12 minute read
Notices
Pertinent Particulars From the Parish Council
Parking in the Square
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The cleaning and temporary marking of the Square and pub car park to the rear took place on Tuesday 11th October. Most people that I’ve talked to think that these markings have had a positive effect and are of some help in encouraging people to park more considerately.
East Street – large vehicles
We asked Highways if they could suggest solutions (bollards, pinch point, whatever most appropriate, we asked the expert) to minimise the problem of the corner of Wren Cottage on East Street being hit by large vehicles. Opposite to that is the Moast’s porch. Keith and Caroline leave a traffic cone outside their house, a bit beyond the porch, as they feel endangered by large vehicles - tractors, trailers, animal feed lorries, milk lorries, etc. Highways replied, saying that they don’t undertake measures to protect private property, and that there have been no changes to the road layout at this location. They suggest that the owners could put reflective strips on the edge of their buildings. We’re looking into the possibility of more permanent bollards on both sides of the road.
Footpaths article and map
At the last Parish Council meeting, on 5th October, it was suggested that a simplified map of the parish showing the footpaths and the permissive paths within the Community Wood would be helpful to walkers, particularly walkers new to the parish. This is a work in progress and will be available before long.
Digital map of parish
Meanwhile, we do now have a digital map of Sheepwash Parish. I asked JAG Signs to digitise a large paper map of the parish from the Countryside Agency. If you’d like a .PDF, or an A4 printed version, just ask me.
Shindig 22nd July 2023
Parish Councillors agreed by email to the Jubilee Park being used for another Shindig on 22nd July next year. The organisers need access to the park for a couple of days before the event and a day or so after.
Luke’s Farm 106 site Community Hall update
The process of securing planning permission for the Luke’s Farm 106 site is ongoing.
New village sign in West Road
We have a fine new Sheepwash sign for West Road, and a fine new Sheepwash sign for North Street. The latter is now in place, but we don’t know where to site the West Road one at present. There’s talk of moving the 30mph sign further down West Road and we thought that would be the best place for the village sign, if we can find an appropriate verge.
Clerk’s salary
All Parish Councillors bar one, who has not replied, agreed to increasing the Clerk’s salary from SP7 (£10.16 per hour) to SP9 (£12.06 per hour), backdated to 1st April 2022. This salary level will increase annually (SP10, SP11 etc) unless the Parish Council have reason not to increase it. Thanks to Selina, our Clerk - she’s doing a wonderful job for us. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again.
Poppy wreath
A parishioner asked if we could consider putting large poppies on lamp posts in Sheepwash for Remembrance next year (like Hatherleigh have this year). We will look into this.
Play equipment inspection
All is fine with the play equipment in the Jubilee Park, it’s all in good shape. We’re keeping an eye on the gazebo, and something will have to be done before long.
Small cob building, East Street
Stephen Newcombe, the owner, has asked a builder to look at repairs needed.
South Street sign
We’re looking into purchasing a “Take Care Pedestrians” sign (the one showing an adult holding a child by the hand) to place at the top of the hill. Highways won’t help us with this.
Reserved matters land at Park Farm, West Road
We responded to Torridge District Council’s request for comments on the proposed development of up to ten houses. Our main points were that: • The amendments have improved the appearance of the street frontages. • The 106 receipts gained from full approval should be retained and given to the parish as partfunding of the new community hall. • The exit/entry point of the footpath is dangerous and should be reconsidered. • Visitor parking spaces should be built into the plan. • The layout of the houses be moved further back from the road, southwest, and a line of mature trees should be planted to minimise overlooking and maximise privacy for West Roaders. Our full comments can be viewed on the Torridge District Council website.
You’ll see the article on Ring and Ride, Cars for Care, and Here for Hire on page 26. HRCT have asked the Parish Council for a donation to help them to continue to operate. We agreed a £200 donation subject to their amending their Ring and Ride coach trip timetable to better suit Sheepwash users.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau grant request
We’ve agreed a donation of £100 - £150, subject to evidence that this is used by Sheepwash parishioners.
Alison Ansell
Local Christmas Delights For All the Family
Christmas at Castle Drogo
Visit Castle Drogo this Christmas for music and magic. It will be decorated for Christmas, and local musicians will be bringing the castle to life. In the outdoors, go on a wintery walk around the grounds with your little ones, and take part in the winter snowflake trail. Father Christmas will be visiting too! The Christmas festivities run until 23rd December.
The Magic of Christmas at the Milky Way
Journey through the magical snowy forest to Buzzlewick’s Elf Emporium, where children meet Buzzlewick the Elf and friends, have a go a gingerbread decorating, and make reindeer food. Then there’ll be the chance to be invited into Santa’s cosy Christmas Cottage too! The Elf Emporium is open on 10th and 11th December, and from 17th to 23rd December.
Jack and the Beanstalk at the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple
It’s panto time, so get ready for some Christmas fun! Jack and the Beanstalk is a giant of a family pantomime that is full of beans - magic beans, of course! The show runs from 14th to 31st December.
Torridge District Policing
We live in one of the safest low-crime areas in the country. However, we would ask residents to remain extremely vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to us, using one of the methods detailed below. If you have an incident to report, don’t hesitate to ring the Police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk for non-emergencies.
Always call 999 if you see a crime taking place.
Crimes can also be reported via our website:
https://services.devon-cornwall.police.uk/crimereporting/
and information can be passed using this link:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/contact-forms/report-something/
or by calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Crime prevention advice is available on our website:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-community/rural-crime/ PCSO Jessica McEldon
Holsworthy Police Station Email: 101@dc.police.uk
Blake House and Doctor Gwynne Trust
I thought it might be helpful to provide a brief overview of this Trust. It is an amalgamation of the Dr. Gwynne Trust set up in 1972 and the old League of Friends of Winsford Cottage Hospital (formerly at Halwill). When this hospital ceased treating patients, some thirty years ago, the League became associated with Black Torrington Surgery and became known as Blake House Surgery League of Friends. The current name of the Trust is now confirmed by the Charity Commission and has an official registered number: 1072102. The Trust meets three or four times a year, to hear reports from the Surgery, arrange fundraising activities, and financially help with the purchase of various items of equipment. Over the years these have included a physiotherapist's plinth, a defibrillator, an ECG machine, five pulse oximeters, two blood pressure monitors, two new touch screens, and it latterly enabled the funding of the new lift which has so greatly benefitted both patients and staff. As patients, we are so fortunate to have this very special medical practice with its history in the village going back 170 years - and now in its own purpose-built premises. It has served, and continues to serve, patients over an exceptionally wide rural area of west Devon, and as trustees we aim to be as supportive as possible to it and its staff. At last month's meeting it was very good to see Dr. Kylan Stray, Stephanie Stacey (Practice Manager), and Marion Balsdon (Social Prescriber), and to hear their news. Just as pleasing was to see Val Merritt, a visitor from Shebbear, and to have Kate Garrett and Kerry Powell join the team, with Caroline Boother and Trudy Reeve expecting to come on board at the next meeting. We'd just like a few men too! The next Trust fundraising event is on Tuesday 13th December, when we are holding a Coffee and Cake Morning (with a difference) in the Black Torrington Village Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including Kate's Christmas table-decoration demonstration, and a rather special Hamper Raffle.
Katharine Matthews
Chair
Seasonal Scam Alert!
Scammers’ tactics are increasingly sophisticated and sometimes hard to recognise. However, there are things to look out for: • If it seems too good to be true, it probably is - e.g. tickets to an event that are much cheaper than being sold elsewhere, or a holiday that’s a lot less than you would expect to pay. • Be wary of people contacting you out of the blue on social media, telephone, or via text or email, offering items for sale or a deal on something. • If you’re buying from a website you haven’t used before, do a bit of research. Look at the terms and conditions, and check that the address is a proper address, not just a PO box number. This information can usually be found in the “Contact us” section. Registered UK companies lodge their details on the Companies House website. • Check what people have said about the company – don’t just rely on the reviews on the website itself, have a look at other review sites. • Scammers often ask you to pay in an unusual way, or to pay very quickly - e.g. send money via a money transfer service such as MoneyGram or Western Union, or pay via vouchers. • Never give away personal information such as a password or PIN, and never click on or download anything you don’t trust. To find out about scams across the country, you can sign up to the Trading Standards email alert on their website (www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/work-areas/scams-team). If you have transferred money speak to your bank and to the police. If you feel the scammer is in your area and you feel unsafe you should also inform the police. You can also report the scam to Citizens Advice Report a scam (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/) and to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk). Don’t feel embarrassed reporting a scam – it can happen to any one of us and scammers are getting increasingly sophisticated. If you want to talk to someone locally you can contact us on our free, local AdviceLine (0808 27 87 999) or visit www.ruraldevoncab.org.uk and click on ‘Get Advice’. Demand for our services is increasing all the time, not just at this time of year. If you would like to join us as a volunteer, contact recruitment@ruraldevoncab.org.uk to find out more. We are a friendly bunch and you will receive ongoing training and support to enable you to help people in our community resolve their problems.
Can You Contribute Content to the Chronicle?
We are always looking for new content for the Chronicle. Do you have a story you would like to share? Is there a hobby or interest you have which you can tell us about? Have you taken any photographs or made a drawing or painting or sculpture you think other people would like to see? Do you know any good jokes (suitable for a family audience!)? Or is there something else you’d like to see in the Chronicle? We want to see as many villagers as possible in the Chronicle. Please get in touch with your ideas – see our contact details on page 2.
Holsworthy Rural Community Transport
Holsworthy Community Rural Transport is a charitable organisation which has provided flexible, affordable transport services in and around Holsworthy since 2000. As a charity, we rely upon volunteers, grants, funding, and sponsorship from local businesses to continue to provide this vital service. In our rural community, access to services and facilities is a very real challenge if you do not have access to your own transport. It can feel isolating for the young, the elderly, and those with mobility issues. In 2016 we secured Big Lottery funding. We are now running without funding from either Big Lottery or Torridge District Council and need urgent financial support over the next three years to keep the service running.
Ring and Ride
Ring and Ride is a transport service for all ages, here to help you, a loved one, or a family member get out and about. The service operates from ten zones in and around Holsworthy. Within each zone there is no fixed route - the bus follows a route set by the pre-booked locations of passengers. It includes pick-ups in Sheepwash and nearby villages. The outings covered by Ring and Ride include: • Lunch at Exmoor and drive • Plymouth City Centre or The Barbican • Barnstaple and supermarket • Darts Farm • Launceston • Trelawney Garden Centre, Wadebridge • Affinity Devon and supermarket • Exeter City Centre and The Range • Lunch at The Warren House and Dartmoor Drive • Tavistock and supermarket • Truro • Trago Mills • Christmas meal at Trethorne Golf Club • Bude and supermarket • Otter Nursery, Ottery St Mary • Tintagel and Boscastle Farm Shop • Merry Harriers Garden Centre and Bideford Town Centre
If you are looking for affordable and accessible coach outings, you are eligible for Ring and Ride if you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions: • Are you unable to drive? • Are you able to drive but do not have access to a car? • Are you medically unable to drive? • Do you own a car but don't have access to it when you need to travel? • Does your partner take the car to work leaving you without a car? • Is your car currently off the road?
Cars for Care
Cars for Care is a one-to-one, door-to-door driving service. It is aimed at helping people get to essential appointments, such as health centres, hospitals, dentists, chiropodists, etc. You are eligible for this service if you live in Holsworthy or one of its surrounding parishes, and do not have access to your own vehicle, or are unable to drive when you have a health appointment. We ask that you pay a mileage-related contribution of 45p per mile from the driver’s house to you and back again, and 50p per mile from your house to the destination and back again, to cover the volunteer’s cost of fuel. You pay the driver in cash. The driver does not receive any payment for time, which they donate voluntarily. There is also a £2.50 booking fee to cover administration fees. If you are on benefits you may be able to claim back some of your travel costs.
