for all single fares has risen from £2 to £3, marking an increase of 50%.

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Appeal over fatal crash

Wood factory site - what next?

A woman died and another was seriously injured in a fatal collision near South Molton on January 14th.

West Fraser Europe say they’re “committed to finding future uses” for the former Norbord chipboard plant outside South Molton.

Emergency services were called around 3.15pm after three vehicles collided on the A361 near Bish Mill, leaving the road closed for 9 hours for investigation work.

The incident involved a grey Peugeot Partner Combi, a black Nissan Qashqai and a silver Ford Transit van. Sadly, the Peugeot driver, a woman in her 60s from West Yorkshire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The firm stopped production in late 2023 with the loss of 170 local jobs, and recently applied for planning permission to demolish buildings on the site.

The Nissan driver, a woman in her 40s from Torquay suffered a serious leg injury and was airlifted to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Witnesses or drivers with relevant dashcam are asked to contact police online of by telephone on 101, quoting log number 405 of 14/01/25.

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Molton Monthly Magazine business directory Agricultural Services Bobcat Hire p39 Jack Croft Contractors p38 Andrew Symons front cover SJC Engineering p30 Appliance Repairs Don Bailey p41 Accountancy & bookkeeping TaxAssist Accountants p59 Architects David Rice Architectural p29 Astronomy Poltimore Inn p16 Building Services Bobcat Hire p39 Jack Croft Contractors p38 Darren White p30 Hotworks Engineering p57 J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p57 LS Building Services p56 Nick Ager Haulage p45 Phoenix Creative p50 Sheds4You - back cover Variety Building p58 W S Bricklaying p40 Camping Exmoor Riverside camping p17 Care Services Age Concern p14 Hubcare Support p52 The Firs Care Home p55 Cleaning Glass Act Windows p28 Oven Wizards p48 Clothing & Embroidery Heather Everitt Embroidery p8 Portlantis Clothing p43 Computing/Internet/Websites CBM p40 The PC Geek p46 Decorating Plastering Tiling CRD Decorating p52 Phoenix Creative p50 DIY & Building Materials Ardosia Slate p43 Nick Ager p45 RGB South Molton p20 Drainage Services 24/7 Drain Solutions p49 Electricians Chris Thorne p46 T. W. Electrical p53 Engineering Hotworks Engineering p57 Estate Agents Michael Adey Property p25 Mazzard Homes p4 Falconry North Devon Hawk Walks p37

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Financial Services Philip Milton p59 Partners& p32/33 TaxAssist Accountants p59 Food & Drink The Cheese Larder p18 Fuel Supplies Harry Edgell Logs p54 Winson Fuels p54 Funeral Services Friendship & Sons p58 H N Blackmore & Sons p44 Furniture & Furnishings Finishing Touches p29 Garage Services Custom Valets p53 DW Bodyworks p21 Motor Works p2 TGB Automotive p55 TGB Vehicle Keys p49 Gardens & Landscaping Andrew Symons front cover Ash Moor Nursery p31 Bigfoot Gardening p30 Blooming Good Compost p47 BWA Gardening p30 Darren White p30 Four Seasons p30 HPM Pest Management p47 Sheds4You - back cover SJC Engineering p30 Variety Landscaping p58 Graphic Design Jamaica Press p7 Hairdressers Jo Evans Hair Design p51 Haulage & Transport Nick Ager Haulage p45 Health & Wellbeing Atlantic Home Eyecare p36 Day Lewis Pharmacy p35 North Devon Ear Clinic p34 Reflexology Andrea Phillips p26 South Molton Medical Centre p35 South Molton Eyecare p36 Step Ahead p34 Home Improvements/Maintenance 24/7 Drain Solutions p49 Ardosia Slate p43 Ashgrove Kitchens p53 Care4bathrooms p29 CRD Decorating p52 David Rice Architectural p29 Dream Doors North Devon p56 Finishing Touches p29 Kitchen Exchange p45 J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p57 LS Building Services p56 Phoenix Creative p50

RGB South Molton p20 Sheds4You - back cover Stove Centre p48 Variety Building & Landscapes p58 W S Bricklaying p40 Insurance Services Partners& p32/33 Jewellers Ellison Davies p23 Jobs South West Care Homes p55 Legal services Slee Blackwell p24 Libraries South Molton Library p12 Locksmiths Darren Smallbone p41 Medical Day Lewis Pharmacy p35 South Molton Medical Centre p35 Metalwork Industrial Coating Supplies p40 Music A Side to B Side Records p7 First Friday Jazz p14 Queen’s Theatre p15 Opticians Atlantic Home Eyecare p36 South Molton Eyecare p36 Parking South Molton parking spaces p22 Pest Control HPM Pest Management p47 Pets Doggie Discounts p19 Pawsome Pooches Spa p27 Pharmacies Day Lewis p35 Plants Ash Moor Nursery p31 Plumbing & Heating Jad Mottram p51 Mark Berry p42 MS Plumbing p59 Printing Jamaica Press p7 Property (also see Estate Agents) Michael Adey Property p25 Mazzard Homes p4 Pubs & Restaurants Bell Inn p10 Exmoor Riverside p17 Grove Inn p9 Mitre Inn p16 Poltimore Inn p16 Quince Honey Farm p13 Recyling & Rubbish Clearance Tip It Recycling p26

Reflexology Andrea Phillips p26 Schools Kings Nympton School p61 South Molton Primary p61 School Uniforms

Heather Everitt Embroidery p8 Social Age Concern p14 Bishops Nympton Hall p12 Community Garden p47 Filleigh Village Hall p60 First Friday Jazz p14 Heasley Mil Hall p60 Oxham Hall p60 Queen’s Theatre p15 Repair Cafe South Molton p60 South Molton Library p12 Solicitors Slee Blackwell p24 Sport Badminton North Molton p14 SMART Swim Centre p5 Storage South Molton Caravans p39 Snell Self Storage p54 Ucanstore p41 Telephone Engineers CBM p40 Theatres Queen’s Theatre p15 Tool Hire Forent Tool Hire p21 Tourism Exmoor Riverside p17 North Devon Hawk Walks p37 Queen’s Theatre p15 Quince Honey Farm p13 Training RE Training p44 TV Services A3 Aerials p40 CBM p40 Vehicle Hire Forent Van Hire p21 Venue Hire Bishops Nympton Hall p12 Filleigh Village Hall p60 Heasley Mill Hall p60 Oxham Hall p60 Web Design The PC Geek p46 Windows ATA Windows back cover Darren Smallbone p41 Exmoor Fascias p41

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Local contact numbers

South West Water 0344 346 2020 National Grid 105 or 0800 678 3105 British Gas 0800 111 999 Environment Agency 0370 850 6506 Devon & Cornwall Police 101 (non emergency) Citizen’s Advice Bureau 03444 111 444 South Molton Town Council 01769 572501 South Molton Library 01769 572128 SMART Swim Centre South Molton 01769 572340 North Devon Council 01271 327711 Devon County Council 0345 155 1015 One South Molton 01769 572501 South Molton Volunteer Bureau 01769 573167 Go North Devon/Shopmobility 01271 328866 Age UK Devon 0333 241 2340

Health Centres & Hospitals South Molton Medical Centre 01769 573101 Wallingbrook Chulmleigh 01769 580295 NHS Direct 111 (non emergency) NHS Dental Helpline 03330 063 300 North Devon District Hospital 01271 322577 South Molton Community Hospital 01769 572164 Churches Parish Church - St Mary Magdalene 01769 572079 (missioncommunity.weebly.com) Catholic Church of St Joseph 01271 343312 Community of Our Lady & St. Benedict 07851 187335 Baptist Church 01769 574365 Gospel Hall 01769 572908 South Molton Methodist Church 01769 571907 One Way Community Church 01769 572786 Quakers 01271 344203 Community Groups Rotary Club of South Molton 01769 574109

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