Edition 117 - December 2008
Artwork: Charlotte Cornish
EDITORIAL
Whilst completing work to get the December Newsletter to you on time, the sky is blue and the sun is shining, but there is a cold wind and a definite wintry feel - a little different from the temperatures Ken and I were enjoying in Florida a week ago!
Will we have snow this year? I think that Charlotte Cornish, whose wintry scene appears on the cover probably hopes we do. Her delightful picture, which did not appear with the other pictures from the Primary School in the October issue, was drawn as part of the school's entries depicting the four seasons for inclusion in the Horticultural Show and Charlotte was placed Joint Second in Class 3. Thank you, Charlotte.
With only a few weeks to go now, the pre-Christmas panic is about to set in - cakes, puddings, presents and cards, etc. Why, if you are like me, do we always leave it to the last moment - some resourceful people will be out in the January Sales preparing for next year!
Thinking only a few weeks ahead, our next Newsletter will be February and items for that issue are welcome as soon as possible and by Thursday, 15th January at the latest please. My thanks to everyone who has contributed to this, our December and Christmas issue, but especial thanks to Paul, who in spite of recently losing his mother, has continued to enhance it with his illustrations. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Paul, at this sad time.
There are an even greater number of Christmas messages being sent via the Newsletter this year. It looks as if with your generous donations [and still some to come] both the Manor Hall and the Newsletter funds will get quite a boost and my thanks to Debbie for the engaging Christmas scenes.
There are lots of festive events planned for our enjoyment, so make a note of them in your diaries and on your calendars - have you got your new one for 2009 yet?
In the meantime, my best wishes and thanks to you all for your support of the Newsletter, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Judie - Ed
1
BERRYNARBOR LADIES' GROUP
The
October meeting took place on Tuesday, 7th, when Janet Gibbins opened the
meeting by giving birthday cards to
The
practice of promoting healing or positive development in any way is known as
hypnotherapy. It aims to re-programme
patterns of behaviour within the mind, enabling irrational fears, phobias,
negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome. The technique does not involve the patient
being put into a deep sleep and the patient cannot be made to do anything they
would not ordinarily do. They remain
fully aware of their surroundings. The
important thing is that the patient wants to change some behavioural
habit or addiction and is highly motivated to do so. Hynotherapy is
used to relieve pain in surgery and dentistry and has proved to be of benefit
in obstetrics. It has been shown to
help people to overcome addictions such as smoking, alcoholism, chronic asthma
and stammering. Mr. Pugsley said each therapy session takes about one to one
and a half hours. At the end of his
talk he invited members to relax while he spoke to them in a soft and calm
voice which induced in them a feeling of wellbeing.
As
usual the meeting ended with a chat over tea and biscuits with the raffle being won by Phil Walden.
Jan
and Bill Butcher came to the November meeting and after demonstrating encaustic
art, encouraged everyone to have a go!
Encaustic art is decorating by fusing wax colours to a surface. The word "encaustic" comes from the Greek enkaiein - to burn in.
Each member was given a small iron, pieces of white card and wax in
various colours. When the iron was hot
the colours were added to the surface and then ironed onto the card. Everyone made a great effort, but the
results were more abstract than pictorial!
Nevertheless, we all agreed it was great fun. A birthday card was given to Joan McCallam and the raffle was won by Janet Steed.
The
Christmas Lunch this year will be on the 8th December in the restaurant at
Chambercombe Manor. We are very sorry
that Lyn from The Lodge is suffering so much with her hip and hope she will
soon have the operation to ease the pain.
[A sentiment echoed by us all, Lyn. Ed.]
The
Meeting on 2nd December will be the Christmas Party when sherry, fruit juice,
mince pies and tea and coffee will be offered.
The programme for 2009 is now being compiled and the first meeting, on
6th January, will be the AGM which will be followed by a talk about the WRVS
given by member, Margaret Crabbe. At
the February meeting, on the 3rd, Bernard Hill, a Stockman, will be coming to
speak to us. We look forward to
welcoming all existing members and hopefully some new ones!
Doreen Prater
2
ST. PETER'S CHURCH
There
were over 60 of us in church to celebrate the Harvest Festival on Sunday, 5th
October. We were especially pleased to
welcome children from the school with their families and the singing of 'Look
at the World' by them and the church choir was enjoyed by all. Once again the church was beautifully
decorated thanks to the efforts of the flower arrangers, but not a lot of
produce was given this year although more was brought in ready for the
Wednesday evening auction. There was a
happy atmosphere at the Evensong and we all walked over to the Hall afterwards
to the sound of the bells ringing out over the village. The appetising supper prepared by Doreen
Prater and helpers was much appreciated by us all. The auction, conducted by the bell-ringers
raised £51.40 and, when added to the collection taken in church, the PCC will
again be able to send £100 to Water Aid.
The
moving Candle Service held on Sunday, 2nd November, was well attended and once
again the altar was aglow with all the candles lit in memory of loved ones. The choir led the singing of hymns chosen by
members of the congregation and they also sang 'Lead Me Lord'.
Members
of the Parish Council joined us for the Remembrance Service on Sunday, 9th
November. The congregation numbered
almost 70 and it was good to see families with children present. In spite of the heavy rain and wind, Rector
Keith led us to the War Memorial to observe the two minutes' silence at
There
will be no Friendship Lunch in December but we shall all be meeting again at
The Globe in the New Year on Wednesday 28thJanuary.
Mary Tucker
3
IN
MEMORIAM
IVY WHITE
19.11.1925 - 30.9.2008
It
was with real sadness that the village learnt that Ivy, one of its longest-term
residents, had died peacefully during the afternoon of the 30th September,
after suffering stoically, but with her usual humour, ill health for many
years.
Ivy,
a loving and much loved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and
great-grandmother, and friend, was a real character - always ready with a
smile, a joke and wonderful tales of village life past. 'Wild and wicked' was how Keith Wyer
described her at her funeral on the 8th October, when the sun shone as she
left, for the last time, the village she so loved.
Our
thoughts are with Walter, Marlene and Gerald [Nipper] and all the family at
this time of sadness.
MARGARET STEWART
16.6.1924 - 5.10.2008
Margaret's stay at
Lee Lodge was brief and it was with sadness that we learnt that she had passed
away peacefully on the 5th October.
Margaret, daughter or the late and much-loved Lorna Grove-Price, was the
beloved wife of the late John Stewart.
Our sympathy and thoughts are with the family, but especially with Lorna
and Michael at this time of sorrow.
Remembering
Dennis Collins
Born
in 1918 in Sutton Coldfield, Dennis was the youngest of six children,
and after leaving school began training as an apprentice with Lucas, preparing
him for the family business of industrial jewellery.
The
war interrupted his training and he joined up at the age of 21 in 1939,
spending the war in various postings both home and abroad - he was involved in
the evacuation of
On
a short leave home, he met his first wife Anne and they were married on a snowy
day in January 1941. After the war he
returned to the family business and he and Anne settled to family life in
Hockley,
On
his retirement, in 1982, Win and Dennis moved to Berrynarbor and both quickly
became a part of the village community - Dennis acting as a church Warden, both
were members of the U3A and the local Gardening Club, and they enjoyed and
supported the many activities and fund-raising events held in the village.
After
living here for 24 years, they moved to Westbury-on-Trym
to be nearer the family.
Always
cheerful and willing to help everyone, Dennis was a family man, never happier
than when he and all the family were together.
Margaret Stewart, nee Grove-Price
My
cousin Margaret died peacefully at Lee Lodge after a long illness. It was fitting that she spent her last days
in her home village.
Michael
and I should like to take this opportunity to thank Ann-Marie and Jan for their
dedicated care during the time she was with them. Our gratitude also goes to the District and
Hospice nurses who attended her.
They're great.
Margaret
and John were very interested in the natural world, spending hours walking and
bird-watching throughout
Margaret's
love of nature was influenced by her early school years at BerryNarbor by Miss
Veale and our Aunt Muriel.
In
1943, at the age of 19, she joined the ATS, finding her shorthand and typing
skills useful for clerical work. In
1945 she was posted to
She
had already met John when he was posted to Woolacombe. They met again in
They
retired to
Copied
from Margaret's autograph book 1934:
There was a Knight of
His trumpeters were sparrows.
His castle was a wooden cross
Where on he hung so high
His helmet was a crown of thorns
Whose crest did touch the sky.
With
best wishes from L.C. Veale
Think of me on the ocean
Think of me on the lake
Think of me on your wedding day
And send me a slice of cake.
G.M.
Keen
Little
Thatch Berrynarbor [now Little Gables]
Christmas Menu 1945
Breakfast: Porridge, Fried Egg and Bacon, Tea, Bread
& Butter, Marmalade
Dinner: Roast
High Tea: Cold Ham, Pickles and Sauce, Russian Salad,
Tea, Bread 7 Butter, Jellies, Christmas Cake, Pastries
'Monty' - 1945
Margaret and John in their
garden at St. Austell in the 1960's
Lorna
Lorna
found the following letter
addressed to me from Margaret in
"Does anyone remember in the
1930's going to school on Ash Wednesday with a piece of ash twig with at least
one black bud? I was one of the
children arriving at school with my piece of ash to avoid being pinched. But after
I wonder if children going to
Phyllis Ivy White
Ivy,
born at Castle Hill, was the second daughter of Fred and Rosie Bray, who worked
a smallholding. In 1927, when she was
only just over a year old, Ivy and her sister Audrey were very ill with
pneumonia; sadly
Audrey died but although she was not expected to live, Ivy made a full
recovery. Some years later, in 1934,
the family was joined by her brother Gerald.
Ivy
always remembered how she nearly burnt the house down! Climbing on a chair to get something off the
mantelpiece, she knocked down the shirt collars airing in front of the
fire. Being cellulose, they quickly
ignited and the fire spread rapidly to the clothes airing on the rack
above. Quick action by Rosie and the
farm boys saved the day!
The
family moved to Beech Hill in 1935, due mainly to Fred's poor health - he
suffered having been gassed in the First World War. He died shortly after in early 1936 at the
age of 41, leaving Rosie to care for Ivy and the young Gerald, as well as her
own elderly mother.
Being
older, Ivy was expected to keep an eye on Gerald but she had other ideas,
particularly when friends called to play, and on one occasion she locked Gerald
in the porch whilst she went out, getting back just in time before her mother
returned from work. She was suitably
chastised and threatened with being shut in the attic if she did it again!
She
was in trouble once more when the latest 'must have' fashion accessory was hair
curling tongs. With no money, Ivy
improvised by heating two knitting needles in the fire, but to say her 'model'
friend ended up with a frizz is an understatement and the singed hair had to be
cut off!
After
leaving school, Ivy worked at
In
1955 she married Walter White and with Marlene and Larry they moved into 2 Wood
Park in 1957. In 1963, Tracey, the
first of her grandchildren was born, followed by Paula, Tina, Kerry and Alex -
she doted on them all.
During
her working life Ivy had a variety of jobs, mainly in catering. Latterly at Coutant Electronics [now Lambda] where she made many
friends with whom she spent happy holidays abroad, and then The Sandy Cove
Hotel. She was reluctant to
retire but a fall resulting in a broken foot when she was over 70 forced her to
admit defeat.
Her
life then revolved around her great-grandchildren and she was sure to tell
anyone who would listen how wonderful they were, especially clever little Vashti and her temper to match her great-grandmother's!
Over
the last ten years, Ivy endured a great deal of pain and several operations,
spending long periods in hospital. Her
final stay was at the
Being
diabetic, Ivy's diet was strictly controlled but a lasting memory will be of her drinking Baileys
through a straw during her last few weeks in hospital!
* * * *
We
should like to thank everyone who gave their help, support and time to Ivy
during her ill health, whether on a friendly or professional level, all who
sent messages of condolence, attended her funeral or donated money in her
memory, Rev. Keith for the service in which he summed her up to a T, Mr. Baker,
the undertaker who conducted the funeral arrangements, and The Globe Inn where
we held the wake.
Thank you all. Marlene
and Family
4
WEATHER OR NOT
September
carried on from where July and August left off and by the 11th we had recorded
143mm [5 5/8"] of rain. The
morning of the 11th was the first completely cloudless sky since 27th July, and
it heralded the start of a predominantly dry, settled period. Fortunately for us, it was also the day that
we started our holiday in the Scillies, after which we only recorded a further
9mm [7/16"] bringing the total rainfall for the month to 152mm [6"],
which made it the wettest September since 2000, when we had 198mm [7
13/16"]. It was also cooler than
usual with a maximum 22.4 Deg C and a minimum of 5.9 Deg C. Wind speeds reached 30 knots, also a record
for the month. At 98.08 hours, the
sunshine hours were the lowest since we began recording, the second lowest was
in 2004 when they were 105.94.
October
is often the wettest month of the year but with 163mm [6 3/8"] it was
easily beaten this year by both July and August. The total was, however, greater than other
parts of Devon, including
The sunshine hours at 51.37 were again down, only lower in 2005 when
they were 49.77.
There
have been rumours of a hard winter, but we shall have to wait and see whether
they are correct or not.
We
wish everyone a
happy and peaceful Christmas whatever the weather!
Simon and Sue
5
NEWS FROM OUR COMMUNITY SHOP & POST
OFFICE
We don't wish to boast [well, only a
little!], but Berrynarbor has pulled out all the stops as far as the shop is
concerned. The turnover is a fairly
steady 20-25% higher than in the old shop and by mid-October was already higher
than the whole of the figure for 2007. To all our regular customers, 'well supported', and thank you Anita
for filling the shop to capacity.
The range of items on sale might surprise those who never visit it. Why not call in and try it some time? The Post Office, in Jackie's care, is also
doing very well. A paypoint
machine is arriving shortly, which will improve the service. Please check with Jackie for details.
Dates have passed for sending surface
mail to far-flung places, but there's still time for air mail to get there for
Christmas. International air mail
should be posted between the 5th and 10th December,
and for
It's
not too late to order Christmas Fare: poultry and meat, Christmas cakes and puddings,
Christmas ice cream, baked goods and fruit and vegetables. Don't forget that greengrocery has a 10% reduction when booked in
advance but don't leave it to the last minute! The last date for orders is December 12th,
although Ivan Clarke can take orders until the 19th. Our shop is bursting with gorgeous
chocolates, a range of Christmas cards and wrapping paper, special jams and
chutneys for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and lots more. Do come and indulge.
Several people in the village kindly nominated
our Shop and Post Office in the Countryside Alliance Award for the 'Best
Village Shop and Post Office'. Entries
are now closed and results will be announced in the New Year. It would be great to get an award, but nice
to know that some feel it's the best anyway!
Thanks go to those who entered us.
A special thank you to our stalwart volunteers, including some who
have joined recently. If in the
New Year you feel that you could help - even for 2 hours, or as a standby -
please have a word with Anita.
And
finally, for the whole of December, why not treat yourself to a hot drink in
the shop and enjoy a FREE mince pie?
Very
best wishes to you all from Anita, Jackie and the Committee, and here's to
another successful year!
PP of DC
6
WHAT GOOD NEWS!
I've
just read in the newspaper [14.11] that the all-thinking [?] Gordon Brown has
finally realised that it would be extremely damaging to the survival of the
rural post offices if the POCA system was handed over to a private company and
would create even more unemployment and further ravage rural communities. It was a long time coming, but what a
relief!
Now
thank goodness, we like others in similar situations, can at least rest easier
that this potential nail in the coffin has been removed. I don't think the mandarins in
It
is therefore now vital that we ensure that ours remains viable both by using it
and helping to run it. On the subject
of which, it is a bit worrying to see more and more occasions in the afternoon
when there is no volunteer on duty. If
anyone has a few hours to spare in the afternoon, preferably on a regular
basis, even if it is as little as once a month, I am sure that Anita would be
delighted to hear from you.
Keep
up the good work!.
Tony Summers
7
The
We were all there at
The next day, having sent Jonathan an
e-mail to find out what had happened, on the principle of belt and braces I
found his telephone number in France and tried phoning. To my great relief, I did not have to rely on
my French, which is very suspect, as his wife answered. She checked his calendar and said it was
entered as 17th not the 15th, so I arranged for her to contact him in the
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 10th
December when we have our Christmas Food & Drink Evening for which the
presenter is Brett Stevens, the knowledgeable and lively owner of the Fabulous
Wine Company in
By now, if you are planning on coming
you should have organised yourselves into tables of six and arranged who is
doing what in the way of food for your table. If you haven't, please get
cracking, there's not long to go!
If you have not been before and wish to come along, please contact me [883600] and I'll put you in touch with others with whom
you can join.
Best Wishes, Tony S.
8
HATCHED
Quarrels,
tantrums, scolding, cuts, bruises, knocks and
teardrops
are the daily storms in a young child's life, but all
of
them are tempered by love, kisses and hugs to restore the sunshine
. Children are loud noises with arms and legs,
they are sweet-eating bundles of kicks and shouts, they
are damp laps,
they
are sleepless nights, they are precious, they are beautiful.
They
are much-loved.
Wendy Barber
Val and David Hann [now living in
9
BERRYNARBOR MEN'S INSTITUTE
The
Institute held their Annual Awards Presentation Dinner on Saturday, 22nd
November, at Ilfracombe Golf Club.
After an excellent meal, Chairman Tony Summers proposed toasts to
'Absent Friends' and to 'The continued success of the Institute'. He then presented the trophies for the
2007-2008 season.
The
Winter League [played from September 2007 to April 2008]
Winner: Kevin Brooks
Runners Up: Chris Jenner and John
Hood
The
Handicap Singles Knockout Cup
Winner: Gerry Marangone Runner Up:
Keith Walls
The
Scratch Singles Knockout Cup
Winner: Tony Summers
Runner Up: Robert Draper
The
Doubles Knockout Cup
Winners: Tony Summers and John Fanner
Runners Up: Gerry Marangone and
Tim Davies
Summer
Scratch League
Winner: Robert Draper
Equal Runners Up: Brian Draper, Gerry Marangone
and Kevin Brooks
The
Ray Toms Memorial Cup
Winner: [yet again!]
Maurice Draper
Highest
Recorded Break throughout the Season:
Dave Harris
10
THE MANOR HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Work
will start on
We
apologise for the inconvenience this work will cause and hope you will bear
with us until it is finished. The Penn
Curzon Room could be an alternative in the afternoon if any group is willing
and able to use the space available.
With
ever-increasing costs of maintenance and services, it is proposed to increase
the charges for hiring the Hall and Penn Curzon Room by a nominal 10% as from
May 2009. The current charges,
operational since April 2006, are:
|
Room/Event |
Category |
Price per Session £ |
|
Main Hall |
A |
8.00 |
|
|
B |
12.00 |
|
Penn Curzon Room |
A |
7.00 |
|
|
B |
10.00 |
|
Fund Raising,
i.e. Coffee Morning |
|
20.00 |
|
Fete |
|
35.00 |
|
Children's Party |
|
25.00 |
|
Wedding |
|
140.00 |
Category
A: Is for Non Profit Organisations working
for the
benefit of those
living in the Parish
Category
B: Is for all other regular user groups
Sessions:
Once
again we'll be organising the Christmas Card Collection and Distribution. The posting box will be available in the
Shop from the 1st December and will close just before the Coffee Morning. The charge for using this service is 10p
per card [a big saving on postage] or a generous donation! The Coffee Morning with mulled wine and
mince pies will be from
Bob Hobson - Chairman
11
NEWS FROM THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
The
year is flying by and we are already planning hard for the many Christmas
events that are coming up! We sent our
shoe boxes of goodies to the Samaritan's Purse earlier this week and it is good
to think that the boxes will be taking our best wishes to children across the
world in time for the festive season.
Looking
back over the school year so far, there have already been many highlights - a
very muddy Wild Night Out for the oldest children and a Space Odyssey for the
whole school, to name a couple. This
week the children have been learning about road safety with the help of our
Chair of Governors and local PCSO Katie Simpson. You might have seen the children around the
village sporting our new high visibility bibs, purchased to improve the safety
of the children when out and about - you'll certainly be able to see us coming
now, even if we do resemble a class full of satsumas! Next week the national focus on
anti-bullying will see our Year 6 children going to the college for a morning
of art and drama with children from primary schools across the Local Learning
Community.
Our
philanthropy continues this year with fund raising for Breast Cancer care,
Children in Need and the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal, already totalling
over £200. The older children's efforts
to organise a bring and buy sale in aid of the Poppy Appeal followed work to
find out about the British Legion and the sacrifice made by so many during the
world wars and subsequent conflicts.
Five of the older pupils represented the school at the Service of
Remembrance held at the War Memorial in Ilfracombe, whilst the rest of the
school observed the two minutes of silence in their classrooms.
Our
work to improve the school environment continues with the addition of PC's in
Classes 2, 3 and 4. The children and
staff are enjoying the flexibility that this new resource offers and we hope to
extend their use by offering after-school access to computers and the internet
by the spring.
We
continue to build on the excellent academic standards achieved last year. Our focus on improving writing has led us to
adopt the Big Writing Programme. The children
are making good progress, writing for sustained periods independently of their
teacher. I have included for
publication a piece of writing by Dylan of which we are all particularly proud. He wrote a description of Bonfire Night and
his mastery of the English language at just five years old should be applauded
and celebrated by us all. Dylan is one
of the many children making excellent progress - watch the notice board outside
the shop for more examples of work to be admired.
On
the 8th November we organised a day out/shopping trip to IKEA and Cribbs Causeway in
Sue Carey - Headteacher
12
We are thrilled that we managed to get a Gold for
We have had our last litter pick of this
year and completed our autumn clear up.
'Get a Stick and Flick it!' - this is the policy of Exmoor National
Park, Devon Countryside Access Forum and
the Kennel Club, as seen on the notices on the walks to Heddons
Mouth, regarding the disposal of dog poo. How sensible! This is a far pleasanter and environmentally
friendly way of keeping our 'walkways' free, and so
much better than poo left in bags beside the road or
beside paths. On a recent 'litter
pick' walk up the Valley, no less than 4
poo bags were found surreptitiously hidden in the
undergrowth on the side of the road - it can't rot in plastic bags but the rain
and weather will break it down if it is 'flicked' into the hedgerow.
You may have noticed that the shrubs at
the bottom of Pitt Hill have had a severe haircut, but they were very overgrown
and will soon grow again in the spring.
The planters and tubs have been planted with bulbs and polyanthus and we
hope you enjoy them in the spring.
We shall meet early next year to discuss
our plans, so look out for our posters and we hope you will join us.
Wendy
13
White
Chocolate Cheesecake
This cheesecake is easy to make and it
can be made a month or so before Christmas and frozen. Then just whip it out of the freezer and
serve it with fresh fruit or a compote of fruit such
as blueberries.
For
the biscuit base
225/8oz Hobnobs [or
chocolate chip] biscuits
100g/4oz melted
butter
For
the Cheesecake
300g/10oz white
chocolate broken in to small pieces
200g pack full-fat
soft cheese at room temperature
25g/1oz caster sugar
500ml/18 fluid oz
double cream
Line a 23cm round x 4cm deep loose bottom tin
or spring form tin with greaseproof paper.
Process the biscuits to a fine crumb
then mix with the butter and press in to the base of the tin. Chill in the 'fridge until you have made the
filling.
For the cheesecake, melt the chocolate
in a bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Cool until tepid. Beat together the soft cheese and sugar and
stir in to the melted chocolate. Whip
the cream to very soft peaks and fold in to the chocolate mixture. Spoon in to the tin and smooth the top.
If the cheesecake is to be eaten
immediately, chill for 2-3 hours or better overnight, or cover with cling film and freeze for Christmas.
Blueberry
Compote
A very nice compote for the cheesecake can be made using a
packet of frozen blueberries. Just bring
the whole packet to a gentle simmer with the juice of 1/2 a lemon and thicken
with 2 teaspoons of corn flour mixed with a little more lemon juice. Cool and serve with the cheesecake which may
be decorated with white chocolate curls or crumbled white flakes. Another low calorie recipe!
Happy
Christmas! Wendy
14
The Garden Tea Room, with its garden
views and log fire, will be open for individuals and parties for Festive Food
[but not the usual turkey and trimmings] on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9th, 10th,
16th and 17th December for lunch, 12.30 for 1.00 p.m., and in the evenings for
Supper on Thursdays and Fridays, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th December, 7.00 for
7.30 p.m. 3 Courses £20;00: 2 Courses
£16.00, including coffee or Tea. Booking Essential.
For a copy of the Menu and a Booking Form, please ring Patricia or Katie
on 342528 or e-mail: info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk.
The
Tea Room will also be open on Sunday, 7th December, when
Glenda Ramsey will tell 'Sunshine
Stories' with puppets at
Advance Notice: Sundays 8th, 15th and 22nd February -
Snowdrop and Hellebore Days. Tea Room
open for hot
lunches. Booking
essential.
The Gardens are seeking volunteers to
join the team. If you think you might
be interested to help, please ring Patricia on 342528 for more information.
15
THE EVACUEES - DAVE AND TOM
Crime Stoppers
Keith
Meldrew was a bit of a loner. People in the village thought he might be to
blame for when things 'went missing', but never had any proof. However, in December 1942 there was a
certain amount of stealing going on. It
was on a small scale - things like vegetables, mud-scrapers from outside
people's front doors, and even children's toys left outside in error. Something had to be done! And it was, in a roundabout and amusing way.
You
may remember that for his prize for the best boat, Dave gave Tom one of his
slowworms, but Tom was ticked off by his mother and told to get rid of it 'straight
away'! However, Dave still collected a
few at times and
would take them to school to sell - a little bit of extra pocket money.
One
evening, Dave and his mother were sitting in front of their coal fire at their
cottage at Goosewell. Dave had managed
to collect three slowworms, which he had put in a tin on the windowsill.
"I'll
take them to school tomorrow", he said.
But the next morning, when he was about to leave for school and he went
to pick them up, the tin had gone!
The
strange thing was that in the middle of the night, both Dave and his mother
thought they had heard a loud yell and footsteps disappearing into the night.
"I
didn't fasten the window last night, and someone must have taken it," said
his mum.
On
his way down Hagginton Hill, Dave met another lad from school.
"I had my slowworms pinched
last night," he told him, "Did you hear or see anything?"
"Yes,
I did," replied his friend, "there was someone shouting 'adder,
adder, adder!'"
Just then, Dave saw something shining, "Look, there is my tin and
there is the lid," he said as he picked them up. There was no sign of the slowworms
and the two boys continued on their way to school.
A
week later and across the valley, Tom and his mother sat warming themselves by
their coal fire. They hadn't bothered
to put the lights on, nor pull the curtains, because of the 'black out'. The window to the left of the fireplace had
a stay which often jammed and for this reason it was mostly left slightly
ajar. As they sat there in the dim
light, a hand came through the gap and was trying to unlatch the stay.
Tom's
mother, who had been dressmaking, had left her very sharp scissors on the
little table beside her. Silently she picked up the scissors
and carefully took hold of the sleeve on the arm protruding through the
window. Gently, she cut off about an
inch from the sleeve to about half-way round.
With the last snip of her scissors, the hand was suddenly
withdrawn. She sat down again, with the
piece of cloth in her hand. "That
will teach whoever it is not to do that again!" she said to herself.
Meeting a few days later in the
village shop, the two mothers were talking about how the mini crime wave had
stopped. "What would you do", said Dave's mother, "If you caught
the villain? I'd
give him a cuff or at least a bit of a cuff!" was the reply. "And what would you do? I
wouldn't adder a thing to what you say."
The two mothers laughed and went on their way.
Tony Beauclerk -
Illustrations
by: Paul
Swailes
16
LETTER FROM THE RECTOR
The Rectory
Combe Martin
Dear Friends,
All too often in the past, the Church
has been charged with making people believe in a better world to come because
life is bad on earth, preaching a form of 'escapism'. Christmas can be a time when people wish to
escape from the harsh realities of the economic situation into a world of
beauty and wonder, as highlighted in children's eyes and our imagination. Some people think they can buy their way
into the hearts of others by buying expensive gifts - trying to escape from the
fear of rejection by others. But
because our options may be reduced this year, for obvious reasons, let us just
consider what Christmas is really all about. First
it is all about Jesus being born in poverty.
In a stable for animals, not a home for people. Placed in a manger not a
cot. Born a
refugee not in a secure home environment. [This is not escapism.] But nevertheless, born in
an environment of love. How
often on cards and in crib scenes do we see the 'holy family' together, bound
in the mystery of birth and love. We cannot buy love,
we can only give it away and see its results.
There is no fear of rejection here - only a welcoming presence that
seeks to embrace. [God has started his
ministry of reconciliation by being born among us as being very
vulnerable. We are all very vulnerable,
and God shares that vulnerability.]
The shepherds - the outcasts of the
Jewish world at that time - have the vision of heaven and are invited to go and
see this thing that has happened at
That's what Christmas is all
about. Not the giving of expensive
gifts, but of responding to the vulnerable love of God as revealed at Christmas
and sharing that love with others.
Have a really wonderful & joyful Christmas,
Your Friend and Rector,
Keith Wyer
17
MOVERS
AND SHAKERS NO.
18
JOHN
FRYER-SPEDDING
Founder of the
Calvert Trust
On our way home from a lovely walk at
Wistlandpound, my husband commented, as we drove past The Calvert Trust,
"I wonder who Mr Calvert is - or was?"
Dear old Google came to the rescue
once more. On their website, the Calvert Trust's history
section tells us that they came into being in 1978 by the inspiration of John
Fryer-Spedding, whose vision it was to enrich the
lives of people, all with disabilities, by taking part in outdoor activities in
the countryside.
When the first National Park opened in
1951, Harold Macmillan declared:
"The National Parks are for all people for all time."
John Fryer-Spedding
realised that this was not quite true in that without accessible facilities,
people with disabilities could neither enjoy our superb countryside, nor
benefit from outdoor activities. He
consulted Elinor, Viscountess
Rochdale, and together they searched for people with the same vision as
themselves. Soon they gathered a small
group of people who decided to form a Trust.
The Fryer-Spedding
family donated to this Trust, two farmsteads in the
Because of the success of Keswick's
centre, the founders realised that another centre was needed, including
accommodation for families. Kielder, with its
man-made reservoir became the setting, and after much fund-raising, Kielder Calvert Trust was opened by Her Royal Highness
Princess Alexandra in 1984. Today it
welcomes over 5,000 visitors at the Centre, and also in 10 superb log chalets
that are set in the beautiful Kielder forest.
And so we come to our 'local' Calvert
Trust. With two successful Centres in
the north of
A farmhouse near Wistlandpound
Reservoir came up for sale. Because of an anonymous donor and many other
generous gifts, together with the enthusiastic support of local people, the
Calvert Trust made the purchase and the Exmoor Centre opened in 1996. It offers rock climbing, abseiling,
canoeing, sailing, kayaking, fishing, horse riding, carriage driving, archery,
zip wire, orienteering, indoor and outdoor climbing walls, a swimming pool with
Jacuzzi and a steam room. If you've not
been to Wistlandpound recently, you could be in for a surprise. The Calvert Trust in conjunction with the
Forestry Commission and South West Lakes Trust have developed the area into a
£1 million natural and social heritage centre. There is a discovery trail
suitable for wheelchairs around the lake, with beautiful woodcarvings to help
visually impaired people, and a bird hide.
There is also a 2 km Challenge trail with exercises for wheelchair users
[the first in the
And
all this has happened because of one man's vision and determination! John has now retired from being a trustee
of Calvert Trust Exmoor so does not visit it as often as in the past, but his
legacy will continue in all three Centres:
friendship, support and the desire to help people with disabilities to
further their potential.
So
how about the name? Well, we have to
go back over 200 years. Raisley Calvert had grown up
with William Wordsworth, and the childhood friendship had lasted into
adulthood. Sadly, at 21, Raisley developed tuberculosis. As he faced death, he wanted his friend to
continue writing and a legacy was arranged allowing Wordswoth
to write full time. The old Windebrowe Cottage was given to him and his sister
rent-free. As we all know, Wordsworth
went on to fulfil his literary potential thanks to his friend, even writing a
poem dedicated to Raisley. When John Fryer-Spedding
gave the same cottage to the Trust it seemed right that Raisley's
name be used.
If
you would like to help the Calvert Trust, you can find details on their website
www.calvert-trust.org.uk. Calvert Trust Exmoor would be delighted if
you wished to support them by joining its Friends. The fee for a year is £10 [single], £15
[couple] or £18 [family]. With this you
may use the swimming pool for 1/2 price and get newsletters and details of forthcoming
events. This might solve a Christmas
present!
Contact 01598 763221 or e-mail them
on exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk.
PP
of DC
[Grateful
thanks to John Fryer-Spedding for all his help and
for providing a photograph. It was an
honour to write about his work.]
18
REPORT FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL
Items
of concern raised and discussed at the last Parish Council Meetings were:
Flooding
at
Claude's
Garden
- due to weather conditions and the fact that all the work done so far in the
Garden has been voluntary, the Council has not been able to proceed with this
project as far as it would have liked.
Councillor Clive Richards, after consultations with the Council and the
Trustee of the Garden, is endeavouring to arrange for ornate railings, in
keeping with the village and also to conform to safety standards, to be
erected. So hopefully by next spring
and working with the
No
Smoking Signs - the signs in the bus shelters are continually being
removed. We are obliged because of
government legislation to replace them, and this is an added cost to the
Parish.
The
Children's Playground - revised plans have been drawn up and
will be submitted to the Council for their approval at the next meeting.
Housing
Questionnaire - thank you to everyone who completed the
questionnaire. Answers are currently
being evaluated but we have received an apology from the Housing Officer for
the delay in receiving the results.
Digital
Switchover
David Farwig
of Digital UK will be giving a presentation at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, 9th December at
Finally,
I should like to thank all Councillors, especially Richard Gingell who as Vice
Chairman has stood in for me, Sue Squire, our Parish Clerk, and District and
County Councillors Yvette Gubb and Andrea Davis. Thank you, too, to Council Contractors for
their services, Judie for her work [and patience!] with the Newsletter and
anyone else who has worked for the benefit of our community in this last year.
With my
best wishes to you all for Christmas and the New Year.
Sue Sussex - Chairman
19
INCIDER INFORMATION 2008
Given
the weather this summer, it was amazing that we managed to make any cider this
year. But, last Saturday was just the
ticket for any outdoor activity.
The
Warburton Mk II Press was erected in the garden of 'Chez Wild Violets' and the
hoards descended from far and wide -
It
was decided apples should be measured in Qwerts [old Berrynarborian measure].
2 Qwerts =
1 Trug , = 2 Gallons. The usual production line swung into
action: 1. Cutting apples,
2.
Shredding apples [in the Mk I Warburton Chopper - an old garden
shredder], 3. Pressing the apples and
4.
Pouring into the barrels.
The
Press Maister, Mitch Warburton, brought with him
three trees of the Bens Red Variety.
These can be struck by just pushing a small branch into the ground. After the planting, the well-known wassailer, Ray Thorn [as seen on TV], blessed the orchard -
all three trees!
I
think I should mention that during all this, some of last year's cider was
being hastily consumed - no wonder I lost count of the Qwerts!
At
the end of a thoroughly good and slightly drunken day, 85 gallons had been poured
in to the vats.
A
BBQ ensued with entertainment provided by part of the Berry Skiffle
Ensemble, and Chris Townsend was last seen being pushed home in a
wheelbarrow! 'Yers
tu next yer.'
So,
having told you all about the Berry pressing - a balmy, late summer day,
with a gentle zephyr breeze blowing down
from Lee hills and the sun sliding into the sea over Hele gasworks, the smell
of new mown cider - truly stuff that halcyon days are made of - what happened a
week later?
It's
off to Combe Martian for the Silver Mine Pressing. I think we'll call it the Gloom Martian
pressing - the site, although covered with Barum
Boxing Club's tarpaulin, resembled a cross between Glastonbury on a bad day and
a good day on the Somme! But in true
stoic bulldog [no, sorry, this is
The
work was going well, all be it slippery.
The Mine Captain, Mitch Warburton, had a party of visitors from the
Friends of Devon Society to show round the silver mine site - I'm not sure what
they made of our antics - so we were left to puddle on unsupervised. It's hard treading apples when they are
wet! All this said, another 50 odd
gallons were poured into the waiting barrels.
We
have been asked how the general public can obtain some of this highly medicinal
potion ... only licenced persons are allowed to
purvey it. Unfortunately, none of have
a licence.
We
have tried other legal applications: a
hair restorer - Mitch tried it but he still looks like the white ball on the
Institute snooker table; an underarm
deodorant - attracted too many fruit flies;
a soap on a rope - liquids tend not to stay on bits of string; paint stripper - no good. I guess we'll just have to drink it
ourselves.
Songbird
20
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
When the new premises of the
Jean Skowronski
21
MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
We
should like to thank all who assisted with the Biggest Coffee Morning at the
end of September and those who supported
us with their attendance and donations, helping us to raise the sum of £513.
22
CANCER RESEARCH
The
Combe Martin Branch of this Charity held a Coffee Morning on 15th October.
We
were especially pleased to welcome quite a few Berrynarbor folk and wish to
thank you for making the effort to be there, for your contributions and gifts
and for your general support.
You
will be pleased to know that you helped raise £340 for this very worthy
charity.
Ethel Parkin -
Secretary
23
LOCAL WALKS - 111
"Welcome! wild rock and lonely shore,
Where
round my days dark seas shall roar;
And they
gray fane*, Morwenna, stand
The
beacon of the Eternal land."
Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker
I
had only seen
Three
months later, on an autumn Sunday that was more like high summer than any day
in August had been, we crossed the border to visit the
Morwenstow is in
King Brychan. In
'Westward Ho!', Charles Kingsley described the Atlantic coast there as "a
howling wilderness of rock and roller, barren to the fisherman and hopeless to
the shipwrecked mariner."
Under
the trees at the top of the churchyard are the graves of many sailors including
those from the brig, the Caledonia of Arbroath which sank in 1842, on her
homeward journey from
Above the church porch is a
sundial with the inscription "Life is like a shadow". The church is large for such a sparsely
populated parish and has many unusual features. The Saxon font is an irregular oval shape,
with a cable moulding, like a twisted rope around its middle. One of the
When
a visitor commented on the 'zig-zags' on the capitals
of some of the pillars, the Reverend Hawker explained that the chevron pattern
represented the waves on the
*fane - archaic
word for church.
Hawker's Hut
The Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker
The Vicarage, Morwenstow
The
Next
to the church is the vicarage, designed by Hawker in 1837, with chimneys made
to resemble in miniature the towers of churches with which he had been
associated. In its garden is a holy
well, the water from it used for baptisms.
We
walked across the glebeland fields and along the
coast path to Hawker's Hut, a tiny hut with a turf roof, set into the side of
the four hundred foot cliff, which the Reverend Hawker had built himself out of
driftwood. It has been preserved by the
National Trust and is the smallest property in its care. It was here that the Reverend Hawker came
seeking inspiration for his sermons and poetry and it was here, too, that he
was visited in 1848 by the Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson. The following year Charles Kingsley came to
see the clergyman in his hut. We
clambered down to it, opened the stable door and sat inside watching the waves
crashing far below and the ravens flying past with their 'cronking'
cry and it was strange to think of the Reverend Hawker sitting in the same spot
a hundred and sixty years ago, composing his sermons and being visited by those
famous authors, with the sea pinks and yellow toadflax and wild scabious growing all around.
Continuing
south we descended the steep drop to Tidna Water,
with patches of water mint and betony and a pair of wheatears getting ready for
their long autumn journey; then up to
Higher Sharpnose Point with its wartime lookout, now
serving as a useful shelter. The promontory
is so high and narrow that it has been described as 'almost an arete' - like a
mountain crest. But it makes a good
viewpoint, overlooking sixty miles of coastline and Lundy seen from a different
angle to the one we are used to.
On
neighbouring Lower Sharpnose Point is a collection of
large white dish aerials used for surveillance. [When we had turned off the
We
returned our steps to Morwenstow and its church,
forever linked with the memory of its former vicar, the humane Robert Hawker,
whose normal garb combined the clerical collar with a fisherman's jersey and
boots; who
originated and made popular the celebration of the harvest festival and wrote
'The Song of the Western Men' [otherwise known as 'Trelawny']
which became an unofficial National Anthem for Cornwall.
He
placed a stone over the doorway of the vicarage with this verse inscribed:
'A
house, a glebe, a pound a day,
A
pleasant place to watch and pray!
Be true
to church, be kind to poor,
O
minister for evermore.'
Sue H
24
RURAL REFLECTIONS - 38
I
write this article whilst on holiday.
Yet in many ways I could easily be in
Alternatively,
the stream will flow into a river which will disperse at a gaping estuary where
curlews continue their never-ending search for food under the sands and where
the call of an oyster catcher echoes across the sand dunes. For all intents and purposes, it could be
the Taw or Torridge estuary.
Elsewhere, deeply sloping valleys are replaced
by gently rolling hills and miles upon miles of hedgerows. The scene makes for an eerily familiar
patchwork quilt - even the ploughed earth is red.
However,
distant sights give the game away. To
the north lie hills which rise to become mountains. Looking west, tall thin chimneys choke out
smoke and naked flames.
To
the east is another source of industry; this time wind turbines which shatter
the rural picture. It is a sight which,
for a little longer, at least, confirms that I am not in
Within
closer proximity are other reminders that I am away from home. Gone are the cosy villages with thatched
roofs whose cottages would, if they could, tell yarns of self-sufficient
villagers who lived off the land. Hard times, but happy times. Today, the happy smiles and friendly 'hello'
can still be found.
This
is in contrast to the villages dotted in the countryside around me. The cottages lack warmth and vitality. If I was an artist, I'd repaint the scene
without browns and greys so that the drab, pebble-dashed buildings would
individually stand out. Instead, these
cottages reflect a different industrial era, one of coal rather than
agriculture, and one devoid of any happy times, or so it seems.
Standing
upon a headland, I look across the waters to a distant stretch of land - my
home. Its presence on the scene brought
my father to mind.
Oh,
how I would get upset every December when he would turn down my invitation to
spend Christmas at my place. Now, older
myself, I have become just like him!
Just as that distant land on the horizon is reminding me now,
there is indeed nowhere quite like North
Wishing you all a peaceful Christmas and happy new year.
Stephen McCarthy
Illustrations by: Paul Swailes
25
OLD BERRYNARBOR - VIEW 116
This month I have chosen a postcard
taken and published by F. Frith & Co., Ltd. of
On the right is the window of Dormer
Cottage [Miss Muffets], the gardens of Whitley Cottage and Corfe
Cottage before the 'TEAS' sign for The Globe Public House. Finally on the right, is the roof and
chimneys of Fuchsia Cottage.
Note the girl sitting outside the
Manor Stores and the Cadbury's Chocolate Bar dispenser, as well as the
interestingly shaped windows, with the top glass panels almost
chapel-like. Also of note is the large
telephone pole outside The Globe with over 20 isolated cables. The postcard
itself was sent in the 1940's from Ilfracombe to a lady in Torquay and posted
with a King George VI green 11/2d and an orange 1/2d stamp.
Tom Bartlett, Tower
Cottage November 2008
E-Mail:
tombartlett40@hotmail.com
26
What the Papers
Said 150 Years Ago
A
CHILD MORTALLY BURNT - On Friday, an inquest was held at Berrydown
Cross, before R. Bremridge, Esq., county coroner, on
the body of Emily Jewell, a girl between seven and eight years of age, the
daughter of James Jewell, a labourer, residing in the hamlet. It appeared that on Wednesday morning, the
father and mother left the house, the former to go to his work and the latter
to the mill to get her grist ground, leaving the deceased and a younger child
to take care of themselves as best they could. After the mother was gone, the children
fastened the door by pushing something over the latch to prevent other children
entering the house. In the course of
the morning the neighbours perceived the smell of fire, and soon ascertained
that it proceeded from Jewell's house.
As the door was fastened they had to force it open; and, on doing so, found the elder girl
burnt in a miserable manner. Mr. Stoneham,
surgeon, of this town, was sent for, and on his arrival, pronounced the case to
be hopeless. The poor child lingered
until the next morning, when death put a period to her sufferings. The verdict of the Jury was in accordance
with the facts, but the coroner thought it his duty to address the parents in
strong terms of censure for their carelessness in leaving children so young in
the house by themselves. It appeared
that about eight years ago they had a child, of the same age, burnt to death under
similar circumstances, and a third had since suffered from a like casualty,
though the injuries had not proved mortal.
Tuesday,
November 2nd -THE GAME LAWS -Quick v.
Beer - Plaintiff is a farm servant, lately
in the employment of Mr. Ley, of Crosshill,
in the parish of Berrynarbor; and the defendant, gamekeeper to Arthur Davie
Bassett, Esq., of Watermouth. The
action was brought to recover £1.15s, the value of a gun and a quantity of
powder and shot, the property of Quick, which Beer had illegally seized and
taken possession of on the 20th of Sept., last. Mr. Incledon Bencraft appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Hooper Law for the defendant. The plaintiff and James Ley
[brother of his late master] were recently summoned before the Bench of
Magistrates at Combmartin, for trespassing in quest
of game, and convicted and fined for the offence; although the defence set up was, that
they were upon ground where they had a right to be, and employed in farm
operations - that the farmer had the right to kill rabbits, etc. It appeared that on the day named the two
young men went to the field to work, taking with them a gun, intending to kill
a rabbit if one should chance to start up - that Ley
fired off the gun, which had been loaded several days, throwing up a stone as a
mark at which to aim - that immediately after the gamekeeper and the Rev. Arthur
Crawford Bassett entered the field and demanded who had fired the gun to which
the plaintiff returned an evasive answer.
Beer then searched in the hedgerow and found the gun hid under Quick's
coat, of which he took possession, together with a quantity of powder and shot
in the pockets of the coat. Evidence
was given pro and con., the plaintiff and
his
witness denied that either beat or
searched for game, and Beer deposed that he saw Quick fire, and both beating
the covers, though he confessed he was at a great distance at the time and
several hedges intercepted the view.
His Honour reviewed the evidence, and said he did not consider that
adduced by the plaintiff worthy to be trusted, as much as that of the
game-keeper. Judgement for the
defendant - Mr. Law declined to ask for costs.
Tom Bartlett
November 2008
27
THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY
The
caustic and cynical definitions contained in the Devil's Dictionary are the
work of Ambrose Bierce. During his lifetime, 1842 - 1914, he
was a writer, poet and journalist, as well as being a veteran of the American Civil War.
His
best known creation was the Dictionary, in which he sought to influence
enlightened people who prefer dry wines to sweet, sense to sentiment, wit to
humour and clear English to slang.
Browsing
through the work at random one comes upon many gems. Here are a few:
Walter 28
SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
That
was the question I asked in the piece I wrote for the October Newsletter [see
page 39], and from research I have been doing recently, the answer may be
forthcoming in a couple of years hence.
It
appears that for some time there has been a shortage of five pound notes. The banks seem reluctant to issue this
denomination in paper currency but nobody knows the reason why. Shopkeepers have remarked on the scarcity of
the 'fiver' and rumours abound on the possibility of the note eventually being
withdrawn and demonetised. To support
this theory, it is interesting to learn of the activities of the Royal Mint in
recent years during which time they have been striking cupro-nickel
coins of five pounds value on an experimental basis, the coins being confined
to low mintings.
These
coins have been struck to commemorate certain important historical events. For instance, in 1999 a coin, measuring 38mm
in diameter - that is large - was issued for the millennium. On the reverse side the design showed a
representation of the British Isles with a pair of clock hands emanating from
Greenwich, set at twelve o'clock with the inscription 'anno domini',
with the denomination five pounds and the dates 1999 and 2000. The designer was Jeffrey Matthews who also
has been responsible for the designs on many of our postage stamps. The mintage of the £5 coin was small, some
51,500 pieces.
Another
coin, issued in 2001, was commemorating the Victorian Anniversary. The design was of a classic portrait of the
young Queen Victoria based on the penny black postage stamp with a 'V'
representing Victoria and taking the form of railway lines and in the background
the iron framework of the Crystal Palace with the denomination five pounds and
the dates 1901 and 2001. Again, the
coin measures 38mm in diameter and was rather heavy. The actual mintage was only 21,000.
Since
then further experimental coins have been issued between 2003 and 2007, the mintings varying from 50,000 to 100,500 per annum.
It
is my guess that, by Twenty-ten, we shall be waving goodbye to the paper fiver
and begin coping with its weighty successor.
Walter
29
CHEERS!
[A guide to festive drinking]
Here's
to good old ale,
Drink it
down, drink it down.
Here's
to good old ale,
Drink it
down.
Here's
to good old ale,
It will
never fail,
Drink it
down, drink it down,
Drink it
down.
Here's
to good old beer,
It fills
you with good cheer.
Here's
to good old brandy,
It keeps
you fine and dandy.
Here's
to good old cider,
It warms
you up inside yer.
Here's
to good old gin,
Not to
drink it is a sin.
Here's
to good old mead,
It's
very good indeed.
Here's
to good old perry
It keeps
you feeling merry.
Here's
to good old rum,
It stops
you feeling glum.
Here to
good old sherry
[see perry] It keeps you feeling
merry.
Here's
to good old whiskey,
It makes
you feel quite frisky.
Here's
to good old wine,
It makes
you feel just fine.
[With
acknowledgements to the original]
Anyone
brave a good rhyme for vodka? Trev
30
OLD YULETIDE CUSTOMS
The
Mummers
- An amateur band of players going from house to house at Christmas time and
performing 'St. George and the Dragon', etc., in a dumb show - hence the name
[Brewer].
As
time went by, words in rhyme were added, also extra characters, for example
'Bold Slasher'.
The object was, of course, to raise money. When I was 8 or 9, my elder brother and some
of his pals got together to do the same, and I was
included. My part was 'Little Devil
Doubt' and I had to rush in with a broom and cry:
"Here
I am, Little Devil Doubt,
If you
don't give me money, I'll sweep you all out.
Money I
want and money I crave,
If you
don't give me money,
I'll
sweep you to the grave."
The
Waits
- People who sing carols outside houses at Christmas time, especially on
Christmas morning. The name originated
from the watchmen of former times who blew a horn to mark the passing of the night
hours. They later developed into
uniformed town bands [ Brewer]. I well remember hearing them on Christmas
morning while lying in bed and opening my stocking. My father maintained that our own band used
to swap places with a band from another town and for that reason, refused to
contribute. I don't suppose it occurred
to him that people in the other town were supporting our own!
Wassail [old
English Waes Hael - Be
Well]
Here we
come a-wassailing,
Among
the leaves so green.
Here we
come a-wassailing
So
plainly to be seen.
Love and
joy come to you
And to
you your wassail too,
And God
bless you and send you
A Happy
New Year,
And send
you a Happy New Year.
The
Wassail, or more exactly the Wassail Bowl, containing spiced ale, was carried
from house to house by young women on New Year's Eve and
presented to the inhabitants, together with a song as above, expecting a small
tip in return [Brewer].
Trev
31
PENSIONER'S TALE
Winter 2008
I am
writing this note to remind you
That
inflation has taken away
The things
that I hold most essential -
My
heating, my lighting, my pay.
So,
forget Christmas cards and roast turkey,
Red
peppers and peaches and cream,
The
things that I once took for granted
Are
now an impossible dream.
But
you'll know that I wish you sincerely,
The best
for the season ahead,
As I
pull on my old woollen bonnet
And
retire, in the cold, to my bed.
Edith Stewart
Lisa Shelley
Wishing all Readers
A Very Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year
32