New woodland fit for a king

To mark the Coronation of King Charles III, a new woodland called ‘King’s Wood’ is being planted on Exmoor. It is being created at Simonsbath, where Charles and Camilla visited in the summer of 2019 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UK’s national parks.

“It has been a pleasure to visit the site of King’s Wood and hear about the variety of species to be planted there,” said Somerset Deputy Lieutenant and this year’s High Sheriff, Robert Drewett.

“It is a fitting tribute for the coronation, and very much in keeping with His Majesty the King’s passion for the natural world.”

It is the second major new woodland being created by Exmoor National Park in a bid to help tackle climate change. 13,000 native trees have been planted at Bye Wood, thanks to members of the public, including Molton Monthly magazine, donating trees through the CareMore for Exmoor project.

Information on donating to King’s Wood here: exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/caremoor

What’s On - June 2023 pages 11 - 15

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

2nd - 10am Coffee morning for North Devon Hospice - SMART Swim Centre, South Molton (ends 11.30am)

2nd - 7.30pm Drama@ performs ‘Mixed Doubles’ at West Buckland Village Hall (tickets £8) 01769 574453

2nd - 8pm First Friday Jazz with the Eddie Kingdom Quintet and Guests at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall - entry £12, licensed bar: firstfridayjazz.co.uk (advert page 14)

3rd - 2pm Chawleigh Fair at the village playing field - entertainment, childrens activities, music (ends 10pm)

3rd & 4th - 10am South Molton Vintage Rally, Frankhill Farm, Rackenford (advert page 12)

3rd - 7pm Beer & Brains Quiz Night at Chittlehampton Village Hall (advert page 14)

4th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market

4th - 1pm Chulmleigh Open Gardens for North Devon Hospice - explore around 20 beautiful gardens, with cream teas and refreshments served in the town hall - tickets £7 - 01769 580019

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

8th - 7pm North Molton Community Shop meeting at The Victory Hall (advert page 14)

9th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (15)tickets £5 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion

12th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036

12th - 7.30pm Chulmleigh & District Garden Society, talk on ‘Grasses in the garden’ Chulmleigh Pavilion

11th - 10am Lyn Valley Classics, Lynton seafront - classic & supercars - info: lynvalleyclassic.co.uk

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

13th - 10am South Molton u3a coffee morning, Filleigh Village Hall Todd Gray ‘Barnstaple in the 1600s’

15th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

17th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic@proton.me

17th - 7.30pm North Molton Community Shop fundraiser at the Sports & Social Club - BacktraX and raffle, contact Dave for more information: 07553 072074

18th - 10am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market

19th - 7pm Chulmleigh & District Garden Society - Summer Social BBQ at Chulmleigh Golf Course

30th - 7.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club concert Matthew Bason, Methodist Church Hall

In pictures - celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla

Pages

18 - 27

Communities across North Devon and Exmoor came together to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Saturday, May 6th 2023.

Despite the mixed weather, events were held in towns and villages across the three day bank holiday weekend, from live screenings of the procession, ceremony and concert, to street parties, tree planting and volunteering.

A royal meeting

Some travelled from Devon to London to soak up the atmosphere. It proved to be a trip to remember for young Lara Crane from Chulmleigh (right), who had the surprise of a lifetime meeting ‘Princess Kate’.

Catherine, Princess of Wales took time to pose with Lara for a picture during a royal walkabout in Windsor ahead of the Coronation Concert on Sunday, May 7th.

Westminster Abbey

Among those from North Devon attending the Coronation at Westminster Abbey was West Buckland student Max Woosey BEM (above), who has raised more than £700,000 for North Devon Hospice.

Snapshots from Coronation day - a group of friends from Chulmleigh (right), the palace to see the King & Queen in their state carriage and waving on the balcony.

Royal smiles in the rain - clockwise Susan Kivell (orange jacket), Susie Catling, Lucy Kivell, Agnes Catling, Kate Crane (gold crown) and Lara Crane (red crown).

As part of The Big Lunch on Sunday, May 7th, North Molton’s oldest and youngest residents came together at the street party to cut a stunning Coronation cake baked by Anne Samuel, featuring a crown and all the flags of the Commonwealth countries. Events over the weekend raised £700, which will be split between The Prince’s Trust & The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

Kings Nympton

The people of Kings Nympton gathered to raise a glass in a ‘Loyal Toast’ to the King on Coronation day. There was also a lunch celebration in the village hall and a special service on Sunday, May 7th in the ancient St James Church - photo by Martin Pailthorpe

South Molton

Residents and staff at Abbeyfield Duffield enjoyed a ‘royal sing-song’ and an indoor barbecue on May 4th (above) to mark the Coronation. South Molton businesses decorated their windows and special events were held around the pannier market (right).

West Buckland

A service of celebration was held at St Mary Magdalene Church in South Molton on Sunday, May 7th. Lady Arran, of Castle Hill estate Filleigh, attended the Coronation the day before and read a message from Buckingham Palace to the congregation. Here, the Countess of Arran (pictured right) is seen shaking hands with South Molton Mayor Stephen Lock, with his wife Christine and Councillor David Worden looking on - photo & insets left by Karolina Andreasova

Chittlehampton

Sunday, May 7th saw a well-attended street party in Chittlehampton, featuring entertainment and Sam Dowden performing at The Bell Inn, followed by a volunteer tidy-up in St Hieritha’s churchyard on the bank holiday Monday - photo (left) by Lucy Seathertone.

Chulmleigh

Right, the community gathered for a popular bring and share lunch, pictured from Chulmleigh Town Hall and inset, the winners of the best Orb and Sceptrephotos by Di Sweeney.

Raising a glass of bubbly to King Charles III in George Nympton. Royal celebrations and events also took place in Bishops Nympton, Chawleigh and Chittlehamholt.