Offertory bags dedicated

Pictured left to right: Ronald Davey, Derrick Phillips, Mollie Morgan, Mavis Davey, Emma Cartlidge and the Rev Wendy Jackson.

FOUR offertory bags made by Mavis Davey and Derrick Phillips were dedicated at the Communion Service on Easter Sunday at St Swithun's Church, Sandford by the Rev Wendy Jackson in memory of Elsie and Edward Harvey and May and Samuel Phillips.
A donation of £45 towards the Under Gallery Fund was also made.

St Peter's Church Fete

St Peter's Church Fete at Napleton House, Zeal Monachorum, proved to be great fun for Jake Lewis (3) and Hannah Ratcliffe (2), both of Zeal Monachorum.


Volunteer awards

At the Community Transport Awards ceremony, from left, County Councillor, Mrs Margaret Squires, recipient Neil Easden, Devon County Council Chairman, Lt Col Anthony Drake, and two other recipients.

THREE Mid Devon residents have been presented with volunteer awards by the Chairman of Devon County Council, Lt Col Anthony Drake, at a civic reception at County Hall, Exeter.
Julie Rowe, of Crediton, has spent almost a quarter of a century ferrying elderly people around.
Farmer's wife Julie, has been a volunteer driver for 24 years, including 10 for the Crediton Community Transport ring-and-ride service, which started in 1993.
She has also delivered meals-on-wheels in the Morchard Bishop and Black Dog area and driven elderly residents to day centres.
Mrs Rowe was one of 12 drivers, transport scheme co-ordinators and helpers, nominated to receive awards for their help with transport schemes backed by Devon County Council.
Each year the county transport schemes run 150,000 passenger journeys.
Another nominee was Neil Easden, of Crediton and District Community Transport, who is also treasurer of the League of Friends of Crediton Hospital.
He is also involved with Crediton Volunteer Bureau, Age Concern and Re-think.
The third local nominee was Ann Reader, of Chawleigh, who set up the Chawleigh Community Car Service.
Lt Col Drake, said: "The awards ceremony is an excellent opportunity to recognise the efforts of these committed community transport volunteers whose hard work and dedication enables the operation of highly valued community transport schemes in the region."
Crediton Rural County Councillor, Mrs Margaret Squires, also praised the efforts of the local award recipients.

Head to toe treat

Ann Deeks, chiropodist, gives a foot massage to a client.

A REAL top to toe treatment is now offered at East 56 Hair Design at East Street, Crediton, where chiropodist Ann Deeks has joined the team.
Ann has recently moved into the area having worked for a number of years in London and Essex.
She trained as a chiropodist and has had her own practice in Essex for the past five years before moving to Devon in February.
Ann will be working Tuesdays to Saturdays. Either call at the salon near the East Street junction with Charlotte Street or telephone to make an appointment on 01363 772794.
The salon is open Monday to Saturday and offers a full range of professional hairdressing services.
Why not telephone for special offers available throughout July and August?

Investment pilot

Paul Smith, retiring president of Crediton Boniface Rotary Club hands his chain of office to his success, Diane Shepherd.

TWENTY-FIVE high-tech businesses are sought by the Business Link service for Devon and Cornwall to benefit from a pilot initiative aimed at attracting new investment support to help them grow.
Despite the apparent abundance of financial options available to small businesses, it is often argued that the needs of new high-tech businesses are not well service.
For more information on a July 24 event on this, or the Business Angels programme, contact Business Link on 0845 600 9966.

John Wesley's story

At the John Wesley evening, left to right, Roger Sheldrick, Jenny Cave and Doreen Benellick.

MEMBERS and friends of Cheriton Fitzpaine Methodist Church celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley by holding a special evening in June.
Anecdotes, readings and sketches were interspersed with hymns by Charles Wesley, and the evening ended with the audience, including two Dutch visitors, enjoying a fine array of food.
Members of the cast and most of the audience were dressed in 18th century outfits. The evening had been organised by Jenny Cave and Jean Carr, displays were provided by Ellen Webber.
Children from the half-term activity group had made a frieze showing Wesley's life. Chairman was Dr Ken Kite and John Wesley was played very realistically by Roger Sheldrick.
The evening raised £115.50 which will be split between Methodist Homes and National Children's Homes.

Flowers for television

Amanda Smith from the BBC with Jenni Pitts at Crediton.

WHEN viewers watch the next series on BBC television of Down To Earth, they will be seeing a contribution from Crediton.
Floral funeral tributes were provided by Four Seasons florist and greengrocer with the hearse and bearers being provided by Le Roy Funeral Service.
Jenni Pitts provided 12 arrangements, cushion posies, spray arrangements and open wreaths which were collected from the shop by Amanda Smith, properties buyer for Down To Earth.
Among Devon locations used for filming included the North Tawton area, Exbourne and Dartmouth.

Winkleigh Cider coffee shop

In the new coffee shop at the Winkleigh Cider Company, from left, Margaret, David and Jacqueline Bridgman.

VISITORS to the Winkleigh Cider Company now have another good reason to visit.
The family-owned business has opened a pleasant coffee shop where not only visitors, but locals as well, can relax and chat.
Run by Margaret and Jacqueline Bridgman, coffee is available by the mug, two-cup cafetiere (£1.20), or five-cup cafetiere (£2.50). Tea is available in either two-cup (95p) or five-cup (£1.60) pots, or why not try a mug of delicious hot chocolate?
Also available are decaffeinated tea and coffee and a range of cold drinks.
The teas, coffees and hot chocolates are all quality made by Miles of Somerset.
A traditional Devonshire Cream Tea costs £2.25. This consists of two scones, cream and jam and a pot of tea for one.
A range of delicious cakes is at hand, including Jacqueline's homemade Cider Cake or Cider and Apple cake, from 75p.
As you would expect, the cider in the cake comes from their own vats.
The coffee shop has comfortable chairs and tables and old cider barrels have been transformed into a counter.
Contact Winkleigh Cider Company to place an order or for further information on 01837 83560, or call in between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

Reunion after 25 years

Current and former members of Ad Hoc Singers with spouses and friends at their silver anniversary evening.

TWENTY-FIVE years ago a small group of people who enjoyed singing got together and formed Ad Hoc Singers. At the end of June they and others who have been members as well as current members got together for a silver anniversary evening at Cheriton Fitzpaine.
The original Ad Hoc Singers here had been brought together by John Smith of Coldridge and its members were then also singing with North Creedy Choral Society, some still do.
Among those early members who were present at the reunion were Ray Sanders of Cheriton Fitzpaine and Eleanor Nuthall of East Village. Eleanor still sings with North Creedy, Ray with Exeter and Ilfracombe Male Voice Choirs.
Jo and Hilary Ward both also sing in Crediton Parish Church Choir, sometimes with Crediton Operatic and Dramatic Society. Conductors have been John Smith, Bernard Pearson and Jo Ward. They sing unaccompanied, close harmony, church music, madrigals, and any other pieces they enjoy.
The reunion was held at Cheriton Fitzpaine because the first sessions were held there, at Ray Sanders' farm. They now rehearse at Eleanor Nuthall's home.

Large-scale theatre show for Crediton

At the launch of the Crediton Drama Centre's "Fire Fire" play "Persons Reported", from left, Leading firefighter Chris Mitchell, Rosalyn Maynard, Rick Westhorpe, Peter Hamilton, Rod Brookes-Hocking, Chris Fogg, Nick Scott and firefighter, Luke Milford.

PLANS to stage a large-scale theatrical event Crediton has ever seen were announced at the launch of Crediton Drama Centre's two-part "Fire Fire" project at a meeting at Crediton Fire Station.
The drama centre's artistic director, Peter Hamilton, told the meeting of those interested in participating in the play that it would be "as big as any Shakespeare in the Square event" and would feature a large cast.
The play is to be performed from November 12 to 15 and would be staged in the car park which is destined to become the town square, in the fire station and in the pannier market alongside.
He said the play would involve a bustling fair and would tell the story of the Great Fire of Crediton of 1743, before moving to the present, looking at the fire service as it is today.
The play starts with a bustling fair concluding with the Great Fire of Crediton of 1743, before moving to the pannier market and fire station.
He said that the play was the first part of the project to coincide with the firefighters' planned move to a new station at the end of the year.
Peter Hamilton added that there were "many opportunities to take part in this special theatrical experience" and appealed for anyone interested in taking part in any way to contact him at the Drama Centre on 01363 773260.

The Importance of Being Earnest

The cast of The Importance of Being Earnest.

OSCAR WILDE may have been vain, stubborn and foolish but he was also a master of English and his play, The Importance of Being Earnest, is a good example of how well he could entertain an audience with polished words and wit.
This play was first produced in 1895 and it is a tribute to the genius of the man that its production today has lost little of the original sparkle. It came as no surprise, that members of Cheriton Fitzpaine Drama Group chose to present it for their Spring production.

£700 for school

Lining up before they gave a demonstration are members of the Exeter School of Tae Kwon Do with their instructor, Philip Taverner, 4th degree black belt. They practice at St Luke's College, Exeter, and some of the members are pupils of Newton St Cyres School. Anyone who would like more information should contact 01392 460121.

WHEN the Friends Association of Newton St Cyres School held its summer fair at the school, an amazing £730 was raised on a glorious afternoon.

Running the game to hook ducks from the pool were Charley Finch and Megan Kingdom-Davies who both go to school at Newton St Cyres.

There was a well-stocked plant stall sponsored by Bernaville Nurseries among the many stalls around the school playing field.

At Newton St Cyres School fair, Beth and Tom Griffiths of Brampford Speke were playing chess on the large board at the school.

Parents and children ran the various attractions and displays and entertainment included a demonstration by members of Exeter School of Tae Kwon Do with their instructor, Philip Taverner, 4th degree black belt.

Midsummer at North Tawton

Winners of the rosebowl for the best decorated stall at North Tawton's street market were North Tawton Royal British Legion ladies section. Left to right, Enid Westlake (chairman), Shirley Tanner (assistant secretary), Mary Fry (treasurer) and Grete Stoneman.

In keeping with the coronation theme, the ladies wore their Union Jack hats decorated with red poppies for remembrance, with a red, white and blue theme for their stall.
IT was a wonderful morning when North Tawton held its Midsummer Festival, a part of which was the open air market in the Square.
The festival helps raise funds towards upkeep of the town hall with the theme of the Queen's coronation.
There was a crown making competition for children, won by Hannah Budd in the 5-7 years age group with Jessica Knot as runner up.
Winner in the under fives age group was Marnie Ponsford, runner up was Jack Ryan.
In the spot the deliberate mistake competition in shop windows in the town, winners were Irene Ward and Nicola Compton.
A festival quiz was won by Stella Cole with Jan Seaton as runner up.
Winners of the rosebowl for the best decorated stall at the open air market were North Tawton Royal British Legion Ladies Section, runners up were Lakeway.

Strawberry Fair made £1,500

Members of the Blue Bells Majorettes during their first public performance at Sandford.

THE fit and able climbed the hill to attend the Friends of Sandford School Strawberry Fair on the school playing field.
The weather was perfect, with sunshine and a breeze.

Taris Jewell (5), dressed as Gimli, left, and Nathan Pincombe (5), as a character from Thunderbirds, who took part in the children's fancy dress competition at Sandford.

A coup for the organisers was the first public appearance by the newly-formed Blue Bells Majorettes of Crediton and district.
They looked resplendent in their new uniforms, which were all paid for through fundraising and by the parents.
At Sandford's Strawberry Fair, in addition to lots of people, there were plenty of strawberries!
Almost everyone who attended partook and they were really tasty.
One of the organisers said she would like to thank all those who attended and helped with the event.
She also thanked the sponsors, which she added, included many local businesses from Crediton.
"We made a grand total of £1,500, which will go towards helping the school," she added.

230 riders pedalled to help cancer charity FORCE

Michael Still, and his son, Albert (12), on the tandem borrowed from The Bike Shed, Crediton, at the refreshment stop at The Cross at Copplestone.

A former Kirtonian was among more than 230 people who cycled either 55 or 100 miles in aid of local cancer-charity FORCE.
Mike Still, riding tandem with his 12-year-old son, Albert, left their home village of Topsham near Exeter at 8am on Sunday, June 29, arriving at the finish in Topsham again later that afternoon.
The father and son explained that they had borrowed the tandem from Mike Saunders of The Bike Shed, Crediton, and thanked him for his kindness.
The pair hope to raise funds through sponsorship in what was the 4th "Nello" Century and Half Century Cycle Challenges.
Their route took them through Exeter to Cullompton, Tiverton, Dulverton, Exford and Simonsbath on Exmoor, South Molton, Eggesford, Copplestone, Crediton, Newton St Cyres and back through Exeter to Topsham.

Spreyton fayre

Members of the Spreyton Parish Church bellringing team, including some who rang in the first bellringing competition held their 40 years ago, some of whom still ring today.

At Spreyton Fair, from left, Anita Harper, Dorothy Toms, Eddie Harper, Joyce Ellis(nee Tyers), Marj Redstone and Dorothy Simmons. Joyce and Eddie were both evacuated to Spreyton along with 30 other children on June 13 1940. Both lived in the village for many years, attending Spreyton and North Tawton Primary Schools. They made life-long friends with local people and have returned, sometimes up to three times a year from their homes in Surrey, to the village they both said they "loved". Eddie and Joyce admitted that the only time they ever met up was in Spreyton, even though they live in the same county!

Wendy Twort with her new-born baby, eight days old Poppy and son, Lawrence (8), at Spreyton Fayre.


90 firefighters at Bickleigh blaze

The thatched property adjoining Bickleigh Castle, which was saved by firefighters.

ALMOST 90 firefighters from as far afield as North Tawton, Barnstaple and Axminster battled for three hours to confine a fire in a former barn in the grounds of Bickleigh Castle, near Tiverton, on Saturday, June 21.
The fire was believed to have been caused by a spark from a pig roast in the open fireplace downstairs setting alight the thatched roof of a cottage and disused restaurant.
The firefighters, called to the scene just after 2pm, pulled out thatch by hand to create a firebreak to stop the flames spreading.
The firefighters were able to save the 17th century clock tower by pumping water from the River Exe, which flows past the nearby castle.
Mr Michael Boxall, who put the castle on the market for £2 million last month, said: "I would just like to say how grateful I am to the fire brigade.
Mr Boxall also praised the Salvation Army who provided food for the emergency services.
Fifteen fire appliances and three support units attended the eight-hour incident.