King’s Award presented to Exmoor Young Voices
It’s the UK’s highest recognition for volunteer groups - Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) has been officially honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a joyful celebration held at Dulverton Town Hall.
The organisation tackles issues such as housing, employment and wages to help young people stay living and working on Exmoor and not having to leave the area.
“It’s an honour to receive this award,” said Exmoor Young Voices chair Will Lock. “So many young people have already been influenced and affected by our work.”
Mr Mohammed Saddiq, His Majesty’s LordLieutenant of Somerset, presented the group
with a commemorative crystal award and certificate (above) signed by King Charles.
Following the presentation, Will Lock, Megan Hunt, Josh Smith, and Leslie Silverlock (below) attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 20th in further recognition of the vital work of Exmoor Young Voices: exmooryoungvoices.org
Megan Hunt from EYV with Lord Lieutnant Mohammed Saddiq
Exmoor Young Voices next meeting is at the Rest & Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross July 11th 7.30pm
New
summer 2025 menu now being served - please see our website
50 Years - A Short Family Story - The Bell Inn, Chittlehampton
It all began with David and Susan Reed. One day, Susan said to David, “If you like spending so much time in a pub, we’d be better off running one ourselves!” So they took on the tenancy at The Bridge Inn in Dulverton, Somerset. After a successful period there, they decided it was time to buy a pub — and in 1975, they found their way to Chittlehampton in North Devon.
David and Susan ran The Bell Inn until 1980, building up the business and hosting a wide range of pub teams, including cricket, football, skittles, darts, and pool. There was always a game of shove ha’penny being played. David even rented out the bedrooms for bed and breakfast.
After they moved on, the pub was leased to various tenants over a seven-year period, with mixed success. Then in 1988, it was suggested to Lynn — recently married to Mark — that they might like to run the pub for a few months until new tenants could be found. They moved into The Bell, and with Lynn’s experience working with her dad and Mark’s background in retail, something just clicked.
The pub was tired at that time, suffering from a lack of investment, and trade was very different from what it is today. But thanks to a fantastic local community and its beautiful setting on the square beneath North Devon’s prettiest church — St. Hieritha’s — there was real potential.
Trade began to change over the years, with the smoking ban, the growth of supermarkets, and the increasing importance of food in pubs. Lynn, along with Shirley Heel, Helen Reed, and Lynn’s sister Wendie, embraced these changes, and the food side of the business really took off.
Over time, improvements were made: the skittle alley was taken down and relocated, a conservatory was added, and the kitchen was expanded and modernised. Eventually, the third generation joined the business, with Matthew and Kyran working in the pub — a proud moment, seeing them become such an integral part of the team.
Many challenges have been faced, but none tougher than the COVID pandemic in 2020. We met it head-on, transforming overnight into a takeaway and delivery service. We even managed to build a new conservatory and improve the outside area, all thanks to a brilliant team who weren’t afraid of hard work.
Our ethos as a family has always been about creating a great atmosphere, offering great value, and showing pride in what we do, where we live, and North Devon in general. We’re extremely proud to still be open and serving food seven days a week, at both lunch and dinner — something that’s becoming increasingly rare.
Our ability to adapt to every challenge is a testament to the strength of our team and the pride we take in what we do. 50 years is quite an achievement. It’s a moment to reflect and, most importantly, a chance to thank all the wonderful people who’ve worked with us — too many to name — and all those who’ve supported us. We hope we’ve created great memories and good times for you and your families.
Here’s to the next chapter!
Thank you – Mark, Lynn, Matt, Kyran, and Susan
What’s On - July 2025 pages 11 - 17 (plus see village halls page 60)
Please contact event organisers before attending, as details are subject to change
1st - 10am Devon & Cornwall Police drop in session at Chulmleigh Town Hall (ends 12pm)
1st - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (every Tuesday) - info 01769 540036
3rd - 9am Devon & Cornwall Police drop in session South Molton Pannier Market (ends 1pm)
3rd - 12pm Tina Gibbons soprano performs at St Mary Magdalene Church, South Molton (ends 1pm)
4th - 8pm First Friday Jazz presents live music at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert page 17)
5th - 10am South Molton Town Band playing in The Square, weather permitting (ends 12pm)
6th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 3pm)
6th - 10am Golf Day for Force Cancer Charity Chulmleigh Golf Course: matthewjrobins@outlook.com
6th - 10.30am Woodland Working Parties at South Molton Community Woodland (first Sundays)
6th - 3pm Seasons in Time; Eleanor Grant & Gus McQuade at Barkham, Exmoor: barkham-exmoor.co.uk
7th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036
8th - 10am South Molton u3a talk, ‘Images of Nature’ with Mick Doyle at Filleigh Village Hall
11th - 11am South Molton Repair Cafe at the YMCA, Mill Street (advert page 17) 11th - 7.30pm Exmoor Young Voices open meeting at the Rest & Be Thankful Inn, Wheddon Cross 11th - 7.30pm (doors 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘A Complete Unknown’ (15) at The Pavilion - tickets £5.50, £4.50 members
13th - 10am Plant Heritage Summer Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm) 13th - 12pm Meshaw Dog Show & Summer Fete, Bournehead EX364NJ: meshawvillagedevon.uk
14th - 7.30pm ‘Seasonal Plants’ talk with Alan French at Chulmleigh Town Hall (£3): dianaM@farmline.com
15th - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)
15th - 7.30pm Strictly Acoustic Night at The Coaching Inn, South Molton 17th - 10am Benefits Clinic with Age Concern at the Amory Centre, South Molton (advert page 17)
17th - 12.30pm South Molton Lunch Club (age 60+) at The Coaching Inn (advert page 17)
18th to 20th - American Car Weekend & entertainment, Exmoor Riverside Camping, South Molton (ad p16)
19th - 9am Devon & Cornwall Police drop in session South Molton Pannier Market (ends 1pm)
19th - 12pm Lunchtime Open Mic session Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk
19th - 3pm BBQ at George Nympton Village Hall, £10pp pre-book by July 16 (advert page 60)
19th - 7.30pm Meat and poultry bingo at Chittlehamholt Village Hall: 07376 099627
20th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm)
20th - 12pm Exploring the ancient sites and of Luccombe (Exmoor Society): exmoorsociety.com
21st - 7pm South Molton Sisters WI monthly meeting at the YMCA - speaker, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm) 22nd to 26th - Chulmleigh Old Fair since 1253 - see Facebook and programme of events on page 12
23rd - 6.30pm for 7.30pm Eyes down for bingo at The Pavilion for Chulmleigh Old Fair
25th - 2.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club with Mark Speight; Methodist Church Hall
26th - 8.30am Mid Devon Show, Knightshayes: middevonshow.co.uk
26th - 12pm Cream Tea with Exmoor Ponies at the Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE £10 adults, £7 children - booking essential: info@exmoorponycentre.org.uk
26th - 1.45pm Kings Nympton Dramatic Amateurs reprise their performance of the comedy ‘Dad’s Army’ at RHS Rosemoor vintage weekend: rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor
26th - 1pm onwards Warkleigh, Satterleigh and Chittlehamholt 99th Open Summer Show (advert page 17)
27th - 10am South Molton Festival of Food & Drink at the Pannier Market (ends 3pm)
28th - 8am Woolsery & District Agricultural Show at Clovelly Court EX39 5SY: woolseryshow.org.uk
31st - 9am Devon & Cornwall Police drop in session South Molton Pannier Market (ends 1pm) Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - events page 14; South Molton Library - events page 14
Filleigh, George Nympton, Chittlehampton and Oxham Village Halls - adverts p60
Chulmleigh & District Garden Society meet 2nd Mondays 7.30pm, all welcome: dianaM@farmline.com
Create ‘n’ Chat Group 2pm-4pm South Molton Church Hall, Duke Street 10th & 24th - info; 01769 574187
North Devon Ramblers - for walks in July please see: northdevonramblers.org.uk (07599 093973)
Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions; 10.30am -1.30pm 11th & 25th; £2 donation requested - plus Scrapstore open on Tuesdays 9.30am - 12.30pm
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George Nympton declares a UK first - ‘hunt free zone’
They hope it will become a model for communities across North Devon, Exmoor and beyond. People living in George Nympton have declared the UK’s first ‘hunt-free zone’, after becoming increasingly unhappy at hunt activities around their normally quiet village.
“This is a great example of villagers coming together to make our voices heard, in the face of strong opposition, to safeguard the wellbeing and tranquillity of our peaceful village,” said lay minister Richard Holloway, after 76% of the community signed a petition supporting the groundbreaking declaration. “I’m pleased that we’ve done this in a peaceful way, and we hope very much that other villages will be inspired by us.”
Richard Holloway is a lay minister and retired publisher living in George Nympton, currently working at two local primary schools on the catering team
While not legally binding, the Tiverton Staghounds are said to have agreed not to pass through the village or ‘hunt’ on its boundaries after North Devon MP Ian Roome stepped in to help broker the deal. It’s hoped other hunts will also stick to the agreement.
The Hunting Act 2004 banned hunting wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales, though exemptions and alternative activities like trail hunting - which involves following a scent - still exist. George Nympton’s ‘ban’ forbids the latter.
The campaign followed an incident last October where residents say they witnessed a stag being chased by “a group of quad bikers” towards a pack of hounds. When conducting a survey of opinions it became clear that the behaviour of hunt members had caused “considerable upset to a large number of villagers.”
Concerns about safety have also been raised over large numbers of vehicles following the hunt and quad bikes using the narrow lanes.
Concerned villagers filmed hunt activity
On January 1st 2024, a police investigation was launched after a pregnant pet alpaca, Ruby (above), was allegedly killed by hounds from a hunt on a nearby farm leaving owners Lucy Aylett and Nick Stringer devastated by their loss.
Both Tiverton Staghounds and the British Hound Sports Association were approached for comment but have yet to respond. A spokesman for the Devon County Hunt Saboteurs said, “This is a fantastic initiative by the people of George Nympton to take back control of their village! It shows the will of many rural people is against the hunting of our wildlife and the havoc that often accompanies it.”
Rural tranquility in George Nympton and inset, hunt followers riding a quad through the village
Vintage rally is big success
photos pages 21 - 23
It’s understood that record crowds flocked to the annual South Molton Vintage Rally at Frankhill Farm, Rackenford on the weekend of May 31st and June 1st.
Club chairman Rob Kelland says he was delighted, “We had excellent numbers through the gate and have been extremely lucky with the weather, because I understand it rained all the way around us! It’s been a very successful weekend.”
Continued on p22
Thousands attended the two day event, and inset, ‘pretty in pink’, Jill Cronk on her 1954 Ferguson
Photos by Karolina Andreasova
Last year the vintage rally club donated £20,000 to local charities and community groups and hopes to top that in 2025.
Linda Regan from the vintage rally club team says it was a massive effort from everyone involved, “Thank you to our chairman Rob Kelland, members, friends and volunteers who so generously helped before, during and afterwards, and made it possible to transform a field into a show site.”
“Thanks also to the exhibitors, the caterers, the stall holders and most especially, a huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who came to the show on the Saturday and Sunday.”
This year saw a record entry of around 140 vintage tractors, alongside steam engines, some dating back more than a century. There were parades of classic cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and the ever popular lawnmower racing (below).
The main charities supported this year by South Molton Vintage Rally Club are Devon Air Ambulance and Children’s Hospice South West. Molton Monthly Magazine is proud to be one of the club’s sponsors.
Some of the 140 tractors parading around the main show ring - photo by Karolina Andreasova
Photo by Karolina Andreasova
A celebration of rural North Devon Heritage, milling wood with steam power - photo by Peter Robinson
New Mayor’s message
Wayne Martin has been elected as Mayor of South Molton for 2025-26. Born in Devon, the former police officer moved back to the area in 2018 after retiring.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have been given the opportunity to be the Mayor of South Molton, and will do my upmost to promote the town wherever possible,” said Wayne. “My aim during my tenure as mayor is to try to be as inclusive as possible. I hope to engage young people in the town and also ensure the elderly have a voice, therefore trying to ensure everyone can have their say.”
As a police officer for 31 years, Wayne has been decorated for bravery several times. The charities he will support as mayor are; South Molton Foodbank, The Benita Project and Skate Molton.
Wayne Martin, the new Mayor of South Molton
Your jobs to do in July
1. To keep your baskets and containers looking top notch deadhead, feed, and water them regularly. They should keep flowering until the frost if you take care of them.
2. Cut back delphiniums, geraniums and geums after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second crop of flowers.
3. Prune June flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus and Weigela after flowering. Prune deciduous magnolias if necessary.
4. Start picking tomatoes as they ripen, continue removing sideshoots and feed and water the plants regularly.
5. Leave out water and meat-based dog or cat food (ideally chicken flavour) for the hedgehogs as the babies should be emerging any day now.
Health and safety in the garden – possibly not the first thing you think about when going to do some weeding! Wear gloves whenever possible, many plants cause allergic reactions, rose thorns can cause infections even sepsis.
Wear goggles when strimming or pruning shrubs and roses. And remember to put on your chainsaw boots!!
Until next month, Jenny Howells Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 4pm
Molton Monthly Magazine business directory
Agricultural Services
Andrew Symons p39
Bobcat Hire p47
CF Fencing p30
Jack Croft Contractors p38
Murch Agriculural p39
SJC Engineering p30
Appliance Repairs
Don Bailey p41
Accountancy & bookkeeping
TaxAssist Accountants p59
Architects
David Rice Architectural p18
Building Services
Bobcat Hire p39
Jack Croft Contractors p38
Darren White p59
Hotworks Engineering p49
J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p57
LS Building p 54
Nick Ager Haulage p45
Phoenix Creative p46
Rowan Oak Framing p26
Sheds4You - back cover
Variety Building p58
W S Bricklaying p40
Camping
Exmoor Riverside camping p16
South Ford Farm p26
Care Services
Age Concern p17
The Firs Care Home p57
Cleaning
Glass Act Windows p51
Oven Wizards p48
Clothing & Embroidery
Heather Everitt Embroidery p8
Portlantis Clothing p51
Computing/Internet/Websites
CBM p40
The PC Geek p55
Decorating Plastering Tiling
CRD Decorating p55
John Scoble Decorating p51
Passmore Plastering p51
Phoenix Creative p46
DIY & Building Materials
Ardosia Slate p54
Nick Ager p45
RGB South Molton p46
Electricians
Chris Thorne p61
Sarah Holt Electrical p22
T. W. Electrical p30
Engineering
Hotworks Engineering p49
Estate Agents
Exmoor Property p25
Michael Adey Property p25
Falconry
North Devon Hawk Walks p50
Financial Services
Philip Milton p59
Partners& p32/33
TaxAssist Accountants p59
Food & Drink
Bon Bons Sweets p21
The Cheese Larder p21
Fuel Supplies
Winson Fuels p52
Funeral Services
Friendship & Sons p58
Furniture & Furnishings
Finishing Touches p28
Garage Services
Custom Valets p53
DW Bodyworks p44
Motor Works p2
TGB Automotive p44
TGB Vehicle Keys p49
Gardens & Landscaping
Andrew Symons p39
Ash Moor Nursery p31
Blooming Good Compost p47
CF Fencing p30
Darren White p59
Four Seasons p30
Garden Services p30
Sheds4You - back cover
SJC Engineering p30
Variety Landscaping p58
Graphic Design
Jamaica Press p7
Haulage & Transport
Nick Ager Haulage p45
Health & Wellbeing
Atlantic Home Eyecare p36
Day Lewis Pharmacy p35
Devon Ear Clinic p36
Hannah Sparks Therapy p43
North Devon Ear Clinic p34
Reflexology Andrea Phillips p51
South Molton Medical Centre p35
South Molton Eyecare p29
Step Ahead p34
Home Improvements/Maintenance
Ardosia Slate p54
Ashgrove Kitchens p53
Care4bathrooms p55
CRD Decorating p55
David Rice Architectural p18
Dream Doors North Devon p56
Finishing Touches p28
Home Solutions p56
J. Penfold Tarmac & Paving p57
John Scoble Decorating p51
Kitchen Exchange p45
LS Building p54
Home Improvements/Maintenance
Passmore Plastering p51
Phoenix Creative p46
RGB South Moltonp46
Rowan Oak p26
Sheds4You - back cover
Stove Centre p48
W S Bricklaying p40
Insurance Services
Partners& p32/33
Jewellers
Ellison Davies p29
Jobs
South West Care Homes p57
Legal services
Slee Blackwell p24
Libraries
South Molton Library p14
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 p17
Opticians
Atlantic Home Eyecare p36
South Molton Eyecare p29
Pets
Doggie Discounts p28
Market Vets p20
Pawsome Pooches Spa p52
West Ridge Vets p19
Pharmacies
Day Lewis p35
Plants
Ash Moor Nursery p31
Plumbing & Heating
Mark Berry p42
PJF Plumbing p23
Printing
Jamaica Press p7
Property (also see Estate Agents)
Bateman Hosegood p27
Exmoor Property p25
Michael Adey Property p25
Pubs & Restaurants
Bell Inn p10
Exmoor Riverside cover/p16
Grove Inn p9
Mitre Inn p37
Poltimore Inn p37
Quince Honey Farm p13
Recyling/Rubbish Clearance
Tip It Recycling p53
Schools
Kings Nympton School p61
School Uniforms
Heather Everitt Embroidery p8
Social
Age Concern p17
Bishops Nympton Hall p14
Chulmleigh Old Fair p12
Community Garden p47
Filleigh Village Hall p60
First Friday Jazz p17
Oxham Hall p60
Queen’s Theatre p15
South Molton Library p14
Solicitors
Slee Blackwell p24
Sport
SMART Swim Centre p4/p5
Storage
Snell Self Storage p52
Ucanstore p41
Surveyors
Bateman Hosegood p27
Telephone Engineers
CBM p40
Theatres
Queen’s Theatre p15
Tool Hire
Forent Tool Hire p43
Tourism
Exmoor Riverside cover/p16
North Devon Hawk Walks p50
South Ford Camping p26
Queen’s Theatre p15
Quince Honey Farm p13
TV Services
A3 Aerials p40
CBM p40
Vehicle Hire
Forent Van Hire p43
Veterinary Services
Market Vets p20
West Ridge Vets p19
Village Halls
Bishops Nympton Hall p14
Chittlehampton Hall p60
Filleigh Village Hall p60
George Nympton Hall p60
Oxham Hall p60
Web Design
The PC Geek p55
Windows
ATA Windows back cover
Darren Smallbone p41
Exmoor Fascias p41
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
Go North Devon/Shopmobility 01271 328866
Age UK Devon 0333 241 2340
South Molton Pannier Market 07351 67734
E: hello@southmoltonpanniermarket.co.uk
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
Community groups
One South Molton
Website: onesouthmolton.com
South Molton Community Garden Email: southmoltoncommunitygarden.co.uk
South Molton Vintage Rally Club Website: southmoltonvintagerallyclub.com
Sustainable Chulmleigh Website: sustainablechulmleigh.org.uk
Rotary Club of South Molton 01769 580041
Churches and places of worship
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
To minimise the environmental impact of this magazine, Molton Monthly Magazine is printed using solar energy in the West Country using vegetable based inks on recyclable carbon neutral paper. All content © Molton Monthly Magazine
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