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N.B. There will be a Joint Service on Sunday, 31st March at Pip and Jim's, Ilfracombe, commencing at 10.30 a.m.

Our AGM will be held on Tuesday 26th March in the Church Vestry at 1.45 p.m. We welcome all parishioners to attend this important meeting.

As many of you will know, Judie Weedon became unwell in early January, and we send our prayers and good wishes for a speedy recovery following her stay in hospital. We also pray for those who are unwell in this Parish - especially Carol Lucas, Viv and Brian Fryer and also Pip Summers who is recovering from a knee replacement.

Last, but not least - The Friendship Lunch will be held on the last Wednesday of the month in The Globe Pub at 12.30 p.m.

Stuart Neale

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Thank you, Stuart for your good wishes, and my thanks to you all for your many cards, flowers and best wishes. I plan to be fighting fit again very soon!

Judie

4

BIG THANKS!

Firstly, many thanks to Barry, Nic and the team at The Globe for providing a fantastic Christmas Lunch in December for over 30, Jigsaw Project people - the food was great, the venue fabulous, the atmosphere was just right to get everyone in a festive mood - Ho! Ho! Ho! Also a huge thank you to Lynney Bridle, Sandra Richards and Pat Martin - dressed as Santa's little elves - for giving up their time to serve the meal, clear up and make the day very special for everyone.

Secondly, thanks and appreciation to everyone in Berrynarbor who donated wrapped Christmas presents to give people who were unfortunately in a position whereby they would have received very little. The joy on people's faces, when the presents were delivered, showed the true meaning of Christmas and for me, was a moment in time that is very difficult to describe - their joyful tears will stay in my memory for a long time. Thank you so much to you all for making a difference.

Ann [Davies]

5

 

IN MEMORY OF JOHN GALE
July 1925 - October 2018

John Gale was the first Headmaster of The Ilfracombe Academy or Ilfracombe School and Community College as it was then. A pioneer in community education, the founder of so many local institutions, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, he leaves behind a great legacy.

John was born in the seaside town of Littlehampton on the Sussex coast. Whilst his origins were humble, his father a railway worker and his mother a lady's maid, it was soon clear that he was an extraordinary child. With an ambition and a drive that came to define who he was as a man, he first gained entry to the local grammar school and then, at the age of just 17, gained a place in Oxford University. He talked of arriving at Oxford in clothes handed down by the aristocratic family his mother worked for and, not able to afford college membership, was part of the Delegacy for Non-Collegiate Students which later became St Catherine's College. These experiences had a profound effect, firing his life-long commitment to creating equal opportunities in education. However, with the country at war, it was not long before he abandoned his studies and joined the Royal Air Force where he trained as a pilot, reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Known for his amazing eyesight and powers of observation, he was given the task of mapping and identifying enemy aircraft, often flying in dangerous territories. It was in 1942, stationed in Manchester and on his way to Canada for flight training, that John met Pat, and so began their 70 years together. Pat's family owned a butcher's shop in Manchester and she played her part in the war effort working in a munitions factory. They wrote to one another for the best part of three years, letters John would keep with him and treasure.

When the war ended, he went back to Oxford to complete his studies, and he and Pat were married in May 1947. He tried out various jobs and went on to take a 5-year commission in the Air Force as an education officer.

Now parents to twin girls, Elizabeth and Patricia, they moved to Leicestershire where John worked in adult education and they bought their first home using his end-of-service gratuity. His next move was a spectacular one when, at the age of 31, he was appointed as Headmaster of Swavesey Community College in Cambridgeshire, making him one of the youngest headmasters in the country. Community education was an exciting new initiative which combined comprehensive education with adult education, pre-school and community work. Houses were built around the college for staff, which was a centre for the community who were encouraged to get involved. This suited John perfectly.

Their third child John was born and the three children enjoyed happy childhoods together playing around the campus. John had found a career he truly loved, and he would look back on those seven years in Cambridgeshire as very happy and fulfilling.

Then, in 1965, John was given his most ambitious task to date. He was to move to Ilfracombe to establish and ultimately open Ilfracombe Community College. This would see him first take on the role of Headmaster of three other schools, before bringing them together to create a centre for a community that stretched from Woolacombe to Lynton and Countisbury, reaching out to all the villages, hamlets and towns in the area.

John's love of Exmoor began on these visits and, spurred on by his enthusiasm for sharing Exmoor with the students of the College, the school was bequeathed land on the edge of the moor. The Exmoor Centre was created. Built in the old grammar school hall, the Centre was the creation of staff, parents and young people, and was carried out to Exmoor on a fleet of tractors. To this day it is a wonderful place and is remembered by so many who had the experience of spending the first week of their time at the College at the Centre.

Ilfracombe Community College was officially opened in 1972, the first purpose-built comprehensive in the country. It was innovative and ambitious, and John was hugely energetic, inspiring those who worked with him to share his vision of community, of local people pulling together and to make things happen.

John wanted to offer opportunities to his students and one of them was travel. In 1972, Sixth Formers from the College became the first British entrants to China after the end of the cultural revolution, and a trip to India followed.

Despite the demands of running the College, John managed to support the community through the Rotary Club. At this time, Pat began Country Cousins, a business where students from overseas would come to stay in the town to learn English.

With the children now out in the world, John and Pat moved to Moorings, a beautiful home overlooking Watermouth castle and the sea, buying up adjacent land to give Pat the garden she had always dreamt of, but to visitors, more of a small forest or woodland. Whatever project John took on, he did to an incredibly high standard, and the garden was no exception. Gardening, always an interest of John's, became a passion.

Perhaps lured by the success the family was having with Country Cousins, John retired from the College in 1982. A new era had begun. The business was expanded, a building at Bicclescombe Park was bought, and later Patricia and her husband John Swan took over the day-to-day running of the business, focusing on achieving a standard of excellence in language teaching and the hosting of students from overseas. This focus eventually led to the prestigious award of British Council recognition, and Pat and John travelled across Europe promoting Country Cousins.

A few years later they gave up work and began to celebrate their retirement together, travelling the world, visiting South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Canada and the United states; times together they loved. Retirement was a time when John and Pat threw their energy into numerous community groups and projects. Pat became a Samaritan and she and John undertook the daunting task of raising £30,000 to provide a building for the North Devon Samaritans. With friends they established a branch of the University of the Third Age, U3A, a group for retired people who strive to continue learning and sharing skills well into their later years. John even led an annual residential trip to places of historical interest. He was involved in the Civic Society, becoming Chairman in 1988, an organisation of over 100 local activists determined to encourage the development of the town. His involvement in the Exmoor Centre continued and he raised the funds for a full renovation. The Centre later became a charity independent of Ilfracombe College and opened its doors to children, families, young people and groups, who come from far and wide to have the experience of living simply in the midst of Exmoor.

A Rotarian for 50 years, John served the community tirelessly and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for his many years of dedicated service.

Another retirement project for John and Pat was supporting their son who had gone to live in Tuscany. Together they bought and renovated a small settlement of cottages in the hamlet of Castello. High up on the hillside, surrounded by olive groves and with a simple farming population, this was a place John and Pat truly loved. It was then that they experienced a tragedy of the kind that no parent should ever have to experience. In August 1990, their son John died suddenly. His wife, Jenny, left heavily pregnant, gave birth to their first grandson six weeks later. With amazing courage and strength, Jenny was determined to bring their child up in Castello and to finish the project and John and Pat spent countless weeks in Tuscany, supporting her and doing all they could to help finish what their son had started. The olive groves of Tuscany, and the ancient twisted wood they had used to burn on the fires, inspired John to start woodcarving. Many hours were spent in rapt attention carving, sanding and chiseling, his work following the patterns he found in the wood.

To their three grandsons, John and Pat were known as Nonno and Nonna, English pronunciations of the Italian words for Grandad and Grandma, and many happy summers were spent at Watermouth with them, enjoying John's swimming pool and charging around the garden, following all the winding paths John had created.

When Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2002, John took on the advice of her psychiatrist who suggested that activity, stimulation and travel would be helpful. His unwavering devotion to her in her final years was befitting of their 70 years together and, when Pat's condition deteriorated, John took on the role of full time carer. She died peacefully at home with John, in May 2012. Their separation after a lifetime together was something from which John did not recover well. However, life at Moorings was far from empty for John. Always interested in his grandsons and their activities, he was a great source of encouragement and inspiration for them, passionately concerned in everything they were doing.

His final years in Moorings were helped by a team of loyal and lovely people. Maxine Putman, his gardener for 16 years and a talented horticulturist, worked with John and ensured that his garden flourished long after he was no longer able to tend to it himself. Sue Potter, his and Pat's carer for 12 years, supported by Alison, was a great friend, allowing him to maintain dignity during this time. It meant so much to him to be able to live out his final years there, and this would not have been possible without their help and without the ongoing loving support of his family.

Words cannot describe the deep respect and admiration so many have, and will always have, for John - the grandfather, the father, the husband, the headmaster and the friend - truly one of Ilfracombe's greats.

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From the Editor:

I was fortunate to work with John as his personal assistant for seven years at Ilfracombe College - seven very happy but busy and eventful years. After his retirement we kept in touch and I was glad to be able to enjoy with him, his 93rd birthday in July. I shall miss him but thanks to the family, I am lucky enough to have one of his olive wood carvings in memory of a very special boss.

Judie

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7

 

FROM THE VILLAGE SHOP & POST OFFICE

Don't forget Valentine's Day!

It is commonly thought it is better to give than to receive, so don't disappoint the special one[s] in your life by failing to remember that it is St. Valentine's Day on Thursday, 14th February.

Our village shop has a good and varied supply of Valentine cards and a special selection of gift packs to mark the special day.

In case you do forget. you may want to make the excuse that St. Valentine [beheaded 14th February AD269] in his day had nothing whatsoever to do with romance until Chaucer came on the scene over 1000 years later. If that doesn't go down too well, we're delighted to say that the shop always has the ingredients you will need to cook that special romantic dinner -available all year round! - to show that you do care. We have an excellent selection of wines too, to help wash it down.

Christmas Hamper Winners

The first prize in the shop's Christmas raffle - a wonderful cheese and wine hamper - was won by John Hood. The second ticket out also belonged to John but being the generous sort that he is, he declined another prize.

Tee and Lloyd of Bowden's Farm were grateful to him as they won the Curry Kit prize. Margaret and Roger Sowerby won the bubbly and chocolates.

Great Berrynarbor Plant Sale

A date for your diary! Yes, we know it's still a long way off but you will need to get planting soon if you are going to be ready in time for the Great Berrynarbor Plant Sale, which this year is taking place on Sunday, 19th May in the Manor Hall.

This is the weekend before the late May Bank Holiday. The Plant Sale is being held a week earlier than in previous years so that it doesn't clash with other high-profile local events.

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NEWS FROM THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope you all had a great festive season.

Our Senior Dudes' Meal was a huge success! The children thoroughly enjoyed preparing and serving to their grandparents and the community. The hall and tables were decorated beautifully and added to the ambience, and the singing at the end really finished off such a lovely evening. Thank you to all who came along to such a wonderful community event.

The Walking Nativity was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all, with the addition of a donkey! We finished the evening by warming up in The Globe with mulled wine and tea/coffee. Guitarists, ukuleleists, a saxophonist and pianists performed Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Merry Christmas Everyone. We closed the evening with the choir singing Mistletoe and Wine and Merry Christmas Everybody. We should like to thank The Globe for allowing us to use their family room and providing warming refreshments!

We should also like to say another big thank you to The Globe for donating the takings from their Christmas Raffle, £250, towards our playground renovations.

Thank you to everyone that supported our Tesco Bags of Help. We are just waiting to hear the outcome and will keep you posted. The children have come back to school refreshed and ready for the new Spring Term.

As a Federation we have increased our involvement with musical events. During the Autumn Term children performed at Exeter Cathedral and they took part in an all-day workshop with Debbie Kent [the founder of the Teachers Rock Youth Choir] and Bazil Mead [the Founder of the London Gospel Choir]. 270 children and 100 adults from schools across Devon performed to an audience of 700 people. The tickets sold out in less than three weeks. This was an amazing opportunity for the children.

We also have several events coming up this term:

• Beaford Arts Community Event - Performing, Tiny Heroes and my choirs from both Schools will come together to perform on the 8th February in the Manor Hall.
• Spring Music Concert - every musician at Berrynarbor will play their instrument, ranging from guitar, ukulele, saxophone and piano. The school choir will also perform some songs and then there will be a grand finale with everyone singing and playing together. [Date and place to be confirmed.]
• Exeter Cathedral Choristers outreach programme - singing with 40 children, from Years 4 to year 6, from each School and a grand performance, 2nd March at Exeter Cathedral, with one song being sung by 80 children all together from the Federation. And they will also sing three songs with children from other schools who are taking part in the outreach programme.
• Teachers Rock Youth Choir, Spring and Summer Project with Debbie Kent - five rehearsals in each term, in a local school and then the final performance at The Grand Hall, University of Exeter on the 7th July with an audience of 1500!

We are looking for volunteers to help in the school with gardening and reading. We are also short of lunchtime supervisors [this is a paid role]. If you have any spare time and would like to help, please call the office on 883493.

Later this year we'll be holding an Aspirations event for our oldest children. We are hoping to find people to come and talk to the children about the many exciting things that they might like to do in later life. If you or someone you know have experiences that you would like to share with the children, please get in touch and help us to inspire the next generation.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the school.

Sue Carey - Head Teacher

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10

 

BERRYNARBOR WINE CIRCLE

'Whenever a man is tired, wine is a great restorer of strength.'
Homer, The Iliad

Majestic made a welcome return in November and Greg Cleverdon, a new face for us, but not to wine, gave us an excellent presentation. His wine selection was a timely-planned invitation to show us some of their wine stock and to tempt us for Christmas purchases. It worked!

They were all good. We started with the oldest white: an As Caixas Godello, 2015 from Galicia, north-west Spain. Many seemed to favour the Godello grape, which has gained increasing recognition as a quality varietal in its own right. If you wanted it as an alternative to a usually-preferred Sauvignon Blanc, this could be the one. We, and others, made the journey to Old Station Road and bought some! It may have been the cheapest, but it seemed it tickled many taste buds! This was followed by one of their Definition range: a Gruner Veltliner 2017 from Austria, a Silver Medal winner. The final white was a Spanish Mas Querido Field Blend 2017. Field blends are gathering in popularity. The owner of the vineyard for this product bought a derelict vineyard. It was overgrown and he didn't know what grape, or grapes they were. He cut it back, dramatically, and mixed it. Every year his wine is different. In tasting order, prices for these were £8.99, £10.99 and £7.99; however, they are £1 or £2 per bottle cheaper if you buy six.

Sicilian sun and dried grapes contributed to our first red and the Nero Oro Appassimento 2016 was an enjoyable beginning. It was followed by another member of their Definition' range. On a personal note, I enjoy a Spanish Rioja, and this Reserva 2010 was good, but the best was yet to come! Malbec has, over time, become a personal favourite, but I appreciate that it can be too strong or punchy for some. The Vina alba Malbec-Touriga National Reserve 2015, from Mendoza, Argentina, made for an interesting blend, suitable with a large array of dishes - rich or spicy casseroles. The addition of the Touriga National added complexity; it was full of flavour and I'd drink it again and again: delicious! Funnily enough, this too fell into our Majestic trolley before Christmas! Reds' prices were £9.99, £13.99 and £12.99, again in tasting order, with a £1, £2 or £3 reduction for six.

Pedro Ximenez Triana is Christmas Pudding - in a bottle! Greg produced an unexpected pre-Christmas treat for us as he passed around tasters of this very dark, rich and opulently sweet sherry as the finale to our very enjoyable evening. The Bodegas Hidalgo was founded in 1792 and ages the Pedro Ximenez grapes in oak casks for several years. PX is a superb dessert wine but poured over vanilla ice-cream - delicioso! Don't bother to cook, just present ice-cream and PX! It's £16.99 or £14.99 when you buy seis!

Comyn Farm is still a working farm, buried in the Chambercombe area of Ilfracombe. It's an easy short hop from Berrynarbor and great for couples or parties. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, and still going strong, forty-five of us clambered on local buses and were chauffeured the few miles for the occasion. We took our own wines, which was useful, and enjoyed proper farmhouse cooking, and, I suspect, the event was a great restorer in many ways! The photo depicts the chatting before the eating!

Judith Adam - Promotional Co-ordinator & Secretary

Please note that the March meeting of the Wine Circle will be one week earlier, on the 13th March, in the Function Room at The Globe.

11

CROSSWORD CORNER
Dave Beagley

 

Solution in Article 27.

12

 

NEWS FROM BERRYNARBOR PRE-SCHOOL

A first taste in Learning

We should like to welcome all our families back to Pre-school and wish you all a Happy New Year. We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break and are ready to start the new term. We should like to welcome all our new families and their children and hope they enjoy their learning journey with us.

We should also like to welcome Sophie, a new member of staff to our team.

Our topic of learning

This term we shall be focusing on Maths: counting, recognising numbers and learning about the names and properties of shapes. Our activities will be based around the story of The Elves and the Shoe Maker. We shall create a shop in our role play area to support counting and number recognition.

Other Maths concepts such as measuring, weights, positional language and shape names will be introduced. We'll also sing counting songs and rhymes.

If anyone has any shoe boxes they no longer need, we would appreciate them for our Shoe Shop and role play.

School Visits

We have been invited to Berrynarbor Primary School for regular short visits this term. This is an opportunity for the children, especially those who are due to start school next September, to visit the school and meet the teachers while still under our care and supervision.

We should like to say a big Thank You for your support at our Coffee, Cakes and Carols Morning. The Pre-school children sang so well and remembered most of the actions to the songs. We received some lovely feedback from parents, grandparents and from members of the community. A thank you also goes to the Primary School children who gave us a taste of their Christmas Show. We raised a total of £269.00 which is brilliant and will go towards equipment and resources for the children's learning.

From the staff at Berrynarbor Pre-school

Sue, Karen and Lynne

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BERRY IN BLOOM & BEST KEPT VILLAGE

Berry in Bloom is quiet at the moment although up to the beginning of the new year the weather has been so mild that the spring flowers in the tubs are' blooming lovely' and the bulbs are well up. Our team is having a well earned rest.

We give our appreciation to our Parish council for the Christmas tree and decorations in the centre of the village and their valiant attempts to keep the tree upright in the windy weather before Christmas.

Each newsletter, the heading to this article is Berry in Bloom and Best Kept Village although there is no longer a Best Kept Village competition. This competition was previously run by the C.P.R.E [Campaign for Protection Rural England]. I believe Berrynarbor started entering this competition in 1985 and its organiser was Joy Morrow who lived at Fuchsia Cottage. After winning several times, Berrynarbor was put in to the Previous Winners group but still managed to win in this group as well. As the criteria for the Briton in Bloom competition was almost the same, the village started entering that competition too. Also, with great success, culminating with Berrynarbor being asked in 2011 to represent the South West in the National Competition where we won GOLD but came 2nd overall. Not bad when that is against villages our size throughout Great Britain!

So, this year 2019, we shall again be entering Britain in Bloom and trying to keep up the good work around the village. If anyone new wants to join us, we should love to meet you. We will be having our annual meeting inThe Globe at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 19th March.

Wendy Applegate

14

 

Red Cross Cake

After all the richness and indulgence of the Christmas and New Year period, this is a recipe for a simple but delicious cake devised by Red Cross volunteers and handed out to soldiers on the front line in WW1 to line their stomachs and keep up their spirits.

Put the following ingredients into a saucepan:

Boil together for 3 minutes and when cool, add 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in a little water. Add 2 cups plain flour in which half a tsp of baking powder has been sifted. Stir well.

Put the mixture in a greased tin - no mention what size but I used an 8 inch round loose bottomed one. Bake for one and a quarter hours at 350-375F or 180-190C. Check after 1 hour.

There you have it. A century on Red Cross cake still lifts the spirits! Thank you, Fenella, for bringing this recipe to my attention.

Wendy Applegate

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Suggested from an original recipe:

Try soaking the raisins in rum for a few days or a week before you make the cake! It also came with the recommendation that the cake keeps fresh for a long time and can be sent to men at the front.

Wendy's recipe brought to mind a memento from the Second World War sent in by Tony Beauclerk. It is a letter of Thank You sent by King George VI to members of the Home Guard [Gerald Vaughan Beauclerk].

Originally called the LDV [Local Defence Volunteers] members initially just had arm bands. All ages joined, some very young, and later they had uniforms and eventually became part of the Devon Regiment.

15

LOCAL WALK - 172

'The Echoing Green' - William Blake

I was glad when a neighbour suggested a trip to Selworthy as I'd never been there. I'd seen pictures of course, of the idyllic village, on calendars and in guide books but in real life it proved to be more picturesque.

Thatched cottages with round chimneys and latticed windows are arranged informally around a little sloping green beside a brook.

 

They were built in the early nineteenth century for Sir Thomas Acland's retired estate workers. He did not employ an architect but used a pattern book, Rural Architecture published in 1823.

Selworthy Green was designed to be an interesting feature in the landscape and to enhance this notion the residents were issued with scarlet cloaks! So it was even a visitor attraction two centuries ago.

Today one of the cottages provides a welcoming cafe and another is a craft shop.

Noting the fifteenth century tythe barn in passing, we reached the church. I had often seen it from miles away and been curious about its white appearance which makes it stand out. Apparently it is periodically coated with a lime mixture to protect the stone from the weather.

All Saints' church has a sixteenth century pulpit with sounding board to help project the preacher's voice; a much admired wagon roof with angels and bosses; a Georgian West Gallery supporting the organ and above the porch an unusual Squire's Pew in the form of a Gothic pavilion which once included a fireplace.

 

Illustrations by: Paul Swailes

From Selworthy Green a maze of paths plunges into the extensive woodland. To celebrate the birth of each of his children, Sir Thomas Acland had planted a block of trees - larch, beech, birch and oak.

We sat on a bench to enjoy the autumn colour and the view overlooking Dunkery Beacon and below, Allerford and Holnicote House and then a succession of jays flew past. To see one jay is always a pleasure, but six . . . !

In the eighteenth century, the Aland's Holnicote Estate was so large that it was aid they could cross from the Bristol Channel to the English Channel without leaving their own property.

In 1944 Sir Richard Acland gave the estate to the National Trust. He wrote, "Would it not be rather wonderful to get away from 'this is mine', 'this is yours', 'this is the other fellows' and look out on everything we saw and say 'this is all ours'.

Sue H

16

 

FROM THE MANOR HALL TRUST

CIO 11619090

Well done to those who braved the hideously wet and windy weather on our Christmas Coffee Morning and enjoyed a drink and a mince pie, We still managed to raise over £100 towards our funds, so a big thank you to all who came along. Joseph apologises for not making it but he was tucked up in his warm dry stable after a busy night walking the village the evening before with the school!

Thank you to the Berry in Bloom group for generously donating £154 from their Carols in the Square evening, another lovely village community occasion.

Our next big fundraiser is our Race Night on Saturday 23rd February. There will be a hot supper [included in the ticket] and a bar. Tickets are available from the Village Shop. Please join us for this fun evening.

Regular users of the Hall will be aware of the now serious problem we have with the floor. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to close the Hall from Monday 11th March for a period of 4 weeks to enable the repairs and to decorate afterwards. A big thank you to Nick and Barry at The Globe who have kindly said where possible user groups can use their back room free of charge. The Pre-school room and Men's Institute will not be affected.

Julia

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19

 

PUBLIC CONSULTATION
THE PARISH COUNCIL REQUIRES YOUR INPUT!

Berrynarbor Parish Council is considering an outline proposal offered by the North Devon Council [NDC] to take on the Freehold of the Public Toilets and a 25-Year Lease of the Car Park located by the Village Shop. In short, if the Parish Council accepts the NDC's proposal, they will be able to ensure the continuity of the provision of these services/assets to the village. However, it will come at financial cost to individual Berrynarbor parishioners by way of an increased Council Tax bill. If the Parish Council does not accept the NDC proposal, the village may lose the use of these assets.

The Berrynarbor Public Toilets and Village Shop Car Park are currently North Devon Council assets. The NDC currently manages and maintains the car park, the Parish Council maintains the public toilets via a grant it receives each year from the NDC. These assets are considered "non-statutory services" by the NDC, as such the NDC's financial obligations for supporting these assets are coming under continued pressure in an effort to redirect NDC funds towards other "statutory services".

The concern the Parish Council faces is primarily one around securing the continued provision of the toilets and car park for the benefit of the village. There is a precedence set by the NDC to close, sell or outsource these types of assets, where public toilets in other local parishes have been closed and some car parks sold to property developers or outsourced to commercial parking companies to manage, which has resulted in increased tariffs and enforcement.

The Toilets and Car Park are obviously important village assets, utilised frequently by the parishioners and the visiting public, encouraging trade to the Village Shop, Cafe and Public House, as well as providing useful parking spaces for visitors utilising the parish amenities, including the school, church, manor hall, etc.

Within the NDC's lease offer to the Parish Council, the Council would incur a financial obligation to maintain and manage the Car Park during the period of the lease [25 Years]. With the transfer of Freehold relating to the toilets, the Parish Council would incur the financial obligations of managing and maintaining the toilets, without the benefit of the annual NDC grant.

The NDC is offering the Parish Council a one-off payment of £12,000 [£7,500 for the toilets and £4,500 for the car park] by way of financial contribution to the Council's future financial obligations that the Parish Council would incur managing and maintaining the assets. This contribution falls short of meeting the Parish Council's forecast costs related to maintaining and managing these assets. Should the Parish Council decide to move forwards with the Lease of the Car Park and Freehold of the Toilets, it would be required to increase the precept. Further information and costings can be found on the Parish Council's website at www.berrynarborparishcouncil.org.uk.  

The Parish Council will be voting on whether to accept the NDC's proposal at the Parish Council meeting in the Manor Hall on Tuesday, 12th February 2019 commencing at 7.00 p.m.

The Parish Council would appreciate hearing feedback from the Berrynarbor parishioners on whether they would like the Council to reject or accept NDC's proposal.

Replacement of Bus Shelter on the A399 - Update

We are pleased to report that the replacement bus shelter for the A399 has been ordered and is due for delivery in April 2019. The Parish Council would like to thank the County Councillor for facilitating the replacement and providing grant funding towards the purchase.

Vicki Woodhouse - Parish Clerk

Venue for the March Parish Council meeting to be confirmed. Please see notice board.

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20

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

21

 

CHILDHOOD LITERATURE

The Squirrel, the Hare and the Little Grey Rabbit was the first tale of these three delightful furry friends and their adventures - the boastful hare, the vain and scatty squirrel and everyone's friend, little grey rabbit. These and other characters - Moldy Warp, Fuzzypeg, Wise Owl, Water Rat and more - are in some 39 books, charmingly illustrated by Margaret Tempest, the imaginings of Alison Uttley. For many of us born in the 20th century, these books became the bedtime stories of choice.

Born Alice Jane Taylor in December 1884 in Cromford, Derbyshire, Alison Uttley was educated at the Lea School in Holloway and the Lady Manners School in Bakewell. It was here that she developed a love of Science, leading to gaining a scholarship to Manchester University to read Physics. In 1906, she became only the second woman honours graduate of the University. She then trained as a teacher at Hughes Hall, Cambridge before taking up a post in 1908 as a Physics teacher at Fulham Secondary School for Girls in West London.

In 1911 she married James Arthur Uttley and their only child on whom she doted, John Corin Taylor, was born in 1914. During the period 1924 to 1938, the family lived in Bowdon, Cheshire, but sadly in 1930, and prone to depression, James drowned himself in the River Mersey.

Some time later, in 1938, Alison moved south to Beaconsfield where she became the neighbour of Enid Blyton. Probably jealous of Blyton's success, she came to dislike her, describing her as boastful and vulgar. She also quarrelled bitterly with her illustrator, Margaret Tempest.

The first Grey Rabbit, her first book to be published, came out in 1929; other animal tales including the Little Red Fox and Sam Pig followed. Later, she wrote for older children and adults, focusing on rural topics, notably in The Country Child [1931], a fictionalised account of her childhood experiences on the family farm Castletop, near Cromford.

In 1970 the University of Manchester awarded her an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her literary work.

She died at High Wycombe on the 7th Mary 1976, aged 91.

From her diaries, published in 2009, it is obvious that she was extraordinarily gifted but also very complicated. She was eventually estranged from Margaret Tempest, over the copyright to her beautiful pictures and over which of them had really created the characters. She was bitterly resentful of comparisons with Beatrix Potter and scornfully dismissive of Enid Blyton, whose work she despised. She took the work of literary creation very seriously and relished her success, but was easily hurt by criticism and craved affirmation from the public. Extraordinarily gifted, she was also said to be singularly controlling and dominating. Sadly, her son John, whom she truly loved, killed himself two years after her death, by driving his car off a cliff.

Margaret Tempest, author and illustrator, was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, where she spent most of her life. From 1914 she attended the Westminster School of Art, co-founding The Chelsea Illustrators Club, through which students exhibited and sold their work.

In spite of not getting on personally with Alison Uttley, from 1929 to 1960, she illustrated the Little Grey Rabbit books, as well as other children's books, including writing and illustrating her own, of the 'dressed animal' type.

In 1951 she married her widowed cousin, Sir Edward Grimwood Mears. Margaret Tempest, Lady Mears, died in 1982 aged 90.

Judie Weedon

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS - NO. 79

MARY ANNING
[21 May 1799 - 9 March 1847]

Palaentologist

Some weeks ago, a heading in the Telegraph caught my eye, 'Winslet to portray fossil pioneer's lesbian affair'. The film, Ammonite, will tell the story of Mary Anning acting as nursemaid to a wealthy London woman who visited Lyme Regis for convalescence and the relationship that presumably developed.

This is an amazing lady who became known throughout the world as the greatest fossil hunter of all time, and one hopes that the film will give her due credit!

Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis in 1799 to a poor cabinet maker/carpenter, Richard Anning, and his wife Mary [known as Molly] Moore. They had 10 children, but only Mary and her older brother Joseph survived to adulthood - not unusual in the 19th century when almost half the children born in Britain died before their 5th birthday.

At the time of her birth, 'Mad' King George lll was on the throne, small children of poor parents were sent off to work with little schooling and girls weren't worth educating!

Mary's parents were Dissenters, that is not members of the Church of England. Later, Dissenters were known as Congregationalists and as such, they were not allowed into universities, or the army, and were excluded legally from joining many professions.

The Congregational doctrine, unlike the established church, dwelt on the importance of educating the poor, and through Sunday School, Mary was taught to read and write, but otherwise had a very limited education when young.

The coast around Lyme was part of a rocky formation known as the Blue Lias [layers of limestone and shale] and rich in fossils. As a small child, she and Joseph were taken by their father to look for these, which they brought home, cleaned and polished, and sold as curios to visitors to earn a bit of money. Sadly her father died when Mary was just 11 years old, leaving the family destitute. They were forced to burn furniture to keep warm and were in constant threat of the workhouse.

The next year, however, was a turning point. Joseph dug up a four-foot skull with large sharp teeth. This was later named ichthyosaur [meaning fish lizard]. A few months later, Mary dug up the rest of the skeleton and sold it for a large sum in those days of about £23 to a local estate owner who lived at Sandringham House in Norfolk. He then sold it to a well-known collector who exhibited it in London where it created a lot of interest.

At this time, the general belief was that the world hadn't changed since it was created in Genesis, so this fossilised creature and others went against the grain with Mr. and Mrs. Average and Mary's discoveries became very controversial. But it made scientific folk look at different explanations for changes in the natural world!

The first plesiosaur fossil found by Mary Anning in 1821 in Lyme Regis, Dorset
© Maggie Jones - Flickr, Public Domain via PDM 1.0

Mary went on to make many other discoveries. I'm not a palaeontologist, so shall have to watch carefully my spelling, but it's impressive to read that she found the first complete long-necked Plesiosaurus [sea-dragon] at the age of 23. This is still quite rare. Five years later it was followed by a Pterodactylus [flying dragon]. But as a woman and of low social class, she wasn't allowed to join any major scientific institutions.

The family set up a fossil-selling business in their home, although Joseph didn't have much spare time, being apprenticed to an upholsterer. Mary's mother ran it initially, but by 1825 Mary was running the business.

In the early days, they remained very poor, and after a year of finding no significant fossils they were at the point of selling their furniture to pay rent. One of their wealthy customers made an act of kindness. He was Lieutenant -Colonel Thomas James Birch who decided to auction fossils he'd bought from them to raise funds, giving the family the credit for having found "almost all the fine things which have been submitted to scientific investigation". The auction took place in London on May 15 1820 and raised £400 [about £26,000 in today's money]. It's not known how much he passed on to the Annings, but it made them more financially secure. They started getting customers from Paris and Vienna and the auction made geologists aware of them. Mary became known throughout Europe and America as well as Britain, not only for her skills in fossil hunting but also in anatomy. Yet the only academic piece published during her lifetime appeared in the Magazine of Natural History in 1839 in the form of a letter that she had written to the editor, disputing one of its claims!

During her comparatively short life [she died of breast cancer at the age of 47], Mary had two near escapes from death, the first when she was only 15 months old. During a thunderstorm she was being held by a neighbour standing under an elm tree with two other ladies. Lightening struck and killed all three women, but not Mary who was rushed home and revived in a bath of hot water. Her family declared that after this episode she became much more curious and intelligent! On the second occasion, in 1833, she was searching for fossils during the winter with her dog, Tray, when a landslide fell just in front of them. The dog was killed. Her comment afterwards was "...the death of my old faithful dog has quite upset me, the cliff that fell upon him and killed him in a moment before my eyes, and close to my feet...it was but a moment between me and the same fate."

For someone with such a disadvantaged early life, Mary gained much respect from both scientists and the public. Her death in 1847 was recorded by the Geological Society, even though they didn't admit women until 1904. A stained-glass window was erected in her honour in St Michael's Parish Church in the town and in 2010, 163 years after her death, the Royal Society included Mary Anning in a list of the ten British women who have influenced the history of science. Had it not been for her, Charles Darwin might have found his theories more difficult to formulate! As an author wrote in 1865 in 'All Year Round' edited by Charles Dickens "the carpenter's daughter has won a name for herself, and has deserved to win it". The producer of Ammonite, think on!

It's not too far for a day trip to Lyme Regis, particularly in summer. Its museum is built on the site of Mary's house and has a separate section devoted to her. She holds a special place in the town. The Museum is even open in the winter from 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday. Why not give it a go?

PP of DC

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THE ROBBERS

Tony Beauclerk - Stowmarket

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A HISTORY OF BERRYNARBOR SCHOOL - 1

I was inspired to find out about the history of the village school partly by Judith Adam's Book of Berrynarbor, based around the memories of Ron Toms, but also because this was my school and I have very happy memories of my time there.

I have always been fascinated by the past and - like many people - have researched my own family history. Although I grew up in Berrynarbor and have always considered it to be my home, my parents are from the Midlands and the places of my ancestors are not ones I know. I have always been drawn strongly by a sense of place and so came up with the idea of researching the history of Berrynarbor School. This school was central to my childhood, that of my sister, brother, niece and nephews; it is also the heart of the village.

I am gathering as much information as I can and then I intend to write a history of the school. Sue Carey, Head Teacher of Berrynarbor School, very kindly showed me three historic log books which are held at the school. The first covers the years 1874 - 1931; the second 1931 - 1963 and the third 1963 - 1992. At the moment I am transcribing the first book and have reached the year 1903.

Keeping a log book was regulation for all grant-aided schools from 1862. The teacher was required to write in the book at least once a week, noting details about pupil attendance, visitors to the school, results of exams and information about what was taught. The book includes the names of teachers, school visitors and pupils and these can be looked up using family history online websites to produce short biographies.

The first entry in the log book reads:

"January 16th 1874: The school was re-opened under Government on Monday January 12th, but as the Registers did not arrive from London until Wednesday the children could not be marked until Thursday morning. The school was visited during the week by the Rector [The Revd. W Fursdon], his wife, who took the first class to a Reading lesson; and Captain Williams of Watermouth Castle. Susan Harding appointed as a pupil teacher."

These words were written by Rebecca Burgess, the Certificated Teacher at the school, who appears to have been newly appointed at the beginning of the year; she remained at the school until 1878. Unfortunately, because her name is quite common, it has not been possible to find out any more about her, teachers often came from outside the area so it is unlikely that she was local. Miss Burgess was assisted by Susan Harding the pupil teacher. Pupil teachers were, as their name suggests, teaching assistants drawn from the pupils at the school usually at 13 or 14 - the age at which most children left school. Susan Harding was born in Berrynarbor in 1859, her father was a cordwainer [shoemaker] and she was the youngest of five children. In 1861 her family was living at number 29, the Village. She left the school in 1880 and worked for a time as a shop assistant before marrying Willis Watts Furse and settling in Ilfracombe. Furse was a Fruiter & Florist, a business he shared with his brother-in-law Edwin Huxtable. In 1901 the two families were living together at No.1 the Promenade, Ilfracombe, probably beside or above their shop. Susan and Willis Furse had three children. They appear to have done rather well for themselves because the 1901 Census shows that five staff lived with them: a governess, three domestic servants and a shop assistant. Susan Furse died in 1905 at the age of 45.

From the log book it can be seen that the children learned the elementary subjects [reading, writing and arithmetic], did quite a lot of singing and that the girls did needlework. The school was divided into infants and the main school. Children in the main school were further divided into standards [I - VII], probably on the basis of a combination of age and performance. There are frequent comments about the children's attendance levels and the weather is a big factor here, some children had to walk a distance to school and wet weather in particular reduced their numbers. They were also kept back to help at home and on farms, particularly with the potato planting in March. Throughout 1874 there were frequent visits from the Rector, the Reverend Fursdon, also by Mrs Fursdon and their two daughters. Other regular visitors are Captain Williams, Mrs Williams, their daughter and Squire Basset and his sister. The Bassets lived at Watermouth Castle and owned most of the property in the village at this time; Mrs Williams was the married sister of the two Bassets. The Bassets and the Rector were managers of the school and the teachers were accountable to them.

Notable events at the school during 1874 include an evening concert in February to raise money for a school bell. The bell was erected in May. On Lady Day [25th March] several children leave school to go into service. The school children were vaccinated in April; this would have been against smallpox, the earliest disease for which a vaccination was developed. In May the school had its annual inspection: there was praise for the sewing, singing and discipline; reading and writing were fair, but arithmetic was very weak. The school was threatened with a reduction in its grant if improvements were not made. Three children are mentioned for poor attendance: B Bere, MJ? Holmes and G Bere. Squire Basset brought wood for the school fires in December.

Although this part of the school story is too early for the memories of anyone living today, I intend to continue into the mid-20th century. Lorna Bowden has very kindly shown me some old photographs of school children, some of which had belonged to her aunt, Muriel Richards. Miss Richards my first teacher; she had attended the school as a child, gone on to be pupil teacher and then qualified as a teacher.

If any reader has old school photographs or memories which they would like to share I should be very pleased to hear from you. Although I no longer live in the village I visit often. My parents, Margaret and Keith Walls, live at Higher Rows Farm in the Sterridge Valley. I can be contacted by email at tanyawalls@yahoo.co.uk or via Margaret and Keith Walls.

Tanya Walls

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COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICE
New Community Minibus Service to Barnstaple

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RURAL REFLECTIONS - 86

It seems to me there is a wide range of opinion and sentiment about the period following Christmas and New Year. Some people literally experience post-Christmas blues, their remedy a planned outing or social gathering in January in order to prevent a come down from the adrenalin of non-stop celebrations. For others, the cessation of seemingly endless socialising brings a sense of relief. Likewise, when I spoke to my nephew between Christmas and New Year he, too, said he would be glad when it was all over, in his case so he could get back to a normal work routine. Meanwhile, a work colleague justified her negative outlook on the year's early months by stressing how the days can be cold, the trees are still bare, there is no colour on show and the hours of light remain short.

Although I cannot deny any of these facts, I did feel the need to clarify my colleague's use of the word 'remain' in relation to her last point. Yes, at this time of year the hours of daylight are indeed outstripped by the hours of darkness. But the length of each does not remain the same from one day to the next. Indeed, as I compose this article, the clock on the mantelpiece has just struck half past four and I am still able to write this article in natural daylight. [Yes, I still do my first draft by hand; I feel it allows me to truly express my thoughts.] Yet it is only nine days since the winter solstice; and by the time this newsletter is dispatched, the sun will be setting roughly an hour later [either side of five o'clock, depending on where you live] than it did on the 21st of December. Fair enough, we are still a long way off from those long summer evenings - but at least we are heading in the right direction.

What's more, for those of you who experience symptoms of Seasonal Adjustment Disorder at whatever level, here are some other little nuggets of comfort to help you during the months of late winter and very early spring.

Whilst above ground all may seem lifeless, beneath the earth out of sight and out of mind our soil is far from asleep - and has in fact been active all winter even at temperatures well below freezing. It is worth noting that a considerable breakdown of plant material fertilizers and manure occurs naturally over winter causing essential gases to be released. How much is broken down then affects levels of phosphorous and carbon available for spring growth. The level of gas released is also dependent on the temperature of the soil, making insulation, courtesy of ground cover, a key player in the process. This can be provided by grass, perennial plant life, fallen leaves, a blanket of snow or frost.

Regarding the last of these, the greenery you see around you in winter [it's there - you just need to look for it] is no fool to frost for it is fully aware that soil can freeze up to several feet below the surface in extreme conditions. To combat this grasses and plants send roots deep under-ground - roots that throughout winter will natural discharge much needed water into the soil. Alongside the roots live many soil dwelling animals which have burrowed deep enough to avoid the frost level. These include insects, snakes, frogs, and worms. Some hibernate whilst others live on food previously stored up in preparation for the colder days ahead.

Such cold days can still be prevalent as winter gives way to the embryo of spring. But in sheltered parts wild flora including moss-loving sorrel, violets, primroses and colt's foot are free to flower. Blackthorn, too, makes its preliminary appearance, a contrast to the dead auburn beech leaves that still cling to their branches. It really is a case of studying your rural surroundings for the work of very early spring is indeed minute. There is a swelling of buds and a sprouting of seedlings as the fabric of every leaf case is revealed. Notice too how the trees take on a subtle inflorescence: a red haze over the elms; a thickening of the patterns sketched upon the branches of the silver birches; a swagger of yellow male catkins upon the hazel; a ruby glow over the larches; a russet shine upon the alder's catkins; the ash preparing bunches of purple flower buds within their black cases. All timid beginnings. Yet heralding so much more to come.

Stephen McCarthy

Illustrations by: Paul Swailes

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KNIT & NATTER FOR THE NORTH DEVON HOSPICE

Once again, the Craft Group will be holding a Knit and Natter afternoon to raise funds for the North Devon Hospice.

We shall be holding Open House in the Manor Hall during the afternoon of Monday, 25th February. from 1.45 p.m. onwards. Knitters can knit strips which the Hospice turn into blankets and for this you will need an odd ball of wool and size 8 needles. But those who would like to just natter or do some other craft are very welcome. All we ask is that you give a minimum donation of £5.00 to the Hospice, take part in the raffle, enjoy coffee or tea and cake and the company of others wishing to support this very worthwhile cause.

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

A reminder that the Craft Group meets every Monday afternoon in the Manor Hall from 1.45 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Just come along and bring whatever craft you are currently working on - needlework, knitting, embroidery, beading, painting, etc. - chat amongst friends and enjoy tea or coffee and biscuits - and all for just £2 a session!

The Art section of the Craft Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month, again at the Manor Hall and from 9.30 a.m. On the 3rd Tuesday, Christine Grafton comes to support the group, either with a technique lesson or to help with individual work.

New artists, beginners and those with little or lots of experience are most welcome. Why not come along to find out more?

 

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NEWS FROM YE OLDE GLOBE INN

Quiz Night every Sunday, 8.30 p.m. Start

Wednesday, 20th February: Talk and Supper

Andy Bell: The North Devon Biosphere, 7.30 p.m. Tickets £10 to include a lasagne, chips and salad supper.

During the closure of the Manor Hall from the 11th March, groups are welcome to meet in the Function Room, particularly during the day, free of charge. Please contact us [882465] to make arrangements.

We wish all our customers a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Nic and Barry

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KNIT & NATTER FOR THE NORTH DEVON HOSPICE

Once again, the Craft Group will be holding a Knit and Natter afternoon to raise funds for the North Devon Hospice.

We shall be holding Open House in the Manor Hall during the afternoon of Monday, 25th February. from 1.45 p.m. onwards. Knitters can knit strips which the Hospice turn into blankets and for this you will need an odd ball of wool and size 8 needles. But those who would like to just natter or do some other craft are very welcome. All we ask is that you give a minimum donation of £5.00 to the Hospice, take part in the raffle, enjoy coffee or tea and cake and the company of others wishing to support this very worthwhile cause.

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

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AT-A-GLANCE DIARY

FEBRUARY
2nd	Soup and Pud Evening, Manor Hall
8th	Beaford Arts, Tiny Heroes, Manor Hall
12th	Parish Council Meeting, Manor Hall, 7.00 p.m.
18th	to 22nd: Ilfracombe Academy & Primary School - Half Term
19th	Wine Circle, Manor Hall, 8.00 p.m.
20th	Talk on North Devon Biosphere, The Globe, 7.30 p.m.
23rd	Race Night, Manor Hall, 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. 1st Race
25th	Knit and Natter for ND. Hospice, Manor Hall from 1.45 p.m.
26th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.40 a.m.
27th	Friendship Lunch, The Globe, 12.30 p.m.
MARCH
11th	Manor Hall closed for repairs.
12th	Parish Council Meeting, 7.00 p.m. Venue to be confirmed.
13th	Wine Circle, Function Room at The Globe, 8.00 p.m.
19th	Berry in Bloom: Annual Meeting, 7.30 p.m. The Globe
24th	Marwood Hill Gardens open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
26th	Mobile Library in Village from 11.40 a.m. St. Peter's Church: AGM, 1.45 p.m. Church Vestry - all welcome
27th	Friendship Lunch, The Globe, 12.30 p.m.
31st	British Summer Time begins at 1.00 a.m. Joint Church Service, Pip & Jim's Ilfracombe, 10.30 a.m.

Manor Hall Diary
Mondays	Upholstery, 9.00 to 1.00 p.m. Craft Group, 1.45 p.m. Badminton, 7.30 p.m.
Tuesdays	N.D. Spinners [2nd & 4th] 1st and 3rd: Craft Art Group, 9.30 a.m.
Wednesdays	Pilates Body Workout, 9.00 a.m. Primary School p.m.
Thursdays	Watercolour Painting 10.00 a.m. [10 week terms] Pilates, 7.00 to 8.00 p.m.
Fridays	Toddlers Soft Play and Activity a.m. Primary School p.m.
Penn Curzon Room	Pre-School: Daily - Term time only Morning Session: 8.30/9.00 - 12.00 p.m. Afternoon Session: 12.00 to 3.00/3.30/4.00 p.m. All Day: 8.30/9.00 a.m. to 3.00/3.30/4.00 p.m.
Mobile Library
Village Shop: 11.40-12.10 p.m. Sterridge Valley: 12.25-12.55 p.m.

School, Pre-School and Toddler Group - Term Time only

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OLD BERRYNARBOR - VIEW NO. 177

Cockhill, Berrynarbor.96.

 

This rare view of [Middle] Cockhill is yet another view taken by William Garratt of Bristol, around 1920, despite the card having a 1928 postmark. Until recently and for many years, Cockhill was the home of the late Laurie and Peggy Harvey of King's Carpets, Barnstaple.

This Small Holding was sold as Lot 19 in the Watermouth Estate Auction held on 17th August 1920 at Bridge Hall, Barnstaple, as:

"Middle Cockhill, a very Desirable SMALL HOLDING, Comprising: A good Slated Dwelling House, convenient Outbuildings, and about 13a. 2r. l;18p. Of Meadow, Pasture, Arable and Garden Lands, in the Occupation of Mr. J. Huxtable as a Yearly Lady-day Tenant. The Apportioned Title on this Lot is £3 9s 0d."

The Lot realised £750 on the day, being purchased by the existing Lady-day Tenant Mr. J. Huxtable.

Tom Bartlett
Tower Cottage, January 2019
e-mail: tomandinge40@gmail.com

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