Sheepwash Chronicle Christmas 2016 edition
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Issue 119 <strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>2016</strong>
Editorial – Your <strong>Chronicle</strong> Still Needs You!<br />
Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback on our last issue, and an even bigger thank you to all who<br />
have sent us contributions for this one!<br />
Remember, we need your input to make the <strong>Chronicle</strong> what you want it to be. You can do this in lots of<br />
ways:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Give us your news – what has happened since the last issue, and what will be happening in the<br />
next few months. We want to hear about special birthdays, anniversaries, new arrivals and<br />
departures, forthcoming events - anything and everything that is of interest to you and/or your<br />
neighbours.<br />
Send us a contribution. We don’t want your money! We do want interesting articles, photographs,<br />
drawings, cartoons, jokes, puzzles, poems, and stories – anything that will help to make the<br />
<strong>Chronicle</strong> a “good read”. We accept contributions on paper, electronically, or even verbally!<br />
Write a regular column. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to write a regular<br />
column on a hobby such as gardening or cooking, or country diary notes, or observations on village<br />
life, or anything else which will give our readers practical advice, or just bring a smile to their faces.<br />
Give us your feedback. For years the <strong>Chronicle</strong> has been something we’ve all looked forward to<br />
receiving and reading, and we want to keep it that way, and make it even better. We can only do<br />
that if you tell us what you think of it, and give us your ideas.<br />
We will both be delighted to hear from you. Our contact details are just below, so please get in touch.<br />
The Cover Picture<br />
The picture on our front cover was created by Jo Filer-Cooper. See page 20 for more about her and<br />
her work.<br />
Contents of this issue<br />
Page<br />
Page<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> greetings 3 Lemony Parmesan Spuds 22<br />
What’s Been Happening? 4 Torview Wines Update 23<br />
What’s Coming Up? 7 Cider Apple Orchards in <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 24<br />
Notices 13 Brilliant Brussels 25<br />
Pre-<strong>Christmas</strong> Thoughts 18 Useful Contacts 42<br />
Talking Shop 19 Bus Timetables 43<br />
Jo Filer-Cooper, Photographer 20<br />
Deadline for the next issue<br />
(but the earlier the better!)<br />
Please get all your news and contributions to one of us by 20 th January, to ensure it is included in the<br />
February (Winter) issue of the <strong>Chronicle</strong>.<br />
• Just tell us your news when you see us out and about.<br />
• Send or drop off news and contributions on paper to Alison at The Glebe in West Road<br />
or Chris at Larcombe House in North Street.<br />
• Telephone - Call Alison on 01409 231196 or Chris on 01409 231341.<br />
• Email - We are very pleased to receive contributions or messages in electronic form.<br />
Email Alison at alisonansell2@gmail.com or Chris at chris11egg@aol.com.<br />
2
Merry <strong>Christmas</strong> and Happy New Year!<br />
As is traditional at this time of year, the following people have asked us<br />
to pass on their best wishes for a good <strong>Christmas</strong> and a happy 2017<br />
to all their friends and neighbours in <strong>Sheepwash</strong>.<br />
Charles and Muriel Inniss, East Street<br />
Brian Jones, East Street<br />
Anne and Martin Gray, East Street<br />
Pete and Sue Reader, East Street<br />
Tony and Angela Jones, East Street<br />
Bee and Gary Draper, East Street<br />
David and Hilary Manning, East Street<br />
Michael and Louise Francis, East Street<br />
Christina Penn and Alan Morris, East Street<br />
Simon and Helen Crossley, East Street<br />
Jan and Jeremy Burden, East Street<br />
Stuart, Yolanda, Charlie and Ellie, East Street<br />
Chris, Vinnie, Daniel and Gemma, The Square<br />
Derek and Sally Pooley, The Square<br />
Brian and Margaret Hall and family, Fayrefield House<br />
Linda and Don, South Street<br />
Gary Ellwood, South Street<br />
David and Alison Ansell, West Road<br />
Pete and Jan Hayward, West Road<br />
Paul and Mary Wheeler, Jane, Henry, Alfred and Myrtle, North Street<br />
Jo Driver, North Street<br />
Buster and Anna Jones, North Street<br />
Annie, Michael and Sandra, North Street<br />
Bruce, Nikki, and Albie Knight, North Street<br />
Paulette Jackson, North Street<br />
Martin King, North Street<br />
Roger and Christine White, North Street<br />
Jean Maxwell, North Street<br />
Chris Bell, North Street<br />
Svend Bayer, Duckpool Cottage<br />
Erica and Gary Fisher, Lake Farm<br />
Maggis and Tim Harper, Netherton Farm<br />
Barbara Laughton, Conkers, Merton<br />
Caroline and Margery Ousley from Bideford<br />
Brian and Jill Thomas, formerly of East Street<br />
3
Lots of things have been going on in the village since the last issue hit the streets.<br />
Welcome to <strong>Sheepwash</strong>!<br />
Welcome to Kiran and Lolly, who have very recently moved into Sloe Cottage in North Street.<br />
After attending the Table Top Sale on your first full day in the village, we hope you’ll join in with lots more<br />
community activities and be very happy here!<br />
Peter and Jay Got Married<br />
The wedding of Peter Jones<br />
and Jaysheena Gengadaran<br />
took place in Kuala Lumpur,<br />
Malaysia on Saturday 5 th<br />
November.<br />
A small contingent of family<br />
travelled across to witness a<br />
spectacular union - three<br />
separate events - which will<br />
be finalised next summer<br />
with a celebration in<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> for all our family<br />
and friends who were<br />
unable to attend.<br />
Peter and Jay are now back<br />
in Dubai and thank everyone<br />
for their good wishes and<br />
are very much looking<br />
forward to seeing everyone<br />
in the summer.<br />
Angela Jones<br />
Treats For You?<br />
I have always considered myself more of a writer than a cook. So, when<br />
guests to Retreats for You, our <strong>Sheepwash</strong> based writers and artists retreat,<br />
suggested that I write a cookbook, I was flattered – and amused.<br />
However, they kept on suggesting it, in between saying nice things about<br />
my cooking, and so eventually I did. Write a cookbook, that is.<br />
Eats for You, the Retreats for You cookbook is full of recipes, pictures,<br />
anecdotes and general foodie thoughts. It was fun to write, those who have<br />
already bought it say it’s fun to use and of course it features a few local<br />
names.<br />
It costs £9.99, and if you’d like a look, try<br />
http://www.lulu.com/gb/shop/deborah-dooley/eats-foryou/paperback/product-21790396.html.<br />
Or pop round.<br />
Deborah Dooley<br />
4
Wow - Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty!<br />
That’s the total takings from the Auction of<br />
Promises, which we held to help “raise the roof” for<br />
St. Lawrence’s Church. Although it took a good deal<br />
of effort to arrange, the real effort came spilling<br />
into the Village Hall on October 29 th .<br />
About fifty residents of <strong>Sheepwash</strong> and a few<br />
neighbours from nearby villages occupied the little<br />
tables in the hall, where they were both<br />
entertained and cajoled by our superb and funny<br />
auctioneer, Dave Kent. We are very grateful for his<br />
help and humour from the wobbly “scaffold cum<br />
auctioneer’s lectern”.<br />
Several folk pointed out that the Friends of St.<br />
Lawrence bar prices were rather low - that bodes<br />
well for the next money-raising event perhaps! Part<br />
of our profit from the night was the £110 from the<br />
drinks. And we perhaps took advantage somewhat<br />
of looser purse strings during the selling of over<br />
fifty lots in the auction. In total the auction raised £2,490. Many, many thanks to the generosity of the good<br />
folk of <strong>Sheepwash</strong>.<br />
You probably know Terry and Barbara Trinder from the bungalow opposite my house. Terry, freshly scarred<br />
from his operation, spent the interval drumming up all one hundred £1 guesses for any one of a hundred<br />
possible last two digits in the serial number of a £50 note, kindly donated to our appeal by his and<br />
Barbara’s daughter Andrea and her friend Alison (who were here from Australia, and wanted to help). And<br />
the £50 note was donated back to the fund at the end of the evening after its serial number had been<br />
guessed!<br />
People were really kind and generous throughout the evening. A very large jug from Svend fetched a good<br />
price. A cubic metre of leaves made a showing. The reserve of £150 was reached on Brian Mayne’s caravan<br />
holiday in Exmouth. Simon Crossley has already fettled, sparkled and adjusted a bike. A couple of Pollock<br />
and the left and right sides of a Harris lamb have been duly handed over. Evening meals, teas, cakes, bread<br />
loaves, and pizzas have been arranged, as have trips to Rosemoor and around Devon and or Cornwall. The<br />
Painting Ladies’ day of labour added a terrific wadge to the coffers.<br />
And there were lots more lots, too many and varied to mention them all. By now the winning bidders have<br />
probably used the contact numbers or emails which were displayed on the night to make connections with<br />
the right people, but if some folk have lost track of who to phone, just ask me. I still have the lists of who<br />
bought what and for how much and from whom.<br />
Once again, well done folks, and thank you on behalf of The Friends of St. Lawrence’s Church.<br />
Mike Ritson<br />
01409 231680<br />
5
Hatherleigh Silver Band Hit a High Note<br />
Hatherleigh Silver Band are now officially one of the top 4 th section brass bands in the country, after coming<br />
third at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, held on September 17 th at Cheltenham<br />
Racecourse.<br />
The National Brass Band Championships involves some six hundred bands in eight regional qualifying heats<br />
staged up and down the UK, plus two final national events. The championships, which have existed in their<br />
current format since 1945, are split into five sections - the championship section, and 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th<br />
sections.<br />
Hatherleigh was the only band representing Devon in the 4 th section competition. There were eighteen<br />
other bands in the section, coming from as far afield as Dunfermline and Crystal Palace.<br />
A band spokesperson said, “We worked very hard in the run up to the contest. It takes a lot of commitment<br />
from all of the players and the enthusiasm and dedication of our musical director, Matthew Green, who<br />
worked tirelessly on the piece outside of band practices. The hard work paid off!”<br />
The piece performed by the band was Music from Kantara by Kenneth Downie. Matthew Green, who is also<br />
marine bandsman at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, had high hopes for<br />
Hatherleigh, and he helped the band bring out detail and excitement in the piece of music, ensuring the<br />
members gave a good performance in a difficult acoustic setting.<br />
The band were pleased to have done so well in their particular section and went on to rehearse for their<br />
next concert, the 70 th South West Brass Band Championships, which took place on November 5 th at the<br />
English Riviera Centre in Torquay.<br />
The test piece was the Saddleworth Festival Overture by Geoff Richards, which contains a lot of Australian<br />
melodies. The band were hoping to continue their successful run of results – and they did, as they finished<br />
second!<br />
For more information about the band, call the band secretary Jane Fawcett on 01837 810791. For more<br />
news and pictures of them, visit their website - www.hatherleighsilverband.co.uk.<br />
David Manning<br />
<strong>Chronicle</strong> Arts Correspondent<br />
Don’t forget to visit our website – www.sheepwashchronicle.org<br />
6
There are lots of things happening over the next couple of months.<br />
Carol Singing Around the Village<br />
Pete and Jan Hayward.<br />
Hope to see you on the 22 nd !<br />
Helen Orr<br />
All are welcome to come carol singing around<br />
the village on Thursday 22 nd December,<br />
beginning in the Square at 7.00 p.m.<br />
Traditional carol sheets will be provided, but<br />
please bring a torch, and feel free to join in for<br />
some or all of the evening.<br />
We will be collecting for Children’s Hospice<br />
South West, so please listen out for the singers -<br />
maybe even join in on your doorstep.<br />
And all the carollers can look forward to some<br />
festive refreshments at the end of the evening,<br />
at Oaklands in West Road, by kind invitation of<br />
7
8
Local Rugby<br />
Many of the citizens of <strong>Sheepwash</strong> are great supporters<br />
of the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club in the lofty heights of<br />
the Premiership and European Challenge Cup. Quite<br />
understandable - the Chiefs rise to the top tier of<br />
English Rugby has been a remarkable story, of which the<br />
South West (Devon in particular) should be justly proud.<br />
A trip to Sandy Park is a great day out.<br />
However, at a much lower league level of rugby there<br />
are a number of local clubs that deserve rugby fans<br />
support. In my experience a trip to Okehampton RFC is<br />
always worth it, as they are a local club with largely<br />
young local players. They were very successful in gaining<br />
promotion last year to the South West 1 league, and<br />
they did it by playing some really attractive running<br />
rugby, underpinned by a well-organised pack.<br />
Many thought that they would be out of their depth this<br />
season, but this is far from the case. They lie in mid-table, with five wins to their name already, the last of<br />
which was a stunning 45-18 victory over North Petherton, which included seven tries!<br />
Their coach says, “What Okehampton Rugby is about is a bunch of local guys who are usually the smallest<br />
dog in the fight and almost always punch above their weight due to sheer heart and determination to do<br />
well by your mates around you.”<br />
Remember these “guys” are all unpaid for what they do, and go out to enjoy themselves. In my opinion<br />
they also provide great entertainment just down the road (turn left at the sign before you go down the hill<br />
into Okey).<br />
It costs only £5 to get in, which includes the program, and refreshments are available in the bar all<br />
afternoon. Kick-off is normally 2.30 p.m., but do check their excellent website for fixtures and kick-off times<br />
- www.pitchero.com/clubs/okehampton.<br />
There are other local clubs in the area, who also provide good entertainment on a Saturday afternoon – for<br />
example, Bude (one league lower then Okey). Check their website for up to date information –<br />
buderfc.co.uk.<br />
David Manning<br />
<strong>Chronicle</strong> Sports Correspondent<br />
9
Yoga in the Village Hall<br />
The Parish Council/Village Hall Committee was approached to take part in an<br />
Active Village Scheme where we could have six lessons of Yoga for only £1.50 a<br />
session, as a taster.<br />
The first session took place on Tuesday 15 th November, and all who attended<br />
really enjoyed it.<br />
Future sessions will be on Tuesday evenings, from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., but<br />
please try to arrive about 6.45 p.m. Wear loose clothing, and bring something to<br />
lie on if possible.<br />
If this continues to go well we could carry on after the initial six lessons, at the regular price.<br />
If you are interested in joining in, please contact Denise (tel: 231694) or Anne (tel: 231231).<br />
This is a great opportunity so please come along and enjoy!<br />
Denise Tubby<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> Evening Book Group<br />
We meet at 7.30 p.m. on the last Wednesday evening of every<br />
month.<br />
It’s all very informal and definitely not too highbrow!<br />
New members or casual visitors are always very welcome.<br />
Phone Jan on 231884 for more information.<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> Rainfall<br />
Rainfall in inches September October Yearly Total<br />
<strong>2016</strong><br />
Charles, East Street<br />
3.8<br />
1.4<br />
34.9<br />
Graham, Middlecott<br />
3.77<br />
1.27<br />
34.15<br />
2015<br />
Charles, East Street<br />
4.3<br />
2.8<br />
39.3<br />
Graham, Middlecott<br />
4.72<br />
2.51<br />
38.33<br />
It has been a relatively dry spring, summer, and autumn - only 17.5 inches in the last seven months,<br />
compared to 24 inches for the same period last year.<br />
Peter Banbury, whose family have farmed at Iddesleigh for many generations, and who have kept rainfall<br />
records going back for almost a century, tells me October <strong>2016</strong> was the driest since 1978. He also told me<br />
the winter following that dry October in 1978 was exceptionally cold.<br />
I remember it well - the Half Moon was full with guests celebrating the New Year when the central heating<br />
and hot water system all froze solid on New Year's Day. You have been warned!<br />
Charles Inniss and Graham Tidball<br />
10
<strong>Christmas</strong> Services in <strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
Church and Chapel News<br />
Sunday 11 th December:<br />
2.45 p.m. Baptist Church - Carol Service<br />
Sunday 18 th December:<br />
11.00 a.m. Methodist Church - Carol Service<br />
6.30 p.m. St Lawrence Church - Carol Service<br />
Saturday 24 th December - <strong>Christmas</strong> Eve:<br />
9.00 p.m. St Lawrence Church – <strong>Christmas</strong> Night<br />
Service<br />
All are welcome!<br />
St LAWRENCE CHURCH service times are displayed on the Church Notice Boards and the shop<br />
window. The Torridge Team LINK magazine is produced every month and is available in the church.<br />
METHODIST CHURCH news and information about services can be found on Chapel Cottage’s garage<br />
doors, adjacent to the Church in South Street. We meet for worship most Sundays at 11.00 a.m. - a warm<br />
welcome to all.<br />
BAPTIST CHAPEL Our usual Sunday service is at 2.45 p.m. – see the noticeboard for further details. On<br />
the first Sunday of each month (except November) we meet with the Anglicans and Methodists for a joint<br />
act of worship. You would be most welcome to join us at any of these services.<br />
Friends of St. Lawrence’s Church<br />
For more information about the Friends of St Lawrence’s Church, phone me on 01409 231680, or email<br />
Martin at martinwarren535@btinternet.com.<br />
Mike Ritson<br />
Food Bank Donations Welcome<br />
A Food Bank box is situated at the back of St Lawrence Church. Tins of soup, baked beans, tomatoes, fish,<br />
meat, fruit, etc. will be gratefully accepted for people in crisis.<br />
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ANY PERISHABLE FOOD.<br />
All the items donated will be taken to Torrington for distribution.<br />
Mobile Library<br />
The mobile library now calls once a month. It arrives in the Square on a Tuesday at 1.55 p.m. and<br />
departs at 2.40 p.m.<br />
The next date it will call is 13 th December. A timetable for 2017 has not yet been published.<br />
Don’t forget to visit our website – www.sheepwashchronicle.org<br />
11
Quiz Nights at the Half Moon<br />
Quiz nights at the Half Moon are normally held on every second Sunday in the month, so the next two<br />
quizzes will be held on 11 th December and 8 th January.<br />
It only costs £2 per person, and all of that goes to fund village activities. It’s a real fun quiz, so come and<br />
have an evening of pure enjoyment!<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> Snooker Club<br />
Perhaps those of you who have recently moved into the village are unaware that we<br />
have one of the best full-size snooker tables in North Devon.<br />
The Snooker Room is situated at the rear of the Village Hall. The club needs more<br />
members so that the facility is used more regularly. The table is always available for<br />
use, and in the winter we enter two teams in the local snooker league.<br />
If you would like more details, or even better would like to come and have a game,<br />
contact the Secretary, Charles Inniss, on 01409 231237 or e-mail charles.inniss@btinternet.com.<br />
Members practice every Sunday evening, so why not come along and join us. We look forward to seeing<br />
you!<br />
Charles Inniss<br />
Play Table Tennis in the Village Hall<br />
We have everything you need for a game of table tennis in the Village Hall. Only £5 for an hour.<br />
Great exercise and family fun.<br />
Phone Sheila on 231649 or Anne on 231231 to book.<br />
12
This Could Save a Life In Our Village<br />
An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a device that gives the heart an electric shock when someone’s<br />
heart has stopped (cardiac arrest). You can use an AED on adults and children over one year old.<br />
Ambulances have them on board, but using an AED in the minutes before an ambulance arrives can double<br />
someone’s chances of survival.<br />
A defibrillator has been installed at the Village Hall in East Street. It is on the external wall just<br />
near the front door – it’s in noticeable green casing with a green sign above. The unit is up and<br />
running and has been registered with the Ambulance Service.<br />
The idea is that when you have an emergency you first ring the Ambulance Service and they will give the<br />
caller the access code. This is standard procedure.<br />
However, all the Parish Councillors have the access code and sealed envelopes with the code will be put in<br />
the pub and in the Village Hall. Also, if there is a particular person in the village who is at risk it may be<br />
worth them also having the code.<br />
How do I use a defibrillator/AED?<br />
You can use an AED with no training. The machine analyses someone’s heart rhythm and then uses visual or<br />
voice prompts to guide you through each step.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
First, make sure someone has called for an ambulance, and, if the AED isn’t immediately available,<br />
give CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until someone can bring you the AED.<br />
As soon as you’ve got the AED, switch it on. It will immediately start to give you a series of visual<br />
and verbal prompts informing you of what you need to do. Follow these prompts until the<br />
ambulance arrives or someone with more experience than you takes over.<br />
Take the pads out of the sealed pack. Remove or cut through the patient’s upper body clothing and<br />
wipe away any sweat from their chest.<br />
Remove the backing paper and attach the pads to their chest.<br />
Place the first pad on their upper right side, just below their collarbone, as shown on the pad.<br />
Then place the second pad on their left side, just below the armpit. Make sure you position the pad<br />
lengthways, with the long side in line with the length of the their body.<br />
Once you’ve done this, the AED will start checking the heart rhythm. Make sure that no-one is<br />
touching the person. Continue to follow the voice and/or visual prompts that the machine gives<br />
you until help arrives.<br />
You can watch demonstrations of using a defibrillator/AED at the following links:<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksJcSq9sSjU or https://youtu.be/s5ZPLXdXPBc<br />
Denise Tubby<br />
Power Cuts<br />
To report an issue with your power, call Western Power Distribution on 0800 365 900.<br />
If you have a general enquiry, call 0845 724 0240 or email info@westernpower.co.uk.<br />
13
Self-Build in Torridge<br />
Torridge District Council is exploring the idea of providing housing<br />
through self-build. This initiative is aimed mainly at establishing the<br />
number of local people who are interested in self-build and identifying<br />
any suitable sites for self-building in the Torridge area.<br />
Devon Communities Together is working on behalf of the District<br />
Council to collect details of people who would like to build their own<br />
home (or have it built for them), and owners of land or redundant buildings which might be suitable, in or<br />
adjoining a town or village.<br />
To register your interest in building your own home and/or registering a plot of land that you think would<br />
be suitable for a self-build project, or for more information, please go to<br />
www.torridge.gov.uk/selfbuild.<br />
Please contact Janice Alexander, Rural Housing Enabler at Devon Communities Together, if you want to<br />
know more. Email janice@devoncommunities.org.uk or call 01392 248919 ext 122<br />
Holsworthy Rural Policing Update<br />
Recent incidents:<br />
Thornbury: Criminal Damage to fence resulting in livestock escaping.<br />
Chasty: Property taken from dwelling by unknown means.<br />
Milton Dameral: Vehicle filled at petrol station and made off without<br />
offering payment.<br />
Black Torrington: Offensive phone calls made from unknown number.<br />
Alternative methods of reporting of non-urgent matters online<br />
Devon and Cornwall Police are reminding the public that there are alternative contact methods to contact<br />
police, rather than calling 101.<br />
People can now complete an online non-urgent crime report or use the “contact an officer” facility,<br />
which will be dealt with in the same way as a call to 101, but can often be quicker and more convenient for<br />
busy people.<br />
For other matters, an email to 101@dc.police.uk is a convenient alternative option to calling 101.<br />
We know some people want to speak to a person or don't have access to the Internet. We want to<br />
encourage more people to contact us using these alternative contact methods, so we can manage our<br />
demand more efficiently and provide an even better 101 telephone service to those people who really do<br />
need to call us.<br />
Contact us<br />
The non-emergency telephone number is 101.<br />
999 still applies in emergencies, but to call about any other issues or for any enquiries please use 101.<br />
If you would like to contact your local PCSO directly please call 101 and ask for PCSO 30538 Emma<br />
TOMKIES or alternatively email 30538@dc.police.uk.<br />
I also now have a mobile phone number that you can use to contact me when I am on duty. This is not to<br />
report emergencies, but can be used to contact me directly – 0771 857 5465.<br />
PCSO 30538 Emma Tomkies<br />
Holsworthy Police Station, Well Park, Western Road, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 6DH<br />
14
The Bridgeland Trust<br />
St Lawrence's Church Roof<br />
The Friends of St. Lawrence’s Church have recently made parishioners aware that the church is in need of a<br />
new roof. To this end they have been busy organising various fund raising events and have also asked the<br />
Bridgeland Trust to support the campaign. The Trust recognises that this building not only serves the<br />
religious and ceremonial needs of many good folk, but is also a beautiful building in its own right and an<br />
important village landmark.<br />
The Trustees have therefore voted to help to preserve this important <strong>Sheepwash</strong> building. This year's<br />
current account surplus, plus funds normally employed in the OAP <strong>Christmas</strong> Bonus and Panto Trip have<br />
therefore been diverted in support of the church's cause. A donation of £2,000 has been pledged.<br />
OAP <strong>Christmas</strong> Bonus and Panto Trip<br />
These seasonal offerings have had to be suspended this year in favour of supporting the St Lawrence<br />
church roof appeal. It is hoped that they may be reintroduced at a future date. However, the panto trip<br />
seems to have run its natural course - the combination of a dwindling number of young village children and<br />
rising transportation costs is making the venture less viable.<br />
The Trust, and I am sure the great many people who have enjoyed past panto trips, are very grateful to<br />
trustee Charles Inniss for spending a great many hours, over more years than he cares to remember, in<br />
organising this treat. It has given great joy to a great many parishioners and their children over the years.<br />
Tony Jones<br />
Chairman<br />
Do You Care About Your Community?<br />
What organisation was trusted enough to help set up the United<br />
Nations, but has our local Mayor as a member?<br />
What organisation helps provide clean, safe water to drought-ridden<br />
communities around the world, but doesn’t forget the needy in our<br />
local community, here in North Devon?<br />
What organisation helps provide ShelterBoxes to areas all over the<br />
world in the immediate aftermath of disasters, but also provides help to those in need in our local<br />
community, here in North Devon?<br />
What organisation has run an initiative that has almost completely eradicated polio<br />
from the world, but also funded defibrillators in our local communities here in North<br />
Devon?<br />
What organisation provides scholarships to educate exceptional graduates all around<br />
the world, but also strongly supports all our children in local schools, here in North<br />
Devon?<br />
The answer is Rotary.<br />
With the support of the community rotary makes a difference.<br />
If you would like to make a difference, why not come and join us. We are just a group of ordinary men<br />
and women who care for our community - no other qualification, just a desire to make a difference and<br />
have fun doing so.<br />
David Large, Secretary Torrington Rotary Club<br />
Tel: 01769 560556 Email: david@ashley-manor.co.uk<br />
See www.torringtonrotaryclub.org or our Facebook page - The Rotary Club of Torrington<br />
15
Our Village Hall<br />
The Village Hall is available for all sorts of functions. There is a fully-equipped kitchen with plenty of china<br />
and cutlery.<br />
The hall is well heated during the winter months.<br />
The venue is not too large – it can accommodate about 70 people seated – which is usually adequate for<br />
most events. There is room for a small music group or disco.<br />
The Hall is an excellent venue for birthday parties, <strong>Christmas</strong> parties, New Years Eve, fundraising events for<br />
your favourite charity, or even a very large family dinner party - the list of options extends as far as your<br />
imagination. You can also extend your event into the Jubilee Park behind the Village Hall, which has proved<br />
very popular for entertainment and wedding venues with marquees.<br />
We can obtain a licence for you if you wish to sell alcohol – this costs £21.00. Wine and beer is available to<br />
purchase from the Village Shop at a very reasonable price, and sale or return can usually be arranged. Draft<br />
beer can be purchased from Holsworthy Brewery, who will deliver and collect barrels.<br />
Do you feel able to run a craft group, or a flower arranging session? What about a gardening club, or a<br />
ladies group? Most things are possible.<br />
There is a regular skittles session on Thursday evenings, there are table top sales on the third Saturday of<br />
every month, and a Village Lunch about four times a year. Come and join in!<br />
This is your Village Hall – use it if at all possible.<br />
VILLAGE HALL LETTING FEES<br />
HOURLY - 1 to 3 hours - £8 per hour<br />
SESSION – 3 or more hours - £25 per session<br />
Use of the kitchen is free of charge for teas/coffees and £5 per session for full use,<br />
All charges include heating and electricity.<br />
TO BOOK THE HALL<br />
Please call Anne Gray on 01409 231231.<br />
Please settle your fees in advance if possible.<br />
When booking, please advise if alcohol is to be served, and whether a license is required, and if there is to<br />
be entertainment at your event.<br />
Please read and sign the Conditions of Hire when paying/ collecting your key.<br />
Thank you for booking the Village Hall.<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> Village Hall Committee<br />
Used <strong>Christmas</strong> Cards<br />
As usual, I will put a box outside Mermaid House (next to the village shop entrance) early in the new year,<br />
to collect <strong>Christmas</strong> cards for recycling.<br />
I usually take them to Marks & Spencer's, who are working with the Woodland Trust to reduce the number<br />
of cards that end up in landfill. Also, money generated through the card recycling scheme funds the<br />
planting of new trees throughout the UK.<br />
It is estimated that a billion <strong>Christmas</strong> cards (seventeen for every man, woman and child in the UK) could<br />
end up in bins after <strong>Christmas</strong>. Waste sent to landfill can create methane - a powerful greenhouse gas.<br />
However, if everyone in the UK recycles just one card, this would save 1,570 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent<br />
greenhouse gases - the same as taking five hundred cars off the road for a year!<br />
And if that one card per person is recycled through the Woodland Trust scheme It would enable them to<br />
plant 15,000 trees in 2017. You don’t get much more win-win than that!<br />
Chris Vincent<br />
16
Submission Deadlines for the <strong>Chronicle</strong> in 2017<br />
We publish six issues of the <strong>Chronicle</strong> every year, aiming to have each new issue out as close as possible<br />
to the 1 st of the month in February, April, June, August, October, and December.<br />
In order to allow time for editing, layout, and printing, the deadline for submissions for each issue has<br />
to be at least a week earlier. To simplify matters, the deadline day is always on a Friday, and each issue<br />
is then finalised over the following weekend.<br />
Many contributors want to coordinate the organisation of events to fit in with our publication dates, to<br />
facilitate pre-publicity for things that are coming up, and reporting on things that have happened.<br />
So here are the deadline dates for 2017 – obviously, submitting before these cut-off dates is preferred,<br />
but these are the latest dates when we can guarantee that content will be included.<br />
For the Winter <strong>edition</strong> (covering February/March): 20 th January<br />
For the Spring <strong>edition</strong> (covering April/May): 24 th March<br />
For the Summer <strong>edition</strong> (covering June/July): 19 th May<br />
For the Harvest <strong>edition</strong> (covering August/September): 21 st July<br />
For the Autumn <strong>edition</strong> (covering October/November): 22 nd September<br />
For the <strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>edition</strong> (covering December/January): 17 th November<br />
Parish Council Report<br />
At the November Parish Council meeting Devon county councillor Barry Parson's “Update Holsworthy<br />
Rural” announced that our ward area had received £99k for pot hole repairs, the most of any of the 62<br />
wards in Devon. At least it is an indication of the state of our roads.<br />
Also within that report mention is made of “Wider Devon Sustainability and Transformation Plan and New<br />
Devon Success Regime”. Not a good title, but this examines the “Future Care Mode” for the NHS, with a<br />
focus that people are best supported at home with local, place-based support. This could have major<br />
implications for rural areas like <strong>Sheepwash</strong> if it is carried through.<br />
Councillor Gill Trace outlined some recreational facilities that might be beneficial for the village if the<br />
necessary land was gifted. It formed part of a planning application based on the Luke's farm site in West<br />
Road that would include affordable and mixed housing.<br />
It was felt that this proposed application would best be covered by a pre-application parish council<br />
meeting, to be arranged as soon as possible. I hope this special meeting will be well attended.<br />
Michael Francis<br />
Making Money From Used Stamps<br />
Even in this electronic era of emails and texts, we all still receive letters, many of which have stamps on<br />
the envelope. These stamps are still valuable, even though you can’t re-use them to post another letter<br />
– philatelists all over the world are keen to collect them.<br />
There is a box in the community shop where you can deposit your used stamps. All stamps deposited<br />
there will help raise funds for the Children’s Hospice South West.<br />
So please save all your used stamps, and drop them into the box next time you’re in the shop. All<br />
contributions will be very gratefully received, and this simple act can achieve a lot of good!<br />
17
Pre-<strong>Christmas</strong> Thoughts<br />
What an exceptional autumn we’ve had - the colours<br />
of the trees, especially when the sun is shining on<br />
them, has been spectacular! But now we seem to be<br />
heading into a typical damp November, and everything<br />
is gradually losing its glory.<br />
Nevertheless, it has made the winter shorter and,<br />
unusually for this time of year, at least one dairy herd I<br />
see in the vicinity is still out grazing in the fields.<br />
The maize harvest has been completed in dry<br />
conditions, so the roads have not been covered in<br />
liquid mud - just a few trails where muck spreading is<br />
taking place. All in all, I would think, a very satisfactory<br />
period for farmers and gardeners.<br />
The winter visitors are now with us - the flocks of<br />
twittering starlings, and chattering fieldfares - but<br />
once again I have yet to see snipe or woodcock, or<br />
even redwings, though doubtless they will be around soon.<br />
On the gardening front, some say this is the end of the year - but it can be seen as the beginning, getting<br />
the digging done ready for next spring, spreading manure over these areas, cleaning up weeds and getting<br />
seeds ordered.<br />
Get your garlic planted by the end of the month, and continue planting tulip bulbs, and there’s even still<br />
time for your remaining daffodils.<br />
Now that we have had a couple of slight frosts, the dahlias need lifting. Cut the stems back, and leave them<br />
upside down in a dry place for a while, so that any water runs out and they start to dry out. Then put them<br />
in a dry, frost-free place in dry sand or shredded paper for the winter. You can also dust them with Flowers<br />
of Sulphur as a fungicidal protection whilst in store.<br />
Roses should be cut back by about half to prevent wind rock during winter, which can loosen their roots.<br />
Rake up any dead diseased leaves, and cut off any leaves that show black spot, and consign them to the<br />
dustbin, not the compost heap.<br />
Any shrubs you have just planted may also need firming in, but don’t compact the soil too much as they<br />
need oxygen and an ability to have root growth.<br />
Houseplants will need an occasional water and feed, but don’t overdo it - most indoor plants die through<br />
an insufficiency of neglect!<br />
Well, just a short resume this time, but by the next <strong>edition</strong> the days should be drawing out and things can<br />
get going again - hooray!<br />
Finally, a Merry <strong>Christmas</strong> to everyone!<br />
Jeremy Burden<br />
18
<strong>Sheepwash</strong> Community Shop and Post Office News<br />
The Swallows Have Flown<br />
Summer has gone and with it most of the walkers, cyclists and some of the builders. They all helped boost<br />
summer sales and just fatten the shop up a little to face what is traditionally a leaner time in winter. Now<br />
we must rely more on you, fellow villagers, to keep visiting us - even if you only need this and that, it really<br />
does make a difference, helping to keep this convenient and, to some, vital service alive.<br />
That’ll Do Nicely!<br />
We are pleased to say that you can now pay for goods by credit and debit card. There is also a Cashback<br />
facility linked to debit cards. These services are available whenever the shop is open. We have to pay some<br />
ongoing fixed and variable fees to the banks and the service provider, so to recoup some of these costs we<br />
have to make a modest 20p charge for use of credit cards and also for obtaining Cashback. Debit card and<br />
contactless card purchases are free.<br />
Super Staff<br />
A big welcome to Anne Gray who has joined the team as a shop assistant and volunteer. Anne is involved<br />
in many aspects of village life, including the village hall committee and village lunches, and we are chuffed<br />
to have her on board.<br />
Anne replaces Jen, who has moved on to a managerial position over in the bright lights of Atlantic Village.<br />
In the short time she was with us we have benefitted a lot from her previous retail experience, and we<br />
thank her for all her help. She has hinted that she wants to pop back and do the odd hour of voluntary work<br />
when things have settled down in her new job. She would be most welcome – as would you, if you fancy a<br />
stab at it! We always need good volunteers.<br />
New Looks<br />
Partly prompted by <strong>Christmas</strong> goods starting to arrive, and partly by the otherwise welcome Autumnal<br />
sunshine streaming through the windows, we have had to move some stock around. The aim has also been<br />
a more logical grouping of things like rice and pasta, household goods, snacks, relishes, sauces, and<br />
preserves. All the local produce continues to be highlighted wherever possible. We hope this doesn't cause<br />
too much confusion - please do ask if you can't find your favourites.<br />
New Lines<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> cards have arrived. We have the usual "Greetings from <strong>Sheepwash</strong>!" individual cards, or a<br />
choice of boxed sets. The boxes look like a bargain to me at £2.99 for 30 stylish or 24 luxury designs.<br />
You'll also find shortbread, three different sherries, chocolate Merryteasers treats, and mince pies. For<br />
home bakers, we have mincemeat, dried fruits, flour, butter, Stork, sugar, etc.<br />
The new Wessex Pies have been a big hit. Beef and red wine, chicken and mushroom, venison, luxury fish<br />
- it's pie heaven! The list goes on - and is all available at the shop if you wish to make a special order. They<br />
have a wide range, and most are available in small, medium (to feed two), and large (feeding four). We<br />
order weekly on Monday for a Wednesday delivery.<br />
Simon Crossley<br />
19
Jo Filer-Cooper, Photographer<br />
Two or three weeks before each issue of the <strong>Chronicle</strong>, Chris Bell and I have a planning meeting to go<br />
through possible content for the next issue - what’s been happening, what’s coming up, notices, parish<br />
council news, and brainstorming ideas for articles. From time to time we’ve written about people and<br />
enterprises in and around the village – you may recall articles about Svend Bayer, the Painting Ladies, the<br />
Other Lady Thatcher (Yang Ping and Peter Bright), Marathon Woman (Jane Jackson) – and in the last issue<br />
we had a Day in the Life of an Air Traffic Controller (Pete Reader). And there are lots of others (you can<br />
revisit them on our website).<br />
This time we thought we’d ask Jo Filer-Cooper if she’d talk to us about her photography. First, she said<br />
“Yes”, luckily for us. Second, why ever did we wait so long?<br />
There are some incredibly talented people in the village, and some of you have obviously already realized<br />
that Jo is one of them – she’s taken wonderful photos for some special local weddings - but that’s just the<br />
tip of the iceberg.<br />
Jo has taken photographs since she was a child. For many years as an adult she provided a photography<br />
plus wedding transport package– the transport being two VW split screen vans. This was hard work, every<br />
weekend, and it involved travelling all over Devon. The weather, light, and people(!) make wedding<br />
photography very challenging although enjoyable.<br />
In 2009, Jo decided to get some formal photography training. She was accepted at Plymouth College of Art<br />
and Design. First class Honours degrees are difficult to come by, but Jo got one in Fine Art Photography –<br />
and no wonder, when you see the quality of her work. More recently, Jo’s gained a teaching qualification at<br />
South Devon College, Paignton.<br />
During her time at Plymouth she entered a TV art competition, BBC2’s Show Me the Monet, which was<br />
broadcast in 2011. There were 3,000 entries to this competition, consisting of art of all sorts, including<br />
paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and photographs. She didn’t quite make it to the final exhibition, but got<br />
down to the last 30, was grilled by four art critics, and filmed with the other contestants at Eltham Palace<br />
(where Henry VIII was brought up). She entered one of her favourite photos to the contest - Three Highland<br />
Cattle Jumping, called Highland Fling.<br />
You might think that Photoshop, photo editing software, was used on this photo – absolutely not, Jo took it<br />
as it happened.<br />
Jo also exhibited in London and Bristol as one of six finalists of the South West Graduate Photography Prize<br />
and has twice been Highly Commended by the London Photographic Association for two series of work in<br />
portraiture.<br />
Jo and her fellow students exhibited their finals projects at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane - East<br />
London’s arts and media quarter. She sold most of what she exhibited, including her photographic forms of<br />
still life Old Masters. She printed these on canvas and experimented with different varnishes to make them<br />
look more like paintings, and they were framed in the big gilt frames that we associate with Old Masters.<br />
20
As a result of her success at Brick Lane, Jo was asked to put on a number of other exhibitions, including one<br />
at Canary Wharf. However, putting on a show is extremely expensive – printing and framing – and the<br />
galleries take 60-65% commission. It’s difficult to earn a living as a photographer.<br />
Nowadays Jo sells most of her work through Getty Images, the biggest imaging bank in the world, and her<br />
best selling photograph is White Cows, which was highly commended in the portrait section of the London<br />
Photographic Association. The white cows in question were Betty Heales’ Charolais, which used to graze at<br />
Coles Mill, Holsworthy.<br />
White Cows was taken with a Nikon D700, a 12 mega pixel camera, and Jo made thousands of tiny changes<br />
to the original to get to the best selling version of the photo.<br />
White Cows has sold around the world – Korea, Germany, China, Africa. It sells particularly well in the<br />
States, and there’s a restaurant in New York which has a massive version of the photo on its back wall.<br />
Using Getty Images should mean that the photographs can’t be copied without permission, but there seem<br />
to be loopholes, and images are stolen – in Holland White Cows is sold as an image on a cushion cover.<br />
Facebook and Etsy have been prompt to remove Jo’s photos if she alerts them that they’re being used<br />
without permission.<br />
For those of you that like to get technical, here we are (I had help with this bit). Jo has about 50 cameras.<br />
She particularly likes her old Digital Nikon D3 12 megapixels, and ISO capabilities that still cannot be beaten,<br />
and her firm favourite is her Nikon D800E, a 36 megapixel full frame stunner!<br />
Other cameras that rank high are an old Mamiya C330 professional, waist level view, medium format, and a<br />
Kowa 6, a top down, waist level, medium format camera (medium format uses 6x4” rather than 35mm<br />
film).<br />
Although she obviously uses digital cameras, Jo still uses film, and she has a roll of film in her fridge which<br />
she will use eventually - no rush; it has a June 1969 sell-by date!<br />
For the recent Auction of Promises for the Church Roof Jo offered a trip to Dartmoor to take photos, plus<br />
an hour processing in Photoshop, and photo printing. Denise Tubby and Erica Fisher bid and won and off<br />
21
they went with Jo on Sunday 13 th November – a beautiful sunny day.<br />
It’s not possible to get the best images on a compact digital camera – you need to use a camera that will<br />
take different lenses and where you have manual control, so the girls used Jo’s Nikon D800E and D3 (with<br />
help and advice from the expert) and you’ll have to wait to see the results in the next issue of the <strong>Chronicle</strong>,<br />
as the Photoshop and printing is a work in progress.<br />
We’ve got a very talented photographer in <strong>Sheepwash</strong> – get<br />
in touch with her if you’ve got photos that you’d like her to<br />
take for you, or of you, or of your cows, or of your house, or<br />
of your horses, or ...!<br />
Alison Ansell<br />
To see the wonderful range of photos<br />
that Jo takes, have a look at her website.<br />
www.jojo1photography.com<br />
<strong>Chronicle</strong> <strong>Christmas</strong> Recipe<br />
(A Jamie Oliver recipe – I tried them last <strong>Christmas</strong>, and they’re good! – Alison.)<br />
Lemony Parmesan Spuds – serves 8<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Day: Cook<br />
Ingredients<br />
2.5kg maris piper potatoes<br />
½ bunch rosemary, leaves picked<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 garlic bulb, cloves separated but skin left on<br />
1 lemon<br />
Olive oil<br />
Parmesan for sprinkling over<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Eve: Prepare<br />
Peel and cut your potatoes so they’re evenly sized.<br />
Place in a large pan, cover with cold water, bring to the boil.<br />
Cook for 5-6 minutes, then drain and leave to steam dry for 3 minutes.<br />
(Shake the colander to roughen the potatoes, this will help make them<br />
super crisp later).<br />
Toss the potatoes with a little oil and spread in a roasting pan.<br />
Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge overnight.<br />
One hour before you’re ready to cook, remove the cling film from the potatoes and heat the oven to 190C.<br />
Put the potatoes in and cook for 40-50 minutes, until golden but a little undercooked.<br />
Remove the pan from the oven, (but leave the oven on) and gently squash each potato with a masher to<br />
increase the surface area for crisping.<br />
Add a good measure of olive oil to a small bowl, then stir in the herbs, garlic, strips of lemon zest and a<br />
squeeze of juice.<br />
Drizzle the mixture into the pan of potatoes and give the pan a good shake.<br />
Pop the pan back into the hot oven for 40 minutes.<br />
Pull out the tray and sprinkle over a little parmesan, then pop back in the over for 5 minutes, until the<br />
potatoes are gnarled, crisp and delicious.<br />
See page 25 for another <strong>Chronicle</strong> <strong>Christmas</strong> recipe – Brilliant Brussels.<br />
22
Torview Wines Update<br />
The circle of life has definitely visited the vineyard over the last 12 months or so – what a year we’ve had!<br />
The vineyard has had a fairly mixed bag of fortune, thanks to the mild winter not encouraging the vines to<br />
shut down and reinvigorate in preparation for the<br />
new growth year. This has meant that yields are<br />
down this harvest, although the quality of fruit has<br />
been pretty good.<br />
23<br />
Our sincere thanks go out to all the volunteers<br />
who helped pick over the last month. It was all the<br />
more appreciated because we had our hands full<br />
following the birth of our twins, just prior to<br />
harvest. We are delighted to introduce James and<br />
Iona, who were born on 5 th September and are<br />
doing really well despite arriving four weeks early.<br />
Following the harvest, the winery is now pretty busy with both our own wines and several from other<br />
smaller vineyards in various stages of fermentation. Our own Rondo, picked at the end of September, has<br />
completed the fermentation process and is now resting in a tank prior to bottling in eight months time. One<br />
of my favourite jobs is getting to taste the wines as they progress in their tanks although I haven’t been<br />
able to do this since <strong>Christmas</strong> due to being pregnant with the twins. I’m pleased to say that the first taste<br />
of the Rondo post ferment proved it to be very fruity and pleasant to drink. This flavour should continue to<br />
develop in the tank over the next few months, making it a very marketable wine once it has been bottled<br />
next year.<br />
September was also the month of wine competitions. Having entered into the South West Vineyards<br />
Association competition, we were delighted to find out that we had been awarded Bronze Awards for both<br />
our Pinot Noir 2014 and Rondo 2014.<br />
Finally, keeping with the circle of life theme, some of you may know that we lost<br />
our Springer Spaniel Orla earlier on this year. After she broke her leg, we found<br />
out that she had a genetic disorder. Despite two long operations and weeks of<br />
cage confinement the fracture reopened and nothing could be done to help her.<br />
Making the devastating decision to put your animal to sleep is something that<br />
every pet owner dreads, but ultimately comes with the responsibility of owning<br />
such a pet.<br />
The next question is how long to wait before taking on another animal. We<br />
decided that when we were ready, our next animal would be from a rescue centre.<br />
In keeping with our favourite breed, we “adopted” Willie from the English Springer<br />
Spaniel Welfare Charity and we’re pleased to say he is doing really well, having<br />
settled into life as a vineyard dog - as you can see, he is directing operations from<br />
his pride of place on the tractor seat!<br />
As ever, we are planning to have a wine tasting evening and an open weekend, giving local people a<br />
chance to come up to the vineyard to have a look around, taste the wines and have an opportunity to buy.<br />
The wine tasting evening will be on Thursday 8 th December from 7.30 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. Can we ask<br />
anyone interested in attending this evening to phone us on 07940 007837 or email cat@torview.co.uk<br />
so that we can plan for numbers.<br />
The open weekend will be held on 10 th /11 th December, opening from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.<br />
There is no need to contact us prior to coming over for this. In addition to buying wine for your own<br />
consumption, we think that the wines would make excellent <strong>Christmas</strong> presents and we are more than<br />
happy to wrap the bottles in keeping with the festive period.<br />
We will also be at the Ruby Country <strong>Christmas</strong> Fayre in Hatherleigh on Saturday 3 rd December. In<br />
the meantime, many thanks to those who have supported the vineyard this year and it would be great to<br />
see you all up at the vineyard very soon!<br />
Cat and Tim Gowan
Cider Apple Orchards in <strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
It is twenty years since Richard and I planted our first cider orchards on the west side of <strong>Sheepwash</strong>, around<br />
Gortleigh and South Hill. Many <strong>Sheepwash</strong> residents have asked questions about our operations, so here’s<br />
an update.<br />
Cider orcharding is different to other crops, as most orchards are only planted with a guaranteed contract<br />
from a cider maker for a minimum of twenty years, due to the high initial investment and long wait for<br />
return income.<br />
Before harvest the crop has to be<br />
predicted and an attempt made to book<br />
enough slots at each factory for pressing<br />
the apples at the right time. In the peak<br />
weeks there is often more fruit ready<br />
than can be pressed, so the harvesting<br />
has to be juggled according to fruit<br />
ripeness, weather conditions and factory<br />
slots.<br />
Many of you will have seen our apples<br />
leaving <strong>Sheepwash</strong> on Evans Transport<br />
lorries. We currently supply four larger<br />
South West businesses – Thatchers<br />
(Somerset), Sandford Orchards<br />
(Crediton), Hunt Cider (Paignton) and<br />
Ostlers Cider Vinegar (Barnstaple), as<br />
well as several small producers.<br />
Sheep are grazed in the orchards in winter, but have to be<br />
taken out if the grass is covered by snow, because they<br />
would then eat the trees.<br />
We grow six main varieties of cider apple to give a range of cropping time - Major, Ellis Bitter, Ashton Bitter,<br />
Browns, Michelin and Dabinett. The apples usually ripen for picking in this order, with some overlap. The<br />
four earliest varieties drop their crop over a long period of time and have to be picked up three or four<br />
times in a season. The later varieties drop over a shorter, later period and usually have to be picked up<br />
twice.<br />
We usually start picking in the second or third week of September, but harvesting effort increases<br />
significantly from mid- October until the second or third week of November. In one year our last apples<br />
were sent on the 30 th November!<br />
First the blossom, then the crop – the picture shows 50 – 60 tons (two lorry-loads) of cider apples.<br />
We have three low ground pressure harvesters, which look a bit like large ride-on lawnmowers, a shaker<br />
which is sometimes used to shake the last fruit off the trees, and a number of trailers to hold fruit. The fruit<br />
24
is taken into South Hill, where it is put through a cleaning system. When we are busy it needs five full-time<br />
people to keep the system going, and this year a total of ten different people have worked with us to get<br />
the harvest in. A third of the value of the crop is spent on harvesting.<br />
We are paid for clean apples delivered to the factory in the right time slot, and part of our purchase price is<br />
paid as two bonuses, dependant on both the quality of the fruit supplied to the factory and it’s ripeness.<br />
There is quite a lot to co-ordinate and get right, especially using every bit of good weather, which is why<br />
Richard and I do not take on too many other commitments during apple harvest.<br />
For both 2014 and 2015 harvests Richard and I received the Thatchers Grower Award, which is given for<br />
overall best quality apples supplied over a whole season (this award was only started in 2014). Devon<br />
growers are far outnumbered by Somerset and Herefordshire growers, so the award being won twice by a<br />
Devon grower gives much satisfaction to the growers within our county!<br />
Gill Trace<br />
Gortleigh Farm<br />
Another <strong>Chronicle</strong> <strong>Christmas</strong> Recipe<br />
(Another Jamie Oliver recipe – I tried these last <strong>Christmas</strong> as well, and they’re also good! – Alison.)<br />
Brilliant Brussels – serves 12<br />
Ingredients<br />
1kg Brussels sprouts<br />
6 rashers of smoked streaky bacon<br />
200g vacuum-packed chestnuts<br />
2 onions, finely chopped<br />
7 sprigs of sage, leaves picked and finely chopped<br />
2 large knobs of butter<br />
Olive oil<br />
Method<br />
Once the bacon is lightly golden, crumble in the chestnuts.<br />
Put a large pan on a high heat. Slice the bacon into<br />
chunky strips, then put in the pan with a drizzle of olive<br />
oil, and turn the heat down to medium.<br />
When the chestnuts and bacon start to turn deep golden, add the onions and sage, and turn the heat right<br />
down. Let everything cook slowly for half an hour or so, while you prep the Brussels sprouts.<br />
Use a small paring knife to trim off the base and peel back any tatty outer leaves. Leave smaller Brussels<br />
whole and halve the large ones through the core so they hold together.<br />
Put the Brussels in a large pan on full whack, and boil up a full kettle. Put some salt in with the Brussels. The<br />
pan should be nudging up to hot, then carefully pour in the boiling water. Boil for about five minutes until<br />
just tender – taste to check, they should be slightly undercooked.<br />
Drain the Brussels, then throw them in with the chestnutty mix. Use a spoon to scrape the sticky bits from<br />
the bottom of the pan. Add the butter, then adjust the seasoning.<br />
You can serve these straight away or store them somewhere cool and reheat in the same pan until they are<br />
piping hot.<br />
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PUMP HOUSE UPHOLSTERY<br />
01409 231553<br />
maryphu@outlook.com<br />
Unsurpassed upholstery skills<br />
loose covers made<br />
cushion fillings replaced<br />
good fabric selection.<br />
estimates collection and delivery all part of the service<br />
MARY HOLLAND & JOHN MOULTON<br />
BLACK TORRINGTON<br />
EX21 5PY<br />
www.pumphouseupholstery.co.uk<br />
THE CURTAIN COMPANY<br />
01409 231553<br />
marycurtainco@gmail.com<br />
THE PUMP HOUSE<br />
BLACK TORRINGTON<br />
EX21 5PY<br />
curtains and blinds precision made and fitted<br />
rollers verticals venetians<br />
loose covers cushions bedspreads<br />
fabrics and so much more<br />
Check out our NEW website:<br />
maryholland.co.uk<br />
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FRESH TASTY<br />
VEGETABLES GROWN AT<br />
PETROCKSTOWE<br />
DELIVERED TO YOUR<br />
DOORSTEP!!<br />
Hallwood Fresh Veg is a truly local family business supplying local people & businesses with the freshest<br />
food direct from their farm, where welfare and the environment come before profit and flavour comes<br />
before yield.<br />
Here, on the gentle rolling south facing slopes of Hallwood Farm at Petrockstowe, we grow a fine array of<br />
wholesome seasonal fresh vegetables and tend to our contentedly grazing livestock. We can deliver veg<br />
boxes or bags (which start from £8) or specific orders of meat and vegetables direct to your door, or you<br />
can order through your village shop.<br />
Phone Richard or Ruth on 01837 811762 , or email hallwoodemail@gmail.com<br />
www.hallwoodfreshveg.co.uk<br />
F. C. CLEANING SYSTEMS<br />
HIGH PRESSURE CLEANERS<br />
STEAM CLEANERS<br />
SALES<br />
SERVICE & REPAIRS<br />
FRANK CHESHIRE<br />
LAKES<br />
SHEEPWASH, BEAWORTHY<br />
DEVON EX21 5LZ<br />
TEL/FAX: 01409 231620<br />
EMAIL: sales@fccleaningsystems.co.uk<br />
WEBSITE: fccleaningsystems.co.uk<br />
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ADULT AND KIDS<br />
BOUNCY CASTLES<br />
SUMO WRESTLING SUITS<br />
BUNGEE CHALLENGE<br />
GARDEN GAMES<br />
PARTY MARQUEE<br />
INFLATABLE SLIDES<br />
JON DAVIS 0777 978 2716<br />
WWW.SOUTHWESTBOUNCYCASTLES.CO.UK<br />
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LYMATH & MOYS LTD<br />
Central Heating and Plumbing Engineer<br />
GAS : OIL : SOLID FUEL<br />
CENTRAL HEATING<br />
BOILER MAINTENANCE & REPLACEMENT<br />
SERVICE COMMISSION AND SERVICE AGENT<br />
RAYBURN - ESSE - AGA<br />
D. MOYS A.M.I.D.H.E., A.I.P., R.P.<br />
Holmans Park<br />
Beaworthy<br />
Devon<br />
EX21 5NF<br />
Tel: 01409 231381<br />
Fax: 01409 231652<br />
Email: lymathandmoys@gmail.com<br />
DAVE CHAPMAN BUILDERS<br />
Qualified Building Technician – with over 40 years experience in the building trade<br />
Building for the future and tastefully repairing the past<br />
Call me on 079806 89202<br />
●interiors●exteriors●guttering●cob walls●uPVC windows●uPVC conservatories●plastering●roofing●<br />
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Canine Cuts<br />
Professional Dog Grooming For All Breeds<br />
Member of the British Dog Grooming Association and Pet Care Trust<br />
Clipping<br />
Hand Stripping<br />
Bathing<br />
Nail Trimming<br />
Anal Glands<br />
Will do local collection/delivery<br />
Call Jane Bridges on 01409 231139<br />
If necessary, wait for the answer phone and I’ll call you back<br />
Or email swbridges@btinternet.com<br />
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= Peter Bright =<br />
THATCHER<br />
Wheat Reed - Water Reed<br />
Tel: 01837 810148 (Petrockstowe)<br />
Your Local Builders Merchants<br />
Kings Hill Industrial Estate, Bude EX23 8QN<br />
01288 357020<br />
Open to the Trade and Public<br />
Mon – Fri 7.30 – 5.00 p.m., Sat 8.00 – 12.00 noon<br />
For all your building and DIY needs<br />
We stock everything from sand, aggregate and cement, to powertools, paints<br />
and balustrades.<br />
Come and visit our showrooms, where we are happy to design your dream<br />
kitchen and bathroom.<br />
Come and see what we have to offer!<br />
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(Formerly Forest Fuels)<br />
Quality Seasoned Firewood<br />
£85: Single load<br />
£160: Double load<br />
£230: Triple load<br />
Delivery charges may apply<br />
Tel: 01409 281393<br />
Email: info@grascottfirewood.co.uk<br />
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Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning<br />
Receive a FREE bottle of our own branded Spot<br />
and Stain Remover with every FREE no<br />
obligation survey and quotation.<br />
Carpet, rug & upholstery cleaning<br />
Most carpets dry in 1-2 hours<br />
We move all practically moveable furniture for you<br />
Stain Removal<br />
Stain Protection treatments<br />
Safe for children and pets<br />
Domestic and Commercial<br />
For further details and special offers visit www.pt-cleaning services.co.uk<br />
Call Richard on 01271 470074 or 07595 727491<br />
To book your free survey and quotation<br />
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West Devon Mat Company<br />
Bespoke Mats and<br />
Edging Service<br />
Convert your carpet off-cuts into<br />
useable and smart rugs and mats.<br />
We offer a full edging service on most<br />
qualities of carpet and most sizes.<br />
In addition to this we carry a range of<br />
carpet samples in various qualities<br />
for you to choose from.<br />
For more details<br />
or to discuss requirements<br />
please contact Lee Newby on<br />
01409 231508<br />
or email<br />
info@westdevonmatcompany.com<br />
BUCKLAND ACCOUNTS<br />
& ADMIN SERVICES<br />
Farm & Rural Business Accounts,<br />
Admin Services<br />
Accounts/VAT/<br />
Payroll<br />
Admin Services<br />
Computer Help<br />
Tim Cartwright MAAT, FIAgSA<br />
Haddiport Farm<br />
Buckland Filleigh<br />
Day to day accounts, VAT,<br />
Cashflows/Budgets,<br />
Accounts Advice & Training<br />
Letters, Mailshots, etc.<br />
Help with Word/Excel,<br />
Emails, etc.<br />
07971 118964<br />
bucklandaccounts@gmail.com<br />
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Useful Contacts<br />
Description Person Telephone Email<br />
Member of<br />
Parliament<br />
Geoffrey Cox 01837 82000<br />
County Councillor Barry Parsons 01409 211234 barry.parsons@devon.gov.uk<br />
Ward Councillor Philip Hackett 01409 231310 hackettsthename@gmail.com<br />
Parish Council<br />
Chairman<br />
Michael Francis 01409 231845 mjf.43@icloud.com<br />
Parish Councillors Philip Hackett 01409 231310 hackettsthename@gmail.com<br />
Nigel Hutchings 01409 231586 hutchingsnigel@yahoo.co.uk<br />
Mike Ritson 01409 231680 mike.ritson2@btinternet.com<br />
Gill Trace 01409 231291 trace.gortleigh@btinternet.com<br />
Denise Tubby 01409 231694 denise_tubby@hotmail.co.uk<br />
Christina Penn 0797 976 3547 christinapenn61@gmail.com<br />
Parish Clerk Penny Clapham 01647 253066 clerk@sheepwashparishcouncil.co.uk<br />
Ladies Skittles Helen Orr 01409 231199 helenorr@mac.com<br />
Yoga Di Sluggett 01409 281637 chrisanddisluggett@tiscali.co.uk<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
Community Shop<br />
01409 231531<br />
Doctors’ surgery<br />
(Black Torrington)<br />
Dr Alan Howlett<br />
Dr Asad Aldoori<br />
01409 231628 or<br />
01409 335830<br />
Fax: 01409 231029<br />
Doctors’ surgery<br />
(Shebbear)<br />
Dr Francisco<br />
Fernandez Guillen<br />
01409 281913<br />
Holsworthy Police<br />
(station answer<br />
phone and other<br />
enquiries)<br />
Emma Tomkies<br />
PCSO 30538<br />
Community Support<br />
Officer<br />
01409 259461 or<br />
call 101 for all<br />
non-urgent Police<br />
enquiries<br />
emma.tomkies<br />
@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk<br />
To report a crime<br />
Emma Tomkies<br />
PCSO 30538<br />
01409 259461<br />
emma.tomkies<br />
@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk<br />
Mobile Library 01409 253514<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
<strong>Chronicle</strong> Editors<br />
Alison Ansell 01409 231196 alisonansell2@gmail.com<br />
Chris Bell 01409 231341 chris11egg@aol.com<br />
<strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
Correspondent for<br />
Okehampton Times<br />
and North Devon<br />
Journal<br />
Vera Bryant 01409 231373<br />
42
Description Person Telephone Email<br />
Snooker Club<br />
Treasurer/Secretary<br />
Charles Inniss 01409 231237 charles.inniss@btinternet.com<br />
Village Hall Bookings Anne Gray 01409 231231 sheepwashvillagehall@hotmail.com<br />
Village Hall Chair Denise Tubby 01409 231694 denise_tubby@hotmail.co.uk<br />
Buses to and from <strong>Sheepwash</strong><br />
Turner’s Tours of Chumleigh operate the following bus services to and from the village. All buses pick up<br />
and drop off at the bus shelter in the village square.<br />
On Mondays (to Bideford):<br />
Bus No. Departing from Time Arriving at Time<br />
642 <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 9.30 a.m. Bideford 10.35 a.m.<br />
642 Bideford 1.30 p.m. <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 2.35 p.m.<br />
On Wednesdays (to Holsworthy):<br />
Bus No. Departing from Time Arriving at Time<br />
639 <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 9.52 a.m. Holsworthy 10.30 a.m.<br />
639 Holsworthy 1.30 p.m. <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 2.08 p.m.<br />
On Saturdays (to Okehampton):<br />
Bus No. Departing from Time Arriving at Time<br />
631 <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 10.00 a.m. Okehampton 10.37 a.m.<br />
631 Okehampton 12.30 p.m. <strong>Sheepwash</strong> 1.07 p.m.<br />
For further information about bus routes and timetables, call Turner’s Tours on 01769 580242.<br />
EXTRA COPIES OF THE CHRONICLE<br />
A copy of the <strong>Sheepwash</strong> <strong>Chronicle</strong> is delivered free to every house in <strong>Sheepwash</strong>.<br />
Extra copies are available in the community shop on a first come, first served basis,<br />
at a cost of £1 each.<br />
However, if you would like one or more extra copies of every issue in a year<br />
(perhaps to send to family or friends), please let us know and we will deliver them<br />
with your free copy. We only charge £5 a year for each extra copy, saving £1 on<br />
the shop price, and guaranteeing your extra copy – the shop sells out fast!<br />
The <strong>Sheepwash</strong> <strong>Chronicle</strong> is printed by<br />
Hedgerow Print Ltd, 16 Marsh Lane, Lords Meadow, Crediton, Devon, EX17 1ES.<br />
Telephone: 01363 777595. Web: www.hedgerowprint.co.uk<br />
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Find a very<br />
MERRY<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
and a<br />
HAPPY NEW<br />
YEAR<br />
at your<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
SHOP