Edition 34 - February 1995

 
Artwork by: Debbie Cook

THE EXMOOR PONY

Native to Exmoor, it is believed that the Exmoor pony is the only breed to be descended more or less unchanged from its primitive ancestor, the Celtic pony. It is mentioned as a distinct breed in the Domesday Book of 1065.

Although Exmoors can be brown, bay or mouse dun in colour, they have distinctive light or mealy muzzles and under-bellies, and tails with thick fan-like growth at the top. Their winter coat has a unique texture - short, thick and spongy and virtually waterproof.

The definition of a pony is an equine below 14.2 hands high. The Exmoor mare never exceeds 12.2 hands high and the stallion, 12.3. They are strong and hardy and, like the Dartmoor, make excellent riding ponies. The Riding Pony, a fairly recent breed, has evolved by crossing Welsh, Dartmoor and sometimes Exmoor mares with small Thoroughbred or Arab stallions. Exmoors are, however on the decrease with only 200 breeding mares left in the world.

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EDITORIAL

A happy new year. Christmas is over, except for the bills, and the days are beginning to lengthen again and even if the weather isn't improving, hopefully spring is on its way. However, February and March can bring their surprises, especially for the unsuspecting early flowers - daffodils are already nearly in bloom in the Valley

This issue gives details of a spate of Coffee Mornings - all for excellent causes. A big thank you to Vi and Anne Davies for arranging one to help Newsletter funds, which following this issue will be NIL. However, a well-supported Coffee Morning and the annual subsidy from the Parish Council should produce solvency again! Thank you to the many people who contribute to the collecting boxes in the Post Office, Globe or Meakings in Combe Martin, and to those of you who have sent donations. May I just remind anyone sending a cheque, this should be made payable to "The Berrynarbor Newsletter" [not to me personally] for payment into the account at the Nationwide Anglia in Ilfracombe.

Thank you to all contributors - artistic, literary, puzzling, etc. Please keep them coming - I shall be looking for YOUR item for the April/Easter issue. Finally, Debbie asks for suggestions for her wildlife series - birds, animals, etc., pertinent to Berrynarbor or North Devon. If you have any ideas, please pop them, with your other articles, in the box at the Post Office or to Chicane by Wednesday, 15th March. Thank you.

Judie - Ed

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BERRYNARBOR W.I.

We welcomed Doreen Prater as Competition Judge, and Fiona Hinchliffe as a prospective member to our December meeting. It was disappointing that the speaker was unable to attend, but an impromptu discussion on past cooking methods and recipes made a good introduction to the excellent tea provided by the Committee, and mince pies - subject for the competition - added to the festivities. The winning mince pie was baked by Joyce Elliott. Traditionally, leaving for home, everyone received a gift.

As always, the lunch, provided by the staff at The Globe, was excellent. Festive decorations and a sing-a-long aided by Phil, made it a truly wonderful start to the Christmas week.

Our meeting on 3rd January was so near to the New Year that several members were unable to be there, but for the rest - including a very welcome visitor, Nora Rowlands - it was an afternoon journeying through Norway and then further south to Portugal and Spain, through the lens of Kath Arscott 's camera, with added commentary to guide us on our way. "Where next?" is how Kath is greeted, and we are privileged and grateful to share some of her worldwide trips. The afternoon went too quickly. There were two winners to the competition - articles packed in a match-box. Mary Gingell managed the most, with Margaret Parkin a close second. I wonder if they have as much fun packing for their holidays! Yours truly won the raffle - a first time ever, so if you have not won yet, ladies, take heart

Our next meeting will be on 7th February when Joy Morrow will be our "Clowning About" speaker.

Visitors are always welcome, but I am sorry, we have to charge £1.

Vi Kingdon - President

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VALENTINE DAY LUNCH

TUESDAY 14th FEBRUARY 12.30 for 1.00 p.m.
MANOR HALL

Home made soup + Roll + Butter
Valentine Dessert Coffee

RAFFLE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Proceeds in aid of Cancer Research

Tickets: £2.50 available from
Joy Morrow (882531)
Ray Ludlow (883696)
or The Post Office

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CROSSWORD CORNER
David Beagley

Solution in Article 32.

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IN MEMORIAM

DOREEN NICHOLAS, MICHAEL BOYLE & STEVE BROOKMAN

I am sorry to report the deaths of Doreen, Michael and Steve in the period just before Christmas, and our best wishes go to their families and friends at this sad time.

Wythenmead, Barton Lane was home to Doreen, her husband and two daughters, Peggy and Jean. Later, after the death of her husband, she lived at Copper Beech in the Sterridge Valley, before moving to a residential home in Ilfracombe. Doreen was an active member of the Church and when one of her daughters was to be married, with her help, the Choir of St. Peter's was formed to sing at the ceremony.

Steve Brookman, who died suddenly on the 27th December, lived at Croft Lee all his life and he attended the Primary School. He was called for active service at the end of the last War, serving in the Middle East. Latterly Steve drove for Loverings of Combe Martin. Our thoughts are with his five sons and their families.

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ARRIVALS

On a happier note, there is news of three new babies.

First, congratulations and best wishes to Great Granny Marion [Billet) of Riversdale, Grandparents Ann and Roger and proud parents Sally and Brendan on the birth of Rebecca Frances on the 29th November. Rebecca was so anxious to be in time for Christmas, she arrived unexpectedly five weeks early, weighing in at 5 lbs 4 oz, and now, having passed her 'sell by' date, tips the scales at 6 1/2 lbs.

On the 2nd November, another ex-resident of Riversdale Cottage, Tracey (Yeo) and her husband, Jason, who now live in Plymouth, proudly presented Marlene and Dave with their first grandchild. On arrival, baby Dylan William weighed 7 1/2 lbs, but already he has shown his future potential as a basketball player - like his dad - gaining in length and doubling his birth weight. Congratulations and best wishes to you all, not forgetting Great Granny Ivy [White].

Doreen and Alan Prater are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their first grandchild. Congratulations to Sarah [Bowen] - another ex-resident of the Valley! - and Richard on the birth of your son, Shane Ashley on the 10th January. Shane, a third grandson for Stella and Les, weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz. Best wishes to you all.

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OF THIS AND THAT...

May Day Bank Holiday An early reminder to anyone organising an event or planning a long week-end away, the Bank Holiday for this year only has been changed to the second Monday, 8TH MAY, to coincide with V. E. Day celebrations.

Manor Hall Bookings As from 1st February, all bookings for the Manor Hall should be made through Dave Beagley, Brookside Cottage [next to Post Office], Tel: 882002.

Comings and Goings Our good wishes go with David and Olivia Rockingham, who were sad to leave Berrynarbor for a new home in South Devon, and we welcome to Watermouth Cottage, Anna and Bill Scholes . We hope you will both be very happy in your new home.

A belated warm welcome to newcomers, Rod and Hazel, who are now settled in at Langleigh House.

Engagement Another belated message - one of very best wishes - to Samantha [Sam] Bailey and Justin Sadler-Smith on their engagement. Sam is a W.P.C. with Avon and Somerset Police in Bridgewater and Justin a P.C. with the Gloucester Police force, based in Gloucester. Both have recently passed their two-year probationary period and will be taking the first part of their Sergeant's examinations in March. Good luck to you both and best wishes for June when wedding bells are planned.

Keep Fit Having spent the £'s for Christmas, how about spending the lbs gained! Come along - young and not-so-young, and join Miska at the Manor Hall on Wednesdays, 3.30 to 4.30 p.m. for a general work-out, or on Fridays, at the same time, to attack the "bums and tums"! On Wednesdays, at 3.00 p.m., there is the time to "weigh up" and chat over diets in general. £1.00 per session.

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GLOBE NEWS

Thank you to all who took part in the Carol Singing on Christmas Eve, and the New Year's revellers, who were in fancy dress. Thanks, also, to Gary for providing music on both nights.

OUTBACK [Gary, Nigel, Mary-Jane, Peter and Peter] who have been performing out back in the pub, together with friends and performers from Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, will in future be having regular folk/blues evenings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. If there are any locals who would like to play, sing or just come and listen, they will be very welcome.

SHOWTIME is nearly here again and as last year's show was a sell-out, we shall be holding this year's extravaganza over two nights! FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 10TH and 11TH MARCH. Tickets will be limited and on sale from approximately 14th February at £2.50, including a rum punch - so make sure to book in early for your choice of evening.

The theme this year is "MARITIME/V.E. DAY" , and to create a good atmosphere we again ask the audience to dress appropriately. Rehearsals have started on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings - see Gary for more details. Proceeds this year will be split, partly for the carnival float and hopefully to buy a couple of professional spotlights for the Manor Hall.

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ST. PETER'S CHURCH

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SHARE-A-POEM
West Country Poets - by Birth

The second poem by Thomas Hardy in the West Country poets series is "The Walk", written in 1913.

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LOCAL WALKS - 28

"Now fades the glimmering landscape on sight
And all the air a solemn stillness holds ..."

Thomas Gray

Everything was very quiet and still - the sky lilac and pale blue with pink-tinted clouds and the hills, too, were coloured in soft pastel shades. It was a Sunday afternoon in early January and our vantage point, for enjoying this beautiful panorama, was the hill-top village of Atherington, seven miles south of Barnstaple.

 

From the village square, we trudged along muddy lanes whose high hedges were punctuated by views across the broad Taw Valley to Chittlehampton Church and beyond it, the southern slopes of Exmoor.

Atherington has a lot of thatched cottages, some tucked away in pretty clusters, and the whole village is dominated by its tall-towered church, St. Mary' a landmark for many miles around. It was founded by Athelstan, the grandson of King Alfred.

When in the 19th Century the church was restored under the supervision of the architect of Truro cathedral, J. L. Pearson, the cost of the restoration work [estimated at £3, 000] was met by Mrs. Bassett of Watermouth Castle. The organ was presented by the Bassett family in 1897, and was originally situated at Watermouth Castle.

Indeed there are many Bassett connections. The greatest attraction is the lofty and richly carved oak screen in the north aisle, with an enclosed rood loft above - the sole remaining one in Devon. A narrow, winding stone stairway leads up to it. The screen was the work of two carvers from Chittlehampton in 1535.

The screen and rood loft were previously in a chapel at Umberleigh, but when this was demolished in 1800, the Bassett family was responsible for installing it in Atherington Church and hence the north aisle became known as the "Bassett Aisle".

Evidence of earlier Bassetts is to be found in the monuments. In the north aisle of the chancel is a 16th Century altar tomb with inlaid brass figures representing Sir John Bassett and on either side, his wives Ann and Honor. At the feet of each wife are brasses depicting the children, packed closely together in groups of seven and five. There is also the effigy of a knight dating from approximately 1225.

Also in the north chancel aisle is a window containing medieval glass. The pews in the nave have ancient and elaborately crocketed bench ends, the edges shaped in a series of curled leaf patterns, a design more usually associated with the sides of pinnacles.

A very interesting church, a pleasant village and splendid extensive views - much to look at and admire.

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BERRYNARBOR YOUTH CLUB LEADER

Efforts to find a leader for the Youth Club have so far failed to find a volunteer. However, an experienced helper has come forward willing to attend most - but not all - Wednesday evenings [the preferable evening with regard to Manor Hall availability]. There is a lot of equipment lying idle!

Would anyone interested in this position, please contact Ann Davies on 883837.

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MAGPIES - A P.S.

Whether you are 'for' or 'against' the magpie, it should be noted that:

ALL birds [and the majority of animals] are protected by law. To comply with the Wildlife and Countryside Act, permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for a bird, on a particular property, to be defined as "vermin".

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USE YOUR BANGING BASKETS IN WINTER

After use at the end of the summer, hanging baskets make ideal bird-feeders in the winter. If they are bracketed to the wall and in the shelter of the house, they will be safe from predators. Remove the old plants and take out the liner. Put a small plate - or something similar - in the bottom and use this for putting out scraps of food and solid fat. Or, you can use the chains of the hanging basket to suspend a flat flowerpot tray on which to place food.

 
Illustrations by: Paul Swailes

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OLD BERRYNARBOR - VIEW NO. 33
Original Log Cabin, Watermouth Cove

Following my article in December on Watermouth Beach, I received a letter from Ian Lawson, who as a child had grown up at the Cove as his grandparents were tenants there for over 30 years until c1941. Ian tells me that they rented Watermouth Cove from the Penn Curzons and says what a beautiful place it was in those days and looking back on it states: "It was nothing short of paradise"

The Lovering's business at the Cove started with the wonderful old log cabin, where strawberry and cream teas were served. Outside on the grass were tables and iron frame chairs, whilst behind the log cabin a marquee was erected where visitors could have their refreshments if they wished. Much later the marquee was replaced by an asbestos constructed cafe and kiosk, where visitors then had to pay an entrance fee and could purchase sweets and cigarettes. Toilets were situated behind the cabin, complete with 'penny in the slot' brass lock machines. The car park was a small field, where the "In" and "Out" ramps are now, and beyond that was another field which curved around and stretched right down to the Harbour. This latter field was known as "The Warren" and was alive with rabbits and pheasants.

Ian's mother was a Lovering prior to her marriage, and Ian spent much of his childhood at Watermouth [from Easter to October] - and what a happy childhood it was! He can remember that two of the small boats that made trips belonged to his grandfather, Dick Lovering, who would row out from Combe Martin in the morning and back again in the evening. He would often go back with him and remembers stopping on the way to catch fish for supper!

In 1939, the Lawson's heard that War had been declared on a radio in a visitor's car. For a while the business carried on, but in 1940/41, the Army came and took over the place and at that point they decided to call it a day, particularly as practically all the catering equipment had either been pilfered or broken by the Army. The asbestos cafe was bought by someone in Berrynarbor, dismantled and reassembled as a small bungalow in Barton Lane, just up from the Church. Ivy White [nee Bray] remembers leaving school in 1939 and working all summer in the cafe as a waitress, serving strawberry and cream teas to all the visitors. Her first task each day was to walk up to collect the fresh clotted cream from the Watts's at Castle Farm [Lydford].

 

My thanks to Ian of Combe Martin for the above information and photographs.

Tom Bartlett
Tower Cottage, January 1995

The signs on the side of the log cabin read: " TEAS PROVIDED" and "BAWDEN'S high class MINERAL WATERS made in our Factory, HORNE ROAD, ILFRACOMBE" and just look at those strawberries heaped on the two plates set before Ian's Great Grandfather, Irwin Lovering, taken c1900.

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NEWS FROM YOUR POST OFFICE & STORES

The Christmas rush now over, there's time to reflect a little on how well it went. Stamp sales were good, with over 3,000 sold; the "Berrynarbor" Christmas cards sold out and the R.N.L.I. and Poor Clare's Convent at Lynton benefited from our charity card sales.

The big news was the success of our application for an Off Licence. Attending court at South Molton was somewhat daunting, but the magistrates granted our request and we now carry most spirits, a good stock of wines, a few beers and stay open a little longer on Sundays for lunchtime sales.

The Wine Circle introduced us to "Rowlands Brook" Australian wines, but any resemblance to our water in taste or looks is wholly coincidental! Rowlands Brook is now our 'house' wine.

The Dry Cleaning and Laundry Service is operational, but pick-up is at dawn on Mondays, so users should please drop off their items on Saturday or Sunday mornings at the latest. Goods are returned the following Monday.

We are now stocking, at your suggestion, more cheeses, local sausages and loose ham, and there is scope for us to obtain other meat items to order, as we have a daily delivery arranged. The range of fresh milk has also been increased to include milk in poly bottles and cartons at slightly reduced prices.

Thank you for your continuing support.

Alan and Nora Rowlands

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QUICK QUOTE

"What do you mean we don't communicate? Just yesterday I faxed you a reply to the recorded message you left on your answering machine. "

The Wall Street Journal

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FEBRUARY

Illustrated by: Paul Swailes

To-day, I saw the catkins blow,
Altho' the hills are white with snow.
 
White throstles sang "The sun is good";
They waved their banners in the wood.
 
They come to greet the lurking Spring
As messengers from Winter's King.
 
And thus they wave while Winter reigns,
While his cold grip still holds the plains.
 
Oh, tho' the hills are white with snow,
To-day I saw the catkins blow.

Dorothy Una Ratcliffe

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A CHANGE IN THE YEAR

 

OPENING TODAY!

The Lodge Country House Hotel [Doreen, Judith and Alan Prater] are pleased to announce the Opening of their new Restaurant [for non-residents] on the 1st February. Details of their Charity Opening Night have been circulated. Why not book a table for a Valentine Celebration on Saturday, 11th February? The table d'hote menu costs £10.50 per person and special occasions, parties and buffets are catered for. Sample menus are available on request and for bookings and further details, contact Judith on 883246.

Good luck and best wishes with your new venture.

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COMBE MARTIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Meetings are held on third Thursdays at Combe Martin Methodist Hall, 7.30 p.m. Everyone welcome. At the next meeting on 16th February, Peter Christie, the Historian from Bideford, will be giving an illustrated talk on "Strange Goings-On in North Devon", which promises to be enlightening! On 16th March, John Kinsman presents his illustrated "Ilfracombe Then and Now"! Further information from Tom [883408] or Eileen Hobson [882353].

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BERRYNARBOR WINE CIRCLE

Our Christmas meeting was the best attended ever, with over 50 present for the great presentation given by Wickhams of Bideford, and together with the eats supplied by members, it made it a really festive occasion. Our January meeting saw members bringing their favourite wines and this was again well attended and most professionally co-ordinated by Tony Summers. On Thursday, 15th February, Eddie Shilton presents "New World of Wines" and then on 15th March, "Safeways Award Winning Wines" will be presented by member and Safeway Manager, Michael Jones. New members are always welcome and further information can be obtained from Alex Parke [883758], Tony Summers [883600] or Tom [883408].

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