
WEATHER OR NOT
On the whole the start of 2017 was fairly quiet and there is not much to
report. January was one of the driest that we have recorded with only 88mm
of rain in total (212mm in 2016) and seventeen days when there was no
recordable rain. There were some cold snaps when the temperature fell below
freezing with a minimum temperature in the month of -3.6DegCC on the 21st
[-2.8DegCC in 2016]. The maximum temperature in the month was 12.2DegCC which was
average. The wind speed topped 23mph on several days peaking at 34mph on
the 9th. Looking back to 1998, the wind managed to gust at 62mph. Sunshine
hours of 23.87 were recorded which was the highest for January since
keeping the figures started in 2003.
Although February has been another dry month with only 71.4mm of rain,
(98mm 2016) with the high humidity and frequent showers the ground has not
had much opportunity to dry up. Our garden at least is pretty sodden. The
temperatures stayed in double figures for most of the month rising to a
maximum of12.6DegCC on the 18th which was a beautiful spring-like day. The
thermometer never fell below freezing in the whole of the month which is
unusual, the lowest temperature being 0.1DegCC. Two named storms hit the
country in February, Doris - a "weather bomb" - and Ewen, both of which
caused problems in the north but we escaped the worst fortunately. The
strongest wind gust here was 52mph on the 23rd which was
courtesy of Doris. The 43.01 hours of sunshine were quite high for the
month but not a record.
The only snow we have seen this year [so far!] was a light flurry on the
11th of February.
Although February has been another dry month with only 71.4mm of rain,
(98mm 2016) with the high humidity and frequent showers the ground has not
had much opportunity to dry up. Our garden at least is pretty sodden. The
temperatures stayed in double figures for most of the month rising to a
maximum of12.6DegCC on the 18th which was a beautiful spring-like day. The
thermometer never fell below freezing in the whole of the month which is
unusual, the lowest temperature being 0.1DegCC. Two named storms hit the
country in February, Doris - a "weather bomb" - and Ewen, both of which
caused problems in the north but we escaped the worst fortunately. The
strongest wind gust here was 52mph on the 23rd which was
courtesy of Doris. The 43.01 hours of sunshine were quite high for the
month but not a record.
The only snow we have seen this year [so far!] was a light flurry on the
11th of February.
We could do with a dry spell now with a bit of easterly wind to dry the
ground up, but there is not much sign of that in the forecast so far.
Simon and Sue

Peter Rothwell
ST. PETER'S CHURCH
We are very pleased that our new Priest in charge, Canon Michael Rogers and
Rev Bill Cole, as House for Duty Priest, are settling in to their new roles
here in Berrynarbor and Combe Martin. Their presence will be much
appreciated by all in the village, our school and congregation, as well as
our PCC who as many of you will know have worked very hard over the last
two years during the interregnum period.
We continue to have the welcome support of our retired
Rector George Billington, and we shall soon be able to welcome back Celia
Withers who is presently away on a Lay Readers course.
By the time you read this article our AGM will have taken place, but we are
continuing to seek additional committee members to join our PCC, and should
like to welcome anyone who can spare just a few hours per month to help
spread the load and make things easier for us all.
As mentioned on several occasions, Margaret Sowerby and her husband Roger
have taken on the important role of PCC Treasurer and together they have
done a terrific job. The important thing to emphasise is that when
occasional difficulties arise, we on the committee are all here to help
each other by resolving matters quickly and efficiently.
As many in the village will know, the Church [and the Manor Hall] are
experiencing problems with roofing, and the main central gutter which sits
between the two church roofs and its supporting masonry, needs urgent
repair. The PCC are currently approaching various organisations to obtain
grants for the repairs in question, which will involve very high costs to
the church. Therefore, we are taking immediate steps to effect a temporary
repair to the central guttering, which is badly cracked, to prevent water
from entering the interior roof and damaging the main roof beams. We hope
to commence this work shortly, preferably when it's not raining, and will
keep everyone up to date with our progress!
One of our oldest parishioners, Sylvia Berry, who is not in the best of
health, is currently staying with her son Richard and his wife Vanessa at
their farm just outside the parish. We hope that Sylvia is more comfortable
being with her immediate family.
Church services for May, commencing at 11.00 a.m. will be as follows:
1st Sunday - Village Service
2nd Sunday - Holy Communion
3rd Sunday - Songs of Praise
4th Sunday - Holy Communion
Friendship Lunches will be held on the last Wednesday of the month at The
Globe, meeting at 12.00 for
12.30 p.m.
Stuart Neale
VIOLET ELIZABETH SONGHURST
2.3.1923 - 11.3.2017
It was so sad to learn that Vi had passed away peacefully at home just
following her 94th birthday.
A loving and much loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and
great-great-grandmother she will be so missed by Gary and Joyce and all her
family, and our thoughts are with them all at this time of sadness.
JANET GAMMON
Rob, Shirley and Family would like to thank all friends and neighbours for
their kind messages of support and all the lovely cards.
Thank you to all who attended the Celebration of Janet's Life. Your kind
donations raised £324 which has been split between Diabetes UK and the
Special Care Baby Unit, Barnstaple.
MAUREEN UNDERDOWN [nee Peachey]
3.6.1927 - 23.3.2016
It was sad to hear recently from Simon Underdown that his mother Maureen
had died last spring. Maureen subscribed to the Newsletter and contributed
a most interesting article in December 2013 describing the dance classes,
concerts and ladies keep fit in which she took part during her family's
stay in Berrynarbor during the War.
In his Eulogy, Simon spoke of that time:
"In 1939, some relatives were already staying in Devon in a pretty village
called Berrynarbor and so the whole family went down there and found
somewhere to stay. Maureen's father, Bill, approached his bank for work and
luckily there was a vacancy in the Ilfracombe branch, so the family were
able to stay together in Berrynarbor for the duration of the war. Despite
the difficulty of transferring to a new school inundated with evacuees,
Maureen had a very happy time in Devon, various other relatives went to
live in the same village at different times and she made many friends
locally.
"Despite being shy in everyday life, she revelled in performing and was
able to express herself on the stage; she attended drama classes at the
Manor Hall and took part in several shows there, wearing in one a dress
that had belonged to Isadora Duncan. Her father became Captain of the
Berrynarbor Home Guard and much of their life there had a distinct Dad's
Army flavour.
"After the war the family moved back to Essex . . .
"Maureen was a vibrant soul who lit up the room and was always welcoming
and happy to see you. She had a good and full life."
Simon finished his eulogy by reading a poem that Maureen had written for a
W.I. competition which she won; the judge described it as a thoroughly
pleasing, unusual poem . . . a literary delight. Simon hopes that readers
of the Newsletter will think so too.
Our thoughts are with Simon and his brothers on the loss of a much loved
and loving mother.
Scarecrow in the yellow frock
Leaning at an awkward angle
By the rusty wash-house mangle
Like a broken hollyhock.
Do you feel the wind and sun
See the change when light is dawning
Know your work starts in the morning
Take your rest when day is done?
Do those arms so stiff and straight
Yearn to curve around a waist
And to be turn embraced?
Are you happy with your fate?
Does that brain of string and straw
Know that there is life and death?
Do you almost draw a breath
At the thought of nuclear war?
Sunshine Lady stand at ease!
Other women can protest,
To each the job that suits him best,
Reign as guardian of the peas!

Debbie Rigler Cook
MAKING A BIG SPLASH!
Many readers will remember with affection Tony and Norma Holland who lived
at Berrynarbor Park before moving a few years ago to Bradenstoke near
Chippenham.
Before leaving, Tony started his birthday swimming challenge when he and
Norma ran a singing group for people with dementia. This first attempt was
frustrated when he arrived at the Ilfracombe pool to find it completely
drained of water for maintenance that was expected to take a year. With
£450 sponsorship riding on it, he completed the challenge at the Barnstaple
pool.
Tony spent two decades in the Royal Navy travelling all over the world,
often swimming with other crew members when they had a chance to relax in
foreign climes. But it wasn't until he retired that he took up distance
swimming as a hobby. Reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Tony spent
the last years of his service aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.
This year, as Norma is being treated for age related macular degeneration,
he decided to raise money for the Macular Society and on his 75th birthday
took to the water with the aim of swimming 75 lengths.
Even though he counted the lengths as he swam and then did a few more to be
on the safe side, in 59 minutes and 45 seconds he had completed 81 laps
which he only found out after checking his electronic swim tag!
Tony was bolstered by sponsorship from friends, family, pool staff, as well
as groups including Malmesbury Community Choir, Devizes Afternoon Choir and
the Bradenstoke Golden Girls and his swim will have raised in

excess of £700 for the Macular Society who have been very supportive. Age
related macular degeneration affects more than 600,000 people in the UK and
is incurable but can be slowed with treatment.
Well done Tony, we send our congratulations and best wishes to you both.
What will the next challenge be?
NEWS FROM THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
It seems unbelievable that we are more than half way through this current
school year and planning ahead for events in the Summer Term. Meanwhile
there has been plenty going on. For example, the past month or so has seen
various activities where parents have spent time in the classroom with
their children.
Magical Maths

This was a great time when parents enjoyed a morning of Maths with the
children. Here are some of their comments:
"Good to see children having fun doing Maths." "Brilliant. Lovely to see
all the different ways to learn." "Maths isn't something to be afraid of!"
World Book Day
In early March we celebrated World Book Day. Our theme this year was Myths
and Legends. Parents joined the children for part of the morning and,
together, they explored the range of book inspired group activities set up
around the school. The children also held a Book Swap bringing in books
they no longer needed and swapping them with each other.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parents and teachers have spent time talking over their children's progress
and looking at the next steps.
Celebration of Learning
We are hoping that the weather will be kind to us towards the end of March
as Key Stage 1 have an evening of Stargazing with their parents planned for
the celebration of learning. This will round off their Space Topic
brilliantly.
Swimming Gala
A group of children from Key Stage 2 represented Berrynarbor in the
Ilfracombe Inter-school Swimming Gala. They swam well and showed great
sportsmanship.
Question of the Week
Over the past few months the children have been given a weekly question to
ponder over. The subject matter has been varied and entertaining, hopefully
setting brains thinking and provoking debate. What would your thoughts and
answers be to the following?
-
What are you thankful for?
-
Is prayer important?
-
What if people had wheels instead of legs?
-
What if houses were made of rubber?
Class Target
Each Class is set a weekly target to aim for. Here are a few:
•To be more organised personally
•To always be listening for instructions
•To show that you are putting in your best effort
-
To keep the classroom tidy
•To fill the silence with thought not talk
Audits and Checks
In January, because we are a Church School, we had a SIAMS [Statutory
Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools]. This was conducted by the
local Diocese and we have come away from it with some useful ideas to help
further develop our Christian ethos.
A few weeks later there was an administration audit which went very well
and, again, left us with pointers to make our systems even better. Early
March saw an audit of our Safeguarding Practices. This was also a useful
experience as the safety and well-being of our children is of the utmost
importance.
Politics and Pounds
As you can see our school is a safe, fun, inspiring and nurturing place for
our 93 pupils. However, it isn't an easy site to manage and maintain so
keeping it safe for our children eats into the budget. We do not receive
any more in our budget than a similar sized modern built school with little
expenditure on maintenance. It's true, as you might have heard through the
media, all schools are struggling to balance their budgets this year. In
Devon, however, schools are facing further cuts alongside rising costs
despite having been underfunded for many years due to a historic schools
funding formula. Our precious children deserve the best education and our
society needs the next generations to be well-rounded, well-educated
people, but this will be difficult to achieve without adequate funding.
Nationally, our school system is at breaking point. If you visit www.schoolcuts.org.uk you will
see the scale of the problem. Please add your voice to the case for fair
funding in education.
Easter Greetings
As this busy term draws to an end we are enjoying the lengthening daylight
hours, the bright spring flowers that are blooming and are looking forward
to the Easter break. We should like to thank you for all the support you
give to the School and wish you all a Happy Easter.
Sue Carey - Headteacher
FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL
Appointment of Clerk
As you may have seen the Parish Council has recently undertaken a
recruitment process for the position of Parish Clerk. Berrynarbor Parish
Council is pleased to welcome Mrs Victoria Woodhouse as its Parish Clerk
& Responsible Financial Officer. Victoria can be contacted on
clerk@berrynarborparishcouncil.org.uk
,
Tel: [07815] 665215 or postal address: Firstone, Yarnscombe, Barnstaple,
EX31 3LW.
Defibrillator Awareness Training
You are all invited to attend the Defibrillator Awareness Training being
held in the Manor Hall at 7.00 p.m. Tuesday 25th April 2017. The Assistant
Community Responder Officer from the South Western Ambulance Service will
be leading the event and showing you how to use a Defibrillator in the
event of an emergency. Please do come along!
Flag Design Competition
The Parish Council is launching a flag design competition for the
community. The Council would love to see your designs, which should reflect
the character, history or community of Berrynarbor Parish, on an A4 sheet
of paper. Entries should be sent to the Parish Clerk on the above contact
details or handed to a Berrynarbor Parish Councillor. The closing date for
submissions is Friday, 26th May 2017. There are three categories, Under
12's, Under 18's and Over 18's, so please don't forget to include your age,
name and address on your entry. A winner from each category will be picked
by the Parish Council.
Berrynarbor Village Signs
We should like to say thank you to County Councillor Andrea Davis who has
secured funding to provide new wrought iron village signs which will be
erected at the three main entrance points to the village. The designs have
been agreed and it is hoped to be able to place the order soon.
Local Council Award Scheme
The Parish Council is pleased to announce that it has agreed to apply for
the Foundation Level of the Local Council Award Scheme. This is a
prestigious award that recognises the Council achieves good practice in
governance, community engagement and council improvement. Furthermore, the
award confirms that the Parish Council goes above and beyond its legal
obligations. It looks forward to submitting the application and hopefully
receiving confirmation of the award in due course.
Keeping You Up-to-date
A second noticeboard has recently been purchased which has been erected on
the wall of the public toilets in Castle Hill. You can find a list of
Councillor Contact Details on the notice boards and Agendas for meetings
will also be published on the notice boards prior to the meetings. The
Parish Council also has a website
www.berrynarborparishcouncil.org.uk
and all Agendas, Minutes and the latest news can be found on the website.
Waste and Recycling
Please see the article from the North Devon Council following this report.
New E-mail Addresses for Parish Councillors
Please note the new e-mail addresses for Parish Councillors given below:
HELP US TO RECYCLE MORE
North Devon Council will soon be introducing changes to its waste and
recycling service.
The council's Recycle More campaign will implement a number of improvements
to the service from Monday 5th June, including:
-
weekly food waste collection service
-
garden waste collection service for a small annual fee
-
trial of a major push on recycling in a small area of the district
including three weekly rather than fortnightly collection of black bins
Why are we doing it?
We want to increase the amount of recycling we collect to reduce the amount
of waste going to landfill. We also intend to meet and surpass national
recycling targets of more than 50% of all household waste by 2020
(currently at 44%).
New food waste service
All households in the district that don't already have one will receive a
new food waste container called a kerbside caddy, along with instructions
on its use, before the weekly service is rolled out. Food waste will be
collected every week, along with your recycling box and bags. You will no
longer be able to put food waste in your green or black wheelie bin/black
bags.
Garden waste service
Also from the beginning of June, the council will be offering an optional
garden waste collection service for £36 a year, as automatic free
collections of garden waste will end. Currently, only around a half of
homes in the district use their green bins for garden waste. Garden waste
collection is a discretionary service, and charging a small annual fee for
those who wish to use it will help to keep council tax charges down, making
it fair for all. You can register and pay for this service from 2 May.
Trial areas
In addition to weekly food waste collections and an optional garden waste
collection service, we shall be trialing additional changes in the
following areas: Challacombe, Bratton Fleming, part of Brayford, Arlington,
Shirwell,
Landkey, Whiddon Valley, Forches, Goodleigh, Stoke Rivers, Chelfham.
Residents in these areas will be given an unlimited recycling and cardboard
collection service. This means that less waste will need to go in black
bins and they can be collected three weekly rather than fortnightly. We
will have dedicated recycling advisors on hand to help and advise residents
in the trial area to recycle everything they can.
For further information, including why the we are making the changes,
registering for garden waste collection (available from 2 May), and the
trial please see the Recycle More pages on North Devon Council's website www.northdevon.gov.uk/recyclemore
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL PATIENTS

We are excited to announce that we will be installing a new automated
telephone system at the end of April 2017 to streamline our services and
ensure that you reach us as quickly as possible. Team members at all of our
three sites will answer your call whichever number you ring.
Callers will hear a new message welcoming them to Combe Coastal Practice
and inviting them to select from different options within the system to
reach designated team members. This could be the appointments team, the
prescriptions team or general enquiry team. You will be asked for a brief
reason for your call as this helps us deal with your request in the
appropriate way.
We believe this new system will offer an improved service and accessibility
to our team for callers to the surgery.
Look out for more updates on our website
www.combecoastalpractice.co.uk
or our Facebook page.
NEWS FROM THE POST OFFICE
Royal Mail add a Penny to Stamp Prices
Royal Mail announced that from 27th March, the price of a First Class stamp
will increase by 1p to 65p, and a Second Class stamp by 1p to 56p.
In addition, the price of a Large Letter First Class stamp will rise by 2p
to 98p, and a Large Letter Second Class will rise by 1p to 76p.
The New 12-sided £1 coin is here!
Key Dates
: 28th March 2017 new coin came into circulation
There will be a six-month period when both coins can be used
15th October 2017, the old £1 coin will no longer be legal tender
So, check your money boxes and use your old £1 coins before that date!

£5 05.05.17 - A Date for your Diary
Paper £5 notes will be withdrawn from circulation on the 5th May, 2017. So,
check under your mattress and spend old ones before that date!
NEWS FROM BERRYNARBOR PRE-SCHOOL
We have all thoroughly enjoyed the topic on Space. The knowledge, interest
and role play in this topic was very rewarding to see and stretched our own
interest to find out more. The children brought in library books, stories,
objects they had made and a volcano kit that they were happy to share with
others.

We have talked about the sky at night and what we saw. The story of Little
Moon was a great inspiration and the children were heard talking about
Grumpy Neptune, Enormous Jupiter, Sleepy Venus, Old Mars and The Black
Hole! Within all this, they enjoyed sorting, measuring, counting and have
begun to recognize familiar numbers as well as using positional language
and opposites.
Francesca Owen from eARTH studios, a local artist and parent of one of our
children, came into Pre-school to support the children's learning. She
specializes in earth pigments unique to North Devon and helped them make a
mural to go outside. They used these pigments to explore new colours,
different textures and used different resources to make marks, including
hand prints, worked with sticks and brushes to build up a star, moon, space
rocket for a space themed mural to go in our garden.

Outside play wasn't too badly affected despite all the building works going
on around the Manor Hall. The children continued to enjoy the outside space
and even did their own risk assessment. They were inspired to do some of
their own building work as well, which was lovely to see.
You may have noticed [despite the scaffolding] that some of the bulbs and
spring flowers that the children planted in the autumn are now coming on.
So, with this in mind, and the children's interests, we are going to be
looking at the changes in our seasons, grow seeds and include stories such
as Jack and the Beanstalk, The Enormous Turnip, The Gruffalo and more. We
celebrated Pancake Day and World Book Day and shall be celebrating Spring,
Mothering Sunday and Easter. We shall also focus on healthy eating and
keeping fit and take part in the fun of Comic Relief.

With the kind support of Berry in Bloom, we hope to have our garden area
improved and made safe again and to grow more vegetables and summer fruits.
We are well attended at present but do have some days/sessions

free. If you would like to book a place for your child/children, then
please visit us or call us on our NEW telephone number 07932 851052, or
e-mail
preschoolberrynarbor@gmail.com
for more information. We are open from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Monday to
Friday and are flexible with a range of session to meet your needs.
Sessions are given in the Manor Hall Diary later in this Newsletter.

We are Ofsted registered and in receipt of the 2gether scheme and Early
Years Entitlement, providing care and education for young children between
the ages of 2 and 5.
All the Staff at Pre-school: Sue, Karen, Charlotte and Lynne
RURAL REFLECTIONS - 78
Over the next two months, cricket leagues up and down the country will
begin their season. Although they commence, in general, during the second
half of spring, the sight of a cricket match played upon a green is
arguably the epitome of a summer scene in a rural village. And if the game
is competed on a field beyond the heart of the village, the setting is
likely to be complemented by an abundance of green shades enveloping the
location of the pitch.
In the air wafts the strike of leather upon willow, the shout of "Run
two!", the cries of "Catch it!", the cheers at the fielder's accomplishment
and the ripple of consolatory applause as the batsman leaves the field with
only a handful of runs to his or her name. Or maybe the thud of ball upon
pad is heard followed by the desperate bellow of "Howzat?", the sense of
anticipation drifting in the summer breeze and finally the batsman's
disbelieving stare towards the nearby line of poplar trees having witnessed
the fatal rise of the umpire's index finger.
Climbing the few wooden steps, the batsman smells, sooner than anticipated,
the musty aromas of the pavilion and hears a comment above the chitchat,
"Nice sandwiches, Fallon." "Thanks", she replies and then adds, "Though I
can't take credit for the lemon drizzle cake. Jill Archer's been 'baking
for England' since her recovery from that ankle injury." [Apologies to
non-Archers listeners; though if the character did bake cakes for the
current England side, I have no doubt it would improve their results.]
No cricket match is complete without the ticking over of its scoreboard.
Whilst on the opposite side of the ground sit two characters beneath the
tall copper beech. One can be heard sipping steaming tea from the thermos
whilst scrutinising every change in fielding position. In contrast, the
other can be heard breathing heavily, laid back fully in his deckchair with
a magazine across closed eyelids that are only willing to reopen when ears
hear the next loud appeal for a wicket.
This is, of course, a romantic portrayal of cricket - and not just at club
level. For the game of cricket - is in crisis, none more so than at Test
grounds. Throughout the Test playing nations, most games are played out in
front of rows and rows of empty seats. The one-day game temporarily halted
the decline in popularity until overkill made many of these matches tedious
and meaningless.
And so it came to pass that the Lords of the English Cricket Board invented
T20 - the twenty-twenty game, twenty overs per side. Thankfully it has
stemmed the flow, for it meets the demands of a fast-moving society. Like
football and tennis, a match now lasts the ideal length of time for the
modem limited concentration span.

Paul Swailes
Yet it is a concept that conflicts with our rural surroundings; of the four
seasons, summer provides the most prolonged period of our countryside in
full bloom. Its months give plenty of opportunity to absorb its green
beauty and to gain pleasure from the elegance of its flowers that will
endure. Miss it one day, enjoy it the next. Spring is the complete
opposite; a time when stormy showers can keel over daffodils and high winds
wrench blossom from the trees. Fail to walk beside a verge, along a lane,
across a field or through a wood at just the right times and you will miss
the celandine, the primroses, the buttercups and the bluebells at their
peak.
I often hear people comment on the prettiness of a magnolia in bloom. Yes,
this positively always ends on a negative note. The trouble is one gust of
wind and that's it for another year! But is that not the reason they were
put on this earth? It ensures we make the most of the blossom for the short
time it is on show. On reflection, maybe the leaves of the copper beech are
the Test matches of our countryside - the prolonged version of the game,
where one can take note of the score at any time. The magnolia, meanwhile,
is the T20, on view for a very short period but providing great joy and
pleasure
Happy Easter.
Steve McCarthy
BERRY IN BLOOM & BEST KEPT VILLAGE
At the moment, we seem to be having a bit of a cold, blustery start to
spring, but the daffodils are blooming and the birds are singing to their
mates, and hopefully it won't be long before the sun is shining.
At the annual meeting on 21st February it was decided that we should have a
rest from holding the two Open Garden events this year. This is not to say
that we shall not open again in the future, but after disastrous weather on
the day of the Sterridge Valley day and not very many turning up for the
Village Open Gardens, maybe a rest will enthuse everybody in another year.
I should like to thank everyone who has participated in the last few years
and don't give up on the weeding because I am sure we shall open again!
We are entering the Britain in Bloom competition and judging is at the
beginning of July but we haven't been given a definite date yet.
The Quiz and Supper Evening on the 3rd March was a great fundraising
success, bringing in just over £1000. I should like to thank all of you who
supported us in any way. With this event in mind we have decided to hold a
Soup and Pud Evening on the 10th November, so please put this date in your
diary.
The first litter pick/work party of the year has already taken place. If
you are interested in helping in any way, please do contact me on [01271]
883170 or 07436811657.

White Simnel Cake
This is a traditional light, fruit cake containing and topped with my
favourite marzipan. It is then covered with fluffy butter icing flavoured
with brandy, a real treat for Easter tea!
Cake Ingredients
125g white marzipan (buy a 500g pack and use the rest to cover the cake)
250g plain flour 1tsp baking powder
Half tsp ground allspice 200g softened butter
200g golden caster sugar
4 large free range eggs
Zest 1 orange and zest of 1 lemon
Half tsp vanilla extract and half tsp almond extract
2 tbsp brandy
200g walnuts chopped
110g sliced toasted almonds
100g raisins
200g glace/dried pineapple chopped
200g glace cherries (plus 11 extra to decorate the top of the cake)
200g chopped mixed peel
To Decorate
2 tbsp apricot jam
375g marzipan
140g softened butter
450g icing sugar
5 tbsp brandy
Roll out a quarter of the marzipan on a surface dusted with icing sugar to
a circle a fraction smaller than the base of a 20cm round deep cake tin and
set aside.
Heat the oven to 150C/130Cfan/gas2. Line the base and sides of the tin with
double thickness baking parchment, cutting it so it stands at least 5cm
above the top of the tin.
Sift the flour, baking powder, half a tsp salt and allspice together in a
bowl, set aside. In another bowl beat the butter until light and fluffy
then add the sugar and cream together. Beat in the eggs one at a time (add
a spoonful of flour if the mix looks like curdling). Add the orange and
lemon zest, vanilla and almond extract and brandy and stir to combine.
Using a large metal spoon fold in the flour mixture, the nuts, fruit and
peel until thoroughly combined. Spoon half this mix in to the tin, place
the marzipan disc on top then spoon in the rest of the cake mix, smooth the
top and bake for 2hours to 2 hours 15 minutes, until a skewer inserted
comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then transfer to a
wire rack to cool completely.
When the cake is completely cool, warm the apricot jam with a splash of
water and brush over the cake. Roll out the remaining marzipan to a circle
large enough to cover your cake then use the rolling pin to help you lift
it onto the cake and smooth down the sides. Trim away any excess at the
bottom.
To make the icing beat the butter until smooth. Beat in half the icing
sugar and stir in the brandy. Beat in the remaining icing sugar until
smooth. Spread evenly over the cake. Finish top with the 11 whole cherries
to represent the apostles.
It doesn't have to be Easter to enjoy this cake.
Wendy
Simnel cake is traditionally eaten during the Easter
period in the
United Kingdom
, Ireland
and some other countries. It was originally made for the middle Sunday of Lent, when
the forty-day fast would be relaxed,
Laetare Sunday
, also known as
Refreshment Sunday
.
Conventionally eleven, or occasionally twelve, marzipan balls are used to
decorate the cake, with a story that the balls represent the twelve
apostles minus Judas, or Jesus and the twelve apostles minus Judas. This
tradition developed late in the Victorian era, altering the mid- Victorian
tradition of decorating the cakes with preserved fruits and flowers.
LOCAL WALK - 161
Twelve swans a-swimming
Last year a new riverside walkway was constructed at Barnstaple linking the
Long Bridge to the Tarka Trail. Access to it is between the end of the
bridge and the former Shapland and Petter building.

In the newspaper photograph, just before it officially opened, it looked
rather bleak and stark but when we walked there a short time afterwards,
patches of biting stonecrop had already pushed up between the concrete and
tarmac and there were even the broad fleshy leaves of a sea kale plant. It
is intended that the outer wall of this new six hundred and
seventy-five-metre long promenade will act as a flood defence. It certainly
affords a good view of the river. As we arrived an elegant line-up of a
dozen swans passed by.
The new track ends at the area of rough ground with its original informal
path leading to the Tarka Trail below Anchor Wood. Turn right for Penhill
and beyond or left for a short circular walk back to the town.
On a previous Walk in the Newsletter, I had been very disparaging about the
dull section near the underpass but in June what a transformation. It had
burst forth with blossom. There were wild roses and two types of wild
viburnum bushes; foamy cream clusters of the wayfaring tree [viburnum
lantana] and flat white umbels of guilder rose [viburnum oppulus]; the
arrangement of true flowers at the centre with the false flowers around the
edge resembling a lace-cap hydrangea.
We returned in March. Weeds had been kept at bay along the new track where
we encountered just one cyclist, one walker and one dog. Redshanks stood at
regular intervals along the water's edge. As the river broadened out there
was the odd curlew and great black-backed gull.
Blackthorn and broom were in bud on the more established stretch of the
trail. Tortoiseshell and ginger cats perched on walls and banks frowning in
the early morning sunshine.
A word about the old industrial buildings which dominate the new walkway.
Controversy has raged in recent times concerning their future.
They have suffered neglect and become an eyesore but they were hurriedly
given listed building status to prevent their demolition.
However, in their heyday high quality furniture, in the Arts and Crafts and
Art Nouveau style, was made there which found a global market. J.H. Rudd,
the designer at Shapland and Petter was a friend of Barnstaple born William
Lethaby, the famous architect and designer. An influential advocate of the
Arts and Crafts principles, Lethaby founded an important school of design
in London.
If you end your walk by crossing the Long Bridge and entering the Museum,
you will find at the top of the stairs, on the first floor, a small display
of examples of Shapland and Petter's furniture. It is worth taking a look.

Illustrations by Paul Swailes
RE. THE SHAMMWICKITE & W.W.D.P.
I was walking home from the latter [at St. Peter ad Vincula] when I picked
up a copy of the former.
I'd not seen it for some years and my goodness, it's as dull and boring in
style as ever. It is celebrating its 34 years and has not moved on at all.
No enticing cover either. No colour. No photographs.
BUT, to its credit, it did publicise the Women's World Day of
Prayer. I look in vain for details of this - location and time - in our
newsletter. Neither in Stuart's interesting piece nor the At-A-Glance
Diary, where whist at Kentisbury gets a mention but we wimmin are cast out into the wilderness!
This year, with its Philippines theme, it was particularly interesting but
rather poorly attended I thought.
I don't like patriarchal religions which subjugate women, but I go as a
feminist, as a bit of token solidarity with the 'sisterhood'.
Also, because my mother used to like going because it was
interdenominational and she liked hearing about women in other lands.
Funny Stuart didn't publicise it [it wasn't in the Church magazine either],
because he provided the music at the WWDP service at Combe Martin
yesterday. Always a pleasure to hear him play. A mini concert in itself. S. 4.3.17
Apologies for this omission. The WWDP in 2018 will be held on Friday, 2nd
March - Suriname, All God's Creation is Very Good. Location to be advised. Ed.
The World Day of Prayer is an international
ecumenical
Christian laywomen's initiative. It is run under the motto "Informed Prayer
and Prayerful Action," and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on
the first Friday in March. The movement aims to bring together women of
various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common
Day of Prayer
, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the
year.
The Women's World Day of Prayer started in the USA in 1887, as Mary Ellen
Fairchild James, wife of Darwin Rush James from Brooklyn, New York, called
for a day of prayer for home missions, and Methodist women called for a
week of prayer and self-denial for foreign missions. Two years later, two
Baptists
called together a Day of Prayer for the World Mission. The Day of Prayer
initiated by these two women expanded to Canada, then to the British Isles
in the 1930s. The movements focus on ecumenism and reconciliation led to
growth after World War II. Since 1927 the March day is known as Women's
World Day of Prayer. Catholic women were allowed to join the movement after
the
Second Vatican Council
, beginning in 1967, and united what had been their May day of prayer with
the March Women's World Day of Prayer in 1969.
NOW AND THEN AT NORTH LEE
In 2017, with North Lee restored in the last year, it is interesting to
look back a century and beyond. This undated postcard of the farmhouse was
sent when it was occupied by Richard, Dick, Huxtable, whose photograph
hangs in The Globe, his wife Susan and their family.

Sent by Susan to their second son, also Richard, who in 1912 at age 26 had
emigrated to farm in Australia. It reappears by courtesy of his
grand-daughter, Freda.
Susan is just visible standing in the doorway behind her grand-daughter
Lilian. Lilian's father William, known as Bill, the eldest son of the
family, subsequently bought the farm at the Watermouth Estate Sale of 1924,
his parents moving to Langleigh House.
At that time, as Ron Toms recalls and is clearly shown on the sale plan,
there were farm buildings and land on both sides of the road.
It was probably at the entrance by the hedge opposite the farmhouse that
the wedding postcard featured by Tom Bartlett in Issue No. 103, August
2006, was taken.
The mystery bride was Edith, Susan and Dick's younger daughter, pictured in
1904 with bridegroom Ernest Smith, her parents, sister Mary Jane and
brothers William, Richard and Alfred.

Dick was born in 1857 and Susan in 1861; Mary Jane, on the right of the
photo, in 1879; William, far left, in 1881 and Richard, next to him, in
1886. The youngest son, Alfred, right of the couple, was born in 1892.
Edith was born in 1882 and her husband Ernest in 1871.
Thanks to Tom and the Newsletter for bringing it to attention, also Freda
who sent the enhanced photograph and Robin Kiff, great grandson of Dick and
Susan for help with the family history.

Ladies Up In Arms!
Despite their smiles, the ladies on parade in this third photograph seem
ready for battle. Susan is on the right with daughter Edith next to her and
grand-daughter Evelyn in the centre. Second from left is Eliza Norman who
married Susan's youngest son Alfred in 1917. Can anyone identify the other
young women?
Pre-dating the Home Guard, which did not come into being until 1940, were
they, like Ilfracombe's Red Petticoats, a ladies' line of defence? Or was
this a rehearsal for some more joyful occasion, such as a guard of honour?
SHS
PAUL'S PICTURES
The originals of Paul's pictures that appear in the Newsletter could, if
you are interested, be for sale. Three that appear in this issue are shown
below, mounted and framed. They are 22.5cms [c9"] square and could be yours
for just £10 each. For interest in these and any past or future
illustrations, just contact the Editor on [01271] 883544.

This atmospheric painting of Woolacombe Beach is one of a series of 20
large paintings entitled

Western Approaches which make up Paul's Spring Collection for the
Ilfracombe Art Trail 2017.
This takes place on the 6th and 7th May when Paul's pictures can be viewed
and purchased at the Carlton Hotel, Ilfracombe. During the Trail, some 50
artists will be displaying their work - painting, sculpture, textile art,
jewellery, stained glass and more - in galleries, shops, hotels and other
public places in the town.
This is an event not to be missed, so make a note of the dates in your
diary and enjoy!
NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY SHOP
Would you like to help?
Could you spare a few hours a week to help out in the village shop? New
volunteers are now being recruited to join the small army of helpers who
give up, say, half a day a month to help keep the shop running.
Jenny Cookson, who has been a volunteer since the beginning, when the shop
became a village-owned venture 13 years ago, still finds it very rewarding.

"The shop with its Post Office really is the heart of the village and it is
so important to make sure that it remains open," she says. "I enjoy working
there, getting to meet and chat with people from other parts of the village
that I wouldn't normally see. It also keeps me on my toes and my mind
active."
Having the shop, the village pub and the Manor Hall gives Berrynarbor an
immense pull for those looking to settle in North Devon as well those
visiting on holiday. So why not pop into the shop next time you're passing,
have a chat with either Debbie or Karen, and see what you can do to help.


We are pleased to advise that the lock to the hall main entrance door has
now been changed and the number of keys supplied with it are strictly
limited. However, all regular users have been provided with a new key for
their convenience and have signed an agreement covering their use of this
new key. Anyone with one of the old keys should throw it away.
The structural work to the manor house wing roof was completed at the end
of February and we are pleased that we can now concentrate on the main
hall. As a small first step we have replaced the four pairs of curtains to
the windows in the hall, as we hope users have noticed!
Lastly many thanks to those users who have helped with our Evaluation
Survey during March - this will be really helpful as we apply for more
grant assistance.
Manor Hall Management Committee
CHILDHOOD LITERATURE
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply
messing about in boats."
"After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting
yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working."

"The clever men at Oxford Know all that here is to be knowed. But they none
of them know one half as much As intelligent Mr. Toad."
Kenneth Grahame would never have believed that his delightful account of
the antics of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad would still be a literary
classic more than a hundred years after he scribbled them down, having been
rejected by publishers several times before The Wind in the Willows was
finally published in 1908. Toad of Toad Hall, as it began, was never
intended to be a book, the character invented as a distraction to entertain
his troubled only son.

Portrait of Kenneth Grahame by John Singer Sargent
|
Kenneth Grahame was born on the 8th March 1859 in Edinburgh. After his
mother died of puerperal fever when he was five, he, his brothers Willie
and baby Roland, and sister Helen were given into the care of their
grandmother Ingles who lived in Cookham, Berkshire, where they were
introduced to the riverside and boating by their uncle, David, Curate at
Cookham Dean Church.
An outstanding pupil at St. Edward's School, Oxford, Grahame wanted to go
to Oxford University but was unable to do so due to the cost and was
instead sent to work for the Bank of England. He retired as its
Secretary in 1908 due to ill health, possibly the result of a political
shooting incident when he was shot at three times, all shots missing.
He married Elspeth Thomson in 1889. Their only child, Alastair, born in
1900, was sadly blind in one eye and suffered health problems all his life,
committing suicide whilst an undergraduate at Oxford, two days before his
20th birthday.
There is a ten-year gap between Grahame's penultimate book and the
publication of The Wind in the Willows. The wayward and headstrong nature
he saw in Alastair he turned into the swaggering Mr. Toad. Ratty was
inspired by his good friend and writer, Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch.
Despite its success, a sequel was never attempted. The book is beautifully
illustrated by E.H. Shepard, OBE, MC, [1879-1976], illustrator of Winnie
the Pooh and other books by A.A. Milne.
Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire, in 1932 and is buried in Holywell
Cemetery, Oxford. His epitaph, written by his cousin
Anthony Hope - also a successful author - reads:
To the beautiful memory of Kenneth Grahame, husband
of Elspeth and father of Alastair, who passed the river on
the 6th of July, 1932, leaving childhood and literature
through him the more blest for all time.
Kenneth, Elspeth and Alastair Grahame
|
Elspeth [nee Thomson] born 3rd January 1862 in Edinburgh.
Died Pangbourne 19th December, 1949.
Alastair Grahame ['Mouse'], born 9th May 1900
Died 7th May 1920
MOVERS AND SHAKERS NO. 68
Edward Capern
The Postman Poet
23rd January 1819 - 4th June 1894
Several Movers and Shakers were drifting in and out of my mind, with none
chosen, when on
27th February, Edward Capern, the Postman Poet was mentioned on BBC
Spotlight. His great-great-granddaughter,
Lady Ilfra Goldberg, [a retired doctor, spoke of him, and young musicians,
Nick Wyke and Bocci Driscoll, from Buckland Brewer, sang songs written by
him. Now he sounded an interesting fellow - and I'd never heard of him!
Google came to the rescue once more, with articles, most of them
complimentary, in abundance.

Although born into a poor family in Tiverton [his father, Edward, was a
baker], he achieved national acclaim, and made many noteworthy friends
during his lifetime.
At the age of two, his family moved to Barnstaple and by the age of nine
Edward was working more than 12 hours a day in a lace factory. The close
work affected his eyesight, the cause of giving up this work in 1847 at the
age of 29. In the same year he married a 27-year old Bideford dressmaker,
Jane Trick. He was desperate for work. He had had only 4 months' education
in his whole life, but a kindly schoolmistress had taught him to read and
spell, and he then worked hard to teach himself to write. This secured him
a job in 1848 with the Post Office as a letter carrier based in Bideford.
[It's interesting to note how new the postal service was. Just eight years
earlier, Rowland Hill devised the four-penny post in December 1839 and
reduced it to one penny in January 1840. Four months later, the Penny Black
- the first adhesive stamp in the world - became available.]
Edward worked seven days a week for a wage of 10s 6d - 52.5 pence in
today's money. By the time he reached Bideford to Buckland Brewer, his
third route and a return journey of 13 miles, it took him until midday to
deliver to farms and cottages along the way, and then he had to wait
3 hours for the returning post for Bideford. This was the time that he
wrote his poems, sitting in a cottage whilst the owners went about their
regular work. He grew quite portly and after a few years, acquired a pony
and
trap for the daily slog. The sound of his bell and post-horn as he wended
his way along the lanes summoned local folk to hand over their letters.
His verses were initially mainly about nature and he sent some of them to
the North Devon Journal's Poet's Corner, where they became popular,
particularly at county gatherings. William Frederick Rock, a well-known
Barnstaple philanthropist and stationer, got together a number of
subscribers, including the Duke of Wellington, Lord Palmerston, the then
Prime Minister, Charles Dickens, Charles Kingsley and Rowland Hill
to publish a book of his poems. The first 1,000 copies of the first issue
made a profit of £150 for Edward and 2nd and 3rd editions followed.
At some point, the Post Office recognised the popularity of his poems,
raised his wage to 13s per week - 65p - and gave him Sundays off!
He retired in 1866 at the age of 47 after 15 years' service due to ill
health, varicose veins and the loss of sight in one eye, and was awarded a
pension of £8.9s.5d. a year.
Edward became known nationally when he wrote The Lion Flag of England,
about the Crimean War. Lord Palmerston was so impressed that not only did
he have a broadsheet sent for distribution to the soldiers, but sent for
Capern and awarded him a pension of £60 per year from the Civil List.
I read constantly that there is nothing particularly striking about
Capern's verse, but it appealed in ways more challenging poetry did not.
You could have judged for yourselves if I'd included the whole of The Lion
Flag of England, but as there are 9 verses of 12 lines, it would have taken
up too much space! You can read the whole poem on Google, Edward Capern
Poems, then turn to pages 165-170.
At heart Edward Capern was a family man and had been devastated when his
only daughter, Milly, died in childhood, leaving him with just one son,
Charles. In 1868.
Edward and his wife left Devon to live in Harborne, a village outside
Birmingham where his son was now living, and where he became known as its
local poet. Here he continued to write, publish and lecture. He also taught
himself to play the flute and whilst in Harborne, published 'Ballads and
Songs', then 'Devonshire Melodist' - his songs, some of them to his own
music - and followed this with 'Wayside Warbles'.
His final and sixth book, 'Sungleams and Shadows' came out in 1881.
A hundred years later, a road in Harborne was named Capern Grove after him.
After 16 years in the Midlands, Jane's health deteriorated and in 1884 they
returned to Devon, buying a pretty cottage in Braunton, where they lived
for their final 10 years. After her death in February 1894, Edward was so
devastated that he died four months later on the 4th June. He was buried in
St Augustine's Church in Heanton Punchardon, the funeral expenses met by
Baroness Burdett-Coutts, to whom he had dedicated his second book of poems.
Having inspired the Crimean troops, it seems appropriate that near his
grave are now 92 war graves of airmen in World War II from the UK, Canada,
New Zealand and Australia, cared for by the
War Graves Commission. Incidentally, Bideford Museum, in the Burton
Art Gallery, features his post-horn and several paintings of himself.
Sadly, I didn't get there, but next time I'm in Bideford . . . !
When we arrived in the churchyard to take a photograph of the grave, the
sun was shining, the views over Chivenor stunning and the primroses
blossoming; enough material for another poem perhaps? His headstone is
unusual in that in an alcove near the top is his bell. Surprisingly the
wooden handle has lasted, and the clapper still works. [I tried it!] There
are two verses inscribed on the headstone, one from the Poet Laureate,
Alfred Austin, and below it, a verse by Capern with which I shall close:
"For some word I said, some thought immortal,
Winged with passing breath,
But more for one, true tender-hearted deed,
Since such sweet things the world doth sorely need."
PP of DC

GREAT BERRYNARBOR PLANT SALE
Calling all gardeners!
The annual Great Berrynarbor Plant Sale will take place
on Bank Holiday Sunday, 28th May in the Manor Hall. So,
all you wonderful gardeners out there, please help us
now by taking some extra cuttings, dividing up those
perennials and sowing additional seeds ready for the
big day.
Donated plants can be delivered to the Hall from 10.00
a.m. on the day with the doors to the Sale opening at
2.00 p.m.
There will be a prize draw and refreshments served,
so please make sure you put this date in your diary.
If you are going to be away over the
Bank Holiday, donated plants can be
pre-delivered to the shop at any time.
|

BERRYNARBOR WINE CIRCLE
'If God forbade drinking, would He have made wine so good?'
Cardinal Richelieu
Wine presentations can be easy, sometimes! If professionals are giving
them, then we can all sit back and enjoy them; however, there are
occasions when members feel that they should or could stand before the
Circle.
Geoff and I elected to do February's event because we had done a Danube and
Rhine cruise in 2016 that provided some spectacular and particular views.
We sailed from Budapest to Amsterdam passing through Hungary, Slovakia,
Austria, Germany and Holland.
En route, from our floating hotel, vineyards became part of beautiful
Austrian scenery and continued throughout and into Germany. We realised
that every available space was given over to wine - if the soil and the
aspect were appropriate. A few vineyards are flat, but others were
incredibly steep and, therefore, everything regarding viticulture was
carried out by hand: planting, managing the vines, watering and picking.
It's hardly surprising that wine prices can also be steep!
Along the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, vineyards vied for
space with captivating castles and palatial 'piles'! From the bottom of the
ancient and charming town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, a cable car took us up to
see Germania, an impressive and famous statute, but the vines came up with
us! These were impressive too!
Our holiday route was memorable, not least because of the numerous
and almost vertical vineyards! These gave me the idea for our BWC
presentation. With Internet assistance, we managed, after many searching
hours, to buy Hungarian, Slovakian, Austrian and Germanic wines. An
almost-unanimous vote gave our first white top marks along with the same
for our second red.
Berry Brothers & Rudd supplied our first winner: the 2013 Frittmann,
Cserszegi Füszeres. BBR say that it would be more popular if it had a more
pronounceable name. I agree! This Hungarian white is the result of crossing
the local Irsai Oliver with Gewurtztraminer and made into dry and off-dry
styles. It's 12% and was £10.95. It was good, but then BBR have been in
wine since 1698, have two Royal Warrants and seven Masters of Wine.
Our second red was a 2014 Anselmann Dornfelder Trocken, but it was only
£8.60. If there had been a blind tasting, it would have fooled many into
thinking it was South American or Australian instead of German; it was a
rich, full-bodied red, even though it was a single grape variety,
Dornfelder, and it was 14%. The Anselmanns have been associated with
viticulture for more than 400 years; among numerous accolades they were
chosen to supply the German team for the Rio Olympics.
'Wine gives strength to weary men.' Homer
The evening was billed as The Old Bills & Virgin Wines because two
retired policemen had offered to present Virgin Wines. The wines were
described and, unusually, we also heard about the presenters' past: stories
from their experiences within the Met and Birmingham constabulary.
Our first white was South African and, in many people's opinion, was the
best white. Perdeberg Winery Vineyard Collection Chenin Blanc Muscat, 2015
was different. It had all the floral, grapey loveliness of Muscat, jazzing
up the brilliant freshness and body of Chenin Blanc. It was 13% and
described as the most quaffable, not a cheap grape mix at £11.99.
In between wine descriptions given by John Hood, Bill Scholes, once of the
Met, regaled stories of his early policing duties around the Kings Cross
area. He joined in 1964 when this famous district was decidedly unsafe and
undesirable. At the time, his equipment was a wooden truncheon and a
whistle, to 'phone in, they had to find a telephone box.
After a night shift, he visited a shop to collect his breakfast; it only
sold fresh eggs and bacon. To convey it back to the police canteen to be
cooked, the bacon was placed on his head, the eggs were perched on the
bacon and it sat under his helmet! To keep these safe, he would walk as if
he was on a catwalk at a finishing school!
After we'd had a 2015 white Rioja, voted as thin, and a 2016 Australian
Chardonnay that was lighter oak than normal, the reds arrived. Usually, I
enjoy a Shiraz, but I didn't; however, the Zeitgeist 2015, 13.5%, from the
Languedoc, was soft, smooth, delicious and £19.99 a bottle! La Traversee
estate is a sensation in France, but doesn't export a great deal. It will
improve for 10 years and beyond.
We finished with an Italian Fazzoletto Barbera Passito 2015. Virgin Wines
sold 9,000 bottles in four days, but many thought that the Zeitgeist beat
it, hands down.
This season continues with April's event a week later than norm: 26th
April. Our host will be Nigel Pound of Totnes Wines and Radio Devon. May's
is our AGM followed by a wine and food-match evening with
Tony Summers.
Judith Adam - Secretary and Programme
OLD BERRYNARBOR - NO. 166
Happy Easter 2017
For this month I have chosen three early Easter postcards from my
Collection.
The first is the third in a set, two of which were shown in the previous
Newsletter No. 160 in February 2016. The set is published by Wildt &
Kray of London E.C. No. 2611 and printed in Saxony c1904.
Wildt and Kray are renowned for the early production of fine, coloured
postcards.



The second postcard is again printed in Germany, exclusively for Postcard
and Variety Stores Ltd. of London, N. 7, and is just one of five such
Easter cards in my Collection.

The third card shows a rather typical Lucy Atwell little girl in an Easter
bonnet, sucking her finger and sitting on a hat box. This card has been
published by PPC under their Philco series and is numbered 3841.

I believe this was published during the First World War or shortly after,
as it states 'British Throughout', Comic Series.
My thanks to our Editor, Judie, and Printer, Dave, for the great
reproduction of last year's cards, and hopefully for this year as well!
Tom Bartlett
Tower Cottage, March 2017
e-mail: tombartlett40@hotmail.com
BERRYNARBOR
I was ten years old when we arrived at Berrynarbor in 1939. Seventy years
ago.
This meant that all my friends in Upminster - my home town - were left
behind and I had to start making new ones.
The house in Barton Lane was a fine, 4-bedroomed one looking across to
Hagginton Hill; and to the right a good view of the Bristol Channel. Left
was the North Lee area.
Well, what a wonderful place to spend the next six and a half years!
Although only ten years old, I was sent to Ilfracombe Grammar School and as
I have mentioned before, this was an educational disaster. However, I did
make some good friends; among them was Bob Brecher, Don Blake, and John
[whistle] Stevens.

Attending school in the early days of the war we had to carry gas masks. It
was interesting to learn many years later that the filters contained
asbestos!
Rationing for food and clothing began and the blackout started and you
could be fined if you showed a light as this might attract the German
planes that could drop their bombs. Travel in those days meant bus, bike or
on foot.
The latter was always interesting with a nice walk up the Sterridge Valley
to the very sharp bend at the end where you could follow the river and see
otters and deer.
Then you could go down to Watermouth. In those days there were no caravan
sites and perhaps only a single boat moored in the cove.

Here we could catch little elvers in the stream that ran out on to the
beach.
Going on into Combe Martin there were, of course, the Hangman Hills and it
was good to come up from Little Hangman beach to a nice small café where
you might be refreshed with a lemonade or cup of tea, with, if you were
lucky, a cake. I understand that this café is long since gone as is the one
that used to be on Newberry beach.

Before I go on to the bike and cycling, I must mention perhaps one of the
most beautiful views, that is from what is now Napps Caravan site. To your
right you can see Combe Martin and the Hangman Hills; straight ahead, on a
clear day, is Wales, and to your left Watermouth.
Getting our bikes out, a friend and I would cycle to Barnstaple and hire a
boat to row up the river to a bridge and back followed perhaps by a walk
around the lovely park. I also recall cycling to Woolacombe, again with a
friend, and seeing that posts had been driven into the beach at regular
intervals to stop the German planes from landing. A good place for a swim,
but never out of your depth.
Ilfracombe was not far to ride, with its Tunnels Beach, Victoria Pavilion
[now gone] and fine harbour. There were two cinemas, the Scala and the New
Cinema. There was the Alexandra Hall where plays were presented and dances.
I recall dancing was a little uphill and down dale as the floor sloped!
When the war was over, those who had gone to the North Devon area away from
the cities left to go back to their previous homes, if they hadn't been
bombed, and so tended to lose touch with wartime friends. However, I did
stumble across Beryl [sometimes known as Pam Horrell] at St. Osyth. She,
her husband and children came to lunch with us in later years at
Colchester. I also kept in touch with Don Blake who had moved back to
Wanstead.
Sadly, I have reached that age when travel is too much but memories are
great and I can recall many happy times in your lovely area.
Best wishes and luck to all you who live in that wonderful village.
Tony Beauclerk - Stowmarket
Illustrations: Paul Swailes
WINTER PHOTOGRAPH COMPETITION
Calling all photographers! Have you got a favourite wintry picture of
Berrynarbor - past or present? If so, be sure to enter it for the village
2017 Christmas Card Competition [yes, Christmas!].
Villagers will then have their chance to vote for their favourite photo[s]
at this year's Great Berrynarbor Plant Sale during the May Bank Holiday,
28th May. The winning photos will feature on our very own Berrynarbor
village winter scene Christmas cards, to replace the rather random church
and robin pictures that have appeared on cards sold by the shop in recent
years.
But we do need all pictures in as soon as possible as we shall have to
start the production cycle early enough so that the cards are back with us
in good time for Christmas. If you also have any ideas about the message
you would like to see inside the cards, we'd love to hear from you.
So, if you have snowy or wintry pictures of the village and would like to
see them in card form, please e-mail them to us at the Shop on
berrynarborshop@onebillinternet.co.uk.
If you only have printed photographs we may also be able to use these.
Please put your name and phone number on photos so we can return them to
you.
The winning entry or entries will receive a voucher to spend in the village
shop. Good luck!
Debbie and Karen
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