Farm Life - a little light reading

by Roger Hill

I must begin by congratulating South Molton Pannier Market on being awarded Britain’s best community market (see page 8). It’s always a treat to visit, with an incredible range of produce and products. Invariably we find some hidden gems to travel home with us.

The second announcement within a week concerns this magazine. It has reached the South West finals of the Countryside Alliance Awards. Well done to Peter, the editor, and the contributors who make it a splendid read (voting ends on March 5th, see page 5 for details).

Number three in the space of seven days was the government’s publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. The plan covers a range of areas including soils, water, air quality, waste products and pesticide use. What does this mean for farmers? It qualifies our ambition to reach net zero by 2040, to which farmers are already working towards in a variety of ways to reduce emissions.

We share the government’s environmental goal; we simply ask for this to sit alongside equally ambitious plans for our food production, to protect and enhance the UK’s food security. As recent months have shown, food supply chains are fragile. The plan is a comprehensive document (262 pages) which takes time to digest!

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

The pond is just part of our environmental work already in place on our farm

Two businesses are stitching together!

With more than 60 years stitching experience between them, the coming together of Maritime Motifs and Heather Everitt Embroidery, is surely a perfect match!

These two businesses have both been operating in North Devon alongside each other, but now they’ll join together and become one - creating a one stop shop for all aspects of embroidery.

Heather Everitt (pictured right) says, “Margaret Warren and I have known each other for over 20 years, I was her daughter’s primary school teacher!”

“We share a love of textiles and embroidery and we are both originally from the north of England. We have a shared sense of humour and the same values of providing excellent products and service.”

The commercial side will produce the same high quality garments that have been the foundation of Margaret Warren’s Maritime Motifs, clothing both schoolchildren and the adult workforce. Heather will continue with her bespoke banners, fine art, embroidery kits and teaching.

The new business will operate from Limefield Units on Pathfields’ Industrial Estate. A purpose built studio and workshop is on the way this summer. For now they are at Unit 7 with RE Consultancy and Training Ltd.

“We are both so excited for the future and see so many possibilities to collaborate and of course continue the excellence we are both known for,” added Heather (advert p23).

Legion approaches 101

by Paddy King-Fretts

Last year the South Molton branch of the Royal British Legion celebrated its one hundredth anniversary, so we have been around for quite some time!

We’re a dynamic charity which takes great pride in our charter role of being the nation’s custodian of remembrance on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, and raising money for injured and disabled members of the Armed Forces mainly during Poppy Week each November.

About forty of us meet on the first Monday of each month at The Coaching Inn. We hold several social events throughout the year such as visits to military units and hosting outside speakers. We are always keen to attract more people to join us, in particular serving and former armed forces members or the emergency services. If you are interested please contact us on either 07572 159869 or 07736 234994, or email: southmoltonrbl@outlook.com

Swimming pool could re-open ‘in weeks’

An announcement is expected to be made “around March 1st” on the re-opening of South Molton Swimming Pool (pictured right), from as soon as April this year.

South Molton Town Council says it has “helped facilitate a potential new operator and agreed a new lease for the land on which the pool sits”. Part of the agreement is said to include a clause that provision must be made for public swimming.

It was closed by the charity 1610 Leisure Trust on October 1st last year due to spiralling energy and running costs. The town council owns and leases the land.

The closure in 2022 came as Swim England warned that more pools could shut down if they don’t receive government help to pay rising energy costs.

South Molton’s pool was opened following a public fundraising campaign. 1610 took over from the original trustees in 2019 when they were struggling financially, but with the cost of living crisis couldn’t it keep afloat. Town clerk Andrew Coates has been working behind the scenes with organisations interested in re-opening the facility.

Van tip permits needed

If you own a private van and use the Maclins Quarry Recycling Centre in South Molton you will now need a permit.

They’re available free from Devon County Council, and are also required for other tips in North Devon. Camper vans are exempt. devon.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/vanpermit-system/

Police patrol Exmoor

Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police carried out high visibility patrols on Exmoor in February, as part of a larger operation to tackle cross border crime.

Among the arrests, one driver who failed to stop was later found with suspected stolen goods and also tested positive for ‘impaired drug driving’. He was released under investigation pending further enquiries. 36 speeding offences were also detected on the A39.

The exercise was part of a wider police initiative, with colleagues from Avon and Somerset and Crimestoppers, to address community concerns around drink and drug driving, and rural offences such as thefts of agricultural machinery and deer poaching.

bring these offenders to justice.”

If you have any crime information for the Exmoor area please contact officers via the force website: devon-cornwall.police.uk

Anyone for Mixed Doubles?

Local amateur drama group, Drama@ will be performing ‘Mixed Doubles’, an entertainment on marriage, at three North Devon venues in March (see the what’s on section, page 12)

The popular band, 3 Pint Rule, will be entertaining the audience between the duologues and monologues which are all by different playwrights. Each venue will have a bar and a raffle. This year the performances are supporting two local charities, Chemo Heroes and The Pip Centre.

They will be at West Buckland village hall on March 10th, Goodleigh village hall on March 11th, and then on both March 17th and 18th the performances will be at the Assembly Rooms in South Molton.

Tickets can be bought in advance from The Amory Centre in South Molton, (01769 5755528) or reserved by phoning 01769 574453. Performances will start at 7.30pm and the price of a ticket will be £8.

South Molton Community Garden news

by Rebecca Blackman

It’s been a reasonably quiet month in terms of gardening as the weather has been so wet and cold, but there have been a few jobs going on behind the scenes.

The tool shed unfortunately suffered some vandalism recently and the doors needed to be repaired. We are in the process of applying for grants to fund a new shed which will hopefully be more secure and also allow gardeners easier access to the tools.

We harvested the last of the leeks in early February (pictured above right) and shared them out at the AGM, along with the autumn’s Crown Prince squash harvest. The remainder of the leeks and squashes are being donated to the Food Bank and Community Fridge in South Molton.

Thank you to everyone who organised and attended the AGM, and to Karolina Andreasova for sharing some of her incredible wildlife photography.

We welcome new members! If you would like to join us, please come to the garden on Thursday afternoons at 2pm, weather permitting, or email: somocogarden@gmail.com