Molton Monthly - May 2024

Welcome to the May edition of Molton Monthly. We have certainly had some weather since the last edition, when I optimistically wrote about “spring trying to burst through”. Rain, gales, occasional sun, hail and last but not least... snow, as you’ll see in our stunning photo of the month!

Not surprisingly, reservoirs are full and South West Water says there won’t be a hosepipe ban this year - after a whopping 9 inches of rain fell on Devon in February alone.

Some sad news to report that partly due to vandalism, volunteers have pulled the plug on this year’s South Molton in Bloom entry (page 43). You would hope, given the threat to our environment, that those responsible for the damage might care more for nature.

However, there’s good news that the popular South Molton Carnival will return in October after a six year break (page 29). A team is beavering away pulling it all together, so stay tuned for more updates soon.

There’s a lot of news squeezed into this month’s edition, so browse through and as always - thanks to our local business advertisers and of course you, our readers. Peter Robinson, Editor & publisher

Molton Monthly is also published free to read on our website moltonmonthly.co.uk and we have daily updates for news and events on Facebook and Instagram @MoltonMonthly

What’s Inside - May

P6-7 Photo of the month

P8 Gas pipe upgrade work

P11-17 What’s On

P18-19 ‘No hosepipe ban’ in 2024

P22-23 Kings Nympton train campaign

P26-27 Local riders are national champs

P29 Town carnival to return

P31 May gardening tips

P34-36 Health & Wellbeing

P38-39 Farm Life - robotic milkers

P43 ‘In Bloom’ entry cancelled

P47 Hotel for bees

P50-52 Community News

P61 Schools and Learning

P62 Index of Advertisers

P63 Local Information

Molton Monthly magazine is printed on recycled, carbon neutral paper using solar energy as part of our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. More than 5,000 copies are delivered free, door-to-door, by our dedicated local team to East and West Buckland, North Molton, South Molton, Heasley Mill, Filleigh, Clapworthy Mill, Bishops Nympton, Bish Mill, Chulmleigh, Chittlehampton, Alswear, Kings Nympton, George and Queens Nympton.

We also have pick-up points around South Molton, Pathfields Business Park, Filleigh, Atherington, Chawleigh, Umberleigh, Rose Ash and Chittlehamholt, plus it is available at select North Devon and Exmoor pubs.

Winter’s last blast

by Nicola McCarthy

As Easter approached at the end of March, a wintry blast swept North Devon and Exmoor. Snow settled overnight, with many waking up to scenes befitting a traditional Christmas. “Our family were playing Monopoly. The fire was dying down after keeping us warm all evening whilst we jostled over Park Lane and Old Kent Road,” said Nicola McCarthy, who runs West Buckland Cattery at her home. “Our son, Henry, suddenly noticed giant snowflakes falling at pace onto what had been just hours before our spring garden!”

“In true British style, at 11.30pm, on went the boots, hats and fur coats! We walked through the garden in absolute wonder, it was the most magical snowfall I had seen in many years. There was a beautiful silence as the saucer sized flakes fell.”

You can find Nicola and West Buckland Cattery on Instagram and Facebook: @west_buckland_cattery

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

Gas pipe upgrade likely to cause delays for drivers

Traffic hold-ups are expected in the centre of South Molton between now and September as major work gets underway to upgrade around two miles of the local gas pipe network.

“We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future,” said Roxanne Whittaker, who is managing the project for Wales & West Utilities.

“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”

3,100 metres of gas pipes are being upgraded in the New Road area of the town. This will include road closures and traffic lights, and road signage will be in place to provide advance warning to motorists.

If you have any questions about the work, you can contact the team on: 0800 912 2999

What’s On - May 2024 pages 11-17

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

1st - 10am Coffee Morning for North Devon Hospice at SMART Swim Centre, Mill Street (ends 11.30am)

2nd - 7am to 10pm Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 2024 (voter ID needed)

2nd - 12pm Concert with Richard Westcott, Ron Procter & Tom Bayliss - South Molton Parish Church

3rd - 8pm First Friday Jazz presents the North Coast Joymakers at Swimbridge Jubilee Hall (advert p16)

4th - 9am Coffee morning & plant sale, with Chulmleigh & District Garden Society, at Chulmleigh Town Hall

4th - 10am Coffee Morning at South Molton Parish Church (ends 12pm)

4th - 7pm Beer & Brains Quiz with Chittlehampton Twinning at Umberleigh Village Hall, teams of 6 (£5pp), bar and raffe - table booking: 07770 262847

5th - 10am Flea Market at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 3pm)

7th - 7.15pm South Molton Flower Club demonstration by Christine Harrington at Filleigh Village Hall

7th - 7.30pm Concert with tenor Gregory Steward at St George’s Church, George Nympton (£12).

Bookings and information: 01769 572116 or georgenymptonchurch@gmail.com

7th - 7.30pm Whist Drive at Chittlehampton Village Hall (every Tuesday) - info 01769 540036

10th - 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) Chulmleigh Rural Cinema presents ‘The Color Purple’ (12A) - tickets £5 or £4.50 members, refreshments available, screening at Chulmleigh Pavilion

11th - 7.30pm Eyes down for South Molton Vintage Rally Club bingo at The Coaching Inn, South Molton

13th - 7pm AGM of Friends of South Molton Parish Church in the church, with Lady Arran

13th - 7.30pm Bingo at Chittlehampton Village Hall - info 01769 540036

14th - 10am South Molton u3a ‘The History of the Braddick Family’ with Sharon Snell at Filleigh Village Hall

14th - 10am CommuniTEA - drop in service from One South Molton at the town library (ends 11.30am)

16th to 18th - 7.30am Devon County Show, Westpoint EX5 1DJ; devoncountyshow.co.uk

18th - 6pm ‘On board the ISS’ - family astronomy at Poltimore Inn Observatory, North Molton (advert p20)

18th - 6.30pm Eyes Down for Bingo in aid of Amigos at The Coaching Inn, South Molton

19th - 9am Salvage Fair at South Molton Pannier Market (ends 2pm)

19th - 10am Kings Nympton classic vehicle show, including tractor parade & refreshments (advert page 14)

20th - 7pm South Molton Sisters W.I. monthly meeting at the YMCA - fun, tea and nibbles (ends 9pm)

21st - 10.30am Parkinsons Café for sufferers & carers at South Molton Library: 01769 572380 (ends 12pm)

20th - 12pm Open Mic/Acoustic Sessions, Coaching Inn, South Molton: southmoltonacoustic.co.uk

24th - 7.30pm Chulmleigh & District History Society talk on Middle East/Palestine at the Pavilion (£4/£6)

26th - 10am Roar on the Moor classic scrambler racing at Yarde Gate, North Molton (advert page 12)

31st - 2.30pm South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club with Chris Powell at the Methodist Church Hall

Bishops Nympton Parish Hall - advert page 12; Filleigh & Heasley Mill Village Halls - adverts page 60

Create ‘n’ Chat Group 2pm-4pm South Molton Church Hall, Duke Street 9th & 23rd - info; 01769 574187

Scrapstore YMCA South Molton Drop-in Craft Sessions; 10am-1pm 10th & 24th; £2 donation requested

South Molton Sisters W.I Craft & Natter Amory Centre garden room 10.30am-12.30pm; 1st-4th-15th-18th