Tavy Links Spring 2014

Tavistock • Mary Tavy • Kilworthy • Moortown Whitchurch • Horndon • Lamerton • Grenofen • Brentor Gulworthy • Peter Tavy • Horsebridge • Milton Abbot

Spring 2014

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CONTENTS

Going Local….

Whilst working on this issue of the magazine and over the past few months, I’ve come across a common complaint, “locals don’t go local”, and this feeling has come from a wide and varied source of people.

I’ve recently been helping The Garden House get ready for their coming season, and I’ve been very surprised at how many local people I’ve spoken to who know the garden is there but haven’t visited it for years – a crying shame for what is one of Britain’s finest gardens. Similarly whilst chatting with Nick Viney about her stunning tented holiday accommodation (as featured in this issues Great Escapes), she has as yet not had one booking that has come from someone locally. One of this season’s ‘Hidden Gems’ (on page 45) Tina Hursford’s Traditional Puddings, has a stand in Tavistock’s Pannier Market and she and other traders in the market also feel that if it weren’t for tourists they would really struggle, as locals just don’t bother coming in to look around and see what is new. This attitude simply amazes me. We have so many wonderful places to visit and excellent local businesses to support and yet we all complain when we see more and more closing down.

Hopefully this bumper issue of the magazine, with our bulging What’s On section will encourage you to spread your wings just a little (but not too far!) and explore all the superb local opportunities we are lucky to have, right here on our doorstep.

Thank you as always, for your excellent assortment of ideas, events and editorial contributions. We are looking forward to receiving more for our next issue, Summer 2014 (out on 9th June). Our deadline for all editorial is Friday 2nd May.

Lizzie Lizzie Watt, Editor editorial@tavylinks.co.uk We would like to say a big thank you to our many local contributors, who help to keep our magazine so interesting to all. If you would like to help or have a story or event you would like to see published please do get in touch.

Please contact us via email (editorial@tavylinks.co.uk), telephone 01822 853110 or visit our website www.tavylinks.co.uk Editor/ Director: Lizzie Watt Deputy Editor: Rosemary Best Writers: Rosemary Best, Nichola Williams, Pat Woodgate and Lizzie Spiers Graphic Designers: Terri Reeves and Rachel Marsh Front Cover Image: With huge thanks to Jess Maslen, member of Tavistock Camera Club for allowing us to use her lovely image of blossom and the Town Hall. We inadvertently missed thanking Brian Jones for his snowy image used on our Winter issue – so a belated ‘thank you’ Brian!

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CONTENTS 4. School Spotlight Forest School learning – Kelly Preparatory School

6. Local People Jonny Kurzman, Robin Rich and Patricia Fawcett

9. Charity Focus Kidney Donation and a trip to Ghana

12. Looking Good Shingles – Dr Harriet Doyle

17. Gardening

Quirky Topiary, an update from The Garden House and Sue Fisher’s Top Tips

20. Property

Mill Meadow, Horrabridge

24. Feature

Changes to the Ten Tors Challenge

42. Great Escapes

Tented Living, Near and Far

44. Totally Locally - Hidden Gems Our first ‘Hidden Gems’ as voted by you

50. History

Daffodils in the Tamar Valley

54. Last Word

Floss Williams tells us her experiences of the Ten Tors Challenge

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All rights reserved copyright © 2014 3

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Recently we studied an Oak tree and looked at all the creatures and plants that depend upon it for food and a home. The children all planted an acorn in a pot so that they will be able to find their own special place to plant their oak tree when it grows. If the Great Spotted Woodpecker comes back to its nest we will be able to set up our very own Springwatch!

We play many games that encourage cooperation and learning but above all we have a great deal of fun!

shelters. They are shown how to light fires in a controlled and responsible way. Overall though, Forest School is about reconnecting with the outdoor environment and increasing awareness of the natural world around us.

As we walked slowly along the track the child by my side suddenly stopped.

“Look!” he whispered. “What’s that?”

Bending down he picked up a small, curved purple spike. He looked up at me and in a barely audible voice said, “It’s a Gruffalo’s prickle!”

Immediately I felt little hands reaching for mine.

I knew I had won!

Not that this was a competition. We were on a Gruffalo hunt with a group of Nursery and Reception children who had just listened to Julia Donaldson’s ‘The Gruffalo’ out in the woods. This was a part of our Forest School experience and we were looking for signs that there was a real Gruffalo living somewhere nearby. Sure enough we found more prickles, fur, scratch marks on the mossy covering of a tree and the ultimate proof, footprints! Along the way we were also looking for signs of other woodland creatures. We found feathers, nuts that had been cracked

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At Kelly College Prep School, Forest School has been evolving since 2012.

open by Grey Squirrels, burrows that might have belonged to Rabbits and places where Rabbits had been digging for tasty roots. All the time we were listening to the songs of Robins, Blackbirds and the tinkling of Goldcrests high up in the pine trees.

The children were drinking this in as indeed they do every time we share a Forest School session together. But what is Forest School?

Children in Key Stage 1 receive regular sessions and those in Key Stage 2 are given increasing opportunities to take part. Most of our activities are centred on the extensive school grounds where a variety of habitats exist. The children are involved in a range of wood craft making willow crowns, medallions and necklaces. Two and three dimensional art, including the use of clay, is also explored.

Imaginative and cooperative play is developed through such activities as building a stick boat to float on the stream or a woodland home for a favourite soft toy, a fairy or a pixie. Having had the opportunity to study some real nests the children then went on to create their own nests for themselves and a partner to live in. As the seasons change the children are encouraged to notice these changes and to take part in seasonal treasure hunts finding leaves, colours in the environment and a variety of seeds.

The Kelly Prep Parents’ Association fully supports Forest School and has recently purchased a Tipi to use as a base for our activities. This adds a further dimension to our outdoor learning area as we are establishing a fire pit outside the Tipi over which we will be able to explore and develop more camp fire cooking experiences with the children.

Martin Unwin is the Forest School Leader at Kelly College Prep School.

Matthew Foale, Headmaster, Kelly College Preparatory School

Forest School came originally from Scandinavia based on the philosophy that encourages education of young children in the outdoor environment. Here in the UK we have only recently begun to embrace these ideas following a visit to Denmark that was made by a group of Early Years practitioners from Bridgewater College in Somerset. Now there are several Colleges and private companies that offer training for those people wishing to become Forest School practitioners. Many schools undertake some level of Forest School work and some have dedicated Forest School times to ensure that as many children as possible benefit from the experience. Some of the activities involved in Forest School require a certain amount of risk taking. Children are taught the correct use of tools when cutting wood or building editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

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LOCAL PEOPLE

LOCAL PEOPLE

Jonny Kurzman

Robin Rich

Driving down a rough track most unsuitable for my car I come upon the Walkham running in full spate beside a house in the woods with chimneys puffing and small dogs yapping. Jonny greets me, smiling with a cup of tea and we settle in the snug sitting room. He is not the flash LA screen writer you’d imagine, although his trim goatee beard is a nod towards creative flare.

Robin Rich is the proprietor of I Love Candy and he never tires of seeing the smiles on the faces of both children and adults; he really enjoys making life fun for people whether it be the threeyear-old boy who likes to operate the till or a ninety-two-year-old gentleman requesting ten party bags.

Screenwriter

Chairman of Son Rise Cup

Born in Cardiff to a Welsh mother and an Austrian father, he boarded at Dartington Hall School from age 11. He attended Art College in both New York and London before embarking on a career in film and TV production. Jonny worked with a number of leading directors, including Mike Newell, Lindsay Anderson and Anthony Minghella, as well as lecturing at the Royal College of Art. In 1996 he co-Produced the low budget feature film Bob’s Weekend that debuted in competition at the Edinburgh film festival. He also directed two award winning short films, Tigers!! and Bad Dreams that can be seen on Vimeo.com Throughout his youth Jonny had written and drawn comics but had stopped when he went to art college. Then, in the 90’s Jonny tried his hand at screenwriting and found it came very naturally. With hindsight he talks about the similarities between the two mediums, both tell stories using pictures.

In 2000 Jonny’s adaptation of the science fiction novel Night of Light won the Grand Prize at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and his feature film script ‘Leonardo Secret Agent’ was picked up by the UK’s DNA Films. He became a full time writer and most of his work since has been in children’s television including programmes such as MI High, Wolfblood and The Sparticle Mystery.

His writing is described as fun and refreshing with one colleague saying that his work has a twinkle in his eye. “I love writing children’s television. The budgets may be low but the ambition is huge and I get to indulge my love of genre, whether it’s spy movies or sci-fi”. He also enjoys the feedback received when he visits schools to talk about what he does.

Leonardo Secret Agent was never made, but Jonny eventually got the rights back, re-wrote it with LA in mind, and in 2000 it was picked up again, now called simply Leonardo, this time by Universal Pictures. Selling a script in Hollywood has led to lots of new opportunities and now he juggles projects on both sides of the Atlantic. I ask him if he is ever frustrated by seeing his scripts altered during the long process from page to screen and he is sanguine “A script is for others to interpret: a director, producers and actors, the whole process is collaborative and you have to let it go”.

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He has so many ideas and wishes there were more hours in the day. He recently completed a stint on Sky 1’s Strikeback and his current slate include an adaptation of the novel “Appointment with Venus” about a WWII mission to rescue a pedigree Guernsey cow from Nazi occupied Channel Islands and also a Napoleonic heist movie. Jonny playfully says that he resents interruptions to his work as he enjoys it deeply and needs time to write he is not one who can work on demand and needs a little inspiration and perspiration ensuring a flexible, unstructured day with a few distractions.

He and his wife Alli moved down from London ten years ago after falling in love with this cosy house by the river. They now have two children and a small pack of jack russells. It would perhaps make sense to relocate to America but this little piece of Devon has a strong hold, his writing room, full of memorabilia looks out onto the meadow and it has served him well as a place of inspiration. Besides, his goatee would look commonplace over there.

Robin grew up in Tavistock and from a very early age knew he wanted to join the army at the earliest opportunity; by sixteen he had enrolled for a full term in the army and ended up spending the next 24 years rising through the ranks to become a sergeant major, despite coping with dyslexia which wasn’t diagnosed until the age of 38. He was advised by a grumpy officer when he enrolled ‘not to volunteer for anything’. Instead he chose to fully embrace life in the army and volunteered for every possible experience.

But how does a sergeant major end up running a sweet shop? Robin always accepted that one day he would become a civilian and as he neared 40 he felt the draw of family life more keenly and started to explore other potential avenues.

Initially he opened a men’s fashion outlet in Tavistock which unfortunately became a casualty of the recession. Undaunted and in spite of competition from Woolworths, he opened I Love Candy in 2008. The shop was an instant success and Robin now caters for anything from a penny sweet sale to party bags and place settings, and even centre-piece displays and sweet buffets for weddings. Sleep was in short supply in December as he fulfilled an extensive Christmas order book and his new website isn’t even live yet.

Three years ago Robin got involved in the Son-Rise Cup for Autism, when the founder, Allen Lewis, came into his shop looking for sweets. The Son-Rise Cup raises money for local charities and attracts disabled and able-bodied football teams from Plymouth, Tavistock and even Somerset. Robin had no background in football but, undeterred by this fact, he became a trustee of the Tavistock Specials football team and two years ago became chairman of the Son-Rise Cup committee. However he did have to undergo a steep learning curve in football to keep up with the rest of the committee!

The ninth annual tournament will be taking place on 24-26th May 2014 at Tavistock College and is supported by many local businesses, without whose help and support the ongoing success of the event would not be possible.

Rosemary Best

Nichola Williams

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LOCAL PEOPLE

CHARITY FOCUS

Patricia Fawcett Local Author

Patricia Fawcett is an author of over 20 romantic novels.

Her books have been hugely popular and she has a loyal fan base around the country. She lives in Grenofen and divides her time between writing, being a lively grandmother and a volunteer at Buckland Abbey.

room guide. This gives her a great opportunity to meet and chat with people, which she feels is essential for a writer.

Patricia joined a writers’ circle and realised straightaway that this was what she wanted to do. “Talking to other writers was a joy and it gave me much needed encouragement. The best thing is that moment when the story ‘takes off’ – you never know quite when that is going to happen but when it does, believe me, you know. After that happens, you can’t wait to get to that desk. The worst thing is slogging through those initial stages when it feels forced and you have to almost drag yourself to the desk.”

Her advice to others wishing to start writing: “Join a writers’ group, preferably one run by an established writer as my group was.

Listen to advice offered and don’t be too precious about your work. I would never have been published if I had not been prepared to accept criticism and act on it.”

Recently she has been writing a book a year, which she has found very challenging but as she states, there are no rules about this. She suggests that anyone wishing to try writing, that it is a good idea to set personal deadlines to avoid the danger of unfinished work.

Patricia also works as a volunteer at Buckland Abbey as a

Patricia’s latest books include Best Laid Plans (published

by Robert Hale Ltd) and Calculated Risk (published by Cloudberry, a fiction imprint of Tavistock-based publisher Luscious Books Ltd). www.patriciafawcett.co.uk and www.cloudberrybooks.co.uk/patricia-fawcett

She will spend 4 weeks of her summer break on a number of projects: Library building, Children’s Home Development, Disaster Planning and Orphan Welfare. These schemes provide essential support and create sustainable initiatives within the country, giving the volunteers, all aged between 16 and 24, a chance to experience work in the development and charity sector.

“In 2013 I did the 35 mile 10 Tors challenge with a great team from the Dartmoor Plodders organisation” said Fen. “But this is my GCSE year at Tavistock and I really wanted to concentrate on my studies”. Having spotted ThriveAfrica on Facebook however she was intrigued. “I really like working with children and the chance to do something in a completely different culture was very appealing” After discussing it with her parents Fen committed herself to the trip departing on 26th July.

don’t leave your golden egg to the goose!

As this is not a school-based scheme and the charity is based in London, Fen will not meet some of her fellow volunteers until she arrives at Heathrow. “That is scary,” says Fen “but I have been in contact with some of them through Facebook and I may get a chance to meet a few at an information evening”

your future depends on what you do today call Hansford Bell on : 01822 617960 look at our website: www.hansfordbell.co.uk

There is a minimum sponsorship level of £995 that Fen must raise before the end of June otherwise she will not be allowed to take part. “My parents will help me with the additional costs for visas, vaccinations and flights but it is still a large amount to raise” says Fen.

Culver House, 13 West Street, TAVISTOCK PL19 8AN

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Tavistock school student Fenella (Fen) Eastaugh has organised the biggest challenge of her life so far. At just 16 years of age she is planning a trip to the African country of Ghana to help the UK and Ghana based charity ‘ThriveAfrica’.

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“The sponsorship money gets used in various ways,” continued Fen. “ Some will buy trees to prevent land erosion.

As volunteers we then plant them as part of the Disaster Planning project. We will be building and creating libraries, painting walls, making shelves, planting and developing the vegetable gardens at the Children’s home and undertaking various maintenance works on projects established by previous volunteers”.

“I have had a few ideas about raising funds,” says Fen. “My first was a ‘Sponsored Silence’ lasting 3 days in January. My parents and a number of my teachers at school seemed quite keen on that idea. The first person to sponsor me was my brother!”.

If you would like to help Fen raise her sponsorship you can donate online through her ‘Thrive Africa’ webpage http:// thriveafrica.co.uk/fundraising-page/?id=538 Alternatively you can contact her through her parents Chris & Julie Eastaugh, The Rosemont B&B, Greenbank Terrace, Yelverton PL20 6DR. Tel: (01822 852175). Thank you for your support.

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CHARITY FOCUS

CHARITY FOCUS

Every year three hundred people in the UK suffering from kidney disease die because a kidney transplant is not available to them; yet many of us have a spare kidney that we could manage perfectly well without. Most of us who are reasonably fit and healthy can donate a kidney with little inconvenience and risk to ourselves and change a stranger’s life or even save a life.

represents a saving to the NHS of £20,000 a year. Recently the NHS stated that a transplanted living kidney should be viable for twenty years, so each donation could save £400,000.

Clearly and understandably donating a kidney to a stranger is not for everyone but I would ask you to just think about it, have a look at our website at www.giveakidney.org and discuss it with your family and friends. It is not something strange; it is something most of us can do with comparatively little trouble to ourselves. What everyone should do today is make sure you are on the national organ donor register and that you have discussed this with your loved ones, (www. orgadonation.nhs.uk).

I had decided that other than my immediate family and a few close friends nobody would know what I was doing, I was concerned people might think I was showing-off. Then, three weeks after the donation I received a letter from the woman who had received my kidney; obviously she was very grateful but more importantly she explained how her life had changed. She had been on home dialysis, connected to a machine for nine hours every night. She had to follow a very restricted diet and take account of all the fluids she drank.

Because of the constant threat of infection she was not able to go swimming or even take a bath; chronic kidney disease controlled her life, or rather her existence. But all this had changed virtually overnight she told me. I then decided that it did not matter what people thought about me, I wanted to ensure that everyone should know about altruistic kidney donation. I thought that if enough people knew the facts then sufficient numbers would come forward and we would make a real difference. Today, this is exactly what is happening.

Visit Give a Kidney, a charity that aims to raise awareness of altruistic living kidney donation, at www.giveakidney.org David Hemmings, kidney donor and author of this article.

At about this time the charity Give a Kidney was being formed, I immediately got involved with other donors and healthcare professionals. Our aim is to raise awareness of altruistic kidney donation and give support to those who may be considering donating by putting them in touch with someone who has already donated. Our goal is that no one should have to wait for a transplant for want of a donor, in effect to create a waiting list of donors.

Altruistic kidney donation became legal in 2006 and in the first eighteen months there were just 6 donations but last year 107 people donated a kidney to a stranger. Each donation means someone can come off dialysis and restart enjoying all those things that the rest of us take for granted.

Incidentally, it is worth mentioning in today’s economic climate, for every patient no longer needing dialysis 10

Keith Parsons, kidney donor recipient, winning a silver medal at the World Transplant Games, Durban, South Africa editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

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LOOKING GOOD

LOOKING GOOD Dr Harriet Doyle Tavyside Health Centre

Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the skin that is supplied by it. It is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

Most people have chicken pox in childhood. After the illness has gone the virus settles, inactive, in the nerve roots next to the spinal cord. The immune system keeps the virus in check often for many years. However, for approximately 1 in 5 people, usually those over the age of 50, it can be reactivated. The virus then multiplies and travels along the nerve to the skin to cause shingles.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with the infection, but you can catch chicken pox if you haven’t had it before.

This occurs by direct contact with the fluid in the blister. It is uncommon to have shingles more than once

Symptoms Shingles affects a localised band on either the left or the right side of the body and does not cross the midline (an imaginary line running from between the eyes and down past the belly button). It can occur any where on your body, depending on which nerve is affected. However it is most

common on the chest, tummy or upper face. An episode of shingles often starts with pain and increased sensitivity of the affected area, followed by a painful rash, which develops into itchy blisters. In most cases the blisters last 7-10 days and take 2-4 weeks to fully heal. At the same time you may feel feverish, fatigued and unwell.

symptoms, and may reduce the chances of post herpetic neuralgia. Loose fitting clothes are best to reduce irritating the affected area of skin. Pain may be eased by cooling the affected area with ice cubes, for example, and pain killers can ease the discomfort of the rash.

Specialised medication may be needed to control the pain associated with post herpetic neuralgia.

Complications

Vaccine

Shingles can lead to complications.

Most commonly, it can cause post herpetic neuralgia. This is when severe nerve pain lasts for more than 3 months after the rash has gone.

Other complications include secondary bacterial infections, and, if the rash occurs on the face, swelling of the eye, leading to blindness in the worst cases.

It is not always possible to prevent shingles but a vaccine can reduce your chance of developing the condition by 50%. If you do develop shingles after having the vaccine, it may be milder and last for a shorter time than usual.

The vaccine is offered on the NHS to anyone between 70 and 79. Shingles is more likely to cause complications in older people, which is why experts say people in their 70s should be targeted by an immunisation program.

The vaccine has been around for a long time, but only available privately

Treatment There is no cure for shingles, although anti-viral tablets started as early as possible in the illness can limit the

Contact us on 855978 to make an appointment or to ask for advice Yelverton Foot Clinic Unit 1 The Rock Complex Yelverton PL20 6BS 12

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until last year. It has been much more commonly used in the USA and has been found to be safe. Unlike some other vaccines, you only need to have it once.

“Our Chiropodists and Podiatrists are all HPC Registered and offer clinics Monday to Saturday” Krista Linnen BSc (Hons) Home visits available upon request 13

PEAS IN PODS

Tavistock Ramblers

PEAS IN PODS In fact Ramblers are now working with Macmillan Cancer Support to offer shorter walks for those new to walking or would like the help of supportive and friendly volunteers – Walking for Health.

Please support Tavistock Hospital League of Friends for the Plymouth Half Marathon:

A list of all these walks as well as those of other Rambler groups can be found at www.tavistockramblers.org.uk and then following the links.

A team of 10 hospital staff are joining forces with the League of Friends to undertaken the Plymouth Half Marathon on 27th April to raise funds for the League. The hospital has always enjoyed close links with the League of Friends and this seemed a fantastic opportunity to strengthen those links.

This year walks have ranged from well-known scenery such as the Bere Peninsula, Dartmeet, Widdecombe, and Fingles Bridge to more adventurous Dartmoor rambles such as Duck’s Pool, Tavy Cleave and Black Dunghill. We are fortunate to be able to reach most of Dartmoor easily and much of the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall in just over an hour.

We also put on several social events throughout the year: a Christmas tea party, a skittles evening, a summer barb-q, a quiz night and an annual dinner as well as a range of holidays, recently in Yorkshire, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight.

So whatever your reason for walking, from exploring the local environment, relaxing and getting time to think, being more active and controlling your weight, socialising with friends and family or simply enjoying the outdoors, Tavistock Ramblers is for you.

According to research and experience, the most frequent reasons for not walking vary between lack of time, poor weather, insufficient knowledge of the environment, safety concerns and poor knowledge of the ease and benefits of walking.

The running team is comprised from a rich mix of staff from the hospital including nurses, physios, porter and admin staff we are all training hard to ensure the team competes at their very best. We would be extremely grateful for any donations. Donations can be made in a number of ways:

RNLI Tavistock and District Branch The Tavistock and District Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will be holding their AGM on 11 March at 19:30 at the Tavy Club (upstairs) in Tavistock. Anyone willing to come and join the committee or just volunteer to join us in our fundraising activities will be very welcome. If you can’t make it to the AGM, we hold regular committee meetings on the second Tuesday of alternate months at the same time and venue or call Roy on 01822810577 for further information.

To join or find out further information please look at the above website or phone our membership secretary on 01822 810626.

We look forward to welcoming you on one of our walks!

Ian Gasper

So how can we at Tavistock Ramblers overcome such views?

Well not a lot about the first two although neither may be as problematic as first thought but a lot about the others.

We cater for everyone who wants to walk by putting on a range of lengths, places and types of walks all aided by the wonderful environments of the Tamar Valley, Dartmoor or our magnificent coastline.

● ● ● ●

The Tavistock Group is a small and friendly group who arrange a variety of walks, usually two most weekends and some evenings in summer. These cater for all kinds of walkers from those new to walking to those more experienced. Everyone is made welcome. Our programme lists walks from 3 to over 10 miles, all graded to indicate level of ease or strenuousness and lead by an experienced local member. These often end with an optional visit involving tea and cakes! All walks meet at Pixon Lane (some people go straight to the start) and we share cars for environmental and economic reasons.

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The Leagues objective is to assist the hospital in providing funds and equipment which enhances the care delivery at Tavistock and allows the hospital to extend the services provided for the local community. Most recently they have assisted us in refurbishing Tavistock Clinic and the ward day room. On both these projects the recommendations of the “Kings Fund” supported the changes to comply with their research finding of a “Dementia Friendly Environment”

collections at the main receptions of the both hospital and the clinic. Cheques to the “League of Friends” can be posted to Tavistock Hospital, Spring Hill, Tavistock. PL19 8LD

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GARDENING NATURALIST

GARDENING

At a stunning, tranquil riverside location on the Bere peninsula lives a man who wants to make the locals smile through the gift of topiary.

Topiary is the art of trimming bushes, hedges and trees into decorative shapes and Frank’s aim is to site topiary creations throughout West Devon and the Tamar valley.

A very important recent publication – Bird Atlas 2007-11 - shows up the many changes that have occurred in our bird populations over the last 40 years. Fieldwork over four winters and summers by 40,000 volunteers resulted in maps of the breeding (and wintering) distribution of every species in Britain and Ireland; it follows similar atlases in 1968-72 and 1988-91. Many species have increased in range, e.g.

Little egret, Buzzard, Dartford warbler, whilst others have decreased – Turtle dove, Nightingale. There have been large declines in waders (e.g. Lapwing, Curlew) in the South West.

The atlas shows just how important Dartmoor is for a number of species – Dunlin, Snipe, Cuckoo, Ring ouzel, Whinchat, Wheatear, Meadow pipit, etc. Quite a number of species show declines in southern England, but increases in Scotland and Ireland, e.g. Cuckoo, Willow warbler and House martin.

There is a huge amount of information and well worth careful reading.

Barn owl numbers crash. The Barn Owl Trust (based at Ashburton) said that Barn owl numbers in Devon have crashed since their last full survey in 2003. The two cold winters of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, two very wet summers in 2010 and 2011, and the wet June of 2012 all had a devastating effect and killed many nesting owls. Spring 2013 was the second-coldest on record, and led to a high mortality of adult barn owls. The Trust’s 2013 survey of over 1000 breeding sites showed very few pairs bred in Devon in 2013 and those that did raised only one or two young.

After what has been (at least up to early February) a mild but very windy and very wet winter, we can now look forward 16

to the first returning spring migrants from Africa. By now Wheatears should have arrived on the coast and will soon be back on the moors, Sand martins will appear hawking insects over Burrator, and the earliest Swallows should be seen later this month. Next month Cuckoos should return from their African holiday. Of the four male Dartmoor Cuckoos fitted with satellite tags last May, three have now sadly probably died; Dart and Ryder died on their migration south (in Mallorca and the Sahara respectively), and no signals had been received from Tor’s tag since 4 December, when he was close to the Gabon-Congo border. However, Whortle is still alive and he was still in Congo when his tag last transmitted on 3 February. Will he make it back to Dartmoor? Watch this space! (or check www.bto.org/cuckoos .

If you feed the birds, do remember to clean and disinfect your feeders regularly. Diseases such as Salmonellosis and Trichomonosis can easily be spread among small birds that gather to feed. A recent survey showed that over 80% (4 out of 5) of Collared doves were affected by Trichomonosis.

He has several hundred overgrown plants taken as cuttings several years ago which now have potential for sculpture but are in need of unearthing, trimming and replanting. Frank would like to offer workshops throughout the summer to a group of novices who would like to learn more about this amusing art then take away their creations and plant them in publicly visible gardens and spaces. Frank hopes that by holding free lessons and giving away his plants not only can he clear his plot to make way for new creations but also pass on his fascination and knowledge of this idiosyncratic art form.

If you are interested in learning more about topiary or joining one of the summer workshops please contact Frank by: Email : topiary@macace.net Text : 07955246759 Photos copyright ©FrankRHD Nichola Williams

For a decade or more passing river craft passengers have been able to view his quirky topiary designs such as Felix the languorous cat, Brian the snail (in progress) and much missed Charlie the cockerel who passed on after relocation. Frank tells me his sculptures are like pets that need attention little and often. He likes to tend them with a glass of red wine in hand and takes inspiration from the plants, “They lend themselves to certain shapes and creatures but you have to coax and encourage the plant the way you want it to grow.

Topiary isn’t about filling a pre-shaped wire frame...that’s like painting by numbers”.

Dousland Garden Machinery

One of the glories of Devon is our Devon banks in spring.

These will, in a few weeks time, burst into a riot of colour with red (campion), white (stitchwort) and blue (bells). The hedges are also miniature nature reserves since, as well as flowers, they are home to numerous insects, mammals and birds. And finally, for those of you lucky enough to have nesting Swallows – remember to leave the doors of stables and outhouses open/ajar when they arrive so that they can gain access to nest.

SERVICING & REPAIRS

www.mikedgm.co.uk

Tony John editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

His interest in topiary perhaps began when as a child he visited a garden with a topiary fish family all leaning in towards the centre as if feeding. He has since created many topiary artworks and is keen to share both his knowledge and his plants.

www.tavylinks.co.uk

17

GARDENING

GARDENING

Sue Fisher with Joe Swift and June Ashburner during filming of the Great British Garden Revival

Following one of the wettest winters on record, what a joy to welcome spring. A case of botanical spring fever seems to have broken out at The Garden House – everything has suddenly burst into bloom!

A new season

The winter months have been busy for everyone. An attractive leaflet giving plenty of up-to-date information has been introduced, which includes a beautifully illustrated garden map created by talented artist, Michelle Keith. We know the availability of this lovely free leaflet will do much to enhance the visitor experience this year.

Extreme weather has meant that the South African Garden has struggled to flourish in recent years, so a complete refurbishment of this garden area is underway. Its exciting replacement is the new ‘Summer Garden’, to be filled with flowing swathes of herbaceous plants more suited to providing a long season of colour on a north-facing slope of a Dartmoor garden than the plains of South Africa! So, something to look out for this summer.

The main Tearoom has also had a facelift over the winter, and the new curtains you will see have been designed and generously donated by Carol Kennedy, a Yelverton-based Interior Designer. A varying menu continues the theme of ‘new for 2014’.

The

GARDEN House

So much to see the whole garden is inspirational...

Fortescue Garden Trust – Charity No. 203722

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Activities at Easter – so much to see and do for all the

Gardening shouldn’t be all work and no play.

Visiting other gardens not only makes for a great day out but is often a wonderful source of inspiration - and plants. Around the Dartmoor area we are lucky enough to have some gorgeous gardens.

A later Easter means that the garden will be at its spring best, making it especially pleasurable for the visiting plant enthusiast. Gardens are also magical places for children, and to add to the family’s enjoyment, a new ‘Find the Animal Trail’ is launched at Easter. Children will also be invited to ‘Sow a Sunflower’ to take home, so that they can watch the fruit of their labour grow into the tallest sunflower in the neighbourhood!

To the north of Chagford is Stone Lane Gardens, a magical 5-acre woodland garden created by modern-day plant hunter, the late Kenneth Ashburner, and now world-famous for National Collections of birch and alder trees. Stone Lane was recently featured (myself included!) on The Great British Garden Revival. The trees have beautiful bark in many colours, so the garden is a delight to visit at any time of year.

Also home to the annual Mythic Garden summer sculpture exhibition.

family

Coming to The Garden House this August …

THE YELVERTON & DISTRICT FESTIVAL OF SCARECROWS Look out for more news of this major summer event. Prepare for a scarecrow invasion!

Not visited us for a while?

Spring is a great time to become a Friend of The Garden House. Free admission for a full 12 months enables you to pop in and see the garden, shop in Plant Sales, or relax in the Tearoom whenever you wish right through the open season.

A great day out for all the family, right on your doorstep.

The Garden House is open 10.30am – 5.00pm: Mar & April – Tue to Sun (open Easter Mon), May to Aug – daily, Sept & Oct – Tue to Sun. www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

Sue Allen

Near Ivybridge, Lukesland is another glorious woodland garden, with a wealth of acid-loving shrubs including rhododendrons and azaleas that look spectacular in spring, as well as many fine specimen trees. The stream, pools and waterfalls that thread through the garden create a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere.

Around Buckland Monochorum, readers will already be familiar with The Garden House, a delight to visit through the seasons, right through to a grand finale of autumn colour.

Head towards Denham Bridge to find Wildside, where Keith Wiley has created a dramatic and colourful garden. The adjacent nursery is a must for plant enthusiasts.

Many private gardens open for charity on occasional days, too numerous to list here, but do check out the National Gardens Scheme – affectionately known as ‘Yellow Book’ gardens – and those open for St Lukes Hospice.

What to do in the garden:

Not visited us for a while?

•Stunning vistas around every corner and a plantsman’s paradise •Relax in the Tearooms and sample our delicious homemade cakes before taking a little of that garden inspiration home with you from our Plant Sales Shop •NEW THIS EASTER! Activities for the family - a ‘Find the Animal Trail’ and why not ‘Sow a Sunflower’ - take it home and watch it grow!

OPENING TIMES

-

Start composting if you don’t already. Most garden and kitchen waste can be recycled into wonderfully nutritious soil conditioner.

-

Put in new hardy plants so they can get well established before the growing season is in full swing.

-

Buy plug plants, pot up and grow on a sunny windowsill to plant out after the frosts.

March & April - Daily Tuesday to Sunday 10.30 am – 5.00pm (Open Easter Monday) May to Aug - Daily Sept & Oct - Daily Tuesday to Sunday The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, PL20 7LQ

Tel. 01822 854769

www.thegardenhouse.org.uk editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

-

Hardy veg to sow outside include lettuce, carrots, beetroot and mixed salad leaves.

-

Hard prune clematis that bloom in late summer.

-

Trim lavender once the weather becomes mild, to maintain dense, bushy growth.

-

Lift, divide and replant overgrown clumps of lateflowering perennials such as Michaelmas daisy.

-

Catch weeds when young, hoeing off on dry, breezy days.

-

Keep on feeding the birds with good quality bird food, but ensure peanuts are in proper feeders so fledglings don’t choke on whole nuts.

Sue Fisher is a garden designer and writer based on the Bere Peninsula. Tel 01822 841895. Email: suefisher@talktalk.net Website: www.suefishergardens.co.uk

Design and Installation Waterfalls and Streams Planting and Stocking Water Features Renovation Leak Repair

Dartmoor Pond Services Ellis Taylor

Tel: 01822 852699 M: 07836 576722 www.dartmoorpondservices.co.uk 19

PROPERTY

PROPERTY

Mill Meadow, Horrabridge

Mill Meadow, Horrabridge occupies a truly idyllic setting on the banks of the river Walkham and offers a rare opportunity to purchase not only an immaculate and beautiful family home but also one with a fascinating history.

In the Middle Ages and up to the Industrial Revolution, Devon was one of the leading industrial counties, based on the all important wool trade, as well as the better remembered tin mining. It is not known when the woolen factory beside the River Walkham was built but the name ‘Mill Meadow’ appears on early deeds of the property and certainly from 1850, Messrs Hamlyn & Co “fellmongers and woollen manufacturers” were employing 400 workers here. Approximately 140 years ago the factory suffered a disastrous fire. The ruins can just be distinguished. There is some evidence of a saw-mill, but what is certain is that a long building bordering the river was divided into three cottages.

It is believed that these were originally the factory washing-sheds where the fleeces were rinsed in the soft water of the Walkham.

the extension to form a large living room bridges the leat, with a window in the floor allowing for viewing of the cascading water below.

The property has both formal and wildlife gardens, a paddock with stables and river frontage with double bank fishing rights, all set in around 3 acres. It enjoys a mostly private location with the grounds and river providing a haven for wildlife including otters, kingfishers, trout and salmon. All rooms take full advantage of the stunning location and views of the

river and gardens. It has four good sized bedrooms with the master bedroom benefitting from en-suite facilities and a balcony also overlooking the river.

Mill Meadow is being marketed through Ward & Chowen Estate Agents, Yelverton. For more details please call 01822 856370 or visit: www.wardchowen.co.uk

The cottages were later added to with a more modern extension, making this a substantial family property.

The old cottage living room is now the dining room and

www.johncolton.co.uk t: 01822 85 44 08 mail@johncolton.co.uk

MY KNOWLEDGE from over 25 years of selling homes in this area means I am well placed to provide excellent service in a challenging market.

MY BUSINESS A refreshingly straight forward approach is what I offer...and I am not VAT registered which means you save 20% on the rates of my competitors.

LD

SO LD

Here are 3 good reasons to choose John Colton

SO LD

FOR SALE

SO

Are you thinking of moving this spring?

TAVISTOCK HAMLETS - Guide £300,000 Rural idyll, period cottage plus studio & den

FOR SALE

MY REPUTATION Speaks for itself...

“His knowledge of the property market and of the area combined with his excellent interpersonal skills ensure that in John Colton you will find a dependable, realistic and conscientious estate agent whom I would thoroughly recommend.”

Mrs R. B., Yelverton (see website for further testimonials)

Serving Tavistock and surrounding villages since 1830 WHITCHURCH - Guide £395,000

If you are looking to sell or rent call Ben, Laura, Valerie, Jo or Julie today for your free no obligation market appraisal

Colonial bungalow in favoured location

01822 612458 www.wardchowen.co.uk

If you have instructed another agent then the terms of the contract should be considered to avoid paying two commissions

20

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

21

PROPERTY

ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION

Exciting times ahead... and some important points to think about when looking to let your property.

M&B Residential Lettings have started 2014 with a bang!

Not only do we now have a new image (see our advert on the previous page), but we now have a new Managing Director too. Michelle Stacey was one of the original directors of M&B Residential Lettings ,which started seven years ago, but she has now purchased the business and is operating independently.

Michelle, is a local Tavistock girl and has worked in the industry for 16 years. Michelle is very excited about both her new role as Managing Director and also moving M&B forward to become the leading Residential Lettings agency in the area.

Michelle is supported by a dedicated team of whom all know how important it is to keep up with changing legislation and are governed by several recognized organisations. Michelle and her team are fully qualified with NAEA and ARLA status.

As Michelle points out: ‘it is vital to be giving clients correct, up to date advice and I am proud that myself and my team are fully qualified Letting Agents – ensuring our clients and their money are fully protected. At times too many landlords are left in disastrous situations and facing financial problems because their chosen Letting Agent was not in a position to offer them the full protection they needed, often down to a basic lack of professional qualifications’.

✔ ✔

Top tips in choosing the right Letting Agent

✔ ✔

1.

It is always advisable to choose a letting agent who is a member of a professional organisation, such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), both are bound by a code of practice.

2.

It is important to remember that agents offering low charges are not necessarily the best agents to use. Opt for those who provide a comprehensive service and can demonstrate success in the local market.

3.

Choose a letting agent which lets properties similar to yours, and which you think would attract the right kind of tenant with suitable references and achieve the highest possible rental price.

4.

Provide your letting agent with as much information as possible about the type of tenant you want.

For example, stipulate whether you want a young professional or married couple, a personal or a corporate let, and whether you are looking for a long-term tenant.

✔ ✔

22

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

Landlords benefit by having long-term tenants as it excludes ‘voids’ (periods when the property is empty).

5.

Just as with selling your home, first impressions count for everything when it comes to property, so it’s vital your home looks its best for potential tenants.

6.

Make sure all aspects of your property are up to scratch and meet all of the required standards to give you the best chance of finding the right tenants and achieving the best price.

7.

Before you can let your property, you need to consult a number of parties: • Your mortgage lender - your lender may ask that you let your property on an Assured Shorthold basis • Your insurance company - if you don’t inform your insurance company that you have let your property, you may not be covered in the event of damage, fire or theft in the property • Your freeholder (if you have one) - important if you wish to let a leasehold flat, for example.

• You may also find it useful to get advice from a solicitor and an accountant.

For a free valuation or general lettings advice, please contact Michelle or one of the team at M&B Residential Lettings on 01752 759905 or call in to the office at 77 Upland Drive, Derriford, Plymouth.

23

FEATURE

FEATURE Officer Training Corps (volunteer undergraduate officer cadets who are members of either Exeter or Plymouth Universities) on behalf of 43 (Wessex) Brigade.

Over the event weekend progress of teams can be followed on the Ten Tors website. Updated every fifteen minutes, a table will show those teams whose status has changed since the last update - eg those who have reached new Tor checkpoints. This is a nervous time for supporters anxious for news of their loved ones progress.

For the first time in 30 years new routes will be used during this year’s Ten Tors Challenge, aimed at improving safety of this high profile youth event on Dartmoor. Nichola Williams (whose own daughter, Floss, has participated) looks into the event in a little more detail...

Prior to the 1950s, opportunities to participate in adventurous outdoor activities were limited in Britain. In September 1959 three British Army officers from the Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals were monitoring an adventure training exercise for their young trainees on Dartmoor and decided to open the challenges of navigating, bivouacking, and field cooking in wild country to young civilians. In September 1960 a ‘Ten Tors Expedition’ for youths 16 to 18 attracted twenty ‘patrols’ of ten servicemen each and one ‘patrol’ of three civilians from Exmouth. The ‘entrants’ were handed a list of ten checkpoints, which could be visited in any order. The ‘best choice of route’ was calculated to be ‘about 55 miles’, and the Finish was back at Denbury Camp.

The ‘Expedition’ has seen many changes since then, with the introduction of three distinct distances and ‘patrol’ size reduced to six persons as well as the numbers who enter for the challenge growing hugely. The Ten Tors Challenge now takes place annually in May and is limited to 2,400 individuals – four hundred teams of six teenagers in any male/female combination - aged between 14 and 19 - from schools, youth organisations (Scouts, Guides, Youth Clubs) and Service cadets based in the seven Counties of South West England. Many of its participants will remember the event with pride for the remainder of their lives, and for some it may even be a life-changing experience.

The teams, depending on age, face hikes of 35, 45 or 55 miles (56, 72 or 88km) visiting ten nominated tors over two days. The teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route safely despite the terrain 24

Safety and environmental protection have always been priorities. 1974 saw the introduction of a compulsory kit specification, and in 1977 ‘Kit Scrutineering’ joined ‘Team Briefing’ as pre-event requirements. 1982 saw the first Managers’ Training Weekend and this has since been replaced by a mandatory annual briefing to be attended by all team managers.

and the weather. The latter can be very changeable and at times quite extreme, and success or failure can depend very much on the extent to which a team has been trained for all eventualities.

The Ten Tors Challenge is organised by the Army, specifically 43 (Wessex) Brigade, from its Moor Group Headquarters at Okehampton Camp. It is assisted by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force alongside Dartmoor National Park Authority, the emergency services, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group, Devon Air Ambulance Service and many other voluntary organisations and individuals to ensure that no one comes to lasting harm.

In parallel with the Ten Tors Challenge, The Jubilee Challenge is a trekking expedition designed specifically for young people with special needs, both physical and educational. Incorporated within the Ten Tors Event in 1977, it is organised and run by the members of Exeter University editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

2010 witnessed the 50th Ten Tors (foot and mouth disease had caused a cancellation in 2001). A visit by the event’s Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, on the Sunday added to the significance of the weekend with some finishers receiving a royal welcome. A Ten Tors Award was introduced to recognise the work of many dedicated volunteers who annually train the participants for this fine event.

From the outset the weather has played a huge part and on Dartmoor weather can be extreme. In 1967 dense mist settled on the moor all weekend. Icy rain combined with the dense mist made it an endurance test of the highest order, and over one hundred participants were still on the moor on Monday morning, ensuring that Ten Tors 1967 remains legendary! In 1968 Dartmoor Rescue Group was formed, and since 1970 it has contributed invaluable safety cover during training and at Ten Tors itself. During Ten Tors 1996 after heavy snowfall a mass evacuation from the moor was organised and during Ten Tors 2007 two thousand participants were rescued from the moor because of torrential rain and fast flowing rivers.

the impact on the landscape (footpath wear and tear) and reduce the reliance on helicopter support, especially in poor weather conditions.

“Changes have been introduced without compromising the original aims of the event. These include developing teamwork, practicing navigation which if anything will be more demanding, experiencing and appreciating a high moor-land location and its associated weather conditions in a challenging environment.”

Brigadier Piers Hankinson – Director Ten Tors.

Many thanks are due to the servicemen and civilians who make the organisation and execution of The Ten Tors Challenge appear stunningly easy, and who provide the essential safety net. More importantly, congratulations and considerable admiration are due to the many teams who accept the Challenge. For those taking part it is an unforgettable experience of camaraderie, motivation and physical and emotional strength.

As the event’s Founder once said: “If there is anything more important than the will to succeed, it is that the will shall not falter.”

Long may it continue.

Nichola Williams

This year will see new routes aimed at improving safety and control aspects of this event even further.

Safety Control Points will be located close to road heads in order to facilitate vehicle support, provide first-aid assistance if required and enable overnight camping areas for 35 mile route teams. Manned Check Points will be located on the moors and have a much reduced profile than those used in previous years.

These safety improvements will reduce the need for participants to cross some major rivers, reduced use of roads and contact with vehicle traffic. It will also reduce www.tavylinks.co.uk

25

FOOD & WINE

Having just returned from a very purposeful gathering of my fellow Wine Merchants … and yes, there was the essential and ever so arduous task of sampling many wines … I can report two definites. Firstly, there is a very positive vibe in the Wine Trade; sales are up as is customer’s insatiable interest in ‘all things wine’. Secondly, no surprise here, the weather continues to cause concern to the wine producers the world over.

As a nation, our love affair with fermented grape juice continues to thrive. With our naturally inquisitive nature, our open minded approach and our eagerness to seek out a bargain, it has been proven that we are as a nation, the best informed when it comes to wine. Wine for many is very much a part of our daily routine. The intriguing options now available, the very tangible link between modern cuisine and the contemporary developments in wine development have ensured sales continue to be very buoyant.

You might be forgiven for being confused by the constant new concepts and variations that appear on the shelves of the wine outlets. Yes, there is a limit to grape varieties available – 970 to be precise! Yet it is how and where these grapes are planted (the soil, the altitude, the irrigation …) and the nurturing they will receive that will affect the style of the finished wine.

Each winemaker will have his or her perception of how to maximise quality and ~ or the yield. They will decide if their fruit will benefit from any oak integration, the length of time wines are aged before release … so many considerations, and yet, the one key and controlling factor is the one totally out of their control, that being the weather. This can really make or break a wine. Not only does the weather affect the size of yield, the overall quality, the aging potential, but more importantly, will always affect the price. One has to sympathise with wine producers the world over. On July 23rd 2013, a hail storm ripped its way through Burgundy devastating the crops, resulting in some producers losing up to 90% of their precious fruit. Frost, hail, wind, too much rain, a drought, the lack of sunshine and so forth, can all have a devastating affect on the vines that are at their mercy.

Brace yourself for a few sharp price rises. Chablis 2013 is destined to rise, as much as £2 per bottle, and there is every chance the stock will run out before the next vintage is ready.

26

FOOD & WINE

With squid ink risotto, dressed rocket, herb, shallot, caper and tomato dressing Dressing

With all this gloom it is gratifying to know that on global terms, there is no shortage of wine, maybe now is the timeto venture into other wine regions and countries.

If you haven’t yet tried it, my wine of the moment is Carmenere. A grape that when unblended offers cherry, eucalyptus, damson notes with a hint of mint. Combine this with a dash of the better known Cabernet Sauvignon, the blackcurranty cassis adds yet another dimension … With a trio of great Carmenere options, all made by Chile’s top producer ‘Casa Silva’ we are very well placed to enlighten you into our current grape of the moment.

Times are Changing…

Now, with the approval of the editor, I have been permitted to fly my flag (just briefly), and update you into a key development at the Wine Warehouse.. As the way private customers choose to buy their wines changes, I am not so naïve to assume that my Company is exempt from the impact of on-line buying and influence of the supermarkets. To that end, I have decided to play to my strengths and really focus on our trade accounts. Do not for a moment think I am turning my back on the private market. As a positive and sensible business move I am relocating all my business operations (public and trade) under one roof. As from mid March, we shall be housed in my distribution warehouse just 100 yards up the road. To help with my business development, I am actively recruiting new staff to push our trade business further.

As with the wines I supply, and the way I sell them … times are changing!

Charles Steevenson The Cellar Door, Charles Steevenson Wines, Tavistock

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

2 table spoons of dill, basil,chives, flat leafed parsley chopped 2 large banana shallots chopped fine 3 table spoons of fine capers drained 1 small punnet of cherry tomatoes cut into quarters 200ml of olive oil 100ml balsamic vinegar Seasoning

Method

• In a small pan add your olive oil bring up to 80° centigrade • Add the shallots and remove from heat and cool • Add the balsamic vinegar, chopped herbs, tomatoes and season to taste. Set aside ready to use.

Risotto

2 cups of risotto (Arborio) rice 2 table spoons olive oil 2 banana shallots peeled and diced finely 1 stick of celery and 1 large carrot peeled and diced 100ml white wine 3 sprigs of thyme 2 table spoons of finely sliced chives 2 small sachets of squid ink (available from your fish monger) 1lt of fish stock Seasoning to taste

New products for the Spring.

Free, discounted and half price products for all hosts.

Method

• In a heavy bottom sauce pan heat your oil and sauté the vegetables till translucent (about 3-4 minutes) • Add the risotto and fry off on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes • Now add your white wine and thyme leaves • Reduce the heat to a simmer • Add the squid ink and season to taste then simmer gently for a few minutes (It will look rather black at first but after a while will turn to a dark grey colour) • Heat your stock till boiling and add half to the risotto • Keep stirring the risotto with a wooden spoon making sure the risotto does not stick • Slowly add the stock bit by bit till the risotto is cooked out (it should take no longer than 10- 12 minutes on a low heat) (Keep the risotto wet) • Just before serving add the chopped herbs and season to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper

www.tavylinks.co.uk

Book your Spring cooking show, call Kate McCormick today.

M: 07764 536315 T: 01822 610571 E: kate@calmeg.co.uk www.pamperedchef.biz/katemac

27

WHAT’S ON

MARCH

14 March “Weddings can be Murder” 7pm Charity murder mystery dinner with Tavistock Lions & The Tavonians. £30, booking essential. The Terrace, 01822 610046

20 March – 30 April Spring has sprung – Lydford Gorge NT

Celebrate the changing seasons starting with spring which begins on 20 March. The gorge is alive with spring flowers and birds nesting. Enjoy the wonders of nature at this time of year.

Open 10am – 5pm. Check our website for what’s looking good when..

21 March to 7 April Tavistock Festival

A variety of music and art events – see What’s On Extra for more details or www.tavistockmusic. co.uk

21 March Repton Weekends – Hotel Endsleigh

The first in a series of 4 special weekends to celebrate Endsleigh’s historic garden designed by Repton in 1814.

See What’s On Extra for more details

BALLET, TAP & MODERN DANCE

classes for children aged 3 to 18 years.

Adult Tap Dancing Classes from Beginner to Advanced.

Summer Term Commences Monday 28th April 2014 CELEBRATING OUR 20th ANNIVERSARY

www.misstrudi.co.uk or contact Trudi Massey (Principal A.N.A.T.D Ballet and Tap)

01822 618137

28

22 and 23 March Daffodil Weekend Cotehele

Come and see the beautiful collection of new and historic daffodils either at your own leisure or on a guided tour of the estate. There are also activities for children.

11:00am – 4:00pm cotehele@ nationaltrust.org.uk

23 March Sports Relief Help raise money for sports relief with the Bere Pen mile or Swimathon at Meadowlands.

See What’s On Extra for more details.

25 March Toubkal Trek – Information Evening

See What’s On Extra for more details

28 March Plymouth Area Police Choir Rock Methodist Church, Yelverton. 7.30pm A varied programme – something for everyone.

Entrance £6 on the door.

29 March South West Chamber Choir Concert- Buckfast Abbey

The choir will be performing Salve Regina, a Choral tribute to the Virgin Mary.

Tickets £10 (student and under 16, £5) from the Buckfast Abbey Gift Shop or at the door.

7:15pm See http://www.buckfast.org.uk for further details

30 March Mothers Day Craft Fair

a traditional craft fair with stalls and demonstrations.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

30 March Pentillie Castle Garden Open Day Come and Explore Pentillie Castle and garden with the restored Mausoleum (and learn about the exciting discovery of Sir James Tillie’s hidden vault!). £6 entry per person (children under 12 free). No booking required. Plant sale.

Refreshments available in the castle.. Open from 11am-4pm.

30 March Mothering Sunday LunchesThe Garden House

Celebrate Mothers day with a special lunch at the Garden House followed with a walk around the spring garden.

Free admission if pre- booked.

3 courses £19.50. 2 courses £16.50. Enquire for children’s menu. Booking essential.

Tel: 01822 854769. Email: office@ thegardenhouse.org.uk.

See www.thegardenhouse.org. uk for details.

30 March Morwellham Quay Traditional Craft Fair 2014

One of the biggest gatherings of traditional West Country craftsmen and women demonstrating their skills will take place this year on Mother’s Day at Morwellham Quay from 10am to 5pm.

Demostrations from blacksmiths, lace makers, potters and weavers – children and adults can ‘have a go’ at a new craft. TV Celebrity Alex Langlands is the special guest for the day.

APRIL

1 April April Fools – Buckland Abbey Join the costume group to see a variety of ‘April fool’ inspired puddings made in the Abbey’s kitchen. 11.30am – 3.30pm Normal admission

4 April Annual Fortescue Garden House Lecture

‘Tresco Abbey Garden – A Mediterranean Paradise’ Guest speaker Mike Nelhams, Curator of Tresco Abbey Garden.

7pm Drinks, 7.30pm Lecture £14pp. Booking essential. www. thegardenhouse.org.uk or email office@thegardenhouse.org.uk Venue: Plymouth Postgraduate Medical Centre, Derriford.

5 & 6 April Art Exhibition

Following the success of their exhibition of West Country artists in 2013, Sampford Spiney Parochial Church Council are planning to hold another event in Gallery 26 at the Bedford Hotel which will be open to the public from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday

6 April Wild Tribe

Join Dartmoor rangers at Castle Drogo and learn a huge variety of new outdoor skills from fire lighting to bush craft.

Suitable for families with children between 5-12 years. £2 per adult and £4 per child.

Booking essential - up to 48 hours prior to the event on 01647 433356.

Morwellham Quay are hosting editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

6 April Lions Club – Boat Race

Help celebrate the University Boat Race by taking part in the Lions Club of Tavistock’s own boat race on the Tavistock canal. Starting at the bridge

by Meadowlands at 3pm Boats made from paper according to specifications on website: www.tavistocklions.org.uk. All proceeds from the event will go to Meadows Makeover Group.

Entry £1 per boat. Prize for the best boat!

8 to 11 April Adventures in Wonderland

Fall into the world of wonderland with the Alice and Wonderland trail at Occombe Farm Visitor Centre, Paignton.

After you finish the trail and you will be invited to join the mad hatters tea party where you will get a chocolate prize and have the chance to create some amazing crafts. Cost: £3.50 per child, includes chocolate prize and all craft activities; no booking required. 10:00 am – 3:00pm

8 April Tony Cobley Ladies Photography workshop

See What’s On Extra section for more details.

10 & 17 April Make your own woodland sculpture - Lydford Gorge NT A fantastic family event enabling you to create your own wooden face sculptures for your garden or home using wood and basic hand tools. Suitable for children aged 7 and over. £3 per item.

12noon to 4pm

12 and 13 April Letter boxing weekend at the Miniature Pony Centre Try the letterboxing challenge at the miniature pony centre and be rewarded with a prize at the end.

See http://www. miniatureponycentre.com/ for more details

12 April Flower arranging for EasterThe Garden House

10:00- 12:00 am OR 2:00 – 4:00pm Professional florists, Barbara and Nicky are providing two workshops to show you how to make an Easter Wreath and a Vintage Teacup flower arrangement. All foliage provided by our Head Gardener.

Each workshop £25 pp inc coffee/tea. Booking essential.

Tel: 01822 854769. Email: office@ thegardenhouse.org.uk.

See www.thegardenhouse.org. uk for details.

18 to 21 April Easter Egg Trail at Lydford Gorge NT

Family Easter trail around the orchard for children aged 4 to 12. Collect your chocolate prize at the end. £3 per child. 10am – 4pm

21 April Pentillie Castle Garden Open Day Come and Explore Pentillie Castle and garden with the restored Mausoleum (and learn about the exciting discovery of Sir James Tillie’s hidden vault!). £6 entry per person (children under 12 free). No booking required. Plant sale.

Refreshments available in the

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WHAT’S ON castle. For further information contact the office on 01579 350044. Open from 11am-4pm.

19 April St George’s Day - Plymouth

Celebrate St Georges day with live bands, performances, fancy dress, food stalls, freebies galore, wine, ale and special guests at Plymouths Armada Way. 10:00 am – 4:00pm 23 April

Vintage Rolls Royce Cars – The 20-Ghost Club

Members of the oldest car club in Great Britain will be arriving at The Garden House at approx.

12.30pm. A chance to see some of the most beautiful Rolls Royce cars including the iconic Silver Ghosts.

Normal admission to The Garden House applies. www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

27 April Sheep Day – Buckland Abbey

A day of fun with sheep, lambs, rural crafts and stalls in and around our spectacular medieval tithe barn.

Normal admission. 10.30am – 5.30pm

MAY 2 May Comedy Night

Enjoy a night of comedy at the Bedford Hotel Tavistock. £20 per ticket which includes a chefs supper Call 01822 613221 to book tickets

2 to 5 May Canzart Exhibition

Canzart is a collective of artists from West Devon and East Cornwall whose work is inspired

by Dartmoor and provide a rich assortment of affordable art.

Tavistock Town hall.

10:00am – 5:00pm

5 May Medieval Magic – Buckland Abbey Medieval dance, masked parades and costume aplenty - join Renaissance Historical Dance Society for a day of magical delights.

Normal admission. 10.30 – 5.30pm

3 May Cycle the Dartmoor Way – Challenge Weekend

See What’s On Extra for more details

3 to 5 May Den Building – Lydford Gorge NT Saturday 3 to Monday 5 May, 10am-5pm Saturday 31 May to Sunday 1 June, 10am-5pm Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 June, 10am-5pm Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 June, 10am-5pm Come along and have a go at building your own den and tick off one of the 50 things to do before you are 11 3/4. Materials and examples to inspire you to build your own magical or practical natural outdoor shelter.

6 May onwards Nancy Belle River Trips Cotehele

13 dates between 6 May and 3rd September. Climb aboard 30

Shamrock’s 22 foot safety boat and take a ride up the river. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ cotehele

10 May Pony Care Day

A day of pony care where children will be taught feeding, grooming, and mucking out as well as getting to spend the day meeting some of the ponies. For children aged 7 to 12.

See http://www. miniatureponycentre.com/ for more details

10 and 11 May Pirate Weekend

The Barbican and Sutton Harbour will once again be hosting a weekend of pirate themed fun for all the family in Plymouth.

10:00 am – 4:00pm See www.visitplymouth.co.uk for more details

14 May First in series of Summer Evening Talks

The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum. Illustrated talks on topics of local interest.

Garden open at 6.30pm for an early evening stroll. Drinks available from 7.30pm. Talk starts at 8pm (lasting approx.. 1 hour) Further dates: 11 June, 9 July, 13 August, 10 September.

More details on each topic: www.thegardenhouse.org.uk

17 May Cycle challenge raising money for Devon Wildlife Trust

Choose your route from Classic (46 miles), King of the Mountain (75 miles). Route from Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

Princetown, Burrator and back to Ivybridgge. Cycle on your own, with friends and family or join one of our organised groups lead by an experienced leader.

For more information : 01392 279244, dsmith@ devonwildlifetrust.org

23 – 26 May Wild in the Woods – Cotehele An activity based camping weekend – suitable for all the family. Activities from food foraging, bush craft and den building, nature trails, Canadian canoeing trips on the Tamar, bread making and much more.

For more details and a booking form see www.nationaltrust.org. uk/cotehele

22 to 24 May Devon County Show

Celebrate the best of Devon at the Devon County show with everything from fashion to farming, live music to food and drink.

Westpoint Arena, Clyst St Mary, Exeter See www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk for more details

25 and 26 May Tavistock Garden Festival

Enjoy exhibits and stalls from specialist plant growers,

gardening equipment and furniture suppliers, local artisan food and craft producers.

10:00am to 4:00pm

26 May Barbecue/Dog Show

On the Bank Holiday, Sampford Spiney PCC will be holding a community Barbecue and Dog Show at Playing Field on Plasterdown. Tickets will be available from members of the PCC or direct from Simon Hill on 01822 859098 or pompi@ btinternet.com

29 May Fire Lighting – Ray Mears style – Lydford Gorge NT

Become a knowledgeable ‘fire starter’. Watch our ranger’s fire lighting before having a go yourself. Booking advisable.

School Holidays Kids Go Wild Adventure Days – Tamar Trails Centre Adventure days are held during all school holidays and offer children the opportunity to “hang around in the trees and muck around in the river” Offering a combination of the best Tree Surfers have to offer.

Children will be given the opportunity to try a range of activities:

~ Tree Surfing ~ Tree Climbing ~ The Tree Jump ~ The Zipwire ~ Archery ~ Bushcraft ~ Raft building and kayaking ~ Mountain bike skills Every holiday and every day is slightly different, so it’s best to check our events page (www. tamartrails.co.uk) but some general information that you need to know: Days: Week days during the school holidays Times: 9.30am to 4.00pm Suitability: Ages 8 – 17 years Cost: £30 a day or £140 for the week To book please call us on 01822 833409 or email us at info@ tamartrails.co.ukds

Does your parish, village or organisation have an event? Let us know and we’ll publish it here for all to see.

All event listings in this What’s On section are FREE. Send us event details for our Summer issue (June Sept) by Fri 9th May editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

Visit our showroom for an inspiring & extensive range of carpets, vinyl’s & Karndean flooring. Both Domestic & commercial.

With over 30 years experience we provide expert help, advice, attention & fitting.

FREE measuring & estimates with personal service at extremely competitive prices.

Yelverton Business Park, Crapstone, Yelverton. www.tavylinks.co.uk

Tel: 01822 854363 31

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

www.sportrelief.com Sport Relief supports some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world.

Half of the money raised by the public for Sport Relief is spent on grant making in the UK and half on grant making across the world. In the UK, money raised gives shelter to young people living on the streets and protection to those living with domestic abuse. Across the world, help is given for education, providing fresh water and life saving vaccinations. And that is just the start.

Tavistock’s answer to Chelsea Flower Show will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. The spring bank holiday weekend of 25th and 26th May will see the Pannier Market and surrounding area once again transformed into a plant lover’s haven for the annual Tavistock Garden Festival.

Since its start in 2005 the event has steadily grown over the years and will be expanding into Guildhall car park for the first time this year. It has proved popular with visitors and exhibitors

alike and last year there were over eighty stallholders from specialist plant growers, gardening equipment and furniture suppliers, artisan food and craft producers to local community groups and charities.

This year the festival will again feature a number of garden displays all vying to win the competition’s celebrated ‘golden trowel’, which went to Geoff and Thelma Turner, of Barracott Plants in 2013.

Children will have the opportunity to enter the South West in Bloom 2014

Domestic Cleaning & Holiday Home Service We provide the little extras that mean so much to your guests, making them want to return to you again and again.

Local businesses can book a trade stall at the 2014 Tavistock Garden festival by contacting Lesley Reeves on 01822 613529 or emailing lesley.reeves@ tavistock.gov.uk

With the bad weather we have experienced this winter SWEP have been inundated with ponies that have been abandoned, emaciated or injured on the Moor. Our current yard based in Yelverton has space for fifty two ponies, and we are completely full.

SWEP has just been granted planning permission for a new yard that will allow us to offer excellent care to many more ponies. The proceeds from the The Spring Ball will go towards the build of this much needed new facility.

The Ball will be held at the China Fleet

Event opens: 10:30 | Event closes: 14:00 Take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Bere Alston Dust off those trainers and walk, jog or run (or hop, skip, jump) in a choice of 1, 3 or 6 mile routes! Don’t delay; snap up your place in The Bere Pen Mile today!

Club, Saltash on the 11th of April 2014.

Tickets are £50 this includes a 3 course meal, live band and an auction. The China Fleet Club has offered guests attending the event, members rates on rooms. If you would like more information, or to reserve a ticket please contact Abi in the SWEP office.

Tickets are non refundable and please specify any dietary requirements.

Tel: 01822 854823 or www.swep.org.uk

Reliable changeover service Cover for when you are away or unwell Laundry only option Appliance testing and handyman

www.upstairsdownstairshousekeeping.co.uk 32

Schools Painting Competition on the theme of poppies, marking the start of the First World War in 1914; there will also be an adult competition around the same theme.

Local Events to join and help Sport Relief:

Meadowlands, Tavistock is hosting the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Swimathon.

Take on a challenge at the pool between 21-23 March 2014.

Snap up your place and enter now!

You can do your Swimathon on your own, or in a team of between two and five people. Distances of 1.5km, 2.5km or 5km

Call: 01822 854161 editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON EXTRA

WHAT’S ON EXTRA

Staff and supporters of SW based Children’s charities CHICKS and The Book Bus Foundation are dusting off their walking boots with the aim of conquering the highest peak in North Africa and are looking for more adventurers to join them.

BHS Southwest and Venture Co are pleased to announce a seminar that explores the BHS Challenge Rides and how these unique riding itineraries are put together.

Venture Co has been providing original riding itineraries for the British Horse Society since 2001. This talk explores how we research new destinations and develop unique itineraries. Our portfolio of rides is broad but not all riding holidays make good challenge rides.

BHS Welfare: works to improve the lives of horses across the UK. BHS has more equine Welfare Officers than any other UK organisation allowing them to offer a lifeline to more than 8,000 horses in 2013. Current initiatives include the “Think before you breed” campaign; the “Friend at the End” support scheme (FATE); and the “Grass Sickness” campaign 2014.

The presenter: Mark Davison worked as a guide in Africa for many years; he has led expeditions and travelled independently throughout much of Africa, South America and India. His day job is running Venture Co, an ATOL-bonded tailor-made travel company based in Tavistock, established in 1999. He is a firm believer that the world is best viewed from horseback. He is Secretary of the Book Bus Foundation, a charitable project that promotes literacy in the developing world.

The bespoke fundraising mountain trek in Morocco has been organised exclusively to raise funds for CHICKS and The Book Bus Foundation.

The team of trekkers will set out on the 26th September 2014 from London to Marrakech to conquer Mount Toubkal (4,165m) over a long weekend. The four day challenge will take in the sights and sounds of vibrant Marrakesh a city full of charm and exotic delights alongside the stunning scenery of the High Atlas Mountains. Trekking with local Berber guides trekkers will experience their culture and lifestyle first hand. Previous trekking experience is not necessary, but you do need to be prepared to get fit for the mountains and have the desire to succeed. The incredible view from the summit will be one never to be forgotten.

To find out more about the Toubkal Trek, an information evening is being held on Tuesday 25th March, 6pm at VentureCo Worldwide, Lockyer House, Paddons Row, Tavistock PL19 OHF. For more information please contact mark@ ventureco-worldwide.com tel: 01822 616191 or visit the CHICKS website www.chicks.org. uk.

“Creative Photography with Natural Light” A day suitable for all abilities at the very beautiful Lukesland Gardens near Ivybridge. You will learn how to find, compose and capture a creative nature photograph and also get the best expression, mood and background from your people photographs. We’ll show you how to understand composition and to control and work with different types and qualities of light, all without getting too technical or gadgetty! We will then discuss the resulting images, learning from each other’s experiences. Bring any camera, no matter how big or small !

For more details contact Tony Cobley Photography www.tonycobley.com or 01752894491

Dates: Thursday 3rd April and Thursday 1st May 2014.

Time: talks begin at 18:00 hrs and last about 45 mins with informal Q&A after.

Price: £5 per seat. 100% donated to BHS Welfare.

How to book: call 01822 61 61 91 to reserve your seat or mail@ventureco-worldwide.com

Elaine Sylvester from Love Dartmoor Fitness, is organizing a cycle challenge weekend for May Bank Holiday – to complete the 95 miles of the new Dartmoor Way. This would be an ideal opportunity to attempt a challenge cycle (or to use it as preparation event for a sportive like Dartmoor Classic). Mountain Bikes and road bikes are both suitable.

Elaine is a local cycle leader and fitness trainer.

If you would like to register your interest with Elaine, please contact her via www.lovedartmoor.com or contact her on: 07989 575182

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www.tavylinks.co.uk

Four special weekends at Hotel Endsleigh, enjoying the historic garden designed by Repton in 1814. The weekends will involve a visit to another exceptional or Red Book garden and property, with special access to private areas of these historic houses and will be supported by garden experts.

Trematon Castle, welcomed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman.

The speaker will be Tim Richardson.

Antony House, welcomed by Sir Richard Carew-Pole. The speaker will be Stephen Woodhams.

Port Eliot, welcomed by the Countess of St Germans. The speaker will be George Carter.

Antony House, welcomed by Sir Richard Carew-Pole. The speakers will be Alan Titchmarsh and Arabella Lennox-Boyd.

For more details and ticket information please contact: Hotel Endsleigh on 01822 87000 or www.hotelendsleigh.com

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MUSIC & ART

MUSIC & ART soon began playing in the Walkhampton Inn. Inspired to form a proper band, they recruited Lauren Carroll, a talented trumpeter, with a background in brass bands and Jonny Payne on drums. After three years of gigging, they have just released their first album ‘A Suitcase full of Shoes’ to great reviews. James, the songwriter of the band has managed to ‘piece a story or message together that can be easily understood or that strikes a chord with the listener.’

Several of the songs do indeed ‘all tell their own little tales of the one thing that hits you harder than a freight train.’

For example, ‘Love Grows’ was written for friends of James who were getting married and is a bright and cheerful song that John Govier likes to play on his Saturday morning Radio Devon show.

Drawn to the Valley have been working in association with the Tamar Valley AONB for several years now, indeed their support was fundamental in the early years of the group, allowing DTTV to go on from strength to strength.

Our members are to take part in an exhibition at the Tamar Valley Centre in May. The exhibition will very much relate to the successful collaborative Harvesting Time Project in 2012.

Preliminary drawings and sketchbooks will be on display to delight and provoke people’s thoughts about the future of the valley and what makes it an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Artists have been asked to create a contemporary piece, which celebrates the history of the valley, its community and heritage. Works may take any format, any dimension, be an installation, a performance, film, fine art, textiles, ceramics, metal, print/printmaking, paint or mixed media. It promises to be another exciting show, which will delight and enthrall the public!

An opportunity to sing choruses from the famous operas, including Carmen and Madame Butterfly, at a workshop with Marcus Alleyne Musical Director of Plymouth Phoenix Chorale Marcus Alleyne took part in his first opera playing the lead role of Tamino in Mozart’s Magic Flute with Sterts Theatre Company at the age of sixteen. He went on to study Music at Plymouth University focusing on choral and orchestral conducting. In the last two years he has taken on the role of musical director for Plymouth Phoenix Chorale and Saltash Town Band, and become resident conductor for Plymouth’s Music of the Night Choral Foundation.

I’m beginning to think they are putting something in the water at Walkhampton.. The number of talented creative types is ..well, anything but normal. And so on to The Normals- 5 musicians living in and around Walkhampton, delighting locals with their ‘pumping brass duo and tight Rhythm section.’ James Hills, Lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, met Tom Chesborough ‘bearded bass player’ and Chris Spreadbury, both former Tavistock College students lead instrumentalist and trombonist, in Walkhampton and

The twelfth Tavistock Festival will be opened on Friday 21st March by the Town Mayor of Tavistock, Cllr Harry Smith, and will be followed by a concert with Stannary Brass Band. The 2014 festival features music to suit all tastes from classical to jazz to folk and includes a performance by the Chamber Ensemble of London as well as a wide range of talented local musicians, with events taking place in almost twenty venues in and around Tavistock over the eighteen days.

The workshop is being held at Congress Hall, Armada Way, Plymouth and costs £12. Registration opens at 9:15am and the workshop will run from 10:00am to 4:30pm culminating in an informal concert from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Copies of ‘Opera Choruses’ will be available for use on the day. Hot drinks and light refreshments will be provided; participants should make their own arrangements for lunch.

As in previous years, the festival is supported by the Arts Trail which covers a number of exhibitions and events over a four-month period at venues around Tavistock, including

Email rosemary101@orangehome.co.uk to book a place.

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Despite having at various times shared a bill with Mad Dog Macrae, The Levellers and Seth Lakeman, you can still often catch them playing, either as part or full band, on Open Mic nights at the Walkhampton Inn. The Normals are some of the many great musicians to be seen locally. (see what’s on section)

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

Google them, buy their album (iTunes or from Walkhampton and Burrator Inns) and whenever possible catch them live before they get too big for their (suitcase full of) shoes. And somebody ought to be bottling that water in Walkhampton. www.thenormals.co.uk Pat Woodgate

the Wharf’s art gallery and café, the Bedford Hotel and The Terrace Restaurant. The Festival concludes with the Drake Lecture at the Wharf which will be given by Professor David Southwood and attended by the Tavistock Festival president, Adam Hart-Davis.

Festival brochures with a full listing of events can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre until the end of March and details can also be found on the Tavistock Festival website www.tavistockmusic.co.uk. The Wharf is acting as box office for many of the ticketed events.

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NATIONAL TRUST

BOOK REVIEW

Review by Simon Church, Book Stop, Tavistock The spring is a great time to get out and about for an exhilarating walk to blow the winter cobwebs away. At Lydford Gorge discover the woodland spring flowers and spot the leaf buds on the trees. The river is fabulous at this time of year as it twists, tumbles and turns through the gorge with river birds such as dippers looking for larvae to feed off in the river. The woodland and river birds are busy nesting and the bird hide provides the opportunity to watch the woodland birds feed and go about their day to day busy. Towards the late spring the sides of the gorge are awash with woodrush, wild garlic (you can smell it too and this spectacle is not to be missed – keep up to date by check our web pages or through twitter and facebook) and bluebells.

A 1984 and a Brave New World for the 21st Century, this is a quite brilliant novel by literary American writer, Dave Eggers.

We have a revised menu at our tea-rooms so pop in and try something different. If you enjoy the outdoors the shop stocks a selection of regatta outdoor clothing and we also sell walking boots, maps, rucksacks, flasks, picnic rugs and walking books.

As with the very best dystopian fiction (Orwell’s 1984 included) this book is as much about the world we live in now as it is a warning of what may occur in the future, but unlike Orwell’s opus, it comes with the odd laugh as well. It is at once a gripping thriller, a savage satire, and a moving tale of human fragility in the face of corporate nihilism.

Set in the near future, the book follows the vertiginous career progression of Mae as she joins West Coast techno giant, The Circle, a corporation just a few years old, but growing exponentially, wielding ever more influence and exercising ever greater power. Seen through the naïve eyes of Mae, we see the wondrous potential of The Circle to make the world a better place, whilst as the objective reader, we see the deeper reality; that unrestrained technological advancement in the hands of unanswerable corporate enterprise will result in a very different outcome.

Photo credit: National Trust

5 Great Reads for the Spring: Stoner by Richard Williams – Recently revived 1960s classic American novel. A favourite among reading groups – Publisher: Vintage; £8.99 Life after Life by Kate Atkinson – Winner of this year’s Costa Novel Award – Publisher: Black Swan; £7.99 Return of a King by William Dalrymple – History of Britain’s ill-fated campaign in Afghanistan of the 19th Century – Publisher: Bloomsbury; £9.99 Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer – This year’s overall Costa Prize winner; a brave and groundbreaking first novel – Publisher: Borough Press; £7.99 Goth Girl by Chris Riddell – Costa Children’s Book Award 2014 winner from the ever reliable Mr Riddell – Publisher: Pan Macmillan; £9.99

.CO.UK

Publisher: Hamish Hamilton; £18.99

A range of bikes, clothing and accessories to suit all needs

WE ARE MOVING! Come and visit our larger shop, with more room for an even better choice.

A wider selection of bikes, an expanded clothing range, more accessories and improved workshop facilities.

Quality Brands, Quality Service and Friendly Expert Knowledge ©

Harrowbeer Mews, Leg O’ Mutton, Yelverton, Devon 01822 258 022 Open 7 days a week. Free parking.

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editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

39

MAISIE’S WALK

MAISIE’S WALK

Continue along from the Burrator Inn (B3212), take the next right and turn 2nd right again into a car park at the top of Yennadon Down. From here, walk south up the hill to the market stone and, as you descend, enjoy the amazing views towards Plymouth Sound, and contouring around the hill, of Burrator Reservoir.

As shown on the map, there are a few variations on this route to be enjoyed, but for this particular one: At the bottom of the hill, join a distinct track, which was once part of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway and the inspiration of the Dartmoor entrepreneur, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, who in 1823, engineered this horse-drawn

tramway to transport granite from the moorland quarries of Dartmoor to Plymouth. With the decline of the granite industry and the advent of steam, it was integrated into the GWR SW line carrying local produce and domestic passengers by train to and from Princetown, including inmates of the infamous Dartmoor prison! Unfortunately, although a vital rail link for many, it proved financially unsustainable and closed in 1956.

Continue along the track with the reservoir to your right where you will eventually meet a gate into the woods, continue on and after a short distance, you will see that the path divides at a small pumping house, from which the Devonport leat,(a man-made channel and a feat of Victorian

Nordic Walking, Cycling, Personal Training

KEEP FIT ON DARTMOOR For groups and individuals, workshops, walks and weekends Like Lovedartmoor on Facebook

Check the website www.lovedartmoor.com for details or contact Elaine 07989 575182 40

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

engineering) delivers its waterflow from the moor into the reservoir. Pick up the lower path alongside the leat, and follow the path along until you reach a small gate onto the road below. Cross the road and continue along the left side of the leat until you join road again, turn left and simply trace the road back up the hill to the car.

Maisie walks with Elaine Sylvester, who is a Dartmoor Guide and Personal Trainer, and teaches Fitness through Nordic Walking, Cycling and Challenge events on Dartmoor.

Working with Individuals and Groups, Elaine organises bespoke and regular events through Love Dartmoor and welcomes enquiries @ www.lovedartmoor.com.

Dogs and Adder Bites

attention if your dog is bitten by an adder, or if you suspect this might have happened.

Adder bites are normally seen in dogs during the spring or summer months, and can be serious if not treated straight away. Adders are the only poisonous snake native to the UK and are commonly found on the moors and on the edge of woodland areas. A bite usually occurs when a dog stumbles across an adder and disturbs it, causing it to bite in self-defence. Bites from younger adders at the start of the season tend to be more venemous than bites that occur in late summer.

Do not attempt to try and suck out the venom. Carry your dog to the vets rather than let him walk as this helps to reduce the spread of the toxin around the body, and try to keep him calm. Treatment involves putting the dog on a drip and administering pain relief, anti-histamines, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, and in some cases a specific adder anti-venom. Cases are rarely fatal, and with prompt treatment most dogs make a full recovery.

Within minutes a bite site can become swollen and painful, and other signs then develop including pale gums, drooling, vomitting and lethargy. If left untreated this can progress to low blood pressure, collapse, increased bleeding tendency, heart damage, brain damage and even death. It is important to seek immediate veterinary www.tavylinks.co.uk

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GREAT ESCAPES

GREAT ESCAPES For those of you un-familiar with Huckworthy, I would urge you to take a little detour one day and include it within a journey to or from Plymouth to Tavistock. It is a small hamlet made up of several pretty little cottages, the old mill and the most picturesque stone bridge and river you would find hard to beat anywhere.

Tucked away not far from the bridge is ‘Leewood’ owned and run by artist Nick Viney (whom we featured within our ‘Local People’ section of the Winter issue of the magazine) and her mother Hazel Viney.

The Vineys own the land along the valley, following the river Walkham, with approximately a mile of river frontage. In order to diversify, Nick has not only opened her new artists workshop but also decided to set up alternative holiday accommodation too - described by Alistair Sawdays Canopy and Stars site as ‘somewhere between traditional safari tents and a sturdy cabin’. The ‘Ark’ as her first tent is known, was so popular last year it was booked solid for the whole summer season and personally I can see why.

Nick now has two tents within the 30 acre site, her second known as the ‘Nest’ with its mediaeval feel – including antique tapestry wall hangings! The tents quite literally hold every home comfort you could dream of and are totally private (each tent sits within its own very private field in the valley.) Bohemian chic, with their enormous super king sized beds laden with fluffy duvet, hand quilted throws (made by Nick’s mother), and cushions – all looking out across the south facing valley to the river, ensuring visitors have no need to surface! Comfy cane armchairs, carved wooden furniture and cosy rugs all add to the rustic beauty of the tents. The interiors are also as warm as toast, thanks to wood burners and the heavily insulated lining of wool blankets. The Ark has a truly romantic feel with its lining of billowing parachute silk – a honeymooners dream!

taking the armchairs out and soaking up the summer sun (we hope!), to a separate kitchen area for open fireside cooking with everything provided.

With all ‘camping’ there comes the issue of cold, cob-webby privvies and icy shower water – no such thing here. Nick has turned one of her outbuildings (a short walk away from the tents) into a purpose built wet room and separate toilet facility - private washrooms with underfloor heating, large mirrors and everything you would normally expect to find from a five star hotel – not a campsite.

Leewood is an ideal base for those wanting to get away from it all and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of its surroundings but yet is right on the moor , with walking tracks and the National Cycle route 274 easily accessible. For those wishing to fish along the river, you may be in luck with trout, sea trout and salmon or perhaps just go wild swimming in the many deep pools. Alternatively, join Nick in her artist’s workshop and enjoy learning a new skill.

So I urge you to not only visit Huckworthy, but to book a break right on your doorstep and discover the true beauty and peace of the area we live in. I’m certainly looking forward to booking a stay – children are welcome and can have their own separate tents pitched in the field - but personally, as much as I love them, I’d quite like to visit without them!

Lizzie Watt For more information visit: www.canopyandstars.co.uk or www.leewood.co.uk

Nick has thought of everything, from a separate verandah for 42

Mark Davison worked as a guide in Africa, Asia and South America and now runs VentureCo in Paddon’s Row, Tavistock. Amongst a broad range of travel activities, VentureCo organises the bi-annual Mongolia Ride for the British Horse Society.

Mongolia is “a long way from Kansas” to borrow a line from the Wizard of Oz; the national sports are unconventional: wrestling, archery, falconry and above all horse racing. The horses are divided according to age (age of the horse, not the rider!) with 2 yr olds racing over 10 miles and graduated distances for older horses up to 17 miles max. The jockeys range from 5 to 12 years old. There is no fixed course, just a starting point and finishing line. Mongolians hold horses in high esteem, matched by their respect for young riders.

From this unstructured racing tradition, the remarkable Mongolian Derby has evolved which involves 35 riders, 850 horse, a 620 mile course and about 52 miles per day.

Brutal!

When is the best time to go? During our summer months: outside June to Sept the weather is harsh.

Family friendly? Yes. If your family enjoys the outdoors, Mongolia is your natural habitat.

Affordable? Expensive to get to, cheap once you’re there.

Traveller’s Tip: stop-over in Moscow and see the city sites en route What about food and drink? fair to say that you don’t go to Mongolia for the food! Fermented mare’s milk and boiled mutton aren’t to everyone’s liking! But seriously – the food is fine and very international nowadays..

Tailor-made Travel

We organise a number of trips each year to Mongolia, usually based around the Nadaam Festival which is an annual extravaganza dedicated to the national sports. We always incorporate a night or more in a yurt; after all, this is the origin of the yurt!

VentureCo speaks directly to yurt

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

owners, horse wranglers, camel cart operators, and guides to put together unique experiences in this remarkable country.

www.tavylinks.co.uk

est 1999

01822 616191

Treks : Rides : Safaris : Beach Holidays Paddons Row, Tavistock 01822 616191 www.ventureco-worldwide.com l mark@ventureco-worldwide.com 43

FEATURE TOTALLY LOCALLY

TOTALLY FEATURE LOCALLY

Traditional Puddings With her puddings literally being transported around the world and enquiries from as far away as Brazil, Tina Hurford spends most of Mondays and Tuesdays stirring and baking her delicious puddings to meet the demand.

Tina started Traditional Puddings with a friend some 5 years ago to fill a gap in the market for homemade desserts. She started out at Lydford’s monthly market and now she runs her stall at Tavistock’s Pannier Market 4 days a week (Wednesday through to Saturday.)

All Tina’s puddings are made in the traditional way - by hand, in small batches and using the finest ingredients, including free range eggs. Her range includes mouth watering flavours such as; Almond with Cherry Sauce, Chocolate Orange, Sticky Toffee, Zingy Lemon and Jam Roly Poly to name but a few. Due to her own daughter’s strict dietary requirements, Tina now produces Dairy Free and Gluten Free options too.

Tina supplies to many local establishments and restaurants and will also supply private parties and events.

Visit her on her stand in the Pannier Market (Wednesday to Saturday) or see her website: www.traditionalpuddings. moonfruit.com, for more information and to order online.

Don’t forget to vote for your next Hidden Gems. Voting sheets can be found all around Tavistock in various establishments or visit the Totally Locally website. www.totallylocallytavistock.co.uk

Pebbles of Tavistock Sarah Renshaw took on the shop, Pebbles of Tavistock over 7 years ago and this lovely gift shop has gone from strength to strength with a loyal following and offering a great treat for passing visitors. Pebbles contains a range of interesting and often unusual gifts at affordable prices, with something to suit everyone. From a stunning range of jewellery, pottery, gifts for men, gifts for children, handbags and gorgeous scarves, as well as a range of perfumes. Pebbles is also the only supplier in the South West, of the exclusive ‘Moorcroft’ collectables.

In 2010 Pebbles won Gift Retailer of the Year, for the South and Wales and Sharon Statton, who works alongside Sarah, 44

has been nominated twice as Employee of the Year. Sarah describes Pebbles ‘as a mini-department store, with an eclectic mix of gifts for all’. Both Sarah and Sharon pride themselves on their welcoming service and encourage people to come in and browse. Their gift wrapped parcels are a feast for the eyes – far too good to open!

Pebbles of Tavistock can be found on Brooke Street, Tavistock.

Tel: 01822 613137 or www.pebblesoftavistock.co.uk

editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

www.tavylinks.co.uk

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BUSINESS

IT FAQs

BUSINESS Gidon from The Technology Company answers your technology questions

Q. Fibre broadband is now available in our area.

Is it worth upgrading and is the upgrade process straightforward?

Fibre broadband provides much faster download and upload speeds. If there are a number of household members wanting to stream films and music at the same time this can be a real advantage. If you only have one computer and a decent speed already, you may not notice the difference. The faster upload speeds are useful for sharing files or backing up your data to the Cloud for example.

The process for upgrading to this new service still varies amongst suppliers. You’ll need a new modem or router and in many cases an engineer’s visit although some ISPs offer a lower speed self-install option.

Q. How do I protect my computer, router and other electrical equipment from power surges?

Many electrical devices have delicate components that are sensitive to power surges, often caused by thunderstorms.

We recommend connecting these devices to surge protectors

News from Geoffrey Cox MP

Fairer funding for rural areas

which cost only a little more than a standard 4 gang extension lead. You’ll need one with a telephone input for your router. We’d still recommend unplugging sensitive equipment from the mains and telephone if there is a storm in your area.

Q. How do I edit and playback HD video from my camera or camcorder?

Import your videos into the free Windows Movie Maker (http://tinyurl.com/ttcgetmov) on a PC or iMovie on a Mac. Move the playhead to cut sections from the video and press M to split the clip in Windows and Command-B on a Mac. Then delete the sections of the video you don’t want. You can then add enhancements like transitions and titling to the video if you desire. One of the easiest methods to produce and share the video is to upload to YouTube. Choose this option from the Share menu.

If you have any questions now or for a future column, and for all previous articles, please visit thetechnologycompany. co.uk/linksqa.

Securing fairer funding from the Government for rural areas such as Torridge and West Devon has been a key aim of mine since I was elected to parliament in 2005. Historically rural areas have suffered from underfunding for basic services, and I have challenged both this government and the last one, to close the gap between the funding given to rural and urban communities.

Devon is the sixth lowest funded council in England, based on funding per pupil.

Devon’s Schools Block funding rate per pupil for 2013-14 was £4,156 compared to a national average of £4,550. Under the new policy, Devon would receive a total of £41m more than we currently do to the direct benefit of children here. The Government has said that it will introduce a new national funding formula, and I will be advocating for an early move to this, as I anticipate that it can only be fairer than the current arrangements. This will reduce the relative hardship that Devon’s schools face in their funding per pupil.

It is my hope that this, and many of the editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

Geoffrey Cox MP

At the moment councils in rural areas are allocated less money to pay for the costs of services, although often they are more expensive due to the very nature of the rural environment. I have taken delegations from both Torridge District Council and the Devon Country Council to meet with the Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles and the Communities Minister, Brandon Lewis MP over the past 18 months. Progress is slow, particularly at a time when our countries finances are tight, but at last the unique challenges faced by rural communities in providing services seem to be acknowledged.

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has set out his intention to introduce a fairer, more transparent, national funding formula for schools, in order to address what he has described as opaque, inconsistent and unfair differences between areas.

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other measures being taken by the Government, will help to minimise the gap in funding between rural and urban areas, and I will certainly continue to campaign for this.

www.tavylinks.co.uk

Based in Crapstone, we are a visiting computer “help” service. We come to where the problem is, which is usually the best way to fix things; it certainly beats lugging the culprit down to us to be told the fault is not there! We are now in our 10th year so we have a wealth of experience in repairing just about anything and setting up new equipment too.

We sell computers and laptops from recognised major manufacturers; we do not “build” computers and we do not sell secondhand “reconditioned” equipment. Our normal service will provide you with your choice of computer and our expertise to transfer everything from the old machine to the new one including set up of email accounts and printers.

We also sell Microsoft Office software at High Street prices and we recommend, sell and install Norton Anti-virus, but we are happy to install an alternative if you prefer.

Our new service is low cost teaching, which is provided by Carol our Office Manager at a time to suit, but generally in the afternoon. This takes place on your computer in your home or place of work and is at a much cheaper rate than a technician’s visit.

The office is now open until 3pm most days, so give us a call

Fluent in Macintosh as well as Microsoft

www.chezvouspc.com & help@chezvouspc.com 47

BID UPDATE

An update from Tavistock BID

IN MARCH & APRIL

South West In Bloom

2013 saw Tavistock receive a Silver gilt pennant award at the South West in bloom award ceremony. This year Tavistock Bid are leading the campaign to grow4gold! in the main awards.

Working with local councils, community groups and schools to ensure our entry is the best it can be. Aside from the main Town award there are other categories such as best floral business, best floral industrial estate and best floral pub.

There is also an opportunity for neighbourhood groups to enter In your neighbourhood awards for more information of how to get involved please email info@tavistockbid.co.uk

Donation to be made directly to

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT Make an appointment contact WW&J McClure Solicitors on 0845 177 0014 or email contactus@mcclure-solicitors.co.uk Quote Macmillan Mar/Apr 14 or visit them at www.mcclure-solicitors.co.uk

Tourist Information Centre

Tavistock Bid have been working hard to save this service for the Town. We are pleased to announce that there will be a Tavistock information service within the Post office. Building work will take place in March and it will open Tuesday 1st April. The unit will hold all current information and will continue to offer tourists and locals the vital source of information to help them experience the best Tavistock has to offer.

Tavistock Bid are also running 3 ambassador programs for business owners and staff to learn about the heritage, FAQs from the TIC and each others services. They will be provide with ambassador badges and window stickers to show that they can help. Bid will be publicising this to coach companies, other information centres and through social media.

Cycle racks

We are currently seeking agreement from local authorities to put in new cycle racks across the Town. The racks are being provided by DCC. With the increase in cyclists visiting the area we need to ensure they have a safe place to stop and explore our town.

Signage

Tavistock Bid and local authorities are working on implementing 2 new signs to help direct vistors to shops in the perhiroral areas. Designs are being agreed and relevant permissions. We hope to see this in place for the Summer.

Events

Easter egg hunts, cream teas and community days are a few of the events planned for this year.

For more information see www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/ or facebook event-full tavistock twitter @Tavistockbid

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HISTORY

The Tamar Valley Flower growing started around 1880 – with its ideal location protected from the northeast winds, good rainfall, the southern slopes in the summer can reach steady temperatures of 70*f providing ideal conditions for the steep slopes to be covered in swathes of daffodils, grown especially to provide early season cheer for the London market.

Mr Jackson of Clamoke Farm, Bere Alston displayed in Devonport Market (the main market of the time), some Double White flowers which had been growing at his farm. The Double White was a sport of the flower ‘Pheasant Eye’. It took some 30 years to get enough bulbs to commence commercial growing of this flower.

The Double White was a beautiful Narcissi with a lovely perfume. It flowered around the second week in May and was always a very good seller in the markets.

When I started work at Calstock Station on the 4th April 1949 flowers occupied more acres than fruit. Flowers became more and more in demand due to birthdays, anniversaries etc. At this time it was estimated some 500 acres were in bulb cultivation.

In the 1950’s large amounts of Anemones were also grown.

On average in a season around 350,000 packages were despatched by rail to up country markets. Daffodils started in February followed by Double Whites then Strawberries and Raspberries up to early July. Anemones were despatched September to December . For some extra money some would pick Primroses and send these off in small boxes - at times some good pocket money could be earned.

The Railway was no doubt responsible for helping to develop the industry. In the 1950’s some £500,000 income resulted for the growers.

At this time all the flowers were sent in open bunches where as today flowers are sent in bud bunches. Flowers picked in the gardens were taken to packing houses where the flowers were readied for despatch. Often there would be fires in these houses in order to help force the flowers to open The Southern Railway Staff magazine of September 1949 remarked ‘ The Tamar Valley growers have had a most successful season, both fruit and flowers being heavy. The following des50

HISTORY

to the top of the garden by means of an earth scoop.

During the war many gardens were ordered to produce food crops. Flower bulbs had to be dug up and many were thrown onto hedges. Today there is still much evidence of this, for in spring time the hedges in the area are covered with daffodils.

Ministry officials inspected gardens to ensure food crops were produced.

Later growers and farmers planted leveller fields where tractors could be used and bulbs could be ploughed in. This quickened planting and cut down labour.

Alhough some fields were replanted after 1945 with new varieties, the trade declined in the 1960s and only local shops were then supplied.

With thanks to: Margaret Willmott and Frances HowardPearce.

Much of this text has been taken from John Snell’s memories.

For further information on this subject please contact John Snell at johnsnell1@sky.com patched from Gunnislake, Calstock, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers and Tamerton Foliot.

Number of boxes of flowers sent Number of boxes of fruit sent Passenger Vans despatched Number of special trains run

138228 240564 590 29

The variety of flowers was written on the boxes In London there were three markets, Covent Garden, Spittalfields and Borough Market. All London traffic was delivered by road to the markets from Waterloo station. When I was Booking Clerk at Bere Alston station I would have to send a telegram to Waterloo station advising the amount of traffic coming forward. The advice would be sent at about 6pm and the Flower vans would arrive at Waterloo at 3.48am the following morning. Growers were allowed a weekly credit account and bills were sent out on Fridays and would be paid the following week.

A large number of gardens were on steep slopes of the Tamar Valley. This meant the work had to be done by hand. The ground had to be ploughed using a Syracuse Plough, which was driven by a winch at the top of the garden, power being supplied by a motor vehicle. The bulbs were then planted 3 at a time 7ins apart. A Dibber would be used. The bulbs were planted 6 to 7ins deep. At times earth had to be brought back editorial@tavylinks.co.uk

Traditional living in a modern world

Make your home amazing www.thedartmoorstovecompany.co.uk Unit 6, Crelake Ind. Est., Tavistock 01822 614206 www.tavylinks.co.uk

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FOR ALL YOUR BATHROOM AND TILING NEEDS 52

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Find us on FACEBOOK 53

LAST WORD LAST WORD

Last year and the year before that I took part in the 10 Tors Challenge, walking the 35 mile route representing Tavistock and District Outdoor Education Forum. I can highly recommend signing up for the event, as it has undoubtedly changed my life for the better – making my teammates and I stronger people, both mentally and physically. Here are some extracts from my diary (yes, I write a diary!) from the training and event in 2012.

Sunday 5th Feb, first training walk – 9 miles: We sang inspirational Disney songs to keep us motivated. The moor looked so beautiful; however I am quite certain that the boys did not appreciate our wonderful voices spoiling the scenery...

Sunday 19th Feb, 12 miles: The frost was still on the grass when we began to walk and it looked like everything was covered in glitter. Absolutely breathtaking. Mum could barely lift the rucksack today and my toenail kept being bashed inside my boot and has promptly given up the ghost and turned black. How considerate.

Sunday 4th March, 15 miles: Very windy, cold and snowy.

15 miles is a long way when you’re practically walking at a 45 degree angle. The moor is so bleak, yet so beautiful. It was a good test of my map reading skills and is a genuine achievement that nobody died – my feet look like slabs of meat.

Sunday 17th March, 18 miles: Think the weather may have broken my Gore-Tex coat – it rained so hard, even the ducks cannot have enjoyed it. I am now nursing a blister the size of a 50p piece.

Sunday 1st April, 21 miles: A very exciting part of the day was when a teammate twisted her ankle very badly and the air ambulance flew in to rescue her – we were in the middle of nowhere. The paramedic was rather heroic, I have to say!

Saturday and Sunday, 14th and 15th April, 28 miles: 10 miles on the first day, a game of catch the rucksack over a river, tuna pasta bake boil in a bag for tea, 2 hours sleep and ice on our tents in the morning followed by a further 18 miles over frozen tussock grass. A distinct lack of toothbrush: idiot.

Saturday 28th April, 23 miles: Thick freezing fog prevented us from camping (have to say that I’m not too disappointed...).

Rucksack up to 15kg with kit. Tor recognition was not too bad, considering the visibility levels.

THE EVENT: 12th and 13th May: Our course was J1010, which is basically an anti-clockwise circle covering the north and south moors. We awoke on Saturday morning at 5am to delightful, if a tad loud, inspirational music, starting with 54

Chariots of Fire. As the starting cannon blew, 3 helicopters flew over the thousands of walkers like an epic film shot and at this point I realised that it was actually real; even the weather felt motivational. Bright hot sun, blue sky and no wind meant that navigation was easy, however this contrasted with the real and serious issue of dehydration.

The adrenalin kicked in and we scampered around the course arriving at our 8th Tor exhausted, but with enough time to rest for an hour at the bottom, quenching our thirsts and cooling off in the river. The evening plan was: tents up, eat tea (more boil in the bag), pierce blisters then sleep. On the second day my raw blisters and black toenails, bruised hips and collar bones were all strapped with tape, padding and plasters before heading off at 6am. With tears of pride pricking in my eyes we finally crossed (I limped) the finish line at around 11, surrounded by cheering crowds and smiling faces. I’m writing two days later and the plasters have ingrained themselves into my skin. Am very proud of myself though.

However much hard work it was, it must have left a pretty good impact. I repeated the event in 2013, but this time as a Leader. But that’s another story.

My favourite moment of the event was when we had just ran up the steep side of Black Tor and had 4 minutes to get our card stamped to pass through. Unfortunately there was a huge queue of people also waiting. I called out to them that we were very pushed for time and if I could please jump the line. They all stepped aside without thinking. This example of extreme kindness and consideration of others is a prime illustration of the true 10 Tors spirit.

Floss Williams Aged 16

The sheer effort to which you owe your success can be EXHAUSTING You value all the comfort and support you can get in order to keep going

And now winter with its extra pressures is just around the corner.

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