Low crime rate in Crediton area but speeding drivers are a problem

Crediton is a safe place to live and work says the new Sector Inspector for Mid Devon, Matt Lawler. AQ 4172

CREDITON is an area of low crime and people should recognise it is a safe area in which to live and work, says the new Devon and Cornwall Constabulary Sector Inspector for Mid Devon, Matt Lawler.
Inspector Lawler, who is responsible for the leadership of policing across Mid Devon, including Tiverton, Crediton and Cullompton, told the Courier in an exclusive interview that, there are, however, issues and concerns that need to be addressed.
“While this is a very safe place in which to live and work, there is work to be done on crime in rural areas and issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.
“I have met with several local councillors and been out on the streets to meet people to discuss some of these issues.
“Mid Devon is fortunate to have already got fantastic neighbourhood policing due to the work of local officers and Police Community Support Officers.
“They are doing very positive work and my aim is to maintain and build on that.
“It is my intention that we will try to respond to community issues.
“Speeding by motorists is one issue and there have been a lot of major accidents on roads in this area.
“The neighbourhood team at Crediton is responding to that and working with other agencies.
find solutions
“I would like to work with more of these agencies to find solutions to some of the problems that exist in other areas too.
“Up until now we have had a clear responsibility for parking but this has now passed to Mid Devon District Council.
“We will, however, continue to do what is appropriate but it is for the local authority to put their arrangements into place.
“The neighbourhood team based at Crediton cover an area of more than 130 square miles and should take a lot of the credit for crime being particularly low in the area.”
Inspector Lawler, a former England student water polo player, is married with three children.
He joined the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in 1995, serving for the first few years in Torbay before becoming neighbourhood beat manager in Wonford and Burnthouse Lane, Exeter.
After some years training new officers he was promoted and spent four years as a Community Sgt in Exeter.
He was appointed an Inspector 18 months ago and spent some of this time in an operational command role.
More recently he has worked in a department concerning partnership working and policing.
Inspector Lawler said he was “excited about his new role” in Mid Devon.
Crediton Police Sgt Gareth Twigg, speaking at a recent police liaison meeting in the town, said: “Crediton is a relatively low crime area.
“There has been a reduction in violent crime and vehicle crime has halved since last year.
“We are also working to tackle anti-social driving.”
Sgt Twigg said speeding and tackling yobbish late-night behaviour outside pubs, clubs and takeaways was its priority.
At the meeting he also praised the work of officers in Copplestone who had reduced incidents of anti-social behaviour recently.
Alan Quick

 

New estate agents will charge same fee for all sales

SaleBoards staff who are looking forward to opening an office in Crediton High Street, from left, David Matthias, Laura Newall, Jonathan Newall and Jon Fielder.

AN ethically-based estate agency will be opening on office in Crediton High Street later this month.
SaleBoards is run by Jonathan and Laura Newall.
They first became aware of the perils of buying and selling property through a traditional estate agent many years ago. Since then, they have bought and sold many properties and each time say they felt either over-charged or let down by their agents.
It was these poor experiences of estate agents, they told the Courier, that prompted the idea of a completely ethical, honest and fair estate agency.
Last year they both gave up their previous careers and retrained as estate agents. Jonathan, whose qualifications include a PhD in engineering, had been working in an automotive consultancy and Laura was a primary school teacher.
They opened SaleBoards at 51 South Street, Exeter, and now, a year on, will be opening their second office at 2 High Street, Crediton, formerly run as a gift shop, Best Wishes.
Mr and Mrs Newall said that their agency does everything expected of a high street estate agent, but is different in many ways.
SaleBoards charge the same fee for all property sales and make a donation from each sale to their chosen charity, Amigos.
This is a Devon-based charity which works primarily with those affected by the AIDS epidemic in Uganda.
The firm is currently sponsoring the building of an accommodation block on the Kira Farm project, donating £195 each time they sell a home.
Jonathan told the Courier: “Although it is well-known that the property market is fairly depressed at the moment, we are all extremely excited about our new office.
“We are still seeing sales on a regular basis and expect this to continue. We already have several customers in the locality, which should make the setting up process a lot easier this time.”
Alan Quick

 

Charlotte Church and Gavin promise to return to Crediton

Charlotte Church on stage in Cardiff in 2005, captured on camera by Courier Editorial Manager Alan Quick. AQ 9051

Nick Roach from the Devonshire Breed Centre at Downes Farm, near Crediton, with a Buff Orpington Cockerel, which he showed to Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson during their visit. AQ 3370

A COUPLE of celebrities paid a recent visit to a farm near Crediton - and have promised to make a return visit.
Welsh couple, singer and television personality, Charlotte Church and her rugby-player boyfriend, Gavin Henson, visited the Devonshire Breed Centre at Downes Farm, near Crediton last Sunday.
Tracy Roach, who runs the Breed Centre with her husband, Nick, told the Courier: “I was really surprised and while serving them said to her: ‘Has anyone ever said that you really look like Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson?’.
“I felt a bit foolish when they paid for some purchases, using a credit card and I then had proof of who they were.
“Nick showed Charlotte how to hold a chicken and they talked about how to care for them.
“They arrived in a blacked-out four-wheel-drive Mercedes and were with their toddler and Gavin’s parents.”
Charlotte gave birth to Ruby Megan Henson on September 20, 2007.
Mrs Roach confirmed that Charlotte and Gavin purchased two Exchequer Leghorn chicken, which they took to their home in St Brides Major, Glamorgan, South Wales.
She added: “They were very nice, normal people, really down to earth.
“It was my birthday on Sunday when they came and I wish I had asked her to sing ‘Happy Birthday’.
Charlotte Church rose to fame in childhood as a classical singer and since 2005, branched into pop music. By 2007 she had sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.
Her boyfriend is a Welsh International Rugby Union player.
The couple have been nicknamed the “Welsh Victoria and David Beckham”.
In 2007, Charlotte Church made another appearance on a British young people’s rich list with Henson. They were ranked 49th richest young people in Britain with an estimated joint wealth of £10 million.
Alan Quick

 

Tom Cobley tops for third year

Behind the bar at the Tom Cobley, from left to right, are Laura Cudlip, manager Paul Lethbridge, Carol Cudlip and Roger Cudlip. Photo: Ian Snell.

AS previously reported in the Courier the Tom Cobley pub at Spreyton has won the Pub of the Year award for the Exeter and East Devon Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) - for the third year in succession.
To win has meant much hard work, backed by enthusiasm, by mine hosts, Roger and Carol Cudlip.
Appropriately, on St. George’s Day, the couple received their special award certificate, (front left in our photograph).

 

Leaving playgroup to train as a nurse

Belinda Dart (centre seated), with children at the playgroup.

AFTER 16 years of working with Yeoford Playgroup, children, parents and fellow play-leaders said a fond farewell to Belinda Dart who has decided to trade in her play dough and paint for a new career in nursing.
Belinda is taking a 12 month well deserved rest before embarking on her training.
She told the Courier: “I will miss everyone terribly and will pop in from time to time, so I will not be forgotten.”
All members at Yeoford Playgroup agree that Belinda was a great asset, well-loved by the children and will be greatly missed.

Ringers tour six towers

Crediton bellringers at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Bishops Lydeard, from left, Howard Egglestone, Bill Parr, John Clifton, Shirley Burridge, Les Burridge, John Clarke, Christine Clarke, Colin Wroth, Margaret Egglestone, Sue Lavery, Robin Lavery, Helen Weeden, Joanne Lunnon and Bob Lunnon. Photo: Bill Jerman.

Some of the bellringers from Crediton Parish Church recently enjoyed a full day’s outing to several bell towers in Somerset. They visited Winsford, Dunster, Carhampton, Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren and returned to Crediton via the Trout Inn at Bickleigh.

Exhibition which enthralls, captivates and inspires

Robert Logan has an exhibition at Charlesworth, Nicholl and Co, Crediton, which runs until the end of June. Photos: Nora Parminter. NP 140408 47

ROBERT J Logan’s Exhibition at Charlesworth Nicholl and Co. enthrals, captivates and inspires.
His flower studies explode with the joy of living. A vivid Strelitzia resembling a bird of paradise lies resplendent against a dark green starlit background; petals waving menacingly.
Sigh over a tremulously tactile deep pink satin Bougainvillea; insidiously trailing victims in its wake.
Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh would have died for just a spring of Spathodea - a crépe-like cascading bright orange yellow-edged flower. Flamboyant and oh! so theatrical.
Brugmansia - creamy white with a faint blue shadow - reminds me of elongated pixie hats or umbrellas - an escape route for small children from interfering parents or just to indulge in hide and seek.
Robert Logan has a great affinity with the world of birds viz yellow gannets - their tails resembling the ends of Christmas crackers - fly in smooth unison with the delicate silvery blue Fulmars; one webbed foot forlornly skimming.
Wattles and All is totally awe-inspiring - a collection of multi-coloured birds including Wattled Crane, Ground Hornbill, Temminck’s Tragopan, 3 Wattled Bellbird and Wild Muscovey Duck jostle for your attention. And my! Do they get it! Be transfixed!
An air of menace pervades Pied Grows - sharp beaked and acrobatic with “metal rivet” wings, they invade your mind proclaiming “I am the Boss”!
I have to say, although I loved the stark, secretive tree with its trelliswork of “snowy” branches, I didn’t care for the too lean Cheetah. He seemed awkward and out of place.
The Shetland Triptych is quite fascinating - In Noss, billowing clouds look down over sweeping green fields leading to pools of tranquil blue water.
A solitary cottage plays host to this beautiful vista.
Mousa is totally different - tumultuous turmoil surrounds a sombre Thornfield Hall house. Shadows advance. Flower sprigged fields provide welcome respite.
Turn to St Ninian’s Isle and drink in the deep blue water and feel the creamy pink pathway sand between your toes. Bask in the calmness and solitude and just melt!
A witty evocation of tangled horns and beseeching eyes bursts forth in Impala whilst in Giraffes and Weaver Birds, a clever criss-cross of two friendly red and yellow, jigsaw patterned Giraffes and swooping Weaver Birds raises a smile. Ideal for a small child’s room.
The Exhibition at Charlesworth Nicoll and Co, 31 High Street, Crediton continues until June 28. To check timings to view please telephone 01363 774706. Jane Partridge

Landscore reunion for teachers

Past pupils from Landscore school pictured with ex-teachers Christine and Barry Charles. From left: Lynne Elston (nee Webster), Sarah Reeve (nee Bunkum), Barry Charles, Debbie Metherill (nee Chudley), Claire Mann (nee Webster) and Christine Charles. NP 160408 01.Past pupils from Landscore school pictured with ex-teachers Christine and Barry Charles. From left: Lynne Elston (nee Webster), Sarah Reeve (nee Bunkum), Barry Charles, Debbie Metherill (nee Chudley), Claire Mann (nee Webster) and Christine Charles. NP 160408 01.

A REUNION was held at Landscore Primary School for Christine and Barry Charles who both taught at the school more than 20 years ago.
They began teaching at Landscore Primary School in September 1974 and left in 1982 when they moved to Australia with Alexa, their last child.
They have stayed in touch with many people from Crediton and Christine said: “We still get lots of letters from people we taught at Landscore.”
During their stay in Crediton with old friends, Elsa and John Wakefield, they decided to hold a reunion for past pupils parents, staff and friends and were delighted to see so many people turn up.
Another old friend, Jill Swain said “This is a nice friendly supportive community.
“It’s just wonderful to relive the atmosphere of Landscore School.”
Barry and Christine, who loved their teaching time at Landscore, shared their memories with their guests.
Barry explained: “I was deputy to Janet Postance and knew Phylis Chapman who was head before Janet.
“We could be more adventurous back then, I remember taking the children on a camping trip and being able to take my own children along too.”
They both talked about how much teaching has changed since they were teachers.
An ex-pupil, Lynne Elston (nee Webster) said: “It’s lovely to get together and see them again.”
The couple stayed in Crediton for a short time before heading off to visit friends in Exmouth.
Nora Parminter

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