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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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28


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 />

29


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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32


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 />

33


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 />

34


= 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 />

35


(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 />

36


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 />

37


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39


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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41


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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44<br />

Find a very<br />

MERRY<br />

CHRISTMAS<br />

and a<br />

HAPPY NEW<br />

YEAR<br />

at your<br />

COMMUNITY<br />

SHOP

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