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
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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. |
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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. 
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Click on an image to enlarge.
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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
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Annual Church Sunday Afternoon Teas
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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.