Light in the shade

by Chris Metcalfe

“You will all want to know how I saved the world yesterday evening,” wrote photographer Chris Metcalfe on his popular Instagram feed (@farmertorque).

He described the scene in this Exmoor woodland (left) as like an alien attack, imagining “strange flying machines murmuring in the sky above, sending light death rays everywhere - the whole shebang!”

Like any true superhero, Chris set up his camera on his tripod (to thwart this intervention from outer space!), and captured this beautiful light dappled aura - chosen as our photo of the month.

After a dank start to the year, we’ve perhaps all be a bit giddy seeing the sun again (without the record breaking temperatures of last year), some maybe decidedly delirious!

You can see more of Chris’s Exmoor photography and films online: Instagram: @farmertorque

YouTube: youtube.com/@FarmerTorque

Website: farmertorque.com

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

Town’s last bank set to close

Lloyd’s Bank has announced its South Molton branch will close on September 19th “following an in-depth review.”

Despite being refurbished recently, Lloyds says the number of people using the town’s last bank has plummeted, as the use of online and phone banking increases.

Banking services for Lloyds and other banks are available at the Post Office in South Molton’s Spar Shop, and the bank’s branches in Barnstaple and Bideford are set to remain open. Lloyds say a ‘community banker’ will visit the town regularly after the closure and they’re looking at locations.

Locals took to Molton Monthly’s Facebook page to voice their anger at the decision.

Jacky Hiscock wrote, “More houses being built and they close the last bank!”

Ruth Hackman said, “It’s disgraceful - the waste of money doing the refurbishments, and a growing town without a bank. I feel so sorry for those who don’t have online banking. Use a cashpoint & draw out cash and use it - don’t let this cashless society come to fruition.”

In a statement, Lloyds said the number of personal banking customers has fallen by half since 2018, and business users by 63%. The number of people using the cash machine has also dropped by around 40%.

The bank says it will consult the local MP, charities and community organisations about the impact of the closure, especially for older people and those with access issues.

What’s On - July 2023 pages 11 - 16

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

1st - 1pm Summer Fete at Kings Nympton Primary School (ends 4pm)

1st - 12pm Car treasure hunt & Summer BBQ at 2pm; £5 per car/£50 prize George Nympton Village Hall

2nd - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market

3rd - 7.30pm Dido & Aeneas at Umberleigh Village Hall; ticketsource.co.uk/the-winkleigh-singers

4th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (every Tuesday) - info 01769 540036

7th - 8pm First Friday Jazz with B.D. Lenz from New York at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert page 16)

8th - 10am Coffee morning for North Devon Hospice - SMART Swim Centre, South Molton (ends 11.30am)

8th - 2pm Friends of South Molton Parish Church, Pimms & Cream at 40 Brook Meadow South Molton, with music from South Molton Town Band - 01769 573558 (ends 6pm)

10th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036

11th - 10am u3a South Molton coffee morning Filleigh Village Hall ‘Adventures Behind the Lens’ Alex Leger

11th - 10am CommuniTEA- drop in service from One South Molton at the town library (ends 11.30am)

14th-16th - Devon Cruisers Wheels Weekender, classic and custom cars at Exmoor Riverside Camping

14th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘The Fabelmans’ (12A) - tickets £5 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion

15th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic@proton.me

15th - 2pm Summer Sunshine Market at North Molton Victory Hall (ends 4.30pm)

16th - 9.30am (Sellers) 11am (Buyers) Charity car boot sale in Charles village (ends 2pm - advert page 16)

16th - 10am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market

19th - 3pm South Molton United Primary School Summer fete Pirates & Mermaids (all welcome, ends 5pm)

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

22nd - 8.30am Mid Devon Show at Knightshayes, Chettiscombe, Tiverton: middevonshow.co.uk

25th-29th - 770th Chulmleigh Old Fair - programme of events on page 12

29th - 97th Warkleigh, Satterleigh & Chittlehamholt Open Summer Show at village hall (advert page 16)

28th - 7.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club with David Simms at the Methodist Church Hall

29th - 7.30pm Harmonica Singers ‘Magical World of Disney’ - £5 (local charities) Methodist Church Hall

30th - 9am Charity tractor run in memory of Richard Jennings, starts/ends Bishops Nympton Village Hall

30th - 10am South Molton Festival of Food & Drink at the Pannier Market (ends 3pm)

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

The 2023 Chulmleigh Old Fair is sponsored by Molton Monthly magazine

We’re getting married, in the market!

For years they have both worked at South Molton Pannier Market, Stafford Curle selling veg and Jo Walker selling flowers, and on Sunday, May 28th their workplace was transformed into a wedding venue as the couple said ‘I do’.

The marriage ceremony was conducted by Celia Long Howell in front of family, friends and fellow market traders. The grand pannier hall was dressed up to the nines with an orange theme to match the bride’s bouquet and dress, which had lace trim added by another local business person, Claudia Bento (Alterations Repairs Tailoring by CB).

“We have chosen to marry where we both work. We live in South Molton and it’s a fantastic community,” Jo told Molton Monthly.

It was the first ever wedding at the award winning Pannier Market, and the management team passed on their congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Curle. The reception was also held in the hall, with food, music and dancing.