Farm Life - Exmoor delights

by Roger Hill

We love walking over Exmoor and especially meeting up with the ponies (Equus ferus caballus). They are Britain’s oldest native breed and were almost extinct after the Second World War. Thankfully today their numbers have increased but these magnificent animals are still classed as an endangered species.

Occasionally during the autumn they wander near to a farmstead and munch on some apples for a treat. The question is whether these fruits are also endangered. Research has found that half of British fruit and vegetable growers are considering giving up in the next year. Already, whole orchards are being grubbed out because farmers cannot compete with cheap imports whilst maintaining a higher standard of quality.

They are not asking for special treatment, just fairness, to the extent that chefs, TV celebrities and conservationists are backing a campaign called #GetFairAboutFarming

As I have written before, the world is in a fragile state with regard to food security. We cannot rely on imports when we are quite capable of growing most of our needs here. At least our beloved Exmoor ponies do not have these worries unless, their tasty treat is imported. ‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)

Exmoor signs are replaced

Two of Exmoor’s most iconic historic signposts - directing people to North Molton and South Molton - have been reinstated thanks to the hard work of local volunteers.

Exmoor National Park Authority raised around £2,000 to have the vandalised signs near Brushford and Withypool restored and reinstated at key junctions.

Shirley Blaylock, the park’s Historic Environment Officer, said, “We are so grateful for the hard work of our volunteers in restoring, and help in managing the labour-intensive reinstallation of these iconic signposts.”

NHS dental services ended

A South Molton dental practice has become the latest in North Devon to announce it will stop providing NHS services. Whitehall Dental Practice said NHS treatments are due to end on October 31st, stating they had explored “all available options” to continue.

A statement on the practice’s website said it had no alternative but to hand back the contract for the provision of “loss-making, underfunded NHS dental care”. North Devon MP Selaine Saxby recently launched a petition calling on the government to address the shortage of dental care in the area, and raised the issue with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when he visited North Devon District Hospital recently.

“It is extremely disappointing that Whitehall Dental Practice in South Molton has decided to hand back its NHS dental contract. I understand that they have not done this lightly and despite improvements to the NHS contract, this clearly shows that government has yet to get this right,” said the MP.

In a statement, the dental team said recruitment of clinicians who wanted to carry out NHS care was extremely challenging and had impacted the ability to deliver services.

Dr Catherine Tannahill, from the practice, said, “We do not underestimate the impact of this decision on NHS patients and the challenges they face in securing the care they need and deserve within the current system.” NHS patients who were currently receiving a course of treatment would have them completed in advance of the NHS contract ending.

Healthwatch Devon said it would be a massive impact on the community, stating, “We believe it is storing up a lot of problems for the future, especially for young children.”

Shop auction

An ‘auction of promises’ is being held to help raise funds for the new North Molton Community Shop project. It will be on Saturday, November 18th at The Poltimore Inn, North Molton, from 8pm.

Get your skates on this Christmas!

There’s even more reason to visit South Molton in the runup to Christmas this year, as there will be free ice skating for three days as part of the ‘Winter Wonderful Weekend’. The town council would like to invite everyone to enjoy the festivities and help support local businesses.

It starts on Friday, November 24th when the Christmas lights are switched on in The Square (6.30pm). There will be street food stalls and children’s rides in the Pannier Market and visitors will also be able to enjoy the ice skating, which will be located in the lorry park at the back of the market - plus of course, late night shopping.

This year’s lights switch-on sees the return of the lantern parade, organised by Linda from Teddy Bears at South Molton Methodist Church - with Father Christmas leading the parade! If you would like to make a lantern and take part in parade there will be a lantern making workshop in the Assembly Rooms on Saturday, November 18th from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Then on Saturday, November 25th there will be the ‘Kick off Christmas Market’ in the Pannier Market and Assembly Rooms from 8am to 2pm, with the ice rink open to 5pm. The weekend draw to a close on Sunday, November 26th with the hugely popular festive food festival (10am to 4pm), plus the final day of ice skating.