Ogwell Parish Magazine - April/May 2024

Ogwell Parish Magazine

I’m not a year round open water swimmer, like other people I know, but I enjoy a dip once the winter cold is past. It’s become a risky business though! It’s wise to check the Surfers Against Sewage app for sewage pollution before braving the waves. There are increasing reports of people getting sick after entering the water, whether inland or coastal. Sadly, the rivers and coastal waters in Devon and Cornwall are among the most polluted in the country. Water companies are a big part of this problem and South West Water is no exception. In fact it is the lowest ranked of all for environmental performance and has been for years. It also performs poorly on leakage, has one of the highest debt levels (per household), and extracts the highest charges from its captive customers. Last year it paid a dividend of £112 million to shareholders (full disclosure, I own one share), an 11% increase on the previous year. Plenty of people shout about all this, which helps to raise awareness but has yet to lead to any change for the better. It’s not just water companies polluting our waterways of course. Agricultural and road run-off are big problems, and round here, pollution from old mine workings is another contributor. It is one of the reasons for the River Teign not achieving ‘Good’ water quality status. Perhaps local people can move the dial. Groups such as Friends of the River Exe are working to bring people and organisations together to make change happen. A similar initiative is underway for the River Teign and its tributaries, linking anglers associations, a proposed project to deal with mine waste, and a project that aims to work with landowners to reduce farm run-off and on natural flood management. Let’s hope it bears fruit.

Pauline Wynter, Editor, opmeditorial@gmail.com

Felted robins to be hung on apple trees in the wassail

Drama in 1930s Ogwell: Can You Help?

On Friday 5th February 1937, Ogwell Women’s Institute put on Number Sixteen, a play specially written by branch member Miss Dickins. How that came about is an interesting story. But to tell it fully, we need to know more about the women involved. Who were they, what did they get out of it, and what was it like to take part? Family stories, old diaries, albums, letters and photographs might help us know. And perhaps you know where to find them... The performance was the result of weekly classes delivered to Ogwell WI by Barbara Watts, a young Oxford graduate employed by the University College of the South West as part of its Rural Education Scheme, established in 1934. It was one of several schemes to bring adult education into rural areas between the world wars. Drama was understood to be a good way to do this. Local approaches were handled carefully. The RES first contacted a Mrs Riddle in September 1936. She referred them to Miss Dickins who recommended tactfully approaching Ogwell WI President Mrs Valley, who called a meeting. We know something of the Ogwell classes from Watts’ few surviving reports at Devon Archives. For the first, on 24th October 1936, she had planned a mix of discussion and ‘miming and impromptu acting’. After she had read them a one-act play as illustration, they discussed ‘the elements which go to make up a “thriller”’ with ‘enthusiasm and intelligence’ But they ‘steadfastly refused’ to leave their seats,

Cover to programme of first NFWI Drama Festival

continuing the discussion

‘behind a barricade of knitting’. But on 7th November, discussion of movement on the stage persuaded one or two ‘to try walking about and sitting on chairs’ and, despite initial bashfulness, the class asked for more practical work. By the next class they were becoming ‘extremely expressive’ in miming and improvisation.’ Over a few weeks, ‘really good work’ emerged from this group of eight, ‘sincere, and full of genuine emotion’ and with ‘keen-witted’ discussion; and the group devised small scenes.

The performance of Number Sixteen, with scenery and props selected by the group, was ‘a great success’.

The group had learnt about how plays work through a mixture of discussion and practice, and begun to create drama themselves – all in six weekly classes. It sems unlikely that acting was new to them. Drama was a core WI activity, from sketches in the social half-hour to the drama festivals and competitions that began in 1928. But it would be good to know just what these particular women had done – and went on to do – and how drama worked for Ogwell WI over the decades.

Mick Wallis is writing a book about the promotion of drama in rural adult education in England 1919-39 and would be delighted to hear from you if you have any material or information to share.

Contact: Mick Wallis / pcumw@leeds.ac.uk /

07813 708866 / 1 Oldfield Lane, Clayton West, Huddersfield HD8 9NT

D Day 80th Anniversary

Ogwell Parish Council and Ogwell Events Committee proudly present: Ogwell’s contribution to the International Tribute to the largest naval, air and land operation in history, an event being celebrated across Europe and around the world.

Including National Fish ’n Chips Day and In conjunction with Canada Hill School

Date: Thursday 6th June 2024, 18.30 - 22.30

Venue: Ogwell Village Green some seating available but please bring your own

Timetable

18.30 Food stalls and bar open, fish ’n chips, vegetarian, hot & cold drinks, etc

20.00

20.30

The D Day Schools Poem

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

21.15

Songs from the time - Ogwell Choir

Beacon Lighting & Tribute Reading, Ogwell Parish Council & Ogwell Events Committee

21.30 Celebrations continue with music

Ogwell display

As part of what happens we would like to produce an Ogwell display related to the events of 1944. If your family has any connections, whether family members living in Ogwell at the time or elsewhere, we would like to hear from you. A short or longer account of the person’s involvement along with a photo or two would be perfect.

We would not want to have original copies of anything and hopefully you would be able to take a good quality photo of a photo etc or we could call round and do that for you.

Whatever ideas you have please get in touch. Thank you.

Support

We would like to thank Jaspers Event Caterers, the Emergency Food Truck and Mane Events for their support.

There were more than 400 people at the Platinum Jubilee event in 2022 and we hope to see you again for this special occasion.

Please walk to the venue, or for those needing assistance drop off and park well away from the green.

Ogwell Parish Council

ogwellcommunityhubltd@gmail.com

What’s On at the Memorial Hall

2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the Hall’s first use as a combined school for East and West Ogwell, and then as the Memorial Hall we have today.

Help us celebrate!

We would love you to help us compile a display of any material (on careful loan) that reflects the history of the building, as well as sharing any memories you or your family may have of attending the school ( not necessarily quite as far back as Victorian times!) or taking part in the early activities when the Memorial Hall was first established in 1959. We want to celebrate, remember the past, and also acknowledge the contribution the

new school and current activities in the Hall make to the life of the community now. The event will be held on Saturday, 6th July at the Hall, starting at 2pm. We hope it will include a visual display, sharing of memories, and, if we are lucky, an afternoon tea. Canada Hill School Choir have also promised to come and sing a few songs. But the exact content will be determined by what you can offer to support the event. Further details in the next edition of the magazine. Any offers of help/information to me please via 01626 369478 or email: petane@outlook.com

Anyone for table tennis?

This month’s focus is on our table tennis group which meets weekly, every Wednesday, 79pm. Open to all, it costs £2.50 each, including use of bats / balls. We have 3 tables. Further details from me, or just pop along one Wednesday evening and take a look. Alternatively, our Wednesday afternoon Table Tennis group, meets for some table tennis, chat and tea/coffee on the first Wednesday of the month, 2-4pm for the same charge.

Contact details

If you are interested in holding a family event at the Hall, or piloting a new group, in either of our bookable spaces, please contact our Booking Clerk for further details and/or a preliminary visit to the premises:

Carla Glanville, tel: 07977 281335 or email: carlaglanvilleomh23@gmail.com

Peter Farrell, Secretary, Ogwell Hall Committee

Vacancies, Biodiversity, Portrait

Parish Council Report for February and March 2024

We have a new Parish Councillor since I last reported on the Parish Council’s activities and are very pleased to welcome Susie Harrison to the team. Susie is also involved with the Shop Project and we look forward to working with her in the future. This still leaves two vacancies to bring the Parish Council up to its full complement of 10 Councillors, so if anyone is interested, please come along to a Parish Council meeting, which are always open to the public. Attending a meeting will give you a good idea of what the Council does and what is involved in becoming a Councillor. It also gives you a chance to meet the Councillors and the Clerk, who will be happy to answer any questions.

The Council has recently been considering a Biodiversity Policy for the Parish, which under government legislation, we are obliged to do. Ogwell has in a way anticipated this legislation by the formation of Ogwild, which in recent years has been instrumental in wild flower areas, tree planting and generally encouraging biodiversity. So, we feel we can already tick many of the boxes and Ogwild will carry on the good work with the thanks of the whole Council, as well as the parishioners who benefit from the efforts of the Ogwild team.

The Parish Council has decided to take up an offer from the government to receive a free portrait of King Charles III, which the Memorial Hall Committee has agreed will find a space at the Hall. I know we are not all royalists, but the majority of the Council felt it would be nice to acknowledge our new monarch in a public building. The royal

family don’t seem to be having the best of publicity at the moment but we hope noone will take exception to this decision. The Shop Project, mentioned in the last magazine, is still under consideration and those involved have been encouraged by the positive responses to the idea of a community shop and so the team involved will continue to explore options and funding sources. The fate of the Jolly Sailor is less certain at this stage. We are nearly three years down the road since the disastrous fire and still no decisions have really been made by the brewery as to the way forward. We can only wait and see. The next Parish Council meeting will take place in the Memorial Hall on Monday April 8th at 7pm and as always we welcome parishioners to our meetings.

Rita Hannaford, Clerk, ritahannaford@btinternet.com clerk@ogwell.org

Football, Polytunnel, Manners

Delphine Knott, Headteacher, Canada Hill School

It’s been a while since Canada Hill lifted the Doel Cup football trophy but the wait for silverware has finally ended. Out team battled through the tournament of 20 local primary schools without losing a game and made the final against Hayes School from Paignton. The final game was tight all the way and ended in a draw, which meant the match had to be settled by penalties. Hayes were up first and unfortunately missed their first shot. This put our boys in the driving seat and they managed to put all their penalties in the net to win the trophy. We are delighted to have won, but even more delighted by the way the boys reacted to the win. Their first thought was to console the opposition and in particular the young man who had missed his penalty. They played fairly throughout the tournament and represented our school values in everything they did. Well done boys!

A great start to our new Fork to Plate initiative

We have been lucky to receive £4,000 grant funding to erect a polytunnel in the school gardens. The idea is that our KS1 children can grow a variety of plants in the polytunnel and school garden as part of their Woodland School time with Mr Bartlett, and our KS2 children will also help grow food and maintain the gardens with Mr Kirkham’s Gardening Club at lunchtimes. The polytunnel has now arrived and been installed on the patch of land that parents and staff cleared on our last Grounds Morning and children have already spent time in the polytunnel planting tomatoes, sunflowers, broad beans, peas, courgettes and peppers, even when the rain has been pouring down outside. Watch out for our plant sales at the school gates in the next few months!

We have also been given two wonderful apple trees by Ogwild to add to our growing orchard which is in and around the garden area – so we may have to wassail these trees next year. There is also a bird box with a solar powered camera winging its way to us in the next week or so which is very exciting.

A defibrillator is now available at the school

There is now a cabinet on the outside of the school building with a community defibrillator in it. We have been fortunate to get funding for the cabinet to keep such a crucial lifesaving device dry, warm and most importantly, available. Thank you to the local charity, Jay’s Aim.

Chefs in schools

We are about to begin working with the school lunch charity Chefs in Schools, who are helping us transform our school lunches with lots of training support for our kitchen staff. Menus and systems will be adjusted over the next few months to include far more fresh and local produce (some from our garden and polytunnel). The aim is to encourage children to try a wider variety of food so their lunchtimes become part of their food education.

Celebrating beautiful manners

We have been working on manners in the Dining Hall at lunchtimes since Christmas. Children are encouraged to be calmer whilst eating their lunch and a noise meter has been added to the hall wall so we can all see when we reach an agreed noise limit. Children are also being encouraged to use their cutlery correctly and our younger children are now supported by our Year 5 and 6 Lunchtime Buddies who give up some of their own playtime to lend a hand.

Children who are seen by staff to be showing lovely lunchtime manners can then be added to a list on the wall which grants them an invite to the Top Table. When the list is full we set up a Tob Table experience on a Friday where all the listed children get to sit on the Top Table and eat their lunch with teachers from their year group and have a few treats as well.

New Interactive screen donations

We now have two new interactive screens in school. One was purchased by the school to trial the screens and the other has been generously donated by a parent’s business. The screens remove the need for projectors in the classrooms, which are hard to see on sunny days. They are easier for the children to read and interact with, and replace the old smartboards on the walls, which are no longer fit for purpose. If you know of anyone who would like to help us put more screens in Canada Hill classrooms, either by sponsoring a whole screen at a cost of £1,500 or part of the total price, please get in touch with head@canadahill.org.

Ogwell Garden Society

Report for February / March

The society met for its AGM in February. The speaker for the evening had cancelled due to covid so we were lucky to be able to get Saul Walker, who should have been coming in March, to cover the evening. Saul chose the group of flowers named Proteaceae, wonderful, extravagant flowers mainly from southern hemisphere locations such as Australia, South Africa and South America. The UK mainly imports these as cut flowers but we are starting to grow some varieties here. Saul showed us many varieties of tall tree shapes and bushes. A very colourful and informative evening.

The Stem of the Month was won by Beatie Brooking - Hellebore; 2nd Liz Saunders - stem of Daphnie; 3rd Geoff Ashton - Hellebore.

Our March meeting featured Tim Ellis, horticulturist, nurseryman and botanist, who gave an interesting talk on vegetables. He said you can grow vegetables in pots, flower beds, raised beds or window sills and the best and easiest way to grow them is the‘no dig’ method. This is to encourage nature to do its own thing and let the soil develop on its own without disturbance. All you have to do is place different layers of mulch on top of the ground, this can be cardboard, grass cuttings, straw and newspapers, and leave it over winter. It will rot down naturally and you can then plant straight into it. When your vegetables are growing you can spread more mulch around them to keep them moist and keep the weeds at bay. He went on to explain about a variety of different crops and how to look after them. If you want to encourage more bees into your garden try planting more blue flowers the bees love them. A great presentation.

Winner of Stem of the Month was Jayne Warriner - double yellow Hellebore;

Fitzgerald - Snakeshead Fritillary; 3rd Liz Saunders -

The next meeting is on 10th April at 7.30pm and will be an illustrated talk by Caradoc Doy, horticulturist, on ‘Plants Behaving Badly’. At the meeting on 8th May Hutch Houseplants of Exeter will talk on house plants and there will be plants for sale. All welcome. £3.50pp or £5pp non-members, including refreshments.

Christine Ashton, Secretary

2nd Richard

large pink Camellia.

Banksia coccinea of the Proteaceae family is a shrub or small tree reaching up to 8m in height found along the south west coast of Western Australia.

down in April, but we are pleased to say he will still join us for services in Ogwell. Our thanks to Michael for all his hard work looking after St Bartholomew’s over the last year. We will be electing a new churchwarden for St Barts at our Annual Parishioners meeting in April. This is then followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (much like an AGM in a business) for the Parish of Newton Abbot and Ogwell, which includes all five churches in the parish. Parishioners are welcome to attend the meeting, which will take place at 7pm on 15th April at St Paul’s Church, Newton Abbot.

Looking after our building

We are battling with a few ongoing issues at present, including a leak in the roof (potential expensive valley gutter replacement) and a leak in the tower causing the electrics to short, not helped by the extraordinary amount of rain over the winter. Hopefully the weather is about to take a turn for the better with the onset of spring! Thank you to those who do so much to help look after our church building, many are regular church goers, but others help because they appreciate the history of the building as a local landmark. To those who weed, tend to the churchyard, clean inside, arrange flowers, decorate for special services, take away rubbish, provide refreshments, wash up and so much more- you know who you are - it is much appreciated, thank you!

New beginnings and a warm welcome

Hopefully at time of reading many of you will have been able to join us at one of our Easter services, but please remember you are welcome to any service, just turn up and you will be warmly welcomed. Perhaps Easter and the coming of Spring, with its promise of new life, provides an opportunity to come along for perhaps the first time, or perhaps you are returning to church after a period of absence - it does not matter - we will be pleased to see you wherever you are on your faith journey.

Samantha Simmons: stbartsogwell@gmail.com

Newton Abbot and Ogwell PCC

Tiny, Stripy And Green

This time of year gives a last opportunity to see flocks of Siskins in the Parish. They are common birds but seldom seen. In winter they flock in Alder trees and fill the air with their twittering and creaking song. It’s likely that you will hear Siskins before you see them, as they are tiny, stripy and green, and perfectly camouflaged when in trees. It’s possible to know that there are more than 20 of them in an Alder tree and not be able to see a single one until one moves. They are easier to see in Spruce forests because their yellow rump shines brightly and contrasts with the gloomy forest.

They are at home in coniferous and mixed woodland and their breeding range has gradually spread southwards from the forests of Scotland with the spread of conifer plantations and the provision of peanuts in garden bird feeders. Their visits to gardens can be erratic. They are in gardens in greater numbers in years when the Sitka Spruce seed crop is poor than in years when it is good. They are also far more likely to visit gardens on wet days, when the Spruce cones are closed, than on dry days when their natural food source is more easily available when cones are open.

Siskins are active, restless and very social birds which form energetic flocks. They can be mistaken for their much larger cousin, the Greenfinch, but are striped and much smaller and lighter in their movement.

Many male birds will feed their mates as part of their courting rituals but Siskins take feeding each other a step further. Subordinate adults feed dominant members of their flock of the same sex. This all-feeding helps create strong bonds in the flock. Do look out for them.

David Bailey, thehallofeinar.com

A Walk Around Berry Pomeroy

We start our walk from the back of Berry Pomeroy church where there is plenty of parking in the road by the church. St Mary's was built in the 1490s by Sir Richard de Pomeroy and has a fine 40 foot long rood screen. It was the setting for the wedding scene in the film Sense & Sensibility, starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thomson and Kate Winslett. So take a moment to look around before setting off on your walk of about three to four miles. Keeping the church on your right walk along the lane to the main road and turn right and then immediately left along a footpath through the houses of Berry Pomeroy village out to a tarmac lane. Turn left here and walk about 500yds along the lane until you can turn left into Sand Lane (unsurfaced). Part way along this lane take the right turn down a similar track which arrives at a crossroads. Turn right here and walk down to the road where you can turn left. You are now on the John Musgrave Trail. Funds to sign this trail were donated in his will by an active local rambler. Following this will take you to Gatcombe Mill where you fork right and then right again to Netherton.

At Netherton you go left, still on the John Musgrove Trail, and walk through the woods (sometimes muddy) alongside the Gatcombe Brook. At Castle Mill Farm continue onto the tarmac lane alongside the brook. Soon you will get glimpses up on your right of Berry Pomeroy Castle. As the lane curves round past a small lake look out for a signed footpath on your right that will take you gently uphill to the entrance to Berry Pomeroy Castle ( pictured above). Still owned by the Seymour family the castle is administered by English Heritage (see www.english-heritage.org.uk for opening times) and reputed to be one of the most haunted castles in England. There is a cafe and toilets on site (limited opening times) and picnic benches for a well earned break at this point.

Once refreshed, carry on along the castle approach road until, by some cottages, you meet the road. Turn right here and just after a road junction you will see a footpath forking off to your left. Take this footpath down over the field with glorious views of Berry Pomeroy village and the surrounding countryside and it will bring you out in the village opposite to where you parked your car.

Thanks to Patricia from Newton Abbot Ramblers for the idea of this walk.

The Ogwell Rambler

Hats Off To A Joyous Wassail!

The fine tradition of wasssiling , or blessing of the fruit trees, was revived in Ogwell in February in great style. There was a strong turnout featuring many fabulous hats decorated with greenery, flowers, or in other styles. About 200 of us gathered at Canada Hill School, then processed up to the community apple trees near Dawes Close, accompanied by music, drumming and song. The purpose of wassailing is to awake the apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest in the autumn. Wassailing reminds us of the ways people have looked to the land to see that good health, good community relations and good harvests are maintained in the year ahead.

The young apple trees were liberally anointed with apple juice poured from a wassail mug, hung with toast and a felted robin, and awakened with music, song, and plenty of noise.

Canada Hill pupils then performed two songs they had written themselves for the occasion, and the South Devon Wassailers also gave voice. Finally, we all enjoyed Ogwell mulled apple juice and cake.

Thanks to all involved for a great community event.

Particular thanks to staff and pupils of Canada Hill School, Ogwell Events, and the South Devon Wasssailers.

The Ogwild Team

email: ogwild4@gmail.com

or info@ogwild.org

Tennis Club: Free Coaching

Thanks to a generous donation from the Ogwell Summer Fair we are pleased to be able to offer some coaching to any interested Ogwell residents (there is a small charge for club members). We are holding four weekly sessions in April/May for adults and in August for children.

The adult sessions run from Thursday 18th April to Thursday 9th May as below:

Intermediate: 11.00-12.00

Beginner: 12.00-13.00

Please see the poster on page 29 for contact details for coach Madeline Ramsey and book online. This is an ideal opportunity for both adults and children living in Ogwell to experience a fun and healthy outdoor activity for free! Places are limited and the booking details are on the poster.

Junior coaching will take place in August for four weeks on a Tuesday afternoon from 3pm for 5-13 year olds, depending on interest and uptake. This will be free to children living in the village. Please contact Maddie to express an interest in your daughter or son attending this coaching as numbers will be limited. More information will follow in the next issue (May/June).

By the time this article is published, Ogwell Tennis Club will have held its AGM and the new season, which starts on April 1st, will be underway. We welcome new members. Please contact me on 01803 813363 for further details.

Julia Barton, Secretary, Ogwell Tennis Club

Luncheon Club

We look forward to welcoming our regular diners to our monthly Luncheon Club in the Memorial Hall. Our next lunches are on:

• Wednesday 17th April

• Wednesday 15th May

• Wednesday 19th June

The charge is £6 each for a 3-course meal, with coffee included. If you wish to bring your own wine, glasses will be provided. Arrive from 12 noon, we start serving at 12.45pm.

Please phone for further details, or to let us know you’re coming.

The Team: Val Rhodes 366980, Vivien Roberts 437734

Man’s Best Friend Writ Large

Book Review: The Last Dog on Earth, by

Being a dog lover, I was immediately drawn to this book. And it doesn’t disappoint, although if you are of a nervous disposition, you may not appreciate the absolute and wonderful sweariness of Lineker, who is ‘the last dog on Earth’.

Reginald and his dog Lineker live in a tower block on a south London estate. An electrician in life before the world changed, Reginald is a resourceful man who keeps his flat and accessible space clean and tidy and even has a generator to provide power. He’s a forager and manages a decent life, with only Lineker for company. The book cleverly gives Lineker his own chapters, so we can hear what he has to say about what’s going on and how the situation affects him. Of course, he is devoted to Reginald and while he doesn’t understand what’s going on in the outside world, Reg is enough for him.

The opening chapters are funny and drew me in to finding out more about their story. And then it gets more serious. London has been ruined by war; over time, we pick up that there has been an uprising or authoritarian takeover, with residents (when they can be rounded up) required to take suitability tests. Bad things happen to those who fail the tests and don’t ‘belong’ any more.

Reginald’s way of dealing with life is to set himself rules and boundaries and never to step over them. He has a phobia that prevents him interacting with people, so he maintains his safe spaces, alongside his best friend Lineker. He has absolutely turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the reality of the world outside and by pretending nothing has

Adrian J Walker (2017)

happened, he keeps himself and his dog safe.

Reginald and Lineker’s world is thrown into chaos when they help a young orphan, albeit reluctantly and with the reader shouting at him to do the right thing. And then a journey begins, where Reginald and Lineker must face up to the reality of what is going on in the outside world and make decisions that will change their lives forever.

Even though there are any number of end of the world novels in bookshops and libraries, this one is entertaining within the bleakness. It is also thought-provoking: what would you do, how would you cope?

About the author

Adrian J Walker was born in Sydney, Australia in the mid 1970s and raised in the UK. His debut novel, The End of the World Running Club, became an international bestseller and was featured on the Radio 2 Book Club. He lives in Aberdeen with his wife and two children and writes speculative fiction.

The Ogwell Bookworm

Easter Feasting

Dan Farrell Wright

Although fashions and budgets vary, the adventurous epicurean can procure excellent food and wine for Easter.

Let's start with seafood. As an island nation, we are blessed with an abundance of fish and shellfish. Fresh local oysters, native or pacific, are one of my favourites. They are brilliant raw (just add raspberry vinaigrette), or gently grilled. Mussels and clams are another welcome choice. Classic Moules Mariniére is an easy and popular dish. When storing fresh molluscs don't immerse them in a tub of water, instead wrap them in wet newspaper and place them in the fridge.

Then cook quickly with onion, garlic, parsley, white wine and cream.

A crisp and fresh wine is the best for pairing with seafood. Muscadet is always a star, as is Picpoul de Pinet. Domaine de la Combe Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie offers freshness and vitality, with its trademark tingle on the tongue.

Florensac Picpoul de Pinet ‘Soleil’ has strident citrus acidity and a gentle saline note.

Next, seasonal vegetable dishes. The beauty of spicy roast cauliflower, root vegetable korma or ratatouille nicoise, demand a fullbodied white or rosé. These characterful vegetarian dishes will stand-up to boisterous wines. The excellent La Loupe Grenache Blanc offers a mineral and textured white of real weight and distinction. For something more unexpected, Tavel is a powerful, fruit-driven rosé. Domaine Maby Prima Donna is a distinctive blend of Grenache and Cinsault. Tasting of crushed red fruit it belies its 14% ABV as freshness is its hallmark.

On to the main course. Lamb is a traditional Easter treat, especially if you are able to source local spring lamb. I like to bone and roll a leg or shoulder and season well. I pierce the skin and then stud with sprigs of young rosemary, bruised garlic, and drained anchovy fillets. Next, I slow roast, adding a splash of wine or vermouth towards the end. The milieu of strong flavours demands an equally powerful wine. The fabulously rich A Growers Touch Durif is made with the darkskinned grape Durif. It shows blackberry and plum notes with gentle spice, robed in oak. Decant and rest for an hour or so to coax out its myriad flavours. Equally sumptuous is the Peter Falke Signature Alani Syrah from Stellenbosch in South Africa. It is both robust and elegant with notes of cranberries, cherries and vanilla. For a lighter red, plump for Sharpham Pinot Noir, grown on the banks of the River Dart near Totnes. And finally… Pears poached in red wine served with blue cheese make a delicious finale to any meal. Many wines will match this pairing but my personal recommendation is Smalltown Vineyards ‘Rag and Bone’ Riesling. The fresh acidity and floral notes of this South Australian wine are a great match for the combination of fruity pears and salty blue cheese. And, it will certainly be a talking point.

Ogwell ‘Third Agers’

The U3A or 'third agers' is a self-help organisation for people who are retired, semiretired or no longer in full-time employment. It provides opportunities for members to share learning experiences and to pursue educational, creative and leisure activities. Two of our interest groups, History and Armchair Travel, each meet monthly in The Jubilee Suite of the Ogwell Memorial Hall at 1:45pm.

Annual membership of U3A is £25 but you are welcome to attend one of our meetings to find out what we do and how friendly we are! Plus, we can tell you more about the other groups and activities on offer if you decide to join.

Janet – Group Leader History

Mike – Group Leader Armchair Travel

Our meetings for April and May

Wednesday 10th April

History: ‘Kilroy Woz Here’ - stories behind people or places often referred to in everyday speech.

Monday 29th April

Armchair Travel: ‘New England in the Fall’

Wednesday 8th May

History: ‘Before They Pass Away’ a glimpse into the history of tribes across the world and how they are fast disappearing.

Monday 27th May

Armchair Travel: Bank Holiday, no meeting

Not Fake News But The Gospel Truth

There’s a phrase which has become very popular over the last few years: fake news. I wonder if you’ve noticed it.

It began in the US when Donald Trump and his team started using it to question the credibility of media outlets, including the BBC, when they didn’t get the coverage they hoped for. Sadly our own politicians have also begun to use it as a way to avoid answering difficult questions.

Now of course what we read in the newspapers or see on the TV news isn’t always correct. Journalists do make mistakes when reporting facts and, sometimes deliberately, they skew stories to suit their own agendas or to attract more readers. But by and large we benefit from a free and reliable press and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Plenty of people look at the gospel records of Jesus’ life and ministry and want to call them ‘fake news.’ But actually, the evidence to the contrary is very strong.

When the gospels were written just a few years after Jesus had lived, the disciples of Jesus were ostracised by the Jewish leaders

as heretics, ridiculed by the Greeks (who thought the idea of a crucified saviour was crazy) and often hunted by the Romans authorities as rebels against the emperor. There was no money in it for them and little, if any, prospect of an easy life as a follower of Jesus. Nevertheless the disciples spent their days and risked their lives telling people about Jesus. That was why four of them wrote their accounts down to make it easier to spread the news.

Archie Wilson

And it’s when you read those accounts with this in mind that what hits you is how badly the disciples are portrayed. Anyone wanting to start a religion would surely make the 12 disciples out to be heroes to be admired but the gospels record their mistakes, their squabbling, their jealousy, their weaknesses and their failures for all to see. Why write those things down—unless they were true? In an era when truth is challenged again and again I want to encourage you to believe what you read in the Bible.

Rev Dave Brown, Rector, Newton Abbot and Ogwell

St Mary’s Church and Denbury Folk present….

Maggie Duffy and Bob Thompson

Brixham’sownsinger/ songwriterand her longtimecollaborator cometoDenbury!

Sunday19th May,2pm

StMary’sChurch,Denbury

Ticketsinadvance,£10 toincludeintervalrefreshments.

ContactRachel(07751804007/ rachelbelringer@gmail.com)

“Maggie'sharmonies andBob'sguitarwork areaknockout combination.”

Ogwell Online

Facebook Pages

Here are websites you can visit for information and news about what’s going on in Ogwell. Please get in touch if you think something is missing. You will need a Facebook account and login to access some of these pages. Once you are on facebook.com/ add the rest of the address as below:

Groups/ogwell Open to anyone who is interested in Ogwell

Ogwellparishcouncil About Ogwell Parish Council

Groups/539717592783289 Group for people in Ogwell, Denbury and Newton Abbot surrounding area who want to post items for sale

Ogwellevents About Ogwell events, including the Summer Fair

Ogwild Wildlife group working to help nature thrive in our village

OgwellStayPlay Church run Stay and Play Group

Ogwell-Pre-School-705584722868238

Ogwell Pre-School held in Memorial Hall Fchcanadahill Friends of Canada Hill

Primary School

Groups/486663211713078 For Friends of Ogwell Youth FC

Ogwell-Community-Shop-Project105121014405670/ Groups/2814848585418714 Ogwell hedgehogs group

Website Pages

ogwellparishcouncil.gov.uk Parish council website

ogwild.org Encouraging residents to improve biodiversity around our parish ogwellpreschool.org Ogwell Pre-School canadahill.devon.sch.uk Canada Hill

Primary School countrybusdevon.co.uk/routes/ Local bus timetables

ogwell.wixsite.com/newton-rovers Walks that use the bus to travel or are local

issuu.com/search?q=ogwell Past and current issues of the parish magazine ogwell.wixsite.com/report-it Report potholes, damaged pavements, poor road signs, fly tipping, badly maintained hedges and grass areas, weeds, overflowing bins, dog waste ogwell.wixsite.com/documents Phone directories, reports, plans, maps eathorvertonwebcam.org.uk/ Webcammenu/EAFrameset.html? Holbeam Dam webcam

Please visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk for more information

CONTACTS

Police

NewtonAbbot@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Force Enquiry Centre/Non-emergency calls - 101

Ogwell Parish Council

Chair: Steve Reynolds: 07852 568552 chair@ogwell.org

Deputy Chair: Tim Flower: 07818 210227

Clerk: Rita Hannaford: 01626 367313 clerk@ogwell.org

Councillors

Katy Farrell-Wright: 01626 438799

Michael Lant: 01626 337679

Paul Martin 01626 365624

Pauline Wynter 01626 324921

Tim Carey: 07533 600226

Susie Harrison 07584 033324

Canada Hill Primary School

Head Teacher: Delphine Knott: 01626 335595

Office: 01626 335595

office@canadahhill.org

Ogwell Memorial Hall

Bookings: Carla Glanville: 07977 281335 carlaglanvilleomh23@gmail.com

Ogwell Events

Chair: Ruth Maker

Secretary: Lucy Ash

Treasurer: Catherine Flannery Email: ogwellevents@gmail.com

Ogwell Garden Society

Secretary: Christine Ashton - 01626 364543

Ogwell Luncheon Club

Val Rhodes: 01626 366980

Vivien Roberts: 01626 437734

Ogwell Tennis Club

Chairman: Stella Healy - 01626 906814

Secretary: Julia Barton - 01803 813363

Ogwild

Chair: Paul Martin

Secretary: Linda Chapman

Treasurer: Pauline Wynter ogwild4@gmail.com or info@ogwild.org

St. Bartholomew’s Church

Samantha Simmons stbartsogwell@gmail.com

Parish Office: 01626 211346 office@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk

1st Ogwell & Denbury Brownies

Maggie Lambourn: 01803 812717

Ogwell Pre-School & Toddlers

Admissions: Lisa Horne 01626 365894 ogwellpreschool@gmail.com

Member of Parliament

Anne Marie Morris MP 01626 368277 or 07712 004733

Devon County Council

Councillor: Sarah Parker-Kahn: 07920 003112

Teignbridge District Council

Ambrook Ward Councillors: Paul Parker: 07951 562580 Richard Daws richard.daws@teignbridge.gov.uk

Devon Oil Collective devoncommunities.org.uk/services/devon-oil-collective