Welcome to the March edition of the Bradworthy Newsletter.
The ongoing cold weather seems to be the main topic of conversation these days, hopefully spring is not far away now.
Last month I invited comment about the Turbines at Forest Moor that are now a year old. Now we hear that another energy company is seeking to build some new ones at Wheeler's Cross. As I understand it, this is at a very early stage and would not happen for a long time yet, if at all. Personally I have always favoured, in general, any form of technology that harnesses the natural forces of our environment. I have high hopes for the future of solar energy conversion technology. Whilst modern vehicles have become a relatively efficient use of oil, to me burning oil to generate electricity is very wasteful of a marvellous natural resource. This month Mr Mrs Jarvis have sent in an article opposing the new scheme. I hope anyone else with a viewpoint will contribute in the future.
I am grateful, indeed, for this month's offering from our Poet in residence, and another article from Mr Bradman with a reminiscence of, I assume, a child's view of the '50s. Next month we hope to print the winning entrant of the WI poem contest. Please do contribute anything that keeps my writings to a minimum
Please hand in any articles for inclusion in next month's Bradworthy Newsletter at the Social Club or send items for inclusion by e-mail to newsletter@bradworthy.co.uk or 'phone/fax 241147.
Editor
Bradworthy Young Farmers
The Young Farmers are putting on a show titled Jack and the Beanstalk at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude on 10th March. Curtain up at 8.00pm. Tickets cost £5.00. Please contact Phil Merrett for more details on 241382.
Bradworthy Pre-School
The Pre-School Wine and Wisdom was hosted by Mr Andrew Carey as quizmaster. The PreSchool Committee would like to thank hire, all the helpers and entrants who made a successful evening with a tiebreaker deciding the winning team.
Antique Fair
There will be an Antiques Fair in the Memorial Hall on Sunday 5th March. 10.00am - 4.00pm Enquiries: 241460
Bradworthy Carnival Wine and Wisdom - Saturday 25th
Memorial Hall
Please 'phone Anita Seymour-Smith on 241837 to book a table
Bradworthy Parish Council
The Parish Council met on Friday, February 24th. The last Friday in March is 31st.
2nd Windfarm in Bradworthy
The pre-planning application consultation document about a possible four turbine unit at Wheelers Cross on land in Bradworthy, Sutcombe and Putford parishes has caused much concern. That the masts would be much higher than those at Forest Moor makes the visual aspect all the more overpowering. After Sutcombe and Putford Councils have had their meetings - Bradworthy suggests a combined meeting to work out the best way forward. Meanwhile individuals are advised to make their own comments to the Land Agents. Several members of the opposition group BLOT came to this Council meeting to put their point of view.
Millennium Garden Maintenance
The Council thanked Mrs Angela Yeo and Mr Walter Dayman for their voluntary work since Mrs Yeo set up the project. The Council is now seeking others from the community to carry on this work. Mrs Yeo will be pleased to discuss the maintenance needs with those interested. Out of pocket expenses will be paid. Should we be unable to maintain the garden with the help of volunteers then all the costs of employing commercial gardeners will fall on the Council and ultimately on the Parish Council Tax.
Street Lighting
The various faults reported at the last Council Meeting have now been rectified.
Litter
Several complaints have been received about the amount of wrappers, cans etc littering the Square. It is a pity that a few spoil it for the many and do not take a pride in helping to keep the village tidy. There has been fly tipping in the corner of the play area, four bags of rubbish were picked up recently. There were also signs that an incinerator had been used in the same area. Councillors reminded those who fly tip there are several legal ways of disposing of rubbish and these must be used.
Parish Clerk
To contact the Council: Paul Clarke 241313
Friendship Club
The Friendship Club (formally the over 60's Club) meets every other Thursday afternoon in the Methodist Sunday School Room. 2.30pm until 4.00pm. The next meeting is 2nd March. Everyone aged 55+ is welcome. Entry is £1.00 that includes a cup of tea/coffee, biscuits and a raffle ticket. More details 259044
St John the Baptist Church
A warm welcome awaits at any of the following church services.
| 1st | Ash Wednesday 7.00pm | Holy Communion |
| 5th | Sunday 10.00am | Family Communion |
| 12th | Sunday 10.00am | Family Communion |
| 19th | Sunday 10.00am | Family Communion |
| 26th | Sunday 10.00am | Mothering Sunday Family Service |
On Mothering Sunday children will be given a posy and card for Mum. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Reverend Richard Dorrington 241411
Methodist Chapel
Sunday Services for March, 11.00am
| 5th | Mrs M Hodges |
| 12th | Rev C Legge |
| 19th | The Worship Group |
| 26th | Mrs A Yelland |
Skittles
The Inn Team continue to do well in their league under the watchful eye of Commodore Welham. At the end of last month they played their away fixture with the Backscuttlers at the Social Club. It was a very good evening that the Backscuttlers deservedly won. After a very good season it is likely they will go "up". The Inn Team wish them well in the sixth league but understand that another Social Club team may be relegated to the seventh so local matches can continue.
Wind Turbines at Wheelers Cross
The recent application for four massive, 125m, wind turbines at Wheelers Cross is the inevitable consequence of the decision, despite strong local opposition, to bring the first three turbines to Devon, sited in Bradworthy, last year.
Because of this decision the parish of Bradworthy and its adjoining neighbours seem likely to become the "Delabole" of Devon.
Make no mistake, the turbines already sited in Bradworthy will be dwarfed by the 125m Wheelers Cross turbines. Almost half as big again, not only will they tower over our village, these alien shapes will blight the countryside, as does the first development. They will impact on everyone in the area. Nearby neighbours will have their quality of life affected and economically the effect on property prices will touch us all. The only benefactors are the power generating companies and the land owners, with the tax payers footing the bill for the shortfall. At a time when the government is going "cool" on wind generation, do we need to see our cherished village ruined as we are surrounded by these monstrous, rotating, objects? Sadly we are now seen as the easy option. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the latest application is from a new wind energy company.
Ann and Bil1 Jarvis
Pilates in the Memorial Hall
A course of instruction in the art (?) of Pilates has opened in the Memorial Hall. Anyone interested in knowing more about Pilates or in joining the course should contact Sally Honey on 07737600424. Ms Honey also runs courses in Yoga.
The Good Old Days
When I was young, the grass was greener, the sky was bluer and the sun more golden. Long hot summers were followed by snowy winters and chocolate wagon wheels were much bigger though I could eat far more of them before I was sick. Sweets at 6d a ¼lb (2½lb per 100gm) - Oh those sweets- aniseed balls, gum drops, rats tails, bon bons, lemon sherbets, pear drops, winter mixture and so many more - it always took so long to choose what to have, always hoping that I had enough ration coupons. Delicious school dinners at half a crown (12½p) for a week. Gelantine, jacket potato with a knob of margarine and salad served with a school made salad cream followed by steamed roly poly and custard or on another day meat pie with lumpy mash, multicoloured yellow, black and green peas followed by frogs spawn (tapioca pudding).
Mind you, however good the good old days were, times are better now. I hear that some people work 37 rather than 60 hours a week and who would swap their automatic washing machine for a good old washboard and mangle? Television beats Aunt Mabel singing madrigals any day of the week. Lets leave the Good Old Days where they belong and enjoy the luxuries of nowadays - anyone fancy a Champagne Truffle?
A Bradman
Pool at the Inn
Tom breaks off and all the balls scatter,
red or yellow it doesn't matter.
One goes down or is it two,
and Ken puts chalk upon his cue.
But has to wait for Tom to fail,
so slakes his thirst with Nut Brown Ale.
Tom carries on, Pot after Pot,
I doubt if Ken will get a shot.
The ale continues to flow free,
the result is plain for all to see.
And Ken joins in the friendly banter
with Rich and Barks and Markie Winter.
It matters not who's going to win,
The game's the thing at Bradworthy Inn.
Mrs Sheila Wright
I would like to thank all the people who contributed to and attended my surprise 60th birthday celebration at the Social Club on Sunday 22nd January.
Special thanks to the Committee, Tina Cann, Shirleyann Andrews and to Judith Birch who collected the donations and bought a bracelet of which I am very proud. Thanking you one and all for your kindness.
Mrs Sheila Wright.
PS I hope I always give Mr Bradman a smile when I see him.
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