Molton Monthly January 2023

Molton Monthly - January 2023

Welcome to the January edition of Molton Monthly. We have a new year ahead, what will 2023 bring us? Let’s hope it’s a positive one.

We ended 2022 with a bitter cold snap that lasted from December 10th to the 17th. Temperatures dropped as low as -10°C at times here in North Devon. The snow and ice brought us a winter wonderland as you can see from the appropriately named Sarah Hailstone’s beautiful cover photo of sheep on Exmoor.

However, the freeze brought chaos as well as beauty. Many rural roads, especially on hills, became impassable with people having to abandon their cars. There were crashes too, including the dramatic moment a food delivery van flipped onto its side heading into Kings Nympton on December 13th. The photo ‘went viral’ reaching 80,000 people on Molton Monthly’s Facebook page alone! Thankfully the driver was OK.

The cold weather came as many of us are struggling with our energy and heating bills, so I hope you’re OK. There’s a free ‘cost of living’ fair in South Molton on January 26thsee page 51 for more details.

Thank you all for your continued support in 2022 - Happy New Year!

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 - January

P6-7 Photo of the month

P8 Power from North Africa to Devon P11-14 What’s on P18-19 Rewilding plans for Exmoor

P22-26

Snow - in pictures P31 January gardening tips P34-35 Health & Wellbeing P38-39 Farm Life - to Nepal and back P42-43 Fatstock show success P46-47 Winter Wonderland 2022 P50-56 Community News P60-61 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. 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, Bishops Nympton, Filleigh, 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.

Robber’s Bridge

by Nigel Childs

Our first photo of the month of 2023 celebrates the beauty of Exmoor, and was taken by South Molton’s Nigel Childs.

It was selected as one of the runners up in the annual Alfred Vowles photography competition run by the Exmoor Society.

Nigel said, “The picture shows Robber’s Bridge with the small waterfall in the background taken in May 2022. I was standing in the river in my wellies, with my camera on a tripod.”

“For those interested in the technical aspects, the exposure time was 1/3 second, taken with a Canon 7D camera, ISO-100, F11, 21mm focal length.”

Robber’s Bridge is in the royal forest of Exmoor in the Doone Valley.

The 2022 competition was won by Graeme Filtness with a photograph of a male and female Stonechat.

Whether it’s a landscape like this, wildlife, nature, rural life, sports, special events, a local character or something elseplease 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

Solar and wind power - from Morocco to North Devon?

It plans to run an undersea cable from Morocco, coming ashore at Cornborough and going underground to a new converter station at Gammaton Cross. The cables would then continue underground to an existing substation at Alverdiscott.

Residents living near Gammaton Cross have expressed their concern about the proposed development, which they claim could “blight their homes” and harm local wildlife.

Public consultation meetings have begun, and a spokesman for Xlinks told Molton Monthly, “Our team is determined to be a good neighbour to North Devon’s communities and natural environment. We’re also keen to explore all opportunities to contribute to the social and economic development of the local Devon community.”

UK energy company Xlinks is proposing an ambitious project to import solar and wind power from North Africa to North Devon, possibly providing around eight per cent of the UK’s energy.

What’s On - January 2023 pages 11 - 14

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

** Free Warm Spaces - see page 14 for details from One South Molton **

1st - 10.45am onwards - train rides at Woody Bay Station (u14 free), more info: lynton-rail.co.uk

2nd - New Year Bank Holiday Monday

2nd & 6th - Charity Christmas tree collection service - North Molton/South Molton areas (advert page 14)

6th - 8pm First Friday Jazz with the Hot House Combo at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert page 12)

7th - 9am Coffee Morning at Bishops Nympton Parish Hall (ends 1pm)

9th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall (info 01769 540036)

10th - 2.30pm Dance Club at Goodleigh Village Hall everyone welcome (ends 4.30pm)

12th - 6.30pm ‘Going Zero’ sustainability talk and book signing with Kate Hughes - Exmoor Society HQ, 34 High Street, Dulverton TA22 9DJ

13th - 7.30pm (doors 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris’ (PG) - tickets £5 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion

15th - 10am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market

18th - 7pm Filleigh History Group presents local centenarian Stan Deveau ‘Growing up on the Prairies’, in the Weston Room at the village hall. Open to non-members £2.50 - info 0176957268

20th - 4pm Teddy Sleepover at South Molton Library (advert below)

23rd - 6.30pm Star gazing evening at the Poltimore Inn, North Molton (advert page 14)

24th - 2.30pm Dance Club at Goodleigh Village Hall everyone welcome (ends 4.30pm)

26th - Cost of Living Fair - free, all day event at South Molton Assembly Rooms (see page 51)

27th - 7pm Chulmleigh Society AGM at the pavilion

28th - 2pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club - Tea Dance at the Methodist Church Hall

28th - 7pm Old Time Music Hall for North Devon Hospice at South Molton Assembly Rooms (advert p12)

Tuesdays - 7.45pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (info 01769 540036)

Thursdays & Saturdays - 8.30am market day at South Molton Pannier Market

Text only what’s on listings are free, deadline 12th each month, display adverts may carry a charge

Wildcats at Rewilding Coombeshead in Devon

Plans have been announced to look at the possibility of reintroducing the wildcat to Exmoor for the first time in hundreds of years. Devon Wildlife Trust says it wants to appoint what is believed to be England’s first ‘Wildcat Project Officer’.

Peter Burgess, the trust’s director of nature recovery said, “There’s a lot for us to do before this becomes a reality. Much of this will involve working with local communities to see if reintroduction is feasible.”

“Wildcats are the UK’s rarest mammal and are on the verge of extinction in Scotland - their last refuge. They are now subject to urgent species recovery action and we want to investigate the possibility of Devon being part of this.”

Wildcats were driven to extinction in England and Wales by the 18th Century. The trust said the Devon landscape was one of the mammal’s “last strongholds”.

They look similar to a large domestic tabby cat, but are stockier and have a fluffier, blunt tail which has distinct banding.

Photo by Nick Withers

Could wildcats and red squirrels return to Exmoor?

Meanwhile, a scheme is being set up along the North Devon and Exmoor coast to help support the reintroduction of red squirrels.

Red Squirrel South West has been awarded government funding to establish a management programme for grey squirrels between Ilfracombe and Minehead.

Grey squirrels, classed as an invasive species, will be culled. Project coordinator Mish Kennaway said ancient oak woodlands in North Devon were “going backwards” because grey squirrels have been destroying young saplings. Animals such as songbirds, dormice and even bats were also threatened by the animal, he said.

“Nobody likes killing grey squirrels or any other animals for the sake of it, certainly conservationists don’t, but humans have put this imbalance in nature,” Mr Kennaway said. More info: redsquirrelsouthwest.org.uk

Red squirrel at Wildwood Escot in Devon Photo by Nick Withers

Flock of sheep emerge from the fog on Exmoor - by Sarah Hailstone

Boxer’s Corner, Chawleigh - by Naomi Chapman

Kings Nympton shrouded in mist, cloaked in snow - by Martin Pailthorpe

A39 Countisbury to County Gate - by Danny Folland

Chulmleigh draped in a blanket of white - by Andy Ireson

South Molton, from the community woodlands - by Karolina Andreasova

Heading down towards North Molton - by Simon Lovelace

Exmoor wonderland - by Leanna Coles

Kings Nympton crash Dec 13th - by Teresa Sparks

Jobs to do in January

1. Prune apple and pear trees, aim to take off 10-20% of old wood from the overall canopy in any one winter. The more you prune the stronger the regrowth!

2. Clean your greenhouse ready for spring. Cleaning the glass or plastic greatly improves the growing environment for the plants, by letting in more light and it helps to control pests and diseases too.

3. Sow seeds of Begonia, Lobelia, Salvia and Pelargonium in a heated greenhouse or propagator.

4. Sweet peas can be sown this month. Sweet peas sown earlier in the autumn can now be potted on. Take care not to damage the roots.

5. Keep putting food out for hungry birds.

Now is the best time to plant snowdrops in the green. Snowdrops establish much better when planted in the green rather than planting dry bulbs. At the nursery we stock several species of bulb in the green: single and double snowdrops, English bluebells, winter aconites, camassia and alliums, plus a wide range of narcissi.

Happy New Year, and here’s to a prosperous 2023 for you and your garden!

Until next month, Jenny Howells

Farm Life - Nepal and back

by Roger Hill

I’m not a fan of the January sales because unless it is something I really need I would rather stay at home, even if the item is half price. I actually love winter evenings in front of the wood burner, munching away at the mountain of chocolate my family have given me for Christmas.

Speaking of mountains, in particular the Himalayas, our youngest son has just returned from Nepal. He trekked along the Annapurna trail to reach the mountain base camp in north central Nepal. Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres.

Along the way he renewed friendships with farmers and villagers he had helped as a volunteer for six months after the Nepal earthquake of 2015 (pictured opposite). He and other young people re-built homes and schools that had been reduced to rubble during the quake which unfortunately killed 9,000 people. Considering what those families had been through, they still extended a warm welcome.

As I indulge in my chocolates we must remember all those who have suffered such trauma. I wish you all a peaceful New Year, and thank you for your support for my children’s stories.

‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)

Photo by Tim Hill

Photos by Karolina Andreasova

The annual Christmas Fatstock Show made a successful return to South Molton Pannier Market on December 4th, featuring local livestock, heritage crafts, food and music.

Winter Wonderland

Photos by Karolina Andreasova

South Molton Business Association’s popular Winter Wonderland event was held on the evening of Friday December 2nd.

It featured late night shopping, a children’s lantern parade (opposite), carols, stalls, music and fairground rides. The Christmas Tree Festival (below) also ran in the parish church over the first weekend of December.

Vintage rally news

January road closures

There are set to to be emergency road closures on the A377 near the Portsmouth Arms, Umberleigh, to deal with dangerous trees. From January 9th - 13th the road is due to be shut from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily.

Good beer

The Campaign for Real Ale Good Beer Guide 2023 lists 27 North Devon pubs, including The Exeter Inn Chittlehamholt, The Bell Inn Chittlehampton, The Grove Inn Kings Nympton and The Old Court House Chulmleigh.

A new entry this year is The Poltimore Arms at Yarde Down Exmoor.

The South Molton Vintage Rally Club extend New Years good wishes to all for a “happy healthy and prosperous 2023!”

The club were very pleased to have had a successful 2022 rally, are arranging a cheque presentation evening giving money to local and national worthy causes at South Molton Assembly Rooms on January 7th.

There are just a few months until the 2023 South Molton Vintage Rally weekend which is planned for June 4th and 5th. It will be on a new permanent site at Frankhill Farm, Rackenford EX16 8EG.

The club says the new site will provide sufficient room for all the exhibits, and the bonus is that the rally field is almost level! There is some work needed to transform the field to accommodate the rally, including widening the entrance gateway, but the club are optimistic and look forward to a successful 2023 rally.

Memorial bench for well known South

Molton man

Two years after he passed away, a memorial bench has been created in South Molton for popular local figure Dick White.

The specially designed seat, which features a brass plaque and the symbol of his beloved West Ham football team, has been sited at the top of the town’s main car park.

Mr White was well-known on the local football circuit, and as landlord at the New Inn. Funds were raised for the bench partly through a collection at his funeral, but also by his skittles team the Flowers Floppers.

His wife Jane thanked all those who helped with the tribute, especially Darren Kiff who designed and made the bench.

Funds raised for Hospice

The fireworks display and Christmas lights switch-on held in November in South Molton raised £1,097 for North Devon Hospice.

The charity’s community fundraiser Jadeen Lowe said, “It’s a brilliant amount which will help local families receive the care and support the hospice provides.”

Shop talks

People in the North Molton area are being asked for their suggestions for a new village shop, following the closure of E Bulleds & Sons on December 23rd. The parish council is seeking residents views.

Meanwhile the Post Office says it’s looking into options for a replacement counter service for North Molton.

2022 fireworks by Karolina Andreasova

Young farmers 15k donation

North Molton Young Farmers Club raised a massive £15,000 for local charities through its various events in 2022, which included a 100 mile cycle ride.

They presented cheques for £7,700 to North Devon Hospice and £7,500 to Devon Air Ambulance (pictured top and centre right).

Oktoberfest supports Hospice

A charity auction and raffle at Exmoor Riverside Caravan & Camping Park’s Oktoberfest event, raised £1,820 for North Devon Hospice (pictured bottom right).

Organisers thanked all those who donated, including local businesses who sponsored the event with a range of special prizes.

Travel award for local business

The Bucket List Company, based in South Molton, scooped two awards at the annual British Travel Awards held at Battersea Park in London (pictured right).

They won the Gold Award for Best Adventure Travel Company and the Bronze Award for Best Trekking/Cycling Travel Company.

Director Keith Crockford said, “After the last two years it was nice to get the travel industry back together again and celebrate everyone’s success. This was our first year of being nominated for these prestigious industry awards, and for us it was a success just to be there! But to win has topped off 2022 for us.” The Bucket List Company organise small group travel trips to 34 different ‘exotic’ destinations.

Christmas tree collection for charity

Children’s Hospice South West is offering a Christmas tree recycling service for households across North Devon. Last Christmas, ‘treecyclers’ raised more than £5,000 for the charity, which runs the Little Bridge House children’s hospice in Fremington. Volunteers from Biffa will collect trees between January 11th and 13th - book online: chsw.org.uk/christmastree (Postcode areas EX31, EX32, EX33, EX34, EX35, EX36, EX39, TA23 and TA24)

Unlicensed dog breeder fined

Boyles, aged 34, sold Golden Irish Labrador puppies, an Irish Setter, seven KC Golden Retriever cross Collie puppies and a Clumber spaniel cross cocker. Leader of North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, says, “This prosecution sends a clear message to those thinking of breeding animals without a licence, and the large fine reflects how seriously we take these offences.”

An unlicensed dog breeder has been fined more than £10,000 at court, following a successful prosecution from North Devon Council.

Tracey Boyles of Willow Rise, Witheridge, appeared at North Devon Magistrates Court on November 18th, where she pleaded guilty to offences of breeding and advertising two litters of dogs without a licence, and advertising and selling two adult dogs as pets without a licence between March 2022 and June 2022.

Fly tipper in court

A fly-tipper from South Molton who dumped rubble outside a client’s house has been prosecuted by North Devon Council after failing to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice. Kenneth Gardener of Kingsway, appeared before magistrates October 25th where he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping offences from July 2021. Magistrates ordered Gardener to pay an increased £400 fine, as well as a £40 victim surcharge and costs of £450.

Agricultural Services

Bobcat Hire p39

Jack Croft Contractors p38 Andrew Symons p39

SJC Engineering p30

Tarka Trax p30 Appliance Repairs Don Bailey p59 Architects

David Rice Architectural p18 Building Services

Bobcat Hire p39 Darren White p30 Hotworks Engineering p56

J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p54

Nick Ager Haulage p20 RGB p29

Sheds4You - back cover Care Homes/Social Care Northam Care Trust p22 Charity collections

The Furniture Store p52 Cleaning

Oven Wizards p48 Computing/Internet/Websites

Airband Broadband p37 CBM p40 PC Geek p29

Decorating Plastering Tiling CRD Decorating p20 Highland Artexing p41 DIY Materials

Nick Ager Haulage p20 RGB p29 Electricians Chris Thorne p49 T. W. Electrical p43 Engineering Hotworks Engineering p56 Estate Agents

Michael Adey Property p27 Falconry

North Devon Hawk Walks p25 Financial Services

Lendology CIC p57 Philip Milton p59 Partners& front cover and p32/33

The Mortgage Shop p19 Flooring

Homechoose Carpets p40

Fuel Supplies

Darren White Logs p26

Kiln Dried Logs p50

Winson Fuels p42 Funeral Services

H N Blackmore & Sons p44 Friendship & Sons p58

Furniture

The Furniture Store p52

Garage Services

Custom Valets p26 Motorworks p4

TGB Automotive p28

TGB Car Keys p49

Gardens & Landscaping

Andrew Symons p39

Ash Moor Nursery p31

Darren White p30

Four Seasons p30

Sheds4You - back cover SJC Engineering p30

Tarka Trax Ltd p30

Haulage & Transport

Nick Ager Haulage p20

Health, Wellbeing and Medical Anna Worthington Counselling p7

Ear Wax Nurse p35

Pacey Foot Health p7

South Molton Medical Centre p35 Step Ahead p34

Home Maintenance & Improvements Care4Bathrooms p7

Dream Doors North Devon p46 Darren Smallbone p50

Finishing Touches p28

Garolla Garage Doors p57

Kitchen Exchange p53

Living Needs Home Solutions p45

J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p54 Mitchell & Dickinson p2 RGB p29

Sheds4You - back cover Stove Centre p48

Variety Building & Landscapes p58 Wedgewood Buildings p23

Insurance Services

Partners& front cover and p32/33 Internet providers

Airband p37

Jobs

Northam Care Trust p22

South Molton Taxis p5 West Buckland School p5 Library - South Molton p11

Locksmiths

Darren Smallbone p50 Metalwork

Industrial Coating Supplies p40

Music

First Friday Jazz p12

Tony Francis singer p12 Opticians

Atlantic Home Eyecare p34 South Molton Eyecare p47

Pets

Cats Protection p60

Plumbing & Heating

Jad Mottram p45

Mark Berry p51

MS Plumbing p40

Printing & Design Services

Blue Orange Signs p55

Property (also see Estate Agents)

Lendology CIC p57

Marsdens Devon Cottages p36

Michael Adey Property p27

Pubs & Restaurants

Bell Inn p10

Castle Inn p20

Exmoor Riverside p15

Grove Inn p9

Mitre Inn p17

Poltimore Inn p14

Quince Honey Farm p13

Red Lion p17

Royal Oak p16

Schools & Learning

Kings Nympton School p61

North Molton School p60

South Molton Library p11

West Buckland School p61

Solicitors & Legal Services

Davies & Partners p59

Storage

Snell Self Storage p8

Ucanstore p41 Telephone Engineers CBM p40

Tourism

Exmoor Riverside camping p15

Marsdens Devon Cottages p36

North Devon Hawk Walks p25

Quince Honey Farm P13

Training

RE Consultancy & Training p44 TV Services

CBM p40

Clearview TV p41

Vehicle Hire

Forent South Molton Van Hire p20

Venue Hire

Filleigh Village Hall p24

Windows

ATA Windows back cover

Darren Smallbone p50

Exmoor Fascias p41

Mitchell & Dickinson p2

Wedgewood Buildings p23

Local contact numbers

Utilities and Public Services

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

Swimming Pool 01769 572522

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)

North Devon District Hospital 01271 322577

South Molton Community Hospital 01769 572164

Churches

Parish Church - St Mary Magdalene 01769 572079

Catholic Church of St Joseph 01271 343312

Community of Our Lady & St. Benedict 07851 187335

Baptist Church 01769 574365

Gospel Hall 01769 572908

Methodist Church 01769 571646

One Way Community Church 01769 572786

Quakers 01271 344203

Community Groups

Rotary Club of South Molton 01769 574109

To minimise the environmental impact of this magazine, Molton Monthly is printed using solar energy in the West Country using vegetable based inks on recycled, carbon neutral paper. All content © Molton Monthly

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