Community News pages 50 - 57

Community News pages 50 - 57

Exmoor robbery investigation

Police investigating a reported robbery on Exmoor have arrested two men in connection with the incident. A man in his 20s and a woman in her 30s reported being assaulted when their vehicle was parked on the road between Brayford and Simonsbath at around 10.20am on Tuesday, August 22nd.

Both sustained facial injuries and the man was taken to hospital for treatment and was later discharged. They also reported that property was stolen from them. Detectives say it is believed the victims may have been known to the suspects.

Two men, one in his 50s and one in his 30s, from Barnstaple, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Both have been released on bail pending further enquiries until Thursday, November 23rd.

If you witnessed the incident or have any information or dashcam footage that could help with enquiries, please contact police via their website or by calling 101 quoting reference number 50230229112. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at: Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 55511.

Community café

The Kings Nympton Community Café will be open from 9am to 2pm every second Wednesday until February 24th - the next date is October 11th.

Run by volunteers in the parish hall, all proceeds go to charity. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and a varied menu including full English breakfasts.

NHS dentistry petition

Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon, has launched a parliamentary petition, calling on the House of Commons to ask the Government to assist with emergency dental provision in North Devon.

Since being elected in 2019, she says 143 people have written to her about the lack of NHS dentistry locally. She is urging concerned residents to sign the petition, which calls for concrete steps to be taken to bring more provision to North Devon.

Selaine says she will present the petition in Parliament this autumn, after which the Government will have to formally respond.

You can sign the petition online at: change.org/DentistsinNorthDevon

If you would like your signature to be part of the presentation in Parliament then please contact Selaine Saxby’s office for a physical copy: selaine.saxby.mp@parliament.uk

South Molton Community Garden

by Rebecca Blackman

The weather in recent weeks has made working in the garden quite a challenge. The spell of rain was welcomed and definitely needed, as was the September sunshine, but the heat was almost unbearable.

The plots are very colourful right now with so many beautiful flowers dotted around the garden. They look lovely growing among the vegetables. The borage plants have been buzzing with bees and the Cabbage Whites have been slightly distracted by the nasturtiums, but sadly not enough to spare the brassicas!

Our potatoes have been harvested and we’ve had quite a few yellow courgettes. We’ve been picking beans and raspberries every week and are now enjoying the sweetcorn, chard and spinach. Unfortunately the squash aren’t growing as well as they usually do. Hopefully they’ll be a bit bigger before we harvest them for our annual soup day in the autumn.

We welcome new members! If you’d like to join us, please visit the garden on a Thursday at 2pm. Alternatively, email: southmoltoncommunitygarden@gmail.com

Photo by Karolina Andreasova

Musical thank you

South Molton Keyboard & Light Music Club say they’re “grateful and delighted” to have received a grant of £340 to help with their continued running. The funding came from the North Devon Council Community Councillor Grant Scheme, and was supported by David Worden, Matt Bushell and Peter Bishop from South Molton.

Appeal for winter coats

Rotary e-Club South West Peninsula members in South Molton are launching ‘Wrap Up South West’ in North Devon, with an appeal for good quality coats to be donated for local people in need this winter.

The collection will be held between October 20th and 30th. Donations of clean coats can be dropped off in the special boxes in South Molton including The Amory Centre, Sainsbury’s (during opening hours) and South Molton C of E United Primary School. Coats must be in good condition, clean and with all zips and buttons in working order.

Local club member, Lyn Winter, said, “We know that many people in our community are struggling to make ends meet, and a good coat is a necessity for staying warm.

Community shop plan for North Molton

A fundraising Auction of Promises, in aid of a new North Molton Community Shop, will take place at The Poltimore Inn in the village from 8pm on Saturday, October 21st.

The initiative to create a new shop started following the closure of E. Bulled & Sons, the long standing village store and Post Office, when the owners Colin and Sue Wallis retired in December last year.

A working group was set up to raise the funds needed to create the non-profit venture, which would include a café and community space, as well as a comprehensive range of groceries, household goods, alcohol and local produce. Proceeds will be used to benefit the village.

A provisional agreement has been reached with the Feoffes, subject to planning consent, to lease the Old School Hall for the community shop. For information about the auction and the shop contact project vice chair Dave Heath on 07553 072074 or email; djheath51@gmail.com

Remember, remember - fireworks in November!

South Molton Town Council say they are delighted to be hosting a free firework spectacular on Friday, November 3rd.

Two Tigers Firework Team will return to the town with “another amazing display set to music”.

The event will be compered by local radio presenter Hopps, from The Voice FM, and there will be a selection of street food available.

The display will start at 7pm and can be watched from the Central Car Park area, and as an added bonus from there will be almost 70 stalls to browse inside the Pannier Market from 3.30pm.

The event is free to attend, but there will be collection buckets for North Devon Hospice. All donations will be gratefully received.

South Molton fireworks

Photo Karolina Andreasova

Boost for bullion trader

Bleyer Ltd, a leading provider of Bullion investment products based in South Molton, has announced that its sales increased by 42.95% in the past financial year (ending June 2023).

“We are delighted with the growth of our sales,” said Caroline Savage, CEO of Bleyer Ltd. “This is a result of our focus on customer satisfaction, our commitment to providing excellent products and a growing understanding amongst the wider public of the tax benefits and investment potential of precious metals.”

Founded in 2009, with the aim of “demystifying precious metals and bullion investment”, it employs a team of five at its South Molton headquarters.