New Housing Development
- What is it all about?
- What is it all about?
You may well have heard by now about proposals to build at least 1200 new homes in land around Sweetham and Newton St Cyres village. These proposals are contained in the first draft of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP for short). Details of this plan are posted on the Parish Council Website https://www.middevonparish.co.uk/newtonstcyres/greater-exeter-strategic-plan/ and on my own Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535.
GESP is complicated and difficult to make sense of. As your Mid Devon District Councillor I have written this article to explain how GESP will work and to give you the understanding you will need to make up your own mind about the Plans.
You may know already that I am not at all happy with GESP and what it may mean both for Newton St Cyres and for Mid Devon. You should know that the Cabinet of Mid Devon, of which I am a member, will be asked to agree to the Draft GESP Plan going out to public consultation in September. The Meeting of Cabinet at which this will be discussed is 6th August at 6pm. It will be a remote meeting using the Zoom Platform that you can attend and observe if you want. You can also ask questions, though these will need to be submitted in advance.
I will be asking my Cabinet colleagues to agree that GESP should be referred to a meeting of the Full Council before it goes out for consultation in Mid Devon. It is much too important a subject to be decided on by Cabinet alone. If and when GESP comes to a Full Council meeting I will be speaking against continuing with GESP unless there are major changes to the way it works. I will be proposing that we either change the terms of our membership of the GESP club or we pull out completely.
What is GESP?
The GESP a co-operative planning scheme managed and staffed by five participating local authorities (including MDDC, Teignbridge DC, Exeter City Council, East Devon DC and Devon County Council ).
GESP has been set up to develop and then implement a statutory plan for all new housing and business development between the years 2020 and 2040, across the sub-regional area bounded by the three District councils and, of course, Exeter City Council.
Once adopted by the participating authorities the GESP will have statutory power within the GESP area and will determine and allocate housing supply allocations for each of the Councils involved in the Plan and also determine larger site for housing such as the one proposed for Newton St Cyres.
Once it has been adopted by the four local authorities, the strategic sites and associated infrastructure in GESP is likely to be implemented and delivered by separately constituted Development Corporation. A bid was made in February this year for capacity funding of £1.6m required to establish this body.
In its first phase GESP identifies a number of strategic site options for new development, including the site proposed for Newton St Cyres. These site options will determine the location and size of a number of large development sites across the GESP area. There are also a set of Planning Policies that will condition the style and approach to development as well as the way infrastructure should be developed.
The GESP central purpose is to plan for and to deliver the building of an additional 30,500 homes between 2020 and 2040 in the GESP area. This total is in addition to the 33,390 already accounted for in the Local Plans of the four local authorities taking part in the scheme. There are also additional targets for business and retailing sites.
GESP also has other ambitions. These include:-
As a statutory Planning Document GESP will need formal approval by the Govt Planning Inspectorate and adoption by each of the participating Local Authorities. It will also need to be the subject of formal processes of public consultation before these approvals can take place.
The first version of GESP will be submitted for public consultation in September 2020. This will last until February 2021. The key stages leading to adoption of GESP are:
In the past each Local Authority has relied on its own Local Plan to set out where development can take place and where it cannot. Until GESP each Local authority had been given its own housing supply target that is worked out by using a given Government formula. With GESP all this is about to change.
GESP stipulates that 18,500 homes within its target of 30,500 additional homes should be developed on larger “strategic” sites of more than 500 homes (100 homes in Exeter) identified and approved within GESP. The sites for the remaining 12,000 additional homes are intended to be identified and approved within the Local Plans of the participating Planning Authorities.
The GESP housing target numbers are based on an aggregated calculation of the combined housing supply targets of the three District Councils and Exeter City council over the period 2020-2040. The overall calculation for new homes (including existing commitments contained in Local Plans ) is a total of 53,260 . GESP has added a buffer or “headroom” of 20% to reach an overall figure of 63,890.
It is important to realise that the GESP project has a single boundary. The intention is that sites should be identified and approved on the basis of suitability and conformity with planning policies within the GESP area rather than with reference to local authority boundaries.
Because it is “boundary blind” there is no pre-existing housing supply quota or allocation by local authority area. In theory, all the additional GESP strategic sites delivering the target development of 18,500 new homes could be located in only one of the participating local authority areas.
It is also important to understand that the remaining 12,000 additional GESP target homes, intended for “non-strategic sites” within the new Local Plans, will also be apportioned and allocated by GESP between the four authorities.
In other words the GESP will subsume the pre-existing combined total housing supply targets for all four participating districts and reallocate these to each District on the basis of GESP considerations of site suitability and conformity with GESP planning policies. Any new Local Plan emerging after the adoption of GESP in 2023 will have tits housing supply targets, major planning policies and strategic site allocations determined by GESP.
It is therefore not possible to quantify the housing supply target that will be set by GESP for Mid Devon during the period 2020-2040. For comparison it is calculated that, without GESP, the Mid Devon housing target between 2020-2040 would, if separately calculated, be approximately 7260 (or 8752 with a 20% headroom added). This is just 8% of the total GESP area requirement.
The Mid Devon Local Plan (2013 to 2033) stipulates a revised housing target between 2020 and 2033 of approximately 5000 houses. Should Mid Devon not take part in GESP this would leave a target of approximately 2260 additional homes to be built under the aegis of a new local plan between 2033 and 2040. This will be more than achieved by the completion of the planned Culm Garden village near Cullompton.
GESP-The location and availability of development sites
The selection of development sites within GESP is, of course, determined by factors other than planning policy. Devon has an abundance of steep hills, coastline, estuaries and other areas prone to flood risk that seriously limit development options .
In addition the geography of Teignbridge and East Devon, in particular, is dominated by large areas where development is either prohibited or strictly proscribed. These include the Dartmoor National Park, World Heritage coastline, various SSIs and nature reserves, and AONBs.
Cllr Gordon Hook, the Leader of Teignbridge DC , has, for example, recently written an open letter to the Prime Minister complaining of the unfairness of their housing targets given the limitations and restrictions on the availability of development land in Teignbridge.
In Exeter the availability of sites is constrained by the very limited number of sizeable sites within the City boundaries and also by such factors as the cost of brown field remediation (e.g. Water Lane) and/or of relocating large and important business/ retailing areas to make way for housing (e.g. Marsh Barton). The City is therefore under considerable pressure to resolve the growing gap between its supply target and its capacity to deliver.
Exeter City Council, In an attempt to mitigate the shortfall in meeting its Government Housing Targets, attempted to include several thousand purpose build student housing units in meeting its target. However in 2015 the Planning Inspector found that she could not accept the Council's position that student accommodation should count towards delivery of the target. This decision was supported at a subsequent judicial review.
Given the serious constraints on the availability of sites elsewhere there is a high risk that a “boundary blind” approach will result in Mid Devon being asked to accept a disproportionate number of the additional homes because it has significantly fewer restrictions on the potential use of its land for development than its neighbours.
The GESP Strategic sites (Mid Devon)
The GESP draft strategic site options identifies sites that, if all were built out, would yield twice as many new homes (37,000 +) than required by the plan.
The following five sites have been identified within Mid Devon, in the first draft of the GESP Site options, as most suitable for large scale strategic developments
SITES
NO. OF HOUSES proposed
HELAA SITE POTENTIAL (max)
Comments
Culm Garden Village
5000
16120
Additional 1750 already identified in site allocation within emerging Local Plan
Sampford Peverell
2200
2772
Possible Garden Village?
Newton St Cyres
1200
4886
Exeter North Urban extension?
See also GESP sites proposed Cowley and Stoke Hill
Crediton South
750
1900
Urban extension?
Hartnoll Farm
950
2172
Extension of Tiverton EUE
TOTALS
10100
27850
Note:- Several other potential Mid Devon sites have also been identified by the GESP team but have not been put forward at this stage.
Apart from the Culm Garden Village the proposals for large scale development of these sites are completely new and are news to local communities. Each of the four sites is likely to engender considerable comment and opposition from local people.
Mid Devon Council is already committed to the development of the Culm Garden Village. There has already been a large amount of engagement and consultation with local communities about the development. Although some of the Culm Garden Village housing and site allocation is set out in the emerging MDDC Local plan, GESP will, when adopted, provide essential planning policy and site allocation framework for the larger part of this development.
Without GESP the build out of the Culm Garden village would , in addition to existing Local Plan commitments, enable Mid Devon Council to meet its own 2020 -2040 housing targets and potentially make a significant additional contribution of over 2500 homes towards addressing the pressures on its neighbours.
Apart from the Culm Garden Village, Newton St Cyres and Sampford Peverell sites the others are immediately adjacent to larger existing conurbations. They can, therefore, be viewed as having the size and locational characteristics of new urban extensions. It is hard, given their location, to envisage the sites becoming ~Garden Communities”
These extensions have in the past often added to the volume of suburbs to their neighbouring towns without costing a great deal in terms of transport, environmental or social infrastructure. They have therefore often tended to aggravate, rather than mitigate, dependence on the motor car and to produce rather soulless communities with monotonous bulk housing design and poor local services.
The northern suburbs of Exeter remain largely undeveloped, largely because the area has a very poor road network. GESP proposes strategic sites at Stoke Hill (Exeter CC), Cowley (East Devon DC) . Together these would form a de facto Exeter North Urban Extension.
It is envisaged by GESP that the Tarka Line requires significant improvements to both lines and stations to support the three proposed strategic developments; one within Crediton and two between Crediton and Exeter.
The main line running between Cullompton and Tiverton already has well supported plans for the reopening of the station at Cullompton together with a new local stopping services connecting several smaller towns with Exeter and Bristol. The new station will support the proposed Culm Garden Village Development and also other major new housing allocations around Cullompton.
Large new Strategic site proposed by GESP at Sampford Peverell would be serviced by the new local rail service stopping at the existing Tiverton Parkway Station.
In a “boundary blind” planning environment suburban style development along rail and major road routes like the A377 and A30 clearly present quicker and more cost effective opportunities to meet Exeter’s housing targets particularly if developments can avoid the cost and delays of major road improvements, for example by limiting such developments to those that can be “rail led”.
There is, of course, a distinct danger that, however laudable and attractive, the Garden Communities and “Rail Led” ideologies will be lost under the combined pressures of housing targets, restricted budgets and the profit expectations of Developers. The current GESP Policies are unlikely, in themselves be sufficient to prevent this.
Serious questions must be asked about whether a GESP Development Corporation will deliver on these ideals given the declared determination of the Government to “Build, Build, Build”.
GESP, Local Plans and democratic accountability
In Teignbridge It would seem that the new Teignbridge Local Plan (2020-2040) has been devised to synchronise as far as possible with GESP both in timetable and content. Teignbridge DC have explained that there is nothing in the draft GESP site allocation proposals that will not also be contained in their Local Plan Review. Some of the Strategic GESP sites in Teignbridge are already allocated and sit within their new 5 Year Land Supply trajectory. Teignbridge, therefore, see every reason to support GESP, given that it will contain nothing that is new to them and may well increase the opportunities of Government investment and support.
Exeter Council have replaced any attempt to produce a new Local Plan, based on meeting its housing supply target from within its own resources, by the delivery of GESP. In other words Exeter Council is reliant on GESP and the generosity of others for the delivery of its future housing supply targets and its site allocations.
East Devon Council have decided to deliberately delay the preparation of a new Local Plan to allow for GESP to set the parameters for this exercise both in terms of strategic site allocation and housing supply targets. It is not clear whether the new administration in East Devon is aware of the possible implications of this decision.
In Mid Devon Council there is a growing realisation of the potential consequences of GESP in terms of our having to accept large scale housing developments that would not otherwise be required. There is also a realisation that GESP represent a significant weakening of local democratic accountability and control.
This problem is not theoretical. Changes requested by Councillors have, in practice, proved difficult to achieve. Each authority has control over its participation in GESP. However influence over the substance is problematic.
Lack of control and influence is partly because each authority has an effective veto on content and , therefore, on any changes to that content. In addition the GESP process is led by a team of experienced Planning Officers who have both the vision and technical knowledge to counter many, if not most, of the suggestions and arguments put forward by elected members.
Conclusions
Newbrooke Ward
Mid Devon District Council
You may well have heard by now about proposals to build at least 1200 new homes in land around Sweetham and Newton St Cyres village. These proposals are contained in the first draft of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP for short). Details of this plan are posted on the Parish Council Website https://www.middevonparish.co.uk/newtonstcyres/greater-exeter-strategic-plan/ and on my own Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535.
GESP is complicated and difficult to make sense of. As your Mid Devon District Councillor I have written this article to explain how GESP will work and to give you the understanding you will need to make up your own mind about the Plans.
You may know already that I am not at all happy with GESP and what it may mean both for Newton St Cyres and for Mid Devon. You should know that the Cabinet of Mid Devon, of which I am a member, will be asked to agree to the Draft GESP Plan going out to public consultation in September. The Meeting of Cabinet at which this will be discussed is 6th August at 6pm. It will be a remote meeting using the Zoom Platform that you can attend and observe if you want. You can also ask questions, though these will need to be submitted in advance.
I will be asking my Cabinet colleagues to agree that GESP should be referred to a meeting of the Full Council before it goes out for consultation in Mid Devon. It is much too important a subject to be decided on by Cabinet alone. If and when GESP comes to a Full Council meeting I will be speaking against continuing with GESP unless there are major changes to the way it works. I will be proposing that we either change the terms of our membership of the GESP club or we pull out completely.
What is GESP?
The GESP a co-operative planning scheme managed and staffed by five participating local authorities (including MDDC, Teignbridge DC, Exeter City Council, East Devon DC and Devon County Council ).
GESP has been set up to develop and then implement a statutory plan for all new housing and business development between the years 2020 and 2040, across the sub-regional area bounded by the three District councils and, of course, Exeter City Council.
Once adopted by the participating authorities the GESP will have statutory power within the GESP area and will determine and allocate housing supply allocations for each of the Councils involved in the Plan and also determine larger site for housing such as the one proposed for Newton St Cyres.
Once it has been adopted by the four local authorities, the strategic sites and associated infrastructure in GESP is likely to be implemented and delivered by separately constituted Development Corporation. A bid was made in February this year for capacity funding of £1.6m required to establish this body.
In its first phase GESP identifies a number of strategic site options for new development, including the site proposed for Newton St Cyres. These site options will determine the location and size of a number of large development sites across the GESP area. There are also a set of Planning Policies that will condition the style and approach to development as well as the way infrastructure should be developed.
The GESP central purpose is to plan for and to deliver the building of an additional 30,500 homes between 2020 and 2040 in the GESP area. This total is in addition to the 33,390 already accounted for in the Local Plans of the four local authorities taking part in the scheme. There are also additional targets for business and retailing sites.
GESP also has other ambitions. These include:-
- Delivering the transport and infrastructure improvements needed to support sustainable growth. These include park and ride, cycleways, schools etc.
- Economic growth and increased prosperity
- Conserving and protecting the environment
- Establishing planning policies that actively help to address climate change.
- A joined-up vision and development strategy for the area
As a statutory Planning Document GESP will need formal approval by the Govt Planning Inspectorate and adoption by each of the participating Local Authorities. It will also need to be the subject of formal processes of public consultation before these approvals can take place.
The first version of GESP will be submitted for public consultation in September 2020. This will last until February 2021. The key stages leading to adoption of GESP are:
- Site Options and Draft Policies Consultation – September 2020
- Draft Plan – March 2021
- Publication (Proposed Submission) – February 2022
- Formal Submission – July 2022
- Examination by Govt. Planning Inspector – September 2022
- Adoption by participating authorities – April 2023
In the past each Local Authority has relied on its own Local Plan to set out where development can take place and where it cannot. Until GESP each Local authority had been given its own housing supply target that is worked out by using a given Government formula. With GESP all this is about to change.
GESP stipulates that 18,500 homes within its target of 30,500 additional homes should be developed on larger “strategic” sites of more than 500 homes (100 homes in Exeter) identified and approved within GESP. The sites for the remaining 12,000 additional homes are intended to be identified and approved within the Local Plans of the participating Planning Authorities.
The GESP housing target numbers are based on an aggregated calculation of the combined housing supply targets of the three District Councils and Exeter City council over the period 2020-2040. The overall calculation for new homes (including existing commitments contained in Local Plans ) is a total of 53,260 . GESP has added a buffer or “headroom” of 20% to reach an overall figure of 63,890.
It is important to realise that the GESP project has a single boundary. The intention is that sites should be identified and approved on the basis of suitability and conformity with planning policies within the GESP area rather than with reference to local authority boundaries.
Because it is “boundary blind” there is no pre-existing housing supply quota or allocation by local authority area. In theory, all the additional GESP strategic sites delivering the target development of 18,500 new homes could be located in only one of the participating local authority areas.
It is also important to understand that the remaining 12,000 additional GESP target homes, intended for “non-strategic sites” within the new Local Plans, will also be apportioned and allocated by GESP between the four authorities.
In other words the GESP will subsume the pre-existing combined total housing supply targets for all four participating districts and reallocate these to each District on the basis of GESP considerations of site suitability and conformity with GESP planning policies. Any new Local Plan emerging after the adoption of GESP in 2023 will have tits housing supply targets, major planning policies and strategic site allocations determined by GESP.
It is therefore not possible to quantify the housing supply target that will be set by GESP for Mid Devon during the period 2020-2040. For comparison it is calculated that, without GESP, the Mid Devon housing target between 2020-2040 would, if separately calculated, be approximately 7260 (or 8752 with a 20% headroom added). This is just 8% of the total GESP area requirement.
The Mid Devon Local Plan (2013 to 2033) stipulates a revised housing target between 2020 and 2033 of approximately 5000 houses. Should Mid Devon not take part in GESP this would leave a target of approximately 2260 additional homes to be built under the aegis of a new local plan between 2033 and 2040. This will be more than achieved by the completion of the planned Culm Garden village near Cullompton.
GESP-The location and availability of development sites
The selection of development sites within GESP is, of course, determined by factors other than planning policy. Devon has an abundance of steep hills, coastline, estuaries and other areas prone to flood risk that seriously limit development options .
In addition the geography of Teignbridge and East Devon, in particular, is dominated by large areas where development is either prohibited or strictly proscribed. These include the Dartmoor National Park, World Heritage coastline, various SSIs and nature reserves, and AONBs.
Cllr Gordon Hook, the Leader of Teignbridge DC , has, for example, recently written an open letter to the Prime Minister complaining of the unfairness of their housing targets given the limitations and restrictions on the availability of development land in Teignbridge.
In Exeter the availability of sites is constrained by the very limited number of sizeable sites within the City boundaries and also by such factors as the cost of brown field remediation (e.g. Water Lane) and/or of relocating large and important business/ retailing areas to make way for housing (e.g. Marsh Barton). The City is therefore under considerable pressure to resolve the growing gap between its supply target and its capacity to deliver.
Exeter City Council, In an attempt to mitigate the shortfall in meeting its Government Housing Targets, attempted to include several thousand purpose build student housing units in meeting its target. However in 2015 the Planning Inspector found that she could not accept the Council's position that student accommodation should count towards delivery of the target. This decision was supported at a subsequent judicial review.
Given the serious constraints on the availability of sites elsewhere there is a high risk that a “boundary blind” approach will result in Mid Devon being asked to accept a disproportionate number of the additional homes because it has significantly fewer restrictions on the potential use of its land for development than its neighbours.
The GESP Strategic sites (Mid Devon)
The GESP draft strategic site options identifies sites that, if all were built out, would yield twice as many new homes (37,000 +) than required by the plan.
The following five sites have been identified within Mid Devon, in the first draft of the GESP Site options, as most suitable for large scale strategic developments
SITES
NO. OF HOUSES proposed
HELAA SITE POTENTIAL (max)
Comments
Culm Garden Village
5000
16120
Additional 1750 already identified in site allocation within emerging Local Plan
Sampford Peverell
2200
2772
Possible Garden Village?
Newton St Cyres
1200
4886
Exeter North Urban extension?
See also GESP sites proposed Cowley and Stoke Hill
Crediton South
750
1900
Urban extension?
Hartnoll Farm
950
2172
Extension of Tiverton EUE
TOTALS
10100
27850
Note:- Several other potential Mid Devon sites have also been identified by the GESP team but have not been put forward at this stage.
Apart from the Culm Garden Village the proposals for large scale development of these sites are completely new and are news to local communities. Each of the four sites is likely to engender considerable comment and opposition from local people.
Mid Devon Council is already committed to the development of the Culm Garden Village. There has already been a large amount of engagement and consultation with local communities about the development. Although some of the Culm Garden Village housing and site allocation is set out in the emerging MDDC Local plan, GESP will, when adopted, provide essential planning policy and site allocation framework for the larger part of this development.
Without GESP the build out of the Culm Garden village would , in addition to existing Local Plan commitments, enable Mid Devon Council to meet its own 2020 -2040 housing targets and potentially make a significant additional contribution of over 2500 homes towards addressing the pressures on its neighbours.
Apart from the Culm Garden Village, Newton St Cyres and Sampford Peverell sites the others are immediately adjacent to larger existing conurbations. They can, therefore, be viewed as having the size and locational characteristics of new urban extensions. It is hard, given their location, to envisage the sites becoming ~Garden Communities”
These extensions have in the past often added to the volume of suburbs to their neighbouring towns without costing a great deal in terms of transport, environmental or social infrastructure. They have therefore often tended to aggravate, rather than mitigate, dependence on the motor car and to produce rather soulless communities with monotonous bulk housing design and poor local services.
The northern suburbs of Exeter remain largely undeveloped, largely because the area has a very poor road network. GESP proposes strategic sites at Stoke Hill (Exeter CC), Cowley (East Devon DC) . Together these would form a de facto Exeter North Urban Extension.
It is envisaged by GESP that the Tarka Line requires significant improvements to both lines and stations to support the three proposed strategic developments; one within Crediton and two between Crediton and Exeter.
The main line running between Cullompton and Tiverton already has well supported plans for the reopening of the station at Cullompton together with a new local stopping services connecting several smaller towns with Exeter and Bristol. The new station will support the proposed Culm Garden Village Development and also other major new housing allocations around Cullompton.
Large new Strategic site proposed by GESP at Sampford Peverell would be serviced by the new local rail service stopping at the existing Tiverton Parkway Station.
In a “boundary blind” planning environment suburban style development along rail and major road routes like the A377 and A30 clearly present quicker and more cost effective opportunities to meet Exeter’s housing targets particularly if developments can avoid the cost and delays of major road improvements, for example by limiting such developments to those that can be “rail led”.
There is, of course, a distinct danger that, however laudable and attractive, the Garden Communities and “Rail Led” ideologies will be lost under the combined pressures of housing targets, restricted budgets and the profit expectations of Developers. The current GESP Policies are unlikely, in themselves be sufficient to prevent this.
Serious questions must be asked about whether a GESP Development Corporation will deliver on these ideals given the declared determination of the Government to “Build, Build, Build”.
GESP, Local Plans and democratic accountability
In Teignbridge It would seem that the new Teignbridge Local Plan (2020-2040) has been devised to synchronise as far as possible with GESP both in timetable and content. Teignbridge DC have explained that there is nothing in the draft GESP site allocation proposals that will not also be contained in their Local Plan Review. Some of the Strategic GESP sites in Teignbridge are already allocated and sit within their new 5 Year Land Supply trajectory. Teignbridge, therefore, see every reason to support GESP, given that it will contain nothing that is new to them and may well increase the opportunities of Government investment and support.
Exeter Council have replaced any attempt to produce a new Local Plan, based on meeting its housing supply target from within its own resources, by the delivery of GESP. In other words Exeter Council is reliant on GESP and the generosity of others for the delivery of its future housing supply targets and its site allocations.
East Devon Council have decided to deliberately delay the preparation of a new Local Plan to allow for GESP to set the parameters for this exercise both in terms of strategic site allocation and housing supply targets. It is not clear whether the new administration in East Devon is aware of the possible implications of this decision.
In Mid Devon Council there is a growing realisation of the potential consequences of GESP in terms of our having to accept large scale housing developments that would not otherwise be required. There is also a realisation that GESP represent a significant weakening of local democratic accountability and control.
This problem is not theoretical. Changes requested by Councillors have, in practice, proved difficult to achieve. Each authority has control over its participation in GESP. However influence over the substance is problematic.
Lack of control and influence is partly because each authority has an effective veto on content and , therefore, on any changes to that content. In addition the GESP process is led by a team of experienced Planning Officers who have both the vision and technical knowledge to counter many, if not most, of the suggestions and arguments put forward by elected members.
Conclusions
- GESP will remove our local control of local housing targets and development land allocations and replace this with a sub-regional Planning framework that will decide on sites and targets. There is likely to be a Development Corporation that will deliver large sites in our area and across the Greater Exeter region. This arrangement is unlikely to be either accountable or transparent.
- There is a clear a risk that , given the “boundary blind” nature of GESP, Mid Devon is exposing itself to an unquantifiable allocation of housing from its neighbours over and above what would otherwise be its own requirements and targets.
- We are exposing ourselves to large scale suburban style development in rural areas like Newton St Cyres at a time when we should be protecting our environment and rural heritage.
- There is a clear risk that such development will not be supported by the additional infrastructure (roads, schools etc) required to support large scale additional housing.
- Public concern about the new GESP site options is likely to generate considerable friction and opposition at a time when we should be focussing our energies and money on dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19.
- Large numbers of additional houses will be very hard to justify given that Mid Devon is on course to meet its existing housing targets from within allocations that have either been agreed within the emerging Local Plan or described within preliminary consultation about the Culm Garden Village.
- It is therefore difficult, at first sight, to see what Mid Devon has to gain from participating in GESP.
- GESP does however offer important benefits to Newton St Cyres and to Mid Devon:-
- The continuing goodwill and support of Homes England and other arms of Central Government in taking forward the Culm Garden Village and other significant projects (i.e. the Tiverton EUE). This includes very significant financial support for major infrastructure projects like road and rail improvements, and cycleways (like the Boniface Trail).
- A seat at the table in attracting and sharing inward investment in key sectors of the local Devon economy.
- A suite of up to date Planning Policies that provide significantly greater leverage over the environmental impact of development, and the design of homes and of place, than that afforded by our Emerging Local Plan.
- A statutory Planning allocation for the Culm Garden Village by early 2023. The alternative options involving supplements to the Local Plan are likely to take significantly longer to put in place.
- Finally if Mid Devon Council abandons GESP it will be more difficult to demonstrate that we are fulfilling our statutory duty to cooperate with other authorities in the delivery of Planning policies, allocations and targets. It is almost certain that the government will expect Mid Devon to pick up on some of the site availability and housing pressures of its neighbours.
Newbrooke Ward
Mid Devon District Council
Message to Councillors 3rd June 2020
I know many of you are involved, either directly or indirectly, with local charities who are doing amazing things supporting people at the moment. I thought you’d all want to be aware that charities can now apply for the below two funding pots:
Firstly, the Government and National Lottery’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund. This is a £200m fund primarily aimed at supporting charities working with vulnerable people. Funding will be prioritised for organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis; and organisations providing services and support for vulnerable people, for which there will be increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/covid-19/learn-about-applying-for-emergency-funding-in-england
In addition, the Government’s Food Charities Grant Fund is available to support front-line not-for-profit organisations or charities that provide food to those who need it. The grant aims to provide immediate support for a limited period of time to help to feed those most vulnerable due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The deadline for applications is 6 July 2020.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-apply-for-the-food-charities-grant-fund
I know many of you are involved, either directly or indirectly, with local charities who are doing amazing things supporting people at the moment. I thought you’d all want to be aware that charities can now apply for the below two funding pots:
Firstly, the Government and National Lottery’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund. This is a £200m fund primarily aimed at supporting charities working with vulnerable people. Funding will be prioritised for organisations supporting people and communities who experience disproportionate challenge and difficulty as a result of the COVID-19 crisis; and organisations providing services and support for vulnerable people, for which there will be increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/covid-19/learn-about-applying-for-emergency-funding-in-england
In addition, the Government’s Food Charities Grant Fund is available to support front-line not-for-profit organisations or charities that provide food to those who need it. The grant aims to provide immediate support for a limited period of time to help to feed those most vulnerable due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The deadline for applications is 6 July 2020.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-apply-for-the-food-charities-grant-fund
Devon councils launch new Discretionary Grant Fund to support businesses not eligible for the COVID-19 grant schemes
Posted On: 01-06-2020
Posted In: Business and economyA new Government Discretionary Grant aimed at supporting small businesses launches on 1st June and will be administered by local district councils.
Following further Government announcements, Devon councils have quickly organised to launch an additional package of funding aimed at helping small and micro businesses. Importantly, this includes all those that have not been eligible for any other grant, with the exception of the furloughed Job Retention Scheme and the self‐employed income support scheme, and who were trading on 11th March 2020.
One of the key criteria for eligibility is businesses who have high ongoing fixed property-related costs, and who can show that they have suffered a major fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Grants will range from £1,000 to £25,000 but it is expected that the vast majority of grants awarded will be below £10,000, as this is a much smaller scheme than the previous one. All businesses are required to meet the same evidence based tests of need and the following business types will be prioritised for funding support, in line with Government requirements:
- small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces;
- regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment;
- bed and breakfasts, which pay Council Tax instead of business rates, and;
- charity properties in receipt of Charitable Business Rates Relief, which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.
Those not eligible for funding under this scheme include:
- Small businesses with a turnover of more than £10.2 million, balance sheet of more than £5.1 million and more than 50 staff
- Micro businesses with a turnover of more than £632,000, balance sheet of more than £316,000 with more than 10 staff
- Businesses who were not trading on 11th March 2020
- Businesses currently in administration or insolvent
- Businesses whose property rent, mortgage payments and rateable value is above the threshold of £51,000
“The Council has already paid out more than £17 million in grant funding to local businesses and we hope this funding will support some of those who were not eligible under the first scheme. We want to pay the money as soon as practical, so please ensure that all information entered online is completed very carefully so that there’s no delays in the process.”Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, Cllr Graeme Barnell, said:
“While this new scheme will not support every business, I’m pleased that it will help out many firms in Mid Devon which previously fell through the gaps of earlier funding packages. We want to support as many as our local businesses as we can to help them through this crisis and support the Mid Devon economy.”The councils are anticipating high demand for funding and therefore, to ensure the money is shared fairly, they will be accepting applications in three separate sections. Businesses which are not successful within each of the sections, will be rolled forward for another chance until all the funds have been allocated.
Applications are open on the councils’ website from Monday, 1st June, with the first grants being paid on the 15th June. The second and third segments will then follow at two weekly intervals.
The councils will be checking all claims against previously approved grants, data held on file and with HM Revenue and Customs records. Any business caught falsifying their records to gain grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be reclaimed.
If a business believes it fits the criteria stated, they can apply for funding via their council’s website.
It is advised that supporting documents are to hand before starting the application, including bank statement for March this year, latest set of accounts, HMRC Self-assessment with a cash flow forecast. If applicable, a Tenancy Agreement may also be required.
The councils’ grant teams will be working as quickly as possible to process the claims and will therefore not be able to respond to each business with individual updates. They ask for patience in advance and wish to assure businesses that they will get back to them as soon as possible.
Care should be taken when entering details, especially figures; incorrect information provided could significantly delay processing of a grant application. This includes entering bank account numbers – discretionary grants will not be paid twice due to incorrect bank details being provided and the grant may not be received at all if the original payment cannot be reclaimed.
If any businesses in Mid Devon think they fit the stated criteria, they can apply for funding via middevon.gov.uk/COVID19DiscretionaryGrantFund. Alternatively, they can email businessgrants@middevon.gov.uk.
A week in the Parish Hall
THE HALL AGM 2016
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Anne Mitchell on 16 May at the Parish Hall AGM by Clive Rendle, the Hall President. This was to mark Anne’s contribution to the Hall as a very active Committee Member for over 30 years. Although retiring from the Committee, Anne said that she was still happy to help the Hall at events and special occasions. On a sadder note, the President acknowledged the large contribution made to the Hall by David Loo, another long- standing Committee Member who had recently died.
The Annual Report and Accounts were presented. There had been 623 bookings during the year, the second highest ever. The Accounts reflected a loss of £1573, but this was considered very satisfactory as £14957 had been spent on a new heating system. Grants from the Lottery Awards for All scheme and from the Parish Council contributed £6281 to the cost of the heating system, but the remainder was funded from Hall reserves.
We are pleased to welcome four new members to join the Committee. They are Nicola Baker, Julie and Roger Furniss and John Salter. The President thanked the officers, committee members, caretakers and other helpers for all their work in making the Hall such an efficient and appreciated village facility.
PROTEST
AGAINST THE PROPOSED 1.5 MILLION GALLON INDUSTRIAL DIGESTATE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
planned close to the village
AGAINST THE PROPOSED 1.5 MILLION GALLON INDUSTRIAL DIGESTATE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
planned close to the village
Please click and sign this petition today https://bit.ly/3rkaQBS
To learn about Anaerobic Digestion on Devon and the application https://bit.ly/3pWPFWg
Direct link to the planning application if you wish to object personally https://bit.ly2QDtjJj
Feel strongly about this? Then please share this document electronically with your friends by
email or social media and encourage them to also sign the petition
To learn about Anaerobic Digestion on Devon and the application https://bit.ly/3pWPFWg
Direct link to the planning application if you wish to object personally https://bit.ly2QDtjJj
Feel strongly about this? Then please share this document electronically with your friends by
email or social media and encourage them to also sign the petition
|
A MOO-VING EXPERIENCE AT NEWTON HOUSE!
It was round-’em-up time for a while at Newton House when more than 200 cows escaped from a field off Station Road and went for a stroll in the grounds of the house. The beasts wandered around at will for a while, in one case taking a cheeky look through the window of one startled resident as she worked. With farm workers doing their best to control the situation and Newton House residents quickly learning the science of cattle herding, the cows were finally guided off the premises. Miraculously, relatively little damage was caused, although the cattle left copious reminders of their presence on the lawns.
(Video courtesy of Phei Dyer) |
|
Success for community hotline but more people can access help
Posted On: 27-04-2020
Mid Devon’s Community Support Hub is up and running and the first food parcels have been delivered to vulnerable residents, but the Council is keen to hear from people out there who need further help.
The Council has set up the Covid-19 Community Support Hotline to help individuals who are in need of extra help at this difficult time. The hotline is also there to help family, friends or neighbours raise concerns about someone in their community they are worried about. And while many people have taken up the offer of support, the Council knows more people are out there who may not have access to the help they need and are encouraging neighbours and relatives to get in touch via the hotline number.
In addition to the Mid Devon hotline, the Council is also running a shielding hub as part of a Devon-wide project to support those in the community who are extremely vulnerable. Over the past four weeks the Council has received 59 referrals from vulnerable residents and made 52 deliveries of emergency food packs. Council staff are also working very closely with CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) to support the local foodbank. Demands for help have increased rapidly over recent weeks and Council staff have been helping CHAT to keep up with demand by delivering food parcel to needy residents.
John Bodley-Scott, Economic Development Team Leader who is co-ordinating the Mid Devon Community Support Hub and Hotline, said:
“We are in uncharted waters but I am very proud of what we have achieved locally in a very short space of time. Colleagues from across the Council, together with our partners in the community, have worked hard to get this project off the ground, and to provide the support that people need. It is very hard to predict what will happen over the next few weeks, whether demand will tail off as people find their own way to meet their needs, or whether demand will increase, as people’s support networks start to come under strain. Either way support is available and we would encourage people who may need it to get in touch.”To contact the Community Support Hub call 01884 234387, the line will be open Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm and Fridays 8.30am until 4.30pm.
You can also email covid19.support@middevon.gov.uk or visit middevon.gov.uk/COVID19CommunitySupport.
An online form is also available at middevon.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance.
Mid Devon’s Community Support Hub is up and running and the first food parcels have been delivered to vulnerable residents, but the Council is keen to hear from people out there who need further help.
The Council has set up the Covid-19 Community Support Hotline to help individuals who are in need of extra help at this difficult time. The hotline is also there to help family, friends or neighbours raise concerns about someone in their community they are worried about. And while many people have taken up the offer of support, the Council knows more people are out there who may not have access to the help they need and are encouraging neighbours and relatives to get in touch via the hotline number.
In addition to the Mid Devon hotline, the Council is also running a shielding hub as part of a Devon-wide project to support those in the community who are extremely vulnerable. Over the past four weeks the Council has received 59 referrals from vulnerable residents and made 52 deliveries of emergency food packs. Council staff are also working very closely with CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) to support the local foodbank. Demands for help have increased rapidly over recent weeks and Council staff have been helping CHAT to keep up with demand by delivering food parcel to needy residents.
John Bodley-Scott, Economic Development Team Leader who is co-ordinating the Mid Devon Community Support Hub and Hotline, said:
“We are in uncharted waters but I am very proud of what we have achieved locally in a very short space of time. Colleagues from across the Council, together with our partners in the community, have worked hard to get this project off the ground, and to provide the support that people need. It is very hard to predict what will happen over the next few weeks, whether demand will tail off as people find their own way to meet their needs, or whether demand will increase, as people’s support networks start to come under strain. Either way support is available and we would encourage people who may need it to get in touch.”To contact the Community Support Hub call 01884 234387, the line will be open Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5:00pm and Fridays 8.30am until 4.30pm.
You can also email covid19.support@middevon.gov.uk or visit middevon.gov.uk/COVID19CommunitySupport.
An online form is also available at middevon.gov.uk/CommunityAssistance.
CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19
There is lots of support for the people Newton St Cyres who may need it. This cannot be an exhaustive list but it is hoped that there will be something for anyone in need.
For anyone who needs help, the vulnerable and extremely vulnerable and those who are self-isolating the Neighbourhood Watch scheme has established a support system. If you need help please contact Damien Hodge on 01392 851111
or email: damienhodge@newtonstcyres-pc.gov.uk
or email: damienhodge@newtonstcyres-pc.gov.uk
|
Dealing with Isolation
The church, in the following difficult months, will be holding a small emergency supply of tinned and dried foods for those in isolation. It will also hold the numbers of companies that deliver food to the door. Volunteers are also willing to chat by phone, if you would like the support of a friendly voice to relieve the isolation. Sue Browne. 851460 Brian Please. 851507 Linda Smith. 851128 Pita Burt 07889 46434 1 Brian Please 851507; 07958 363149 Tony Lane 851975 The Beer Engine Offering delivery of a range of beers, wines and spirits: ring 851282 to order. Belluno Ring 851811 for delivery of your Pizza and drinks: wine, beer, soft drinks etc, Hanlons Beer Factory and Kitchen Takeaway and Delivery of meals and drinks. Ring 851160 |
Quicke's Cheese Box
From Monday the 23rd March we will be running a collection service from the Quicke's Cheese Box. You will be given an allocated slot between 11am-3pm Monday- Friday to collect your cheese and goods. To place an order please email cheesebox@quickes.co.uk or phone the office on 01392 851222. If you are unable to collect your order please phone us to discuss delivery. What is available: Vicky’s Bread “Large Bordel” £3.50ea Riverford Milk 2 Litre £2.30ea Black Dog Eggs half dozen £1.30ea Peter’s Yard sourdough crispbread for cheeseboard large 220g £5.60ea Peter’s Yard pack small crispbread mixed 125g x 3 £3.20ea Mary Quicke’s home grown salad leaves 100g £1.50ea Beverages: “We offer the best of local tipples such as Hanlon’s Brewery, Sandford Orchards Cider and Lyme Bay wines as well as a selection of spirits. Ask us what’s on offer!” 
|
See NextDoor Newton St Cyres for details of support networks available - If you are not connected please contact editor@newtonwonder.net and an invitation to join will be sent to your email address.
If you have no internet please contact the Newton Wonder on 851269
If you have no internet please contact the Newton Wonder on 851269
|
Watch Out if you receive this message!!
Beware of this scam. DO NOT CLICK ON LINK |
|
Newton St Cyres Community Shop Survey
This short survey is to understand the views of the Newton St Cyres Community regarding the interest in establishing a community shop in the village. Once completed and returned the results will be analysed and discussed by a Steering Group who will formally present the results to the community. If it is agreed to proceed then a Newton St Cyres Community Trust / Charity will be formed to progress the project, locate a site, secure grants, raise funds etc.
Please do consult and speak to ALL the members of your household and answer on their behalf. The survey may be quickly completed online by typing the URL below into your browser.
Alternatively please complete this paper questionnaire and return it to your pamphleteer. Copies may also be picked up and completed forms returned to boxes located inside Hanlons Beer Factory, The Belluno Italian Restaurant or The Beer Engine Public House, Village Hall Entrance to the Arboretum on or before 21st October.
If, after completing this survey, you wish to be kept informed of the project progress, entered into prize draws, or at some time in the future possibly take a more active role then please also provide your personal details at the end of the form. You can be assured that your personal information will be stored securely and never revealed to a third party without first receiving your express Permission. THANK YOU
Use the QR code or this Online link https://t.ly/Gp1r
|
|
Road safety on the A377
A group has been formed to examine the safety issues along the A377 to include the input and views of the county council, Mid Devon district council and the parish council.
The meetings of the A377 Road safety Group will be attended by Cllrs Margaret Squires (DCC) and Roger Cashmore (Parish council) as well as Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC).
The next meeting will be in early October. The aim of the group is to work with officers of the County Council to address the range of road safety issues along the A377 including road crossings and pathways. Your feedback and comments are most welcome.
Below are the notes of the first meeting.
The meetings of the A377 Road safety Group will be attended by Cllrs Margaret Squires (DCC) and Roger Cashmore (Parish council) as well as Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC).
The next meeting will be in early October. The aim of the group is to work with officers of the County Council to address the range of road safety issues along the A377 including road crossings and pathways. Your feedback and comments are most welcome.
Below are the notes of the first meeting.
A377 Road Safety meeting
3rd September Tiverton Depot
Attended
Cllr Margaret Squires (DCC), Cllr Roger Cashmore (Newton St Cyres PC) , Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) , Tom Vaughan Neighbourhood Highways Manager (DCC)
Purpose of the meeting
MS explained that she has very concerned for some time about the different road safety issues along the A377 and wants to ensure that these are addressed, particularly the matter of the road crossing in the centre of Newton St Cyres (NSC).
RC wanted to focus discussion today on getting progress on the issue of the NSC Road Crossing.
GB agreed that the priority must be the NSC Road Crossing but also pointed out that there are several other places along the A377 where crossing the road is hazardous and difficult. These include Smallbrook, Tytheing and Half Moon. There are also communities where pedestrian road users have no footpaths, and either must walk on overgrown slippery grass verges or on the road itself. GB is looking for a joint A377 Road Safety Plan that includes all the work that needs doing to a indicative timetable.
NSC Road Crossing
RC presented his proposed third option for the NSC crossing. JH thought it had potentially had merit.
ACTION:- JH agreed to arrange for RC’s proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to our next meeting in October
Boniface Cycle Trail
GB also raised the issue of the Crediton to Exeter Cycle path and asked that we consider ways of supporting the existing project to achieve improved project management and faster progress.
JH confirmed that there is current no money identified for cycle ways that are not associated with major developments. However the Crediton to Exeter cycleway is considered important enough to have been included in the Devon wide Cycle and Multi-use Pathway Strategy. He also confirmed that Will Pratt is liaising with Boniface Trustees about inclusion in the work in the Exeter Transport Strategy
The meeting agreed that the Boniface Trustees have taken on a complex and onerous project and should be offered project help to support concurrent work on several workstreams including planning, construction, costing, fundraising etc.
ACTION:- JH will ask an experienced project manager in his team Anjumn Kanani to contact the Trustees and offer her help.
Next Meeting 8th October 2.30pm Venue TBC
3rd September Tiverton Depot
Attended
Cllr Margaret Squires (DCC), Cllr Roger Cashmore (Newton St Cyres PC) , Cllr Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
Jamie Hulland Transport Strategy and Road Safety Manager (DCC) , Tom Vaughan Neighbourhood Highways Manager (DCC)
Purpose of the meeting
MS explained that she has very concerned for some time about the different road safety issues along the A377 and wants to ensure that these are addressed, particularly the matter of the road crossing in the centre of Newton St Cyres (NSC).
RC wanted to focus discussion today on getting progress on the issue of the NSC Road Crossing.
GB agreed that the priority must be the NSC Road Crossing but also pointed out that there are several other places along the A377 where crossing the road is hazardous and difficult. These include Smallbrook, Tytheing and Half Moon. There are also communities where pedestrian road users have no footpaths, and either must walk on overgrown slippery grass verges or on the road itself. GB is looking for a joint A377 Road Safety Plan that includes all the work that needs doing to a indicative timetable.
NSC Road Crossing
RC presented his proposed third option for the NSC crossing. JH thought it had potentially had merit.
ACTION:- JH agreed to arrange for RC’s proposal to be the subject of a Safety Audit. He agreed to report back to our next meeting in October
Boniface Cycle Trail
GB also raised the issue of the Crediton to Exeter Cycle path and asked that we consider ways of supporting the existing project to achieve improved project management and faster progress.
JH confirmed that there is current no money identified for cycle ways that are not associated with major developments. However the Crediton to Exeter cycleway is considered important enough to have been included in the Devon wide Cycle and Multi-use Pathway Strategy. He also confirmed that Will Pratt is liaising with Boniface Trustees about inclusion in the work in the Exeter Transport Strategy
The meeting agreed that the Boniface Trustees have taken on a complex and onerous project and should be offered project help to support concurrent work on several workstreams including planning, construction, costing, fundraising etc.
ACTION:- JH will ask an experienced project manager in his team Anjumn Kanani to contact the Trustees and offer her help.
Next Meeting 8th October 2.30pm Venue TBC
From Cllr. Graeme Barnell (MDDC)
AT LAST!
Work on resurfacing the A377 is now complete where it runs through Newton St. Cyres and Half Moon.
|
|
Lollipop Man Hit by Motorist
|
The school crossing patrol man, Derek Robbins narrowly avoided serious injury on Tuesday morning as he was hit in the leg by a passing car. He suffered bruising and muscle damage from the vehicle which failed to stop at the scene. The make, model and number of the car is not known, only that it was black. The Police would like to hear from anyone who can help throw light on this incident.
Mr Robbins was shocked and shaken up by the incident but was back on patrol yesterday and this morning. The Parish Council has been lobbying hard for the school signs and speed limit to be moved since the school moved almost a year ago. It was proposed some time ago that the signs should be relocated on the A377 to give warning of the crossing. Devon Highways have come up with two proposals for improving safety on the centre of the village...see our next item. |
Report on Meeting held on Wed 7th February 2018
The Club were delighted to welcome new visitors to our meeting on Wednesday 7th February. Many had travelled from outside the village and were welcomed with a cup of tea and biscuits and a warm clubroom at the Parish Hall. To make the evening a complete success our speaker gave us a fascinating talk, accompanied by an amazing slide show, on Butterflies, Moths and Gardens. David Price comes from Bridford where he has a wildlife meadow near his home and is very enthusiastic about the woodlands near his home and the wildlife he finds so close. In fact David had spent the previous day helping to ring and register oyster catchers at Dawlish Warren – in the freezing cold!
David explained that lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are quite easy to identify once you grasp the basic differences. Did you know that butterflies have antenna with bulges on the ends and moths have straight antenna – that ‘lepidoptera’ means wings and scales and close up the tiny scales can be seen on the wings – that one species of micro moth can hover upside down to suck the nectar from trailing plants such as fuchsia and docks and nettles are favourite food for some species. We saw the life cycle of caterpillars turning into beautiful butterflies and close up pictures of moths who can disguise themselves as frightening looking ‘monsters’ to ward off prey. The photographs were stunningly beautiful. David explained that there are really only sixteen species of butterflies that we need to remember in our gardens – the same number as a rugby team + their manager or the number of contestants on ‘Strictly’!
The Club has an interesting programme of speakers and outings planned for 2018. In April Bert Jewell will come and talk about Vegetable growing, in September we will welcome Derrick Dyer from Eggesford Garden Centre to talk about Spring Bulbs and in November Alan French will be talking about Autumn into Winter. Our outings this year include a visit to RHS Rosemoor in June, to John West’s Nursery in July (with one of his famous cream teas), a visit to NGS gardens in Moretonhampstead in August and lunch at Eggesford Garden Centre in October. Details of all these meetings and outings will appear in the Newton Wonder and the Crediton Courier.
The Club are looking for some new faces to join the organising group for next year. This little group meets in the autumn to sort out the programme for the following year. It is an enjoyable get together and the jobs of contacting speakers, booking the venues etc. are shared out. The Club is entering its 9th year this year and some of the original organising members are retiring or moving away from the area so replacements are urgently needed. It would be a great shame if the Club were to fold after the last successful eight years. So … If anyone is interested in joining this sociable group, please make contact with David and Jill Baker on davidbaker687@btinter.com or on 01392 851752. Thank you.
Jill Baker
EASTER TASTING IN THE QUICKE’S FARM SHOP
Delve into the delicious flavours of Devon at the Quicke’s Farm Shop in Newton St Cyres, on Saturday 13 April and build a cheeseboard to take on the chocolate this Easter.Quicke’s Ambassador Stuart Dowle will run tasting sessions from 10:30am, celebrating the cheesemaker’s territorial twosome, with Devonshire Red and Double Devonshire leading the line-up.
Beyond the charms of the cheeseboard, the Farm Shop is brimming with artisan food and drink from across the region, offering everything required for bank holiday entertaining. From local ales, ciders and wines to beef reared on the Quicke’s Estate, the shop has Easter feasting covered, you will also be able to pick up a 10% off voucher for your next visit.
The Farm Shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The shop will be open from 10am to 4pm on Good Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday 20 April, closing on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Delve into the delicious flavours of Devon at the Quicke’s Farm Shop in Newton St Cyres, on Saturday 13 April and build a cheeseboard to take on the chocolate this Easter.Quicke’s Ambassador Stuart Dowle will run tasting sessions from 10:30am, celebrating the cheesemaker’s territorial twosome, with Devonshire Red and Double Devonshire leading the line-up.
Beyond the charms of the cheeseboard, the Farm Shop is brimming with artisan food and drink from across the region, offering everything required for bank holiday entertaining. From local ales, ciders and wines to beef reared on the Quicke’s Estate, the shop has Easter feasting covered, you will also be able to pick up a 10% off voucher for your next visit.
The Farm Shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The shop will be open from 10am to 4pm on Good Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday 20 April, closing on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Thank you - David and Jill Baker
The Gardening Club Coffe Morning on !st December had a good collection of stalls, from tombola and craft sales to plants and seeds. The hall was well decorated and the event was very well supported.
The impending departure of David and Jill Baker was marked by the presentation by Jim Enright, Chaiman of the Parish Council of a card signed by villagers and a watercolour of the village. He thanked them for all that they have done to make our village a better place to live.
David and Jill’s association with Newton St Cyres goes back over 40 years, with involvement in many local facilities, including the Recreation Ground. For almost 15 years they have been a big part of the Parish Council with David being Chairman for the past 9 of those years whilst Jill has taken care of reporting to the Press.They have been heavily involved in the current Parish Plan and through that the Community Support Group, Community Speedwatch and of course the Gardening Club. David and the Parish Council were successful in their determination to get the Primary School rebuilt and moved to a safer location within the village.
The impending departure of David and Jill Baker was marked by the presentation by Jim Enright, Chaiman of the Parish Council of a card signed by villagers and a watercolour of the village. He thanked them for all that they have done to make our village a better place to live.
David and Jill’s association with Newton St Cyres goes back over 40 years, with involvement in many local facilities, including the Recreation Ground. For almost 15 years they have been a big part of the Parish Council with David being Chairman for the past 9 of those years whilst Jill has taken care of reporting to the Press.They have been heavily involved in the current Parish Plan and through that the Community Support Group, Community Speedwatch and of course the Gardening Club. David and the Parish Council were successful in their determination to get the Primary School rebuilt and moved to a safer location within the village.
|
Cllr Jim Enright said "The Parish Council want to thank them for their inspired leadership and for ensuring that the Parish Council became more transparent and reactive to local needs."
Nicola Bakr thanked them fot all the work that they had put into the Gardening Club. David & Jill have now moved to North Devon to be nearer to family but they remain heavily involved with the Parish Council until they step down from being Councillors next May. |
|
|
The Creedy brings debris to block the bridge on
Station Road on 29th November
Photos from Jock Campbell's phone
|
Exeter Community Energy invites local groups to apply for cash to help them power up
We at Exeter Community Energy want to provide grant funding to help our local community and we need your help to do that. Our Community Fund is now open for applications and we'd like you to consider applying, and/or pass this information on to anyone else who you think might like to apply.
This year, Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) has enabled talented kids to brighten Exeter High Street with their busking – and now we want to help more groups. With funds earned from our clean electricity generation, ECOE’s Community Fund is energising local groups in Exeter and East Devon, with £4,100 now available. This fund is available for local community groups to apply for financing for projects that help to save energy and/or ease fuel poverty. Full application details are below. The Music in Devon Initiative (MIDI) has provided a great example of what the 2017 Community Fund money enabled. In August, they launched their solar-powered PA, which as well as displacing fossil fuel-powered energy allows them to perform in off-grid locations. MIDI initially demonstrated it at St Sidwell’s Community Centre, with local musicians playing to passers-by on the High Street, and later used it at Exeter’s Street Arts Festival. ‘The SoundTribe project has made great use of the solar PA’, explains MIDI director Nick Hall. That includes high street busking sessions featuring The Magnetic Meteors, a group of musicians aged from 8 to 11. ‘Having the PA has enabled them to gain confidence and experience in a live busking scenario,’ Hall says. ‘They have gone down really well with the public.’ Also from the 2017 grants, Wonford Community and Learning Centre installed a new feedback display that provides information about how much electricity their ECOE community-owned solar installation is generating. Pinhoe Road Baptist Church installed replacement LED lighting in one of their large meeting rooms, saving on their fuel bills. The ECOE 2018 Community Fund is open for applications now and will close on January 10th 2019 at 5pm. We will hold a collaborative fund allocation event on January 30th 2019, to which all applicants that meet our criteria will be invited to present their proposals. ECOE members, directors and supporters will be invited alongside representatives from each of our rooftop solar sites, local community groups and local statutory organisations to this event. They will hear the proposals and then work out a way to allocate the funds that is best for all involved. If you have any queries email Patrick Devine-Wright at patrick@ecoe.org.uk. The details regarding who can apply, for what and our criteria for the allocation of the grants can be found in our guidance notes athttp://bit.ly/ECOE18Guide. For the application form, see: http://bit.ly/ECOE2018Form |
Winter ending in Newton St Cyres
|
Mahonia wafts its fragrance
Arboretum Christmas Eve |
Camelia
Arboretum Christmas Eve |
Snowdrops
Churchyard New Years Day |
Pictures from Graeme Barnell
Italian Restaurant opens in Newton St Cyres
Sal and his team opened for business on Wednesday 29th August. The building haas been given a makeover and an authentic Italian proprietor and chef are bringing a new dimension of food to the village.
Can anybody help?
.I am visiting the area from Australia and following up the history of some of my ancestors. Robert Parsons (1786-1874) was born and baptised in Newton St Cyres, married Sarah Luxton and then they moved to Crediton. Robert was sentenced to transportation to Australia in 1831 and sailed for Tasmania that same year. After serving his sentence he received a Certificate of Freedom in 1853. Somehow he then returns to Newton St Cyres and appears in the 1861 Census with his wife. Robert dies in 1874 and is buried in the St Cyr and St Julitta Churchyard.
His daughter, Sarah, was also transported to Australia. She remained there and is my 4 x Great Grandmother.
I was hoping that one of your readers might have information or be related to the Parsons. Other surnames that are relevant ancestors in this area are: Halse, Pitts, Row, Luxton, Slee and Cookerow.
Thanks,
Lyn.
--
Lyn Rushby & Paul Lupton
Presently overseas
+61 409 269 770
His daughter, Sarah, was also transported to Australia. She remained there and is my 4 x Great Grandmother.
I was hoping that one of your readers might have information or be related to the Parsons. Other surnames that are relevant ancestors in this area are: Halse, Pitts, Row, Luxton, Slee and Cookerow.
Thanks,
Lyn.
--
Lyn Rushby & Paul Lupton
Presently overseas
+61 409 269 770
|
Newton Wonder-Women ride… "Do you want a challenge, something to aim for, a focus over the winter?" The answer ‘yes’ pops out before you’ve properly considered the answer, and you find yourself committed to a 108k, overnight, charity cycle ride ‘Ride the Night Challenge’, through the centre of London! Eight local ladies have committed themselves to the challenge. To support the eight of us in our endeavours, we had a ‘one off’ Fundraising cycling event in the Beer Engine. The Beer Engine was the place to be on Good Friday, 25th March from 1.30 to 8pm. The ride was on the night of 28th May 2016. All eight local ladies completed the challenge and so far we have raised around £6,000.00. |
|
|
|
|
A Message from Quicke's “Delve into the delicious flavours of Devon at the Quicke’s Farm Shop in Newton St Cyres, on Saturday 23 June and build a cheeseboard that champions local producers . Quicke’s Ambassador Stuart Dowle will be running tasting sessions from 10:30am, featuring cheeses that will make a spectacular addition to your summer feasts.
|
Easter Duck Race
And the duck race raised... read on!
NEWTON ST CYRES DUCK RACE
31st March 2018
A thrilling finish had by all, as a vast array of intrepid local ducks were hurled from the Pound Lane bridge into the raging torrent of our very own Shuttern Brook. To resounding cheers from children, babies, toddlers, grannies, grandpas, mums and dads, waves, up and down leaps… those ducks rushed away in a blink of an eye.
A blink it took too, for the normally slumbering stream was in spate - churning up mud and sticks; a tidal wave of swirling whirlpools. Upside down No. 68 stayed bravely afloat, spinning and weaving dizzily towards the finish. And, together with 300 other confused yellow bobalongs, some ended not where they should have been, but many twists and turns on - heading towards the River Creedy that wends its way into the River Exe; onwards to Exmouth, and the Sea.
NEWTON ST CYRES DUCK RACE
31st March 2018
A thrilling finish had by all, as a vast array of intrepid local ducks were hurled from the Pound Lane bridge into the raging torrent of our very own Shuttern Brook. To resounding cheers from children, babies, toddlers, grannies, grandpas, mums and dads, waves, up and down leaps… those ducks rushed away in a blink of an eye.
A blink it took too, for the normally slumbering stream was in spate - churning up mud and sticks; a tidal wave of swirling whirlpools. Upside down No. 68 stayed bravely afloat, spinning and weaving dizzily towards the finish. And, together with 300 other confused yellow bobalongs, some ended not where they should have been, but many twists and turns on - heading towards the River Creedy that wends its way into the River Exe; onwards to Exmouth, and the Sea.
Click image to enlarge
Oh dear! The current was too strong! Those poor ducks would have been lost forever if it had not been for the heroic effort of locals, Charlie and Louis. With buckets, boots and all, they leapt into a car and chased them along the river edge, until a muddy ditch rendered a moment of worried calm. Those brave lads, soggy of boot, scooped duck after yellow duck into a big tin bucket. The last 10 were nowhere to be seen. We salute you all wherever you bob to…
Well done Nathan, Harry and Dillon, all of whom won an Easter (yummy) egg. Their exhausted ducks No. 51, 10 and 143 came in first; and were caught just in time!
Well done, and thank you to you ALL, for coming along and helping to raise a massive £172 for our beautiful church’s central heating system. Put Saturday 20th April 2019 in your diary!
Emma Raworth, Newton St. Cyres
Well done Nathan, Harry and Dillon, all of whom won an Easter (yummy) egg. Their exhausted ducks No. 51, 10 and 143 came in first; and were caught just in time!
Well done, and thank you to you ALL, for coming along and helping to raise a massive £172 for our beautiful church’s central heating system. Put Saturday 20th April 2019 in your diary!
Emma Raworth, Newton St. Cyres
Local Pub wins Beer Award
|
The Landlords and staff of the Beer Engine have been awarded the National Beer scoring System Pub of the Year 2017 by Exeter and East Devon CAMRA. The National Beer Scoring System is is a means by which any CAMRA member, wherever resident, is able to score the beer she or he is served in pubs all over the country. This information is collated and used by the local branches when they judge the pubs within their area. For the Beer Engine, which brews its own beers this award is particularly significant because it is the quality and consistency of the beer which has been assessed by CAMRA members from all over the world. It is a great accolade to Ian Sharp the brewer who has been working at the brewery for over thirty years. |
|
Data Protection
In a local community the names and addresses of the community members and leaders are generally well known to everyone and are obviously included in community publications for the purposes of clear communication.New data protection regulations mean that it will soon be necessary for us to get specific approval to include the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of our contributors and of those people who organise events in the village. This mean that the "Who's Who in the Village" page and the "Week in the Parish Hall" pages will all require that the people listed must give us specific permission.
If you are one of those people we will be contacting you for your permission. One way of granting this permission is to complete the form below.
SNOW:-
Picture by Nick Gillon
|
Good Samaritans
Throughout the village have come many reports of neighbourly assistance when the snow landed. In particular we have received a special thank you for those who helped the residents of Court Orchard many of whom were unable to help themselves:- "re Court Orchard, Newton St Cyres: I would like to thank Heidi, Daniel and Chloe Howarth of Pump Street, Newton St Cyres for clearing the snow and putting salt down to enable residents to get out of their homes in Court Orchard. Also for bringing bread and milk for anyone who was unable to get out of the house and had run out. They also went to the post office for anything else that people needed. A truly wonderful neighbourhood gesture. Thank you from the grateful residents of Court Orchard. Regards Carole Towler |
Please note that all snow wardens have supplies of salt which are available to help make access safe. If you need help please contact your snow warden who will find help or contact Cllr Adam Reeves, Snow Warden co-ordinator on 01392 851222 or 07866 726267 or email: adam.reeves@Quickes.co.uk
Snow Wardens
|
Warden Area email telephone
Wayne Meeten Norton wayne@wvmstudio.com 851954 David Vallance Sand Down Lane davidvallance@btinternet.com 851266 Peter Hawksley Sweetham editor@newtonwonder.net 851269 Ken Evans West Town kenevans207@btinternet.com 851227 Tim Sedgewick Godolphin Close twsedgewick1@supanet.com 851223 Andrew Gee Church area asgee@btinternet.com 851164 Tom Dowle Court Orchard tomdowle@live.co.uk 851704 David Swallow Half Moon davidandjaneswllow@gmail.com 851426 Sandy Fleming Newton House afleming12@btinternet.com 851646 |
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Annual Award for Community Volunteer of the Year is to be decided at the next meeting of the Parish Council.
There is still time for villagers to put forward nominations.
Closing Date for Nominations 28th February 2018.
Please give details of your nominee's contribution to the community.
Nominee's should reside within three miles of the Parish Boundary.
Please send your nominations to the Parish Clerk, email: nsc_pc@outlook.com or tel.851148 or send them to the Newton Wonder by email to editor@newtonwonder.net or use the contact form below and we will forward them.
FRIENDS OF NEWTON ARBORETUM
Newsletter No. 6: Jan 2017
CONTENTS
Introduction
Committee
Report on 2016
The fernery
The AGM
Welcome day
Other future events
Subscriptions
Thanks
* * * * * *
INTRODUCTION
Here is our sixth Newsletter, to keep Friends up to date with progress and pass on news and information about future activities. If you have comments on interesting things you have seen in the Arboretum or have views or ideas on how we should develop the Arboretum, please contact Roger Wilkins or any other member of the Committee.
As we have said before, volunteers who would be prepared to help with working parties or maintenance are always welcome, and should contact David Vallance. If anyone is able to join the Warden Rota (which involves making an inspection walk around the Arboretum a couple of times during a nominated week on about three weeks during the year), then please contact Roger Wilkins.
The next AGM will be on Wednesday 17 May. See below for details.
COMMITTEE
Chairman: Andrew Gee (851164)
Vice Chairman: Geoff Jackson (851551)
Secretary: Roger Wilkins (851337)
Treasurer: Peter Watts (851369)
Head Warden: David Vallance (851266)
Committee: Vaughan Gallavan (851589); Brenda Lewsey Cocks (851300); Ron Nethercott (851372); Courtney Ware (851741), Richard Whalley (851251); Adam Reeves (851150, representing Parish Council); John Quicke (851627, Owner)
We welcome Courtney Ware and Adam Reeves as new Committee Members and thank Kate Anstey who had been the previous representative of the Parish Council on the Committee.
REPORT ON 2016
This has again been a busy and successful year for the Arboretum, which has really developed since it was opened to the public five years ago. It is visited and appreciated by many people from the village and the surrounding area. When I made quick visits to the Arboretum 2 or 3 years ago, I would be surprised to see any other visitors, but now I quite expect to see one or two people (and at least one dog!). Apart from the noise of traffic from the A377, the Arboretum remains a quiet and restful place.
Newsletter No. 6: Jan 2017
CONTENTS
Introduction
Committee
Report on 2016
The fernery
The AGM
Welcome day
Other future events
Subscriptions
Thanks
* * * * * *
INTRODUCTION
Here is our sixth Newsletter, to keep Friends up to date with progress and pass on news and information about future activities. If you have comments on interesting things you have seen in the Arboretum or have views or ideas on how we should develop the Arboretum, please contact Roger Wilkins or any other member of the Committee.
As we have said before, volunteers who would be prepared to help with working parties or maintenance are always welcome, and should contact David Vallance. If anyone is able to join the Warden Rota (which involves making an inspection walk around the Arboretum a couple of times during a nominated week on about three weeks during the year), then please contact Roger Wilkins.
The next AGM will be on Wednesday 17 May. See below for details.
COMMITTEE
Chairman: Andrew Gee (851164)
Vice Chairman: Geoff Jackson (851551)
Secretary: Roger Wilkins (851337)
Treasurer: Peter Watts (851369)
Head Warden: David Vallance (851266)
Committee: Vaughan Gallavan (851589); Brenda Lewsey Cocks (851300); Ron Nethercott (851372); Courtney Ware (851741), Richard Whalley (851251); Adam Reeves (851150, representing Parish Council); John Quicke (851627, Owner)
We welcome Courtney Ware and Adam Reeves as new Committee Members and thank Kate Anstey who had been the previous representative of the Parish Council on the Committee.
REPORT ON 2016
This has again been a busy and successful year for the Arboretum, which has really developed since it was opened to the public five years ago. It is visited and appreciated by many people from the village and the surrounding area. When I made quick visits to the Arboretum 2 or 3 years ago, I would be surprised to see any other visitors, but now I quite expect to see one or two people (and at least one dog!). Apart from the noise of traffic from the A377, the Arboretum remains a quiet and restful place.
The number of Friends has increased to 80 and your support is really important. We now have our eyes on reaching 100, whilst we only reached 50 two years ago! This year, for the first time, we had a visit for Friends away from the Arboretum and on 27 April had a delightful tour of Sherwood. Many thanks to John and Gina Quicke for having us and to Vaughan Gallavan for conducting us round the garden and providing insight to the many fine specimen plants. We plan to have an away visit in the Spring, this time to the University gardens in Exeter.
|
|
Visit to Sherwood Garden with an attentive group listening to Vaughan’s explanation, but then an off camera distraction!
A highlight of the year was the tours and AGM on 18 May with over 50 people participating and 7 new Friends being signed on. The tours were led by Helen Kearney, looking at medicinal and herbal plants, and by Marion Kneebone, who highlighted the trees that she and her Devon Gardens Trust team had assessed and included in their Register of Significant Trees. Many thanks to Helen and Marion for their expert leadership.
A display put on at the Revels in early July attracted a lot of attention and was also shown, together with Margaret Ware’s photo-albums, at a well supported coffee morning on October that raised just over £200 to help the Arboretum
A highlight of the year was the tours and AGM on 18 May with over 50 people participating and 7 new Friends being signed on. The tours were led by Helen Kearney, looking at medicinal and herbal plants, and by Marion Kneebone, who highlighted the trees that she and her Devon Gardens Trust team had assessed and included in their Register of Significant Trees. Many thanks to Helen and Marion for their expert leadership.
A display put on at the Revels in early July attracted a lot of attention and was also shown, together with Margaret Ware’s photo-albums, at a well supported coffee morning on October that raised just over £200 to help the Arboretum
Daffodils with fox!
New planting in the Arboretum has continued. Geoff Jackson describes later the fernery that he is establishing. The bulbs planted in 2015 gave rather disappointing results, with very few Fritillarias showing up. The crocuses planted near the notice board, in contrast, made a fine display. We have planted more crocuses this Autumn to extend this area. The case for further bulb planting will be re-considered after the 2017 season.
We want to increase the colour and interest in the Arboretum in mid and late summer. A selection of hydrangeas was planted just inside the gateway this Autumn together with a young Chilean Lantern Tree (Crinodendron hookeranum). We plan next year to plant a number of buddleias and azaleas in the area from which Leylandia trees were felled some three years ago.
Considerable time has been spent by the Committee preparing a bid for support from the ‘Bags of Help’ scheme run by Tesco. This is a competition for environmentally-oriented projects and is funded by proceeds from the sale of polythene bags to customers. Short-listed projects are voted on by users of Tesco stores in the area, with the winner receiving £5,000. Our bid is to widen the use and appreciation of the Arboretum by providing an all-weather route suitable for wheelchairs and by developing an Information Trail customized for child visitors. If successful, we would add some of our own funds to this project. We may, a little later, be asking you to cast your votes (for us) in Tesco!
The developments that we have made this year have only been possible, because of the tremendous efforts of our volunteers and the financial contribution made by Friends and through fundraising, with two thirds of our income this year coming from Friends’ subscriptions.
We want to increase the colour and interest in the Arboretum in mid and late summer. A selection of hydrangeas was planted just inside the gateway this Autumn together with a young Chilean Lantern Tree (Crinodendron hookeranum). We plan next year to plant a number of buddleias and azaleas in the area from which Leylandia trees were felled some three years ago.
Considerable time has been spent by the Committee preparing a bid for support from the ‘Bags of Help’ scheme run by Tesco. This is a competition for environmentally-oriented projects and is funded by proceeds from the sale of polythene bags to customers. Short-listed projects are voted on by users of Tesco stores in the area, with the winner receiving £5,000. Our bid is to widen the use and appreciation of the Arboretum by providing an all-weather route suitable for wheelchairs and by developing an Information Trail customized for child visitors. If successful, we would add some of our own funds to this project. We may, a little later, be asking you to cast your votes (for us) in Tesco!
The developments that we have made this year have only been possible, because of the tremendous efforts of our volunteers and the financial contribution made by Friends and through fundraising, with two thirds of our income this year coming from Friends’ subscriptions.
THE FERNERY
A new venture in 2016 was the planting of the Fernery. This is a passion of Geoff Jackson’s because he has such a shaded garden he can grow little else! A suitable site was selected and a variegated selection of twenty plus ferns was planted, imported from a fern nursery near Cork in Southern Ireland. Ferns take a time to establish themselves and much watering was required in the early stages. Visitors have been concerned in that many of the ferns appear to have died. This is not the case, some of our ferns are deciduous like many trees and will reappear in the Spring again. Because the area does look so bare in Winter, a further 16 evergreen ferns have recently arrived from the Irish nursery and will be planted when they have gained a little stature. This means that we shall have good cover throughout the year in the future.
AGM 2017
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 18 May. We will follow the successful pattern of previous years with a visit to the Arboretum followed by a meeting in the Parish Hall. For the Arboretum visit, you will be able to choose one of two alternative tours.
One tour will be led by Frances Watkins and will focus on ‘Lower Plants’ looking at mosses, lichens and liverworts. This will be a repeat of a very successful tour at the 2015 AGM and will enable those who went on the alternative tour that year to go with Frances this time. The second tour will look at recent plantings in the Arboretum, including the Fernery, hydrangeas and new trees. It will also look at the recovery of some of our specimen trees from actions taken over the last years to reduce shading.
We will assemble in the Parish Hall Car Park by 6.30 pm. Afterwards there will be tea, cake and biscuits in the Hall and then the more formal meeting, to include election of the Committee as well as a review of progress and a discussion of future plans. We would welcome one or two new members on to our Committee. If you are interested, please contact Roger, who can provide more details.
The AGM will be held on Wednesday 18 May. We will follow the successful pattern of previous years with a visit to the Arboretum followed by a meeting in the Parish Hall. For the Arboretum visit, you will be able to choose one of two alternative tours.
One tour will be led by Frances Watkins and will focus on ‘Lower Plants’ looking at mosses, lichens and liverworts. This will be a repeat of a very successful tour at the 2015 AGM and will enable those who went on the alternative tour that year to go with Frances this time. The second tour will look at recent plantings in the Arboretum, including the Fernery, hydrangeas and new trees. It will also look at the recovery of some of our specimen trees from actions taken over the last years to reduce shading.
We will assemble in the Parish Hall Car Park by 6.30 pm. Afterwards there will be tea, cake and biscuits in the Hall and then the more formal meeting, to include election of the Committee as well as a review of progress and a discussion of future plans. We would welcome one or two new members on to our Committee. If you are interested, please contact Roger, who can provide more details.
Stewartia monodelpha showing effects of shading. The shading has now been reduced and there is some recovery
WELCOME DAY
An issue that has been a regular item on our Committee Meetings has been dog fouling. We much appreciate the consideration of the vast majority of our visitors with dogs. They take the mess home or to a council-maintained dog bin, but if this is not possible, there is the dog bin that we have installed near the Arboretum gate. We much appreciate the work of Ron Nethercott who maintains and empties this bin. BUT some dog fouling still occurs. This reduces the pleasure for our visitors, is very unpleasant for our volunteer workers and gives risks to health.
We have decided to have a ‘Welcome Day’, provisionally fixed for Sat 18 March. Throughout that day one or two of our Friends will be at the gate and will talk to all visitors about the Arborteum and particularly problems and appropriate actions with dogs, including issuing a leaflet outlining health issues. This will also give an opportunity to promote the Friends. If you could spend an hour or so joining the rota to receive visitors on that day, please contact Roger Wilkins.
OTHER FUTURE EVENTS
There are a number of other events coming up to provide interest and, in some cases, funds for the Arboretum. We do hope you will be able to support these events.
Mon 27 Feb Bingo for Arboretum funds, with ‘eyes down’ at 7.45 pm. The more folks that attend, the more money for the Arboretum! There will be a raffle for which we provide prizes. If you have a potential prize to spare, please let Roger Wilkins or any other member of the Committee have it before the day.
Sun 12 Mar Car Boot Sale at Matford We have to provide 6 people to look after this event – but we are guaranteed at least £250. There is an early start, but it’s quite good fun. If you are able to help, please contact David Vallance on 851266.
April University visit We are fixing a tour of the University grounds and gardens. We will contact all Friends when the date and details are finalized.
Sat 24 June MidSummer Fest Make this a must in your diary. In conjunction with Church and the Parish Hall, we will be having our second Fest, following the very successful event in 2015 with some entertainment and a picnic in, hopefully, glorious weather.
Sun 3 Sept Car Boot Sale at Matford A second opportunity to have an early rise. We were not allocated a slot in 2016, but surprised to have two this year, this will give a total of at least £500 for our funds (see 12 Mar).
Sat 7 Oct Coffee Morning in the Parish Hall
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions make a very important contribution to our funds and the help that we have from Friends is crucial for the well being and development of the Arboretum. Our financial year starts on 1 Jan, so subscriptions (£10 annually) are now due. Most of our Friends pay by standing order – so thanks very much for your new subscription! For those paying by cash or cheque (payable to Friends of Newton Arboretum), please could you let Peter Watts (1 Godolphin Close, Newton St Cyres, Exeter EX5 5BZ) have your subscription. Please let Peter know if you would like a Standing Order form. They are also at the back of the Arboretum Leaflet available from dispensers in the Hall Car Park and just in the Arboretum. Remember that Friends still have a couple of perks – bamboo canes (we’ll be doing a new harvest soon) and wood from the Arboretum. Please contact David Vallance if you are wishing to take wood.
WELCOME DAY
An issue that has been a regular item on our Committee Meetings has been dog fouling. We much appreciate the consideration of the vast majority of our visitors with dogs. They take the mess home or to a council-maintained dog bin, but if this is not possible, there is the dog bin that we have installed near the Arboretum gate. We much appreciate the work of Ron Nethercott who maintains and empties this bin. BUT some dog fouling still occurs. This reduces the pleasure for our visitors, is very unpleasant for our volunteer workers and gives risks to health.
We have decided to have a ‘Welcome Day’, provisionally fixed for Sat 18 March. Throughout that day one or two of our Friends will be at the gate and will talk to all visitors about the Arborteum and particularly problems and appropriate actions with dogs, including issuing a leaflet outlining health issues. This will also give an opportunity to promote the Friends. If you could spend an hour or so joining the rota to receive visitors on that day, please contact Roger Wilkins.
OTHER FUTURE EVENTS
There are a number of other events coming up to provide interest and, in some cases, funds for the Arboretum. We do hope you will be able to support these events.
Mon 27 Feb Bingo for Arboretum funds, with ‘eyes down’ at 7.45 pm. The more folks that attend, the more money for the Arboretum! There will be a raffle for which we provide prizes. If you have a potential prize to spare, please let Roger Wilkins or any other member of the Committee have it before the day.
Sun 12 Mar Car Boot Sale at Matford We have to provide 6 people to look after this event – but we are guaranteed at least £250. There is an early start, but it’s quite good fun. If you are able to help, please contact David Vallance on 851266.
April University visit We are fixing a tour of the University grounds and gardens. We will contact all Friends when the date and details are finalized.
Sat 24 June MidSummer Fest Make this a must in your diary. In conjunction with Church and the Parish Hall, we will be having our second Fest, following the very successful event in 2015 with some entertainment and a picnic in, hopefully, glorious weather.
Sun 3 Sept Car Boot Sale at Matford A second opportunity to have an early rise. We were not allocated a slot in 2016, but surprised to have two this year, this will give a total of at least £500 for our funds (see 12 Mar).
Sat 7 Oct Coffee Morning in the Parish Hall
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscriptions make a very important contribution to our funds and the help that we have from Friends is crucial for the well being and development of the Arboretum. Our financial year starts on 1 Jan, so subscriptions (£10 annually) are now due. Most of our Friends pay by standing order – so thanks very much for your new subscription! For those paying by cash or cheque (payable to Friends of Newton Arboretum), please could you let Peter Watts (1 Godolphin Close, Newton St Cyres, Exeter EX5 5BZ) have your subscription. Please let Peter know if you would like a Standing Order form. They are also at the back of the Arboretum Leaflet available from dispensers in the Hall Car Park and just in the Arboretum. Remember that Friends still have a couple of perks – bamboo canes (we’ll be doing a new harvest soon) and wood from the Arboretum. Please contact David Vallance if you are wishing to take wood.
This is a freeze image from a video taken by Peter Watts on 1 Dec. at 04.15 am. Using a Swann infrared motion sensitive camera that records on to a memory stick. The camera was sited by Ron Nethcott near the Sid Tarry Memorial Seat in the path just below the badger sett.
THANKS
The Committee thank all the Friends for their support during the year. Thanks go to the Volunteer Wardens and to those who have helped with working parties. We thank David Vallance for overseeing on the ground, and Courtney and Margaret Ware and Ron Nethercott for their excellent work and many hours that they have spent in the Arboretum. During this winter Will Furniss has been helping in the Arboretum as a contribution to his Duke of Edinburgh Award. Thanks to Will. Vaughan Gallavan is again thanked for his work and the crucial expertise that he provides on our trees and Peter Watts for looking after our finances so well. Roger Wilkins has continued to co-ordinate the project and the work has been steered by our Chairman, Andrew Gee. Photographs were provided by Roy Beckett, Geoff Jackson, Peter Watts and Richard Whalley.
Finally, many thanks to John Quicke for all his support and allowing access to this fine Arboretum.
Enjoy the Arboretum!
Some fine autumn colours were on show his year captured by Roy Beckett and Geoff Jackson
|
|
|
The Parish Council's conversion of the Telephone box at Sweetham has been a great success. Books are changing all the time and there is a great interest in them. The note below was left recently.
|
Cllr. Chris Southcott pictured setting up the Sweetham Book Swap in the telephone box, with his initial supply of books. Picture by Denise Watkiss |
Newton station garden comes fourth in Tarka Line competition
|
Results:
1st Prize – 2 x First class Return tickets to anywhere on the Great Western network. The winner also receives a cup. This was awarded to Copplestone 2nd Prize – A framed certificate and 2 x standard class return tickets to anywhere on the Great Western network. This was awarded to Umberleigh 3rd Prize – will receive a framed Highly Commended certificate for display at their station. This was awarded to Chapleton. 
|
Click on an image to enlarge.
|
|
Pictured is the Treasur of Newton St. Cyres Parish Church, Clive Lawrence with helpers and visitors at their Sunday Afternoon Cream Tea event, when delicious home made cakes and sandwiches, plus cream teas were on offer, organised by Sue Brown and helpers, in aid of Newton Parish CHurch funds. Margaret Tucker. New Club for Newton
|
Annual Church Sunday Afternoon Teas
|
Don't Forget The MidSummer Fest at the Arboretum Saturday 24th June 5.30pm - 8.00pm.
An early evening event organised jointly by the Friends of the Arboretum, the Church and the Parish Hall. This will follow the pattern of the very successful event held in 2015. There will be bring-your-own picnic, competitions, live music, socialisation and relaxation.