Edition 99 - December 2005

Early in November, the lofts and wardrobes of Berrynarbor were scoured for items to help with Rotary's appeal through the North Devon Journal for blankets, warm bedcovers and warm clothes to send to Pakistan. And what a magnificent turnout! Fenella and John kindly provided the use of the barn at Sloley Farm and trestles were appropriately laid out in front of our award-winning carnival float, depicting HMS Victory.

Between Saturday and Monday people brought 20 black bags of blankets, 13 of duvets, sleeping bags and eiderdowns and nearly 50 bags of clothing ranging from sheepskin jackets, Barbour's, anoraks and fleeces to woolly hats, gloves, scarves and socks. On the Tuesday, a further 8 duvets were taken separately to Barnstaple. Although there were few children's and baby clothes, on the whole they were well catered for by other areas.

What happened next? All the items were taken to Tiverton where they were sorted and loaded into 15kg bags. North Devon produced about 10 tons of aid and Devon as a whole generated enough items to fill 4 articulated trucks! Later, I spoke to George Kempton, the local organiser, who proclaimed the collection a 'phenomenal success'. By then, two trucks had been driven to Aid International in Perth, one about to go and the last would leave on Monday, 14th - in time for the deadline for goods to arrive before the winter freeze. Each truck took just 2 hours to empty - blankets and bedcovers were put on pallets and within 24 hours were in Pakistan. The clothing went into shipping containers to arrive at their destination within ten days. Lessons in Logistics could be learnt from both local and national organisers.

Many thanks to all who so generously contributed and to those who not only delivered the goods but also stayed on to help sort.

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If anyone had said a year ago, come down and sit in Silver Street, for that is what it is called, and drink a cup of tea outside the shop, you'd have thought them mad. But on Saturday, 1st October you did turn up and sit around and chat and laugh and chew the fat and generally put the world to rights. And why? Because you knew that you would be in the heart of the village, with friends and family and acquaintances newly made through the Berrynarbor Community Shop.

The party might have been in aid of the Shop's 1st Birthday but it was also an opportunity to celebrate so much more. Indeed everything the shop has come to represent - the village hub where people meet, laugh, exchange ideas, drop/collect things, bump into old friends and generally feel welcome, part of a wonderful close knit community.

So there was little surprise when 80 or so of you turned up, to the stirring strains of a brass band (sadly this year, only on CD, but who knows what may happen in years to come!) for a bit of a yarn. And not only did you stay and have a chat, but you stayed and stayed and stayed, because on average you consumed four cups of excellent Miles tea and I should know because I was pouring!

And the reason you stayed was because you were having fun, at what is often affectionately known as the Comedy Store. The reason? More often than not when you walk past the shop you hear laughter, especially so on Sundays when that redoubtable duo of Adams and Jenner are performing. Or maybe it was because you'd heard that Eve, the Wendys and Marion had been strong-armed into producing their famed cakes. Or because you knew that Keith and Helen, newly arrived at the Village Bakery, had generously donated cakes, or possibly it was the smell of Carmen's sausage rolls as she drove the Blue Ginger van into the middle of the tea party. Certainly you weren't going to leave when she started splitting ginger scones and dolloping them with honey and clotted cream! Numbers were no doubt boosted by the birthday banner produced, out of the blue, by Gary from Grattons. Now there is a man who must be embraced by the village - a real gem, a volunteer who did not have to be asked!

And the celebrations were of course made complete when those well known village media babes - Lorna, Ina, Ron and our youngest customer Hazel Rees, nobly turned out in the morning to be photographed by the North Devon Journal, cutting the cake.

Thanks to you all - volunteers, customers, shareholders and committee members for making the day so special. And of course the ever patient 'Oh the till seems to have blown up on me' Ross, without whom we could not function.

Now if anybody can play the tuba could they please give me a call... ?

Fenella

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NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY SHOP

By the time you read this, the festive season will nearly be here! Ross urges you that there is still time [but not much!] to place your orders for locally reared Christmas turkeys, geese, ducks, pork, pies and puddings. There is an attractive range of reasonably priced jewellery and Christmas cards, including those especially printed for Berrynarbor. If you still have Christmas baking to do, then please call in for the ingredients.

Meanwhile, the shop has had a quieter few months, but much improved on this time last year, and it had a very busy summer. Again our thanks to all the volunteers who stalwartly turn up on their due day, or find a substitute. Tim and Jill Massey and Doreen Harding have all been through the wars over the past few months, but we wish them well - and hopefully a return to the shop in the New Year.

It is hoped that by the time you read this, Mike will be training a few volunteers to help him out occasionally with the papers. He's worked every day since the shop opened and would dearly love one or two lie-ins a week, or even the occasional holiday! If you have not volunteered so far, helping him only means a 7.45 a.m. start and the frequency depends on the number of volunteers. If you're not an 'early bird', coming into the shop at 8.30am to check the paperwork from Dawsons would also help. So please see Ross if you feel you can. Of course, training will be given.

In November, we again liaised with the Primary School for a competition. This year it was to make a Christmas money box. It was a difficult job to judge, as much ingenuity and effort had gone into some excellent entries. How nice it would have been to give prizes to all entrants but in the end we decided to judge only the ones made mainly at the school. The results were:

Many thanks to all the pupils; we hope they enjoyed the project and that it helped them to save for Christmas!

Recently, a dozen or so owners of self-catering properties were circulated offering forms for their visitors to order groceries in advance. This was a popular service in 2005 and brought in extra visitors, many of them initially out of curiosity! If anyone was omitted and would like forms, please collect them from Ross.

Because of a recent flurry, shares in our shop have now reached a grand total of £10,255! If anyone is interested and is not yet a shareholder, please speak to Ross.

With regard to the new shop, plans are on line and there will be more details in the February Newsletter.

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We have a wide range of new courses starting in January 2006 including Traditional Upholstery/Cane & Rush Seating, All Round Body Workout and many more. For more information or to enrol, look out for our list of new courses to be delivered with the North Devon Gazette and Advertiser week commencing 2nd January. Alternatively, telephone Adult & Community Learning at Ilfracombe College on [01271] 864171.

The next meeting of the Society, the annual Social Evening and a slide show on Postcard Views of Barnstaple to Lynton Railway and Combe Martin and Around by Tom Bartlett, will be held on Thursday, 8th December.

The January meeting will be held on Thursday, 19th January when John Travis will give an illustrated talk on 'Lynton and Lynmouth, Secrets from the Past'.

Come and join us at Combe Martin Parish Church Hall at 7.30 p.m. Membership £4.00, Visitors £1.50.

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We have had a very busy term of learning together.

The children have had various sporting adventures including an Orienteering day in Ilfracombe for our oldest pupils, an eight week Football coaching course for 6 to 11 year olds with a Plymouth Argyle Coach, Netball coaching from Fenella Boxall who has kindly volunteered to share her skills, Dance for Class 1 and clubs run at lunchtime by our older pupils.

Talking of clubs, we really do have a thriving range of opportunities on offer here! Parent volunteers, Staff, Friends from the village and older children all give their time to share their expertise with commitment. We have: Guitar, Saxophone, Pottery, Sewing, Christmas Crafts, Art, a Year 6 Magazine Group, Football, Netball, Lunchtime Sports, Eco-Club, School Council, Story Time, Library Club and Cookery. We are very lucky and thank all those who are happy to give up their time to help, including our older pupils. Every class swims for a term each year, as well as our other weekly Physical Education lessons.

As a school we aim to develop Citizenship and encourage the children to use their initiative to this end. The School Council and Class 3 organise regular fund raising events for the regular charity that we support, Amigos Orphanage in Uganda. This term we are also supporting Child Line and our children are organising a 'line of pennies' this week to raise much needed funds. Our Senior Citizens Dinner, on Thursday 15th December, encourages children to give their time to offer a special evening for our friends in the village. We also have an Eco-Club; the members are particularly interested in raising awareness about the environment. We support our village shop and worked with our friends in the shop this term to plan a Christmas Money Box competition.

Our new Library : We have a lovely new Library at the school and would like to ask our friends in the village if you would be able to offer us a Christmas book token to help us resource it? We will inscribe your name in the books we purchase as a lasting reminder. Thank you.

We have enjoyed various educational trips this term, including a Class 3 visit, in costume, to a Victorian School in Appledore.

Seasons Greetings from everyone at the School!

Karen Crutchfield - Headteacher

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It was with relief and pleasure we learnt that Bett's operation had been successful and she was on the road to recovery. Bett is now home, taking life a lot easier than she would normally, but improving day by day. Our best wishes go to her and keep up the good work, and get well wishes go to everyone else who is not feeling their best at the moment.

Barbara and John would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and wishes whilst Barbara was in hospital and now she is home again. She has been overwhelmed with the number of cards and beautiful flowers she has received and once again gives a big thank you to you all. We both wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Jane and Keith would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support, messages and cards. Thank you also for the prayers said for Kris. We are pleased that he is progressing, well on the road to recovery.

I should like to thank everyone who has sent cards, gifts and offers of help since my operation. I am getting stronger every day - slow but sure, I hope. The help and kindness I have had from so many people these past months makes me realise Berry is a very good place to live. Thank you all very much.

Bett Brooks

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I recently attended a meeting of the Devon Association of Parish Councils, where we were advised to warn our parishioners that there is a real threat of a severe winter and that we should stock up on things like candles and dried milk, etc. The reality of being cut off is a possibility so please be prepared for the unexpected. In the case of any difficulties, please ring and I shall endeavour to help or get help. [882916]

Finally, thank you to all the Parish Councillors and the Clerk for all their help and support in my first few months as Chairman.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL.

Sue Sussex - Chairman

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Thus it was when Hazel and I made contact with our Robin. Although robins are known for their approachability, this one seemed particularly tame, almost friendly in fact. He even followed us to our back door on the first time of meeting. For this he was encouraged by an immediate handout. Hazel, as is her wont, gave him the name Robin. Not very original you may say, but eminently apt.

The first encounter took place in the early months of 2002. He quickly adopted us and made regular visits every day to the sill of our kitchen window. These visits followed a set ritual - he landed on a close tree, from there to the top of our side-gate and then on to our sill. There he would stare in until we opened the window and placed some grated Cheddar cheese in front of him. It was not long until he arrived with his partner. We were not at all sure at this stage if he was in fact Cock Robin, but when he started feeding his companion we were left in no doubt. We never named her, apart from Mrs. Robin, but she never became known to us, as she kept her distance never approaching. The food we gave them was passed on by Robin. We suspected that a nest had been built in a garden a couple of doors away. This was confirmed a little later when Robin started taking beak-fulls of cheese away before eating himself. It became obvious that he was feeding his mate and brood at the nest. This was demonstrated by his conspicuous and aggressive assertions of his territorial rights. No bird was too big to escape his challenge.

As time passed, a lull in the frequency of his visits became apparent. His brood dispersed as expected and at the same time we went away for a fortnight's holiday in early June. I did not really expect to see him again. However, on our return he was back within a day or so asking for his daily ration of cheese. It was not long after he made his departure. It was well into the summer and as is the habit of the avian kind, he left for pastures new.

With the arrival of 2003 we wondered and hoped that he would make an appearance. We set no great store by it, but were delighted when he arrived back during February. His habits exactly followed the previous year for the first couple of months. Then disaster struck. He turned up one morning for his cheese in the usual fashion, but with one serious difference. He had broken his left leg. It was broken just above his ankle and his foot hung in a clenched and useless attitude. The foot could not be put to the ground, a dreadful handicap for a bird. Although it worried us a great deal, he never showed signs of being bothered. He carried out his paternal duties to his two broods that year. Our admiration for him became even greater as he showed by his actions a high level of courage even by the standards of animals. He left us at the time of the season he had in 2002.

I felt strongly that his chance of surviving the coming winter highly unlikely. With such a handicap he would find it difficult to fend for himself and surely die. Our worst fears were to come true when in 2004 he did not make an appearance. We were saddened but not surprised.

You can imagine our amazement and joy when he turned up this February. When Hazel told me he was back I could hardly believe it. It must be a different bird? It had landed in the same tree as Robin, then the side-gate, then onto the window sill. Then it hopped forward, still trailing its broken leg. It was Robin, without a doubt. He has been coming every day for his cheese up until the time of writing [May]. He has his ration several times a day and we are sure that he has started his usual family.

To have come back after such a time seems like a miracle. At the risk of sounding anthropomorphic, we feel as if he knows and trusts us. He is costing us a small fortune in cheese, but every penny is amply repaid with the simple joy he brings to our life.

P.S. Later: Robin did in fact raise a family of four and although he has not been seen around lately, Mrs. Robin has been coming to the kitchen sill for her cheese supplement - although still not as bold as Robin.

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