Ogwell Parish Magazine - December 2023

Ogwell Parish Magazine

December 2023/ January 2024

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Contents 4

Carols on the Green

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Christmas Church Services Community Shop Update

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Tackling Weeds

10 Memorial Hall Update 12

Parish Council Report

14-15 Canada Hill School 16

Garden Society

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Church News

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D-Day Anniversary

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Luncheon Club / Tennis Club

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Ogwild Update

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Why To Try Yoga

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Ogwell Rambler

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Feed the Birds

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Christmas Wines

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Church Message

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Quiz Night

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Book Review

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Nadsa Concerts

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Why Heat Pumps?

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Ogwell Online

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Recycling Dates Mobile Library

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Index of Advertisers

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Contacts

Welcome to the first edition of the parish magazine to be published by the Parish Council. And thank you to the St Bart’s team who looked after the magazine for many years and has supported its evolution from a small circulation magazine to one that reaches everyone in the parish. You won’t notice much difference in the content or design of the magazine; we will continue to publish all our regular content. Please get in touch if you have any ideas for articles.

As the weather turns colder, thoughts turn to the cost of heating our homes this winter. Without the government support that helped cover utility bills last year, many households will be paying even more than they did last winter, especially with the Price Cap rise from January.

In our household, we’re wearing thermals and pulling the curtains every night, but have also borrowed some equipment to try to work out where we’re losing heat: is it through the windows, the wall, the ceiling or the floor? It will be interesting to see the results, and try to work out what, if anything, we can do about it. I think the exercise will confirm that, sadly, our home is not well insulated enough for a heat pump to be an option for us. Our oil boiler will probably need replacing in the next few years, and I would like the option of going fossil fuel free for heating. Maybe storage heaters will work, although they are not as energy efficient as heat pumps.

We use wood burners to supplement the oil boiler, but I keep reading articles about how much particle pollution they produce, indoors and outdoors. It can be hard to sort out an environmentally friendly form of heating!

With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Pauline Wynter, Editor, opmeditorial@gmail.com

FRONT COVER Frosty fields in Ogwell on a winter morning

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Community Shop Progress Report It’s been a while since we updated you on the Ogwell community shop project. The group that was set up to look at the project has become the Ogwell Community Hub (OCH) group and has registered as a not-forprofit Community Benefit Society with the Financial Conduct Authority.

The group has also taken advantage of an opportunity to bid for government funding through the Community Ownership Fund to bring the vacant shop at 1 Abbotsridge Drive back into use through a long-term lease agreement. The drawing, right, by a local architect, shows how the frontage of this building could be updated if the project is successful.

We have had an initial acceptance of our application and have been asked to move to the stage of developing detailed proposals.

The response to the recent survey on the project was a great help in this outcome, so thank you to the nearly 300 people who took part. The survey showed strong support for the project, with just three ‘not supporting’ and 11 ‘unsure’.

More than 70 people said they were willing to work as volunteers in the shop, and we also received some offers of help with the work needed before a shop can take shape.

This is a key element in moving to the next stage.

The range of suggested products the shop should offer also gave clear indicators of the stock range needed should we be successful.

We will continue to work with Heavitree

The potential restyled frontage of the building at 1 Abbotsridge Drive Brewery toward enabling a community hub/ shop outlet in the Jolly Sailor in East Ogwell, as mentioned in the article in the last issue of the magazine about progress on rebuilding the pub.

We have also rejoined the Plunkett Foundation, which is the national body supporting the running of community shops and pubs, and are taking advantage of a Devon network where ideas and useful information are exchanged. Two of our management team have attended recent seminars.

Finally, we would be delighted to hear from anyone who can offer relevant professional skills and time to help the management team. Please email: ogwellcommunityhubltd@gmail.com with your name and offer.

The OCH team

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Parish Council Tackles Weeds The issue of weeds on our pavements is one that we’d all like to see improved. Devon County Council is responsible for the maintenance of roads and pathways, but will only take action when there is a health and safety issue, usually related to driving visibility.

The Parish Council does not receive income relating to highways and pavements but does want to try to improve the situation. Councillors wish to avoid using herbicides containing glyphosate to control weeds due to concerns about their potential harm to human health and the environment. To that end, the council recently hired a “Weedo” machine from Newton Abbot Town Council and targeted a section of the main road into the village from the A381.

Removing weeds on footpaths is a labour intensive task with or without machinery. The machine was effective but took considerable effort to use. The problems were the extensive overgrowth (see right) on the inside of the pavements and the fact that the grass on the kerbside was soaking and growing in a significant amount of soil, which made the task much harder. We think the job would be easier and more effective in dry conditions.

The overgrowth was from years of inaction and it took physical effort to clear, even with the help of the machine. A total of 10 hours work by the two councillors who volunteered their time for the job achieved a clearance of about 200m of pavement, increasing the width by nearly 50% in some sections.

What next? The parish council does not have the funds to employ people to clear all the areas that need doing around the village, it would cost thousands! So here are some suggestions.

1. As a council we target a set number of areas that do not fall under (2) below and try to do these over a two or three year cycle.

Before the “Weedo” The main areas would be the section already cleared plus the secwork (above) and after tion of Reynell Road on the left hand side up as far as the Ogwell (below) Brook ‘circle.’

2. To support this we would ask every household to clear the area in front of their property, we are not asking you to do the gutters, just that which sits on the pavement surface. We know some of you do this already and it makes such a difference, thank you.

3. We would further ask all owners with hedges, banks, trees or anything that grows out over the pavement area to cut back and maintain a clean line along the pavements.

We welcome constructive comments sent to: ogwellcommunityhubltd@gmail.com

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks

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Contact: Lionel Wheeler (club secretary) on 07940 569117 or the club house on 01626 355224

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What’s On at the Memorial Hall Christmas Lights Event Saturday 2nd December, 5.30pm Concert by Canada Hill School choir Countdown led by Rev‘d Ben Maynard Refreshments available Doors open 5pm If you want a seat, come early!

Don’t forget our latest additions to the Hall’s regular programme: • Social Table Tennis: 2pm, first Wednesday of the month for a relaxed game or two, tea and chat, £2.50. All equipment provided.

• Keep Fit every Tuesday, 4pm (see poster on noticeboards for further information).

• Yoga every Thursday, 7pm (see poster on noticeboards for further information).

Our regular programme:

News and condolences

• • • • •

The new windows have now been installed in the Old School Room at the front, and minor repairs and paint refresh completed in the kitchen, entrance and inner lobby; many thanks to all who have helped.

Further details on these groups are available elsewhere in the magazine.

On a sad note, since the last magazine, we lost a faithful and valued member of the Hall Committee when our long time Luncheon Club representative, and occasional Chair, Jim Holme, sadly passed away. We miss him! Our thoughts and love to Liz and all the family.

Pre-School Table Tennis (Wednesday evening) Garden Society Luncheon Club Quiz Nights (now with the option of a fish & chip supper) • Wine Tastings • U3A History and Armchair Travel groups • Parish Council

If you are interested in holding a family event at the Hall, or piloting a new group, please contact our new Booking Clerk: Carla Glanville, tel: 07977 281335 or email: carlaglanvilleomh23@gmail.com Peter Farrell, Secretary, Ogwell Hall Committee

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Weeds, Fireworks, Remembrance Parish Council Report for October and November Some of you may have noticed that we have used a “Weedo” machine, hired from Newton Abbot Town Council to try to address the increasing level of weeds along pavements and road edges without the use of damaging chemicals. There is a report on the exercise elsewhere in the magazine and the Councillors involved were thanked by the Chairman for their efforts. It seems that what is needed is people power, with residents lending a hand near their own properties to really make a difference. Also, it was concluded, a job for warmer and drier weather conditions!

Bonfire Night was celebrated with the new beacon and also quieter fireworks, which, hopefully, meant that pets around the parish were not too stressed. The event was well attended and the Fair Committee who organised everything were thanked by the Councillors for a successful evening.

The Council received a request from the Memorial Hall Committee for the projector, owned by the Parish Council and occasionally used in connection with planning applications, to be set up permanently in the Jubilee Suite and used more widely. The Councillors were happy to agree to this request and we leave it to the Hall Committee to decide where it should be placed.

A wreath was placed at the Memorial to the fallen of Ogwell in St. Bartholomew’s Church on behalf of the Parish Council and the Remembrance Service took place on Saturday 11th November with two minutes silence at 11am. The names on the Memorial were read out and the Service ended with coffee and cakes decorated with poppies – a really nice idea.

All in all, October and November have been quiet months for the Parish Council, no bad thing when we see what is going on elsewhere in the world. We are now up to seven Parish Councillors, Tim Carey now officially part of the team. We are still looking for three more Councillors so come along to the next meeting if you are interested.

The next Parish Council meeting will take place in the Memorial Hall on Monday December 11th at 7pm and as always we welcome parishioners to our meetings.

Rita Hannaford, Clerk, ritahannaford@btinternet.com

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Zoo Visit, Bookfest, Theatre Delphine Knott, Headteacher, Canada Hill School In early October we took all the children from the school to visit Paignton Zoo as part of the Zoo’s centenary celebrations. The days were a great success with teachers commenting that, at times, it felt like we had the zoo to ourselves. The weather was kind and many children were super excited to travel to the Zoo on double-decker buses. Many of the iconic animals were out and about so lots of the children got a really good chance to see some amazing creatures up close. We were supported by lots of amazing parent helpers who, alongside the school staff, ensured the children had a great day out.

Book Week becomes Bookfest This year we decided to make our annual Book Week a little shorter so that we could pack lots of exciting activities into two or three days in the run up to the Half Term holiday. Our Bookfest began on the Wednesday with a fun-packed visit from the author Simon James (pictured right), who kept the children enthralled with talks about his job and how he creates his books. After school, Simon stayed on and signed copies of his books for the children.

On the Thursday classes started the day with a Book Breakfast.

Classrooms were set up as cafes and children were treated to brioche whilst they browsed the hundreds of new books that had been purchased for the library. It was lovely to see them so excited by all the new books.

Classes then spent the day completing book activities such as creating a board game based on the book the class were reading or turning their own Greek Myths into booklets to be enjoyed in class and at home. All the children brought in their favourite book to share with children from other classes, and teachers read an extract from their favourite book.

On the Friday, the whole school dressed up as book characters and continued to celebrate books and the joy of reading. It was clear from the general excitement in school that our children truly enjoy a good book!

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Wizard Theatre After Half Term, Wizard Theatre came to school and gave three performances of Pinocchio, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. For some children, it was their first experience of a live theatre performance.

Preparing for Christmas School is now fully embracing the Christmas run-up with rehearsals for the EYFS & KS1 and the Year 3/4 Christmas Performances in full swing in the school hall, with some rehearsals after school.

Singing Club are getting ready for their performances in Newton Abbot town centre, local residential homes and the Ogwell Carol Concert, and KS1 in Woodland School are busy making pine cone decorations. It won’t be long before the decorations go up and the excitement really starts to build.

This year, FCH are running Elfridges in school so that children can choose and ‘buy’ their parents a present from the Elfridges store in school using vouchers their parents buy from Friends of Canada Hill (FCH).

FCH are also running their annual collection for HITS foodbank.

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Ogwell Garden Society Report for October / November Our October meeting featured a fascinating talk and demonstration on pruning popular shrubs. Tim Ellis, a former nursery man, brought with him an array of foliage to show the different groups of shrubs and how they differ in the way we prune them. He started by showing us examples of good and poor quality pruners, and advised sterlising them with Jeyes fluid to prevent any infections passing between your shrubs and plants.

Group 1 are shrubs that flower on last year’s growth such as Forsythia and Weigela: prune after flowering by taking any dead, diseased or damaged stems. Take out 1 in 3 stems choosing the thickest and oldest and cut back to about 6 inches, to keep the shrub more compact, and mulch well.

Group 2 are shrubs that flower on new growth such as Buddleia and Fuchsia: cut back by half then right back to lowest bud in Feb/March.

Group 3 are evergreens like Mahonia and Camellia: take out the tallest stems and cut back to a pair of buds and prune back after flowering in spring or summer.

Tim gave us lots of practical tips for trimming plants to make them look more natural and answered many questions from the members.

The Stem of the Month was won by Richard Fitzgerald with a deep double Red Rose, 2nd Sally Bryson – a Cape Gooseberry and 3rd Liz Saunders – a Dahlia.

Richard Fitzgerald opened our November meeting with the sad news that Jim Holme, one of our long- time members, had died, and gave details of the funeral at St Mary’s Church, Kingskerswell. We send our condolences and best wishes to his wife Liz and thank her for all the work that Jim had done for the Garden Society.

Our speaker for the evening was Lori Reich, founder of Shute Farm at Bishopsteignton. The farm produces fruit and vegetables for selfpicking and Lori also attends farmer markets. The talk was called ‘Pumpkins on Parade’ and Lori brought every type of pumpkin and squash you could imagine. She named them all and explained the different types, then offered pumpkin pie, pickles and jams for us to taste. Finally, she made pumpkin and chocolate truffles which were delicious. We were then able to buy her produce. A most enjoyable and informative evening.

The Stem of the Month winners were 1st Orange Rose, Richard Fitzgerald, 2nd Small blue Geranium, Liz Saunders, and 3rd Stem of Holly berries, Geof Ashton.

Our next meeting will be on 13th December at 7.30pm, and will feature a Christmas Photo Quiz by Robert Hesketh followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

Christine Ashton, Secretary

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Church News Another year is drawing to an end already.

We have lots of wonderful services over the Christmas period to which everyone is warmly welcomed. Please see page 5 for details of dates and times. Our annual Christmas Dinner will be taking place in the village hall on 9th December, organised by Stella and her team this year. This is a ticketed only event so hopefully you have yours secured!

Also on the 9th December, we will be decorating St Bart’s for Christmas and would welcome help with this. If you can spare an hour please contact either Samantha or Michael, our Churchwarden, contact details below.

With the old heating system becoming defunct, we have received the go ahead to install some pew heaters in part of the church, for which we have been able to secure a grant to cover the cost. These should be installed by the end of the year before it gets too much colder!

Thank you to everyone who has supported our church over the last year, including coming along to our monthly charity coffee mornings.

Take care of each other, wishing you all a healthy, peaceful and joyful Christmas with all the good news it brings and a hopeful start to the coming year.

Samantha Simmons: stbartsogwell@gmail.com Michael Gillibrand: ogwellwarden@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk Newton Abbot and Ogwell PCC

Church Services in Ogwell Services at St Bartholomew’s will be held on the first and third Sunday of the month at 9.30am. The December dates are 3rd and 17th and the January ones are 7th and 21st.

The Parishes of Newton Abbot and Ogwell The Rectory, Coach Place, Coach Road, Newton Abbot Tel: 01626 335862 Please contact the Parish Office at St. Paul’s Church on 01626 211346 or email: office@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk to arrange weddings, baptisms and funerals 18

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Send Your Ideas and Stories for this Special Celebration Next year the UK will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6th June 1944 with a series of major commemorations and events across the UK and in France.

The government has asked villages, towns, cities and organisations of all sizes to mark the anniversary by lighting a beacon at 9.15pm on Thursday 6th June, followed by an event to commemorate this momentous event in our nation’s history.

Ogwell will be joining in, and as part of the event the organisers would like to produce a display of local connections to the D-Day Landings.

Do you have any connections, whether

family members were living in Ogwell at the time or elsewhere? If so 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 document or photo, or we could call round and take one for you.

Whatever ideas you have please get in touch.

Thank you

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Ogwell Parish Council ogwellcommunityhubltd@gmail.com

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

Ogwell Parish Magazine is published and distributed by Ogwell Parish Council and printed by Wotton Printers in Newton Abbot

• Wednesday 6th December: Christmas luncheon (with complimentary glass of sherry / raffle ticket).

• Wednesday 17th January 2024

• Wednesday 21st February 2024

Please send editorial enquiries and contributions to Pauline Wynter at opmeditorial@gmail.com by the 18th of the month

• Arrive from 12 noon, we start serving at 12.45pm.

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

Please send advertising queries to ogpmadvertising@gmail.com

The Team: Val Rhodes 366980, Vivien Roberts 437734

Tennis Club We held our social evening on 30th September in the village hall. The idea was to gather members together to get to know each other over a a delicious ploughman’s supper and a game of table tennis. We played doubles games with couples rotating so eventually everyone played everyone else. The standard varied greatly but that didn’t matter and good fun was had by all. Many thanks to those who organised the evening and laboured in the kitchen.

Our annual tournament took place at the beginning of October. It’s a doubles match and names are drawn out of a hat so players have no idea who they will partner. Despite this, the Jenners ended up being drawn together and went on to win, beating our secretary Julia and newcomer Terry in the final. Thank you again to the organisers, and especially Julia who runs the complicated chart that eventually produces the finalists.

We always welcome new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us for tennis, or just social events. Membership is £25pa for Ogwell residents, £30 for others.

Contact Julia Barton, secretary, for more information or for a membership form, tel: 01803 813363.

Stella Healy, Chairman

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Apple Juice Bonanza!

The apple pressing day in October, held at St Bart’s, was a great success! The sun shone, there were bags of apples, and many enjoyed taking part, both helping to press and tasting the juice.

With a trailer full of donated apples, we used two machines to crush the apples into pulp (called pumice) and squeeze out the juice. Thanks to the hard working team of volunteers and visitors who came throughout the day there was fresh juice to enjoy and 139 bottles of pasteurised juice for future use. It felt like a real achievement, involving many in our community and using locally sourced fruit.

The idea for this event was sparked by the many Ogwell residents who put bags or boxes of apples outside their homes every year for passers by to help themselves. St Bartholomew’s church provided the perfect venue and Ogwellians responded brilliantly, bringing apples from gardens and orchards, as well as recycled bottles for the juice. The combination of both dessert and cooking apples provided a great flavour balance, and not a chemical preservative in sight!

Thanks to all involved for their help and support. They received pasteurised juice for their efforts, and others had the chance to try the mulled juice at the fireworks event. There will be another opportunity to taste this at the Wassail event planned for Saturday 3rd February. Help us revive this old tradition with a procession from Canada Hill School up to and around the community apple tress near Dawes Close.

Free wildlflower seeds Ogwild is offering free annual wildflower seed to anyone in the village who would like to create a small patch of Poppy (Red), Cornflower, (Blue), Corn Chamomile (White), Corn Marigold (Yellow) and Corncockle (Pinky Purple).

The mixture should grow well on most soil types including fertile soils, although different soils and sowing dates will produce different results. Small packets containing 10g of seed enough to cover 5 square metres - are available and come with ground preparation and sowing instructions. Please contact ogwild4@gmail.com if you are interested.

The Ogwild Team email: ogwild4@gmail.com or info@ogwild.org and visit www.ogwild.org

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Here We Come A Wassailing!

Join the procession from Canada Hill School to and around our community apple trees near Dawes Close Saturday 3rd February 2024, 3-5pm Help us revive this old tradition with singing and ceremony to bring good health to our apple trees and each other for 2024.

With Ogwell mulled apple juice and cake!

An Ogwild Community Project in partnership with Canada Hill School 25

Find Your Inner Calm With Yoga When yoga classes started at the Memorial Hall in Ogwell earlier this year I decided to try them out. I have taken Pilates classes, but have never done yoga and had only a vague idea of what to expect.

Look up yoga online and there are pictures of poses that look challenging, to say the least! It’s easy to think “that looks amazing, but I’m too stiff/ old/ tired/ overweight/ self-conscious…. I can’t do yoga.”

I certainly thought yoga might not be for me as I have limited physical flexibility and little interest in meditation. It turned out the former doesn’t matter, and the latter is just ignorance! The breathing exercises are calming and help clear the mind. As for the poses, I do what I can and that’s enough. One day I might achieve eagle pose (right, standing) without falling over! I have found the classes enjoyable, nurturing and deeply relaxing.

The yoga teacher, Nicci, is emphatic that anyone can benefit from yoga, and offers variations on poses for different abilities. She teaches Yin Yoga, which she describes as slow and calm, allowing time to feel what our body is really telling us. “It is not a fastpaced dynamic exercise class to flow through all the yoga poses,” says Nicci. “Yin is stillness of body and mind with comfort and ease.” Nicci provides props to help you hold the poses and relax into them. You might feel the stretch, but shouldn’t feel any pain.

There are mental and physical benefits to doing any form of exercise, but being a mind-body practice, I have found yoga particularly satisfying. I have even been inspired to find an online class so I can practise daily at home.

Practising yoga is said to aid digestion, lower blood pressure, help you sleep better and manage stress.

That’s in addition to improving your flexibility and muscular strength. There are no guarantees, of course, and you may want to talk to your GP before trying yoga if you have any doubts.

Classes are Thursdays 7-8pm in the Memorial Hall. Join us!

Contact Nicci on 07775 828331. Booking essential, limited spaces available.

OPM Editorial

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A Country Walk in the Heart of South Devon This month's walk starts in the village of Harberton, just south of Totnes, off the A381 Kingsbridge road. You can park for free in the parish hall car park (postcode TQ9 7SD). Be aware that your sat nav may try to take you through some very narrow lanes in the village. Better to just follow the main road into the village until you see a right turn sign posted for village hall and a 'P' for parking. The walk is about 5 miles but a quick study of the Ordnance Survey map will show opportunities to extend the walk if you wish.

Once you leave your vehicle walk down past the parish hall to the road and drop downhill to the main road you came in on. Turn right here and immediately left up a wide unmade track.

Within a couple of hundred yards turn left along a similar path which travels through the countryside to Keys Englebourne Farm. Turn right after the farm along another track that soon opens out with fine views of the countryside. When you reach the road keep straight on until you reach Rolster Bridge. This is a tranquil point to stop for your coffee if you brought your flask.

Keep right here and very shortly you will be able to turn right onto a footpath that runs adjacent to the stream. Part way along this footpath look out for a right turn onto a path that will take you onto a bridge over the stream and up the hill. This path turns into a stony track that continues up hill past Foales Leigh and onto the road.

Go straight on here until you reach East Leigh, where you take a footpath to your right downhill. Turn right at the road and follow it downhill back into Harberton.

Once in the village you can either go straight back up the hill to your car or you might like to take the slight detour to look around St Andrew's church or the more earthly pleasures of the 800 year old Church House Inn (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

We did this walk in November and whilst muddy the autumn leaves were in full colour and a joy to see.

The Ogwell Rambler

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Feed the Birds

Do you have a garden and put out food for the birds? Are you ever worried it might be the wrong thing to do?

Providing food for garden birds is a multi-million pound business. We buy enough bird food to feed almost half of the birds in the UK countryside. Almost half of households in the UK provide food and take joy in the arrival of garden birds, such as Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robins and even Great Spotted Woodpeckers. There’s nothing which brightens your day quite like a tiny, colourful feathered ball enjoying food you’ve provided for it. It’s a wonderful nurturing thing to do, and a great way to involve young people in caring for nature.

House Sparrows can be a gateway drug to hardcore nature conservation and change lives for the better!

Is it a good thing for the birds, though? On the whole, providing fresh food for birds is a massive positive to them. It provides safe, regular food as part of a varied diet. The evidence is that birds don’t become reliant on garden handouts, maintain their normal behaviours, and forage for natural, wild, foods just the same. We enable some birds to survive harsh winters and maintain their populations. Birds which have adapted to garden feeders have expanded their numbers.

What’s the problem, then? Birds need clean, fresh food and mouldy seed is dangerous for them. Birds are seen in unusually large concentrations around feeders and can transfer diseases. It’s important to provide fresh food and clean all feeders thoroughly with soap and water every week. Providing fresh food and clean feeders mean you can sit and delight in the birds which come to visit you safe in the knowledge you are doing no harm.

David Bailey, thehallofeinar.com

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Cracking Christmas Wines!

Dan Farrell Wright

What are you drinking on Christmas day? flavours, while Cru Beaujolais is a more value Here are my top tips, whether you’re serving conscious proposition and will pair equally traditional turkey or something different. well with goose or duck. When looking for a Canapés and Aperitifs: The pop of a cork white, the perfect match is a ripe, lightly from a bottle of fizz will let everyone know oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy the party has started. Crémant makes a Roast Beef: Beef rather than turkey? A bold great alternative to Champagne, it’s made red is an easy partner. South Africa’s using the Champagne method but doesn’t Stellenbosch produces serious wines for come with the expensive price tag. Prosecco serious food. Corbières or Faugeres from the is a good all-rounder and ideal if you’re South of France will also fit the bill. offering glasses of Buck’s Fizz.

Desserts & Puddings: Christmas lunch, to my Starters: The fruity red of Beaujolais will mind, is not complete without a flaming, balance the richness of a chicken liver fruit packed, boozy pudding. Tawny Port has pâté. For a terrine, whether chicken, pork or the depth and sweetness to carry the day. vegetable, a Provençal rosé is a good pairing. If Yule Log is more your thing, pair it with a Serving goats' cheese? Sauvignon Blanc from late harvest dessert wine. the Loire Valley will make a pretty Cheese: Many people will round off the partnership. Sauvignon de Touraine is a Christmas feast with a vintage Port. This big, good value alternative to Sancerre. fortified, wine is an unrivalled partner to Fish & Seafood: As an unabashed strong blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort or traditionalist I'll be serving prawn cocktail.

Gorgonzola. Brie or Camembert will pair well The gentle sweetness of prawns combines with an aromatic Viognier. Real Cheddar, the perfectly with a medium-dry wine. Made stuff from Somerset, needs a robust red to from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray is a great choice, match. Syrah has the oomph to work. Semiwith the balance of acidity and sweetness to hard cheeses, like Cornish Yarg or Emmental, carry this pairing off. need a wine with acidity. English wines are Turkey & trimmings: The main event has a often defined by their strident acidity and lot going on and finding one wine to match will provide a nice counterpoint to the everything seems difficult. Burgundian Pinot inherent fattiness of the cheese.

Noir is a good choice as it pairs with many Merry Christmas!

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Church Message: What’s on Your Christmas Wish List?

A few years ago, a radio show host in Washington DC called around a few embassies to ask what the ambassadors would like for Christmas.

The French Ambassador was first to pick up. His answer?

“Peace and goodwill to all.”

Next on the list was the Chinese Ambassador. He thought for a moment and then said, “I’d like an end to hunger and disease throughout the world.”

Then the radio show host called the British Embassy and WilsonMr Ambaswas put through to the ambassador. “What would you most Archie like for Christmas, sador?” His reply: “I’d be very happy with some aftershave and a new pair of slippers.”

I wonder what you’d ask for if you could have anything at all. I suspect it would be more than something to make us smell nice and keep our feet warm. Perhaps we’d choose something for ourselves like better health, or financial security or bringing a loved one back, or maybe we’d pick something more altruistic, such as an end to war or suffering.

Those things are out of our reach of course, but if your family is like mine, you’ll be asked for realistic ideas of what you’d like for Christmas. After all, it’s nice to receive something you’d really like, even if it is simply some aftershave and a new pair of slippers! But when we get to the Christmas Story in the Bible, we find that although God may not have asked us what we wanted, the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger is the answer to our greatest needs.

We desperately need to know the truth about God and our place in the world, and Jesus came to show and tell us the truth and end all our guessing games.

And since God is holy and we fail to live as we should, we need someone to bridge the chasm between us and God so that we could know the God we were made for. And by his perfect life and his death on the cross Jesus did that. And now through faith in him we can find forgiveness and eternal life and have our relationship with God restored. And all of that is wrapped up in Jesus: God’s perfect gift of love to the world.

That was the reason behind the song the angels sang at the birth of Jesus, and the reason the shepherds sang their hearts out on their way back to their fields. They sang because a saviour had been born, and because through him comes God’s perfect peace and goodwill to all who own Jesus as their King.

So whatever else you are hoping to receive this year, don’t forget God’s greatest gift of his son, Jesus. Come along to Church and hear about God’s perfect Christmas gift for you, and join in the song for yourself.

So Happy Christmas! And may Almighty God bless you and your family richly.

Dave Brown, Rector, The Parish of Newton Abbot and Ogwell

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Dates for 2024 Fridays in the Memorial Hall January 5th, January 26th, March 22nd Now with the option of Fish ’n Chips cooked on site!

Time: Food service from 6.30pm Quiz: 7.40pm for 8.00pm start, to end by 10.30pm Places are limited. Teams of four are best but five maximum.

Refreshments: BYO drinks Fish & Chips: £12 1st time order, then £10 Must be preordered and paid for by the Tuesday before Entry fee: £2 pp payable on the night, to cover the hall hire and prizes Booking essential: email: ogwellcommunityhubltd@gmail.com

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Women Without Men Must Be Witches!

Book Review: The Mercies, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (2020) Kiran Millwood Hargrave sets her story on the Norwegian island of Vardo in 1617. As the fishing fleet goes out one winter night a sudden, freak storm hits the boats and all the menfolk are drowned. A young woman, Maren Bergensdatter, considers the future of the village.

Defying the cultural conventions and teaching by the church, Maren joins the stronger women to take the remaining boats out to sea to fish. The women also look after the reindeer herds and carry out the work the men would have done, because only if they fend for themselves can they survive.

But their work brings gossip, resentment and suspicion in the small community. So when the church sends witch finders, witnesses come forward to point the finger at the women who are different or who don't fit in. Women are 'noticed' by Absalom Cornet, a renowned witch finder who has journeyed from Scotland to root out witchcraft and make a name for himself.

As Maren helps Absalom's wife, teaching her the basic skills of how to cook and keep house in the cold, damp hovel of her new home, a love affair develops, bringing another dimension to the relationships among the women. The novel perhaps develops as a feminist story of love, evil and obsession.

Inspired by the real events of the 1617 Vardo storm, Kiran Millwood Hargrave's

dark and atmospheric tale brings alive the extraordinary and terrible times of 400 years ago. She transports the reader to a village on the edge of the world and describes the poverty and unbelievably harsh conditions of day to day life. She also describes the warmth, love and support among the women while drawing out the petty quarrels and squabbles that divided them and enabled the witchcraft trials of 1620.

The story is well written and educational in its historical information and geographical location and descriptions. It is also thought provoking, particularly regarding the power exerted by a few men over a community that led to the witch trials.

About the author Kiran Millwood Hargrave was born in London in 1990 and is a British poet, playwright and novelist. She is best known as an award-winning author of children’s book; the Mercies is her first adult novel and became an instant bestseller. In 2023 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. She is married to artist Tom de Freston and lives in Oxford.

The Ogwell Bookworm

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Top Quality Chamber Music on Your Doorstep Nadsa Concerts is a welcoming chamber concert society offering seven concerts from September to April each season at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot. The society’s 77th Season (2023-24) offers a huge sweep over both the centuries and the globe. Composers range from Thomas Morley (16th century) and Scarlatti (17th) to the Beatles (20th), and Tom Vignieri (21st), while performers herald from as far afield as Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, Japan and the US.

January’s concert features the internationally celebrated pianist, Marco Fatichenti, presently based in Tokyo.

Renowned for his soul-stirring performances , Marco is set to enchant audiences with a vibrant array of pieces from Beethoven to Debussy's evocative world and onto the vital spirit of Spain in Granados' Spanish Dances. The concert will culminate with R Schumann’s breathtaking Kreisleriana.

In February, the Barbican Quartet will render a captivating Viennese programme of Haydn, Berg, and Beethoven. A harmonious blend of international musicians, this quartet is acclaimed for its virtuosic ensemble playing and intimate performances. Celebrating their triumph at the 71st ARD International String Quartet Competition, the Barbican Quartet symbolises the rich heritage and future of string quartet music.

Nadsa Concerts 2023-24 Season Date

Performer

January 21st, 3pm

Marco Fatichenti

February 18th, 3pm

Barbican String Quartet

March 15th, 7.30pm

London Myriad Ensemble

April 19th, 7.30pm

Fair Oriana

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For further details and tickets for the 2023-24 concerts, check out the website: nadsa.co.uk

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Why Heat Pumps?

Glen Kennedy There are two good reasons to consider installing a heat pump rather than a new oil or gas boiler when your existing boiler needs replacing. The first concerns the need to stop burning oil and gas to heat homes in order to reduce the carbon emissions that larger/additional radiators to get the same cause climate change. The second is the heat output as with a gas boiler. This is potential for lower running costs. because an ASHP heats water typically to Heat pumps are two to three times more 40C, compared to 60-70C with a gas or oil efficient than gas or oil boilers as they boiler. provide two or three times more heating A high power heat pump will heat the water than the electrical energy they use to run. to 55C, which means you can use your New gas boilers are only about 90% efficient existing radiators. I opted for the high and use more energy to run than the heat power system as I did not want the cost and energy they provide. disruption of replacing 20 radiators.

True, heat pumps are more expensive to If you currently have a gas boiler that heats buy than replacement boilers but there is a water directly without needing a hot water government grant available of £7,500, which tank you will need to have a hot water tank brings the installation cost close to that of a installed as well as the ASHP. This will then new gas boiler. You will need a recent house be connected into your existing central Energy Performance Certificate to apply for heating and hot water system. the grant.

The heating control of an ASHP is exactly You may also need to improve your home’s like a modern gas system, with a house insulation to make installation worthwhile, thermostat you can set to come on by time as heat pumps work best in a well insulated and/or a desired temperature. house. This is worth doing whatever your There is some noise from the fan when the heating system, though, as it reduces your unit is running, but as it is outside this energy use. shouldn’t be too intrusive.

Electricity is typically more expensive than My ASHP has run faultlessly since It was gas per unit used, so to benefit financially installed In August 2021. It has a 15-20 year from a heat pump you need to make use of life with annual servicing so will last longer off-peak electricity tariffs, which may than a typical gas boiler. It also has a depend on having a smart meter. The separate meter so I can measure its economics improve still more if you have electricity consumption. solar panels and a battery.

You don’t need planning permission to There are two main types of air source heat install an air source heat pump as it is pump (ASHP), a standard or a high power permitted development, but check with the one. The standard unit is cheaper but may council if your house is listed or in a require an upgrade of your system with conservation area.

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Food for Thought Lamb Kefta Better than anything you’ll buy in a kebab shop, this lamb dish is ideal for a quick supper.

The recipe is for oven-cooked kebabs; leave out the bicarb if you prefer to grill.

Ingredients

Method

500g minced lamb

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl with your hands and create small sausages or patties. Put them on a lined baking tray and bake in a hot oven, 250C, for 12 - 15 minutes.

1 onion chopped finely 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp cumin

½ teaspoon of bicarb of soda

Make a dipping sauce of grated and squeezed cucumber added to a small dish of yogurt with a squirt of lemon and a bit of salt & pepper.

20g parsley chopped

Serve with fries or rice and a little salad.

50g pine nuts a handful of currants chopped

1 egg The Ogwell Chef

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Ogwell Online 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.

Facebook Pages 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/685230682286081 The Newton Abbot Community Mutual Aid page 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 Ogwellfair About Ogwell 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-Project-105121014405670/ Groups/2814848585418714 Ogwell hedgehogs group Others 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, not enough and overflowing bins, dog waste ….. ogwell.wixsite.com/documents Phone directories, reports, plans, maps ….. eathorvertonwebcam.org.uk/Webcammenu/EAFrameset.html? Holbeam Dam webcam Compiled by Alex Morrison

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Recycling Days Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

4th/ 5th/ 6th 7th December

Black Bin

Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

10th/ 12th/ 13th 14th December

Green Bin

Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

18th/ 19th/ 20th 21st December

Black Bin

Wed/Thu/Fri/ Saturday

27th/ 28th/ 29th 30th December

Green Bin (no garden waste collection)

Wed/Thu/Fri/ Saturday

3rd/ 4th / 5th/ 6th January

Black Bin

Tues/Wed/Thu/ Friday

9th/ 10th/ 11th 12th January

Green Bin

Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

15th/ 16th/ 17th 18th January

Black Bin

Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

22nd/ 23rd/ 24th 25th January

Green Bin

Mon/Tues/Wed/ Thursday

29th/ 30th/ 31st January 1st February

Black Bin

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

Mobile Library Final Visit Monday December 11th Mill Lane/Old Post Office~1:45-2:30pm Margaret Road~2:40-3:00pm www.devonlibraries.org.uk info@librariesunlimited.org.uk 44

Index of Advertisers Advertiser

Page

Advertiser

Page

Amity Veterinary Care

21

Nicky T Mobile Hairdressing

17

Ashgrove Kitchens

9

Ogwell Dog Trainer

39

Austins

35

Ogwell Grange

17

Compucare / Pulse 8 Broadband

2

Ossie Walks

29

Devon Countryside Landscapes

15

OvenGleamers

37

Devon Countryside Landscapes

27

The Recreational Trust

19

Drive-in Auto Care

43

Roy Davidson

41

Estuary View Window Company

27

Sample Mills

47

Fox Scaffolding

11

Saskia Harris, Gardener

35

Glendinning

13

Sharon L. Hart

35

JM Hewitt

39

Saunders & Lingard

7

Lemba Electrical

41

Sharon Hart

40

Mallands Care

31

Teign Locks

29

Max Scott Domestic Electrician

39

Wickhams Wine

33

MD Wash

23

Wignall’s

48

Medical and General

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MAGAZINE CONTACTS To advertise in the Ogwell Parish Magazine, please contact Paul Wynter at ogpmadvertising@gmail.com To submit articles, please contact: Pauline Wynter at opmeditorial@gmail.com 45

CONTACTS Police

1st Ogwell & Denbury Brownies

PC Abbey Carpenter Abbey.carpenter@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Tel: 01626 326261 or 07923 240957 PC James Deakin James.deakin@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Force Enquiry Centre/Non-emergency calls - 101

Maggie Lambourn - 01803 812717

Ogwell Pre-School & Toddlers Admissions: Lisa Horne 01626 365894 ogwellpreschool@gmail.com.

Member of Parliament Anne Marie Morris MP House of Commons, London SW1A 1AA 01626 368277 or 07712 004733

St. Bartholomew’s Church Church Wardens: Stella Llewellyn (Healy) - 01626 906814 Gwyn Hughes - 01626 365028 Parish Office - 01626 334357 office@newtonabbotparishes.co.uk

Devon County Council Councillor: Sarah Parker-Kahn - 07920 003112

Teignbridge District Council

Canada Hill Primary School

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

Head Teacher: Delphine Knott - 01626 335595

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

Ogwell Parish Council

Ogwell Garden Society

Chair: Steve Reynolds: 07852 568552 Deputy Chair: Tim Flower 07818 210227 Clerk: Rita Hannaford: 01626 367313 Councillors Katy Farrell-Wright: 01626 438799 Michael Lant: 01626 337679 Paul Martin 01626 365624 Pauline Wynter 01626 324921 Tim Carey: 07533 600226

Secretary: Christine Ashton - 01626 364543

Ogwell Luncheon Club Val Rhodes - 01626 366980 Vivien Roberts - 01626 437734

Ogwell Memorial Hall Bookings: Carla Glanville - 07977 281335 Email: carlaglanvilleomh23@gmail.com

Ogwell Tennis Club

Ogwell Village Fair Committee

Chairman: Stella Healy - 01626 906814 Secretary: Julia Barton - 01803 813363

Interim Chair/Secretary: Ruth Maker 07887 897677 Treasurer: Brian Penfold 07974 508471 Jason Larkworthy 07973 413199 Rob Lingard 07572 400542 John Murch 07398 176194 Tim Treeby

Ogwild Chair: Paul Martin Secretary: Linda Chapman Email: ogwild4@gmail.com or info@ogwild.org

Ogwell

Editor Pauline Wynter Advertisement Manager Paul Wynter

Parish Magazine

Circulation Manager Paul Martin Treasurer Ogwell Parish Council

Published and distributed

by Ogwell Parish Council Editorial enquiries: opmeditorial@gmail.com Advertising enquiries: ogpmadvertising@gmail.com

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