Plym Links October/November issue 2019

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

PLYM LINKS October/November 2019 | Issue 2

124

AUTUMNAL

OUTINGS

APPLE DAY AT SHAUGH PRIOR INSPIRATION AT BUCKFAST HALLLOW’EEN & FIREWORKS & much more...

Amazing

MAYFLOWER 400

MEET

the locals...

Hotelier and Mum from Wotter Shaugh Prior Scientist & Photographer Parish Priest from Roborough JUNIOR RANGERS

giving something back...

Gettting ahead in your AUTUMN GARDEN Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

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HEALTH

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HISTORY

Growth of the clay villages

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FROM THE EDITOR

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

The subject of our charity focus in this issue is the Woolwell Centre - a busy hub for the community that provides great facilities and now a thriving café too.

Historian Paul Rendell explains the growth of the China clay industry on the South Western edge of Dartmoor - and you can explore the area thanks to the circular walk he describes on page 50.

Starting a new magazine is a brilliant way to learn about an area but it’s no substitute for actually living within that community. You, the readers, are the experts! Therefore, please do let me know about the local projects that matter to you, the unsung heroes, the good causes, the events and the developments. Send an email to jane. honey@linksmagazines.co.uk - or pick up the phone and give me a call 07971 917071.

I look forward to hearing from you!

W

The deadline date for any inclusions in the December/ January issue of Plym Links will be 1 November 2019.

For all editorial enquiries please contact me via email at: jane.honey@linksmagazines.co.uk or by phone 07971 917071.

THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Jane Honey Design: Julian Rees Advertising Copy: Rachel Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard Claire Pearson

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² @plymlinks ON THE COVER: Apple Scrumping © Peter Burkill

here on earth has 2019 gone? It’s probably just me getting older but the year really has flown by. It doesn’t help when you edit bi-monthly magazines - although I am writing this in early September, I am already planning for the end of the year and beginning of the next!

Mind you, the passage of time will be marked in a spectacular way in Plymouth this year, with the Mayflower 400 celebrations commemorating the departure of the Pilgrim Fathers for the new world in 1620. You can read about this international programme of events in our feature on page 4.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some really interesting characters for our Local People features in this issue. Father Simon Rundell is a parish priest with a real passion for his flock - and for ballroom dancing! Dancing is also close to the heart of busy hotelier Patty Dallas, whose daughters’ talents in this respect take her to competitions all over the country, while retirement has allowed eminent marine scientist Peter Burkill the opportunity to develop his great love and talent for wildlife photography.

Happy reading!

Jane Jane Honey Editor Plym Links

Contents | October/November 2019 4 6 14 19 20 24 27 30 32

Mayflower 400 Noticeboard Local People Nature Gardening Eucation Health Charity Focus What’s On Listings

39 45 48 50 52 54 55 58

What’s On Extra Music and Art Food and Drink Walking History Technical Help Business Trade Secrets

Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns and villages: Roborough, Woolwell, Widewell, Shaugh Prior, Bickleigh, Wotter, Sparkwell, Glenholt, Derriford, Derriford Hospital, The Plymouth Science Park and selected outlets.

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4

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WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

PLYM LINKS MOOR LINKS TAVY LINKS WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

MOOR

TAVY OKE PLYM

October/November 2019 | Issue 39

October/November 2019 | Issue 2

OF

MAKE THE MOST

AUTUMN

OF

200

115

MAKE THE MOST

AUTUMN

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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

AUTUMNAL

OUTINGS

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

APPLE DAY AT SHAUGH PRIOR INSPIRATION AT BUCKFAST HALLLOW’EEN & FIREWORKS & much more...

Linksmagazines

WALKS | ARTS | EVENTS | PEOPLE | HERITAGE | LOCAL FOOD & DRINK | HOMES | BUSINESS

October/November 2019 | Issue 42

MEET

TAKING THE INITIATIVE

the locals...

Neil Jory, leader of West Devon Borough Council Guy Ayling, headmaster and principal at Mount Kelly

Hotelier and Mum from Wotter Shaugh Prior Scientist & Photographer Parish Priest from Roborough JUNIOR RANGERS

NOTICEBOARD

CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHARLES HACKETT EXPLAINS WHAT IT MEANS FOR US

CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHARLES HACKETT EXPLAINS WHAT IT MEANS FOR US

Delivered FREE by your postman to PL6 - 7 and PL7 - 5. Guaranteed Circulation of 7,000 homes

Dartmoor Speedwatch Campaign

MAYFLOWER 400

MAYFLOWER 400

giving something back...

Gettting ahead in your AUTUMN GARDEN HEALTH

Focus on Osteoporosis

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HISTORY

Growth of the clay villages

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

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OUTDOORS & ACTIVE A walk along the River Plym

FOOD

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Guy Ayling - Mount Kelly David Balment - original partner of Mansbridge & Balment Neil Jory - West Devon Borough Council

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LOCAL INTEREST

Joseph Dax & the Calstock ‘dig’

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OUTDOORS & ACTIVE A walk along the River Plym

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WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Celebrating Tavistock’s Gothic heritage

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Mayflower 400

T

he year 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth UK to Plymouth Massachusetts, carrying passengers from Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Leiden in the Netherlands. Many of the Pilgrims, as they would come to be known, were English ‘Separatists’ who had left England to gain religious freedom, but there were also skilled tradespeople and pioneers; together they created the first permanent settlement of Europeans in New England, forming what many regard as the basis of today’s United States of America.

Important as that event was, Mayflower 400 has come to signify even more - locally, nationally and internationally. Plymouth is the national lead for the project, bringing together 12 UK destinations, alongside the US, Native American communities and the Netherlands. A world-class series of events, exhibitions and activities has been planned in Plymouth, as well as in other UK and international venues. The opening of

A world-class series of events, “ exhibitions and activities has been planned in Plymouth, as well as in other UK and international venues

”

The Box in Plymouth is the result of significant capital expenditure, while there has also been considerable investment in marketing and the hospitality industry to accommodate the anticipated boost in tourism.

Charles Hackett, chief executive of Mayflower 400, admits it hasn’t been easy to raise the funds required for the project, but when Plymouth City Council invested in the event, a steady stream of funders followed, including lead national sponsor Womble Bond Dickinson, Arts Council England, Visit England, the Department for Digital Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as strong private and public sector investment in Plymouth.

The result of all this investment is an outstanding and diverse offering of art, music, theatre, exhibitions, storytelling, digital innovation, literature, crafts, festivals and sporting events. Mayflower 400 promises a packed, year-long schedule with a number of ‘do not miss’ moments, as Charles describes them.

Illuminate 2019 will be a spectacular opening event in November (November 28th to December 1st in Plymouth); plans for Illuminate 2020 and the closing spectacle promise to surpass all previous Illuminate festivals. The long-awaited opening of The Box in 2020 will provide Plymouth with a brand new multi-million pound cultural and heritage centre, which will include the impressive ‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’ 4

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FEATURE exhibition, with around 250 objects from about 35-40 institutions worldwide, exploring the origins, history and legacy of the Mayflower journey.

The ‘Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America’ exhibition led by The Box will also tour nationally.

This unique partnership project unites Plymouth with Wampanoag artists and educators in the USA and will result in the creation of a new wampum belt, while the Theatre Royal’s major production, telling the story of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, opens in June.

The actual anniversary of the Mayflower’s departure from Plymouth on September 16th, 2020, will be marked by the Mayflower Week of activities, including a fournation ceremony on the Hoe, as well as the Mayflower Muster, a spectacular two-day festival in partnership with the US and Dutch armed forces, including military ships, live displays and interactive demonstrations.

Businesses are also helping to create Street Factory, the UK’s first dedicated Hip-Hop theatre.

Currently only 1% of visitors to Plymouth come from outside the UK. It is estimated the interest generated by the Mayflower commemoration will draw between half to one million extra tourists to Plymouth over the year, many from overseas.

A new international Mayflower trail encourages visitors to follow in the footsteps of the Mayflower Pilgrims. International marketing for Mayflower 400 and engagement with US tour operators is generating sizeable interest and the aim is to greatly enhance the visitor experience in Plymouth, boosting tourism beyond 2020. New heritage trails linking key events in Plymouth’s history are panned, while the Elizabethan House in New Street is being expertly renovated to reopen in 2020 with an immersive experience transporting

At the other end of the scale, Charles has been delighted with the response to the Community Sparks scheme, which has opened up opportunities for the Plymouth community to create a multitude of inspirational events and play their own part in the celebrations, with funding for projects from modern-day tea dances and a large-scale tapestry of Plymstock’s history, to the Mayflower Postcard Exchange & Exhibition, encouraging people in the 30 US towns named Plymouth to exchange postcards with Plymothians.

Volunteers have also been signing up to train as Mayflower Makers, helping to raise awareness and support events. In addition, a consortium of Plymouth businesses has come together to work on the ‘Road to Mayflower’, planting 1,000 trees to enhance Marsh Mills roundabout, Embankment Road and Gdynia Way.

visitors to the time of the Pilgrims.

The Mayflower 400 website states: ‘Our mission is to inspire a lasting legacy of kinship and transformational change within our communities which is founded on our shared values, and history . . . It will explore, explain and give thanks for the Pilgrim’s impact on world history, refreshing the lessons of their legacy’.

Mayflower 400 is a huge opportunity for Plymouth in terms of culture, heritage, education, tourism and its economy with the potential to deliver a memorable turning point in its history.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

Rosemary Best

More Information: Visit www.mayflower400uk.org

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Special day for John A multiple sclerosis sufferer from the South Hams has been able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day, thanks to pioneering work led by the University of Plymouth.

A new study has shown that people in the advanced stage of multiple sclerosis (MS) experience significant improvements in movement and balance thanks to a specialised standing frame.

Sponsored by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, the study also showed the intervention appeared cost-effective, leading researchers to conclude it could be routinely implemented throughout the UK. Around 110,000 people in the UK have MS; a lifelong condition that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and often leads to increasing disability.

John Kendrick from Sparkwell was assigned the standing frame intervention after years of not being able to move a great distance.

He said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that had it not been for the standing frame, I would not have been able to walk my daughter into church to marry her husband. It was a challenge, but I’m so proud I did it.

‘With secondary progressive MS, my mobility has decreased and I’m starting to lose feeling in my right

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hand. But the standing frame, which I’m continuing to use, has helped to keep me mobile.’

Progressive MS often follows an earlier relapsing remitting stage, with the majority of people in the later stage experiencing walking difficulties, poor balance and co-ordination. As John with the a result, many people spend much or Oswestry Standing Frame all of their day sitting, which can lead and below to problems such as muscle weakness proudly walking from disuse, pain, constipation, loss of his daughter movement at joints and pressure ulcers. down the aisle.

The Oswestry standing frame is designed to help slow the development of these problems in people, by enabling them to regularly stand and carry out strengthening and balance exercises in a supported position, with the help if needed.

The nationwide study saw 71 people with the condition randomly allocated to undertake the standing frame programme over 20 weeks, alongside their usual care.

Participants were asked to stand for 30 minutes, three times weekly, over 20 weeks, with encouragement to continue for 36 weeks and beyond, although no further physiotherapy support was provided.

Results showed that, on average, people who used the standing frame scored more highly on an assessment of their movement and balance function, as objectively assessed by a physiotherapist.

On average the intervention costs around £800, so the use of the standing frame also appeared to be cost-effective.

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Dartmoor Speedwatch Forum The forum is a group of unpaid local volunteers giving their free time for a very worthwhile cause. The aim is to promote road safety on local moorland roads, while working with local agencies such as police, Highways, Dartmoor National Park and Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society etc.

We raise funds to carry out our projects, and our group started in November 2016. Since then, we have had significant impact on reducing the number of deaths of moorland livestock and educating drivers to be more aware of free-roaming animals on moorland roads, particularly between the Lee Moor, Wotter and Cadover areas.

We organised and produced many different mobile signs in the form of sheep and lambs along the roadside and an eye-catching toll board displaying the count of animal accidents.

Out of our funds, we printed educational leaflets and flyers and distributed them to Plymouth schools, activity centres, transport hauliers, and handed out at nearby countryside functions, all sending out the message to slow down on routes across the moor.

The bracken on the verges has been sprayed in the past to encourage die-back thanks to our funding, which makes the sheep on the roadside more visible to traffic.

In May 2017, with approval from our supportive parish council, we purchased paint and local artist Christine Pascoe from Cornwood readily agreed to paint the Bus Shelter with sheep, transforming it from a dull old granite block to a far more visible bus shelter, which motorists are now more aware of.

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NOTICEBOARD Right now we need to continue educating the drivers for the safety of the community.

We have set up a Speedwatch team, trained with the police to use a radar gun to record speeds and impress on drivers the need to observe the speed limits.

We have just recently been successful in obtaining a grant from Newnham Solar Community Fund and Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society. This has enabled us to purchase expensive batteries to reinstate the Mobile Solar Speed Units on the Lee Moor to Wotter road.

Our aim for the future is to introduce traffic calming on the road near Moorland Hotel towards Beatland Cross, which is a 30 mph zone, but cars and heavy transport lorries regularly exceed this - to the concern of the community.

Highways and the parish council are supportive, since there is no footpath to the bus stop or the Post Office and Moorland Hotel. Speeding traffic has made it dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists and residents alike.

So there is plenty of work ahead - and plenty of funding still to find!

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New foodie fundraiser for Children’s Hospice

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is asking people to get creative in the kitchen and take part in a month of foodie fundraising this October.

The charity is urging supporters to host a Cook Eat Give event for friends and family and ask guests to make a donation in return.

The new fundraising initiative will help CHSW support more than 500 children with life-limiting conditions and their families at its three children’s hospices across the South West.

Emma Perry, fundraising manager at its first hospice, Little Bridge House, said: ‘Cook Eat Give is a really easy way for people to get involved in fundraising for Children’s Hospice South West. Everyone loves a foodie get together – whether it’s a barbeque, pizza night or

themed dinner party, the choice is yours and you can enjoy your food with the knowledge that you are helping us to support local children and families.

‘We hope people will join us this October but if that date isn’t suitable, people can host a Cook Eat Give anytime. Every meal, however large or small, will make a big difference.’

Mealtimes are a big part of life at the charity’s three children’s hospices. During their short stays at the hospice, all families eat lunch and dinner together around a large dining table alongside hospice staff.

For many families, eating a hot, home-cooked meal together is a rarity due to the care demands on parents alongside their hectic routines. Families forge relationships with staff and other families also supported by the hospice during mealtimes, while siblings also make long-lasting friendships.

Kevin Hayton, the cook at Little Bridge House, said: ‘It’s great to see families sitting down and eating together.

Some families don’t get the chance to do this often at home – here, they don’t have to worry about things like the shopping, cooking or washing up.’

For information about holding a Cook Eat Give foodie fundraiser, visit www.chsw.org.uk/cook or call Little Bridge House 01271 325 270 to speak to the fundraising team.

Kevin Hayton, the cook at Little Bridge House

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A blooming great summer!

It’s been an exciting few months of late summer for the Woolwell in Bloom group, with many outstanding plans finally falling into place.

The commemorative plaque for the garden at the Woolwell Surgery arrived from the wood carver. It looks amazing and was due to be hung in early September.

The grand opening of the garden took place at noon on Monday, September 23rd at the surgery. Inside the surgery will be a beautiful hand painted poppy picture with an explanation and reasoning behind the garden, which is in commemoration of those who served and those who fell in the First World War. At the time of writing this article, we are having concrete laid ready for our main display, which is sited as you drive into Woolwell, by the South Hams sign. A team from One Stop Tescos has kindly built a wooden well for this site.

Some of you will remember Nacho the gorilla from Tavistock Road? He is now happily living in his own jungle area outside Bambino’s Nursery!

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

NOTICEBOARD Our fundraising is still ongoing with a very successful time being had at the Woolwell Fun Day. Our autumn planting program is in place, with a special area of Spring bulbs being created. We are always looking for volunteers to join this exciting project, so please contact us 07837 532873 for more information.

Soraya Lewis-Coleman

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Fancy having a go?

Morris dancing might be centuries old and how or why it started is lost in the depths of time, but it is still proving to be as popular as ever.

Dartmoor Border Morris includes people of all sorts of social backgrounds - the youngest is 23, the eldest is 80! It is a mixed side made up of doctors, head teachers, biomedical scientists, school teachers, lorry drivers and

the faint hearted! The music is also traditional old English folk that has been twisted a bit into Morris dance tunes.

Although the side currently has some eight musicians and 19 dancers, sometimes trying to get enough people not bound by family or work commitments together is hard work, so the side would welcome anyone who would like to have a go.

This past year, Dartmoor Border Morris attended all sorts of events, from local fairs to Devon County show. This year, apart from collecting for the Children in Need appeal,

swimming lifeguards - but they still are on the hunt for new musicians and dancers!

The side wear jackets of blue and brown to represent the colours of Dartmoor and dance with sticks made of ash, as opposed to hankies. The pheasant feathers and flowers in their hats mock the times when wearing a top hat was only for the landed gentry and Victorian upper society. Instead of painting their faces black, so as not to be recognised, a picture of a sheep adorns their cheek.

Dancing with bells on the shins, the Border style of dance, can be described at ‘brash, loud and energetic’ and not for

Dartmoor Border Morris have been collecting again for charity. Every year it’s a different cause, last year it was Jeremiah’s Journey, this year it’s Sadie Stray Dog rescue.

Open practice nights run every Wednesday evening from 8pm in Meavy Parish Hall, before social time at the Royal Oak Inn. The side practices from September to the end of April when they dance out in public, visiting different pubs across Dartmoor, usually joined by another Morris side or two.

For more information go to www.dartmoorbordermorris. com or like their Facebook page.

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Citizens Advice creates new team of Energy Champions Heat Well for Less is an exciting new project by Citizens Advice Devon that aims to help people struggling with their energy bills.

In this new initiative, five local Citizens Advice offices across Devon and Torbay have teamed up to provide practical, hands-on energy advice to the most vulnerable people in our communities. The project will see nine trained and qualified Energy Champions available across the region to make home visits and give specialist advice to the most vulnerable.

The Energy Champions will also train 500 local volunteers in the best ways to help vulnerable local residents out of fuel poverty. A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if 10% or more of the household income is spent on fuel, in short, that’s money spent on heating, hot water and running appliances. Fuel poor households commonly face the difficult choice between eating and heating. Unknown to many, and often hidden amongst the beauty of Devon, local people are struggling to pay their energy bills. Nearly half of fuel poor households are in employment but still struggling.

The scheme is being funded for two years by the Energy Redress Scheme and being lead by Citizens Advice South Hams.

For more information on how to save money on energy costs, contact energy.advice@southhamscab.org.uk or ring the Energy Line 01803 659 733 and leave a message, a Citizens Advice South Hams Energy Adviser will ring you back.

NOTICEBOARD

Glenholt Community Market

Set up three years ago by St Anne’s Church, the Glenholt Community Market has become very much a market for local residents.

St Anne’s serves as both a church and a place for the community, with many social activities each week. The market was rather a different venture and has proved to be quite a success. A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation notes a steady decline in retail, but an increase in ‘niche’ markets providing focal points for local communities. The Glenholt Market has certainly achieved this.

The market has 14 stalls focusing mainly on handcrafted items and food - with traders offering gluten-free pastries, locally grown vegetables and all kinds of handmade goods. The market is oversubscribed and traders are rotated to ensure different stalls each month. Additionally, there is a fairly large café area with value for money snacks and drinks - Sue’s bacon baps really are the best! And there is also a very popular raffle. Importantly, the market is a place for the local community to sit, chat and browse meet old friends and make new ones.

The market is run entirely by volunteers with proceeds going to the church, local good causes and charities.

So why not pop in and have a look - it runs on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 12.30pm or see www.glenholtcommunitymarket.co.uk

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Hard work by the Hub Glenholt is lucky in being a community that ‘does’.

The essentially residential area borders Dartmoor and includes Glenholt Park - an estate of retirement luxury park homes.

Glenholt Community Hub is working to bring the whole area together. Run by Denise Mills, the Hub organises coach trips and hosts social events for the whole community. This Autumn sees the start of ‘Off Key Singers’ - singing for fun - along with an arts and craft group at St Anne’s Church. Additionally the Hub deals with community issues, being instrumental in keeping Glenholt Post Office open earlier this year.

Glenholt Park Residents’ Association is actively working

for the residents and last year obtained £10,000 to fund three defibrillators for Glenholt Park - this is being supplemented with two further units this year, so no resident shall be further than 200 metres from a defibrillator. Denise Mills, who was involved with the Glenholt Park project, is now keen to roll out defibrillators throughout Glenholt.

St Anne’s Church’s tagline says it all - ‘Here for the community’. It offers a wealth of social activities including lunches, games afternoons, WI, exercise classes and yoga - along with the popular monthly Glenholt Community Market. It is also prepared to step in for the community on important issues - for example the recent threat of the closure of the Post Office. For more information see www. stanneschurch.org.uk Karen Griffiths

The importance of peat The peatlands of Dartmoor could be an underestimated resource in the fight against climate change as their ability to store carbon has not diminished in almost 150 years, research shows.

Scientists from the University of Plymouth investigated whether there has been a reduction in the strength of carbon sinks around Fox Tor Mire and Red Lake Mire, south east of Princetown By taking a series of core samples they were able to analyse peat age, bulk density and carbon content and calculate past rates of carbon accumulation.

The results show both past and contemporary rates of CO2 sequestration were found to be at the maximum of those reported for temperate peatlands. That, researchers say, suggests recent changes in climate appear to have had minimal impact on the strength of peatland carbon sinks in South West England.

The study was conducted by academics and students

Local Dartmoor lamb Lovers of Dartmoor can now ‘taste the view’ by purchasing prime lamb from a number of Morrisons stores in the south west.

The initiative has been expanded to 43 stores, from the 10 supplied last year. The lamb is sourced from Dartmoor Farmers’ Association whose members farm within Dartmoor National Park.

The Association was formed in 2007 with the aim of promoting the link between sustainable upland livestock 12

from the University’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Lead author Dr Paul Lunt said: ‘Annually up to 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide is taken out of the atmosphere per hectare of peat forming vegetation and, in those terms, it is probably the most cost effective way of getting carbon out of the atmosphere.

‘Our findings suggest that, contrary to expectations, the peatlands of Dartmoor are stable and possibly increasing, due – among other factors – to increased rainfall and changes in the patterns of rain. With government targets to be zero carbon by 2050, peatlands could therefore be an overlooked resource in the fight against climate change. production and the environment. The livestock reared is predominately of native breeds, many of the animals born on the hill and grazed on semi-natural habitats, producing a pure product with superior flavour and texture.

Mat Cole of Dartmoor Farmers’ Association said: ‘The lamb and beef produced by our members is a wonderful local product.

‘Farming in an upland area is challenging, but delivers so many benefits in addition to the production of quality meat. When someone supports us by purchasing our lamb at Morrisons they are also making an investment in conserving the National Park.’

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Peter Burkill A scientist with a passion for pictures

P

eter Burkill says he always knew he wanted to be a marine scientist. Fascinated by the oceans from a young age, he grew up in Malaysia and Singapore and took up underwater diving when he was 14, his boyhood hero the French conservationist and film maker Jacques Cousteau.

He left the Far East when he was 18 to study at King’s College in London, later completing a PhD at Southampton University. He and his wife, Sue, came to Devon thanks to a job offer at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and absolutely fell in love with a near-derelict farmhouse at Shaugh Prior - the home they created and have loved for the last 40 years.

‘Both sets of our parents said we were completely mad to take it on!’ said Peter.

The couple believe the house was originally two cottages dating from around 1780 with a shippen, hayloft and barn added later. After years of hard work, it’s now a lovely home with stunning views over the valley and a garden full of wildlife.

Latterly, Peter spent five years doing a weekly commute to work at Southampton University - ultimately the sad loss of a close friend to cancer made him re-evaluate life and he decided to retire from full time toil.

‘It really made me think about things - while I still really, really enjoy marine science, there were a lot of other things 14

I wanted to do and I am a great believer in quitting while you are ahead,’ he said.

He accepted a part-time position as a Professor of Ocean Science at Plymouth University and in 2014 was elected President of SCOR - the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research - an international body of 42 countries bringing together experts from all over the world to advance ocean science and overcome barriers to understanding

oxygen supply on Earth could be affected. The Amazon rain forests are important but the oceans are more so - we could end up being doomed out of ignorance,’ said Peter sadly.

Now nearly 70, he reluctantly decided two years ago that diving was no longer for him and he has turned to his other great interest - photography.

‘I absolutely love it and I’ve been lucky enough that it’s taking me all over the world - plus we live in a privileged time when digital technology has opened up so many more possibilities,’ said Peter, who frequently speaks on the subject.

Despite his travelling, curiously one of the talks he’d like to give is

have swallows, hedgehogs, foxes scrumping the “ Weapples, deer, buzzards - loads of wildlife ”

our seas. It sets up large-scale projects and pays for brainstorming critical issues - Peter, who holds the role of Past President until next year, said it was a ‘huge honour’ to be elected to the position.

He’s plainly still captivated - his own words - by the oceans and the effect their health has on the world in relation to climate change and fears the achingly slow pace to take this seriously may have far reaching consequences.

‘We have always viewed the oceans as a remote dumping ground in which the issue of plastics has now emerged.The big bits of plastic aren’t the main problem - it’s the tiny bits, that’s where damage is really done, yet we don’t really know how that’s going to affect us. If the marine food chain gets clogged up, our

‘A Journey to the Bottom of the Garden’.

‘We have swallows, hedgehogs, foxes scrumping the apples, deer, buzzards - loads of wildlife,’ he explained.

Further afield, the trips he and Sue have made to such far-flung countries as Namibia, Madagascar, India and Japan have proved fruitful hunting grounds for picturing wildlife.

When not involved in the worlds of photography or marine science, he and Sue love having their friends and family to stay and both are actively involved in the Shaugh Prior Apple Day and an associated orchard project.

‘And we always said once we’d finished the house, we’d sort the garden out - it’s just finding the time!’ said Peter.

Jane Honey

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Patty Dallas Hotelier and dance mum!

P

atricia Dallas, or Patty as she is known, is a bright, engaging lady with a ready laugh who has been co-owner of the Moorland Hotel at Wotter for nearly 18 years.

There’s just a trace of Australian accent as she speaks - she was born in Brisbane, her grandmother settling in Oz after the war. Her mum Rosemary, with whom she owns the hotel, served in the Australian Navy and married a member of the English Royal Navy, necessitating a move to Cornwall for Patty during her teenage years.

Patty said: ‘Mum and Dad had this wild idea to buy a pub - we ended up buying the hotel! I came here in 2000 for a visit - it’s been a very long visit!’

Patty actually graduated from university in Brisbane with a degree in psychology but having worked in hospitality as a student, decided she loved the life and having worked with her mum for a short while in Torquay, they realised they made a good team.

Her passion for Dartmoor and her hotel, originally built in 1935 as a temperance house, is plain to see.

‘The building itself is quite austere but it ticked all the boxes for us. We have 18 rooms, a function room, it’s only 20 minutes from Plymouth and where better to be than Dartmoor?’ said Patty. ‘We get sheep and ponies

LOCAL LOCAL PEOPLE PEOPLE wandering in and out of the car park, farmers come on their tractors for a drink, yet we get a lot of corporate guests because we are only a hop, skip and a jump from the city. I think Devon is amazing and Wotter is spectacular - I love it!’

Running a hotel is pretty full on job and Patty will turn her hand to anything that needs doing.

It’s ‘demanding but enjoyable’ according to her - but she loves the social interaction with the guests, even those difficult times when that psychology degree comes in handy!

She’s also a busy mum to two teenage girls - talented dancers who attend the Puttin’ On The Ritz school of dance in Plympton - and spends much time taking the girls to dancing events and competitions as far afield as Reading and Blackpool.

‘They are competing nationally now which is amazing,’ Patty said proudly. ‘Their dancing teacher is just fantastic, we are so lucky to have him in our neck of the woods.

‘I might spend a fortune on dresses and spend a lot of time driving them around but I’m a dance mum and I love it!’

There are also animals to look after - a couple of free range chickens, one

of which likes to chill out inside the hotel (Patty reckons it’s because she’s a former battery hen and believes indoors is the place to be), two horses and two dogs, one of them a greedy Labrador with a penchant for bananas and a tendency towards thievery.

Her love for animals must have been a contributing factor towards her move to start a speed watch campaign in the village.

In association with Devon and Cornwall Police she regularly monitors traffic locally with a radar gun, in the hope that by educating drivers, they will think about the rate at which their vehicle is travelling and the danger they pose to the sheep and ponies that wander at will on the roads around Wotter.

‘I think it’s important to remember that Dartmoor and the livestock that’s always lived on the moor were here before the roads were built and people should think about what they are doing when they drive.’

When Patty gets any spare down time she makes a brief escape to her mum’s cottage in Cornwall - she’s also a keen skier and makes sure she heads to the piste in winter - often with friends she has made through the hotel.

As you would expect of a hotelier, she does have a keen interest in eating out: ‘My favourite is seafood and I love fine dining - not that I do it that much - I’m a rich person trapped in a poor person’s body!’ she laughed.

Jane Honey

I came “ here in 2000

for a visit - it’s been a very long visit

”

Patty and her daughters

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

15

Father Simon Rundell A priest with a passion...

F

ather Simon Rundell isn’t your average parish priest - and I am sure he’d be the first to admit it!

With a passion for ballroom dancing and a love of a decent pint down the pub, there’s much more to the man than the ministry.

Father Simon was born and bred in Devon - in Teignmouth to be precise.

His family weren’t religious - church was ‘in the background’, as he put it, but no more than that. After leaving school he studied to become a nurse in London and worked in the intensive care unit of a central London hospital where he met his wife, a staff nurse at the time.

But the baptism of their son in his 30s sparked a career move: ‘I realised I actually really believed these words in the church - I changed my career to pick up my vocation as a priest - which proves God’s got a sense of humour!’ said Father Simon, who moved to Mirfield in Yorkshire to train in a monastery for the priesthood.

He spent seven years as a vicar in Gosport, an area very much influenced by the proximity of Portsmouth and the Royal Navy, before being moved to another naval stronghold - Plymouth - or more specifically the Roborough team ministry, incorporating the parishes of Bickleigh and Shaugh Prior.

‘I have this wonderful mix of semiurban and rural, with pockets of affluence and deprivation. Challenge and opportunity sit cheek by jowl in this parish, which encapsulates all different kinds of need,’ said Father Simon. ‘The four church communities in the parish are quite different in both style and demographics. I love working with the people here, from 16

the schools to the elderly. It’s not about shoving Jesus down people’s throats, the role of a priest is to be in the community and engaging with people.

It’s about showing love and providing a safe and loving environment where people can flourish.’

This busy man, in addition to being the parish priest, is a governor at Bickleigh Down Primary School and member of the parish council. Deeply committed to the area he serves, he is determined the planned expansion of housing in the area is accompanied by appropriate improvements in infrastructure.

Father Simon is also studying for a

about showing love “andIt’sproviding a safe and loving environment where people can flourish.

”

Masters Degree in Digital Theology through Durham University and was feverishly working on his dissertation the day we met.

Away from his working life, Father Simon picked up a new hobby several years ago. His wife, Lou, has always danced but until about six years ago, he hadn’t planted a foot on the dance floor. Now, however, he’s hooked on ballroom dancing and even competes in the Supadance League, taking part in competitions all over the south of England with Lou.

‘We compete on a Sunday - which is most inconvenient! All my holiday leave seems to be taken up with ballroom dancing competitions,’ grinned Father Simon. His favourite dance is the foxtrot, which he performed at a Strictly Come Dancing-style event in Plymouth for charity last year: ‘Local businessmen and women who have no dance background whatsoever perform with a group of us who have more experience. I actually got more points than Lou!’ Father Simon’s dancing has taken him all over the country including the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, with its beautiful sprung floor - a far cry from a sports hall in Reading where some competitions take place!

There’s obviously a competitive side to his nature as another of his hobbies is quizzes - he even took part in the BBC’s Mastermind in 2014.

‘I did alright - I didn’t embarrass myself anyway. They filmed in Manchester and I had a wedding down here the following day, so I was more terrified about missing the last train back! My specialist subject was Monty Python - I wanted it to be on Viz (the parody comic) but they couldn’t find enough clean questions!

‘I’ve always had a brain that absorbed useless facts - no-one in my family will play Trivial Pursuits with me any more!’

Jane Honey

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NATURALIST

Autumn’s harvest A time of plenty for wildlife

A

utumn is a time of change from summer into winter, a time for trees to drop leaves and animals to feed up for the colder months ahead, including building up stores of food for the winter, as some birds and mammals do.

During autumn the countryside is awash with a huge amount of natural food for insects, birds and mammals. Woodlands and hedgerows are bursting with beechmast, hazel nuts, blackberries, sloes, acorns, mushrooms and many other fruits and nuts. Birds like thrushes, starlings and woodpigeons rely at this time of year on good crops of berries on hawthorns, yew, sloes, elder, dogwood, whitebeam, holly and spindle. Other berrybearing trees and shrubs favoured by birds include rowan, ivy, cotoneaster and guelder rose.

In years of a good beechmast crop, chaffinches and bramblings, as well as great tits can be found in large flocks of several hundred birds feeding under beech trees.

Smaller finches such as siskin and redpolls feed on the seeds of birch and alder. Other finches depend heavily on the seeds of wild flowers, such as persicaria, brassicas, groundsel, cereals, thistles, fathen and burdock. As a result of the widespread use of herbicides, many of these once common wild flowers - some call them ‘weeds’ - have all but disappeared from areas of farmland. Only on less intensive farms where such ‘weeds’ are allowed to set seed, for instance in areas of ‘set-aside’, can sizeable flocks of finches, sparrows and buntings be seen.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

‘Galled’ acorns

Looking at an oak tree recently I noticed that the ground under the tree was littered with strange sticky, ridged green-brown growths on oak twigs. These are ‘knopper galls’ and, just like oak apples, are caused by a parasitic gall-forming wasp, laying an egg in an acorn of a pedunculate oak, which then grows a gall in response.

The gall wasp in question, Andricus quercuscalicis, was first recorded in Devon in the 1960s, having arrived from the continent. In autumn 1983 there was a widespread failure of the acorn crop, due to most of the acorns being ‘galled’; this resulted in several thousand jays, normally a sedentary species, moving west along the southern coastal counties of England until they reached Cornwall. Jays are heavily reliant on collecting acorns in September and October, since they use them as a winter food store, and each bird collects around 2,000-3,000 acorns, which it then buries; somehow they have a way of re-locating over half of these buried acorns.

The warming climate has brought new diseases and parasites to the UK, some from the continent and some from further afield, especially as we also continue to import exotic plants and animals. Recent pests include other gall wasps, beetles, weevils, moths, and mites, not to mention plant pathogens.

Ash dieback is a new fungal disease affecting native ash trees and this has now spread right across Devon.

Unfortunately, the resulting loss of many of our ash trees will greatly alter the look of the countryside in the next few decades.

Anthony John 19

Get ahead of the game in Autumn There’s plenty to plant at this time of year!

A

utumn may appear to be a quieter time in the garden with less to do in the way of weeding, watering and mowing, but there’s plenty that can be done in preparation for next year. Most hardy plants do best if planted now; hardy annuals can be sown for an early display; autumn bedding and bulbs planted; plus there’s the chance to make plants for free by dividing herbaceous perennials.

The more you get done now, the more of a march you steal on the busy spring season.

Hardy plants really benefit from autumn planting, so they can establish plenty of roots before the spring rush of new growth and this means much less aftercare compared with planting in spring or summer, when regular watering is needed. With the variable weather in recent years, keep an eye on conditions before starting to plant and wait until the soil has had a thorough soaking with rain. Planting can continue right through winter, so

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long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. From later this month a lot of plants can be bought bare-rooted rather than grown in containers, which means they’re much cheaper and avoids using plastic pots too.

Bulbs can go in through the autumn months and will make a glorious spring display. Indeed, choose varieties that flower at different times and enjoy colour from late winter right through into summer. Excepting snowdrops (best planted ‘in the green’ in late winter), bulbs offer by far the best value when planted as dry bulbs. Plant narcissus and early-flowerers like crocus as soon as possible, while tulips are best planted in November, as they are susceptible to a number of diseases that have more chance to strike if bulbs go in too early.

There’s still just time to sow hardy annuals now, either directly in the ground where they are to flower, or in pots or modular trays. I find autumn-sown plants are much

sturdier than those sown in spring, and of course bloom earlier too. Although hardy, the young plants do benefit from some sort of protection over winter: an unheated greenhouse or polytunnel is ideal, though a cold frame or even something like an old window propped on bricks will do the job. If nothing else, do sow sweet peas now to enjoy loads of fragrant blooms from early summer onwards. Germinate the seeds in warmth. then move to one of the protected spots described above. Sweet peas like to be grown in deep pots: the inners from toilet and kitchen rolls are just the job.

Sue Fisher

20

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GARDENING

Seasonal jobs...

New Plants Every year sees beautiful new varieties of sweet pea, and ‘Mayflower 400’ is very topical for Devon, with many events planned to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ departure for America. This variety is a Spencer type, vigorous and strongly scented, with frilly flowers coloured with pastel pink on a cream background. An excellent cut flower too. Available from mr-fothergills.co.uk

- Prune rambling roses (not to be confused with climbers) by cutting out the long stems that have borne flowers, leav ing the newer shoots that will bloom next year.

- Thin out overgrown pond plants, piling the grow th by the pond side for a couple of days so creatures can return to the water.

- Put out a regular supply of bird food and fresh water, with the onset of cooler weather. Do clean feeders frequently using boiling water.

- Cheer up your front garden and patio for autumn and winter with colourful evergreens in containers.

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Junior Rangers

Young people putting something back

N

ational Parks are a great place for learning and most people would not be surprised to learn that most of the UK’s 15 national parks have a well-developed formal education offer that helps students to understand processes that formed iconic landscapes; explore what features of natural and cultural heritage make national parks special; undertake fieldwork with pupils to understand the role that National Park Authorities play in promoting opportunities for visitors while protecting the rich resource they have come to enjoy.

What may be less well known are some of the ‘informal learning’ offers that some National Parks provide.

On Dartmoor we use a ‘progression route’ for young people to help them understand what makes Dartmoor special and to support their learning outside the classroom and the formal school context.

This starts for five to 12 years olds with our Ranger Ralph Club. Recognising that once children reached the age of 12 there could be a loss of this engagement and connection, in 2015 we ran a pilot programme for young people now too old to be Ranger Ralph Club members, using a Junior Rangers model as a template for our programme of activities.

Now, each year we recruit a cohort of 12-16 year olds who commit to a ten month programme of activities. These Junior Rangers have completed a range of activities that have helped them contribute to conservation of Dartmoor, while also providing opportunities for them to explore and discover.

Working with Rangers and the Learning and Outreach Service, the programme connects them with the special qualities of Dartmoor, promoting messages of care, active enjoyment and wise use. Tasks include spillway repair, leat clearing, coppicing, footpath maintenance, caring for historical sites, recreational issues as well as outreach events at local shows, meeting the public and helping with Dartmoor National Park activities and events. They spend a full day at each venue and complete records of their endeavours and the reasons why they are important. They work towards completion 24

of their John Muir Explorer Award (eight days’ minimum commitment) and the National Outdoor Learning Award (NOLA) which helps them reflect on and record their changes in confidence and selfesteem throughout the programme. They start with a launch day getting to know each other and finish with a presentation event with invited guests and family.

The young people have led by example and the first group quickly recruited friends to join in subsequent years. Those who have returned have worked as mentors for the new Junior Rangers and helped to pass on lessons learnt with enthusiasm and commitment. Meeting Rangers and voluntary wardens has led to some of them adding additional days working on specific tasks such as footpath surveys and with the Learning and Outreach service some have attended shows and events. Not simply talking to the public but hands-on with the wildlife festival, archaeological digs, and assisting with the Ranger Ralph club.

The Junior Rangers themselves recognise the value of the programme. One youngster said: ‘Being a Junior Ranger has boosted my confidence and has given me amazing memories’ while another said: ‘It is the best thing that ever happened to me’ .

For teenagers to vocalise such thoughts speaks volumes for the process and programme offered.

Orlando Rutter

Get involved!

The next Junior Ranger programme starts recruiting in January 2020. The activities run roughly monthly from April to November and participants must be able to commit to all dates to qualify as a Junior Ranger and to achieve the John Muir Award and the National Outdoor Learning Award.

Further details: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/ dartmoor-rangers/junior-rangers

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EDUCATION

Taking the helm at Mount Kelly I

n April, Guy Ayling took up the post of headmaster at Tavistock’s Mount Kelly, a co-educational independent day and boarding school.

Keen to get an insight into all aspects of the school, which has 260 pupils on the prep site and 330 at the college, Guy took on a busy summer term of meetings and interviews with teaching and administrative staff and pupils.

Guy was born in Warwickshire and attended Bilton Grange, a progressive, independent boarding school, later moving to Rugby School. During his time as a young boarder he remembers the kindness shown to him by particular staff which has had a profound impact on his professional career. Inspired to become a compassionate teacher himself, with a focus on the pastoral and holistic needs of pupils, he firmly believes that in order to achieve success at school, children must first and foremost be happy and secure.

Following his own schooling, Guy attended the University of St Andrew’s where he studied for a master’s in medieval history. Upon graduation in 1994 he joined the Japan Exchange Teaching Programme which takes English N E W GY N OW O M PE N IN PLYMP T O N! Free tria classl

speaking graduates from around the world to teach English in Japanese state schools. Guy spent three years in an extremely rural part of Yamagata-ken in northern Japan, living life amongst the welcoming local people, immersed in their culture, food and language. It was his time in Japan that convinced Guy that he wanted to be a teacher.

On returning from Japan in 1997 Guy took up a post teaching history at Sedbergh School. While at Sedbergh Guy married Heather whom he met on the JET programme, and soon they had three boys of their own. In 2012 the family moved to Wales, where for seven years Guy was warden (headmaster) of Llandovery College where he successfully steered the school to a new position of strength and success.

Guy firmly believes schools need a clear sense of purpose and strong values; at Mount Kelly this is simply to deliver a values-led, life-defining educational experience rooted in compassion, courage, humility, respect, commitment and integrity. With such firm foundations Guy believes that Mount Kelly will continue to grow as the pre-eminent boarding school in the South West.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Osteoporosis Also known as thinning of the bones

I

t’s a condition that affects many of us. Osteoporosis increases the risk of a bone breaking - a fracture. The commonest bones to break in those with osteoporosis are hips, spine and wrists - so called ‘fragility fractures’.

Fragility fractures are breaks in bones that are thinner than expected and therefore more likely to break.

Just because you have osteoporosis does not mean that you will experience a fracture, but it does increase the risk of this if you fall or have an injury. Sometimes fractures called compression fractures can affect the vertebrae - the building blocks of the spine - and this may occur without any obvious injury. The vertebrae appear compressed or wedge shaped on X-ray and this can cause curvature of the spine.

The strength of our bones depends on a number of factors. Genetic influences, older age, gender (women are more likely to develop osteoporosis) and low body weight are all risk factors for the development of osteoporosis.

Low levels of oestrogen increase the risk, which is why bone thinning occurs more rapidly at the menopause, but is also more common in women who have had an early menopause or low levels for another reason, such as anorexia nervosa. Other risk factors include low testosterone in men, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid and parathyroid disease, conditions where nutrients are not absorbed properly such as coeliac disease, high alcohol intake and smoking. Prolonged immobility can also increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Some drugs may also possibly increase the risk - steroid tablets taken for a prolonged period or regularly at a high dose, anti-epilepsy drugs, breast cancer drugs such as anastrozole, some prostate cancer drugs, drugs called proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, some diabetic drugs and DepoProvera used for contraception Factors that then include the risk of falling will also increase the risk of a fracture and this is more common as people get older and lose strength in their muscles.

If you are concerned that you might be at risk, speak

to your doctor. They may advise you that you do have a high risk of fracture based on your history and they might also refer you for a bone scan to determine the level of osteoporosis.

So what can we do to reduce the risk of fracture?

Increasing physical activity where possible to improve muscle strength and stability is really important. Weightbearing exercise - walking, jogging, dancing, and aerobics - will help keep bones strong, but other exercise such as swimming, gardening and Tai Chi or Pilates will help to keep your muscles strong and support you and your bones better. The Royal Osteoporosis Society website has some exercise information including videos. Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake to within the recommended safer limits can also be helpful.

As calcium increases the strength of bones, keeping a good intake of calcium in your diet is important. Calcium occurs in dairy products but also in many other foods. It is recommended to have 700mg a day of calcium and if you have osteoporosis it might be better to increase this to 100mg daily. You can calculate your daily calcium intake using an online calculator such as www.cgem.ed.ac.uk/ research/rheumatological/calcium-calculator/ Vitamin D is also required for good bone strength and is primarily gained from safe sunlight exposure (10 minutes twice a day in the sunnier months without sunscreen) but you can also get it from some foods and from supplements.

For people with a high risk of fracture or known osteoporosis, there are a number of drug treatments.

These include a group of drugs called bisphosphonates, raloxifene, strontium and Denosumab. Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) may be suitable for some women and testosterone for some men.

You can get more information from your GP, www.nhs.uk and the Royal Osteoporosis Society (www.theros.org.uk)

Dr Annabelle Mascott is a doctor at Woolwell Medical Centre

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The end of Alzheimer’s?

M

ost of us have been touched by dementia at least once in our lives, whether as patients, carers, family or friends. The loss of normal skills for daily life can be heart-breaking and, until recently, there has seemed little hope of either treatment or prevention.

However, a new therapeutic approach to treating neurodegeneration is showing promising early results.

The Bredesen ReCODE (Reversal of Cognitive Decline) protocol, developed by American neuroscientist Dr Dale Bredesen from over 30 years of research, is a multi-faceted and personalised approach to the treatment of Alzheimer’s.

In his seminal paper, ‘Reversal of cognitive decline: A novel therapeutic program’ (published in the journal Aging, September 2014), Dr Bredesen described a personalised programme based on treating the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. Out of 10 case studies, nine showed enough improvement to return to normal life activities. In a subsequent study, more than 100 patients showed improved symptoms.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people around the world are already using the protocol to help alleviate or prevent cognitive decline.

Dr Bredesen’s research revealed that at least 36 metabolic factors contribute to the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s and that all of these can trigger ‘downsizing’ in the brain.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY In the brain there are nearly 10,000 synapses or connections which are needed for us to speak, learn, remember, find our way and make decisions.

The health of the brain can be thought of in the same way as bone health. Our bones have bone building activity and bone breakdown - an imbalance of these is what leads to problems like osteoporosis.

Similarly, the brain builds synapses and breaks them down and what the scientists discovered was that people with Alzheimer’s were on the wrong side of the balance.

Broadly speaking, the factors fall into categories, including: • Inflammation, which can be caused by many things including stress and viral infections such as Lyme disease.

• Glyco-toxicity, the so-called type-3 diabetes • Metabolic problems such as hormone or nutrient deficiency • Toxicity which can come from environmental factors such as mould or heavy metal exposure.

The contributing factors vary with each individual and the protocol is personalised, based on a person’s current health, lifestyle and genetics. A ‘cognoscopy’ which measures many of the known drivers of the disease is the start point.

I am a nutritional therapist and a certified practitioner of the Bredesen Protocol™ having completed the Institute of Functional Medicine training in 2018. I work near Okehampton.

‘The End of Alzheimer’s’ by Dale Bredesen is a mine of information and for anyone seeking more individual help I offer a free initial telephone conversation to see if the protocol could be of help.

Ellen McCallum

29

The Woolwell Centre At the heart of its community

T

he Woolwell Centre seems a bit like a Tardis - there’s endless and hugely varied.

With a large hall including a stage and professional far more space inside than you’d think. lighting plus plenty of smaller meeting rooms, the centre The building is now 23 years old and is run as a charitable is well placed to offer facilities for corporate events and trust, most of its board members being local people. conferences - income from this type of event helps to offset A community centre in the truest sense of the word, it’s open seven days a week, from 7am during term time when reduced rates for community groups. The Woolwell Centre also has its own bar which is open most evenings for the it hosts Bickleigh Down Primary School’s breakfast club, many social events taking place throughout the year. until midnight on days when functions are being held.

Carole said: ‘In this day and age we have to run as a The centre employs 20 members of staff, although there business. We get a grant from Bickleigh Parish Council are just two full time employees, manager Carole Spencer but beyond that, we are self-funding. and her deputy, Debra Ide. ‘Turnover this year is estimated to be about £230,000 Carole has been in role for ten years now and has seen - it’s gone up year on year in the ten years I have been huge changes during that time: ‘When I started there here, which isn’t bad for a were just three members of centre! staff and it probably only We just want to provide somewhere community ‘And it’s not just a facility opened about two-and-afor local people to come and relax, have a local people use us as their half days a week and one information centre, we get Saturday a month, but it’s chat, and have a bite to eat. all sorts of questions, from developed as Woolwell has bus timetable queries to recycling.’ grown.

All the employees at the centre are local people - and ‘Our aim is to provide recreational and educational this ethos extends to the business suppliers too. The most facilities for the community - whatever they want, that’s recent innovation at the Woolwell Centre is its café, which what we are here for.’ offers light meals and snacks using local produce wherever And there is a huge variety of activity going on now possible, at affordable prices. from baby weighing sessions and Gossip and Giggles, for The café opened in the spring, thanks to a grant which young carers and their little ones, to exercise classes of all enabled the centre’s kitchen to be upgraded and a massive sorts, football clubs, slimming clubs, a meeting place for fundraising campaign. It’s open Monday to Friday, from organisations such as the U3A, Inner Wheel, a church 8.45am until 4pm, with plans to open on a Saturday in uses the centre on a Sunday, there’s a weekly Post Office, coming months. jive dancing, yoga, Pilates, Jazzercise, a Walk and Talk group, bridge club, art club, second hand book library, you More events involving catering are now in the pipeline.

The centre already runs incredibly popular Christmas can get your recycling boxes from the centre, Bickleigh lunches and there are plans for themed evenings like parish clerk will soon be based there - the list seems

“

30

”

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CHARITY FOCUS curry nights.

‘We aren’t a five-star hotel, but neither are we Tescos,’ said Carole. ‘We just want to provide somewhere for local people to come and relax, have a chat, and have a bite to eat. We see mums coming up with their pushchairs, we see groups forming socially and it’s great to provide somewhere reasonable and comfortable for them.

To this end, containers have been sourced which will be filled with plants to provide some colour outside the café doors for al fresco drinking and eating.

But as Carole explained, while the centre is a thriving hub for the community, it can only continue thanks to the hard work of the many volunteers who give up time to help with events that create precious income.

‘We are constantly fundraising. We can’t do anything until we have money in the bank. It’s a big place and all the boring things need to be done - carpets need replacing, the rooms need decorating - it’s a constant battle to keep the building in a good state, it feels never-ending sometimes!’

Fundraising events include the popular summer fair,

Victorian Teak Campaign Chest Sold £1200

Hallowe’en party, fireworks night, Easter egg hunts and the annual business awards night. This has been running for five years and offers the opportunity for people in the area to say thank you to the local businesses they feel go the extra mile for their customers. Residents can nominate firms, organisations and individual traders in ten different categories, with the winners being presented with trophies and certificates on awards’ night.

Carole said the event is a ‘winwin’ evening, gaining recognition and publicity for the nominees: Karen Mannell (left) ‘It’s particularly good for the small and centre manager businesses, who’d never get into Carole Spencer. something like the Herald Awards, but they are local people doing a brilliant job. I live in the area but I’ve learned a lot about what’s going on locally through these awards submissions.’

If you’ve never been into the Woolwell Centre, take a trip there and see for yourself what’s going on in your area - you’d be amazed, and you’ll certainly be greeted with a smile.

As Carole said: ‘Our whole ethos is about local people and the staff are proud of it.’

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Regulars At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 9.15am and 10.30am.

and stimulating performers. Additionally his repertoire of jokes & stories keeps the audience in fits of laughter. With backing from one of the South-West’s finest Quartets, this makes for an unmissable gig! See them at The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at 7.30pm.

For more information go to www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

Exercise to Music

9 OCTOBER

EVERY MONDAY

Pilates

(Term time only) At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Dartmoor Border Morris holds its open practice night at Meavy Parish hall at 8pm. Open to anyone who would like to try something different, either as a dancer or musician! www.dartmoorbordermorris.com EVERY SECOND THURSDAY

Moors Edge U3A

Meetings are held at 2.30pm in the Woolwell Centre.

October

from the parish office or call 01752 878888 or 01752 837193.

18 OCTOBER

Olly Murs & Robbie Williams Tribute Band At Lee Moor Public Hall. Adults only.

Tickets £10 available from www. leemoorpublichall.org.uk or on Wednesday nights at the hall.

Goose Fair

19 OCTOBER

Tavistock’s annual Goose Fair will see the streets of this historic town closed to traffic and filled with stalls and refreshments and Rowland’s Fun Fair. The event starts around 10am and continues into the evening. A park and ride will be in operation - watch out for the signs from Yelverton.

Shaugh Prior Apple Day Dartmoor Border Morris will be performing at the village hall at 1.30pm for the Apple Day, followed by more dancing and musical merriment across the road at the White Thorn Inn. See What’s On Extra.

10 OCTOBER

19-24 OCTOBER

Local historian Paul Rendell will give a talk on Dartmoor’s famous legend - The Hairy Hands. The meeting takes place at The Woolwell Centre at 2.30pm.

An intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her. Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible choice, whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much. See the film at Plymouth Arts Cinema at Plymouth College of Art’s main campus. Go to www.plymouthartscentre.org or 01752 206114.

Moors Edge U3A

12 OCTOBER

Military Wives’ Choir At Lee Moor Public Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets £10.50 buy online in advance at www.leemoorpublichall.org.uk Over 14’s only. Fully Licensed bar.

6 OCTOBER

Bruce Adams with the Martin Dale Quartet

13 OCTOBER

Leading British jazz trumpet player Bruce Adams is internationally renowned as one of the jazz scene’s most brilliant, dramatic

To raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice. See What’s On Extra for more information.

Tour de Moor

18 OCTOBER

Last Night of the Proms

For Sama (18)

Sound House Brass Plymouth will be in concert with special guests organist Mike Hodge and soloist Cheryl Stead at All Saints Parish Church, Sparkwell at 7.30pm. Tickets £12 including a light supper and glass of wine, available 32

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WHAT’S ON 19 OCTOBER

Inspirational Lives At Buckfast Abbey, a talk featuring Terry Waites, Benjamin Mee and Tracey Elliott-Reep. See What’s On Extra for more information.

20 OCTOBER

The Eagle Jazz Band The Eagle Jazz Band, featuring Matt Palmer on saxophone & clarinet, is a fine traditional six piece jazz band with a long history and a wide repertoire of tunes from the 1920s ‘30s and ‘40s including New Orleans Marches, Rags, Stomps, Blues, Swing etc. See them at The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at 7.30pm. For more information go to www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk 20 OCTOBER

Cream Tea and Tour

At Woodside Animal Sanctuary.

Tickets only, sittings

at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. For more information please call the sanctuary 01752 347503 or go to www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk 20 OCTOBER

Walking round Ivybridge and the Moors A guided walk with Paul Rendell taking in the River Erme, Tristis Rock, New Waste, Hanger Down and Henlake. Start time: 10.15am. Meeting point: Roadside parking Ivybridge railway viaduct SX 635 569.

Duration: 10 miles/6 hours. £10 Sorry, no dogs. Please book by calling Paul Wendell 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net

25-31 OCTOBER

The Shiny Shrimps (15) Matthias, an Olympic champion at the end of his career, makes a homophobic statement on TV. His punishment: coach the Shiny Shrimps, a flamboyant and amateur gay water polo team. They have only one thing in mind, to qualify for the Gay Games in Croatia where the hottest international LGBT athletes compete. It’s the start of a bumpy ride. See the film at Plymouth Arts Cinema at Plymouth College of Art’s main campus. Go to www. plymouthartscentre.org or 01752 206114.

20 OCTOBER

Shopping in Exeter Coach trip to the city plus a carvery meal at The Devon Hotel at Matford.

Coach leaves Glenholt at 9am. Contact Denise 07849 413125 for more information.

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WHAT’S ON 26 OCTOBER

2 NOVEMBER

At Woolwell Community Centre. See What’s On Extra for more information.

See this famous carnival thanks to a coach trip from Glenholt. Coach departs at 1.30pm. Contact Denise 07849 413125 for more information.

Hallowe’en Party

Hospice South West. See What’s On Extra for more information.

Bridgwater Carnival

26 OCTOBER

Hallowe’en Disco

12 NOVEMBER

Guided Walk from Cadover Bridge

The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde

With Dartmoor Guide Paul Rendell, visiting Dewerstone and Widford Down. £6 Dogs allowed. Start time: 10am, duration, 2 hours. Meeting in car park below the bridge. Please book by calling Paul Rendell 01837 54727 or email paul.dartmoor@ virgin.net

At The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. See Music and Art for information.

14 NOVEMBER

At Sparkwell Village Hall. See What’s On Extra for more information.

31 OCTOBER & 2 NOVEMBER

November

Moors Edge U3A

Fireworks Display

John and Liz Lawson will give a talk entitled The History of Lawsons. The meeting takes place at the Woolwell Centre at 2.30pm.

At Woolwell Community Centre. See What’s On Extra for more information.

15 NOVEMBER

5 NOVEMBER

Stairs

2 NOVEMBER

Glenholt Community Market

7 NOVEMBER

At St Anne’s Church, Glenholt. See Noticeboard for more information.

Walk across hot coals for Children’s

Cheap Date Dance brings their latest production to Clearbrook Village Hall. See What’s on Extra for more information.

Firewalk

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WHAT’S ON 16 NOVEMBER

Pudsey’s Day of Morris See What’s On Extra for more information.

24 NOVEMBER

Christmas Fair At Woodside Animal Sanctuary.

Refreshments, gifts, stalls, tombola. All monies raised will help the running of the sanctuary. The fair will run between 10.30am and 4pm - all welcome. For more information please call the sanctuary 01752 347503 or go to www. woodsidesanctuary.org.uk 28 NOVEMBER

Illuminate 2019 The start of a spectacular opening week of celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth to the new world. See the feature on page 4.

decorations, by attending a fun and friendly festive craft workshop at The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. Includes all the materials you need, expert tuition and either a delicious festive lunch or afternoon tea. £42 per person. Call 01822 613221 to book your place.

30 NOVEMBER

Woolwell Christmas Fair At Woolwell Community Centre. See What’s On Extra for more information.

Add a personal touch to your Christmas

7 DECEMBER

Glenholt Christmas Market St Anne’s Church, Glenholt Road, Glenholt, between 10am and 12.30pm.

2-7 DECEMBER

Aladdin

Christmas Craft Fair

Sparkwell Amateur Theatre Company presents this traditional pantomime. See Music and Art for more information.

At Roborough Recreation Hall. See What’s On Extra for more information.

8 December

30 NOVEMBER

December

29 NOVEMBER

Christmas Wreath Workshop

The switch-on will take place at 7pm at 36, Rose Gardens, Glenholt Park, Plymouth PL6 7NG. With mince pies, hot food and Santa’s Grotto.

1 DECEMBER

Charity Xmas Lights

Topiary Christmas Tree Add a personal touch to your Christmas decorations, by attending a fun and friendly festive craft workshop at The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. Includes all the materials you need, expert tuition and either a delicious festive lunch or afternoon tea. £42 per person. Call 01822 613221 to book your place.

WINTER CELEBRATIONS Jingle Bell Break Festive Lunch & Dinner Crystal Party Nights Afternoon Tea Wreath Making Workshops New Year Party

36

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The heart of

Tavistock

Goose Fair Weds 9th Oct • 9am until late FREE admission

Visit Tavistock’s iconic Goose Fair where you will be welcomed by over 200 stalls, fairground rides, local producers and craftsmen, Butchers’ Hall Artisan Market, Tavistock’s award winning Pannier Market as well as our wonderful array of independent shops and cafés.

Park at one of our conveniently located Park & Rides at Yeleverton Areodrome, Harford Bridge or Gulworthy (The Old Rectory Caravan and Camping Park) Butchershalltavistock Butchers_Hall ButchershHallTavistock

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5th Tavistock Arts Market (free entry) 9th Goose Fair Artisan Market (free entry) 19th Go Gothic Festival (free entry) 20th Antiques & Collectables Fair (free entry) 26th Vintage & Salvage Fair (free entry)

November 2nd 3rd 16th 17th 23rd

Tavistock Arts Market (free entry) Miss Ivy Events Doggy Xmas Festival Miss Ivy Events Artisan Festive Food & Craft Market Antiques & Collectables Fair Tamar Energy Community Fair

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October 13

Master the Moors!

Cyclists of all ages are getting set for one of Devon’s boldest and most popular charity challenges this autumn, the Tour de Moor, in aid of St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth.

The annual event – now in its tenth year – raises funds to help St Luke’s continue its specialist end of life care for terminally ill people, helping them to live well to the end.

Sponsored by Print Copy Scan, a local supplier of printers and copiers, the challenge offers cyclists the opportunity of an adrenalin-packed adventure: the hillfilled 52km mixed terrain route of mud, sweat and gears.

Cycling at its fiercest for those aged 12 and above!

Alternatively, participants aged nine and above can take it down a gear and saddle up for 23km of tough riding over hills and through woods - and there’s also the ‘mini moor’, a gentle 11km ride along the tarmac paths of Drake’s Trail that’s suitable for all the family.

As well as Tour de Moor providing for every level of cycling ability, the money it raises means the highly skilled St Luke’s team can give not just expert medical care but also emotional, practical and spiritual support to families at the most vulnerable of times, whether their loved one is being cared for at home, in hospital or at its

WHAT’S ON EXTRA specialist unit at Turnchapel.

Head of Fundraising at St Luke’s, Penny Hannah, said: ‘Tour de Moor is always a terrific day. It’s fitness and muddy fun, and with three routes to choose from, it’s ideal for both families as well as more experienced cyclists who really want to push themselves.

‘Taking on the challenge is a great opportunity to get on your bike and help us provide vital care and support to patients and their families across the local area, making every hill climb worth that extra effort!”

More information: The Tour de Moor challenge departs from 8.30am at Harrowbeer Airfield, near Yelverton and also finishes there.

Sign up for the challenge at www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/ tourdemoor or by calling 01752 492626. Registration costs £30 for the 52km or 23km route, and £15 for the 11km route.

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October 19

Shaugh Prior Apple Day This year’s Apple Day will be held in the village hall on Saturday, October 19th, starting at 11am.

As in previous years, there is free entrance for all and free pasties and apple juice for children of primary school age for their lunch.

Peter Burkill, this year’s event chairman, said: ‘We hold our Apple Day to commemorate apples as part of our local heritage; in days-gone-by, orchards of the Shaugh Red apple were grown extensively to make cider.’

Apple crushing will take place during the day - you are welcome to bring your own apples and a cannister to take away your apple juice. There will be art and apple baking competitions for children, face painting, and of course a cider bar. Cakes and beverages will be available in the morning and pasties and apple juice for lunch.

There will be a display of historical Shaugh and a map of the parish showing where apple trees grow today. A tombola will be operating.

Dartmoor Border Morris will be dancing at 2pm and offer you the chance to join in.

Come and see Shaugh Prior’s young orchard, beside the hall, planted with local Devon apple varieties.

This year’s event is sponsored by the Newnham Solar Community Grant Fund, Ginsters, Sainsburys and the National Trust.

Further Information: Please contact Peter Burkill via peterburkill@aol.com

October 20

Cream Tea and Tour

There’s an opportunity to meet the staff and all the animals at Woodside Animal Sanctuary near Eldfordleigh this October - plus enjoy a good old fashioned cuppa with lashings of cream, jam and scones!

The sanctuary holds around three of these events every year, which showcase the work of the charity while raising money for its upkeep.

A spokesperson for Woodside said: ‘People often don’t realise how many different types of animals we look after here. We are full at the moment - in addition to the dogs and cats we have a lot of small mammals, three goats, two sheep, two pigs and five ponies!

‘The tours are very popular so we hold three separate ones, and people have the chance to ask questions as they visit the centre.’

The cream teas, complete with vintage china, homemade scones, Rodda’s cream and Tiptree jams, will take place at noon, 1,30pm and 3pm and be followed by a tour of the sanctuary.

Tickets: Cost £5 each and should be booked in advance by calling Woodside 01752 347503.

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WHAT’S ON EXTRA

October 13

Inspirational Lives Terry Waite re-visits Buckfast Former hostage Terry Waite CBE will be returning to Buckfast Abbey this autumn. The humanitarian and writer will be taking part in the Abbey’s ‘Inspirational Lives Day’ along with Benjamin Mee, who bought and transformed the rundown zoo at Sparkwell on Dartmoor. His story was turned into a Hollywood film starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.

The third speaker will be Tracey Elliott-Reep, a photographer, adventurer and author, who also lives on the moor. She travels alone on horseback to the far-flung corners of the globe.

All three authors will be talking about their experiences, their writing and their varied charity work.

The event has been organised by Buckfast Abbey’s head of retail and exhibition centre Wendy Hall, who said: ‘We are delighted that Terry Waite is returning to Buckfast Abbey after his sell-out evening last year. He is a deeply spiritual man who speaks with warmth and compassion about Benjamin Mee Terry Waite

his life, including the five years he spent as a hostage in Beiruit in the 1980s.

‘We are also greatly looking forward to hearing Benjamin Mee speak about his experiences in rescuing the zoo and we are thrilled that the inspirational Tracey Elliott-Reep will be telling us about her extraordinary travels.’

The event takes place at Buckfast Abbey’s Higher Mill from 10am-5pm and costs £20 per person, to include tea and coffee. All three authors will be available to sign copies of their books.

Tickets: Available online on the Buckfast Abbey Website: www.buckfast.org.uk Upcoming Events, via Buckfast Abbey Bookshop on 01364 645506, or in person from the Buckfast Abbey Bookshop.

October 26

Hallowe’en Party It’s time to dig the fancy dress out and get spooky, as the Woolwell Centre stages its annual Hallowe’en Party.

A fantastic time for all the family is guaranteed at this special event and there are prizes on offer for the best Hallowe’en-themed outfit. With traditional games like apple bobbing, a disco and a bouncy castle, plus lots of food and drink, smiles and fun will be the order of the day for young and old.

The party starts at 5pm and finishes at 9pm.

Tickets: Cost just £5 for adults, £2.50 for children are available from the community centre but make sure you get them early, as the event is always a sell out!

Falconry Experiences in the beautiful Tamar Valley

Vouchers

a fabulous gift !

Westcountry Falconry Devon

Also Flying Displays for Events.

Feral Pigeon/Gull management.

Come Fly with me! David Buncle 07904 314082 | Westcountryfalconry.com See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

41

October 26

Hallowe’en Disco All sorts of tricks and treats will be occurring at Sparkwell Village Hall on October 26, when a family disco will be held to raise funds for the festive production of Aladdin the Panto, being staged by Sparkwell Amateur Theatre Company.

The fun starts at 6pm and will include a fancy dress competition, family games, a pumpkin carving competition as well as the disco and lots more entertainment, before it’s time for the ghosts and ghouls to go home at 11pm.

Tickets: Cost £5 per person, to include a burger or hotdog - under 3s free admission. Tickets are available from Alison Morris 01752 837055.

More information: www.facebook.conm/SparkwellAmateurTheatreCompany

NOVEMBER 7

Would you walk on fire for charity?

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is on the hunt for some brave souls to take part in their brand-new fundraising event coming to Plymouth - the Firewalk.

The Firewalk is a sponsored event giving participants the

John A. Francis STONE WALLING & PATIOS

chance to push their boundaries and walk along a path of hot coals at temperatures of 1200˚F in front of the beautiful Kitley House Hotel.

The event is taking place on Thursday, November 7th from 6pm and CHSW is looking for people to take part in what will be the shortest, hottest, sponsored walk happening in Plymouth this year.

Kiley Pearce, events fundraiser for CHSW, said: ‘We are really looking forward to bringing such a unique event to Plymouth and are delighted that Kitley House Hotel is going to be hosting it. This is one of those bucket list experiences and for people to be able to do it while supporting their local children’s hospice is really exciting.’

Everyone taking part in the event is asked to raise a minimum of £125 in sponsorship. Money raised will go straight to the charity which provides short breaks, respite and emergency stays to children with life limiting conditions and their families, as well as end of life care and bereavement support. CHSW has three hospices in the south west including Little Harbour in St Austell which supports over 125 families from across Plymouth and Cornwall.

The Willingham family from Plymouth visit Little Harbour for short breaks with their son Lucas and two other children; Lucas’ twin sister Hope and younger sister Betsy. Lucas has a rare condition caused by a mutation in his genes which causes him to suffer with seizures, have impaired vision and causes problems breathing and eating.

Lucas’ parents, Jason and Rachel, said: ‘The hospice is an integral part of our lives. Spending time at Little Harbour allows us to just be a family, a mummy and daddy to all three of our children with no schedule, no equipment and occasional time alone as a couple.’

More information: For details about the Firewalk or to sign up please visit www.chsw.org.uk/firewalk

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November 5

Woolwell Firework Display The sky above Woolwell will be filled with fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night, as the community centre stages its annual display.

Thanks to generous support by Classic Builders, which organises the fireworks side of the evening, entrance to the event costs just £1 to cover insurance. The display takes place on the adjacent Bickleigh Down Primary School field, while a large bonfire and barbecue will be held outside Woolwell Community Centre. A licensed bar is available inside.

Come along for a family-friendly night out and enjoy a cracking display of fireworks.

November 16

Pudsey Day of Morris Dartmoor Border Morris will be hosting their sixth Morris dancing extravanganza, when following the success of previous years, they expect some 16 Morris sides to join them in Tavistock’s Bedford Square and

WHAT’S ON EXTRA the surrounding market area to raise money for the Children in Need appeal.

Treggie, Dartmoor Border’s bagman, said: ‘We aim to beat last year’s cracking total of £1,552 that was collected in six hours of dancing . Last year, Pudsey Bear himself made a guest appearance and it’s hoped he will be there again this year. The event is full of colour, music

and passion, but very public-friendly with plenty of opportunities for members of the audience to have a go.

‘Hopefully, if we have a nice dry day, we will have around 200 Morris performers travelling from as far as Exmoor, Somerset and Gloucestershire for the day, along with a lot of local sides.

‘We are expecting clog dancers, stick throwing, singing, coloured waistcoats, garlands of flowers, sunshine, hankies and baldricks, the chink of tankards and a lot of smiley faces all supporting the BBC Children in Need!’

Dartmoor Border Morris would like to thank Bob’s East End Café, Dartmoor Brewery, Tavistock Wharf Theatre and Tavistock Town Market for their help in this big event.

Get Involved: If you would like to be involved, pop along to Meavy Parish Hall any Wednesday evening from 8pm, when Dartmoor Border holds its practice night.

Moorland Hotel -

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

43

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

November 30

November 15

Christmas Fair

‘Stairs’ - our living, breathing staircase

CarntoCove/Villages in Action bring production company Cheap Date Dance and their latest show ‘Stairs’ to Clearbrook Village Hall this November.

The stories trodden into our stairs tell tales of mischief, uncertainty and adventure. Inspired by original and iconic literature on the theme of stairs, this show features writing and music from award-winning poets such as Luke Wright and sound designers including Hannah McNeill. Iconic literature such as A A Milne’s ‘Halfway Down’ will also be used to inspire the work.

The show is pitched at a family-friendly audience. It’s a full-length work made up of a section of short stories and poems each 10 -15 minutes long.

‘Hilarious and energetic and didn’t require you to lie afterwards pretending you understood the concept’ ‘Another life affirming performance - amazing. Blown away again by the talent of Cheap Date Dance . . . effortlessly brilliant!’

More information & Tickets: Visit the Clearbrook Village Hall website: www.clearbrookvillagehall.co.uk or the facebook page: Clearbrook Village Hall.

ta n Sa

by

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m

Father Christmas will be the special guest at a Christmas Fair being held at Woolwell Community Centre on November 30th.

There will be a wide selection of stalls selling gifts and crafts and to get everyone in festive mood, carols will be sung by the U3A choir.

Mince pies and mulled wine will be available and the children can enter the drawing competition while they wait to see Santa.

The fair starts at 11am and runs until 4pm - entrance free, all welcome.

November 30

Christmas Craft Fair This festive fair runs from 12.30pm until 4pm at Roborough Recreation Hall on New Road, Roborough and features all things Christmassy!

There are handmade crafts including chocolates, cakes, jams and chutneys. There will also be aloe vera products and lots more.

So why not come along, get that festive feel, and top up on your Christmas gifts!

All proceeds from the fair go into local events.

Please note the hall is available for hire.

South Devon railway 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 18th to 24th December 2019 on the South Devon Railway The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ

Booking essential www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/events/santa/ 01364 644370 44

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October 7-12

The Rocky Horror Show The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance, when their car breaks down outside his house while on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation - meaning, of course, getting dressed in the most outrageous fancy dress.

October 31 & November 2

The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde Tic Tac Toe theatre company presents The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde at The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock over two nights, at 8pm until 9.15pm.

It is April 6th, 1895 and Oscar Wilde waits alone at the Cadogan Hotel. He is awaiting a knock on the door that will bring an arrest warrant with charges of Gross Indecency against him. In this superb one-man play Oscar will talk openly about his affair with a young boy of fifteen whose life will never be the same again. The ruination he has bought down on the head of his wife, Constance and their two boys and of course, the one true love of his life, Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas.

Bosie once said to Oscar that when he was not on his pedestal he was boring. In this show Oscar may well stumble

December 2 - 7

Fabulous family entertainment will be guaranteed when Sparkwell Theatre Company (SATCo) presents its production of Aladdin at the village hall this December.

SATCo was founded 22 years ago and since then has grown into a phenomenally successful theatre company which has involved hundreds of people from the local community and brought fun and laughter to many, many more.

This year the company will be performing Aladdin

Aladdin

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

MUSIC & ART Strictly star Joanne Clifton has been delighting audiences and receiving rave reviews as Janet while James Darch will join the cast to play Brad. The show features all the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including ‘Sweet Transvestite’, ‘Dammit Janet’ and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!

Tickets: Prices from £10 can be booked at www.theatreroyal.com or by calling the box office 01752 267222. Concessions available.

from his pedestal but he could never be called boring.

After successful runs in Bristol, Bath, Warminster and Bournemouth, Tic Tac Toe comes to Tavistock with The Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde - an ‘extraordinary performance’ that tells ‘a fascinating story, reflecting a very different era from our own’.

Tic Tac Toe Theatre is a fledgling group from Somerset, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t experienced at bringing great theatre to the community. The founding director, Calum Grant, was a long-time resident of Buckland Monachorum who moved to Somerset to take up a position of head of drama at the secondary school in Shepton Mallet. He has been involved in theatre for over 25 years, being part of The Young Company at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. It gave Calum the opportunity of performing at the Drum and even touring Poland with the show Korczak. Calum has directed many projects for Frome Drama Club since moving to Somerset and in 2014 set up his own company, Tic Tac Toe Theatre to put on smaller pieces which interested him.

Tickets: Available through the Bedford Hotel 01822 613 221 or online at www.bedford-hotel.co.uk/whats-on/

the Panto, written by Alan Frayne and directed by Tim Horton, a local member who has been with the company since he was ten years old.

For an amateur theatre company, SATCo always strive to go above and beyond to give the audience a very professional approach the village panto.

Tickets: Call Lynda 07538 390340 to book your tickets now!

More Information: www.facebook.com/SparkwellAmateurTheatreCompany 45

November 16 & 17

Buy & Try Arts and Skills Weekend Clearbrook Village Hall will be hosting a Christmas craft weekend with a difference this November. The aim is that visitors not only come and buy, but come and try too.

There will be a variety of skilled artisans who will be on hand giving either demonstrations of their craft or hosting small workshops. Crafts will include quilting, scented candles, flower essences, textile embroidery, ceramics, Christmas flower arranging demonstrations, water colour painting, illustration, block printing, papier mache figures and more!

The weekend is open to all ages and all abilities. Some workshops may incur a small charge to cover costs of materials. Coffee/tea and cakes will be available.

So please come along to either buy some beautiful craft products or have a go at a new skill.

The Arts and Skills Weekend will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Please check the website www.clearbrookvillagehall.co.uk for more details and timings for specific workshops and demonstrations.

More Information: Visit www.clearbrookvillagehall.co.uk for more details and timings for specific workshops and demonstrations.

More details will also be on Facebook nearer the time: clearbrookvillagehall

46

November 17

The Pedigree Jazz Band

‘Salute to Trad Jazz’ by the six-piece Pedigree Jazz Band is one of the most popular shows on the traditional jazz circuit, playing to full houses at venues and festivals across the UK. You can hear all the music of the ‘trad boom’ of the 50s and 60s when the band plays at the Royal British Legion Club in Tailyour Road, Crownhill at the invite of Plymouth Jazz Club. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 7.30pm.

More Information: 01752 774343 or go to www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk Tickets: Tickets are available on the door; Admission £10 (members £8, full-time students £5).

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www.l or

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October 12

MUSIC & ART

Rozanne Bell Art Exhibition Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery is delighted to announced that Rozanne Bell, the UK’s top seller of original artwork, is returning on Saturday, October 12th from 1pm.

Alongside her vivid flowers and animals she has been working on some local scenes for the exhibition.

Rozanne is the driving force in her medium, working in acrylics and resins. She is famed for her astonishing use of colour, probably influenced by her early life in Zimbabwe.

If you have purchased one of her pieces from Tavistock Picture Framing Gallery in the last year, don’t forget to bring it with you to be signed and dedicated by her on the day of the exhibition.

Rozanne always looks forward to seeing her loyal following here in Tavistock. As she says, ‘it’s like coming home’.

Chris Bailey is back with his Spanish guitar on October 12th and Rik and Sarah will be providing the usual refreshments.

Rik is happy to report that he has personally tested many wines and hopes you will enjoy a glass with them.

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

47

FOOD & DRINK

Westcountry wine with Plymouth seafood

by Stephen Barrett

A

s a wine writer and wine educator – I belong to the Circle of Wine Writers and the Association of Wine Educators – I am often being asked to select an appropriate wine with seafood.

My experience goes back to the early 1970s when I first started to understand wine for its difference, taste and style. This is something that most wine drinkers have some knowledge of, realising that a defined Barolo from Italy or a massive Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia will probably be too powerful to match the delicate sweet notes of lobster, crab, octopus or scallops. The big bruising tannins and power of this kind of wine will simply dominate the delicacy, so it has to be white wine, sparkling wine or rosé to help lift the flavours, enabling total enjoyment of our very special Plymouth and Westcountry seafood.

Eternal favourites such as Muscadet and Chablis will always hit the spot with their minerality, dryness and length of taste – the criteria for balancing with seafood, shellfish and fish. These wines rarely let you down and are readily available on wine lists, supermarket and wine merchants’ shelves.

But it’s our local wines that I wish to extol the virtues of, as we come into autumn and the channel seafood is at its very best.

Vintages and volume in the local Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset vineyards are OK as we 48

speak, but do check your favourite tipple as the best wines are always in demand.

Wines from the Exe estuary have impressed over the last few years with the lovely Brickhouse Vineyard in Manstree near Exeter producing a rare Sauvignon Blanc offering, an aperitif, gentle style. Lovely with simple pan fried hake or John Dory scented with fresh herbs and a squeeze of orange!

Buy directly from vineyard www. brickhousevineyard.co.uk Yearlstone Vineyard at Bickleigh near Tiverton has been amongst my favourite Devon wines for many years and has won many medals at national and international levels.

This is the vineyard for excellent

Eternal favourites such “as Muscadet and Chablis

will always hit the spot with their minerality, dryness and length of taste

”

Yearlstone Vintage Brut 2013, a sparkling wine made with Pinot Blanc and Seyval Blanc. A constant medal-winner and a wine to keep for a few years! I would love this wine with our wonderful River Yealm Oysters for a big-flavoured match! www.yearlstone.co.uk Sharpham Vineyard is situated in one of the UK’s most beautiful vineyard locations on the incline of the River Dart near Totnes.

For over 30 years the professional team have been producing awardwinning Devon wines of distinction.

Amongst my current favourites is the

amazingly juicy Sharpham WholeBerry Rose 2018 - a multi-award winning wine showing crushed red fruit with balanced acidity enabling the wine to be at its best over a few more years yet! This is a perfect aperitif going into the first course.

Match with seafood tapas or grilled mackerel for a perfect match. Visit www.sharpham.com.

New and exciting wineries and vineyards are now in production in Devon and Cornwall (Polgoon and Tevibban Mill) that deserve a visit, many offering good restaurants and bistros on site. I recently visited an excellent vineyard and winery in Cornwall, Knightor, situated near the Eden Project and the village of Trethurgy. Great winemaking with a refreshingly open-minded approach has created some first rate wines. If I were to choose one, I would plump for the exquisite Knightor Madeleine Angevine 2018. This is a fullflavoured fruit and mineral driven wine of distinction, particularly good with turbot, Dover sole and sea bass fish with attitude that demand a wine to suit. This is just that wine! Go to www.knightor.com for directions for winery and restaurant.

Stephen Barrett is a wine, food and travel writer based Plymouth. Stephen welcomes correspondence via www.stephenbarrett.com and also contributes to www.vinelives.com Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google +, Instagram and Twitter @BistroWineMan

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Walking in China clay country By local historian Paul Rendell

A circular walk in woods, on open moorland and through clay works.

START: Quick Bridge, just down the hill from Tin Park Riding Stables, layby beside the bridge on the Lee Moor to Cornwood road, map ref: SX 592 608.

DISTANCE: Approximately 3 miles TIME: Approximately 2 hours From Quick Bridge, walk along the road towards Cornwood and after a few hundred yards, turn right on a wide track going uphill (signed bridleway) across open moorland. At the junction on the tracks, carry on heading to the woods, which are currently being felled. At the other end of the woods, just before you see a building on the right, note a granite stone with writing on. This marks the spot where a Stirling bomber plane crashed and seven men died on August 21st, 1942. You can read more about this in the book Dartmoor Air Crashes by Robert Jones, published by The Dartmoor Company.

Continue past the building and follow the wall around to the right.

Carry on uphill until you reach the end of the woods. As you climb, take a look back the way you have come and enjoy the view across to Cornwood. The group of trees on the hillside across the 50

valley is called Hanger Down Clump. When you reach a footpath sign, take the track to the right that is not signed but goes beside the wall and the woods. You will soon see a white hill in front of you - this is the spoil heap from clay chain works at Lee Moor, which were started in the 1850s. At the junction of the next track, turn left uphill and head to the fencing and then follow downhill to the clay working. Most of the hills in front are manmade, all currently being landscaped .

Turn left at the footpath sign and follow the fence downhill. The big flat roofed buildings you see in front of you are part of Tin Park Stables. You are now heading towards the lower pond, which often looks very green, and the tall wooden post with an orange tip on the top. Walk over the footbridge and to the stile. You are now heading to the big sign which says ‘Turning Area’, beware of traffic as you cross the quarry road.

To the left is Headon Works, where the china clay is taken out of the ground.

Follow the path below the pool, cross the water outlet by the bridge and follow the track on the edge of Broomage Woods. Look out for a

WALK

Start: Quick Bridge

footpath sign on right into the woods, cross the stile and turn right on to the track and go downhill. Go through a gate with a footpath sign on it and go downhill and cross the stile into the field. Go through the field but beware of the boggy area at bottom near the fence on the right hand side. Go into the woods with the stream to your right, over the footbridge and onto quarry road. Once again, beware of big lorries. Head to the big building on the right and follow road back to Quick Bridge where you started this walk.

DARTMOOR

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51

The white mountains of Lee Moor By local historian Paul Rendell

T

here are many old settlements on Dartmoor, like the Bronze Age village on Shaugh Moor and more modern villages like Shaugh Prior, with the church dating back to at least the 16th century. Most of older buildings were constructed between the 16th and 19th century. There are few places that were started due to industrial workings nearby, like Lee Moor and Wotter.

Lee Moor was first mentioned in 1695 as ‘Leigh Moore’.

The village could have taken its name from a local owner called Leigh Moore.

The village of Wotter really only came into existence around 1906 - before then, there were only two houses, called Wotter House and Collard Tor, as well as a Wotter Farm, within this area. Further houses were needed for the workmen employed by the Dartmoor China Company as it expanded in the early 20th century.

In 1862 Rebecca Martin & Sons took over the lease at the Lee Moor Clay works. The elder of the three sons, William, took over running the company and lived in Lee Moor House, which is now under a clay pit. In 1870, the Martins gave some thought to raising tin at Lee Moor.

Trenches were dug into the bed of the Tory Brook above Tolchmoor to test for any alluvial tin. Very little was found, but beds of clay were discovered and were later worked as the Whitehill Yeo Clay Pit. In the mid 19th century, many parishes were in decline and their populations were going downhill fast, but the parish of Shaugh Prior was on the up. The main growth was in Lee Moor and later in Wotter and this was due to the nearby china clay works. In 1851 the population was just 554, but by 1906, the number was 783 and by 1913 it had jumped to over 1,000 people, with more than 400 working in the clay pits at 52

Lee Moor alone.

In the late 1920s until the early 1960s, Lee Moor clay works was owned by English Clay’s Lovering Pochin & Co Ltd and in August 1959 of that year, most men were working 44 hours or more per week. These men were working at the Lee Moor Sand and Block Works.

The labour force operating the pits in the Lee Moor area lived within a ten mile radius. The workers were a close knit team and any problems were sorted out without outside interference.

The weekly wage for the men in 1920 were as follows: Captains £3.10.0 Works Foremen £3.0.0 Kiln Men £1.10.0 Washers & Horsemen £1.14.0 Haulage (sand & stent) £2.0.0 Excavator Drivers £1.10.0 Scraper Men (sand) £2.0.0 Sandburrows Men £1.11.0 Sandpit Men £2.0.0 Track Men £2.0.0 Maintenance Men £2.0.0 Excavator Driver £2.10.0 Haulage Driver £2.0.0 Labourers £1.15.0 In 1958, positions at the clay works included Torycombe blockworkers, Highborough sandwashers, electricians, maintenance men, labourers, bay loaders, drivers, weighbridgemen, fitters and works foreman. During this year there were ten injuries recorded in the accident book. On February 10th, there were two separate accidents. One man suffered a crushed finger and another worker had a minor cut to his right knee.

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HISTORY

JOB

GROSS WAGES HOURS

ALLOWANCE

Labourer

£12.1.5

50

4d boot

Bay Loader Driver

£12.9.2

48

Weigh Bridge

£8.19.0

Fitter

£12.4.3

40

4d boot, £2.4.2 BH

Process

£21.12.2

63 ½

1s 3d boot, £1.4.7 FR

Fork lift driver (Royal Oak)

£12.3.10

56

4d boot, 1s 8d loading

Labourer (Royal Oak)

£14.2.8

67 ½

4d boot

• BH - for working bank holiday • FT - for firing. This man was also doing shifts.

A lot of men were working in the ‘Royal Oak’ pit, their basic rate was 3s 8d or 3s 9d per hour for a 44 hour week.

Over the years the workings got bigger and the old road from Cadover Bridge to Tolchmoor and Cornwood was diverted around to Wotter.

Work still continues within the area for china clay - but things could have been a lot different if tin had been found at Lee Moor.

BESPOKE

.

ARTISAN MADE

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53

TECH HELP

Tech Tips from Chezvous PC In recent months, I have been called out to a number of people who had been seduced into getting a VPN to enhance their security, which resulted in certain websites becoming inaccessible and even blocked email access in one case. There is never a circumstance where the general user will benefit from having a VPN, unless you are trying to hide something, cheat a UK organisation while living abroad, or you live in China or North Korea!

Please, never walk into a computer shop to buy a new computer - especially the large ones - and say how little you use it for. You will get exactly what you ask for I’m afraid, and that will definitely disappoint! I saw a lady today who had bought a small lightweight laptop with a hard drive that

was so small it couldn’t even download the latest update to Windows 10 without running out of space, and as a consequence her computer was five years out of date. We can help you choose what you really need!

Be very careful when connecting to any BT router for the first time; they encourage you to turn on various settings, all of which are in principle are a good idea. However, the BT web protection (TalkTalk and Sky also have an equivalent) has been responsible for blocking perfectly legitimate services and websites. So if there is a site you cannot get to and yet everyone else can, or your Onedrive isn’t synchronizing, turn off the online protection and it will work.

New opening times! Now Chez Vous PC has slimmed down a little I realise it is a little difficult to get to see someone during the day when I am on calls. I am always in the office from 8am –until 9.15am. So if you want to make a drop-off or ask a quick question, please pop by. I know this won’t suit everyone, but if you email first, I can arrange to be here for you.

For help with any home or business IT needs call 01822 855822 or email help@chezvouspc.com

PC, Tablet & Mac Help for home or business Got a computer problem at home or office?

We are the LOCAL help you have been looking for!

We sell new PCs, laptops, tablets, printers, etc.

We can even set your new equipment up for you.

Got a virus? We can remove it.

We also fix and maintain all Apple Macs and iPads.

Also networking, cabling, broadband issues, email, etc.

Range of experience with people of all ages/abilities for teaching.

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f Search chezvouspc Call us on 01822 855822 for an engineer visit

help@chezvouspc.com

54

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Refurbishment complete at HQ Evans Harvey Ltd are pleased and proud to announce the re-opening of our Crownhill Morshead Road Law Practice.

We have been in temporary accommodation since December 2018 awaiting total refurbishment and re-modelling of our premises which is now suitable to meet all legal needs for the local community. We have created new office space to provide for further staff and additional legal services. We hope the refurbishment is sympathetic to the needs of the community and will allow for a more relaxed , informal approach to the provision of legal services for local clients.

We believe the refurbished premises will be of immense benefit to the local community who will be able to access a variety of legal services all under one roof.

Our mission statement has always been to endeavour and continue to provide legal services in a friendly and approachable manner and our client base is generational, from greatgrandparents to grandchildren. We are proud that clients who initially approach us for legal assistance often return for other legal services, as do family members.

To accommodate clients unable to attend during the week, we open Saturday mornings from 9am to 12pm and operate a free wills and probate clinic on Tuesday mornings and a free initial consultation for family law matters on Wednesday mornings; clients can come to the clinics between 10am to 12pm and no

EH

BUSINESS appointment is necessary.

We recommend that clients make a Will as this allows the client: • to choose who should be their Executor; • to choose guardians if there are children under 18 years old • to set out precisely how their assets (for example houses, personal effects, money in bank accounts, shares) should be dealt with on their death It is important to choose the right person/s to be Executor.

The executor has the responsibility of administering the estate correctly. It is important that appointed executors are responsible people who can be relied upon to carry out their duties correctly, for the benefit of the estate.

We can advise on the choice of executors and also on the distribution of the estate.

Often wills are straightforward but we can point out any potential problems and advise.

The team at Evans Harvey Limited Making a will need not be expensive and we have a fixed fee scheme (for straightforward wills) which keeps the cost to a minimum.

Evans Harvey takes pride in continuing to develop our practice and provide a good legal service to the community. We have relationships with many businesses in the Crownhill area and our director is chairman of the Crownhill Community Group, which supports and helps sponsor the Christmas festivities in Morshead Road along with many other contributors including Plymouth City Council. We will continue to support this worthwhile event indefinitely.

Evans Harvey Solicitors

Drop in to see how finding the answers to your legal questions could be easier than you think!

Established over 35 years ago, Evans Harvey is a highly respected firm of solicitors based in Crownhill, Plymouth who offer a full range of legal services including conveyancing, wills, tax and probate, family and matrimonial law, personal injury, RTA and asbestosis claims, company and commercial, employment, litigation, landlord and tenant and inheritance claims.

CLINICS Conscious that legal costs are a worry for many, we offer two clinics where you can receive initial free advice with an experienced solicitor: Tuesdays 10am - 12pm • Wills, Probate and Inheritance claims Wednesdays 10am - 12pm • Family Matters

01752 785715 | www.evansharveylaw.co.uk 37/39 Morshead Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5AD

See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

55

Computer Problems?

Your local I.T. Guy, specialising in: • PC and Mac set-up and installation • Virus and spyware removal • Networking and broadband set-up and troubleshooting • Affordable websites for small businesses and the self-employed • CCTV supply and installation Call Tim:01822 600105 or 07768 852555 e-mail:help@berecomputing.co.uk Web: www.berecomputing.co.uk

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We do Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer & Electric Cooker repairs in Tavistock, Plymouth, Saltash, Ivybridge, Torpoint, Liskeard, and surrounding areas.

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• Bosch and Hotpoint Specialists • No Call Out Fee on Accepted Estimates • New Machines Supplied and Installed

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“KEEPING YOU PLUGGED IN” If it’s got a plug on it then we’ll make sure you’re safe

How safe are your appliances?

When did you last check?

Our professional and reliable Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) service ensures the safety of all employers, employees and visitors to your premises and will ensure your business complies to UK Health & Safety guidelines and insurance requirements.

Call today for a no-obligation quotation Serving businesses and homes throughout Devon, Cornwall & Somerset

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Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Electric Cookers

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Aqua Tech Water Services

Regular House Cleans Letting and House Sales Cleaning Commercial Contracts

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Private Water Engineers www.aquatechwaterservices.co.uk

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See our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk

57

TRADE SECRETS

Emily Wilebore Chimney Sweep How long have you been a chimney sweep?

I’ve been fully qualified since April 2016.

What made you choose being a sweep as a job?

I really wanted to try my hand at being self-employed and this seemed like an interesting alternative trade to the usual plumber, electrician or carpenter.

What area do you cover?

I cover a wide area, from east Cornwall to south and west Devon.

Did you have to undertake any special training to be a sweep?

Yes, the training is intense and there’s a lot to learn particularly with regard to building regulations. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye!

How many chimneys can you clean in a day?

Well, that depends as I cover a large area and I spend a lot of time travelling. It really does vary from day to day.

How would a typical day unfold?

Pack the van with clean sheets for the day and head off for the first sweep. I spend a lot of time talking to customers about how they use their fires and cleaning the flue can tell you a lot about how the fuel is burnt and the condition of the chimney. It’s a busy day when I’m fully booked and of course it’s a dirty job so when I get home I have to clean my sheets and myself before doing it all again the following day.

What would be your favourite type of job?

My favourite job is a sweeping a chimney that is well looked after by my customers who take the time to consider what they’re burning, have their chimney swept regularly and have had their woodburning stove fitted properly and safely.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

It’s a physical job and carrying around your heavy equipment from house to house keeps you fit, but it’s a challenge that I enjoy. It’s a seasonal job so taking time off over the summer is great, however, it can be a shock to the body when you start again full time!

What do you like best about your job?

I really like the quirkiness of being a sweep, it’s definitely a conversation starter.

What would you say to anyone thinking

about becoming a chimney sweep?

Expect to get dirty! There’s no way around it, and of course you must use PPE (personal protective equipment), as you don’t want to be breathing in soot everyday.

It takes quite a few years to build your customer base and it’s seasonal, so don’t expect to be making lots of money. You’ll need the aptitude for being self-employed and like dogs! I know it sounds strange but most people who have fires seem to have dogs too!

More information: You can find out more and contact Emily as below: www.emilythesweep.co.uk emilythesweep.devon@gmail.com 07832 101384

FULLY QUALIFIED, REGISTERED & APPROVED CHIMNEY SWEEP All Solid Fuel & Gas Flues Swept Wood Burners, Multi-fuel Stoves & Open Fires Stove Repairs & Servicing (door seals, glass & fire bricks) Certificates for Insurance Nest Removal

To book or to enquire, call Emily on 07832 101384 58

For more information visit: emilythesweep.co.uk YOUR LOCAL & PROFESSIONAL, FEMALE CHIMNEY SWEEP

Covering Plymouth, South Devon and East Cornwall

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