Community News

Goodbye baby! Well known midwife retires

Debbie Thorne has looked after mums and babies in the South Molton area for the past 19 years, but now she is retiring this month after a 30 year career as a midwife in North Devon.

Deb, who lives in Warkleigh, was a community midwife in Barnstaple before moving to work more locally in South Molton in recent years, and says she has really enjoyed being part of the local community.

Well known for her approachability and practical advice, she has been with some families for five pregnancies - and is now starting to see babies she delivered, growing up and having their own children!

Her family say Deb has never lost her enthusiasm for pregnancy, birth and babies. She plans to spend her retirement helping her husband with his local electrical business, caring for her menagerie of pets... and awaiting her own grandchildren!

Above, midwife Debbie Thorne relaxing at home

Pannier market at awards

Bury Market in Lancashire scooped top prize in the Great British Market Awards, but the team behind South Molton Pannier Market left the competition with “their heads held high” after finishing in the top 10 for the second time. The prize giving ceremony was held in Birmingham on February 3rd.

Melanie James said, “We could not be prouder of our wonderful ‘little’ market. We may not have won, but our attendance at the Great British Market Awards highlighted what an achievement it was to have made it into the top 10 against some very big city markets.” They thanked everyone who voted for them, and stallholders and customers.

West Buckland School students have planted 100 hazel, 100 birch, 70 wild cherry and 130 mixed species of hedgerow trees, to provide food and habitat for wildlife.

They are focusing on sustainability to create a legacy in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, by taking part in Her Majesty’s Green Canopy initiative. As well as inviting everyone to plant new trees, the Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 ancient woodlands across the United Kingdom, and identify 70 ancient trees to celebrate her seven decades of service to the country.

Students said that it was wonderful to see birds and hares around the planting site which could enjoy the berries from the trees, as well as using the undergrowth for nesting and for protection.

Tourism awards for attractions

The Nectary Restaurant at South Molton’s Quince Honey Farm has been selected as a finalist in the Devon Tourism Awards 2021-22 in the ‘Café/tea room of the Year’ category. Rock and Rapid Adventures at South Molton is also a finalist in the ‘Experience of the Year’ category at the awards being announced on March 10th.

More community news on pages 52 & 54

New films look at ‘unnoticed’ South Molton

“It may not be a big place, even by North Devon standards, but South Molton is perfectly formed and definitely special,” says acclaimed local poet Richard Westcott.

Now his poetry book ‘Unnoticed South Molton’ has been made into a series of short films by award winning artist and photographer Karolina Andreasova.

Photo by John Andow Filmmaker Karolina Andreasova and poet Richard Westcott

There will be a free premiere at the Assembly Rooms in South Molton on March 19th (see advert page 14). Donations made at the event will go to the Saunders Good Samaritans Trust. “Having written poetry for many years, I wanted to acknowledge some of these special unnoticed things around our ever changing community,” added Richard.

More community news on page 54

South Molton Vintage Rally Club’s spring tractor and commercials run will be held on Sunday April 24th. Classic vehicles will meet at the Central Car Park in South Molton for a 10am departure.

Meanwhile the 2022 South Molton Vintage Rally will be on June 4th & 5th as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The new rally site is off Alswear Old Road, opposite South Molton football ground.

The show goes on

Performances of the Shakespeare adaptation ‘Capulets’ will now take place on March 4th, 5th and 11th in West Buckland, Goodleigh and South Molton (see advert page 12). They had been due to be held in January, but were postponed due to Covid.

Open day success

The community organisation ‘One South Molton’ held its first open day at Quince Honey Farm on February 16th (above).

More than 20 groups took part, providing information and opportunities on health & wellbeing, getting out into nature, activities for all ages and volunteering. To contact One South Molton phone 01769 572501 or go online: onesouthmolton.org