Welcome to the February edition of the Bradworthy Newsletter.
This month the Newsletter can record both the erection of the wind turbines and the publication of the 'Parish Plan'.
Within the 'Parish Plan' there is a section on communication. This, kindly, states that 'It is a priority that the new series of the 'Bradworthy News' be maintained to keep such a large parish in touch with what is happening'. The Newsletter is an initiative of the Carnival Committee, not the Parish Council and the cost of production is paid for by the sponsorship of our advertisers. Any surplus funds are put towards the ever increasing costs of putting on the Carnival each year.
It is absolutely true, however, that the main objective of the Newsletter is to keep the Parish in touch with what is happening. Please help us to do this by submitting any information on any village activity you are involved in or would like to publicise.
Please hand articles for March in at the Social Club or send items for inclusion by e-mail to newsletter@bradworthy.co.uk or 'phone/fax 241147.
Editor
Bradworthy Twinning
On Friday 21st January the Bradworthy Twinning Association held the annual AGM. Roger Andrews was elected to take over, as Chairman, from Shaun Heard who has retired after six years in the post. A motion of thanks to Shaun was recorded in the minutes to recognise his outstanding contribution to the Twinning over those years. He will be greatly missed, as Chairman, on both sides of the English Channel. One event that Shaun always organises well is a Wine and Wisdom, and that of 29th January was no exception. All the tables were taken and with some good high scores, even though Quizmaster, Jonathan Barker, had promised some harder questions. New Chairman, Roger Andrews, held the draw at the end of the evening and gave a short speech. Many thanks to those who organised a good evening and to all who took part.
If you are interested in joining the Twinning or just to find out more about it, please contact Roger and Shirlyann on 241135.
Bradworthy Parish Council
Parish Council Grants
The Council has made a start up grant to the 1st Bradworthy Rainbows being revived by Mandy Baker.
Roads
Councillors endorsed Cllr. Trevor Sillifant's letter to the press about the good work being done by the parish lengthsmen and small works gang in keeping ditches and verges in working order. Several manhole covers. need resetting and there are some trenches and pits needing to be levelled over after shrinkage. It has been mentioned that parking in the Square has become untidy - attention to orderly parking will allow more parking space.
Bradworthy Common
Councillors are concerned that the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has altered agreements with the Graziers without notifying the Council which acts as owner under the Commons Registration Act 1965.
The Bradworthy Plan
This is being distributed by Councillors who each have a round but it may take a while before all households in the parish have been covered.
Tetcott Hunt Defiance Day
Saturday 19th - London Inn, Kilkhampton
In common with all other: Hunts, the Tetcott will be testing the new law with a Lawn Meet at the London Inn, Kilkhampton.
Wine and Wisdom - Saturday 26th
Memorial Hall
7.30 Start Please contact Rachel 241639 or Helen 241867 to book a table. Proceeds to Bradworthy Pre-School.
Tom Cann Memorial Seat
The Newsletter is always pleased to receive input so I was very grateful to 'Richard' who e-mailed me to let me know that the Holsworthy Post had printed an article about the dedication of the seat presented by public subscription and currently located outside Martin's. I understand that the seat will be placed elsewhere in the future, but, in the meantime, I rather like to see it where it is. On many a morning I would visit the shop first thing to pick up something small, but essential to the day's work. Tom could always find what I needed, or some alternative, and I miss his morning cheerfulness and stories of a long life spent in Bradworthy.
The purpose of 'Richard's' e-mail, by the way, was to draw my attention to the Post's article 'Patsy from the Village Inn supplied mould (sic) wine, cups of tea and mince pies'
Editor
Methodist Services
Sunday Services for February, 11.00am
| 6th | Clive Smale |
| 13th | Mrs J Turner |
| 20th | To Be Arranged |
| 27th | Mr R Cox |
St John the Baptist Church
A warm welcome awaits at any of the following church services.
| 6th | Sunday 10.00 am | Morning Prayer |
| 9th | Wednesday 7.00pm | Ash Wednesday, Holy Communion |
| 13th | Sunday 10.00 am | Family Communion |
| 20th | Sunday 10.00 am | Family Communion |
| 27th | Sunday 10.00 am | Family Communion |
Although money may seem the theme of this article, the real point is to offer thanks for generous giving and to recognise service within the community.
The collection at the Christingle service amounted to £184.00 and this has been sent to the Children's Society.
Those who attended the Service of Prayer in January for the Tsunami Victims really dug deep into their pockets and purses for the collection came to £425.00.
The collection at Abbots Bickington at their Morning Service was £80.00 and with other donations later made a total of £624.00 Thanks to all who contributed to these worthwhile causes.
Just before Christmas we were all saddened by the death of Nancy Kerslake. She had served the Church and the people of Bradworthy well. The plate collection at her funeral came to nearly £500.00.
In January Doctor Norman Betts died and, he too, had given a lifetime of service in this village and the surrounding area. Donations at his funeral amounted to over £1,000.00.
It is our intention, after consultation, to place appropriate memorials in the Church.
Reverend Richard Dorrington
Moustache Growing Competition
The results of the moustache growing competition are becoming all to evident with some exceptional efforts on display. I am reliably informed that the grand judging will be held on 12th of the month in the Social Club. No names to be mentioned at this time but there are some clear front runners in contention. Of course the competition is being run to raise funds, initially for the Air Ambulance but now also for the victims of the Tsunami as well. Some competitors have done exceptionally well seeking sponsors but, if you have not already signed up and would like to, the contestants are unmistakable.
A.N.Itchibeard, Contestant
Wind Turbines and the Parish Plan
This month saw the co-incidence of the erection of the wind turbines and the publication of the Parish Plan. In setting out a plan for the future, it may be helpful to look back to the last plan and see what has been achieved. In 1999 the Parish Appraisal Report was prepared by the Parish Council and Local Agenda 21 Group. Interestingly, many of the issues raised by that appraisal are still in this year's Parish Plan. One, the provision of a telecentre, has been overtaken by the pace of technology and another, the Community Wood is up, running and increasingly well utilised. Within the 1999 appraisal report it was identified that '33% would very much, while 29% would quite like Bradworthy to utilise its abundant windpower to produce electricity'. It is a testament to the value of these plans that, five years later, Bradworthy is the. first village in Devon to have wind turbines up and, presumably soon, running.
Of course this is still an emotive issue, and I have a great empathy with those households who are directly effected by the turbines. When planning consent was first sought for the project a series of photographs were published, I think by the District Council, with the turbines superimposed on them. The impression was distinctly created that these structures would be enormous, towering not only over Bradworthy but being clearly intrusive in Meddon, Wolsery, Putford, Chilsworthy and Pyworthy as well. The scheme's opponents lead me, at least, to believe that the turbines would be clearly visible from as far away as Clawton and Hartland. This is clearly not going to be the case but I was recently assured, by someone living in Torrington, that the noise they make will 'drive me mad'.
The new Parish Plan was drawn up by (unspecified) members of the community and the Parish Council. Many of the objectives remain the same, however there is now a greater emphasis on sustainiabilty, leisure activities and tourism. Almost every day there is another story in the media about the adverse effect of, particularly, carbon dioxide on the atmosphere and the sea. There are regular projections of cataclysmic results of our continued use of fossil fuels, to run cars and generate electricity, to come in, perhaps, two or three decades. Over the last few days I have heard the turbines described as 'magnificent'. As they have been privately financed one must assume that eventually they will 'pay' - their way. Then, surely, they will become the ultimate in sustainablity?
Tony Dilnot
Bradworthy Football Club
200 club winners for December
| Mark Polhill | £15 |
| Tom & Lewis Clarke | £10 |
| Roy Clarke | £5 |
| Mike Curtis | £5 |
| Phil Pickering | £5 |
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