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20/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

 Happy Equinox, everyone!

 Exactly a year ago, on 20^th March 2020 I sent out my first message announcing the formation of the Membury Support Group. Since then A lot of water has flowed under the bridge – and in fact the entire bridge has been removed due to the amount of water flowing under it! Fortunately, Beckford Bridge is due to go back into service at the end of April, even if there are a few finishing touches left undone by then.
As we near the end of what we all hope will be the final lockdown I’m going to remove the support group details from the header of the emails – but rest assured if things change again for the worse, or if you find yourself in difficulties there’ll always be someone available to help you. Just reply to the email.

100 Club – and the winners are …
£25 Jon and Cherry Wells (who only bought their ticket yesterday!
£10 Richard and Molly Barrell
£5 Jan Bissinger

The Big Bang Theory
If you heard a loud bang at about 3pm you are not alone – it was heard many miles away. Suggestions included a sonic boom, a meteorite and an earthquake, but it seems that it was the Royal Navy blowing up a suspicious object on a beach between Charmouth and Lyme Regis. It turned out to be phosphorous flare. Of course that story might have been a cover for aliens landing …

Bird Boxes
I now have 7 takers for bird boxes. Any more for any more?
I also now have a very generous donor prepared to pay for the wood.
What I need now is a volunteer with a table saw in a workshop to cut up the wood for me, and someone to help with the assembly.

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2c803a3

Wild East Devon March News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2c72ad6

East Devon District Council Coronavirus Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2c72fac

Learn Devon new courses starting after Easter
All these courses are free. Visit https://www.learndevon.co.uk/ to sign up. I did the 6 week course on digital photo editing a few weeks ago – it was great, and worked really well over zoom.

Topics include:

• Art and craft
• Wellbeing and mindfulness
• Creative writing and poetry
• Modern foreign languages
• Digital skills and IT
• Learning for work
• English
• Maths
• Courses for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities
• Family learning

St John Baptist then and now
More images from Carey in Rock. The top postcard image dates from 1905.

18/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

 Fish and chips – final call
Don’t forget that the fish and chip van will be making its monthly call to the Village Hall car park this Saturday (20th). Get you order in to Jill 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com.
Don’t forget that the price is now £6 per portion.

100 Club
If you haven’t already got your ticket for the 100 club there’s still time before the next draw on March 20^th. To be in with a chance of winning £25, £10 or £5 simply pay a visit (and a tenner!) to David Neill who lives at Hope Cottage – behind the village hall, or pay by BACS (Membury Merrymakers 30-90-37, 01560859), and send him an email to helenanddavidneill@icloud.com

Bird boxes
A few weeks ago I asked if anyone is interested in a free bird nesting box, and I had only one response. If anyone else is keen either to receive one or to help make them please let me know. In Otterford they gave away 32, and they’ve got a waiting list for more. They are also now doing bee houses as well – again, let me know if you are interested. Now is the time to get a box up in your garden!

And while we are in the garden …
Ena Power heard her first chiffchaff this morning, a day later than last year, and we saw our first brimstone butterfly of the year the day before yesterday. If you see something that looks like a flying daffodil – it’s probably a brimstone!

Yarcombe Young Farmers

Simnel cake
Margaret Gudenian from Yarcombe makes this Simnel cake every year.

For the cake you will need:

6oz butter;
6oz caster sugar;
3 large eggs (beaten);
8oz sultanas;
6oz currants;
the grated rind of one small orange and one small lemon;
2oz glacé cherries (rinsed and dried first then cut into quarters);
2oz chopped candied peel;
one level teaspoon of baking powder;
1 heaped teaspoon of mixed spice;
8oz plain flour;
3 tablespoons of milk.

For the topping and filling you will need:

12oz ground almonds;
12oz icing sugar (sieved);
3 large egg yolks;
2 teaspoons of lemon juice;
1 teaspoon almond essence;
2 tablespoons of sherry or brandy;
1 dessertspoon apricot jam;
1 small egg (beaten).

You will also need an 8 inch cake tin, brushed with melted fat, then lined with greaseproof paper (also brushed with melted fat).
Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 2/300°F/150°C.

Begin by creaming the butter in a mixing bowl, then adding the sugar and beating until the mixture is light, pale and fluffy. Now in another bowl beat up the eggs and add them a little at a time to the mixture (so as not to curdle it), beating well after each addition. When they are all in, gently fold in the fruits, candied peel and grated rinds with a metal spoon. Now sift the flour with the baking powder and mixed spice and carefully fold in to the mixture alternately with the milk (again with a metal spoon). Do not stir or beat. Simply fold lightly until all the flour and milk has been incorporated. Then spoon half the cake mixture into the prepared tin. The rest should be left until you have made the almond paste. To make the paste combine the ground almonds with the sieved icing sugar in a clean bowl and mix well together. In a jug mix the three egg yolks with the lemon juice and almond essence, stir this into the almond and icing sugar, pour in the sherry or brandy and knead it to a stiff paste. Take one third of the paste (put the rest in a plastic bag in the fridge) and roll it out, giving it quarter-turns as you roll to form a round about 8 inches in diameter. Fit this circle over the mixture inthe tin – very gently! – and spoon the rest of the cake mixture over it. Level it out, pop it into the centre ofthe oven and bake for two and a half to three hours or until the centre is firm and springy to the touch. Let the cake cool in the tin for 15 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool. When cool brush the top with a little warm jam. Roll out the remaining almond paste and cut out an 8 inch circle by using the inverted cake tin on top, and fit this to the top of the cake. Level it out with a rolling pin and press it securely all round. Then, with a knife, make a criss-cross diamond pattern on the surface. Now make up 11 little (apostle) balls – or 12 if you want to include Judas – with the trimmings from the almond paste. Brush the top of the cake with beaten egg, fix the apostles all round and brush them with beaten egg as well. Finally place the whole cake under a hot grill until the almond paste turns a nice, golden, toasted colour.

River Cottage Supper Club
£20 per person. Order via the internet by noon on Friday 19^th, for collection on Saturday.

• Organic mushroom, onion & roast garlic soup with fennel focaccia
• Organic River Cottage beef goulash with English haricot beans and tarragon OR
  Beetroot & yellow pea tagine, fresh mint, coriander and preserved lemon
• Crushed potatoes with wild garlic
• Spicy roast parsnip & swede with coriander & mint
• Kale and roast celeriac with tamari seeds
• Lemon, thyme & rhubarb posset with oaty crumble

15/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Do you know who this might be?
A lady from Membury recently bought a garden table and single bench from Roy Oaten in Axminster.
She asked him to make another bench seat. Sadly he didn’t keep her contact details.
She was in a grey long wheelbase hi-top and van….
If she can be contacted please ask her to contact Roy on 07498873202.

Does anyone know a reliable dishwasher engineer?
John Confrey has a dishwasher that won’t stop draining. If you know anyone who can help him please email johnconfrey63@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
Once again the fish and chip van will be making its monthly call to the Village Hall car park this Saturday (20th). Get your order in to Jill 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com.
Don’t forget that the price is now £6 per portion.

Axminster Country Market
Axminster Country Market will planning the reopening of the market, following the enforced closure during lockdown, at a meeting this coming Thursday at 10am in the Masonic Hall, South Street, Axminster.
The market urgently needs at least one new cook, (good home cook , not master chef) and craft people, as well as producers of flowers and home grown plants. In order to survive the members of the co -operative need to share the duties of running the market. These include setting up on a rota system, clearing up after closing, committee members who will include a chairman, secretary and assistant treasurer as the current treasurer would appreciate some help with the monthly reconciliation. Producers are expected to attend market to man stalls and tills. Occasionally one has to “dump and run, “but there are no paid helpers, so regular attendance is required. Whilst volunteer helpers are most welcome, the idea is to make some profit from a hobby or skill. It is a great way to make friends too.
Commission to cover rent insurance and other overheads is paid on sales, so no sales no cost to the producer.
For further info look up Axminster Country Market Facebook, or
Country-markets.co.uk, or call Patricia Bruzon on 01404881725.
There is lots of help advice and experience available if you are interested in joining.
Patricia has just retired from market, which she joined when she moved to Membury, after being prompted by her next door neighbour. It was the right time to hang up her apron after 18 years, but it has been extremely rewarding, great fun and something she would have never considered doing without being prompted.

The Gamekeeper’s Table
Find them on Facebook – they are a Honiton based supplier of fantastic venison. We’ve had a couple of orders from them – beautifully packaged and absolutely delicious. This week they are upgrading their boxes for 2 4 and 6 people. Ring them on 07983 572699 if you don’t do Facebook. They’ll deliver free if you order a box for four or more.

Box for 2 £15
6 venison sausage
2 venison steaks
500g minced venison
500g diced venison

Box for 4 £30
12 venison sausage
6 venison steaks
500g minced venison
500g diced venison

Box for 6 £45
18 venison sausage
6 venison steaks
1Kg minced venison
1Kg diced venison

Jurassic wood fired pizzas in Axminster
Back on Thursday in Market Square serving from 5(ish). Last week they sold out quickly. Where possible please message via Facebook to give them a head start – but this is not essential.

 Amazon
Amazon Smile has now donated £205.66 to ARC. If you use Amazon you can easily elect for a proportion of the money you spend to go to your nominated charity – it costs you nothing but can make a difference!

Scam time
Trading Standards have issued a warning, after receiving reports from victims who claim to have been contacted by someone purporting to be from the authority, and acting on behalf of the Office of National Statistics.
The caller suggested that the individual’s Census form was completed incorrectly, and they had to pay a fine. The caller asked for basic identification details, which they said was to confirm the Census record, and the individual’s bank details, so they could process the fine.
The Office of National Statistics are aware of similar scams in other parts of the country where money has been taken from an individual’s bank account. The Office of National Statistics have warned that they would never ask for this type of personal information.
You will only be contacted about the Census by letter – never text or phone.
When filling in the Census you will be asked for personal information such as your date of birth, your occupation and where you live. You will never be asked to provide your national insurance number or financial details.
If you wish to report attempted Scams go to www.actionfraud.police.uk

Devon County Council update
Your vote is safe in the Devon County Council elections – taking place on Thursday 6^th May, volunteers needed and more information about standing to be a Devon County Councillor
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2c6893d

Wild garlic
March marks the start of the wild garlic season. All the white snowdrops are gone, and we are in the middle of the yellow season with daffodils and primroses everywhere. We’ll shortly be entering the blue and white season with the spikes of wild garlic in the roadside verges and bluebells in the woods.
The leaves of the wild garlic are already in evidence, waiting to be picked and turned into wild garlic pesto, wild garlic butter, or used in salads and stir-frys.
To make pesto, rinse and chop 150g wild garlic leaves. Blitz them to a paste with 50g parmesan, the zest of half a lemon, a couple of cloves of garlic and 50g of toasted pine nuts (or walnuts if you can’t get pine nuts). With the motor running dribble in 150ml rapeseed (or olive) oil. Add seasoning and a little lemon juice if it needs it. Put it into a jar, and top with a little more oil. It’ll keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

Sunset
Here’s a stunning sunset taken by Sandra Little a while ago

11/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday is this Sunday 14th March. Membury church is open from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00p.m. and there will be posies left inside for anyone to go and have a bunch. Please help yourself …

Beckford Bridge
Liz Kurton, the engineer in charge of the bridge has replied to the note I sent her, pointing out that it was due to reopen in three days …
“Apologies for the delay, I’ve been hoping to get a revised programme from the contractor so I could give you a better idea of extent of works.
As is probably obvious if you’ve been down to site, we will not be finished by 14th March – but we are back on site again now. I’m in the process of extending the closure again to end of April, I really hope by this point that we will be able to have the road open, even if there’s still works to do on the surrounding banks etc, but am yet to receive a revised programme so I cannot be certain at this stage. It’s taken a little while to get the closure extension sorted to work it around all the other closures, particularly since it looks like there’s going to be night closures on the A35 from 6th April.
With regard to site – we have now installed the extension pieces to the abutments and pier so are now looking to crack on with getting the main deck on, there’s a little bit of scaffolding work to be done but we should be lifting in the deck steel soon.”

Devon and Cornwall Police
Neighbourhood Watch Network is supporting Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, who, in partnership with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has created an online survey designed to understand the public’s perception of dog theft, enforcement, and the prosecution of offenders.
The survey includes a question seeking views on whether dogs should be treated in law merely as property when they are stolen. Having a common understanding of how the public feels about this issue will help inform discussions that PCCs and NWN will have nationally, as well as allow police forces to better understand the public’s views.
Please note that the survey closes on Friday12th March. Link to survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft

Census 2021
From the 3rd March digital first households (89% of all households) will be provided with their household access code for the electronic questionnaire. The census pack will replicate the messaging on the front of the paper questionnaire and will provide help options – including how to request a paper questionnaire. There will be answers to common questions and information on how to complete the form. The other 11% of households will soon start to receive their paper questionnaires.
The Office for National Statistics is working to make Census 2021 the most accessible census yet. Listed below are some of the routes we have developed to ensure everybody can participate.
The Contact Centre
The contact centre is a vital source of public support. It offers help over the phone, via web chat and SMS text message, and through the ‘Contact Us’ form on our website. Anyone can get in touch with the contact centre to order paper household questionnaires, individual questionnaires, Large Print questionnaires or continuation forms. Call handlers will be trained to answer a wide range of general census queries. The contact centre goes live on 1 March 2021. There will be separate lines for England and Wales, plus a language helpline, text relay and short text numbers (see below for more details).
Census Support Centres
Census Support Centres will provide face to face help (COVID permitting) for anyone who needs support completing their questionnaire online. They will provide access to the internet and to technology, such as computers and tablets, for those able to complete it independently. They’ll also provide practical support
and guidance on the questionnaire for those who need it. Census Support Centres will be conveniently located in places where local people go as part of their daily routines, such as libraries and community centres. Members of the public will be able to use an online postcode lookup tool to find their nearest Census Support Centre.
Language Support
Information about language support will be available on the language pages of our website.
Products to inform
Members of the public will have access to a range of products to inform in many languages:

• Specialist engagement products in 19 languages
• Campaigns products in around 30 languages

Language helpline
Any member of the public can call the language helpline to ask questions about the census via an interpreter (subject to availability). If interpretation is not immediately available in their language, people can book an appointment to speak to someone at a later time.
Guidance booklets
Guidance booklets will be available in 49 languages in England and 19 languages in Wales. These booklets contain information about what the census is and why it is important. They also translate the questions in the household questionnaire, and the privacy notice. Guidance booklets will be available to download from the language pages on our website or ordered via the contact centre.
Alternative Formats and Guidance
Paper Questionnaire
Paper questionnaires can be obtained by members of the public via the following routes:

• calling the contact centre and selecting self-serve. The voice recognition system will ask them to quote a 10-digit number. This can be found on the top right of the initial contact letter they will have received in the post.
• calling the contact centre and speaking to an adviser, who can order them a questionnaire.
• requesting a questionnaire through our online help page.
• census field officers will also be carrying paper questionnaires during non-response follow-up.

Electronic Questionnaire
The Electronic Questionnaire is compatible with most assistive technologies. This means that people using supportive software such as screen readers or magnifying technology should find the Electronic Questionnaire compatible with their programme. You can read more about the accessibility of our website by visiting https://census.gov.uk/accessibility
Online Help page
The Online Help page on our website covers important topics such as why we ask certain census questions and what they mean. This text should be accessible to anyone with a reading age of 8 or above.
Videos with BSL, Audio and Subtitles
We have produced accessible videos with BSL, audio and subtitles, working with the Royal Association for Deaf People. These include translations of the pack that people will receive in the post when they are invited to complete the census – the initial contact letter, information leaflet and Privacy Notice – as well as translations of the questions from the online questionnaire and a thank-you video for completing the questionnaire. These will be available once the census is live.
Text Relay
People with speech and/or audio impairments can use a text relay prefix when calling our contact centre. Text relay offers text-to-speech and speech-to-text translation services. Simply dial 18001 before the number of the contact centre, which will become available soon.
Web chat guidance
Web chat guidance is available for use online and could be useful for those who prefer to communicate in writing. This will be available once the census is live.
Easy Read
An Easy Read information leaflet about the census can be ordered after 1st March 2021.
Braille
A braille guidance booklet, including information about the census and a braille translation of the household paper questionnaire, can be ordered from the contact centre. This will be available after 1st March 2021.
Large Print (16pt)
A Large Print paper questionnaire pack including a guidance leaflet, Privacy Notice and return envelope can be ordered from the contact centre. This will be available after 1st March 2021.

Somewhere …
Sandra Little captured a great image of a double rainbow this afternoon.

10/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Membury Parish Council
Membury Parish Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: MPC’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Mar 17, 2021 7:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92165119895?pwd=Z2JmcDF0VlFnR3lzbHlUYmVrU2Exdz09
Meeting ID: 921 6511 9895
Passcode: 491984
One tap mobile
+442080806592,,92165119895#,,,,*491984# United Kingdom
+443300885830,,92165119895#,,,,*491984# United Kingdom
Dial by your location
+44 208 080 6592 United Kingdom
+44 330 088 5830 United Kingdom
+44 131 460 1196 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom
+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom
+44 203 901 7895 United Kingdom
+44 208 080 6591 United Kingdom
Meeting ID: 921 6511 9895
Passcode: 491984
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAF7CsqOX
Please call the clerk on 01297 24009 if you are having any problems logging in
AGENDA

2136. Welcome by the Chairman:
2137. Apologies for Absence:
2138. Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct: Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any interests either at this stage of the meeting, or as soon as they become aware of the interest. The reason for the declaration must be given, and whether it is a personal or pecuniary interest; any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with
2139. Planning:

Applications to be discussed at this meeting:
21/0371/FUL | Waterloo Cottage Membury Axminster EX13 7AJ | Change of use from a field to residential garden, retention of new water borehole and pump house, log cabin office, private sewage treatment system and access drive/parking area
21/0606/FUL | Trebblehayes Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7UA | Erection of roof canopy over existing silage clamp
21/0607/FUL & 21/0608/FUL | Twist Farm Brinscombe Lane Membury Axminster EX13 7JY | Erection of roof canopy over existing silage clamp
21/0406/FUL | Combe Bank Membury Axminster EX13 7AG | Erect two storey extension and extend balcony area
The following applications have received their decision from EDDC:
20/2791/FUL | Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JT | Erection of silage clamp: Approval with conditions
20/2849/FUL | Bay Tree House Membury Axminster EX13 7AF | Construction of carport and store: Approval – standard time limit
21/0250/AGR | Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JT | Agricultural storage building: Agr Notification approval
Date of the next Parish Council meeting: 6th April 2021

Want to get tested?
The Devon County Council Covid-19 Community lateral flow test minibus is situated in the West Street car park every Wednesday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Appointments available to book on the Devon County Council website. devon.cc/testing, or come and see as a walk-in.

Tuckers Arms Takeaways
Available 10^th – 13^th March. Call 01404 881342 and collect 24 hours later. All main courses £8, and £4 for the pudding.

• Antipasti for one
• Tuscan salmon bake
• Thai green chicken curry
• Steak and ale short crust pastry pie
• Vegan vegetable samosas
• Toffee apple crumble and custard

Help – Looking to move into Membury !
Suzie McFadzean writes …
My mother is looking to buy in Membury – ideally a 3 bedroom property, detached, secure garden (for dog), garage – She is a cash buyer, no chain and ready to move ……So if you are thinking about selling please get in touch with me on 07484 163 901 or mrsmacspics@gmail.com

8/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

So what can we do from today?

Lateral Flow Testing
As you may have heard on the news all adults in households with school age pupils are being encouraged to do a lateral flow test twice a week to catch positive cases. For those that wish to do this you can order them following this link https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

A clear out at Lea Hill
Susan Avis is clearing out their barn and finding ancient stuff unused for decades. Amongst this, is a set of wine making equipment and if anyone in the village is interested in taking it off her hands she’d be very pleased
She is also looking for an occasional cleaner for theirr cottages at Lea Hill for a few specific Fridays this summer.
Contact her via <reception@leahill.co.uk> or 01404 881881

Met office yellow warning of wind
Strong winds accompanied by heavy and blustery showers may bring some disruption to England and Wales between 21:00 (UTC) on Wed 10 Mar 2021 and 15:00 (UTC) on Thu 11 Mar 2021

East Devon District Council
Read the latest residents update here https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2c4720b

Devon County Council
Read the latest update here https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2c513c7
And find out everything you need to know about restarting school
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2c3974a

Mercury error
There’s always one! Apologies to long suffering readers, but it has been pointed out that the Mercury e-mail in the notice inside the front page re: Postal Mercuries is the old one. If you know of anyone who has recently left the village, and might like a Mercury by post, could you please let them know that any requests should be sent to mbrymcry@gmail.com. Thanks for your help!

Fancy a bounce?
Janet Andrew has a small ‘exercise trampoline’ that is looking for a home – it is 38″ in diameter and just 9″ high. Call her on 01404 881177.

Kings Arms Update
With schools going back today it feels as though we are returning to some kind of normal. We just can’t wait until pubs can reopen next month as well!!
As ever, there’s a Thai takeaway for Wednesday, fish and chips and burgers on Friday and Sunday Roasts.
With Mothers Day this Sunday 14th March we are expecting to be busy, so please book your collection slot early to avoid disappointment. Why not treat your Mum (or yourself) to our Homemade Triple Chocolate Brownie with salted caramel sauce for dessert, because we all deserve a treat to end the week!
Contact them on 01404 881686

Rock of Ages
Carey Swarbrick has supplied 2 pictures of Rock taken over 100 years apart.

 

2/3/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

From the NHS website:
You can book your vaccination appointments online if any of the following apply:

• you are aged 60 or over
• you have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you are an eligible frontline health worker
• you are an eligible frontline social care worker
• you get Carer’s Allowance

Livestock worrying
You are responsible for your dog. Livestock worrying is a crime and livestock that are chased or attacked by dogs are frequently killed or injured. This has a financial and emotional impact on all concerned and can affect the livestock long after the incident has taken place. Action may be taken against you and your dog.
Please ensure responsible dog ownership. Dogs should not be unaccompanied outside of the home and their behaviour should be managed at all times. On access land your dog MUST be on a lead between the 1st of March and 31st July and at all times when livestock is present.

• Enjoy the countryside but keep your dog on a lead if livestock is present. Release your dog if chased by cattle.
• Livestock worrying taking place at the time is considered an emergency dial 999 and explain there is a dog attacking livestock with a precise location.
• Livestock owners can advise dog walkers by giving clear notices advising of the presence of livestock, Location of footpaths and appropriate fencing.
• Email 101@dc.police.uk if livestock has been chased or attacked and the dogs have left the location.
• Farmers have the right to protect their livestock. Ensure you are aware of the legislation and your legal responsibilities.

Here in Membury, a local farmer has placed signs on the public footpaths reminding people to keep their dogs on a lead, particularly as lambing season is here.
Also, a reminder that sadly there is no dog poo fairy…….. please clean up after your dog, especially on footpaths through the village and on private property.

Cotley Inn, Wambrook
The Cotley Inn is offering wood fired pizzas for collection tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. They’ll then be offering them every Friday and Saturday for the foreseeable future.

Please email contact@cotleyinnwambrook.co.uk or call 0146062348. Please indicate which pizza(s) you would like and a preferred collection time (between 5pm & 7pm) and your name and contact number. Unfortunately the weekend special won’t be available until Friday – and this weekend is fully booked already.

Suzie’s Spot
A medley of images from Suzie McFadzean. If you want that lockdown haircut captured for posterity, and something to remind your children and grandchildren that you still exist book a session with her and her camera!

 

26/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Well, I haven’t managed to keep off my computer for long – having decided to aim for a weekly newsletter I find myself with a message to go out straight away – and news of our eagle.

Prescription Collection
Further to the message yesterday, I am reliably informed that Morton’s Pharmacy in Axminster will deliver to Membury every Wednesday, and this is easy to organise with a phone call to the surgery, and a phone call to Morton’s. You can reach them on 01297 32115. They are open until 6pm most days.

News from Wambrook
Wambrook Zoom Bingo Night, SATURDAY 27TH FEB 7.00pm
Prizes for a line and full house. Family fun, invite your friends
Go to Wambrook Church Website
https://wambrookparishchurch.com/bingo.html
follow the instructions to download your playing cards and make a small donation to the Church.
All are welcome!!

News from on high
Phantom the sea eagle aka G463 flew up into the Somerset Levels in early February, before returning to its favoured areas between 8th and 10th. It then headed to the Dorset coast near Bridport, before heading north-east through Somerset and then Wiltshire. It has continued on roughly the same north-easterly track since, and is now in Cambridgeshire, no doubt influenced by the strong south-westerly winds we have had recently. G463 is not the only one on the move at present – the spring weather has really got them going!

If life brings you lemons …
Grow a lemon tree in your conservatory, like Angela and Ken Stride have done. What’s the secret? Tomorite!

25/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

As we slowly begin to rouse ourselves from the enforced hibernation of the last few months the need for updates like this every few days has diminished, as has the amount of useful fresh material. From now on, unless there is anything important to communicate, these messages will be limited to one a week. Let me take this opportunity to thank you all for the contributions I’ve received over the last 12 months or so and I hope this has been a useful exercise.

Prescription Collection
Today was the last official Thursday pick up from the surgery. From now on you have three options.

• If you are shielding, or don’t have access to a vehicle, we’ll still collect for you on an ad-hoc basis.
• If you wish to set up an on-line service and have your repeat prescriptions delivered by post, but have been reluctant so far, please call the helpline for help and advice
• If you don’t wish to set up a postal service, there’s always the option of a trip into Axminster!

Church opening times
Our village church will be opening Wednesday & Sunday as usual, but from 9:30am – 4pm. No news yet about resuming services, but rest assured, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Stockland web site
Stockland has a brand new website – take a look at https://stocklandvillage.co.uk/ and see what our neighbours are up to.

Kings Arms, Stockland
The Kings Arms are still doing their excellent Sunday roasts, Wednesday Thai nights and fish and chip Fridays. Ring them on 01404 881686 or visit them on Facebook here.
You will also be delighted to know that they are planning to reopen for al-fresco dining and drinking from 12^th April.

 

A message from young Mr Mackinder

Andy Mackinder who lived in Furley until Autumn 2019, and is now studying at Exeter College (HND in Computing) has a message
Hi Everyone! – I’m working on a project for college and as part of it I need to do some primary research about self-driving cars. I’ve made a little survey on google forms which will only take a couple minutes, you don’t have to if you don’t want to but it would be greatly appreciated. Click here for the survey

Devon County Council
Notes on the roadmap out of lockdown. Read it here

Villages in Action
Sherlock in Homes
Don your deerstalker, grab your notepad and boil your kettle! It’s time to Zoom in to a murder mystery from your own home.
Expect high wires and even higher stakes as you play detective and attempt to unmask a murderer in this Victorian case of dastardly behaviour at The Bearded Lady’s Circus Of Wonders. Join us to see if you can crack the case!
We have teamed up with Sharp Teeth Theatre to bring this unique show, played out on Zoom, to audiences in Cornwall and Devon. Packed with dramatic twists and turns that unfold online, the fun theatrical experience invites the audience to help solve the case by turning detective, whilst pitting their wits against some of the UK’s most talented improvisers.
Book a ticket for Sherlock in Homes – pay what you like £8 to £14 per family.
We’re very excited to be able to offer a fun online experience whilst we’re unable to deliver our usual live shows in village halls. By booking a ticket, you’ll be supporting Carn to Cove as well as signing up for an evening of great entertainment. We hope to see you there!

Moor Meadows
We are delighted that Plantlife’s meadow expert Matt Pitts is giving an online talk for us on 25th March at 7.30pm:
How to Create a Meadow
Matt is Plantlife’s very experienced meadows specialist who advises landowners and farmers on the best ways to create and manage meadows. He will guide us through the steps of meadow creation, restoration and management. The talk is primarily for those who have a field or paddock and would like a wildflower meadow plus those who already have one and would like to know a lot more – everything from finding out about key soil requirements for successful meadow restoration to learning about positive indicator plants. This talk will also appeal to anyone wanting to know how to turn their lawn into a flowering meadow as the methods are similar. Retired farmer Philip Hamley of Lethytep will be joining the talk to discuss how he successfully restored several fields to stunning wildflower meadows using green hay. Matt will also outline how wildflower meadows could fit into the new Environmental Land Management Scheme, which will be of interest to landowners and farmers.
The talk is free but you will need to register. A Question & Answer session will follow so attendees can quiz Matt and Philip.
REGISTER HERE: https://createameadow.eventbrite.co.uk

Axminster Drama Club
Axminster Drama Club will be bringing some much needed sparkle and shine to The Guildhall on December 17th and 18th, as we present our 2021 production of “Nativity the Musical”.
If you would like to be involved in this production, either on or off the stage, then please contact our Director, Sara Norrington-Leat, at axminsterdramaclubsecretary@gmail.com.

20/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

100 Club
The February winners, drawn today, are as follows:
£25 J Williets
£10 L Lavender
£5 A Mackinder
Congratulations to them all. We now have exactly 100 members. Don’t forget that David Neill is still eager for your money – pop round the back of the village hall to Hope Cottage and hand over your dosh. Next month, it could be YOOOO!

Prescriptions
We haven’t had much demand for our prescription collection service recently, so we’ve decided to abandon the regular Thursday collections. Next week (25^th) will be the last one. Alasdair and Kim have collected over 500 prescriptions since march last year – so from all of us it’s a big thank you to our drug mules. From the week after if you are shielding, or can’t get out due to the weather, please ring the helpline and we’ll find someone who can help you out.

From the Mercury team
Thanks to all those who have contributed to the new “Who’s who” column in the Mercury. We have enough to give it a really good start, with some over, so if your contribution doesn’t appear in this issue, please don’t feel left out – it will be in the next issue! We hope to make this a long-running series, perhaps even a historical snapshot of the population of Membury in the early 2020s, so if you haven’t contributed yet, give it some thought, even if you’ve lived here since the last century. Just some facts: who you are, where you live, where you came from, what you do/ did, and what you do or would like to do in the village community. We look forward to hearing from you.

Census 2021
One of our parishioners, whom I shall refer to as Layman Census to protect her anonymity is helping organise this once-in-a-decade event that takes place on March 21st. More information about this will follow as the day draws nearer.

Erratum
I inadvertently left out the advertisement for Mike Walsh, and the Furley Cottages ad I published yesterday contained an error in the email address. The correct address is info@furleycottages.com

Axminster Medical Practice
NEW ONLINE CONSULTATION SYSTEM
We have now gone live with our new online consultation service which replaces eConsult. It is SO much simpler to fill out so please do give it a go if you need to contact us.
We really think it is easier for most people than waiting on hold to speak to a receptionist, but would love to hear your feedback. As always, if you do not have access to the internet or find it difficult to use a computer or smartphone you can call reception instead.
You can access the new form from our website the same way as you would have done with eConsult.

East Devon District Council
Residents coronavirus update

Devon County Council
Coronavirus Response Update

Old Dairy Kitchen at Trill
A great meal from their pantry at £20 for two people – we had this last week and it was delicious. Find them online here or ring them on 07999 923089

• Cullen skink – A rich and creamy smoked fish soup from Chris’ native Scotland.
• Aromatic beef tagine – Slow-cooked Haye Farm beef in a lightly spiced sauce and plenty of chickpeas.
• Coconut rice pudding With baked apples and cinnamon.
• ODK country loaf
• Runner bean pickle

Greek Mezze Feast for collection or delivery Friday 26 February 2021

• Sesame buns & taramasalata
• Feta, black olive, parsley and chickpea salad
• Salted walnut and roast onion baklava
• Squid, oregano and orzo
• Haye Farm lamb souvlaki and tzatziki
• Potato, preserved lemon and winter greens
• Blood orange pie “portokalopita” with thickened yoghurt and poached oranges

19/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Membury Mercury Advertisers

Everyone who advertises in the Membury Mercury will now get a mention once a month here, on Facebook and on the village website. Please support our advertisers if you can – they are supporting the wonderful Membury Mercury, edited by Molly and Richard Barrell, designed by Jakki Henderson, proofread by Jenny and Mike Beaman and due to land on your doorsteps in a couple of weeks.

If you, or anybody you know would like to advertise in the Mercury please contact me to discuss our very competitive rates.

17/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Yet more rain. There’s another warning for the South West, but we are a little to the East of the affected area.

Fish and Chips reminder
Don’t forget to contact Jill to order your fish and chips for Saturday.
The van will be in the car park from 6pm. As usual it’s £6 per portion and orders must be placed in advance with Jill on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com.
There will be a collection for the RD&E who have recently looked after at least two of our villagers.

Have your say on the East Devon Local Plan
New Local Plan – tell us what you want
We don’t want to see East Devon ruined by ugly development scarring our landscape, trees and hedgerows pulled down and our wildlife destroyed. Do you agree?
We don’t want to see new homes built in East Devon which are poor quality and look like those built everywhere else. Homes that don’t meet the needs of local people, are remote from jobs and services, aren’t affordable and are inefficient to heat and run are not what East Devon needs. Do you agree?
Help us to make sure that we deliver homes and communities that you want to live in and protect what you value about East Devon’s environment.
Public feedback is essential to help us produce our new Local Plan. If we don’t get your input now then we won’t be able to deliver the East Devon you want in the future. That is why we are asking you to read our Issues and Options report and fill in our questionnaire.
The consultation will close on 15th March 2021.

Tuckers Takeaways
Collect from the Tuckers Arms, Dalwood, 01404 881342
Sunday roasts £10 (turkey, belly of pork, silverside of beef, Brie beetroot and pesto cobbler). Chocolate bread and butter pudding with custard £4.
Wednesday – Saturday all main courses £8, pudding £4.

• Duck Penang curry
• King prawn biryani
• Pot baked chicken enchiladas
• Steak and ale pie
• Vegan banana blossom and blistered red pepper enchiladas
• Chocolate bread and butter pudding with custard

Wine by the Fire Night – Saturday 6 March
Join us for a ‘lockdown’ Saturday night at home tasting a bottle of fizz, a bottle of red wine and white wine with local wine merchant Paddy Magill from Vine Wine.   The virtual event will be based on ‘Zoom’ with IT help for anyone who needs it. This event will be fun, informative and help with future wine purchases wherever you shop. Three bottles of wine will be delivered in a box to your home with tasting notes and a Zoom help guide.
All you have to do is email fundraising@cotley.co.uk to register for the event and pay £35 by 2 March.

Yarty Gardening Club news – reprinted from the Yarcombe newsletter
February gardening tips from Pauline Bartlett
February can be a difficult month for the gardener as the weather can be quite unpredictable from one year to the next. In 2018, the ‘Beast from the East’ brought severe winter weather during the last week of February, in what was the coldest period for a number of years. However, in 2019, February was the hottest on record for the UK, with daily maximum temperatures the highest since records began in 1910. February 2020 was the wettest February on record; so, what will this year bring? As I write this, the garden is emerging from a sustained period of cold weather, with hard frosts in the morning which lingered throughout the day in some frost pockets. Gardeners’ spend lots of time and energy during autumn months preparing their plot against the ravages of winter weather, but as I wandered around, taking pictures of the familiar trees and borders made beautiful by the coating of hoar frost, it started me thinking about the benefits of winter weather to our gardens.
Snow and hard frost are naturally characteristic of the winter months.  Typically, in the UK, there may be between 7 and 10 nights per winter month where the temperatures are below freezing. Frost can actually benefit some plants.Parsnips should never be dug before a decent frost, because the cold turns the starch in them into sugar. And the sugar makes them much more delicious. This is one reason why parsnips used to be fed to working horses in winter. Turnips and swedes are two more root vegetables that are best left in the ground until they have been exposed to frost – after which they will taste even better in your warming winter stews.
Most winter brassicas such as, Kale and Cabbage, are not afraid of the cold; although extremely hard weather will do some mechanical damage to their outer leaves. Brussels Sprouts will taste sweeter after exposed to some frost. Leeks can look very sorry for themselves on a cold morning, but they are pretty tough. Just wait for the frost to melt before harvesting them.
Frosts can also disrupt pest and disease cycles and improve soil structure – when moisture within soil freezes, it expands, and splits open soil particles. This makes the soil easier to work in the spring.
Deciduous fruit trees benefit from winter chilling. If an apple tree doesn’t get enough ‘chill hours’ (between 0 and 6C) the flower buds may not open at all or they may open late in the spring. Blossoms may also bloom at irregular intervals and, although this might seem beneficial, the longer the bloom time, the increased likelihood that the tree will be exposed to disease. A very mild winter will therefore affect fruit production.  Blackcurrants, blueberries, plums and cherries also need this period of chilling before they start to grow in spring. A cold winter ensures that buds burst rapidly in the spring and flower together, when pollinators are abundant.
Snow helps preserve moisture in the soil during winter and provides water to the soil as it melts in the spring. Because of the ‘fluffy’ structure of snowflakes a lot of air is trapped, and this acts as a very effective insulator. This insulation effect also helps protect perennials, bulbs, ground covers, and strawberry plantings from alternating freezing and thawing cycles. If the snow keeps the soil from freezing, roots will continue to grow and earthworms and bacteria in the soil continue to turn garden debris into beneficial compost. If we do get snow this year remember to:

• Shake excess snow from the branches of small trees, shrubs and hedges, to prevent them from becoming disfigured by the weight.
• Use string to support conifer branches and stop them being pulled out of shape. Branches that move away from the main plant won’t spring back into place when the snow melts.
• Remove heavy deposits of snow from the roofs of greenhouses to prevent the structures from bending under the weight and to allow maximum light to the plants growing inside.
• Try to avoid walking on snow-covered grass as it will damage the turf beneath and leave marks on the lawn.
• Don’t forget to put out fresh water for birds each day during frosty weather.

There are still a few jobs that you can be getting on with if the weather is not so cold:

• Pot up some lily bulbs for early flowers indoors.
• Clean out bird boxes ready for the season ahead. Do this in the middle of the day so that birds, like wrens, can use the boxes for overnight roosting.
• Prune overwintering pelargoniums to stop them becoming leggy. Make cuttings from suitable prunings.
• Check plants in the greenhouse for early greenfly & wipe off with damp tissue or fingers.
• Make new sowings of broad beans if not done last month and sow some winter salad leaves (mizuna, winter lettuce, rocket) and carrots in tubs.
• Prune winter flowering deciduous shrubs like viburnum, mahonia & jasmine as flowers go over.
• Cut back any remaining dead stems on perennials. Cut off any tatty leaves left on evergreen perennials before the new season’s growth starts. Tread carefully if the borders are full of emerging spring bulbs. The tidy up will attract birds who will eat pest larvae & slug eggs that have overwintered in the soil.
• Late winter is a good time to prune most roses. Cut back all stems of shrub roses by a third. Established shrub roses will fare best if a few of the oldest stems are thinned out to improve light & airflow. Snip off any old leaves and pick up any fallen ones to reduce risk of blackspot.
• Check for slugs and snails – under stones, pots, sheet mulches on empty beds or any piles of debris in the garden. Remove the adults and dispose of any eggs on the bird table.

If you are a Yarty Gardening Club member, don’t forget to take advantage of the golden club voucher to get composts and mulches at a discounted rate with free delivery from Brimsmore in February. We are always happy to welcome new members; see our website yartygardeningclub.co.uk for details.

Wild East Devon
Read their latest newsletter here

Pedants corner
That grumpy fellow I’ll refer to as Sandy Video to protect his anonymity pointed out to me that, according to PewsNews 14/2, the vicar’s Roman history is a bit awry…..Claudius was emperor in AD41. By AD247, which is when this Valentine story is supposed to take place, Phillip was nominally Emperor but in truth by then it was a case of whomever the army decided! But let’s not spoil a good story!

Suzie’s Spot
This week Suzie offers us a picture of the filthy-footed George!

14/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

Local Flood Warning
It has rained very heavily in Membury today, and the forecast is for more. Lots more. Richard Challis – flood warden – has cleared the sump and the drains at lower levels but would advise people to make ready their barriers if their property is in the zone that might flood. There is a lot more rain in the forecast for next week, so please stay vigilent.

Axminster Medical Practice
URGENT UPDATE 13th February 2021
If you have already been given an appointment for vaccination please keep it and ignore this post.
In order to accelerate the vaccination programme NHS England have decided that Cohort 5 patients (aged 65-69) should be vaccinated at one of their vaccine centres. Our closest are Westpoint, Exeter or Taunton Racecourse.
If you are aged 65 or over you can book your vaccination now here
All patients in this cohort will also be receiving a letter from the NHS national booking service advising them of this.
At NHS England’s request, AXMINSTER MEDICAL PRACTICE WILL NOT BE CONTACTING YOU TO OFFER AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE AGED 65-69. However, we are still allowed to vaccinate you if you are unable to travel to Exeter or Taunton. You will need to contact us to request a vaccination locally – if this affects you please call reception on 01297 32126.
Axminster Medical Practice will now be moving onto Cohort 6 (those aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions). Please wait for us to contact you.

Shrove Tuesday
When there’s food to be consumed it’s always worth turning to Patricia Bruzon for ideas. I won’t bore you with a recipe for the pancakes themselves – apart from to suggest that if the recipe that you use claims to serve 4, double it, even if there are only 2 of you!
Here are some ideas for fillings – most from Patricia, some from me. If anyone wants to contribute some more suggestions they will be very welcome.
Chocolate cherries
Take some frozen black cherries ( or a can of cherries drained) place in a saucepan with a block of dark chocolate and a good scoop of double or sour cream gently heat till the chocolate is melted and the cherries are heated through. Add a slug of schnapps, or perhaps amaretto or Marsala , stir heat serve.  Great over ice cream too.
Try a marmalade sauce
Just warm up some marmalade add some Cointreau and layer with whipped cream
Cheesecake mixture
Whip some cream cheese such as mascarpone, add double cream and keep whipping till it is thick decide what flavour you fancy e g grated lemon or orange, plus a little of the juice, toasted almonds , chocolate , boozy ( any liqueur) , the permutations are endless.
If you have time to soak some raisins in rum beforehand they would be rather nice mixed in too.
Quantities are unimportant as it all just seems to work.
Mushroom and tomato
Fry up some mushrooms, garlic, cherry tomatoes and a bit of fresh chilli in olive oil for a bit of a spicy alternative. If you eat meat you can add a bit of bacon and possibly even some chopped up black pudding as well.
Ratatouille
This is an easy option if you have some frozen rat handy. I tend to make batches when the courgettes are going wild and we can eat then eat it through winter. This works particularly well with thick fluffy American style pancakes.
Maple Syrup and cream
My favourite – simply poured over a stack of thick fluffy pancakes.

Beef for sale
We have some more of our delicious South Devon beef for sale. We have a selection of joints, steaks, mince and stewing meat in packs, about 20k in a pack at £10 per kilo. If this is too much try sharing with family or friends.
Support your local farmers!
For orders/enquiries contact Claudia Pearse  01404881129 / 07525144543

East Devon District Council
Residents update
Business Update

Devon County Council
Update

Yet more food!
Not content with Valentine’s Day and Shrove Tuesday? prepare to celebrate Fish and Chip Saturday on the 20th.
The van will be in the car park from 6pm. As usual it’s £6 per portion and orders must be placed in advance with Jill on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com. Don’t forget that part of the car park is coned off for the repair of the school roof, so parking may be slightly more difficult.
There will be a collection for the RD&E who have recently looked after at least two of our villagers.

Another scam
A villager had a call the other day from a lady calling herself Diana, wanting to come to her home to give her a blood test. The woman said she dealt with the OP’s – Old People!! then said they wanted to find out why she kept falling over. Now this person does have a blood test booked for next week, but she is going to the surgery. The woman said that she was away for 2 weeks holiday then and that’s why she is coming to do the blood tests at the house. Well our suspicious villager has checked this with the surgery and has been told it’s a scam. If you receive a phone call that doesn’t ring true, it’s always a good idea to check everything with the surgery.

Icicles
This picture was taken by Caroline Hallett on the path that goes up past Membury Follie.

10/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Yellow warning of ice and snow
There is a yellow warning in force for us from 00:00 tonight to 11:00 tomorrow.
There is another warning that we are a little to the East of between 21:00 tomorrow and 11:00 Friday.
Overnight temperatures well below zero are expected.
Thank you to those of you that have been salting the worst patches. The road between Clarence Cross and Springfield was pretty slippery today, and there were very icy patches on Butcher’s Hill. I’m also told that there was a lot of black ice on the top road that was resurfaced before Christmas. The drains there have been recently cleared, but apparently there was a lot of standing water. Please take extra care.

Another scam reminder
One of our villagers received an official looking email yesterday from Royal Mail informing him that they had tried to deliver a parcel but he was out.
He clicked on the link to reschedule the delivery and found that you had to pay £3 to reschedule and provide credit card details.
He contacted the Royal Mail office in Axminster this morning and they informed him that it was a scam and that they would never contact you by email or ask you to pay a fee. It’s so easy to get stung by this kind of thing.

Mischievous Monsters
The follow up to Peter the Sock Eater is released today – Xander the Puddle-Jumper.
If you like the Mr Men & Little Miss books, then you’ll love Mischievous Monsters!
Xander hates his job as a Puddle-Jumper because he has no friends. Everyone he works with bullies him because he is different.
One day, he gets some advice – to embrace his difference – and his world changes right in front of his eyes!
A humorous tale of a Mischievous Monster with a serious anti-bullying message that children can really relate to.
Suitable for 3-12 year-olds and written by local author Leigh Conley this will delight your children at half term. Free on Kindle Unlimited or £5.99 in paperback. Click here To order either book in the series, and look out for Piper the pencil-blunter coming soon.

School roof
As you know work has begun on the reroofing of the school. You will be pleased to know that the plans include the refurbishment of the bell tower. I spoke with the surveyor this morning and he outlined the plans – this week the scaffolding goes up, and the following couple of weeks will see the removal of the old roof. He asked me to let him know if there are any issues with noise, and he’ll see what he can do. Please bear in mind the pressure on the village car park while this work is going on.

Parish Council Meeting 17th February 2021

Dear Parish Councillors and Members of the Public,

Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the virtual Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held online on Tuesday 16^th February 2021 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:

RDavey

Bec Davey

Clerk to the Council

LOGIN – please follow these instructions:

 Membury Parish Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 Topic: Membury Parish Council’s Zoom Meeting

Time: Feb 16, 2021 7:30 PM London

 Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/98176979389?pwd=cmZwV1k5amg5cHh5T3lNY1RBRy8vUT09

 Meeting ID: 981 7697 9389

Passcode: 229434

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,98176979389#,,,,*229434# US (New York)

+12532158782,,98176979389#,,,,*229434# US (Tacoma)

 Please call the clerk on 01297 24009 if you are having any problems logging in

AGENDA

 

2118. Welcome by the Chairman:
2119. Apologies for Absence:
2120. Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct: Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any interests either at this stage of the meeting, or as soon as they become aware of the interest. The reason for the declaration must be given, and whether it is a personal or pecuniary interest; any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with
2121. Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th January 2021 as a true record. These will be signed at the next face to face meeting
2122. County and District Council Reports:
2123. Highways Matters:
2124. Police Report:
2125. Finance: Unless stated otherwise, documents will be signed at the next face to face meeting
2126. To approve the financial statement for January 2021
2127. To consider grant request from Membury Mercury towards production costs
2128. To consider membership of the Blackdown Hills Parish Network and resultant subscription costs – to be paid in the next financial year (recommended subscription of 20-25p per elector (426))
2129. To approve the following payments:

Mrs R Davey                                Clerk’s Salary – January                         BACS £279.74
JJJ Wallace                                   Grass Cutting Contract – February    STO £150.00
BT Group                        Broadband – February             DD        £  32.40
HMRC                                            Clerks’ Tax – January                              BACS    £  70.00
Mrs R Davey                                Bullguard 3 yr Subscription                        BACS    £  49.99

Other payments may arise for payment during the meeting

2126. Planning:

21/0136/FUL & 21/0137/LBC | Forge Cottage Membury Axminster EX13 7AG | Proposed creation of parking layby

20/2849/FUL | Bay Tree House Membury Axminster EX13 7AF | Construction of carport and store

21/0226/FUL | Martins Furley Axminster EX13 7TR |Installation of air sourced heat pump

21/0250/AGR | Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JT | Agricultural storage building

21/0152/FUL | Stone Cottage Tolcis Axminster EX13 7JF | Construction of replacement garage/store with annex at the first floor level including balcony and associated hardstanding

20/2713/LBC | Lords Fillet Membury Axminster EX13 7AH | Retention of double-glazing fitted into four windows on the south elevation (two, ground floor (W1 and W2) and two, first floor (W4 and W5) and two windows on the west elevation (W3 ground floor and W6 upper floor)

21/0214/FUL | Green Down House Greendown Axminster EX13 7TD | Demolition of existing outbuilding and construction of an annexe for use as ancillary accommodation to main house, including change of use of part of adjacent paddock to garden and planting of new native hedge

2127. Wall outside the village hall – review quotes:
2128. To agree Road Warden and Chapter 8 Training:
2129. Update from Carbon Footprint Calculator:
2130. Footpaths and Bonds Lane Status Update
2131. Car park verges, and grass strip by wall – Cllr Lazar:
2132. Parish Councillor Reports:
2133. Clerks Report:
2134. Correspondence:
2135. Public Forum:

 Date of the next Parish Council meeting: 6^th April 2021

9/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Only 10 days left!
Until the second 100 Club draw. You know you meant to get yourself a number before the last draw bit didn’t quite get around to it? Well, now is your opportunity to put things right!
Each number is just £10 per year and you can buy as many as you wish.
Remember ALL the money raised goes to support village activities! You could be the third person to win a prize.
Please pay by BACS to MEMBURY MERRYMAKERS sort code 30-90-37
account number 01560859 adding 100club and your name and initials as a reference, or by cash to David Neill at Hope Cottage (just behind the Village Hall). Monthly prizes of £25, £10 and £5.

It’s very cold ..
We have some words of wisdom from the Met Office Advisor for SW England.
It is expected to stay cold with high windchill through to Friday, and possibly beyond. The cold and bitter winds will continue to blow in from between the southeast and northeast, and will be blustery and often strong at times resulting in big waves at times around east facing coasts/beaches of Isles of Scilly and coasts of south Cornwall, south Devon and Dorset. This morning there has also been an update to the Cold Weather Alert for SW England: staying at Level 3 with a 90% risk, but has now been extended to 1200 on Friday 12 February.
While Wednesday is expected to be mostly dry, with a few snow flurries, although a lot of uncertainty in the forecast for Thursday and Friday, there is a growing signal for a messy mix of rain/sleet/snow/ice. It is a forecast I would recommend you keep up to date with, as it does have the potential to give significant and disruptive wintry weather. Although no weather warnings have been issued for this potential severe weather as of yet, due to so much uncertainty, I will keep you updated as we go through the week, especially if or when any weather warnings are issued.

School children
The school children will be making use of the playing field at lunchtime when the weather permits over the next few weeks while their playground is out of bounds. You are requested to avoid the field during weekday lunchtimes if possible until work at the school is completed.

Blood donation
In case anyone is planning to give blood in the near future, please note that there must be seven clear days between having the vaccine and giving blood.

Axminster Medical Practice
COVID VACCINATION UPDATE 9th Feb 2021
3,192 of our patients have now received their first vaccination (26% patient population).
We have now attempted to contact all patients aged 70 or above, and will shortly be moving onto the 65-69 year old cohort.
There are a significant number of 70-74 year olds that we have called at different times over several days with no reply and so we are unable to get them booked in for the vaccine clinic this Saturday.
HOUSEBOUND PATIENTS – We will be contacting the remaining patients in this group today and they will all be vaccinated by no later than Saturday so you do not need to do anything at this point.
FOR ALL OTHER PATIENTS AGED 70 OR ABOVE – If you have not received your 1st COVID vaccination and do not yet have an appointment, PLEASE NOW CONTACT THE SURGERY ON 01297 32126 TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT.

Rosie of Rock
Rosie Lawton of Inglenook Cottage in Rock is a beginner gardener and is attempting to start from scratch by reusing and recycling as much as possible. She is after any old seed trays that anyone would like to donate or sell her.
Also, she is starting her first border so if anyone has a particular favourite perennial she is also very open to recommendations! She has a pretty sunny, open spot to start. Contact her directly at rosie.lawton17@gmail.com

ARC Quiz
Saturday February 13th 7:30pm  – a zoom quiz with Andrew Moulding as the question setter. Contact admin@arcaxminster.org to register.

Paddleboat Theatre
Something joyous for the family over half-term hols!
Available to watch on demand between 12 – 21 February 2021.
Welcome to the Dream Shop! You are invited to discover the mysteries of Dream Making and to share the secrets of mixing the perfect dream. It’s important work – thousands of dreams are dreamt every single night, and they all have to be made just right. So join Paddleboat Theatre Company in this magical story and discover the joy of being a Dream Maker.
Length: 45 minutes
Recommended for: ages 4+
Interaction moments: children will be encouraged to join in with the story with moments of interaction throughout. This includes making noises, hand movements and a simple science experiment.
Villages in Action, Exeter Phoenix, Beehive Honiton, Crediton Arts Centre, Carn to Cove, Into Bodmin and Endelienta are working together to present this inclusive, interactive online experience that has been made especially so that families can enjoy the story together safely.
Tickets are offered on a pay what you can basis. click here to book

Axminster Musical Theatre
AMT are holding their AGM via Zoom Monday February 22nd 7:30pm
Their next production is Evita, coming in November 2021 if all goes well …
Send them a message via their Facebook group for details

Tuckers Arms
Order 24 hours in advance Wednesday to Saturday. Ring 01404 881342
All dishes £8 each. Blackberry and apple crumble £4 extra.

• Chinese style belly pork noodles
• Low fat Sri Lankan chicken curry
• Shin of beef lasagne
• Milk poached cod, leek and tartare gratin
• Vegan Si Lankan pineapple curry

Don’t forget the Valentine Special Tapas!

Suzie’s Spot
Going home to lamb

6/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

One of our more irascible parishioners whom I will refer to as “Oily Conk” to preserve his anonymity has twice now criticised my spelling of the word “Practise”. If you are referring to what a doctor does, you would say that they practise medicine. You spell the verb form, practise, with an S. However, if you are referring to the doctor’s business, you can use the noun form, practice with a C. I stand corrected.

Picking up newspapers
The school will be in operation at the Village Hall until April from Monday. You are asked to refrain from picking up your paper between 8:45 and 9:00, or swapping jigsaws at around 15:30 when the school day will be finishing.

Happy Birthday Jeremy!
Jeremy Wallace was 70 last Tuesday. Over the years he has contributed more to the village than almost anyone else, including stints as chair of the parish council, and pantomime dame – two almost identical roles.

Beckford Bridge
The end is nigh! According to Devon County Council the road at Beckford Bridge is scheduled to be reopened on March 15^th.

Storm Darcy
This is the 2021 version of the Beast from the East, but is unlikely to bring too much snow this far west, although next week is set to get very cold indeed.

Old Dairy Kitchen
Order at least two days in advance on 07999 923089
To see their feasts visit this page. For every feast they sell, they donate 5 portions of soup to Axminster food bank.
Apart from their fortnightly feasts, the ODK is now doing a meal deal at the bargain price of £20 for two people, the selection this week to be collected Saturday 13th is as follows

• Cullen Skink – A rich and creamy smoked fish soup from Chris’ native Scotland.
• Aromatic Beef tagine – Slow-cooked Haye Farm beef in a lightly spiced sauce and plenty of chickpeas.
• Coconut rice pudding with baked apple and cinnamon
• ODK country loaf
• Runner bean pickle

Axminster Library
Access over 2 million tracks of classical music, including an exceptionally wide range of standard and rare repertoire, for free with your library card. Click here

Snowdrops and a Celandine
Snapped by Jan in our garden.

5/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Yellow warning of Ice
There is a yellow warning of ice in place from midnight tonight until 09:00 tomorrow morning. Take care on the roads and if you are aware of any very icy patches, and you have a salt bin close to you please consider spreading a little to reduce the danger to yourself and others.
Recently, I’ve had reports of a large amount of standing water on the top road to Axminster just south of Park Farm. This has been reported to Highways. If you use this road please take extra care.

East Devon District Council
Read the latest residents update here
Also – Recycling update on small electricals
Some households are still putting small electrical items in their general waste.
Please put your small electrical items in your green recycling box.
These items contain valuable materials which can be recovered and recycled to help the environment and the economy.

South West Water
South West Water have a neighbourhood fund which you can read about here
These are the types of project they are funding

• Protect nature and the environment for the benefit of community health and well-being
• Providing new opportunities for people to learn and develop
• Assisting local projects which bring communities together, virtually or physically – when safe to do so
• Supporting the upkeep of local neighbourhood centres and facilities to keep communities strong

Moor Meadows
Stephen Moss’ inspiring Why Meadows Matter talk is now available to watch here on the forum: https://forum.moremeadows.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=125
Moor meadows is A community initiative whose members are interested in conserving, restoring and creating wildflower meadows, from a meadow in the garden to many acres in the landscape. Whilst this started on Dartmoor, there is now a Blackdown Hills group on their forum. Joining is free if you are interested. Access their forum here

Go Wild at Home…
The Saving Devon’s Treescapes and Devon Harvest Mouse projects have teamed up to provide a free online training session! Learn about harvest mouse ecology, how they make their beautiful nests and where to look for them! Online on the 11th of February…Book your tickets here.

Last week it was the turn of the birds
Due to COVID restrictions preventing them from running the usual survey in their own gardens, this week the National Trust has launched a garden flower count survey running from Friday 12 – Monday 15 February in private gardens. Access the survey  here

Axminster Food Bank
We are so lucky to continue to receive many generous donations each week, and we are grateful to everyone in the local community and businesses for helping us to help others. Thank you also to all who support us through the Reaching Community Fund.
Here is our list of requirements this week if you are able to help:-

• Tinned Peas and Carrots.
• Large & small tins of Potatoes
• Large Tins of Corned beef and Ham
• Tinned Fruit
• Boxes of Tea Bags
• Jars of Marmalade

We are always grateful to receive Carrier Bags for Life
You can donate food in the Axminster Tesco and Co-Op Stores or directly to the Foodbank.
Foodbank opening hours for collection or donations are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10.00 – 13.00 at the Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre, Chard Street, Axminster EX13 5DZ. For all enquiries please call 01297 32331 or email info@axminsterwellbeing.com.

Axminster Medical Practise
2,346 of our registered patients have now received at least their 1st COVID vaccination. This is 19.1% of our entire practice population. That compares favourably to the rest of England where 15.5% of the population have received a first jab.
We have a further 675 vaccinations booked in this weekend, facilitated by 22 surgery staff working overtime.
Organising these clinics is very difficult as we often do not know when we will receive our next vaccine batch until a few days before it arrives. Once it arrives we only have 4 days to use it. This gives us a very short window to book patients in and leaves our patients in the dark as to when they can reasonably expect to be called. Hopefully this will improve as the vaccine supply becomes more consistent and we start to receive regular, reliable deliveries.
As always, thank you for understanding the pressure that Axminster Medical Practice is under at the moment. Thank you for the kindness shown to our staff – right now they really do need and deserve it.
SOME MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have X condition and am X years old, when will I receive my vaccination?
Unfortunately, we just can’t say. It all depends on how quickly we receive vaccine supply. As soon as we receive a batch, we deliver it to patients and it is all gone in a matter of days. We do not waste any doses. Please do not contact the surgery to ask when you will get an appointment, there is nothing we can do to speed it up, and in fact it may slow us down by taking valuable time away from our administrators to respond. Rest assured that if you are on a priority group, we already know as it is on your medical record, and you will be contacted as soon as you are next in line.
How will I be contacted?
At the moment we are calling patients directly +/- sending a letter in the post. We are likely going to move to sending out text invitations in the next week or so. You will receive a text from AxminsterMP addressed with your name, with a link to an nhs.me or nhs.uk website. On that site you can view all available clinics and book in for a time that suits you. If you do not have a mobile phone, or do not know how to use it, please do not worry. We will still be calling all patients who do not have a mobile or who have not responded to the text invite.
Where will my vaccination take place?
We are running clinics in the surgery and Seaton Hospital. We are unable to give patients a choice.
Which vaccination will I receive?
The simple answer is, it doesn’t matter. They both work. We can’t tell ahead which we will be receiving and we can’t offer patients choice of vaccine.
I am waiting for minor surgery/joint injection/coil etc, when will I be called in?
We have paused minor surgery during lockdown but as soon as we can get back up and running we will be contacting patients to book them in. Joint injections and coils are still running so if you are on the waiting list please just be patient.

Do you know your NHS Number?
If you don’t, but have internet access you can find it using this link
You might need it to make an appointment to have that jab.

And finally
It’s a black and white picture from the orchard at Toehill, courtesy of Iain, Robert and Sophie

3/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Update on missing John Scurr
Sadly, the body of a man has been found by police divers in the River Otter at Weston, near Honiton.
His death is not being treated as suspicious. Formal identification is yet to be carried out.
The family of missing man John Scurr from Honiton have been made aware of the update.

Village Car Park
Work is due to start on re-roofing the school next week, and the contractors will be storing equipment and materials in the village car park behind barriers. The southern end of the village car park (by the siren) will therefore be out of bounds until April 6th, and has been cordoned off.

Big Garden Birdwatch
Haycroft’s readings.
Blackbird                4
Blue tit                   3
Chaffinch                3
Coal tit                   2
Dunnock                3
Goldfinch                6
Great tit                 4
Greenfinch              1
Long tailed tit         2
Robin                     2
Wood pigeon          2
Nuthatch                2
Blackcap                1
Siskin                     3
Crow                      2
Bullfinch                 3
Pheasant                3
Great spotted
woodpecker            2

Clap for Captain Sir Tom Moore
The Prime Minister will lead a national round of applause for the life and inspirational fund-raising work of Captain Sir Tom Moore at 6p.m. tonight.

EAST DEVON NEW LOCAL PLAN
Have your say at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/newlocalplan

Bay Tree House
Sharon Steadman is creating raised beds and is after some topsoil – can anyone help her out? Email her if you can help, or know someone who can.

Mobile Library
The Mobile library will not be coming to Membury on Fridays for a while yet. Axminster Library will put books together for you if you ring them beforehand (01297 32693) to tell them what sort of books you are after so they can gather them together. They are open from 10-12am on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Please don’t forget to take your Library card with you and please wear a face mask!

Tuckers Take-away
Sunday Roast, ring 01404 881342 to order by Friday, collect Sunday 7th between 11am and 12.30pm. All £10 per person, and served with the usual trimmings including cauliflower cheese! Plum crumble and custard is only an extra £4.

• Slow roast belly of pork with stuffing and crispy crackling
• Slow roast silverside of beef
• Three cheese Wellington

Midweek take away Wednesday to Saturday this week. All £8

• Crispy Peking duck
• Low carb grilled jerk chicken breast
• Slow cooked shin of beef stew
• Baked crab, smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli
• Vegan beetroot and lentil curry

Valentines Tapas – collect 12th – 14th £6 each or 4 for £20

• Trio of breads and oils
• Garlic king prawns
• Garlic and rosemary stuffed individual camembert
• Mini Tuckers belly welly
• Antipasto board
• Mixed seafood paella
• One pot chicken biryani
• Vegan enchiladas
• Beef brisket stroganoff
• Hoi sin duck stir fry
• Tartiflette
• Vegan chargrilled pear and roast potato salad
• Hot chocolate churros
• Individual fresh blackberry and elderflower trifle
• Selection of west country cheeses

And Finally, …
Claire and Adrian of Middlemoor, up behind Sandbanks have sent me this beautiful snow drop image. Every day the snowdrops in the village are getting better and better.

2/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Special avian edition (with somewhere for them to frolic, and a tree for them to perch on).
Here are some other results of the Big Garden Birdwatch

	Rock Farm	Wild Thyme	Goodmans	Bay Tree House	Goddards
Wood pigeon	2	1	2	1	2
Robin	2	3	1	3	2
Blue tit	4		4	6	4
Coal tit	3			2	4
Chaffinch	2				4
Jackdaw	2
Song thrush	1
Nuthatch	2		1		2
Great tit	3	1			4
Green woodpecker	1
Dunnock	2		2		2
Blackbird	2	1	1	5	2
Stock dove	1
Goldfinch	2			6	4
Long tailed tit	2		2	4	4
Grey wagtail		1
Pheasant		1			1
Sparrow		2		4
Wren		1		1	1
Moorhen			2
Mallard			2
Crow			1
Rook			2
Starling			1	1
Siskin				3
Great Spotted Woodpecker				1	1
Marsh tit					1

Otterford Bird Boxes
Otterford Parish Council ran a project last year where they constructed and distributed bird boxes free of charge to parishioners. In the end they made nearly 30 standard boxes, and a few owl boxes. Some were distributed in kit form for families to assemble, and some were distributed ready-made.
This year they plan to make bug hotels and distribute them the same way.
Would Membury be interested in such a scheme? If so we’ll need some volunteers to make the boxes, some to help put them up, and – if possible – someone to donate the wood necessary.
Please let me know if you are interested in a box or can help – it’ll soon be nesting time!

Moor Meadows
Free Zoom talk tomorrow (Wednesday) entitled “Why Meadows Matter, and why we need more of them” by Stephen Moss, one of Britain’s leading nature writers, broadcasters and wildlife television producers who speaks on the loss of wildflower meadows and why we need to recreate this important wildlife habitat. Click here for more information, and to book

At Long Last …
Phantom has been caught on camera. These pictures were published on the Chard and Ilminster U3A Facebook Group. There was no attribution, but the pictures are simply magnificent. They were taken at Chard Reservoir on January 30^th. The first picture gives some idea of the size of the beast, pictured as it is with two magpies in attendance.

Suzie’s Spot
Taken up near Godworthy Farm

1/2/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Help Wanted
Help us brighten up the walls at the Post Office in Axminster town and at the same time raise money for the local food banks.
We would love for all the children in Axminster and surrounding areas to colour / design us a stamp to be displayed on our walls.
For each stamp handed back into The Post Office we will donate 20p to the local food banks (up to £100)
Templates can be picked up in store and we are open:
Mon – Fri   9.00am – 17.30pm
Sat            9.00am – 13.00pm

Butcher’s Lane
Wow. That’s all I can say. If you haven’t experienced the wonderful new surface yet, be prepared for a treat. If all the roads in Membury were like that, punctures would be a thing of the past!

Sewing by Lydia
Lydia Hartnell spends half her time saving lives as a nurse in Bristol, and the other half of her life sewing masks, scrunchies, bibs, headbands and bunting. You can find her range on Etsy here and I’m sure she’ll take on specific commissions as well.

Email phishing
I had an email today purporting to be from a fine upstanding distinguished parishioner.
The email simply read “Hi Daniel, Are you free at the moment? There is something I need your assistance with, send me a quick reply if you are.” Inspecting the email showed that the address it came from was not the one that this person usually uses when they send me an email. I contacted the alleged sender who denied all knowledge. Just be careful

Big Garden Birdwatch
The Symingtons’ knew what they were doing when the landscaped the garden here. Not only did they plant trees and shrubs where the birds could gather with a degree of protection and we could watch from the comfort of the conservatory, but they left us some fantastic feeders from which about a kilo of sunflower hearts a day are eaten (and spilled).
Yesterday we had:
Siskin                6
Goldfinch           18
Blackbird            8
Sparrow             9
Wood pigeon      2
Blue tit              2
Chaffinch           6
Dunnock            4
Greenfinch         8
Great tit             2
Coal tit              1
Collared dove     3
Robin                2
Fieldfare            4
Magpie              1

Tomorrow I’ll publish results from other people if they’d care to share them – I’ve had a couple already.

A recipe from Patricia
Take one egg. Use the volume of the egg as your measure. Or if you break the egg neatly in half, two half egg shells would equate to the measure.
Break the egg into a bowl and add equal measures of sugar, oil and orange juice as per egg measure.
Beat to combine and add self-raising flour. You are not going to measure the flour but you need to add this at the rate of about half a cupful at a time till your dough is ready. The dough must not be sticky but not should it be over dry , it needs to be soft and pliable as you are going to turn pieces of the dough into little rings.
Prepare a sugar syrup with a cup of sugar and a cup of water and boil till it is slightly thickened .
Prepare a pan with at least two inches of oil and when hot enough to fry a little piece of the pastry in so that it floats to the top , reduce the heat slightly and start making little rings of pastry by rolling a piece of dough into a small snake and joining the two ends. Drop into the hot oil and fry , turn over so both sides are nice and brown.
Fry a few at a time. Drain on kitchen towel .
Once they are all cooked dip into the syrup and arrange on a plate.
These can be prepared in twenty minutes so are a great standby if you can’t be bothered to light the oven to make a cake or scones for tea .
You can sprinkle with hundreds and thousands if you want to
For the record the original recipe is for two eggs plus double the rest of the ingredients, but this has been halved out of consideration for your wellbeing because you will want to scoff the lot.

Membury Mercury Deadline
This coming Friday (5th) is the deadline for articles for the Mercury – please send them to mbrymcry@gmail.com as soon as possible. Don’t forget that the editors are looking for short biographies to include in this issue – of newcomers who have recently arrived and from old timers who’ve been here a while.

River Cottage Supper Club
River Cottage is offering interesting meals for £20 per head available for collection every Saturday between 11 and 1pm. Book on their website.
The menu for this Saturday is as follows:
To start

• Organic roasted crown prince squash, apple & chilli soup with River Cottage organic wholemeal & sunflower seed sourdough

• Organic River Cottage chunky beef cottage pie topped with cheesy mashed potatoes OR
• Organic red fox pea, root vegetable & spinach cottage pie topped with cheesy mashed potatoes

Both served with

• Organic English lentils, pickled veg & green herbs
• Cabbage, kimchi & spring onion salad
• Spiced roasted parsnips with coriander

And for pudding

• Organic sundried apricot & ginger syrup steamed sponge with organic creamy River Cottage yoghurt

Is it curtains for Membury?
Meredith writes: “Before I consign them to charity I was wondering if you knew anyone who is looking for curtains – see below.  There are 4 of them – 2 pairs – each curtain 200cm (6ft 6ins) long, 120cm (4ft) wide 100% cotton fully lined with gathered tops (hooks) made by Laura Ashley. They need a house that is grander than mine! They even have their own tie-backs.”
Contact Meredith directly (Meredithsassonn11@hotmail.com) if you want them.

30/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

It’s the last night of the Pantomime
Oh no it isn’t!
Well it was, last year. Here’s to 2022.

Missing person from Honiton
John Scurr was last seen in Honiton on Sunday 24th.
John is described as being a white male, aged in his early 70s, who is often seen in the area wearing a red jacket and red bobble hat.
Heather Penwarden writes: One of our Memory Café friends has been missing now for several days.  The Search & Rescue are out again today but if everyone could pass it on to remain vigilant in their own immediate area that would be very helpful.  Any bits of information no matter how small should be reported to the police on 101 quoting log number 709/27012021

As you might imagine we have a lot of Honiton Memory Café friends and volunteers who are very fond of John and levels of concern amongst them is very high.  He has no local family or any that he has a relationship with so we are his family.

Wildlife Watch activities sheets
You can download loads of brilliant activity sheets to help make masks, for colouring in, to help spotters, and lots of other things here but if its birds identification you are after …

Axminster Medical Practise
COVID VACCINATION UPDATE
We have been working hard to vaccinate patients as soon as we receive vaccine supply. So far 1,690 of our patients have received at least their 1st dose of vaccine (13.8% of our practice population).
Thank you so much to all those who have received your vaccine. So far we have not had a single patient not attend an appointment without good reason, and we have not had to waste any vaccine. Please let us continue this trend and not let any of this precious resource go to waste.
Some patients may start receiving invitations by letter to attend Taunton or Exeter hubs to receive their vaccine, particularly healthcare workers. You are very welcome to take up this opportunity, or wait to be invited to be vaccinated by us. We cannot tell you which wil be quickest. If you do attend the hub for your 1st vaccine you will need to return there for your 2nd.
There have been concerns raised about fraudulent emails offering COVID vaccinations. You will NEVER be asked to share your bank details, and there is NO CHARGE for the COVID vaccine. More information about who to trust is available here: https://www.nhs.uk/…/coronav…/how-you-will-be-contacted/
For those with active mobile numbers on their medical record we may start sending invites by text. The text will be signed by Axminster Medical practice and link to a booking website (AccuRx) where you will just need to confirm your date of birth. Do not worry, if you cannot use or access your mobile, or do not have one, we will still be calling to book you in. Everyone will be offered the COVID vaccination, as soon as we possibly can.
For those waiting to hear about your vaccination – please do not contact us asking how long it will be. Please be patient. We are working as fast as we can and will invite you when you are eligible.

Birds in Winter
Need some helping identifying birds? Dartmoor naturalist John Walters has produced a wonderful ‘Birds in Winter’ Buckfastleigh Wildwatch guide. The guide illustrates some of the birds that can be seen around the town during winter but it’s relevant for our area too.

East Devon District Council
Read about January lockdown grants for eligible businesses here.

Devon County Council
Latest update

What to do if you get Covid: the early warning signs that your infection may be “code red”.
Dr Mark Porter has written a really useful article for “The Times” which you can read here

More snowdrops
Taken near Chilson Common by Meredith Sassoon. Spectacular, and they’re not even all out yet!

27/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Waste Bins
It seems that a number of waste bins in the village were not emptied on Monday due to self-isolating staff. An extra collection will take place this Saturday. If you were affected, can you please make sure you leave your bin out in the usual place.

BBC Lifeline Appeal
This appeal will be broadcast at 1:35 on BBC1 on Sunday.
Ovarian Cancer Action is working towards a world where no woman dies of ovarian cancer.
One woman dies in the UK from ovarian cancer every two hours. While other cancers have achieved major improvements in treatment outcomes, ovarian cancer continues to go unrecognised, underfunded, and misdiagnosed. We’re determined to change that.
Rosie, pictured here, is Patricia Bruzon’s sister. Please donate if you are able to.

Rosie, a retired pharmacist from Hertfordshire, unknowingly inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation from her mum, who died of cancer when Rosie was very young. Her aunt was diagnosed with cancer too, this time ovarian, but it wasn’t until her younger sister was also diagnosed with the disease that Rosie was offered genetic testing.
Within eight months of her sister’s diagnosis, Rosie, her two sisters and her daughter had all tested positive for faulty BRCA genes and been diagnosed with cancer.
Around 15% of cases of ovarian cancer are linked to BRCA mutations – this equates to over 1,000 women a year whose lives could potentially be saved. Yet 75% of people have not heard of BRCA genes.
“If only I had known about testing, then my family and I would have been saved so much pain and heartache and the NHS would have saved a small fortune in treatment costs. Hopefully the next generation will have the advantage of genetic testing and advice.”

Announcement from the Axe Vale Show
It is with great disappointment that, as Chairman of the Axe Vale Show, I must communicate that the Committee does not have a high enough level of confidence to make the necessary preparations and commit to the financial investments required to run this year’s Axe Vale Show.
As a non-profit making charity run entirely by volunteers, we would struggle to remain viable if we committed to a 2021 Show and later had to cancel or restrict numbers due to Covid 19 related guidance. The team voted unanimously to cancel the Show and to retain reserves to stage the next Axe Vale Show in June 2022.
Consequently, the 2021 Show, will not take place. It is with great sadness that we announce this decision and would like to thank all those exhibitors and traders, our many helpers and of course the local population, who have supported the Axe Vale Show for many years. As there will be no Show this year, it is also regrettable that there will be no income that we can provide to support local organisations via our charitable grant process.
But, rest assured, we will be back! The next Show is scheduled for June 18th & 19th 2022.
We thank you for your understanding during these unusual times and hope that our community remains safe and healthy.
Simon Hodges Show Chairman

Floodplain Meadows Talk
Interesting talk coming up by the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) and Plantlife on Thursday 28th January, 5.30 – 7pm. It’s a webinar that will discuss the benefits of floodplain meadows, their management and restoration, and share case studies from farmers who manage and have restored floodplain meadows. Register here

A message from ARC
BE BRAVE and take part in ARC’S ZOOM QUIZ NIGHT
Join our Quiz master Andrew Moulding for some fun on Sat 13th Feb at 7:30, –
Register via Admin@arcaxminster.org (put Quiz night in subject line)
You don’t ‘pay’ to enter – but I would hope that all participants would make their donation to Arc’s just giving page – details will be given when you join.
The lucky winner will win a 1 hour family photoshoot with local photographer Suzanne McFadzean (to be completed within 12 months)
So register today – and don’t miss out on the fun – Help us to fundraise for ARC AXMINSTER and keep our charity up and running

And now some more seasonal pictures
The ones of Springfield are from Joanna Strong and Suzie McFadzean has contributed the others.

And finally …
The Membury Patchwork masterminded and produced by Lydia Hartnell is finished. Thank you to all who contributed!

26/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Jam Jars
It’s marmalade season, and there are screw top jam jars available outside the village hall for anyone that wants some.

Holocaust Memorial Day
At 7pm tomorrow the UK HMD event will be streamed here: www.hmd.org.uk/ceremony.
Here is the digital programme for the Ceremony for you to download and follow along on the day.
Our Ceremony will end with a candle lighting moment. As Holocaust and genocide survivors light the commemorative candles on our screens, we are asking you to join in and Light the Darkness with us. Light a candle and place it safely in your window at 8pm on 27 January: to remember those who were murdered for who they were and to stand against hostility in the world today.

Big Garden Birdwatch
Happening this weekend from January 29^th to 31^st. Peer through a window into your garden for an hour and record all the birds you see. If you want to send your figures to me as well as completing the online entry I’ll publish them next week.
There’s all sorts of stuff going on From Saturday 30 January, 9am on YouTube
Here are just a few highlights.
Saturday 10am Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin, live from their garden in the New Forest.
Sunday 10am Notes on Nature Live with special guests Deborah Meaden, Simon Mayo, Mike Dilger and Brigit Strawbridge Howard.

A message from our friends in Yarcombe
We have taken delivery of a number of bare rooted trees which we would like to get planted as soon as possible, ideally starting tomorrow!  We wondered if there is a strapping youngster, possibly a stuck at home university student who would like some physical exercise digging holes. £10/hour cash.
If anyone is interested please call Debbie on 07752 426700
Grovelands Farm, Yarcombe

Woodland Trust
When you are out and about taking your exercise, see how many of these twigs you spot.

Tuckers Arms Takeaway
I’m not going to publish their entire menu this week – let’s just say that for pudding they’ve got butterscotch bread and butter pudding with custard for four quid. Who can resist it?

 Snowy Images
These ones were contributed by Richard Challis, Jan Lazar and Beth Upchurch. More from Suzie tomorrow

23/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Just a short message today but it’s good news!

Elizabeth van der Byl, after four and a half months in hospital finally returned home to Heath Common today. Welcome back Liz!

And just a couple more pictures, snowdrops from Kerstin Langdon and mimosa from Janet Andrew

22/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

100 Club – an update
David Neill will be round to distribute the prize money off to the winners in the next few days. It’ll be in cash if you can remember what cash is! He’ll also be trying to recruit a few more gamblers wishing to risk a shilling or two.

Holocaust Memorial Day
Celebrated on January 27^th every year, and for the first time this year it is being streamed live. It is a very moving ceremony that I have been involved with for several years. The ceremony takes place at 7pm, and you are invited to light a candle and display it in your window at 8pm that night. For more information, an to register, click HERE

Membury Mercury:
The copy and photograph deadline for the Spring edition of the Mercury is Friday, February 5th, which gives you just 2 weeks to craft those sparkling articles and lovely pictures depicting news, views and interests, and sending them to the NEW Mercury e-mail: mbrymcry@gmail.com. (Please do not send them to the old one, as it no longer exists.)
Please don’t forget our new “Who’s Who” column to facilitate the acquaintance of  established residents with newcomers to the village, and VICE VERSA. Thank you to those new residents who have so far responded, but we need some complimentary input from established residents, too. Limit it to 300 words, please, but as well as name and house name, you can include where you came from, what you do/did for a living, why you came to Membury, and perhaps why you stayed. Attach a photograph, if you feel it would be useful. We plan to make this just the beginning of a series, so if you can’t get it done before the deadline for this issue, we can include it in a later one, though we would like this feature to get off to a good start, so at least think about it!
Thanking you for your continuing support,
The Mercury team.

Need help paying for fuel?
Citizens Advice are working on behalf of Devon County Council to help Devon residents in need by providing vouchers for fuel costs, top up smart meters online or make payment to online fuel accounts.
Please contact us.
enquiries@citizensadviceeastdevon.org
01395 265070
03444 111 444
www.citizensadviceeastdevon.org

Snow and Ice
There is a yellow warning of snow and ice in place for tonight and early tomorrow, and another more serious one in place for Sunday all day. It’s going to be a cold weekend. I believe that the road from Star Cross is due to be gritted on Saturday morning which should help, but please take care. If necessary, and if you are able to, please consider spreading grit on the road outside your property. All our grit bins are adequately stocked, but bear in mind that you only need about a tablespoonful per square metre, and the grit is not for use on your own driveway.
The County Council is reminding people of the following advice:

• Avoid overnight travel unless absolutely essential as roads will always be more hazardous at night with less traffic and colder temperatures;
• Never assume a road has been salted. Remember that showers or rain will wash salt off roads leaving them prone to ice, and in extreme cold even salting will not stop ice from forming;
• Allow additional time for your journey;
• Reduce your speed and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front;
• Drive with care and according to the conditions.

Who ate all the pies?
It might be you!
Lyme Regis Butchers has a slightly odd deal running at the moment, and is offering free delivery within 20 miles. Buy four pies and pasties for a tenner, and get a free chicken. Go HERE if you are tempted.

Prescriptions
Please take note of what to do if you need a prescription from Axminster Medical Practise. Following this system will save unnecessary journeys, and helps the dispensary as well.

• Order the prescription online or by phone by Friday for collection the following Thursday.
• Contact the Membury Support Group (memburysg@gmail.com or 01404 819145) and provide your address, date of birth, whether you are isolating and whether or not the prescription contains controlled or refrigerated drugs
• Pick up your drugs from the village hall from about noon on the following Thursday, unless you are either isolating or expecting controlled drugs. In these circumstances your prescription will be delivered to you.
• If someone collects your prescription before Thursday, please let the support group know WITHOUT FAIL to avoid a potentially unnecessary trip, and time being wasted at the dispensary looking for something that had already been collected.

Heath Common
One of the residents of Heath Common is having problems with their television set. Since Tuesday, between 5pm and 8am the following morning, their set goes haywire, making it impossible to watch. It is likely that this is due to something faulty in the vicinity emitting electromagnetic radiation. If this is affecting you, or you can shed any light on the problem please contact me.

Axe Vale and District Conservation Society
Read their latest newsletter HERE and if you don’t already do it, consider supporting them

East Devon District Council updates
For Residents
For Businesses

Snowdrops and other things
More topical images for you. Photographs from Lawrence Clarke, Drew Yapp, Sandra Capper and Me. Mike Capper was being apparently being sent to clear the drains

20/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

100 Club – First draw results
Thank you to everyone who has bought tickets for Membury’s version of El Gordo. I am delighted to report that we have sold 93 tickets, and if you cannot resist, it’s still not too late to invest and enter the remaining 11 draws.
Today is the first of 12 draws, and over the year we will pay out prize money of £540 and at the same time provide support (you do the maths!) to the Mercury and village projects and activities in these difficult times.
Whilst Covid persists I am using a random number generator to select the numbers, but I hope I am able to revert to a more traditional method by the summer.

The first winners of 2021 are :

£25 FIRST PRIZE       Sue and Paul Nicholson
£10 SECOND PRIZE   Monica and Jim Gallantree
£ 5  THIRD PRIZE      Trina and David Noyes

Congratulations to you all!

Happy birthday Nat!
Today is Natalio Bruzon’s 80th birthday. He’ll be celebrating when he can – until then, we’ll have to make do with a picture of him practising celebrating.

Found dog
The dog found wandering near Yarty yesterday was swiftly identified and reunited with his owner. Thank you to all who helped in the process and who expressed concern for the dog.

Thank you
After her return from hospital, Anne Sheppard wants me to let you know that she really appreciates the kindness that has been shown to her, the flowers and cards, absolutely marvellous.

Butcher’s Lane
Butcher’s Lane will be closed to through traffic from Friday for a week for some serious road patching works. While on the subject of roads, the rusted posts no longer supporting signs on the Greentown Road are due to be replaced, as is the sign at Four Cross with the width limit on it.

A message from the Police and Crime Commissioner
The Devon & Cornwall Office of Police and Crime Commissioner has circulated the following link so members of the public in England and Wales so they can  report suspected Covid-19 breaches to the police.
https://www.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/c19/v7/tell-us-about-a-possible-breach-of-coronavirus-covid-19-measures/
The received reports are passed onto the appropriate police force.
These links may be useful to inform people as to how Devon and Cornwall Police interpret and recommend people should interpret the rules
Devon & Cornwall Police Covid links and information including the national reporting portal and FAQs
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/covid-19-coronavirus/
or direct to Devon & Cornwall Police Covid FAQs
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/covid-19-coronavirus/covid-19-faqs/

Snowdrops
Following my request for images of the wonderful snowdrops in the village I have these offerings from John Steadman (Bay Tree House) and Sandra Capper.

Mrs Mac’s Spot
Follow my leader

18/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Hurry! Hurry!
Firstly, a big thank you to all who have purchased one or more numbers, but for those of you still thinking about it, there are only two more days to the first 100 Club draw. Remember ALL the money raised goes to support village activities! You could be the first to win a prize.
Please pay by BACS to MEMBURY MERRYMAKERS sort code 30-90-37
account number 01560859 adding 100club and your name and initials as a reference, or by cash to David Neill at Hope Cottage (just behind the Village Hall). Monthly prizes of £25, £10 and £5.

Axminster Medical Practise
There has been some conjecture within the community regarding the roll out of the Coronavirus, Covid-19 vaccine. Firstly, we need to point out that the practice is working 7 days a week to provide the continued GP services alongside the vaccination programme.
The practice has vaccinated a significant percentage of at risk patients using both Pfizer and Oxford/AZ vaccines and we can assure you that there is a programme in place for the immunisation of all over 80s, registered with the AMP, by 23 January 2020.
The government has made its vaccination roll-out priorities clear and AMP are working to these priorities.
The communication method is that the practice will contact you to offer you a vaccination date. Looking at the success and efficiency of this method over the recent months for both the flu vaccine and the more recent Covid-19 vaccine, there is no need to consider changing it. So, people will be contacted; a) in line with the government’s priorities, which are listed below, and b) the availability of the vaccine. The latter is not within the control of AMP.
Please also be aware that the vaccine may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
Be patient and do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe.
Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the order of priority for the coronavirus vaccination is:
1. residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3. all those 75 years of age and over
4. all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. all those 65 years of age and over
6. all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
7. all those 60 years of age and over
8. all those 55 years of age and over
9. all those 50 years of age and over

Flooding
We are expecting a lot of rain between now and Thursday as Storm Christoph batters us. We are planning a test of the siren sometime in the next few weeks one Saturday morning at 9:30. I’ll make sure that you get plenty of warning. For now, please just make sure that your boards (if you have them) or sandbags are ready to deploy, listen to the forecasts, and follow these emails.

Beckford Bridge
From Liz the Engineer …
The current delay to works on site is due to the fact that since we have decided to raise the bridge, the next stage of work here will be installing precast beams to raise the height of the abutments and pier. These need to be designed and constructed off site before they can be installed. We completed the design of these early last week but there is currently a two week lead in time for obtaining reinforcing steel, hence we have asked the contractor to stand down on site for the time being until these beams are nearly ready. Unfortunately, there is little else they can do effectively and efficiently on site at the moment without access over the river, so it makes the most economical sense at this stage to stand down.

The Woodpecker
Eileen Powell writes …
The green woodpecker is working hard as a pest controller. The grub in the picture looks large and quite dark and is probably a leatherjacket (larvae of crane flies / daddy longlegs), which eat plant roots. The birds would also eat chafer larvae which also live in and damage lawns, but these are smaller cream coloured and c-shaped.

If you are quick …
The Coop in West Street is flogging mince pies dates 1st February for 1p per pack!

Snowdrops
During our first winter in Membury the sheer quantity and beauty of the snowdrops around the village quite took our breath away. No one has sent me any pictures of snowdrops yet this year …
If you send me a good picture, I promise you immortality on the internet!

A few General reminders
We’ve had several new arrivals in the parish recently – welcome all! – and I get quite a few emails asking where certain information can be found, so I thought I’d put together a bit of a reminder email

Neighbourhood Plan
About a year ago our Neighbourhood Plan was adopted by East Devon District Council, and is now being taken into account when considering all planning applications. This was voted for by a large percentage of the parishioners. If you haven’t seen it, you can find it HERE – or if you prefer you can borrow a printed copy of it – just reply to this email and I’ll get one to you.

Facebook Group
You may wish to join the Membury Support Group Facebook Group. You can find it HERE. It is a closed group, so anything you post can only be seen by other members of the group. We currently have just over 100 members

Totally Local Axminster
A list of all the businesses in Axminster, and how they are serving people during the current lockdown. Find it HERE

The village website
I can’t pretend there is much happening on the village website at the moment – but as rules are relaxed THIS is where you’ll find out what is going on at the hall and what the Merrymakers are up to.

The Parish Council website
The Parish Council has its own website which you can find HERE. Here you can find information about how the council works, council meetings and records of council business, as well as an easy link for reporting potholes and other road anf flooding issues.

Membury Mercury
The next issue is due out at the beginning of March, and contributions are requested by February 5^th. Email your offerings to mbrymcry@gmail.com

Fish and chips
Always at the village hall on the third Saturday of the month. £6 per portion, £1 extra for mushy peas or curry sauce. Let Jill know a few days before if you want to order some jill-folletts@outlook.com

Local pubs
Both the Kings Arms in Stockland (01404 881686) and the Tuckers Arms (01404 881342) in Dalwood are providing meals for collection. The Kings Arms is doing meals on Fridays and Sundays, and the Tuckers Arms is doing meals every day apart from Mondays and Tuesdays. You’ll find their menus on Facebook, or on their own websites. I can recommend both.

Other restaurants offering deliveries
The following restaurants are offering free delivery to Membury if the order is over £20 or thereabouts. If you can add to this list, please let me know.
Le Pisani, Axminster Italian/Maltese 01297 631697 or 07809 282760
Cinnamons, Axminster Indian 01297 631 175 or 01297 631 185
Safar, Axminster Indian 01297631607
Old Inn, Kilmington Pizza 01297 32096

16/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

A Farewell to Membury
After forty four years of living at Rock house in Membury, sadly, Father Time persuaded us to leave to be closer to our respective families in Hinton St George  and cross over the border into Somerset. I have many, many happy memories of Membury as does Jenny and we would like to take this opportunity of thanking everybody., too many to mention individually, for their companionship and their kindness to us over the many years. A special mention though must go to Nick and Josée, neighbours for over forty years, especially for their enthusiasm at many a New Year’s Eve parties in Rock. What fun they were and going on into the early hours of the morning.

We will miss you all but we may cross the border to check up on you all every now and again. In the meantime, we wish you all good luck and health in Membury

All the very best

Dan and Jenny Jaffé

PS There are two good pubs nearby, the Lord Poulett and the Dinnington Docks. When COVD disappears I could be enticed to meet you at one of them for a tipple.Our phone number is 01460 78696.

Nick Yool adds:
After a particularly “enthusiastic” New Year celebration at Rock House, for some reason we suddenly developed an urgent need to remember what the 7 deadly sins were – probably to work out how many we had broken. We had the bright idea at 3 am of banging on the door of the unfortunate vicar who lived at Rock Cottage up the road to ask him.
A head appeared out of a bedroom window and we were told, remarkably politely, that he was not prepared to discuss the matter at that hour. When Dan eventually surfaced the next day a note had been put through the letterbox – listing the 7 deadly sins!

Guess who now qualifies for the vaccine?
Your correspondent wishes Mike Bell a very happy 80th birthday today. He was one of the first people in the village to give us a proper welcome including scones, and he plays a mean game of bridge.

Green Woodpeckers
From Tony Marsh.
I used to think that the time to see them in the garden was feeding on ants during warm August days, but the enclosed photos taken last Wednesday morning, show that they probe for insects on the lawn through the year. The hint of red on the stripe below the eye suggests that this is a male. It’s hard to see exactly what he’s got in his beak, but he spent half-an-hour probing deeply- as deep as the eye. Any ideas what he is digging for, anyone?

“O! That way madness lies.”
King Lear Prizes is a national creative arts competition for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest round of the competition has just opened to entries, and is running from January to 19th March 2021.
You may be interested in hearing about the competition, which is specifically for amateurs and beginners who are over the age of 65.
The competition accepts entries in poetry, real stories (short stories from people’s lives), art and musical performance, and there are over £2,000 of prizes on offer. The winners will be picked by our panel of expert judges including Gyles Brandreth and Julian Lloyd Webber.

You can find more on their website which gives more information about the competition and the organisation which runs it! https://www.kinglearprizes.org.uk.

13/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips – Reminder
The fish and chip van will be making its customary monthly visit to the car park this Saturday (16^th) at 6pm. Please note that the price has risen to £6 per portion to bring it in line to all surrounding villages – it’s still brilliant value though!
Please order from Jill on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com
Observe the usual queuing rules, wear a mask and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Who wants to be a millionaire?
This won’t be the last reminder I publish inviting you to get your 100 club ticket ahead of the first draw on the 20^th. Each number is £10 for the year
Please pay by BACS to MEMBURY MERRYMAKERS sort code 30-90-37
account number 01560859 adding 100club and your name and initials as a reference, or by cash to David Neill at Hope Cottage (just behind theVillage Hall). Monthly prizes of £25, £10 and £5. If you win the top prize each month it will only take 3,333 years to reach £1,000,000!

Another song for our times
This one was written in 1952 – that is nearly 70 years ago, but it is really rather current!
I got it from Agnes, words and music by Tom Lehrer

VERSE:
I love my friends
And they love me
We’re just as close
As we can be
And just because
We really care
Whatever we get
We share!

CHORUSES:
I got it from Agnes
She got it from Jim
We all agree it must have been Louise who gave it to him
Now, she got it from Harry, who got it from Marie ·
And everybody knows that Marie —-
Got it from me!

Giles got it from Daphne
She got it from Joan
Who picked it up in County Cork, a-kissin’ the Blarney Stone
Pierre gave it to Sheila, who must have brought it there
He got it from Francois and Jacques, aha! —
Lucky Pierre!

Max got it from Edith Who gets it every spring
She got it from her Daddy, who just gives her everything
She then gave it to Daniel, whose spaniel has it now
Our dentist even got it, and we’re still —-
Wondering how!

But I got it from Agnes
Or maybe it was Sue
Or Millie or Billie or Gillie or Willie, it doesn’t matter who
It might have been at the pub, or at the club, or in the loo
And if you will be my friend, then I might
Mind you, I said “might”
Give it to you!

Milk update
There hasn’t been much demand for regular milk deliveries this time round, so for the moment these won’t be going ahead. If the weather gets drastically worse, or the rules change we may revisit this idea

Like a Bridge
Over troubled water – that’s Beckford. I bring you good news and bad news.
First, the bad news – work is likely to go on until the end of February, or maybe even longer.
Now the good news – The engineer driving the project has decided that build up of debris over the pre Christmas storms was considerably greater than had been anticipated or planned for. As a result, they have decide to raise the level of the bridge by half a metre. This is exactly what we were hoping for, and ought to result in many trouble-free years. Let’s hope the weather over the next few weeks is reasonable to allow good progress. I’ll post progress reports as I get them.

Suzie’s Spot
Mrs Mac is getting a regular slot in the email update from now on!

10/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
The fish and chip van will be making its customary monthly visit to the car park this Saturday at 6pm. Please note that the price has risen to £6 per portion to bring it in line to all surrounding villages – it’s still brilliant value though!
Please order from Jill on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com
Observe the usual queuing rules, wear a mask and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

A Song for our times from Nat Bruzon
To The Tune of “Let’s Do it, Let’s fall in Love”.

Bob’s had it, Jane’s had it,
Everybody and their aunt’s had it,
Let’s do it, Let’s have the jab!

Doctors  have it, Porters have it,
Nurses in their PPE have it,
Let’s do it, Let’s have the jab!

Pull up your shirt Bert, this will not hurt, Bert,
You’ll just feel a small prick,
So come again Bert, You’ll still be sane Bert,
Just perhaps slightly sick!

Cobblers have it, Busmen have it,
Even Ministers and Queens have it,
Let’s do it, Let’s have the jab!

Merrymakers have it, Panto Dames have it,
Even Friday coffee folks have it.
Let’s do it, Let’s have the jab!

Singers have it, tutors have it,
Even people with the hiccups have it,
Let’s do it, Let’s have the jab!

———————————–

This could go on forever! Can you add a verse?
All contributions will be added on and the whole thing can perhaps be performed by the Raucous Chorus, Richard permitting, of course, (!!) when better times arrive. (Nat.)

Old Dairy Kitchen at Trill
Our Warmth of India Feast menu will transport us to some of our favourite regions of this vast and vibrant nation using the finest spices combined with ingredients closer to our doorstep. Order by Wednesday the 27th to have your Feast delivered locally (£5 charge applies), or collect it from the farm for free on Friday the 29th of January.
Order your feast here
WARMTH OF INDIA FEAST FOR COLLECTION OR DELIVERY 29 JANUARY 2021

• Masala Dosa, sambar & coconut chutney
• Smoked trout, crab & seabeet samosa, spiced onions & dill
• Venison Galouti kebab, peanut, mint & blood orange salad
• Grilled winter vegetables with fresh turmeric, poppy seed & pickled raisins
• Bombay potatoes & winter raita
• Orange & almond milk cake, salted caramel & saffron custard

Pair this menu with some delicious beer from Gilt & Flint – made only a mile away, their Belgian IPA is perfect for spiced dishes. Add some to your order for collection or delivery.

Devon and Cornwall Police
Leaving your home to exercise is fine to do, but please remain local and walk or cycle if you can. Help reduce pressure on frontline services.
Info on our FAQs page: DC.Police.uk/covid-19-faq

Tuckers Arms, Dalwood
Wednesday 13^th to Saturday 16^th January. Collect from the pub 11:am or 5:30pm. Order 24 hours in advance on 01404 881342. All mains £8, pudding £4

• Low fat, dairy free “butter” chicken curry – mild curry made with coconut milk full of protein filled greens served with steamed white rice
• Crockpot sausage casserole served with mashed potatoes
• Creamy leek and mixed fish gratin – creamy chunky white fish topped with cheese and sliced potatoes, served with crusty bread
• Vegan cauliflower and red pepper stroganoff – low fat, dairy free served with white rice
• Steak and ale pie in shortcrust pastry served with mashed potatoes, pesa and gravy
• Lemon curd sponge and custard

9/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Message from ACER
Find out who is still trading through lockdown via the Totally Locally Axminster lockdown traders list which you can view here.
If you are accessing the list on your mobile phone, scroll right to see more contact information and a description of the services each trader is offering.
If you are a trader and you would like to be added to the list, please get in touch with TLA, by emailing: totallylocallyaxminster@gmail.com
Thank you Totally Locally Axminster for helping to keep people connected with the goods and services they need at this difficult time.

ARC Axminster
From Axminster Nub News
A group of local residents are taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Snowdon to raise funds for an Axminster mental health charity.
As COVID-19 looms like a shadow, a group of individuals local to Axminster under the leadership of coffee shop and fitness fanatic Laurence Norman have decided to “cast some light”.
Sharing a common interest in mental health and an understanding of the huge part ARC, Axminster’s unique local mental health charity, plays in our community, the group intends to embark on a night ascent of Mount Snowdon to make daybreak at the summit – “both a symbolic and physical rise out of the darkness to overcoming the challenge before them”.
With the May flower-moon to aid their steps, the group will embark at 1.45am on May 26 (weather permitting) via the rangers’ track on what is anticipated to be a four-hour ascent of the 1,085 meter high mountain.
Individuals already onboard are from a varying mix of ages, backgrounds, fitness and experience levels.
Amongst confirmed team members is district and county councillor Ian Hall, who will also be using this challenge to bring more awareness to “suicide prevention” as well as supporting arc where he presently is vice-chairman

Cute Puppy Alert
Meet Rufus – the newest resident of the parish – can you guess who owns him?

Golden Plovers
Golden Plovers, exotic midwinter intruders to Bewley Down from the far north. Every January on cold, windless days, we have seen them on recently ploughed and seeded fields, the stonier the better. Stimulated by sharp-eyed David’s report from earlier in the week, and Daniel’s request for an illustrated article, I took my camera out on that cold, dull Friday morning. A challenging assignment. Easily overlooked, very wary, they scurry about like plump rabbits and are best spotted from the car. Golden seems to be a misnomer. But, up closer, even in their dull winter plumage, their dabbled tones really do take on a golden sheen. They have a remarkable ability to disappear, by crouching low on the ground amongst the stones. Hungry buzzards are a looming presence, skulking among the trimmed hedgerows. Then, the entire flock takes off, flying low, surprisingly agile powerful fliers, with long, pointed wings, their white under-wing distinctive through winter’s early afternoon gloom.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Spend an hour January 29th -31st counting the visitors to your garden. Sign up https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/

Go Wild at Home…
We really enjoyed the storytelling evening last year run by Lisa Schneidau. Fun via zoom for all the family!
Join Lisa Schneidau as she takes us to another world through a virtual storytelling, as part of the Saving Devon’s Treescapes project. Find out how ash trees have always been at the centre of change – and why the old stories tell us of hope and renewal. Online on the 25^th of January. Book your free ticket here.

Prescription Clarification
Kim and Alasdair don’t generally deliver refrigerated, only controlled drugs and to those who can’t get to the village hall. There’s no problem with refrigerated items at present with the current temperatures! They need to know, however, as these often get missed, because they are separated from the main prescription.

Membury Sunset
Following Leisa’s sunrise I posted the other day, here is John Hodge’s response with a sunset.

 

7/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Mobile Library
It will come as no surprise that the mobile library will not be visiting the village tomorrow as planned. They may be here on February 5th with their “ring and collect” service – watch out for news here!

Post Office
It’ll definitely be coming to the village tomorrow. Don’t forget your mask!

Prescription Collection
Order your drugs by tomorrow for collection from the Axminster Medical Practise next Thursday. You’ll need to ring the helpline and provide your full name, date of birth and address – and please let us know if your prescription contains controlled or refrigerated drugs – if so it will be delivered to you, otherwise it will be left in the crate outside the hall, unless you are unable to collect it yourself due to shielding.

Phantom
This is a map of where the Phantom has been over the last week …

Membury Dawn
From Leisa Lavender – the picture says it all

Vaccine news
A plea from NHS staff. Please make sure you dig out your NHS number and have a copy of it immediately to hand for when you are called for the COVID jab. This can be a bit of a bottleneck in when it comes to administering the vaccine to as many people as quickly as possible.
You can find your NHS number on any NHS correspondence or through the app

Parish Council Meeting
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the virtual Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held online on Tuesday 12th January 2021 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
Bec Davey
Clerk to the Council

LOGIN – please follow these instructions:
Membury Parish Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
MPC’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 12, 2021 7:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96875866023?pwd=SFNtbENJaWpFTVRGeXlPZXFHZzZMZz09
Meeting ID: 968 7586 6023
Passcode: 964171
Please call the clerk on 01297 24009 if you are having any problems logging in

AGENDA

• Welcome by the Chairman:
• Apologies for Absence:
• Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct: Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any interests either at this stage of the meeting, or as soon as they become aware of the interest. The reason for the declaration must be given, and whether it is a personal or pecuniary interest; any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with
• Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 24th November 2020 as a true record. These will be signed at the next face to face meeting
• County and District Council Reports:
• Highways Matters:
• Police Report:
• Finance: Unless stated otherwise, documents will be signed at the next face to face meeting
  • To approve the financial statement for December 2020
  • To review the third quarter budget:
  • To approve the proposed budget for 2021/2022
  • To approve the precept for 2021/2022
  • To approve the following payments:

HMRC           Clerk’s Tax – October                   BACS  £  81.20
Mrs R Davey Clerks’ Salary – November            BACS  £279.94
JJJ Wallace   Grass Cutting Contract – Dec          STO    £150.00
BT Group          Broadband – December               DD     £  32.40
JJJ Wallace   Ditch Maintenance                     BACS  £  65.00
HMRC           Clerk’s Tax – November                BACS  £  69.80
Mrs R Davey Clerk’s Salary – December            BACS  £279.74
JJJ Wallace   Grass Cutting Contract – January        STO          £150.00
BT Group          Broadband – January                  DD     £  32.40
HMRC           Clerks’ Tax – December                BACS  £  70.00
Mrs R Davey          Stationery                                  BACS  £  69.74
Other payments may arise for payment during the meeting

• • Planning:
    • 20/2367/FUL | Hill View Greendown Axminster EX13 7TD | Construction of proposed single storey extension – Approved
    • 20/2693/FUL & 20/2694/LBC | Luggs Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7TZ | Barn conversion and extension to facilitate use as swimming pool for domestic use with replacement of timber frame with new green oak frame structure (revisions to planning consent 15/1996/FUL)
    • 0/2791/FUL & 20/2793/FUL | Challenger Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7JT | Erection of silage clamp
  • Wall outside the village hall – review quotes:
  • Ash tree near the war memorial:
  • Road at Whitehall Bridge:
  • BHPN MP meeting update; Cllr Lazar:
  • Parish Councillor Reports:
  • Clerks Report:
  • Correspondence:
  • Public Forum:
  • Date of the next Parish Council meeting: 23rd February 2021

Fantastic Opportunity for all – and not a scam!
A gentle nudge to remind those of you who are just about to buy tickets for the 100 club, that you now only have 13 days until the first draw is made.
I would hate to see you miss your chance to win BIG PRIZES!

Stamps
Jan says thanks again for the used stamps in the box at the village hall – please keep them coming!

Membury Primary Academy
Message from the local primary school after concern was raised regarding the school operating as ‘normal’ during this national lockdown.
We are officially closed. However, open to children who are vulnerable/have key worker parents.
We are doing our best in this unsettling time to provide education to all of our children.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this time.
Stay safe,
Miss Upchurch
KS1 teacher – Membury Primary Academy

6/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Who’s Who in Membury
Membury is a friendly community, not only helping each other out, but making newcomers feel welcome: so those of us who have been here a while are devastated that we can’t currently get to know our new neighbours and they can’t get to know us. To this end, it has been suggested that we begin a “Who’s Who” column in the Mercury, with contributions from long-standing residents and newcomers, to help us get to know each other.
Open to all, if you would like to contribute, include such information as your name, the name of your house, where you came from, what you did/do for a living, your family structure, and what you do or would like to do in the village community. Please limit your contribution to 300 words or less, include a photograph, if you would like to, and be part of a new (we hope) regular column.
Copy deadline for the Spring edition of the Mercury is Friday, February 5th, and remember our new e-mail address is mbrymcry@gmail.com

Scam Update
Ron and Judy’s daughter has been warned of a variant of the “vaccine scam” conducted via text message – where you may be asked to “press a button” to acknowledge eligibility. This allegedly may result in a cost.
There are a few scams that require you to push a button on a mobile phone or landline. A good maxim is never to press a button unless you have yourself initiated the call. An exception to this is for those people on the flood siren autodialer who have to acknowledge receipt of the call by pressing the “8” key

Books, jigsaws and games
I’ve had a very positive response to the suggestion that we reinstate the box of fun at the Village Hall. I’ll get a crate down there tomorrow. All donations of puzzles, books and games will be most welcome – but make sure you collect some stuff as well, or the crate will fill up too quickly!

Road repairs and flooding
The potholes between New House Farm and Clarence Cross seem to have been filled, and the blocked drain above Bay Tree House and opposite Hallendale has been reported. Further cold weather is expected, and if the surface water caused by the blocked drain freezes, that corner will be very dangerous. Please take care!

COVID in Yarcombe
The chair of Yarcombe Parish Council has today sent round a message acknowledging a number of people in the village self-isolating having tested positive. The virus is getting ever closer, so please take care, and don’t take liberties with the rules.

Clap for Heroes
Clap for carers is returning on Thursday at 8pm rebranded as clap for heroes.

Devon County Council Update
Read it here

Membury Church
While services are currently in abeyance, the church remains open Sunday & Wednesday from 10 – 2. As soon as we know when we can resume services, it will be announced. Please maintain hands, face & space. For any church matters or spiritual needs, Clive, Debbie and Margaret are available.

Phantom
Phantom was seen over Tolcis today – but still no one has submitted a decent photograph of him. If you go out for a walk, keep your camera or phone on standby please!

No Knees is Good Knees
If there is a 55cm exercise ball gathering dust in a corner of your house, Ali Wigdor would like to borrow one for about 4 to 6 weeks to help with her recuperation after a second knee replacement operation a month ago. The Wigdor’s live at the north end of the parish at Higher Yartyford. Call Ali on 01404 881215 if you can help her out.

Increasing data allowances on mobile devices to support disadvantaged children
This scheme temporarily increases data allowances for mobile phone users on certain networks. This is so that children and young people can access remote education if their face-to-face education is disrupted. Read more about it here

5/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Membury Primary Academy
Membury Primary Academy is closed due to the current lockdown. However, the school remains open for critical workers and vulnerable children. This means that the car park will be being used at 8:45-9:05 and at pick up at 3:30pm each day. The children will not be running through the village, using the park, or using the churchyard for Forest School during the current lockdown so you should not expect to see us during the school day.
Thank you and best wishes,
Danni Donovan

Axminster Young Farmers
The planned collection of retired Christmas trees (9th and 10th) has been cancelled.

Vaccine Scam
Today, we have been alerted to a highly believable scam which starts with a text and advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine and to click on the link in the text message. The user is then led to a webpage, which looks very convincing and asks them to complete some details, in order for them to be able to apply for the vaccine.
The details asked for are:
Name
Address
Date of birth
Proof of address
Card payment details
With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue, as fraudsters continue to take advantage of the rollout to some many people.

East Devon District Council update
Read it here

Golden Plovers
If anyone is getting withdrawal symptoms from not having seen Phantom the Big Bird recently there is large flock of Golden Plovers up above Godworthy Farm visible from the Half Moon. They’ve been there for the last few days.

Books and puzzles
We are thinking of putting crates out by the village hall as we did last spring to allow people to swap jigsaws and books. Who’s up for this?

Masks
Lydia is once again offering great fabric masks at £5 for an adult mask, and £4 for a child mask. Lots of designs available with ties or elastic. Email her for more details l.e.happle@gmail.com

Update from Learn Devon
What better time to start to learn a new skill?
Visit https://www.learndevon.co.uk/ to sign up for one or more of their free courses.

Axminster Medical Practise
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS COVID VACCINATIONS
The following is only applicable to patients registered at Axminster Medical Practice. If you are not registered with us please seek advice from your own medical practice.
We are currently planning our COVID-19 vaccination schedule for health and social care workers and we need to know if you are eligible.
IF YOU WORK IN A RESIDENTIAL OR NURSING CARE HOME, please do not worry, we will arrange a vaccination program directly with your employer and you do not need to do anything.
However, if you do not work in a care home and your work involves providing direct face-to-face health or social care, please let us know by completing an admin eConsult or calling 01297 32126 (Option 1) and advising us of your role and that you would like to be added to the waiting list for vaccination.
Example eligible roles include:
– ancillary staff who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in patient care. This group includes receptionists, ward clerks, hospital porters and cleaners.
– doctors
– dentists
– midwives
– nurses
– vaccinators
– paramedics
– ambulance technicians
– pharmacists
– optometrists
– occupational therapists
– physiotherapists
– radiographers
– funeral operatives and mortuary technicians / embalmers
– workers in residential care for adults and children, supported housing, and also personal assistants and social workers who have face-to-face contact in the course of their duties including child, adult, mental health officer duties and public protection.
– private care workers who provide care to vulnerable people
It includes those working in public, private, third sector and non-standard healthcare settings such as hospices, and community-based mental health or addiction services.
Unpaid carers are not included in this cohort but are still on the priority list and we will be offering vaccinations to you soon. This also includes those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Milk
During the last two lockdown periods Mike and Sandra Capper have kept the tea flowing in the village by picking up milk once a week from Sutton Lucy Dairy, and making it available in the village. They can also supply butter (Patricia Bruzon regards this as very high quality), cream and yoghurt (rated highly by Jenny Beaman.
If anyone would like to take advantage of this could they please contact Suzie directly via mrsmacspics@gmail.com If there is sufficient demand the scheme will be back in action.

Well, it’s not a partridge …
Look what Sue Pittendrigh found in her Christmas tree this morning

 

4/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 3.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Oh no not again!
It’s back to a full lockdown; do not pass go, do not collect £200.
The best thing you can do is STAY AT HOME

The support line is fully back in action as is the prescription collection system. Try to avoid going out shopping unnecessarily, and make sure you keep your distance from other folk. Above all be careful and stay safe

It’s too late for a collection this week, but if you order any prescriptions from the Axminster Medical Practise by Friday they will be collected by our drug runners Alasdair and Kim Bruce the following Thursday. Let us know by email, or by ringing the support number. We’ll need your full name and address, and whether any of the drugs need special handling (refrigerated or controlled). Prescriptions will be delivered to the Village Hall by midday from where they can be collected. If you are unable to collect, let us know and we’ll deliver.

We are awaiting a decision on whether the milk round will restart – it wasn’t very well used during the November lockdown.

Please get in touch with anyone you are aware of who may not see this message via an email, Facebook or the website and make sure they have our phone number.

These are the rules as things stand, as reported by the BBC – but there’ll be further clarification over the next few days

• People cannot leave their homes except for certain reasons, like the first lockdown last March
• These include essential medical needs, food shopping, exercise and work for those who cannot do so from home
• You can exercise in a public outdoor place by yourself, with people you live with or your support bubble, or on your own with one person from another household
• All schools and colleges will close to most pupils from Tuesday with remote learning until February half term
• Early years settings such as nurseries will stay open
• End-of-year exams will not take place this summer as normal
• Elsewhere, most university students should not return to campuses and will be taught online
• Restaurants can continue to offer delivery for food, but takeaway alcohol will be banned
• Outdoor sports venues – such as golf courses, tennis courts and outside gyms – must close
• Amateur team sports are not allowed, but elite sport such as Premier League football can continue

Membury Mercury
Due to technical difficulties, we have had to change the Mercury e-mail address to the following, which should be used to submit contributions and communicate with the editorial team, from now onwards. mbrymcry@gmail.com

King’s Arms
It’s back to the Fish and Chip Fridays, and Sunday Roasts for collection only. Ring them for more details and to order – 01404 881686

3/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Have you bought your ticket yet for the 100 club? Speak to David Neill (helenanddavidneill@icloud.com) and reserve your favourite number now!

Liz van der Byl
Liz van der Byl has been transferred to Sidmouth hospital to continue her recuperation – I’m sure we all wish her a speedy recovery.

Fancy going for a walk?
Sadie and Carey from Rock are looking for people to walk their two well behaved dogs (Collie mix and Jack Russell mix) together a few times per week (once per week day) while they are at work. A generous cash payment awaits! Please contact Sadie on 0404881748 or via sadiepeet@gmail.com

Holocaust Memorial Day
We’re pleased to announce that the UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2021 will be streamed online on 27^th January. This will be our first fully digital commemorative ceremony.
The ceremony will feature personal testimonies from survivors of genocide, films, readings and music. We will really miss being together in person for HMD. Yet the online format enables even more people to join us and learn from genocide for a better future. Behind the scenes, we are working hard to create a special Ceremony for everyone, with survivors at the heart of it all.
Register here to receive information about how to watch the ceremony at 7pm on 27 January. Please share the registration link widely as we’d like as many people as possible to watch the ceremony.
I have played a part in this ceremony as a volunteer for the past four years, and I can confirm that it is always very well put together, and very moving.

Tuckers Takeaway Menu
Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th. Order 24 hours ahead, 01404 881342. Collect at 11:00am or 5:30pm. Mains £8 each, pudding £4

• Japanese style miso chicken, broccoli and mushroom curry served with steamed white rice
• Pork, sage and apple faggots with onion gravy, mashed potatoes and peas
• Mixed fish stew – cod, smoked haddock, plaice and salmon with creamed sliced potatoes in a tomato broth, served with crusty bread
• Vegan Japanese style miso, black bean, chestnut, broccoli and mushroom curry served with steamed rice noodles
• Mustard rarebit, spinach and broccoli hotpot layered with oven browned sliced potatoes and cream, served with garlic bread
• Dark chocolate and cherry flapjack with custard

Rainbow over Membury
From Jeanette Tuck
There’s no point in looking for the pot of gold – I’ve already tried to find it, but I think Jeanette must have got there before me!

1/1/2021 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Happy New Year!

Ice
It was very icy first thing this morning, but much of the frost went quite quickly. There was however a very slippery patch by Clarence Cross. Mike Beaman gritted it yesterday, and Jan, Gen and I gritted it today, but please take care on this stretch of road. There’s more cold weather forecast, so I’ll repeat the request I made a couple of days ago, if you are young and fit please take care of the roads in your vicinity and spread a little happiness (or at least grit).

Axminster Medical Practise
COVID VACCINATION UPDATE
Despite what has been in the news, we can confirm that our vaccination clinic on the 7th January delivering the 2nd dose to patients who had their first dose 2 weeks ago is going ahead as planned. If you have an appointment for the 7th please make sure you attend as it is vitally important that you have the booster for long-term immunity and if you miss it we will not be able to offer you another appointment. The first clinic ran superbly and there were no unexpected failures to attend so thank you for that.
However, after the 7th we will be booking patients in for a single vaccine and there will be a longer period before receiving an appointment for the booster (probably about 11 weeks). The first jab will provide significant immunity after a period of time but it is still essential that everyone follows the rules appropriate to the Tier that we are in.
On Wednesday an Axminster Medical Practice team went into Silverleigh nursing home and vaccinated every resident and many of the staff. We expect to follow up very soon with the rest of the care homes in our patch.
There is lots to be positive about. Unfortunately, the situations in our local hospitals in Exeter and Taunton are pretty dire. The Intensive Care Units are full with COVID patients, wards are closed, and large numbers of staff are off sick or isolating. There is light at the end of the tunnel with the roll out of the vaccine but if we do not all play our part right now and follow our Tier 3 rules things could get a lot worse before they get better.
Please look after each other and yourselves. Please only use A+E for true Accidents or Emergencies. If you can use eConsult, please do, in order to keep the phone lines clear for those who can’t.
We wish you a very Happy New Year, and in a matter of months we will gladly join in with the celebrations that we can’t have tonight.

Membury Primary Academy
Happy New Year from all of us at Membury Primary!
All the school staff are refreshed and are looking forward to seeing everyone’s smiley faces on January 5th. We hope that everyone has had a restful, fun and safe Christmas break.
Onwards into 2021!
If you are looking for a school space, please contact us. You’re always welcome.

30/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

So here we are, as expected we have been bumped up a tier into tier 3 from tomorrow. We are right on the border of tier 4 into which category South Somerset now falls.

Please take care and observe the rules. The vaccine rollout at Seaton Hospital seems to be chugging along – and don’t forget that if you need help getting there all you need to do is call our hotline. If things tighten still further we’ll be there to help you in whatever other ways prove necessary. Don’t forget, if you have elderly or disabled neighbours please make sure that they don’t need any help – particularly if the weather worsens.

You can find East Devon District Council’s update here

And now here is some good news …

29/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Welcome to the 2021 Membury 100 Club!
We will be paying out bigger and better prizes in 2021, and at the same time continuing Bill Sheppard’s great tradition of supporting the Merrymakers, the Mercury and providing small grants to village groups.

Membership will be £10 per year, with no limit on numbers per person or per household. Join by January 20th to ensure you are in the first draw for monthly prizes of £25, £10 and £5, and next December you could win £100!

Please pay by BACS to MEMBURY MERRYMAKERS sort code 30-90-37 account number 01560859 adding 100club and your name and initials as a reference, or by cash to David Neill at Hope Cottage (just behind the Village Hall).

You only have a few days until the first draw, so don’t miss out!

If you want to know more about the 100 Club: email helenanddavidneill@icloud.com

Snow
We have a yellow warning of snow and ice in place from 10:00 tomorrow, to 06:00 Thursday. This is unlikely to impact us greatly, but please take care on slippery paths and roads. I’ve checked most of the salt bins, and there is still some salt left in the car park. A little salt goes a long way – a tablespoonful will clear about one square metre. If the snow does settle and if you are fit and able, please clear the snow from outside your property, and help out your neighbours too.

Goodbye and Hello!
Goodbye to Dan and Jenny Jaffé and welcome to Michael, Gemma, Cecily and Antonia to Rock House.

Footpaths
The footpath survey is being undertaken shortly. Please make sure that footpaths on your land are kept clear of obstructions, and make sure that, where possible, footpaths and bridleways are accessible for users of mobility scooters

Membury Church
The church will be open on January 1st 2021, so please come & see the arrangements, tree & delightful pictures the students of Membury Acorns Academy have done for us.
There will be a service of Communion on January 3rd, at 11am and all are welcome to come, social distancing being observed.

Axminster Young Farmers
Lydia can arrange for the young farmers to collect your Christmas tree on January 9^th-10^th between 10am and 3pm for a donation of at least £5. They’re also happy to help you out by eating any remaining chocolate you have in the house too!
Contact Lydia 07724 014212 to arrange collection

Notes from the Garden
From Tony Marsh, yesterday.
Monday morning. Our strangely truncated Christmas is just a memory. But our oak tree, in silhouette against the sun rising above the horizon, is lit by thousands of fairy lights, glistening water droplets at the tip of every twig, perhaps the result of a snow-shower while we slept. And the incessant song, several identical high-pitched tones, from a brave Great Tit perched in a bush near the house, no thought of avoiding my stare. As the sun rose higher and the clouds returned from the west, the fairy lights were switched off. But the Great Tit, further away now, continued his shrill calling, through the gloom. Much to look forward to.

Devon Carbon Plan
The Net-Zero Task Force are creating an evidence-led Devon Carbon Plan which will consider the earliest, credible date which should be set for net-zero emissions.
We want to hear your views. Read and respond to the Plan, by answering the consultation questionnaire here

ARC – Axminster Recovery Counselling
Wondering what to do ? Here’s an idea whilst you are surrounded by Christmas bits and bobs..
Start to design/paint/draw/photograph your Christmas card entries for next years arc (christmas) card competition…. look at your Christmas cards/gardens/wildlife/pets for inspiration and start creating. The Competition will call for entries around March time so that the cards can be available much earlier than they were this year.
Thank you for your ongoing support and enjoy getting creative !!

Stamps
Jan is still collecting stamps for the RNIB – just cut them from your Christmas card envelopes leaving about 1cm all the way round and pop them in the box in the second drawer down of the filing cabinets outside the village hall (where the papers get delivered).

26/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Flood Warning
An Amber alert has been issued for high winds between 20:00 26/12 and 09:00 27/12. We are right on the edge of the area the alert applies to.

The Environment Agency just has issued the following associated flood warning

Flood Alert in force: River Axe area.

Flooding is possible for: The Rivers Axe, Coly, Yarty, Umborne Brook and coastal streams from Branscombe to Axmouth.

Be prepared.

Flooding is possible across the River Axe area later on Saturday evening and overnight into Sunday 27th December.
Storm Bella is expected to bring further heavy showers this evening and a band of heavy frontal rain overnight. This will cause rivers in the area to rise rapidly, peaking early Sunday morning. The levels suggest that there will be flooding to low lying land and roads close to rivers in the early hours. Very strong winds are also forecast which may cause trees to fall bringing additional risk of flooding.
We expect the rivers to remain high throughout tomorrow, and there is the possibility for Flood Warnings to be issued.
Take care near the areas of concern and monitor your local weather conditions.
We are constantly monitoring river levels and have staff in the area checking for and clearing blockages in this location. This message will be updated on Sunday evening or earlier if the situation changes.

From our foreign correspondents in Wimborne, Alex and Marie Tasker
Thank you, Daniel, the Symingtons’ and Nick Yool for the rather flattering things that were said upon our departure from Haddon Fields. I am sure that our replacements, the Brooks, will be much more able to contribute to parish life than we have been for the past few years. Also, thank you to all those that have sent us emails and cards. They and the thoughts therein are very much appreciated. In the end our departure was rather hectic and on a critical path – not to be recommended at our ages! Hence we were not able to get round to our friends within the parish to say thanks and goodbye. Sorry.
I am also sorry that it has taken us so long to respond – blame Orange and Openreach!! We only got our landline and, hence, broadband yesterday so have been restricted to our mobile! We now realise that having no signal in Membury village means that you only need a small phone and minimum data package. We seem to have been buying emergency additional data almost every other day and struggling to use our tiny screen!!
Membury parish really is special and the things we have been involved in were a real pleasure (although there were times I, particularly, wondered where the pleasure was!). Whatever we did, we did for what we thought was best for the parish. It will not remain “special” but deteriorate into yet another place for commuters to live with little concern for the landscape, fauna and wildlife unless we all think carefully about the impact of our individual actions. Further, there is no point in seeking public consensus if we each then do not use, work to and within their guidelines. I was lucky to join the Parish Council just after they had produced the Parish Appraisal. This became the framework for the Design Statement and then the Neighbourhood Plan. The advantage of each of these is that it made all of us question what we the parishioners really wanted to preserve, protect and enhance. That, in turn, provides a framework for Council decision-making even if at times it is inconvenient!
We have moved to Wimborne to be nearer our children and grand-children and to a smaller property that we can manage. Already it has been wonderful to walk the dogs in the local woods and beaches and being able to meet family in the open air and safely. Our major problem now is, knowing we have an item – but in which packing case!! Still, we will get there in the end. I have learnt that it doesn’t all have to be done to-day. There is always (I hope!) tomorrow.
Again, thank you. Have a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Marie and Alex

Liz van der Byl
Making steady progress. Some of her clothes have been taken to Wonford in preparation for her move to a community hospital or nursing home for further recuperation once a bed becomes available.

East Devon District Council
The latest update can be found here

National Theatre
Missing your Panto fix?
The National Theatre is streaming Dick Whittington for free until midnight tomorrow. It’s full of cheesy jokes, parachuting rats and merry musical numbers. Watch it here

Axminster Heritage Centre
If you fancy a fun walk to burn off all those extra pesky calories after Christmas why not pop into the Axminster Heritage Centre and pick up an ‘Axminster Heritage Blue Plaque Trail’ leaflet! We’re open next on Tuesday 29th & Thursday 31st December, 10am – 1:30pm with free entry for local residents on both days if you fancy a look around the museum, £3 for everyone else, kids go free. Merry Christmas everyone!

23/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Unless the eagle does something spectacular, or we are suddenly thrust into another lockdown with ten minutes notice I expect that this will be my last message before Christmas. Have a good, safe (if damp!) break, and let’s hope that we can reopen the hall by Easter and normal activities can resume. It’s been a tough year here for many – with several sad departures, but also several new arrivals.
I hope you’ve enjoyed all these messages – they’ve certainly kept me busy – and I’ve appreciated all the contributions I’ve received.

Been offered a jab?
I’ve heard today of a parishioner who was offered a vaccine jab, but was unable to take it due to no car being available to take  them. If you find yourself in this position, please call the helpline number (above) and we’ll find a driver to take you to Seaton. If you have elderly neighbours, please let them know that we are here to help in these circumstances.

Been sent some flowers unexpectedly?
Felicity and Peter Hartnell were expecting some flowers to be delivered, but they seem to have ended up somewhere else. Has anyone received them? Call them on 01404 881640 if you can solve this mystery!

Yarcombe Christmas Jingle
Miranda tells me that Yarcombe and Marsh will be joining the ‘Christmas Jingle’. The idea is that at 6p.m. tomorrow, Christmas Eve, we will go outside or stand on our doorstep or at an open window and ring a bell for two minutes to spread Christmas cheer and to help Father Christmas fly his sleigh. After this difficult year it will be an amazing memory for the children and for our community. End 2020 with a bit of magic, hope and togetherness!
Please spread the word, ask your friends and family to join in wherever they are.

Kings Arms Update – New Years Eve
If you’re still looking for something to do to see in (what we can only hope is) a better year than 2020… We are offering two options for you this New Years Eve:

Our New Years Eve Set Dinner Menu including 5 fabulous courses and a glass of Dalwood Fizz and Nibbles on arrival for £40.

Or our New Years Eve Sharing Boards, if you would just like to come in for a couple of drinks and some delicious tasting bits to toast the New Year.

We are also hoping to see in the New Year at 10pm with the countdown on our TV live from Athens and a toast to the New Year at 10pm get us into the New Year spirit.  We will be calling last orders at 10pm and closing at 11pm.

We still have tables available, but would advise booking for either the Set Dinner Menu or Drinks and Sharing Boards. Tables are available between 6pm -8.30pm.

We are open every day over the Christmas and New Year period and look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible.

Kind Regards,
Richard Benson
The Kings Arms Stockland

www.kingsarms.pub
Email: dine@kingsarms.pub
Tel: 01404 881686
https://www.facebook.com/thekingsstockland

21/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Carols in the Car Park
From Richard Barrell
I was informed a little after 2.00pm today that a Covid Risk Assessment would be required for the event to take place given that the venue is a public space. The procedures and conditions are too complicated to put in place at such short notice so with regret the event has to be cancelled.
I’m sure this will cause much disappointment but we must be seen to comply with the rules.
Happy Christmas!

Christingles
There are 9, ‘Do it yourself’ Christingles in the church, for children of all ages to make.
The church will be open Wednesday, between 10 & 2, so people can come and help themselves.
No charge, but all donations greatly accepted.

Footpaths
The deadline for logging issues with the footpaths in the parish is 15^th February. If anyone spots anything untoward on one of our paths while sloshing about in the mud please let the Paul Nicholson know. Make a note of exactly what and where the issues are. There is an excellent map of the parish here which shows exactly where all the paths are. You need to zoom right in to make the most of the map.

Grand Conjunction
The conjunction between Saturn and Jupiter was pretty good yesterday just after sunset. Today ought to be better, but the weather is against us. It’ll still be pretty good over the next few days – nip out at about 5-5:30pm and look in the south west low in the sky with your binoculars if you have any.

Phantom the eagle
From Mike Capper.
Yesterday, Phantom the eagle was dining off a dead sheep in the field opposite East Membury Farm. He was joined in his repast by various crows and buzzards. No photo – yet

Twelve birds of Christmas
This festive season, discover the story of 12 fascinating Christmas birds in the RSPB twist on the classic carol The Twelve Days of Christmas. Find it here.

Down to Earth
A review of the year by Jan Lazar of the gardening group of Membury.
What a difficult year, but thank goodness for our gardens.
This time last year a group of us had taken Christmas cheer at Barrington Court….but unfortunately not this year.
We started 2020 with positive plans for outings and we did manage trips to East Lambrook snowdrops in February, but the Forde Abbey Crocus week was a wash-out. We just managed a marvellous fundraiser cafe and plant sale on 13th March for Greenfingers charity supporting gardens in Children’s’ Hospices.( A few pics attached ).
Then it all stopped and we were limited to a seed swap box, plant swap shelves outside the village hall and members offers of cut flowers (Jeanette and John’s beautiful Chrysanths), Sara and others’ excess pond plants (yes my pond is now finished…no problem filling it up with rain water recently…..!), Sandra and Janet’s garden clumps thinning and Eileen’s pots clear out . Thanks to others  and to all who contributed and hope lots of your gardens benefitted.
We tried to raise a smile with a community of scarecrows that popped up around Membury.
The Parish Hall Committee agreed that Down To Earth can plant and care for the beds and verges by the hall. There were donations of bulbs which have been planted for the Spring, but there are repairs to be carried out on the wall opposite the hall so best to wait til they have been completed.
So, although we haven’t had meetings since February , our relatively new group is doing well. We have gained 3 new members – Vivienne at Castle House, Sarah at Chapplecroft and very recently welcome to Sharon at Bay Tree House.
Let’s hope that in 2021 we shall have the opportunity to meet up, make plans and swaps and share grumbles about pests, enjoy each other’s gardens/meadows and trees.
Until then, keep well, and happy gardening.

18/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Amber warning of rain
From the Met Office:
Rain is expected to develop on Friday morning and last for much of the day with periods of heavy rain during the day. 40-60 mm of rain is expected quite widely over high ground within the warning area. A few places, across Dartmoor in particular, are likely to see 80-100 mm with much of this falling in around 9-12 hours before clearing eastwards. This is likely to cause flooding and disruption to transport.
We are on the edge of the zone covered by this warning, but please take precautions.
The warning is in place from now until midnight. You may wish to put your boards up if your property is at risk. If you are aware of a neighbour’s property being empty, and you believe it may be at risk, please put out boards or sandbags as necessary. Keep any drains in your vicinity clear, and remove surface debris if you can. If the siren sounds, look first to your family and property and once those have been made safe check your neighbours.

The Eagle has landed
Alasdair has found a link to blog of interest regarding our local eagle with some excellent pictures of him. Funny how a special bird can engender a response of collective ownership!
G463 has a provisional name given to him by the trust that released him, so from now on he’ll be known as Phantom. Kind of appropriate given the way he appears and disappears!
https://threecountieswildlife.blogspot.com/2020/12/new-for-garden-list.html

From the School
The Membury children and staff wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your ongoing support of the village school – the difficult times have been made a whole lot easier with your kindness. Thank you!

17/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 updat
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Sad News
Richard Thomas of Westerly died yesterday. Our thoughts are with his widow Jean. I do not have further details.

More sad news
The dead cat found this morning was Marley, who lived with Michael and Michele Marsh. Losing a pet in this way is tragic, especially just before Christmas. Our thoughts are with them.

Beckford Bridge
Our intrepid photographer Suzie donned wellies and a snorkel to capture this picture of Beckford Bridge yesterday afternoon. You can see that the top of the bridge supports are not actually covered, which is a relief! I would guess that the general soggyness we are experiencing may delay the reopening (currently set at 29/1/2021) still further.

Errors and Omissions

1. Simon Foster has donated the Calvados for the mulled cider – he ran out of cider
2. Nick and Judy Simmonds have donated the cider for the mulled cider
3. Jill has donated the cups, and the effort to put everything together!
4. The beautifully painted Santa face on the visitor at Lewsley Farm was created by Roger Clemens.

What would we do without him?
Richard Challis has been up to the sump several times over the last few days after midnight to clear both the sump and the drains in the road. On behalf of the whole village, thank you very much Richard – your dedication is fantastic

Kiki Counts The Fish
From Mary Smith (Glebe Farm, Yarcombe) via Yarcombe E-Voices
Fourteen years ago our son’s daughter Evie, aged one, was very badly scalded. Her life was saved by staff in the Burns Unit at Manchester Children’s Hospital. Since then, her father has been raising money to support the Children’s Burns Foundation (CBF) set up to offer all sorts of practical and psychological help to children who end up in the Unit. He has cycled from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower, climbed the three peaks and craziest of all was the kayaking twelve miles across Lake Windermere, then cycling from there to London where he ran the Marathon the next day.
The latest venture was to produce a book called Kiki Counts the Fish. 2000 copies have been printed.  Half have gone to the hospital where a copy is given to every young child who is a patient in the Unit. The story is based on a little girl who is in hospital with burns and in order to distract her, she tries to count the fish that surround her painted on the walls, floor and ceiling. It has been illustrated by our daughter, Katy and granddaughter, Natasha aged 18.
It would make a charming birthday or Christmas gift for children up to the age of 8/9. The book is free with a suggested donation of £10!  It can be obtained by contacting me by telephone on 01404 861541 or email at brianmarysmith@btinternet.com
More information about the work of the CBF (a registered charity) can be found on their website cbf-uk.org.  They are dedicated to rebuilding the lives of burn-injured children and their families supporting recovery, rehabilitation and research. The fact that Evie is such a well-balanced teenager, in spite of having two skin grafts, owes much to the work of this wonderful charity.

G463
I’ve had three suggestions for the name for the eagle – including one I won’t share from Nick Yool! Poseidon and Scott have been suggested. I prefer the latter – it’s easier to spell.

Twelve Days of Christmas challenge
www.boardgamegeek.com has published a short challenge intended to fill in some time over the Christmas Holiday season. Maybe you need a way to keep your kids occupied while they are out of school. Maybe you need an excuse to play some solo games while you are having a socially distant holiday. Maybe you want to try a bit sized challenge before embarking on one of the larger ones for 2021? Maybe you just love challenges. All are welcome!

• 1st Day of Christmas: A partridge in a pear tree – play a game involving fruit (or other food)
• 2nd Day of Christmas: Two turtle doves also Boxing Day… Play a game that comes in box that is special in some way.
• 3rd Day of Christmas: Three French hens – play a game that involves chickens and/or eggs (They don’t have to be chicken eggs)
• 4th Day of Christmas: Four calling birds – play a game that can be played with 4 players
• 5th Day of Christmas: Five golden rings – play a game that has won an award
• 6th Day of Christmas: Six geese a-laying – play a game that is loud like a gaggle of geese or has some other sound-based component.
• 7th Day of Christmas: Seven swans a-swimming – play a game that involves travel over or through water
• 8th Day of Christmas: Eight maids a-milking – play a game that has milk or cheese in it (or other dairy products.)
• 9th Day of Christmas: Nine ladies dancing – play a game that requires dexterity or timing
• 10th Day of Christmas: Ten lords a-leaping – Take a leap for “mankind”, play a game set in space or on a non-earth planet
• 11th Day of Christmas: Eleven pipers piping – play a game you associate with a song
• 12th Day of Christmas: Twelve drummers drumming – hear the drums of war play a war game or set during a wartime.

Trouble in Stockland and Dalwood
A white van stopped this afternoon at a house in Stockland offering teak furniture at a knock down price, said they were selling left over stock from orders, Cranleigh garden centre Guildford. This van was also seen today in Dalwood.

Amazon
Kerstin has reminded me to mention that if you must shop at Amazon, if you do this using the link www.smile.amazon.co.uk you can benefit a local charity of your choice. One of the charities you can select from is ARC. So far Amazon has donated £116.63 to ARC.

Rare Santa Terrier spotted near Westwater!
From the Pittendrighs

15/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Flood
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of rain for Wednesday morning and afternoon, and from Thursday evening until Saturday morning. The ground is saturated at the moment, so let’s hope that the sump can cope. Don’t forget to pay attention to the road in your vicinity – clear the leaves please if necessary and get rid of any other debris that might prevent water from following its proper course. At some point there’ll be a test of the Siren in the next few weeks, but we’ll give you plenty of warning.

100 Club
The 100 Club is now under new management – David Neill has taken over from Bill Sheppard and will soon be in touch with existing subscribers (and hounding potential new ones!). Thank you, Bill for your excellent stewardship during which the number of subscribers has increased considerably.

Fish and Chips
Don’t forget to order your fish and chips from Jill (881641 or jill-folletts@outlook.com). It’s still only a fiver! Mulled cider will be available (donated by Simon Foster) – bring your own mug, or use one of the paper cups provided. You don’t need to partake of the fish and chips to enjoy the cider – everyone will be welcome providing they socially distance and follow the rules. There will be a collection in aid of St Petrock’s – helping homeless people in Exeter.

Near-ta Theatre Company
Lock up your inmates, Cornwall’s longest running Christmas show is back for another December! Back for its 12th successive outing, Near-ta Theatre’s yuletide comedy Christmas.Time. will be bringing bucketloads of Christmas spirit and festive cheer digitally this year. The show will be streaming direct to audience’s homes, banishing the bleak midwinter of 2020!
Stream it here. It’ll be available throughout December and costs a fiver to stream – that’s the same as a portion of fish and chips from the van. 20% of the money they raise will go directly to Feast – supporting The Arts in Cornwall.
Jan and I watched this a couple of days ago and it was terrific fun – family friendly, hilarious, brilliantly acted and sung, and full of immensely topical satire. I was so impressed, I’m hoping to book it live for the village hall for next December.

Stamps
We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of stamps that have been donated at the Village Hall, some going back to the 1950s, and one or two are even earlier. Do you remember when it cost 3d to post a letter? All those donated so far are being sent off to the RNIB this week, and we’ll carry on collecting more until after Christmas. The box for stamp donations is in the second drawer of the filing cabinet where the newspapers are delivered to. Keep ‘em coming!

Burst Water Main
There is a big hole in the road by Springfield and diversion signs are in place – although you can get a car through provided there is no one working on it. That’s all we need in the village – water coming from down below as well as water coming from up above!

Tuckers Arms
Take away menu for this week (Wednesday to Saturday) All mains £8 per portion. Ring 881342 to order.

• Thai chicken curry – with white rice and coriander flatbread.
• Vegan parsnip, spinach and chestnut marsala – with white rice and coriander flatbread.
• Smoked haddock gratin – layered with sliced potatoes, cream and melted cheese, served with crusty bread.
• Toffee apple crumble £4
• 2pints of real ale £4

Devon Wildlife Trust
Hosted an online Fireside Folk Tales event with Lisa Schneidau a few days ago. She is an excellent storyteller and we really enjoyed the evening. If you missed it, or want to hear it again you can find it on YouTube here

G463
Our Sea Eagle (can someone please suggest a better name for him?) has been spotted again by the A30 near Ferne by Alasdair, and this time he just about managed to get a photo. He went out again this afternoon in the hope of finding the bird again and getting a better one. I’m still waiting for one worth publishing!

Baubles
There are a few glittery baubles left to be added to the tree outside the parish hall. Call or email Sara Cranfield, if you’d like to add one. So far, we’ve made nearly £20 for Children’s Hospice of The South West.

Display at the Church
The students at the school are going to add some Christmassy art work to the church on Wednesday. Please come & see their hard work over the Christmas holiday, when the church is open, along with the lovely tree & floral decorations.

Axminster Medical Practise
As you may be aware, we are fortunate to be one of the 100 or so practices nationwide starting vaccinations for COVID this week. The appointments have already been booked and patients informed.
Widescale uptake and delivery of COVID vaccination is the only way that we can hope to return to a normal life, but it is now happening! If we can all help each other out for just a few more months this nightmare will begin to pass.
We would be very grateful for your understanding during what is going to be a very challenging time for Axminster Medical Practice.
We are expecting to be extremely stretched for the next few months, as a large proportion of our admin and clinical staff will be involved in vaccine delivery. We will still be open and available for those who need us, but please follow the usual advice to seek help appropriately from the right source at the right time.
If you have a mild or self-limiting condition, please consider finding advice online (https://www.nhs.uk is very useful for this) or speaking to a pharmacist. This will allow those patients with more serious symptoms to speak to their GP faster. Please, if you have concerning symptoms, do not delay contacting us – we really need to hear from you so that we can help you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE
Is it safe?
The currently available Pfizer vaccine has been tested on over 44,000 test subjects without any serious adverse reactions.
But hasn’t it been rushed through?
It normally takes several years to develop a vaccine. Scientists have had to work collaboratively and rapidly to achieve the same amount of progress in a few months in order to make a safe and effective vaccine available as soon as possible. Although clinical trials have been carried out more rapidly than they have for other vaccines, this has been achieved by conducting some of the steps in parallel rather than sequentially and vaccine safety has not been compromised. The vaccine trials have been subject to all of the usual strict trial and regulatory requirements.
What about the anaphylactoid reactions?
During the first week of the vaccine rollout, two patients had anaphylactoid reactions (a milder form of anaphylaxis) following injection with the Pfizer vaccine. Both of these patients had pre-existing severe allergies and history of anaphylaxis and carried adrenaline pens. They have both made full recoveries. As a result of this, patients who have a history of confirmed anaphylaxis to any food, medicine or substance are unable to have the Pfizer vaccine. It is likely that they will be offered one of the other vaccines when they are available. There is no evidence to suggest that patients without this very specific history of severe allergic reaction would be at any risk from the Pfizer vaccine.
How do I book my COVID vaccination?
The order in which we must vaccinate our population is very specific and therefore we will be contacting patients individually to offer them an appointment when they become eligible. Please do not contact the surgery asking for the vaccination as we will be unable to facilitate this.
When will I get my jab?
The priority at the moment is to vaccinate over 80 year olds, but we have very limited supply of the vaccine and do not know when we will receive our next batch. Things will become clearer over the next few weeks but right now all we can say is that it will likely be a few months until we can offer the vaccination to younger patients, but we will do so as soon as we can.
How many doses are involved?
You need two injections spaced at least 3 weeks apart to provide protecting from COVID-19. It is essential that you return for the second jab as the first one will likely provide very little or no protection on its own.
Do I need to follow the rules once I have had a vaccination?
YES! At the moment you need to follow exactly the same rules as directed by the government whether you have had the vaccine or not. This includes isolation guidance if you develop COVID symptoms or are in contact with a symptomatic person.
Can I have the vaccination if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
At the moment pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children are not able to have the Pfizer vaccine. This is purely precautionary whilst we wait for more evidence to emerge from many ongoing studies, and the advice may change. You are also advised not to have the vaccination if you are trying to become pregnant, or think you are likely to become pregnant in the next three months.
Will you be getting the AstaZeneca/Oxford vaccine?
We will almost certainly be getting many more vaccines but they have to pass the strict guidelines of the MHRA first. The MHRA is an independent organisation that ensures that medications in the UK are safe to use. The Pfizer vaccine is the first COVID vaccine to pass these stringent tests of safety and quality.
Should I have the vaccine if I have already had COVID-19?
Yes. At the moment we do not have evidence to show that having COVID-19 gives you lasting immunity from re-infection, you should have the vaccination anyway.
If you have any further general questions, please feel free to comment below and we will respond.

Sarah’s Cakes
Sarah has reopened her cake stall by Springfield at the bottom of the track to New House Farm. Great looking Christmas cakes, puddings, flapjacks, brownies and other delicious offerings. Take cash – there’s an honesty box.

11/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

One of our octogenarian parishioners has already been offered a vaccine at Seaton Hospital next week – let’s hope the rest of us get drawn out of the hat soon so the village can begin to go back to normal!

Big Bird
From Alasdair Bruce
Quick update on our big bird G463. I’m happy to report that according to the trust, he Is still in the area and today has moved to roost very near to the caravan park on the A30 north of Ferne Animal Sanctuary – so keep those binoculars/cameras handy.
Sadly, one of the released eagles from this year’s release has died and one is missing. Not in our area, fortunately, but sad and a small setback for the trust’s endeavours.

East Devon District Council Updates
Business – click here
Residents – click here

Avian Influenza
Latest update – click here

Have Yourself a Merry Crime-free Christmas

• Make sure you keep all your gifts in a secure place – don’t leave them in the shed or garage, or on view near windows or doors.
• Lock up when you leave – make sure all windows and doors are securely locked when you leave the house or go up to bed.
• Security marking and registering your children’s Christmas gifts will help to keep them safe and make them easier to return if they are lost or stolen.
• When out shopping push your purse to the bottom of your bag and zip it securely, wallets should not be carried in back pockets.
• Consider installing a door bell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.
• Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches in your home to control internal lights, radios and a simulated TV.
• Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight
• Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed
• Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows
• Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables as burglars often check to see if doors are left unlocked

Devon County Council
Latest update – click here

Devon County Council – Online Learning
The new programme is now live with over 200 free courses for adults. Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby, increase your wellbeing and combat social isolation, or trying to improve your English, maths or job prospects, we have got you covered. click here

Stevie Jones
Has two spare turkeys for Christmas if anyone is interested. I’m sure many for you have seen them on the footpath at Lewsley Lane. (Corn and grass fed). Contact via the Membury Support Group Facebook page.

Julian Pady, Goren Farm
Has some 28 day matured, Ruby Red Devon beef coming back from the butchers ready for the festive season. Vacuum packed so will stay fresh in the fridge till the 26th. PM or call to booking an order. Cards accepted. Contact via the Stockland Facebook Group, or 07770694646

Mischievous Monsters
Leigh Conley (chair of Axminster Drama Club) has written a brilliant new children’s book called “Peter the Sock Eater”. This has been illustrated by Peter Kimball-Evans and edited by Ellis Holt (Forest School teacher at Membury School). It’s available for £5. To buy it click here

Hoe-hoe-hoe!
Someone is a little early at Lewsley Farm this year …

9/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Farewell to Alex and Marie Tasker
Who left Haddon Fields today for Wimborne.

Chris and Chris Symington write
This is going to be a sad week for the village in that we will have to say goodbye to Alex and Marie who are moving across the border to Dorset. They have both been such a major force in Membury life since they arrived in Haddon Fields in the late nineties. Alex has approached everything he has been involved in within the village with such good common sense and more importantly perhaps a sense of humour, although it must have been severely tested many times. perhaps none more so that when working tirelessly on the Parish Council. Of course during this time he spent hours and hours working on the Mercury with three lady editors. Throughout he has been supported by Marie who has also undertaken her fair share of village commitments, notably the very best make-up artist (ex BBC indeed) for the pantomime and secretary for many years of the Flower Show Committee. She has also the kindest heart and has supported many Membury folk over the years.
We wish them the very best of luck, happiness and good health in their new abode. Membury will miss them tremendously but we do hope to see them here again for a visit once we are all vaccinated and back to something approaching normal

Nick Yool writes
We finally managed, after several attempts, to co-opt Alex onto the Parish Council in 2004. I think I have mentioned before that it was thanks to his son Nick saying “go on Dad, you might enjoy it!” At the time we were struggling to complete a Parish Appraisal. With Alex’s help this was soon accomplished. We then embarked on a Village Design Statement under Alex’s leadership and a highly professional document was produced. Next was the Neighbourhood Plan – Alex was Chairman of the committee. Alex was also Chairman of the Emergency Committee, drafted an emergency plan and persuaded the Environment Agency to erect the flood warning siren. He was a hard working Councillor and a huge help to me during my time as Parish Clerk. He retired from the Council in 2015.

Fish and chips and mulled cider
Saturday 19th see the long awaited (well, one month) return of the fish and chip van to Membury. Order your food in advance via Jill (881641 or jill-folletts@outlook.com) and collect it from about 6pm. As a special treat the Merrymakers will be free mulled cider available in a socially distanced manor for you. Recyclable paper cups with lids will be available, or bring your own mug. You don’t need to buy fish and chips to take advantage of the cider – it’ll be there for everybody. There’ll even be music to keep you entertained! There will be a collection for St. Petroc’s homeless charity in Exeter,

Carols round the tree (well nearly!) Wednesday 23rd December 6.00.
Just two weeks to go before our Village get-together for a Christmas singalong in the village car park! This will comprise of Carols and seasonal songs and is not intended as replacement for the Raucous Chorus’ Christmas Cracker, the Carol service or any other of the usual Christmas events. Please come along and enjoy.  And don’t forget your torch! We will be sending out a word sheet next week for you to print off or to keep on your iPad or tablet which will save the torch battery.

Friends of the Merrymakers
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation to support the Merrymakers, and the Membury Mercury – as requested in the latest issue. You have been very generous! If you too would like to contribute to the running costs you’ll find the bank details in the back of the December issue of the magazine.

Christmas Services at Membury
Sunday December 13th 11:00am Holy Communion
Sunday December 20th 11:00am Holy Communion with carols
Friday December 25th 10:30am Christmas Day, Parish Communion
Sunday December 27th – there will be no service at Membury

East Devon District Council
Wild East Devon Newsletter https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2affe7e

Devon County Council
Latest coronavirus update – covering the rules around Christmas https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2b022a5

Psst! Want a jab in a hurry?
Scammers are contacting elderly people claiming they can arrange COVID vaccines for a fee. The NHS is the only organisation that has access to the vaccine and will never ask for payment.
If you are contacted, please do not engage with the fraudsters, the NHS is currently only contacting eligible people by phone. If you are asked for money it is not a genuine call.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud please report to 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Nicola Carey
Moving soon from Crewkerne is after a field or small yard to rent for her two ponies. Stables not important. Hard standing and shelter ideal. Ponies kept naturally. Can share with sheep.
Easy going owner! Call Nicola on 07503334121

Road news
I had several calls yesterday regarding what seemed to be a valiant attempt by the council to cut Membury off completely by closing roads. Apart from those we knew about it seemed that Chapplecroft Road was closed, as were several other roads that connect Membury with the A358. I’ve no idea what the situation is like today – I’ve had no reports. If you need to use a car to get somewhere over the next few days, I’d allow plenty of extra time.

Chard does its bit
Numatic has developed a vac scene

7/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Well that was very optimistic of me to suggest that all the roadworks had been finished. Apparently the Bewley Down Road was closed today for “a few bits to be finished off”, and I believe today was when the Furley to Membury Road was due to be closed. To make matters worse, as expected, the official end date for the completion of Beckford Bridge has now been put back to January 29^th.

Burst Water Main!
I’ve just had a call (18:40) to inform me that there is a burst water main which is causing a loss of, or reduced, pressure in the village. Apparently South West Water expect this to take 4 – 6 hours to fix. Fill your kettle now, just in case!

Stockland Virtual Christmas Market
The Stockland Christmas market should have been held this last weekend, but due to restrictions was cancelled. I’m sure many of you missed buying from the varied array of festive stalls, but all is not lost!

Some of our wonderful traders are selling direct – if you like to ‘buy local’ then I know your support would be appreciated especially this year.

The Yarcombe Pottery
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TravellersSeascape

The Gardeners Blacksmith
www.thegardenersblacksmith.co.uk

The Muddy Dog Company
We will offer in return to anyone who orders from this link a 20% discount if they order before January 30th 2021 and free postage. Please ask them to quote: STOCKLAND2020 when they contact me. Visit the website at www.muddydogs.com.
We also have vintage sales on Instagram from @vintagesewingbee.  There is one tomorrow night from 7pm until 9pm; you comment ‘sold’ on the item and we arrange payment on paypal and post the item to you.

Corrymoor Socks
01404 861 245  |  jenny@corrymoor.com  |  socks@corrymoor.com  | www.corrymoor.com

Nicola Cornish designs
makes a beautiful range of fabric crafted items, which can be viewed on her website.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NicolaCornishDesigns

Please get in touch for any further information.
Best wishes,
Monica Parris
01404 881535
monica.parris@btconnect.com

A request for help form Alasdair …
Whilst I’m very happy to share our little hillside home with all the wildlife that happen through, a mole has begun to undertake ground works around our septic tank. I’m concerned about him undermining pipe work, so could we put out a request for the loan of a humane mole trap for a few days.
No updates on our big bird, but we do have the Geminid meteor shower coming up on Dec 14th. Might do better with this one after bombing out on the previous two due to cloud. Saw a few early shooters last night before the cloud came in.

Just one more scam …
A villager has recently been contacted to say that there are calls going round from a spoofed telephone number starting 0827 attempting a bank fraud. Numbers beginning 0827 are fake numbers, normally used in dramas and in printed literature. Don’t accept any calls or text messages from 0827 numbers!

Daisy, Daisy
Daisy Manners, formerly of this parish and now in training to become a vicar has recorded a song that she wrote about 7 years ago that has suddenly become very relevant and it is now available on YouTube using this link https://youtu.be/xF9rHFNm-3A It is brilliant! Share the link and we’ll see if we can get it to number 1!

5/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 updateHow to
reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

All the roadworks between the village and Axminster seem to have been finished, leaving just the ephemeral detritus of signs pointing in random directions. The road is beautifully smooth, and a pleasure to drive on. Let’s hope people don’t go too fast; the potholes were a natural form of speed hump!

A plea From Richard
Has anyone got a spare set of battery operated timer lights to use in the hall porch? If so please email richardbmus13@gmail.com

Carols for the Modern Age Pt 2
From Fr Geoffrey:
While doctors wash and cleanse their hands
with syringes by their side
The vaccine from abroad appears
Beneath the channel wide

All hail the NHS we cry
All hail the scientists to
The vaccine is upon our shore
For the likes of me and you..

Villages in Action / Carn to Cove
There are just 2 days left for any donation you make to Creative kernow (Villages in Action) to be doubled by their champion The Reed Foundation. We’ve all benefited from the touring arts programme. If you are prepared to stump up £20, they’ll get £45 if you are a tax payer!
Please click here and reach for your credit card

Fed up of your tree already?
Axminster Young Farmers Club is standing by ready to collect your old Christmas tree on January 9^th – 10^th 10am – 3pm raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Book by ringing Lydia on 07724014212.
Minimum donation £5.

Puddles
If you’ve driven the Greendown Road over the last few days you may have noticed that you no longer need a snorkel to get through. Kevin has dug a ditch, and Jeremy has installed a pipe which means that the “Membury Carwash” is now a thing of the past. Thank you, gentlemen!

Lydia needs a pole!
Not a north pole, but an old wooden curtain pole or rod that would be able to hold up the COVID-19 patchwork. Approx 42inch long. Please ring her on 07724014212. Thankyou!

The Beehive
Read more about how the Beehive is getting back to business here

Devon County Council update
Covid cases in Devon and South Somerset are rising amongst people over 80 – so please take care. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2afa3cd

RSPB
Read Nature’s Calendar for December here

Avian Influenza
New housing measures come into force on December 14th.
This means that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
Public health advice is that the risk to human health from the virus is very low and food standards bodies advise that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, and it does not affect the consumption of poultry products including eggs.
You can read the full details here

The Great Conjunction
From “The Sky at Night” magazine.
On 21 December 2020 the closest giant planetary ‘kiss’ since 1623 will see gas giant planets Jupiter and Saturn just 0.06º apart.
Historically speaking, this is more than just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The last time Jupiter and Saturn were this close was on 16 July, 1623, though that occurred just 13° east of the Sun so it’s almost certain nobody saw it (though the telescope had recently been invented).
The last time a ‘great conjunction’ occurred that was as easy to see as this year’s was on 4 March, 1226.
The main event will have Jupiter and Saturn separated by a mere 0.06º – 6 seconds of arc – at 13:30 Universal Time on Monday, 21 December, 2020. That’s 13:30 GMT, so during daylight hours in the UK.
Sunset will take place at 15:53 in London, 16:06 in Cardiff, 15:59 in Belfast and 15:39 in Edinburgh. About 45 minutes after sunset observers should look 10º above the south-southwest horizon to see Jupiter and Saturn shining almost as one.
Although the moment of closest conjunction is the highlight, try observing the narrowing separation of Jupiter and Saturn in the weeks before 21 December.
They will begin the month 2.1° apart, narrowing to 0.06º on 21 December, and as Jupiter overtakes Saturn, they’ll end 2020 around 1º apart. So for much of the month they will appear to be very, very close.

3/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I’ve just heard back from Dave Ashford, our neighbourhood highways officer, regarding the roadworks. Works at Four Cross were due to be completed today (final surfacing). The ground here was absolutely solid and they had to use a breaker to get in to the road (normally the digger is enough) so it took slightly longer than anticipated.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen …
The KS2 children at the school are hoping to make a mosaic to complete their Roman-inspired art project. We need broken tiles in white, blue, green, and yellow. I know it’s a huge ask but any donations would be hugely appreciated. Please email ddonovan@acornacademy.org to arrange collection or drop off.

Letter of thanks received
Thank you again for your very generous donation of £215. Please will you thank all the Merrymakers for us on behalf of the Food bank. We do so appreciate it.
Best wishes to you all,
Sheila (Axminster Food Bank Manager)

Carols for the Modern Age
From Margaret Bulpitt – “In the bleak two lockdowns, I was stuck at home”
From Fr Geoffrey – “Good Christian men rejoice, a vaccine’s here for me and Joyce!”

Have you an hour to spare?
Neil Parish hosted a debate yesterday at Westminster Hall in an attempt to get an answer from Matt Warman (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) on the super-slow rollout of superfast Broadband in Devon and Somerset. You can watch the debate here. Move the slider to 16:31:09, or click on the third and final debate of the day. If your internet connection isn’t up to it, you can stream this as audio only.
If you are really keen you can follow a report on the debate from the website ISPReview here

Wreath making at Seaton Wetlands
Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, the usual wreath making workshops run by East Devon District Council can’t takeplace this year, however they are offering kits at £15 with full instructions available Friday 11^th, Saturday 12^th and Tuesday 15^th. Click here for more details and to book.  Kits will be plastic free and include

• Willow wreath frame
• A variety of green and variegated foliage
• Foliage with berries
• Dried orange slices
• Selection of pine cones
• Wire
• Raffia
• Add items you have at home and in your garden too!

Unmissable theatre, whenever you want it
The all-new National Theatre at Home is a streaming service offering unforgettable British theatre available to watch any time, anywhere. Choose to subscribe, or pay for a single play. https://www.ntathome.com/browse

Scamming – yet again
Residents are warned to stay vigilant following reports of scam text and email messages which appeared to be from parcel delivery companies.
The messages appear to be from couriers like DPD and Royal Mail, stating that they have tried to deliver a parcel and asking you to click a link to reschedule the delivery. The link directs you to an authentic looking website, which asks for your full name, address, date of birth and mobile number. Upon completion of the form, you are then asked to enter full credit card details.
Detective Inspector Rob Burns, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “This scam is very convincing with Christmas a few weeks away and many people are shopping online and waiting for their orders to be delivered.
“It’s important to check the details in the messages and make sure it is genuinely related to an item you have ordered. Does the message use your name, rather than an email address? Does it mention the goods or company you have ordered items from? If in doubt do not click the link and contact the vendor directly via their website

Beckford Bridge
Another old photograph from Jill of the bridge currently being replaced, showing it in all its former glory. If the engineers working on it can get it to look this lovely in the spring that will be fantastic!

2/12/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

100 Club Special Christmas Draw
The Membury Merrymakers are to run a 100 Club Christmas draw alongside the normal two draws.
The prize will be £100:00
Draw will take place on the 23rd December, 2020 at the Carols in the Car Park event starting at 1800 (Covid Rules Permitting)
If anyone wants an extra chance just for this draw, they can purchase additional numbers at £5 each by emailing billesheppard@outlook.com or 01404 881338.

Roadworks
In theory, the Four Cross Junction may be open tomorrow if the drainage works are finished, but on the one.network website the road is showing as remaining closed until 4/12. I’d allow extra time for your journey if I were you. I’m told that the Westwater Road was chaotic today with some drivers apparently unable to find their reverse gear. If you aren’t sure where your reverse gear is, pick a route via Churchill and the A358

More roadworks
The road from Bewley Down to Tytherleigh will be closed from 7th December to 15th December. For more details look at https://one.network/ website

Even more roadworks
BT are planning to close the road from Hook Cross to Furley Cross from 7th – 11th December to allow them access to renew overhead cable, and do some tree cutting.

Villages in Action / Carn to Cove
We were lucky in Membury to get an excellent show just before lockdown from Rag Mama Rag. We are hoping to return to some semblance of normality soon, and get at least one live event during 2021
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is now live. Our goal is to reach £5,600 to help us to support our local community spaces to re-introduce live performances in a safe, careful and enjoyable way. But we need your help! Any donation you make this week will be doubled by our charity champion, and will make a real difference to our being able to restart events next year. Click on the This link to make a donation. Artists, musicians and performers have been hit particularly hard this year.

Some Great News
The Beehive in Honiton is reopening!
We are delighted to confirm that The Beehive in Honiton is reopening – see below for our listing of upcoming film screenings. You can book by phone on 01404 384050 or visit their website www.beehivehoniton.co.uk.

Romance Fraud
The majority of users of dating websites are genuine people looking for romance, but sadly, some aren’t. Dating sites and other social networks are targeted by scammers who want one thing – money. They create fake profiles and take their time to build what feels like a strong relationship.  They are very skilled at this; after all, it is how they make their money.
Victims of romance fraud come from all age groups and backgrounds. Many have lost tens of thousands of pounds; some have lost their homes and life savings. The financial loss is just one impact of this hurtful crime.  The experience can also have a big impact on victims’ health and wellbeing.
Between August 2019 and August 2020, Action Fraud received over 400 reports a month from victims of romance fraud in the UK. Losses reported by victims during this time totalled £66,335,239, equating to an average loss per victim of just over £10,000.
During June, July and August 2020, Action Fraud received more than 600 reports per month of romance fraud, indicating people may have met, and begun talking to romance fraudsters, during the national lockdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Please Click this Link for further information https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/romancefraud

A Covid Christmas Carol
Sara has suggested that people may like to contribute Covid versions of their favourite carols; just the first line, not the whole song; Her suggestions are:
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, a full set of PPE”
“I saw three tiers come sailing in”

Who’s been nibbling this salmon (or is it a trout)?
Jan and Ruth were wandering down the Yarty yesterday and came upon the remains of this large fish a little way south of Beckford Bridge, but does anyone have any idea what might have been eating it

29/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

We now have 98 members of the Membury Support Group Facebook Group – let’s see if we can get to 100 by Christmas! It’s a private group, so everything that you post will only be visible to other members of the group. It’s a handy way of seeking recommendations for tradesmen, talking about what’s going on in the village (if anything!) and advertising things you make or services you provide.

Liz van de Byl
Will be 83 on Wednesday. If you want to send her a birthday card, she’s now in
Lyme Ward
RD&E Hospital (Wonford)
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

Bulk Ordering
I’m thinking of doing another Bidfood bulk order of flour and other bits and pieces if there is sufficient demand in the village. As an example, flour ranges from £7.50 – £10 for a 16kg sack – but they don’t do strong wholemeal. I can split sacks if necessary. Bidfood are also great for big packs of pasta, rice and cereals, as well as huge blocks of cheese – always handy at this time of year. You can see their range at https://athome.bidfood.co.uk/

Axminster Medical Practise
FLU UPDATE – 50-64 year old and all other eligible patients
We have just received our flu vaccine stock for the new 50-64 year old cohort so will be sending out appointments imminently. This is the group of patients in this age range who have no medical eligibility for the NHS flu jab normally. Unfortunately due to COVID and limited stock we are unable to run the usual first come, first served system and it will be by appointment only – you will receive a letter. If you want the flu jab, please do all you can to use the appointment offered as we are likely going to be busy with the COVID vaccine program very soon and so will not be able to offer flu jab appointment flexibility. If you do not want the jab please let us know so that we can offer the appointment to someone else.
If you think that you are eligible for the flu jab for medical reasons or are over 65, but have not yet had the jab and would like it, please now contact the surgery. There will inevitably be patients missed by the computer search and we are really sorry if you have not received a flu jab appointment when you should have. Contact the practice and we will get you booked in.

Christmas at the Kings Arms
The Kings Arms have published their Christmas menu, and are looking forward to welcoming back people from Wednesday 2nd December.
Bookings can be made by calling 01404 881686, emailing dine@kingsarms.pub or sending us a Facebook Message.

• We can take bookings for tables of up to 6 people inside, but you must be from the same household/bubble.
• If you would like to dine with friends from a different household, we can book you a table of up to 6 outside in our garden (just wrap up warm!)
• Unfortunately, we will only be able to serve alcoholic beverages to those tables ordering a meal from our menu.
• Last orders will be at 10pm, however you will now have an hour to “drink up” and be off the premises 11pm.
• You will need to wear a mask upon entering the pub, and whilst in the building unless you are seated.
• We will need to take your details for track and trace or via the NHS app on arrival.
• One way system with specific Entrance and Exits will be in place.
• Hand sanitiser will be available at the entrance and at regular stations throughout the building.
• We ask you to please adhere to these new regulations to keep everyone safe

28/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I must apologise to Helen Neill who wrote the piece on Christmas trees I included yesterday for forgetting to credit her. There are so many things to remember, and sometimes something important gets forgotten. She’s in good company, earlier this  month I forgot to credit Tony Marsh for the piece he wrote regarding the annual visit of the redwings.

Baubles
The tree will be up soon outside the village hall, and to help it sparkle with love and friendship you are invited to decorate a bauble with a message, or saying thank you, or sending love, and make a donation (minimum £1) to go to the Children’s Hospice of the South West. Baubles are available from Sara Cranfield in Springfield. Email her cranfield56@gmail.com or ring her on 881567 to arrange collection or delivery.

Stamps
The RNIB box for your old stamps is now at the back of the second draw down in the filing cabinet outside the village hall. They want all stamps, not just Christmas ones.

Big Bird still hanging about
Alasdair has been in touch with the eagle trust, and they’ve sent through an update. It seems that rather than continue to head north, the sea eagle has spent the last three days very close to the village of Marsh. So for those who want to catch a sighting of this impressive bird, it might be worth looking in the fields a few hundred yards south of the village. Good luck.

BBC Countryfile wants your videos
Devon Communities Together has been asked by BBC Countryfile to gather 2-minute videos from communities around Devon that demonstrate your resilience during the pandemic!
These videos can be shot on mobile phones and do not have to be of professional quality – what they do need to show is how your community has come together to show huge resilience in these challenging times.
You will also need to make sure you have consent from those involved that they may be featured on the BBC and other media.
If you would like to submit a film for consideration, please email your clip to marketing@devoncommunities.org.uk by 12pm on Wednesday 2nd December.

National Tree Week Celebrations
There are loads of free tree inspired zoom events over the next week or two, featuring artists, photographers, musicians and authors. Find the full list at https://treecouncil.org.uk/take-action/seasonal-campaigns/national-tree-week/join-our-free-national-tree-week-arts-culture-events/

RSPB
Newsletter featuring migrants including our beautiful fieldfares, and a great film of fighting kingfishers
http://view.email.rspb.org.uk/?qs=e254a9b1101c90e06219a7f302e5f361b28ede80273951ac5dda9fac2e2c9df904f360dd454fa4cbed4fe7b13bc610eeb183c63e9ace623afd1d98b8d6e3c41c13104151eddfe360a4b3295632f6207089cf24ceaf1fcc1e

Old Dairy Kitchen at Trill
There is still time to order the Latin American Feast Takeaway for collection or local delivery on Friday the 4th of December.
For the yuletide, they have curated some incredible Festive Feasts to savour including their Christmas Seafood Platter, which will be available for collection or local delivery on Wednesday the 23rd of December and their New Years Eve Feast, which is available for collection or local delivery on Thursday the 31st of December.

Tuckers Arms
Still doing take-aways throughout December. 01404 881342
Next week (Wednesday to Saturday) they are offering a Persian style salmon Biryani, a vegan parsnip, spinach and chestnut marsala and a Moroccan style lamb curry – all £8 each.

Running short of Chocolate?
Chocolarder are Cornwall’s first bean-to-bar chocolate producer. Making some of the country’s finest chocolate ethically, sustainably and of course, plastic free. They’ve got a fantastic Christmas selection including Gold Frankincense and Myrrh 72% Dark, Gingerbread 55% Milk, and Roasted Chestnut 40% White. Visit https://www.chocolarder.com/shop/christmas-bundle/ for details
I have to declare an interest here; this is where my daughter works, but the chocolate is to die for.

27/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Membury Support Group update
Lockdown is ending, and with it the prescription and the milk delivery service will cease after one final delivery next week – but don’t worry. Both services served their purpose in the summer, but many fewer people took advantage of them this time round. If you are isolating for any reason or unable to get to Axminster we can still arrange to pick up your prescription and potentially milk from the Coop, and if the rules change again, or the weather worsens significantly we’ll resume the milk deliveries and the regular medicine collections. Don’t hesitate to contact the Support Group if you need us for any reason; both the email box and the phone line will be monitored seven days a week.

From Helen Neill, joint tree warden
It’s National Tree Week
And it is that time of year again when we start to think about special ones…..Christmas Trees! It is a tradition that has been around for many years, probably starting in the 16th century in Northern Germany. However, its roots go back many centuries to when the Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia, a weeklong celebration between the 17th and 25th of December. Nobody could be prosecuted during this period and lots of merrymaking took place. Pagans decorated their homes to celebrate the winter solstice on the 21st and 22nd December, with the evergreen leaves serving as a reminder that sun and summer weather were returning.
But should we use real or fake? Most environmentalists agree that if you already own an artificial tree you should keep using it as long as possible, and if it becomes too tatty, opt for a second hand one. The most environmentally friendly tree is a locally grown tree which is either replanted after Christmas, or failing that, recycled. At any one time there are about 100 million trees growing in the UK with all the benefits that these trees provide to the environment. They would not be growing if not for Christmas, so don’t be a Bah Humbug, enjoy you tree whichever sort you choose!
Christmas Tree Trivia

• The giant Norwegian spruce erected in Trafalgar Square each year is a gift to Londoners from the people of Norway in recognition of Britain’s support during the Second World War
• Newcastle on Tyne also receives a tree each year from the Norwegian city of Bergen
• Hanging trees upside down was common in the 19th Century, especially in Poland
• Saint Boniface, a Benedictine monk from Crediton who, as legend goes saw some pagans worshipping an oak tree. He cut it down and, in its place, grew a fir, he then cut this down and hung upside down as a way of explaining the Holy Trinity

Birds (not so big)
From Tony Marsh;
The last Friday morning in November, after the coldest night of the winter, so far. A clear sky, with streaks of dark cloud, fringed with a golden glow. The tall poplar trees swept clean of leaves by the autumn storms. But not lifeless. A contingent of about 40 jackdaws chatter noisily, their black stubby silhouettes stark against the clear morning sky. They come and go, nearly always in pairs, nest-building will be starting soon. A couple of years ago, in January, the jackdaws succeeded in tripping our boiler, with sticks dropped down the chimney. Not any more. Our chimneys are netted now, against the invaders. We can admire their flamboyance this cold winter’s morning, secure in the warm.

Devon and Cornwall Police
Chris Bolsover – our PCSO – has now retired leaving PCSO Hayley Widger and PC Jeanette Bassett at Axminster to look after us. Hayley has sent the following message
Courier fraud
Victims of courier fraud, alternatively known as impersonation or banking fraud, can lose thousands of pounds. The harm extends beyond that as they then feel foolish for having been tricked and consequently also lose their dignity and confidence.
One of the keys to combating this fraud is for people to pass their awareness of it on to relatives, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable. Victims of courier fraud are disproportionately in the elderly age range.
A fraudster telephones victims claiming to be a police officer or bank official. They might be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address.
After trust has been established the fraudster will then, for example, suggest:
Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible.
The suspects have already been arrested but the “police” need money for evidence.
A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is operating fraudulently and they require assistance to help secure evidence.
Victims are then asked to co-operate in an “investigation” by withdrawing money, withdrawing foreign currency from an exchange or purchasing an expensive item. All of these they will then be told to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster.
The fraudsters are extremely convincing and put pressure on the victim by imposing an urgency as to when the handover to the courier must happen. Elderly or otherwise vulnerable people are not confident in challenging what they think is a voice of authority. Tell them that police and banks will NEVER contact them like this, and it’s OK to hang up and check by other means.

Devon Wildlife Trust
Join DWT’s Lisa Schneidau for an evening of wintery, cosy folk tales!
About this Event
We are pleased to invite you to curl up on a chilly winter’s evening and be enchanted by bewitching folk tales. Hear the stories of the seasonal nature which surrounds us at this time of year and, for one evening, enter into a slightly magical world…
Lisa runs DWT’s Nature Improvement Area programme in North Devon, but she is also a performance storyteller working across the South West, and the author of two books, Botanical Folk Tales and Woodland Folk Tales. You can read more about her work at www.lisaschneidau.co.uk
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fireside-winter-folk-tales-with-lisa-schneidau-tickets-129312060855

Only 28 more days!
Carols Round the Christmas Tree (well nearly)
Come and join members of the Raucous Chorus on:
Date: December 23rd.
Time: 6.00-30 ish
Location: Village Car park, road outside the Hall and the Street if required.

East Devon District Council
Residents and business update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2ad7f81

26/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Funeral of Brian Aplin
The funeral is on Thursday 3rd December at 1:45 at East Devon Crematorium.
If anyone would like to attend please can they contact Melanie directly via email due to numbers being restricted. melanieaplin99@gmail.com

 We’re in Tier 2
What does this mean to us from December 2^nd?

Meeting friends and family

• From 2 December you will no longer be required to stay at home whenever possible.
• You will not be allowed to mix with anyone from outside your household or support bubble indoors, either in a private home or a public place.
• You can socialise in groups of up to six people outdoors – either in private gardens or public places.
• Support bubbles can be formed between one household and another which contains only one adult – with some exceptions.
• You can also form a support bubble with another household if you have a child under one, or a child under five with a disability that needs continuous care.

**UNTIL 2 DECEMBER THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN REMAINS IN FORCE AND THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY**

• You should stay at home except for specific reasons including education, work (if it can’t be done from home), exercise, medical needs, food and other essential shopping and to provide care.
• You should not mix socially indoors, or in a private garden, with anyone who is not part of your household or support bubble. (A support bubble is when a person living alone or with children under 18 joins another household).
• You can meet one other person at a time from another household, in an outdoors public place (such as a park, a street, countryside, an allotment or a children’s playground).
• Children under five, and disabled people who need round-the-clock care, are not counted towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
• Children can continue to move between homes if their parents are separated.
• Support groups of 15 people or fewer are allowed in certain circumstances, such as for new parents or addiction recovery.

 Going to work

• You should work at home if at all possible.
• If you have to return to your workplace, your employer must make arrangements for you to work safely.
• This advice will not change after 2 December and the end of the national lockdown.
• Schools and nurseries
• Primary and secondary schools are open, as are nurseries and childcare.
• If a school has coronavirus cases, local health protection teams will advise what to do.
• All pupils and staff in secondary schools (Year 7 and above) must wear face coverings in communal areas outside the classroom.
• Universities remain open, but students have been asked to return home for the holidays in a travel window between 3 and 9 December and complete the term online from there.

Leisure Time

• From 2 December pubs and bars may open only if they are operating as restaurants.
• Alcohol may be served in pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants but only as part of a substantial meal.
• Licensed premises must be table service only, stop taking orders at 22:00 GMT and close at 23:00.
• Entertainment venues can reopen.
• Gyms and leisure facilities such as swimming pools can reopen.
• Exercise classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but not indoors if it involves people from different households mixing.
• Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
• Sports events and live performances can open to spectators – up to 50% capacity or 2,000 people outdoors (1,000 people indoors) – whichever is lower.

**UNTIL 2 DECEMBER THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN REMAINS IN FORCE AND THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY**

• Pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes are closed, except for takeaways.
• There is no limit on the time allowed for exercise outdoors or, for example, for sitting on a park bench or eating and drinking outside.
• Leisure facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, golf courses, fitness and dance studios, climbing walls, archery, and driving and shooting ranges are all closed.
• Entertainment venues including theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, are all closed.
• Hotels, hostels, guest houses and campsites are closed except in certain circumstances (such as where they are someone’s main residence, or where it is essential to stay there for work purposes).

Shopping

• From 2 December all retail outlets can reopen.

**UNTIL 2 DECEMBER THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN REMAINS IN FORCE AND THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY**

• All non-essential shops are closed, including clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops and market stalls selling non-essential goods.
• Click-and-collect services are allowed.
• Food shops, supermarkets, cycle shops, off-licences, pharmacies, hardware stores, banks, post offices, garden centres and pet shops can remain open.

Other

• From 2 December you will be allowed to stay overnight away from your home with members of your household or support bubble.
• Places of worship will reopen for communal services. Worshippers should not interact with anyone from outside their household or support bubble.
• Weddings, civil partnerships and receptions can take place once more, with up to 15 guests.
• You should reduce the number of journeys you make where possible, and avoid travelling into tier three areas unless necessary.

**UNTIL 2 DECEMBER THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN REMAINS IN FORCE AND THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY**

• You are not allowed to stay overnight away from your home, whether on holiday, in a second home or caravan, or with anyone you do not live with, or are in a support bubble with.
• You can still move home, but people outside your household or support bubble should not help with moving house unless absolutely necessary.
• You can leave home to visit someone who is giving birth or dying, to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm (such as domestic abuse), to visit someone in a hospice or hospital, to go with them to a medical appointment, or to go to the vets (or other animal welfare services).
• It is possible to visit friends and family in care homes as long as Covid-secure measures are in place.
• Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies cannot take place except where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover. These weddings are limited to six people.
• Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked ceremonial events can continue with up to 15 people.
• Apart from funerals, places of worship are only open to allow individual prayer or services to be broadcast to the congregation.

 Damsel in distress
Carole Neville needs to replace a zip in a pair of trousers belonging to Chris, but is having trouble with her hands. Can anyone help her out? Ring her on 01404 881381

 Devon Wildlife Trust
Last few hours to support DWT’s meadow making
Thanks to a wonderful response from more than 200 supporters, we are only £315 away from our Devon Meadow Makers crowdfunder target, with less than a day to go!
With this support, we are already planning how we can expand DWT’s existing wildflower meadow creation and restoration work next year, starting in the South Hams while also working alongside other partners elsewhere in Devon.
Click here to help create more wildflower meadows
Wildflower meadows are a vital habitat for a huge range of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to barn owls and bats.
Just £315 is needed to meet that target in the next 16 hours.

 National Theatre – free streaming 24 hours only
Following recent national Coronavirus measures, Death of England: Delroy was forced to close mid-way through its run. Filmed on its opening (and closing) night, the play will now be streamed for free on YouTube at 7pm Friday 27 November, then available on demand for 24 hours.
Michael Balogun plays Delroy with ‘firecracker energy’ in this new work by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, which explores a Black working class man searching for truth and confronting his relationship with Great Britain.
Ahead of the stream, step behind the scenes to meet our incredible team, as we find out how they captured this sensational performance, for our audiences across the world to enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ejjFak_S_Q&feature=youtu.be
Streaming for free from 7pm, Friday 27 November. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVuCKaetRss&feature=youtu.be

 Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2ae4d22

 RBL Collection
You’ll be delighted to hear that the poppy collection for the Royal British Legion raised £85.11, which Membury Church has made up to £100. Thank you all that contributed

Beckford Bridge 2008
With Monty guarding it, courtesy of Jill

24/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Death Notice
Sadly Brian Aplin of Homedown Farm, Chapplecroft Road has died in Magnolia House Care Home, Axminster, at the age of 90. Brian’s wife Ivy had predeceased him dying on 27th April 2020 at the age of 91. Condolences to his daughter Melanie who is now living at the Farm.  No further details available at the moment.

Beckford Bridge Update
Today I spoke to Liz Kurton, the engineer in charge of the Beckford Bridge Project.
She said that a combination of factors (weather, difficulties with the piling) mean that work will not be completed until January, although the bridge may be passable before all the work on the landscaping and the surrounds is complete. The bridge will have regular 3 rail aluminium parapets and it is hoped that the lack of obstruction beneath the bridge will protect the parapet from damage caused by debris when the river floods. More hedging will be planted and it is hoped that the tree that came down can be replaced with something suitable as well. Liz was keen to know how it all looked before the area to the north west (where people park) was scoured out – in order to restore it properly. There was an issue with silt pollution that the Environment Agency were unhappy with, but this has been resolved.

From the Stockland Tree
A plea to keep to the Footpaths and close gates!
Over the past few months we have regularly seen people walking in our fields, quite often exercising their dogs.  These are fields where there are no public footpaths.  We generally let this pass, only occasionally speaking with walkers to make them aware that they are on private land.
On Friday afternoon a couple walking their dog were seen leaving one of our fields, which has no public right of way, and they did not close the gate properly behind them.
There were young calves in the field which, during the night, walked out of the open gateway into the centre of the village.  They entered and caused damage to at least two well maintained gardens in the village and sadly one of the calves fell into a swimming pool and drowned.  The body of the dead animal was discovered by a very distressed homeowner when they woke on Saturday morning.
In the circumstances we would remind people to please only walk across our fields if following a public footpath and not to leave that path.  Please also ensure that all gates are closed behind you.  Save for the public footpaths, our fields are private property and nobody should enter them without permission.
We fully appreciate that we live in a beautiful area and that villagers enjoy walking but this incident has caused much distress to some of our village neighbours, in addition to the loss of life of one of our animals.
Battens Farm, Stockland

Safe Shopping Online
A useful guide to purchasing “bargain” electrical goods online
https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safe-shopping-and-counterfeit-products/

Big Bird News
Our Webble Green correspondent Alasdair Bruce writes …
Latest on big bird. From the GPS maps sent to me by my contact with the trust show that the eagle has been north of us for the last three days around Whitestaunton. Currently just north of Bishopstone, the thinking from the experts is that if it follows previous flight track behaviour, it will continue to move north further into Somerset. However, nothing is certain so still worth watching the skies for this massive bird.

23/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Tuckers Takeaways
24th – 28th November. Collect from the Tuckers Arms 11:00am or 5:30pm. Order 24 hours in advance 01404 881342. All dishes £8 per person, pud £4, 2pints real ale £4.

• Tuckers Belly Welly – slow roast pork belly wrapped in parma ham and apricot chutney, encased in puff pastry with crispy crackling, served with wilted greens, onions and pine nuts
• King Prawn and Spiced Red Noodles – red pepper cream, roast onions, peppers, prawns and spinach with Chinese style rice noodles and prawn crackers
• Steak and Ale Pie – served with carrot and swede mash and gravy
• Chinese Style Beef Curry – served with fried rice and prawn crackers
• Vegan Red Pepper and Sautéed Chestnut Noodles – coconut based red pepper cream, roast onions, peppers, sautéed chestnuts and spinach with Chinese style rice noodles and boa bread
• Italian Chicken – chicken breast in breadcrumbs topped with tomato and basil sauce and melted cheese, served with salad and seasoned diced potatoes
• Apple and Blackberry Crumble with custard

RNIB Stamps
The box for collecting used stamps will be in the filing cabinet at the Village Hall from tomorrow.
Please ensure that stamps are trimmed with approximately 1cm of paper round the edge. The RNIB do not want the large gold post office printed labels or pre-printed postage marks – which have no value to collectors.

Kings Arms Winter Warmer
Telephone 01404 881686
Along with the usual fish and chip Fridays, and Sunday roasts the Wednesday Winter Warmer this week is a Kings Arms Jalfrezi and pilau rice. Choose pork or vegetable. £12 per person. Add starter selection consisting of flatbread, mint and cucumber raita, onion and fennel bhaji and vegetable samosa for £4.

They are keeping everything crossed for Boris’ announcement this evening and hope to welcome you all through the doors again in December.
Here are some dates for your diary of Festive Events planned in December:
Thursday 10^th December: Christmas wreath making workshop (evening)
Thursday 17^th December: Christmas quiz night – 6.30pm for 7pm
Tuesday 22^nd December: Christmas meat draw 6.30pm (tickets will be on sale throughout December)

Our festive menu will also be available throughout December for tables of up to 6 people.

Christmas cards
Arc still has charity Christmas Cards for sale. £3.95/pack of 10.
Suzie can deliver locally around Axminster.
Fabulous value and fabulous cards
Please e mail her at mrsmacspics@gmail.com
All profit goes to Arc Axminster, our unique mental health charity.
Suzie is also raising money with a wonderful cookery book, created by the Axminster & Lyme Cancer Support Group. The book is a compilation of local people’s favourites Each book costs £10 of which £2.50 goes to Arc and the rest to the Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support Group.

Mobile library
Tiverton mobile library is popping along to the village hall this Friday between 13:50 and 14:45, and if you ring them on 01884 244644 they will be delighted to fill a bag with books of your choice. The next visit will be in 2021, on January 8th and let’s hope that by then Kate will be able to welcome you back into the van!

Running out of wood?
Devon Logs is celebrating “Black Dog Friday” with 25% off all orders placed up to midnight Friday this week.
Ring Bruce on 07880797613 or visit www.devon-logs.co.uk

New Inn Kilmington
Anybody tried the New Inn? Prices are good!
To book ring 01297 33376 or 07944297931
Takeaway Tuesdays to Sunday. This is showing as the menu for Tuesday – I don’t know if they change it daily. All main courses are £8, all puddings £3.50

• Chicken curry with basmati rice
• Steak and ale or chicken, ham hock and leek pie with chips and vegetables
• Spaghetti Bolognese with fresh parmesan
• Cottage pie with vegetables
• Brie and cranberry Wellingon with new potatoes and vegetable
• Butternut Gobi Dansk (curry) with basmati rice
• Blackberry and apple crumble with custard
• Treacle sponge with custard
• Baileys cheesecake

Big Bird
Still in the area, and Charles has reported that it was down at the Trout Farm this morning. I went down to try to get a photograph of it, but it was nowhere to be seen – probably snoozing in a tree somewhere having had it’s fill of fish!
Keep the reports coming in, and let’s hope someone can get a photograph of it…

Larch in Autumn
John and Jeanette Tuck have sent me a photograph of their spectacular larch.

22/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

How exciting; our lockdowns bookended by a kookaburra in early April, and a sea eagle in November! To put things in perspective, here’s an image of a sea eagle along with a red kite …(photo by Tim Smith, North Norfolk, August 2020)

Big Bird Confirmed
Alasdair has heard back from the trust that released the eagle from the Isle of Wight this year which confirms that it is a Sea Eagle. I have copied the email below.
“Thanks very much for getting in touch with details of your exciting sighting. The bird you saw was G463 who has been around the Devon/Somerset border since 26th October. This is a juvenile male that was released on the Isle of Wight in late July this year. It left the Isle of Wight in mid October and flew west to Land’s End, before heading east to your area.
Your sighting fits perfectly with the track we have – the GPS fixes are 10 minutes apart. You’ll see that after roosting north of Membury in yesterday evening the bird flew 2.5 miles further north today. I am sure there is every chance that you will see it again in the coming days.”

G463 was also observed at Terisha. Tony writes …
“The eagle was perched in a tree behind our bungalow – I called Hilary to come and have a look. Interested to read about its carrion intake – there were the remains of a long dead sheep just below its perch and the corvids were getting very excited, as were we!”

A Yarcombe resident also spotted the bird
“I write with reference to the sighting of a very large bird. I was lucky enough to see it in early November!!
It is a young male White Tailed Eagle, between the 5th and 7th of November it was spotted on several occasions around Whitestaunton and Howley. When we spoke to neighbouring farmers it had been seen near Wambrook in the weeks before.
It is very exciting and a magnificent bird.”

21/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
A quick reminder about the fish and chips available from the village hall car park this evening at 6pm. There might just be time for you to ring Jill on 881641 and order your portion if you wish

Big Bird
Everything points to our mystery visitor being a white-tailed or sea eagle.
Margaret Bullpit has sent me the following link. https://www.roydennis.org/category/sea-eagle/isle-of-wight-sea-eagles/ From this it seems that a couple of young male birds have been roaming this area for a few weeks now, and it’s one of these that has probably been spotted.

Lorry
The lorry has finally gone after blocking our roads for over 30 hours. It seems that it may have got jammed again in Hunthay Lane, and let’s hope that driver at least has learnt his lesson. Goodness knows how much damage has been done to the verges, the Devon Banks and the road itself.
Thank you to all for the updates, photographs and other information.

Devon County Council updates
Case numbers in Devon continue to rise
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2ad4571
Black Friday shopping advice
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2ad80a9

RSPB Update
Notes on Nature http://view.email.rspb.org.uk/?qs=24a33fa4b32b431950dc7835f6488adeff40ea77c022dc581b8b3d36c31f7bdb89e32b499f1265a1131caf42cc78ea5a78673d9c6fda5b9a0e1ed6b500ae83b8ed07e1e8dcbec228f67bf6407c759981e07e8e0ba51937f4

Devon Carbon Plan
The consultation of the Interim Devon Carbon Plan will be going live on the 7th of December! Residents will have the chance to shape the county’s roadmap to creating a net-zero Devon, where people and nature thrive.
The consultation, which opens on Monday 7th December and runs for 10 weeks, allows the public to offer their thoughts and feedback on the plan. This is the chance for residents to have their say on Devon’s collective response to the global climate emergency and help create a fairer, healthier and stronger Devon.
The Net-Zero Task Force (a group of fifteen experts in areas including renewable energy, transport, planning and the built environment) has been developing the plan for creating a net-zero Devon. The consultation follows a series of hearings chaired by experts and an evidence gathering stage of more than 893 submissions of ideas and evidence by the public.
This is the pivotal next step towards producing the Final Devon Carbon Plan, which will follow the Citizens’ Assembly, now in 2021 due to Covid-19.
The Devon Climate Emergency (DCE) partnership, which is made up of 25 organisations, wants to hear your views on the key actions in the plan that are deemed necessary to create a thriving net-zero Devon.
All the actions are based on the latest evidence and address the suggestions from the public call for evidence.
The topics range from active travel, renewable energy, and improved air quality to better insulation and warmer homes, reduced fuel poverty and eating more balanced diets. These actions will help to create a fairer, healthier and stronger Devon.
Additionally, they highlight issues that are more challenging to implement. These will be prioritised for discussion at the Citizens’ Assembly in 2021 to ensure the recommendations in the Final Devon Carbon Plan reflect the views of Devon’s citizens.
The more people who take part in the consultation, the stronger our argument becomes, the more momentum we create and the more likely we are to realise our goals. Together, we can build back better and create a net-zero Devon where people and nature thrive.
From December 7th, have your say at www.devonclimateemergency.org.uk/interimcarbonplan or request a paper copy and consultation questionnaire from your local library from January 1st.

18/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Update on Liz Van de Byl
Liz is still in hospital, slowly building up enough strength to face yet another operation.
It cheered her up greatly when she received everyone’s cards.
If anyone would like to send another message she is at:
Okement Ward
RD&E Wonford
Exeter
EX2 5DW

Virtual Parish Council Meeting 24^th November 2020
This meeting will take place via ZOOM.
All parishioners are encouraged to attend.
Attached is the Agenda and joining instructions. Get in touch if you have trouble opening the attachment. MPC Agenda 24.11.2020

COVID Symptom study
Some of you are probably reporting daily on the ZOE app. ZOE is now interested in studying COVID-19 in children.
Little is known about COVID-19 in children, or how transmission of the virus among schoolchildren affects the wider population. And worryingly, more children are becoming infected. So ZOE’s launched a free School Communities Programme open to all schools in the UK.
Click on this link to find out more: https://mailchi.mp/3f3f9bd1c805/help-protect-schools-this-winter

They’re back!
We’ve got fieldfares in the garden!
They are doing their best to clear the lawn of apples at the moment, but it’s going to be a long job.

A sign of the times …
We had a nice wooden sign for the playground on Bond’s Lane. Unfortunately, it has rotted and is now lying forlornly on the path. Would anyone like to make a new one for the village? It needs to say “Membury Playing Field, No dogs please”

17/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roadworks
I’m reliably informed that the planned drainage works at Four Cross (top of Hunthay Road) are now expected to start on 23rd November, not today as was advertised.

250 Words
Already we have an offering from Kerstin Langdon, and it’s a Haiku
Stood at river’s edge
Water inviting her in
Then the torrent came

Kings Arms Winter Warmer
Order on 01404 881686
Spicy sticky barbecue ribs or sticky spiced pumpkin £12
Both served with triple-cooked chips and complimentary sides – coleslaw, corn on the cob or chilli and tomato salsa

Wet Fish Shop, Lyme Regis
Tuesday’s catch – all £22 per box.
Box A 4 Brill fillets, 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets
Box B 4 Brill fillets, 4 Gurnard fillets, 2 Pollack fillets (8-10oz)
Box C 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets, 2 Pollack fillets (8-10oz)

16/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I just love the term ‘pinkle-ponkle slabs’ – see the message from Petronella!

Church Opening Times
Following Gov’t guidelines, St John the Baptist is closed for services, but remains open for private prayer Sundays & Wednesdays from 10am – 2pm. Please wear a face mask, use the hand sanitiser provided and remain socially distanced. Should you have any symptoms of Covid-19, we would ask you not to enter.
Should you wish to talk to a member of the clergy, please contact Rev’d Clive Sedgwick on 01297 792120 or email clives1865@gmail.com
We hope to recommence fortnightly services again after the government review on 2nd December, with further updates on both the village and Axe Valley Mission Group websites.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Defibrillator news
You’ll be pleased to hear that the defibrillator is back in its cage. It wasn’t needed in the end – recovery was made without it.

Memories from Petronella
My parents lived in Red Lion House since the end of 1972 till my mother died in March 2013. The Flood Alleviation Scheme done in the 1980s (I think) replaced an open stream – much like it still is below the wall outside the Hall and the then Pottery.
The holes in the pinkle-ponkle slabs are deliberately narrowest at the top, so any stones or sludge will drop as soon as poked through. The gully bottom is U shaped so stuff is most easily carried on down. Red Lion had an old broom handle to use as a hole poker. Every little helps. People who saw us and said it was the Council’s job got short shrift. Self help is thoughtful help.
This Scheme was meant to alleviate all but the 100 year flood. The flash flood can come at any time of day, night or season. If there is a deluge up the valley. It will indeed come very quickly. Often after everyone has gone to bed. But one memorable time, my mother was going to Harvest Service and turned back to change into boots and tats – hoping my father would scurry back from bell ringing asap. After the Millennium flood, she invested in the heavy metal barriers – curved at the top to deflect the flood’s bow-wave. They kept the 2004 flood out of the main house. The 2008 one did its worst almost all through the ground floor – and turned the garage door inside out. Thanks to amazing help from lots of local folk, the worst mopping up had been done before the Insurer’s man came so we could be firm and go for minimal disruption. People who garden aren’t worried about Biohazard as much as city people. Good rubber gloves!
One snag is that each flood delivers a layer of mud – good for the garden, but not the level of it. I had to persuade my nephew to scrape off mud from the lawn and yard and barrow it to well above flood level to dump.
Servicemaster collected the two best Axminster carpets and did a wonderful cleaning job – they said they liked a challenge. The insurers loved us because we saved so much money on what we could.

The 250 Word Challenge.
A suggestion from Roger Clemens
As I’ve mentioned before, I work with a small writing group and one of the projects we share with a number of others is ‘The 250 Word Challenge ‘ and I thought this might be of interest to some Memburyites or even Membrains.
It works like this:  a single word title is given, probably by one of the contributors, e.g. ‘Settle’, or ‘ Battle’, ( see below) Anyone wishing to contribute writes a story, poem, diary entry…perhaps including photographs or pictures..based on  the title, limiting themselves to 250 words or under.   It could be much shorter..a Haiku, for example. These would then be sent to Daniel, and he will display your wonderful work. Yes, you will be published.
I suggest, from a practical point of view, that the ‘Story Title’ would be given each month. However if this is met with huge enthusiasm..then more frequency could follow.
It’s worth noting, if my experience is anything to go by, that these short pieces, sometimes called, ‘Nano Fiction ‘, still demand much effort if they are to work. I find it refreshing to cut stories down to their essentials..and because of this it’s possible to discover problems that might have remained unnoticed. One well chosen word that you’ve worked hard to pull from the back of your mind can really hit the mark..and might be worth a whole lengthy sentence, this is one of the great things about having a limited word count allowance.
The main thing is to have a go, even if you’ve not written anything before. It’s fun.
Below are two examples of stories written by me, one 250 words and the other much shorter.

Battle.
22.00hrs.
Battle is joined.
A trajectory of words curve over a table. Me one side on the other my powerful adversary.
Strong stuff.
Yep, about 120 proof.
‘But if you didn’t want to enjoy me, why bring me here?’
‘Prove I’ve the strength to resist,’ I lied.
‘You could enjoy me just a little, where’s the harm?’
‘You’re going back in the cupboard,’ I said, ‘You hate it there in the dark.’
That went home.
‘The only place I’m going is down your throat, into your blood, make you king for a while.’
2230.hrs.
A car swung, its lights catching him in glowing amber, he was irresistible. And he knew it.
‘It’s unfair of you to take advantage of my shallow nature,’ I said, trying to hide my waning resolve.
Too late he’d noticed.
‘Go on, just two fingers,’ he said.
‘Two fingers to you,’ I said.
‘Ok, let’s call it a day,’ he said, ‘Time for bed..fancy a nightcap?’
‘Don’t mind if I do,’ I said, reaching across.

Settle
By all the Saints. You’d think anyone who’d cocked half an eye would see him for what he was.
A tall figure stands uncertain, looking.
Memento Mori hung time across the great Chancel, but his eyes are fixed on the west wall where a huge black settle stands. He almost collides with a small figure.
‘God! …Where’d you spring from? Oh, you’re dressed for a pageant. Who are you supposed to be?’
‘I’m Potts,’ said the little man, ‘ Wearing doublet and hose.’
The tall man laughed.
‘You think I jest?’  said Potts.
‘ Apparently there are interesting artefacts in the crypt.’said the tall man.  ‘There’s a door in the west wall but I can’t …’
‘Probably behind that old settle, said Potts,  ‘ let’s take a look.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t lift anything,’ said the tall man, ‘perhaps you might…’
‘Of course,’ said Potts grasping the settle.
It came from the wall easily, even the rusty hinged door opened with a gentle push.
Down broken steps they descended into the gloom.
Something cracked in the disturbed air, a small light scuttled across an eye socket, before continuing  its sad journey over ribcage and cranium.
‘Whose are these?’ said Potts shaking.
‘It’s our collection,’ said the tall man, becoming transparent, ‘Obviously  we have to replenish it now and then.’
Above; the small door slammed shut and with a grinding noise something heavy returned to where it was always meant to be.
‘So thank you. It’s much appreciated,’ said a vaporous voice.

If anyone wants to have a go I’ll set the first subject as “Water”

 And another message from Roger …
I have volunteered for the Covid-19 vaccine trials that Imperial College are running in partnership with Oxford University. It’s important that we all do our part to beat this virus. The vaccine is the one that has been developed in Russia. I received my first dose this morning at 06:20 am, and I wanted to let you know that it’s completely safe, with иo side effects whatsoeveя, and that I feelshκι я чувю себя немного стрно и я думю, что вытл осные уши. чувству себя немго страо .. Джон

15/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roadworks
I’ve not had an update since yesterday. Given the weather, I think it quite likely that the gang doing the job probably packed up quite early. I have to go to Axminster tomorrow morning; I’ll let you know how far the roadworks have got upon my return.

Flooding
Various people were out for some hours yesterday and again today clearing the drains and gullies. To a relative newcomer in the village it was astonishing just how quickly the situation developed. To all the other recent arrivals – don’t get complacent! If everybody takes responsibility for clearing the road outside their house and on their land we’ll all be safer.

Fish and Chips
Once again, the fish and chip van will be outside the hall on Saturday, serving fresh food from around 6pm. As usual you’ll need to let Jill know whether you’ll be coming. Ring her on 881641, or send her an email to jill-folletts@outlook.com. The price is still £5 – making it the cheapest in the area by far.

Defibrillator
To unlock use the code 1234
The defibrillator was required over the weekend, and the user was unaware of the code to access it. I have put a note of the combination by the equipment which is sited outside the village hall, next to the newspaper filing cabinet. Always ring 999 before retrieving the defibrillator, and follow the instructions you are given.
I’m sure we all wish whoever it was used for a speedy recovery.

Any old duvets or blankets?
Sue and Richard Pittendrigh of Ashcroft would appreciate any old duvets and blankets for their animals. Sue uses them to make doggy beds and to go under the horse’s rugs. It would be a shame to waste them!
Ring Sue on 07900683463

Devon County Council
Latest news: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2ac19d9

Tuckers Arms Takeaway menu
Tuesday 17^th – Saturday 21^st November
Served in foil containers to be reheated at home.
Order 24 hours in advance, and collect 11:00am or 5:30pm. All £8 per head.

• Tuckers Belly Welly – slow roast belly pork, wrapped in para ham and apricot chutney, encased in puff pastry, with crispy crackling, served with wilted greens, onions and pine nuts.
• Cullen Skink – a cream based smoked haddock, leek and potato soup served with crusty bread.
• Feather blade of beef – in a stew of carrots onion and celery topped with a horseradish dumpling and served with carrot and swede mash.
• Moroccan spiced shoulder of lamb – served on giant cous-cous infused with roasted onions, apricots, sultanas, with steamed boa bread.
• Vegan Moroccan spiced giant cous-cous infused with coconut oil, roasted onions, apricots, sultanas and roasted peppers, with a pickled cucumber salad and steamed boa bread.
• Chicken Penang curry – Malaysian style medium spiced coconut curry with chicken, butternut squash, chilli, lemongrass and pineapple served with rice and flatbread.

Sewing by Lydia
Lydia Hartnell is still sewing everything from scrunchies and bunting to Christmas themed facemasks. Contact her via Facebook, or ring her on 07724 014212

A walk in the woods
Lovely walk through a muddy Yarty Copse on Friday, ahead of the deluge. Photo by Jan.

13/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roadworks
No update today; I presume that they’ll only be working Monday to Friday. Getting to Axminster could be tricky on Monday though!

The Cornerhouse Bakery and Café, Axminster
Has just posted their Christmas menu up on Facebook – and their hampers look delicious and good value. Visit their page https://www.facebook.com/cornerhousebakery/ for details. Buy local!

Another one for the Geologists
Ceramic Ammonite pendants £8 and other bits and pieces, from the beach at Charmouth. Pick them up, or ask them to post them. Ring 07855 261745, or use Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sealilycharmouth. Buy local!

East Devon District Council
Residents update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2abe019
Business update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2abfeb9

Wet Fish Shop, Lyme Regis
We really enjoyed the hake and the prawns we had a couple of days ago, and Patricia was very impressed with her scallops. This is what’s in their boxes currently that can be delivered tomorrow.
Box S1 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets, 2 Pollack fillets £22
Box S2 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets, 4 Brill fillets £22
Box S3 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets, 2 whole Bream £22
Box S4 8 Plaice fillets, 4 Pollack fillets £26
Box S5 8 Gurnard fillets, 8 Brill fillets £26

From the Tucks’ Arboretum
Dogwood and Beech tree

12/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roadworks
The road south of Star Cross was passable today, but all road surface has been stripped round all the potholes, making for a very bumpy journey!

Prescriptions
Our drug mules (Kim and Ali) completed their first run today and managed to avoid being picked up by the fuzz.
In future please can you let us know if your prescription contains refrigerated items or controlled drugs. Refrigerated items are easily missed, and for deliveries involving controlled drugs they need to be signed for, and we’ll need your complete address, and a promise that you’ll be in.
Also bear in mind that if the prescription is ordered via Pharmacy2u we can’t collect it – it has to go through their system.

Membury Primary School
We couldn’t have felt prouder of the children at Membury Primary yesterday: respectful and totally involved in their act of remembrance.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. https://www.facebook.com/memburyprimaryschool/videos/1751300315019256

RNIB Stamp Collection
The Royal National Institute for the Blind is requesting that people save the stamps they receive on Christmas cards this year. There’ll be a box for donations in the filing cabinet used for newspapers by the village hall https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising/fundraising-your-community/stamps-appeal

Protect your Pa$$W0rD
Neighbourhood Watch launches PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0rD campaign with 3 quick and easy steps
As we spend more time at home and on our online devices, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime!* You could be more at risk than you might think.
If strengthening your passwords is something you keep putting off, or you feel overwhelmed by the sea of online security information, you’re not alone.
As part of our Cyberhood Watch initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Avast, we have launched a PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd campaign that targets both the overwhelmed and complacent, providing everyone with 3 easy steps to be more secure online.
PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0Rd in 3 easy steps

• Create a separate password for your email account
• Use 3 random words
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

To find out more about how to do each step visit our Password Protection page on our website .
But we won’t stop there!  Whilst taking those 3 easy steps will go a long way to protecting yourself online, we want to protect not just you but your whole community! To do this, we are asking you to spread the word and help protect your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours by sharing these 3 easy steps with 3 others.

Kings Arms
Friday fish and chips or burgers as usual. Sunday lunch this week £12 slow roast pork belly, topside of beef or spiced roasted squash – all with the usual accompaniments.
Ring them on 01404 881686 to make the arrangements.

Starcross History Society
Free ZOOM Meeting Wednesday, 18^th November, 7.30-9.00 p.m.
Topic: Captain Peacock, His Inventions, Achievements and the Swan of the Exe
Speaker: Joe Hancock of the Burn the Curtain Interactive Promenade Theatre Company
Joe will introduce a major project, currently Covid-19 mothballed,  on Starcross’s Victorian polymath inventor, Captain George Peacock and his many ground-breaking inventions and achievements that included his “Swan of the Exe”.
The Swan was a 10 berth yacht with the appearance of a giant mute swan with four smaller vessels called ‘Cygnets’, one of which transported passengers to The Swan.
The surviving Cygnet is on display at Topsham Museum opposite Starcross.
The Swan ended its days in the captain’s garden in the centre of the village.
Captain Peacock was a unique Devonian character whose extraordinary story is still largely unknown. An explorer and inventor born in Exmouth, he was instrumental in surveying the Isthmus of Corinth, and was the first to navigate a steam ship through the Straits of Magellan. As an inventor, he created a device for turning saltwater into fresh, a screw propeller and an inflatable bathing costume.
Joe’s project plans to bring Captain Peacock and his inventions to life through imaginative historical reconstruction that draws upon the creative and performing arts and the historical record and evidence.
The meeting will consist of the talk and then questions and discussion.
To join and participate in the 18th November SCHS zoom meeting email heirnet@gmail.com
If you wish to, you can give a donation via the PayPal button on the Starcross History Website. https://starcrosshistory.blogspot.com/p/donate.html

Devon County Council 5 day Mindfulness Challenge
We want to help you look after your wellbeing and mental health during this second national lockdown and therefore we are launching our 5-day Mindfulness Challenge.
The challenge will begin next Monday, 16^th November, and features a series of short videos that provide an opportunity to take 20 minutes a day, over five days, to ensure that mindfulness – training techniques for your mind and wellbeing – is part of your daily routine.
Each day we will focus on a different technique to help you with focus, concentration, relaxation, coping with anxiety and stress, as well as stretches for desk workers and more. Visit this page for more details, and to sign up https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=gzehjWjLP0S7S5l_d_1b-7gZZ-UVIyVLqafsdZEpnWFURTNHNjkyQVdXUVdBVVhBN09POTdEQkJPSC4u

Speaking of mindfulness …
On this sheep- scale, how do you feel today?

11/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Decent turnout at the war memorial this morning; Mike Capper read out the list of people from the parish killed in both world wars, and Paul Avis conducted brief prayers. It felt strange wearing a suit, for only the third time since lockdown. Both other occasions were funerals.

Roadworks
Kevin Sadler from Chapplecroft reports that the road between Challenger Cross and Star Cross is now closed during working hours. If this is correct they are certainly making progress! I think the section south past Star Cross will take the longest.

The Wet Fish Shop, Lyme Regis
Hollie and Dan (and Freddie) are offering to deliver boxes of fish free of charge to Membury. Dan visits the market every Tuesday and Friday, buys what looks good and packages it into boxes for delivery around the area. You can order extras such as scallops, prawns and mussels as well if you wish – and Hollie also makes awesome looking cakes.
Boxes this week include
Box 1 £22 – 2 large Brill fillets, 4 Gurnard fillets, 4 Plaice fillets
Box 2 £22 – 2 large Brill fillets, 4 Gurnard fillets, 1lb+ Hake fillet
Box 3 £24 – 2 Wild Bass fillets, 4 Gurnard fillets, 1lb+ Hake fillet
Box 4 £26 – 4 large Brill fillets, 2lb+ Hake fillet
Box 5 £26 – 8 Gurnard fillets, 8 Plaice fillets
Find them on Facebook, email them on sales@wetfishshop.com or ring them on 07891 975513

I can vouch for the quality and value of the fish – it looks amazing!

Old Dairy Kitchen Friday Feast 20^th November
Flavours of Asia £25 per headto order visit https://www.olddairykitchen.co.uk/shop/summer-feasting-fridays

• Tofu, sesame & grilled Oyster Mushroom dumplings, Kimchi mayo
• Cured sea bass, toasted coriander & lime, chopped noodle salad
• Dong Po Rou pork belly, pickled cucumber, sprouts & grilled brassicas
• Crispy peanut & smoked dulse congee
• Hong Kong egg tart, quince & ginger

Axminster Country Market
Axminster Country Market closed last week but is reopening this week for food including eggs veg preserves baking and savoury dishes.
Opening times 9.00 to 12 in Masonic Hall every Thursday
Orders for Christmas being taken now.

Local businesses
These businesses are open, and most of them are providing a take-away or delivery service. This alphabetical list list is not comprehensive and doesn’t include the Tesco, Lidl and Sainsbury supermarkets. I’ve tried to make sure it’s accurate, but things are changing swiftly, and my competence is questionable! If anyone is aware of errors and omissions please let me know.

Anton’s Butchers, Colyton
Meat and meat boxes
DELIVERY OPEN
01297 552192

Barley Mows Farm Shop Chard
Fresh vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bakery, dried and canned/jarred foods
COLLECT OPEN
01460 62130
orders@barleymowsfarmshop.co.uk

Bidfood Direct
General wholesaler
DELIVERY
Next day delivery min £100. Need to OPEN an account.
https://www.bidfooddirect.co.uk/

Chard Garden Centre
Everything for your garden
OPEN
Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm
01460 63088

Combe Dingle Nursery, Chard
Plants, seeds, compost, potatoes
COLLECT OPEN
07817 851419

Complete Meats Axminster
Fresh meat, eggs, pies, pasties, cheese, handmade ready meals etc
OPEN
DELIVERY/COLLECT
Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm Sat: 8am – 2pm
01297 332 82
info@completemeats.co.uk

Cornerhouse bakery
Bread, sweet and savoury treats, take away food, hot drinks
COLLECT OPEN
8:30am – 1pm Monday – Friday
01297 792782

Ganesha Axminster
Wholefoods, dried goods, toiletries, supplements and spices
OPEN DELIVERY/COLLECT
Mon – Sat: 9 am – 5pm
Free delivery on orders over £40
01297 33957
orders@ganeshawholefoods.co.uk
facebook.com/GaneshaWholefoods/

J&R Food Services Ltd
Exeter
General groceries including fresh, non perishable & frozen foods, cleaning supplies etc
DELIVERY
Order online (preferred) or by phone:
MON – SAT: Order before 6 for next day delivery.
Card payments by phone
01392 445 510
www.jrfoodservice.co.uk
facebook.com/J-R-Food-Service-Ltd-112722830353195/

Lyme Regis Butchers Lyme Regis
Meat boxes
DELIVERY/COLLECT
OPEN
MON – FRI: 7.30am – 5pm SAT : 7.30am – 4pm
Free delivery
01297 445 000
www.lymeregisbutchers.co.uk/product/home-delivery-pack
facebook.com/lymeregisbutchers/

MacSorsons Fish Shop Axminster
Fresh fish and seafood
COLLECT OPEN
To order, call text or email leaving your name and number:
TUES – THURS: 9am – 12pm
Mark: 07711 756 575
macsorsons@hotmail.com

Millers Farm Shop Kilmington
Fresh vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bakery, dried and canned/jarred foods
OPEN
MON – SAT: 7:30am – 3:30pm
SUN: 8:00am – 1:00pm.
01297 35290
facebook.com/Millers-Farm-Shop-360326114151924/
www.millersfarmshop.co.uk

Philip Pearce
Fishmonger
DELIVERY
Weekly Delivery
07831 368798

Project Food (HALFF) Axminster
Fresh fruit and veg, eggs, milk, juice and handmade ready meals
COLLECT OPEN
MON TUES & SAT: 9.30pm – 1pm WED, THUR & FRI: 9 30 – 2pm
01297 631 782
info@halff.org.uk
facebook.com/halff.charity

Spice & Rice Axminster
Fresh Indian meals
OPEN
Axminster market every Thursday from 11:30

Squirrel Seaton
Fresh fruit veg and bread
COLLECT/DELIVERY OPEN
Order by noon Wednesday for delivery Saturday
Delivery charge £4
www.squirrelseaton.co.uk
facebook.com/squirrelseaton

The Farm Shop – Tytherleigh
Fruit and veg boxes plus stock of some other fresh and dried groceries
COLLECT/DELIVERY OPEN
Orders can be placed by phone or by facebook:
7 Days a week: 9am – 5pm
Simon: 0777 378 296
01460 221 639
thefarmshoptytherleigh@outlook.com
facebook.com/The-Farm-Shop-Tytherleigh-110620763914730/

The Gamekeeper’s table, Yarcombe
Venison
DELIVERY
Free delivery over £20
https://www.facebook.com/thegamekeeperstable

The Wet Fish Shop
Lyme Regis
Fish, and fish boxes
DELIVERY OPEN
Order by 8pm for next day delivery
07891 975513

Uphay Farm, Axminster
Sausages and Port Joints
COLLECT/DELIVERY
Ring for details of what’s available
07977 490574

10/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

So the stranded lorry from this morning was rescued with relatively little damage to te village. Let’s hope the driver has learnt his lesson, but really it seems the fault is with the signposting at Four Cross (the right hand half of the image below) so we can probably expect more of the same over the next three weeks, although if trucks follow the diversion signs correctly it shouldn’t happen. It seems that last Friday an articulated lorry got stuck down Chapplecroft Road, and then stuck again trying to turn in East Membury yard – that too needed a tractor to pull it out sideways

Meteor watching
From Alasdair Bruce
Just a note for anyone interested in getting out to see the autumn meteor showers. The Northern Taurids shower will peak on the night of the 11th-12th of November, and the Leonids shower peaks on November 16th-17th. Moon interference is minimal and no need to look in a specific direction. Just make sure you are warm and comfortable, and away from artificial light. The Leonids particularly put on a good show last year, but there’s no need to wait for a particular night as you can often see a shooting star or two on any given night plus loads of satellites. Its a great thrill to see these, so good hunting.

Dark Skies
I attended the astrophotography event (by zoom!) the other day which was very interesting. When they post it online I’ll include the link here, but in the meantime here are a few YouTube tutorials Tom Pinches has signposted that you might find interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-KNiVo4X76cJIMphH1lEdA – general, good tutorials on light painting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoaqgbQsAms – excellent tutorial for image stacking software,Sequator

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTZoEDicSXKJFBLNIPZOr0Q – lots of great tutorials for utilising photopills

Newspapers
I am getting reports that people are occasionally discovering their newspaper missing, or in the wrong file. When you collect your paper please make sure you take the correct one from the right folder, and if you are in the mood for mischief stop moving them around!

Beckford Bridge
The Signs by the bridge suggest that it was to be closed for 24 weeks from July 6th. That means that it ought to be done by December 16th. We popped down yesterday and it looked pretty chaotic, but clearly the bulk of the work below the waterline is complete. We aren’t sure what restorative work will be done once the engineering is complete. I have logged an enquiry with Devon Highways.

The Gamekeepers Table
I saw on Facebook yesterday a post from this company based in Yarcombe, and I’ve ordered some diced fallow venison, and minced fallow venison. Lee is just getting this going, so doesn’t have full details of pricing and availability yet. He delivered promptly to us first thing this morning – I’ll report back as soon as we’ve tried it, and give more details when I get them. Support local businesses!

And in anticipation that you’ll all order some …
I rang Patricia for some ideas.
“As you know I never measure savoury dishes but for a half kilo or a bit more of venison I would use a couple each of carrots, onions cloves of garlic, sticks of celery ( if available) evenly diced and browned in a pan with a little olive oil. remove this to a casserole. Toss diced venison in flour and brown in frying pan with a little oil and butter(do not overcook)
add to casserole dish with a bay leaf, sprig of thyme, parsley stalks, crushed juniper berries,salt, pepper, a good dollop of redcurrant, medlar or crab apple jelly, half a bottle of red wine and some vegetable stock plus a cup of water. Cook gently for a couple of hours until tender (or use pressure cooker if short of time). If the sauce looks too thin mix in a little extra flour dissolved in cold water. Eat with deliciously buttery creamed potato and braised cabbage, or use for a pie.
Venison steaks need very little cooking. You could marinate for a while before cooking. Use thyme, a dash of olive oil, crushed juniper berries and garlic.
Cook on either side for a minute or two and finish off in a hot oven for four minutes.  I would deglaze the pan with a slug of red wine and a hefty spoonful of soured cream and the aforementioned fruit jelly, to make an instant delicious gravy. Serve with roasted quince or roasted pears if no quince available”

Wild East Devon News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2aa6358

Kings Arms Wednesday Warmer
Order on 01404 881686 collection between 5pm and 8pm
Chilli night £14

• Tortilla chips and dips (guacamole, salsa, sour cream)
• Kings Arms beef chilli OR
• Kings Arms three bean and roasted squash chilli

Both served with rice, spring onions, coriander and chilli.

Are you Worrying About Money?https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2ab00fb

Autumnal Activities at Grow Wild
Want to know more about fungi?
https://growwilduknews.com/4VE8-F3ZA-4999EA2741218519RKVYQB1B06F6566FCF41C/cr.aspx

9/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

The day before yesterday, in 1970 “The Goodies” was first broadcast on the BBC. Why has it never been repeated?

Charity Christmas Card.
Since some of our usual contributors are conspicuous by their absence this year, we have decided to extend the deadline for the Charity Christmas card by a few days, to allow those who have overlooked the date to leave their greeting in the mailbox beside the Village Hall door, or send by e-mail to the Mercury address by this Thursday, November 12th, which gives us time to include it – just! £5 per 50 words, it is in support of Axminster Food Bank.
Mercury Editorial team

Remembrance Day, Wednesday 11 November
Following the well-supported Remembrance Sunday service around the Membury War Memorial, a short ceremony, including the Two Minutes’ Silence will be held, as in previous years, at the War Memorial on Remembrance Day itself, Wednesday 11 November. It seems important to continue to uphold the century-long tradition of marking the Armistice which took place at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918. All are welcome to attend, observing the usual social-distance precautions.

Road closures
The Waitrose driver trying to get through to Haslands today made it through. The road is certainly open between Four Cross and Simons Cross. If anyone is aware of which bits are shut perhaps they could let me know so I can inform the village

Hedge fund
The climate charity “Possible” has funds available to improve and expand hedgerows. They will provide trees, stakes and spirals, recruit volunteers and provide aftercare advice. All you’ll need is provide is site information, permissions and commitment to look after it.
Visit https://www.nffn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Hedge-fund-Outline.pdf for more details

On a wing …
Early Remembrance Sunday morning. Silence, the valley is white, filled by dense mist.  A group of birds, bigger than robins, sleeker than blackbirds, hop amongst the tangle of twigs and branches of a hawthorn bush, the haws long gone. Closer up, they are light underneath with lines of dark spots, their eyes framed by cream half-moon spectacles. Redwing thrushes have arrived for the winter from Scandinavia, maybe Russia.  Along their flanks, a flash of red, they stay for half-an-hour, silent, unobtrusive, with none of the raucous chatter and nervous movement of Fieldfares, their fellow winter immigrant thrushes. Then, they are gone.

Do you have a problem with vermin?
I’ve been passed details of Paul Flay, a young chap who has just set up in business offering specialist food hygiene and pest control services. You can reach him on 07855 580611 or paulflay06@gmail.com

Cinnamons Indian Restaurant, Axminster
Is now offering a 20% discount every Tuesday if you order using Just Eat. We had a delivery from them on Saturday which was great.

Bulbs
Down to Earth is planning to plant some bulbs soon in the grass strip by the wall in front of the Village Hall. If anyone has some spare bulbs they’d like to donate that would be great. There’ll be a box outside the hall for donations from tomorrow

Autumn ColourJeanette Tuck has sent me this magnificent picture of their twelve year old Tulip Tree (Liriodendron). Has anyone got a more beautiful tree in their garden right now?

8/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

How could I have forgotten the Kings Arms in my “comprehensive” list of local restaurants yesterday? Thank you to the oenophiles and tegestologists from Haslands Farm for pointing this out.

Local Milk Deliveries
The cow is standing by, udder bulging ready for us all. If you want milk delivered from Sutton Lucy on Thursday you MUST order by tomorrow – Monday. Contact us via memburysg@gmail.com

Poppies
£51.03 was collected for the Royal British Legion from the poppies sold at the Post Office over the last few Fridays. The RBL is very short of funds this year, having been unable to do the usual house to house collections. If anyone wants to contribute, but hasn’t yet, they are welcome to pop an envelope with some money in to the Haccombe letterbox over the next few days. I’ll try to take the tin down to the memorial on Wednesday 11^th.

Kings Arms Full Details
2 pint take home carafe available for local ale, cider & lager. £5
We also have a wide selection of wines available for collection.
Wednesday night ~ Wednesday winter warmer
We will be offering a different winter warmer for our takeaway night every Wednesday.
Please see our Facebook page or call 01404 881686 for this weeks menu. Collection between 5pm – 8pm.
Friday night ~ fish and chip Friday
*Kings Arms Beer Battered Catch of the day, with Kings chips & homemade tartare sauce. £13 *Homemade Beef Burger with cheese in a brioche bun, with Kings chips & tomato chutney. £12 SIDES:
*Kings Arms Crushed Peas / *Homemade Coleslaw £2 Collection between 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Sunday lunch: Kings Arms Sunday roast takeaway £12
*Roast Topside of Devon Beef with Yorkshire pudding.
*Roast Leg of Devon Lamb with mint sauce.
*Slow Roasted Free Range Pork Belly with homemade apple sauce.
*Roasted Cauliflower Steak with cumin, crispy cauliflower, cauliflower puree. (vg) All Sunday Roasts served with roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, selection of seasonal vegetables, gravy.
*Add Homemade Dessert of the Day £4

Tuckers Arms Full Details
All Takeaway Meals are Served Cold in Foil Containers
2 Pint Take Home Container of Guest Real Ale £4 (available Friday, Saturday & Sunday only)
Tuesday 10^th to Saturday 14^th of November
Takeaway must be collected from outside the Pub at either 11am or 5.30pm
Takeaway must be ordered 24 hours in advance on 01404 881342
Antipasti £8 (Sliced Italian Meats, Olives, Parmesan, Balsamic and Olive Oil, Salad, Sun
Blushed Tomatoes’ and Crusty Bread)
Cod, Smoked Haddock and Salmon Gratin £8 (Baked with a mustard cream, topped with oven browned, sliced potatoes, served with a chunk of crusty bread)
Slow Roasted Beef Brisket £8 (in a peppercorn cream, served with mashed potatoes and winter greens)
Vegan Thai Red Roast Pepper, Spinach and Chestnut Curry £8 (Served with white rice and flat bread)
Chicken Tikka Masala £8 (medium heat tomato based curry, served with white rice and flat bread
Toffee Apple Crumble and Custard £4
Sunday 15^th of November
Collection slots available from 11.30am-12.30pm
All Roasts Must be Ordered by 9pm on Friday 13th
Roast Turkey Breast, with Stuffing and Pigs in Blankets £10
Slow Roast Silverside of Beef £10
Chia Seed, Butternut Squash and Roasted Red Onion Parcel (V) £10
(vegan options also available on request)
All Roast Dinners, come with Yorkshire Pudding,
Vegetables, Cauliflower Cheese, Roasted and Mashed
Potatoes and Lashings of Gravy.
Toffee Apple Crumble and Custard £4

ARC Christmas Cards
It is such difficult times for all local businesses and of course that includes local charities. ARC is still operating and has not interrupted its mental health counselling services. In order to keep going (you have heard this before) we need your support. Suzie has a hallway full of arc cards that she can’t sell through the arc shop as it has been temporarily closed. BUT SHE CAN DELIVER TO YOU (local to Axminster) when she is out on essential journeys. Payment can be done by card or BAC’s, even cash !!! Send her a message via e-mail, mrsmacspics@gmail.com

Total Locally Axminster
ACER has teamed up with Totally Locally Axminster, to provide you with a list of local food suppliers, retailers and service providers to support you through Lockdown 2.0. Check it out!
Shop locally here instead of supporting the organisations that use creativity when it comes to paying their taxes!
https://www.totallylocallyaxminster.co.uk/

An advent calendar with a difference
For all the Membury Geologists https://www.chinmer.com/products/ore-christmas-advent-calendar

7/11/2020 Membury Support Group lockdown 2.0 update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I’ve phoned round a number of local businesses over the last couple of days to see what they are offering during this lockdown. Today I’ll publish those that are offering cooked food – hot or for reheating. There’ll be a further list in a day or two of other useful businesses. If anyone tries any of these businesses and would like to let me know how they got on that would be great. There’s nothing like a personal recommendation from a villager! If anyone is aware of other businesses offering similar services, just let me know.

Devon County Council Update
There were 721 confirmed cases in Devon last week.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2aa60b3

Action Fraud – PayPal Issues
Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails.
Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails.
Victims reported losing a total of £7,891,077.44 during this time.
Those targeted included people selling jewellery, furniture and electronics via online marketplaces.
Reports of fake PayPal emails to Action Fraud made up a third of all reports of online shopping and auction fraud during this period.

Axminster Medical Practice and Covid-19
Published by Steve Holt to the Axminster Notice Board on Facebook, and I thought worth sharing.
“Over the recent months of our Covid-19 pandemic and especially since the previous easing of movement restrictions, I have been somewhat concerned as to the activities within the Axminster medical practice and the feedback I have received from the community. My angst was heightened following a communication regarding flu vaccines and as such I contacted the practice directly. As a result, I had a very fruitful meeting with both the head of Practice, Dr McKenna and the practice manager, Mrs Linda Coombs. You may feel that my position of Treasurer of the League of Friends, my ACER activities and previous links with the CCG and RD&E helped me to get this meeting, but that aside, I was both pleased and concerned with our discussion.
My overarching critique of the practice was their communication style and getting the messages across to the community in an unambiguous way. The difficulty here is always that in the written communication, a diverse population will read different things into it. The outcome from our discussion, regarding communication, is that we need to consider a little and often approach so that people can more easily take things on board.
Even with my NHS links, I was not aware of the restrictions placed on medical practices regarding their levels of control and patient interaction. The guidelines and restrictions placed on them are extensive but in essence they have been told by NHS England that all patients must be triaged (assessed) before any face to face consultation. This happens through the e-consult route on the website, for those who have the technology, or via a telephone call to the receptionist. Following either of these routes, the patient will receive either an email response or a telephone consultation. Should the GP believe that a face to face appointment is necessary then this is organised.
It is clearly stated that no-one should enter a practice premises unless they have an appointment or are collecting a prescription.
An interpretation of the NHS guidelines has enabled some medical practices to close and lock their doors, only letting people in if they have a prior appointment. Axminster has operated a more open-door policy in light of the need for people to collect prescriptions and to offer a reduced level of reception support. This has unfortunately led to some patients and residents becoming abusive to the practice staff who are following the instructions of both NHS England and the practice itself, with the result that some staff have left. My perception is that when the lock-down restrictions were eased, people expected the health service to return to its previous norms. This was never going to be the case as the virus is still very much in existence, as we have seen recently leading to the new national lock-down.
Business, entertainment venues and medical practices have put in a variety of safeguarding processes to ensure safe working for all their staff and visitors, much of which is hidden from the public. Within Axminster medical practice, both the reception and dispensary staff have been split into two sections, working opposing shifts. This has therefore reduced the number of staff available at any one time, for patient interaction. The benefit to us as patients is that in the event of a positive Covid test in one team, the other can carry on. Should the teams have been left as one, this contingency would not be available. The other element to remember is that if the practice should become Covid positive then the only route for consultation will be virtual in some way.
I have to say that the latest communications regarding the Flu clinics have been upbeat and informative and so we need more of this please.
With the latest restrictions and lock-down, the practice will need to review its operating procedures and any changes will be communicated as widely and as quickly as possible.
We happily supported our NHS in the early months but it appears that this acknowledgement of the pressures on them has been forgotten.
We need our medical practice to be a safe place for us to go to and for their staff to work! We need our medical practice to retain their open-door policy! We need our medical practice to retain its staff! Abuse of practice staff is both abhorrent and unacceptable.
If you are unhappy with the service you receive from the practice then you are entitled to write to or telephone the practice management. Remember the front of house staff are operating under extremely fraught conditions, NHS England guidelines and practice instructions. Do not take any frustration you may feel out on these people.
Stay safe and actively support your NHS.”

Here are the restaurants offering to make sure we are all fed. I’ve presented them in alphabetical order

Axminster Conservative Club
Home cooked hot Lunches on Thursdays and Sundays
COLLECT/DELIVERY
Order 24 hours in advance THURS & SUN: 12pm – 2pm
Jill: 07980 471 981

Boss Hogs Pizza, Chard
Pizzas, kebabs, fish and chips, burgers etc
COLLECT/DELIVERY
4:30pm – 9pm Saturday – Thursday, 4:30pm – 10pm Friday
01460 66767 https://bosshogs-somerset.co.uk/

Cinnamons, Axminster
Indian food
DELIVERY/COLLECT
Order 7 days a week, 5pm – 11pm
01297 631 175
01297 631 185

Domino’s Pizza, Chard
Pizzas
COLLECT
https://www.dominos.co.uk/menu

Flintlock Inn, Marsh
Wide selection of starters, main courses and puddings
COLLECT
Wednesday – Saturday evenings. Book collection slot in advance
01460 234403 info@theflintlockinn.co.uk

Le Pisani, Axminster
Pizzas and Pasta
COLLECT/DELIVERY
Wednesday – Saturday 4pm – 8:30pm
01297 631697 or 07809 282760 www.lepisani.com

Kings Arms, Stockland
Fish and Chips, Sunday Roasts
COLLECT
Wednesday 5pm – 8pm, Friday 5:30pm – 8:30pm,  and Sunday 12pm – 3pm
01404 881686

Lemon Place, Axminster
Fish and Chips
COLLECT
Order by phone:
TUE – SAT: 4.30pm 8.30pm
01297 358 88
facebook.com/Lemon-Plaice-152840024748032/

Old Dairy Kitchen Trill, Musbury
Take away Feasts and Pantry
COLLECT/DELIVERY
Order by Wednesday noon for Friday collection or delivery
07999 923089 https://www.olddairykitchen.co.uk/

River Cottage Canteen, Axminster
Supper Club: 3 course meals from a set menu (available weekly on the website) prepared for reheating at home
COLLECT
Open for take away 12-2pm. Supper club Wednesday – Sunday
https://www.rivercottage.net/restaurants/axminster

Safar, Axminster
Indian food
COLLECT/DELIVERY
TUE – SUN: 5.30pm – 11pm
01297 631 607
http://www.safarrestaurant.com
Facebook.com/safarresteraunt

Saraiva’s, Chard
Portuguese
COLLECT
9am- 5pm daily order 30 minutes in advance.
01460 68138

Spice Villa, Chard
Indian
COLLECT
Closed Tuesdays
01460 64025 https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Indian-Restaurant/Spice-Villa-226955921079712/

The Cow & the Bean, Axminster
Burgers
COLLECT
5pm – 9pm Wednesday – Sunday
01297 792782 Thecowandthebean@gmail.com

The Old Inn, Kilmington
Pizzas
COLLECT/DELIVERY
MON – SAT 4pm – 8pm
SUN: 12pm – 6pm
01297 320 96
facebook.com/oldinnk

The Ship Inn, Axmouth
Various
COLLECT
MON – FRI: 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 7.30pm
SAT – SUN: 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 8pm
01297 218 38
07834770434
facebook.com/ShipInnAxmouth
www.shipinnaxmouth.com

The Tuckers Arms, Dalwood
Various meals
COLLECT
Order by phone in advance  (Sunday order by FRI 9pm)
Collections prior to 12pm, or at 5pm
01404 881 342
https://www.facebook.com/tuckersarms/

Tierra Kitchen, Lyme Regis
Vegetarian / Vegan
COLLECT/DELIVERY
Wednesday delivery; order by 2pm
01297 445189 info@tierrakitchen.co.uk

And Finally …
Kirsten posted this on Facebook. I like maps, but I’ve never seen one presented quite like this before.

6/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roadworks on the Membury Road
From David Ashford, Neighbourhood Highways Officer, Devon Highways
Skanska have tried to break down the areas they’ll be working in to try and help locals to move around whilst the closures are in place. Obviously, they may be quicker in some areas than others but signs will be in place stating road closed etc.
They are hoping to push right on with this one so with luck the overall duration will be shorter, weather and gritting permitting obviously, and for Tuesday and Wednesday next week they already have 400 ton of material ordered for delivery.

Membury School
The school will be holding their own act of remembrance at 2.30-3.3 on November 11th, so it would be appreciated if villagers could avoid that area then, to comply with Covid restrictions in schools.

Honiton & Village News Latest Issue:
The November issue of Honiton & Village News is available now. https://honitonvillagenews.co.uk/

Camera!, Action!, but No Lights
I’ve had some fairly negative comments on the idea of stringing lights up outside during this lockdown – most people seem to prefer them just for Christmas. It was a nice idea though!

Axminster medical practise
BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER
BE GOOD TO YOURSELF
The announcement of another lockdown will be worrying for a lot of us, or make us angry, or perhaps give a good excuse not to have to visit the in-laws…
We haven’t received any specific detail yet as to whether General Practice will have to make changes for the next few weeks. It would seem sensible to limit face to face contact to essential only, but that does not mean we are closed! If you are ill, or have symptoms that are worrying you, please still get in touch by eConsult or calling reception. We can safely help most patients remotely, but if an examination is required we will arrange that for you. We will let you know any updates as soon as we hear them. For the time being, and unless you hear differently from us, if you have an appointment please keep it. If you are concerned that you are clinically vulnerable and do not want to come to the surgery right now, do get in touch so we can work out a plan.
This year has been incredibly tough, but there have also been so many heart-warming tales of kindness and generosity. The ACER team have been fabulous, and countless individuals (who I shan’t name for fear of missing people off the list) have gone out of their way to help others.
One of our GPs, Nick Hodges, has been trying to help his mental and physical wellbeing by taking up spinning and running, and has signed up for two half marathons for next year. He is also taking part in Movember for men’s health and if you would like to donate even a pound towards this worthy cause please click here: https://movember.com/m/nickrhodges?mc=1
or
https://www.facebook.com/donate/1068398840297627/
If you have met Nick you will know that running and facial hair are not things he excels at…I’m afraid November could be unpleasant for everyone! At least he’s wearing a mask most of the time.
Acts of kindness, to yourself and others, can help us all get through this difficult year. This can be easier for some people than others, and if you think you would benefit from some individualised help to improve your wellbeing, please take a look at the W2W team: https://www.axminstermedicalpractice.nhs.uk/w2w/
If you would like to be referred just get in touch with the surgery.
All the best from the Axminster Medical Practice Team.

Axminster Library
You don’t have to worry about how to cope without books this lockdown, as we are staying open for our Choose and Collect service! Please contact the library via telephone (01297 32693), email (axminster.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk) or message via Facebook to let us know what books, DVDs or audiobooks you would like, whether it is something specific or just a genre, and we will arrange a convenient time for you to collect from the library.
To further assist our customers, Devon Libraries have put the following temporary arrangements in place:
* Existing loans due back between 5th November and 2nd December have been extended to week commencing 11th January 2021
* Extended our book loans to 10 weeks on any books borrowed from Thursday 5th November
* You can borrow up to 24 books
* Extended loans on DVD/CDs/audiobooks to 10 weeks on items borrowed from Thursday 5th November (no increase in the charge for DVD/CDs giving you 10 weeks for the price of one!)
* Suspended our reservation charges through to 31st March 2021 as items may take longer than usual to become available.
Our digital library remains open, you can download and stream free eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and e-newspapers from our extensive collection. You can use our online resources from home and access to Ancestry Library Edition has been extended to Devon Libraries and Torbay Libraries through to the end of December.

Archway Bookshop
In Axminster over the past few days there have been shop owners in tears under the weight of the new lockdown. Please get behind them in whatever way you can over the next four weeks and in the run to Christmas beyond that. There’s helpful information coming for the town as a whole but in our case we would really appreciate you using our new Storefront on Bookshop.org. If you choose us rather than Amazon as your online bookshop the profit from what you buy comes to us rather than going into the coffers of the richest man in the world. Loyalty like that would help to keep your town alive. Our Storefront is here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/Archwaybookshop

Autumn Colour
From Douglas Fairbank
“Autumn colour on our Dawn Redwoods, one of the few deciduous conifers. Another is the Larch but for now ours is still fully green”

5/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Remembrance Day
There will be a short outdoor church service, around the War Memorial, on Remembrance Sunday. We will begin to gather at about 10.45 and the service will commence at 10.55, moving to the Two-Minutes’ Silence at 11.00 with the laying of a wreath. Following government guidelines, we hope to sing a traditional hymn and the National Anthem. We are allowed to gather, provided that we observe social distancing and wear face coverings at appropriate times, so all are welcome to gather round, albeit spread out. I have one rather important request. I am in need of a volunteer who can provide and operate a CD player, either battery-powered or with an extension lead to the church. Please contact me by email or phone, if you can help with this. Thank you.
Paul
The Revd Dr Paul Avis
dr.paul.avis@gmail.com
01404 881881

Remember Remember
This BonfireNight the police, Fire Brigade and NHS are asking people to think twice about lighting bonfires & using fireworks. Even well-planned home displays can go wrong with devastating consequences. Stay safe, and respect the emergency services

Remember to support the Kings Arms
Order in advance and arrange your pick-up time slot 01404 881686

Fish and Chip Fridays – every Friday throughout November

• Beer battered catch of the day, or grilled catch of the day with Kings chips and homemade tartare sauce £13/£6.50
• Dressed salad, crushed peas or coleslaw £2 each

Sunday Roasts – all £12 each

• Roast Topside of Devon Beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, selection of seasonal vegetables, gravy.
• Slow Roasted Free Range Belly of Pork, apple sauce, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, selection of seasonal vegetables, gravy.
• Vegetarian “No Meat” Roast, crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, selection of seasonal vegetables. (v)

Willows Local Apple & Blackberry Nutty Crumble with ice cream £4

Don’t Forget the Tuckers Arms
Tuckers Take-Aways in Dalwood – 01404 881342

Order 24 hours in advance and collect at 11:00am or 5:30pm. Friday and Saturday only this week, with the roast on Sunday. All the meals are £8 each, apart from the Sunday roasts which are £10.

I’ll publish the menu for next week when they release it.

• Chicken and leek suet pudding, mash peas and gravy
• Goan fish curry – medium tomato based mixed white fish curry, steamed rice, flatbread
• Vegan Jambalaya – brown rice, beans, peppers and onions with a steamed fluffy boa bread
• Vintage cheddar, spinach and garlic puff pastry parcel, parmentier potatoes, seasonal veg, roast pepper and apple sauce
• Thai style belly pork noodles – Thai spiced cream, onions, peppers, steamed fluffy boa bread
• Sunday Roasts – lamb, beef, mushroom and chestnut Wellington. All served with Yorkshire pud, cauliflower cheese, vegetables, roast and mashed spuds, gravy

Facebook
We have a village Facebook group, and you are welcome to join it https://www.facebook.com/groups/Membury
Margaret Wilson has posted the following …
“Has any one in Membury heard that in the 1940s when petrol was hard to get, some one kept their car in a barn at the butchers hill on the right. He tied a barrage balloon to the roof of his car and people watched him from over the wall as he drove it out onto the road, it only got as far as the post office when it stopped and the villagers helped to push it back.”

Prescriptions
Don’t forget that if you want Kim and Ali to collect your prescription next Thursday from Axminster you’ll need to place your order by close of play tomorrow, and let us know your name, date of birth and address.

Rural Crime Statistics
Between 1st October and 31st October
Membury – KA/2E
1x Public Order Offence
1x Possession of Drugs

Neighbourhood Watch News
Read it all here: https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2020-11/Our%20News%20Nov%202020.pdf

Awesome morning
Jan was up and about very early today

4/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I’ve had an email from one of our lovely villagers suggesting that as we enter the dark nights of lockdown we put some outdoor ‘Christmas’ lights up early to make walking/driving through the village a cheery sight. Definitely not the huge installations that you see in towns but just some twinkling lights of some sort to lead us out of lockdown. It’s very important that we should consider the wildlife though, and preserve our dark skies – so rare now in England. Bright lights whether they are from your windows, your garden or your decorations can have a huge effect on insects, birds and other creatures of the night, so please make sure you use curtains and blinds to control light pollution from your house, don’t leave other lights on too long and shield them from casting too much light upwards.
What do people think of this idea to brighten the evenings up a bit?

Last Chance!
The deadline for the Charity Christmas Card is THIS FRIDAY!
Please leave your greetings and £5.00 in an envelope in the Post Box beside the Village Hall door (emptied daily), or the one outside Windrush, in Butchers Lane. If you don’t come into the village often, you can e-mail to the Mercury address, and ask Daniel for advice about how to make your donation. Charity is Axminster Food Bank, much needed, at the moment. Front cover (designed by Emma Yapp) is ready – we just need your greetings.
FRIDAY is also the deadline for Mercury articles. If you have something to say, an interest or memories to share, a humorous anecdote to tell, please forward it to us at memburymercury@hotmail.com by Friday, or asap afterwards.  Goodness knows, we’ll all need something to read over the dark winter months!
The Editorial Team

Need Cheering Up?
If you like cut flowers Jeanette and John Tuck have put chrysanthemums outside the gate at “Bramleys” for people to help themselves. They are lovely yellow orange and white colours so should brighten up the lockdown. They have loads, so they’ll be replenishing them frequently.

Milk
A slight change to the arrangements for the milk – It’ll be a Thursday delivery rather than a Wednesday delivery, and, subject to demand it will be starting next week. Prices are as follows

Whole milk (litre)                 90p
Semi-skimmed milk (litre)        90p
Single cream (284ml)           £1.50
Double cream (284ml)         £1.50
Clotted Cream (115g)           £1.20
Clotted Cream (200g)           £1.90
Yogurt Plain (500ml)            £1.50
Butter (250g)                      £1.70

Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible so we can get the order placed – just ring the helpline or use the email address above.

East Devon District Council
Residents and business update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a9d47c

Devon County Council Bulletin
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a9bdf7

Pews News Special
Please find attached a SPECIAL MIDWEEK EDITION of the Pews News to keep you updated with regards to how lockdown affects us.
Also attached is information ahead of tonight’s Deanery Synod meeting via zoom at 7.30pm.  Joining details within the Pews News.
Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986
Diocesan Synod Oct 20report (1)Paper 11 re General Synod Reports 2020 (2)PEWS NEWS 4th November

Let’s put everything in perspective …
This is Laniakea a galactic supercluster comprising about 100,000 galaxies. That red dot you see is the Milky Way which includes 200 to 400 billion stars including our Sun.
I’d love to be able to credit John Hodge, but this one is down to NASA.

3/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

There’ll be quite a few short updates over the next few days as the situation is clarified, for which I apologise. If you have friends and neighbours who have not embraced email please let them know about the information contained here, and make sure they have our telephone number handy. As before, if you need help with anything at all, from dog walking to just a friendly chat don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Milk
Please contact us on the number or email address above if you’d like to order milk, cream and yoghurt to be delivered from Sutton Lucy over the next few weeks. We’ll let you know prices as soon as we have them. As before milk will be picked up every Wednesday morning and delivered round the village. Let us know as soon as possible if you want to take advantage of this service.

Prescriptions
The surgery has asked us to follow the same rules as we did during the last lockdown. Please order your replacement prescription by close of play on Friday for us to collect it on the following Thursday. You then need to let us know (using the phone number or email address above) that you have something to be collected. We will need your full name, date of birth and first line of your address. If we need to deliver the medicine directly to you (refrigerated or controlled, or if you are isolating) we’ll need your postcode too.
If you prefer, Morton’s Pharmacy in Axminster (01297 32115) can deliver to your door free of charge on Wednesdays. Make sure they have received the prescription from your surgery by the previous Monday. This might be particularly useful if your surgery is not local.
Other online options are available, but the lead times for prescription delivery can be quite long

2/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

I am beginning to compile a list of those local companies offering a delivery or click and collect service. If anyone is aware of anything worth including I’d be obliged if they could let me know.

Newspapers
A big thank you to Mike Bell for donating a shiny new(ish) filing cabinet to replace the rather rusty old one that was used for the newspaper deliveries, and an even bigger thank you to Guy Derbyshire of Moose Metals for transporting it from Bowditch, and carting away the old one. Guy is fully licensed and offers free collection of all scrap metal from the village – give him a call on 881224 or 07928 374152.

Milk
Sutton Lucy Dairy is happy to offer the same service as they did during the last lockdown. Mike and Sandra Capper are happy to pick it up and deliver it to the village hall as they did previously. Lucy is working full time, so is anyone prepared to offer to do the administration required?

Footpaths
The Guardian has reported to day Devon is the worst county in England at “losing” footpaths – apparently we alone have mislaid 2,949 miles of paths https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/02/more-than-49000-miles-paths-lost-maps-england-wales

Post office
The Post Office will continue to come to the village hall every Friday until further notice – they have been classed as an essential business.

Devon and Cornwall Virtual Christmas Market
If you want to support small local businesses in your search for Christmas presents you may be interested in a Facebook Group that has just been set up and already has nearly 8000 members. You can join them here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3561805553880697

Pumpkins
A few pumpkins appeared in the village a day or two ago. This one at Red Lion House is my favourite – and the phone box in Furley has been taken over by another one!

1/11/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Here we go again …

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

Following the announcement of the second lock-down yesterday evening the Support Group is preparing to start up again if it is needed.

We have contacted the Surgery to ask if they would prefer it if we centralise prescription collection, as we did before.

Sandra Capper has contacted her son to see if Sutton Lucy is happy to supply milk as they did previously – but I’d urge you to get in touch with Milk and More – if they are accepting new customers to ensure continuity of supply.

If you volunteered previously we will be getting back in touch to see if you are prepared to volunteer again. If you didn’t volunteer before, but wish to help out now please contact us by phone or email using the details above, or by replying to this email.

We will endeavour to publish a list of organisations offering delivery or a pick-up service, but this may take a little while to compile.

For now, if you are in any difficulty and need help with anything please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Stay safe.

30/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update and Pews News
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Remember, remember the 6th of November
That is the deadline for contributions to the winter Mercury, and The charity Christmas card – please leave greetings and £5.00 per 50 words in the mailbox to the right of the Village Hall door, or e-mail greetings to Mercury address and give the money to Daniel Lazar.

Sunday November 1st
I would be pleased if you would spread the word that this coming Sunday we will be celebrating All Saints’ Day in Membury church with a service of Holy Communion at 11:00 and not as advertised in last week’s ‘Pews News’
Many thanks, Fr Geoffrey

East Devon District Council
Residents’ update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a7e39a

Devon County Council
Coronavirus response update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a83675

Rural East Devon Police Newsletter
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/your-area/teams/Axminster/news

ways2wellbeing
A new initiative from Axminster Medical Practise
https://www.axminstermedicalpractice.nhs.uk/w2w/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=latest-practice-news_2

Baby Wagtails
I mentioned wagtails the other day which prompted Mike Capper to send me this picture of a family of grey wagtails who were brought up this year at East Membury Farm.

29/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Mobile Library
The mobile library will be coming to the Village Hall car park tomorrow at 13:50 and staying until 14:45. Use it or lose it!

The Beehive is back in business!
Exciting Announcement… Cinema is back at The Beehive!
The team have been working hard to make sure that everyone will feel comfortable and reassured when coming to enjoy the upcoming cinema screenings. We are now a Covid-secure venue, following all the safety and hygiene measures set out in the government’s updates. We’re admitting fewer visitors so you can keep a distance from others and enjoy a relaxed, uncrowded visit and you can now pre-order your drinks, sweets and ice-creams for collection on arrival. We can’t wait to welcome you back to experience the sheer joy of escaping for a couple of hours and enjoying a film on the big screen in all its technicolour glory.
https://preview.mailerlite.com/m3a2s5/1542718544335082905/f6l3/

U3A natural History October Newsletter
Stuart Musgrove has just sent his latest newsletter round, and has given me permission to copy it to the village.
October Newsletter

Rewild the Planning System
From The Wildlife Trusts …
The planning system should protect and help wildlife – but it’s not.
We have wanted to see changes to the planning system for some time, so nature is given more priority . But it looks like proposed changes that have been put forward will only make a bad situation much worse: failing nature, people, and local democracy too.
The changes are set out in the Government’s Planning White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ which is currently under consultation. Our assessment also shows they fail to address climate change, the ecological emergency, and growing health inequalities. They need some underpinning principles to set them on the right track, otherwise they will make a wilder future impossible!
We have set out five important principles – including a principle of protecting areas where nature is in recovery: we’re suggesting a new Wildbelt to make this happen.
Please back our calls today, and have your say too as it’s extra important that the Government hears directly from the public: our form makes this easy to do.
For more information visit https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/66900/action/1

The Old Dairy Kitchen, Trill
Still doing its fortnightly feasts – coming up on Friday 7^th is a feast celebrating a voyage down the Danube. Please order by next Wednesday https://www.olddairykitchen.co.uk/shop/summer-feasting-fridays?mc_cid=1d4a5bc9ca&mc_eid=6f7c7119f9

ARC Christmas Cards
Suzie MacFadzean is happy to deliver Christmas card orders to Membury – She has a credit card reader as well as taking cash …
Just message her with your orders (mrsmacspics@gmail.com) and she will deliver.
If enough of you order she will pick a day and come up to the carpark…
Thanks for supporting a local charity

Poppies
Just a brief reminder that poppies will again be on sale while the Post Office is open tomorrow at the village hall

26/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Membury Mercury
In these tricky and unsociable times, we are trying to bring a little light relief with some humour in the Mercury. If you have an amusing anecdote about past Christmases, yours or someone else’s, please share it with us at the usual address – in addition to your other items of interest, be they seasonal or otherwise. Oh – and don’t forget your greetings for the Christmas card. You can e-mail these, if you would rather – as long as you remember to get your £5.00 to us or Daniel by some other means. Otherwise, leave it in the mail box beside the door of the Village Hall, which is checked daily. Charity is the Axminster food bank. Deadline for both: November 6th.
The Editorial team.

Walking the Dog
Dog walking job
Membury based dog walker needed for our elderly, friendly, partially sighted, and slightly deaf Jack Russel.  We would be able to plan dates at least a week ahead for walking on some Fridays or Saturdays, and the odd weekday, about 1- 2pm for 45 minutes.  Her name is Sprout and she can’t really be walked with lots of other dogs but maybe another friendly one.  She is used to a gun dog whistle and pretty obedient but like most terriers needs to be watched off the lead as she will chase a scent!  Payment to be agreed, and for further details please contact Leisa Lavender on 01404 881376

Devon Wildlife Trust News
‘Tree’-mendous half term fun!
This October half term, head to our amazing visitor attraction, Seaton Jurassic for your tree-mendous(!), tree-themed half term fun! Click here for more information and to book!

Devon County Council
Coronavirus response update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a734af

Noise in the Village
It was reported to me yesterday that Strangers Hill Farm was suffering with noise from a scrambler bike event (bike noise and a loud PA) in the vicinity for the third Sunday in a row. It seems that this was coming from Kilmington. Was anyone else inconvenienced by this racket that started at about 09:15 and finished at about 15:00?

Halloween in the time of COVID

Time for a CAPTION…
Thanks to one keen Stockland Treemail reader for this fantastic photo of Ben at the Kings Arms pub. There’s £20 behind the bar for the winner of the best caption to this picture!
All entries by email to stocklandtree@gmail.com by Friday this week, 30th October.

24/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Birds on the Yarty
An occasional diversion into the birds of Membury from Tony Marsh
Wet Wednesday was a wonderful day- grey wagtails arrived.  Fantastic birds with long tails, constantly flicking uo-and-down, and  lovely lemon rump. They perch on the wires around the house, we only see them at this moment in the autumn every year. And this Friday morning the last of the chiffchaffs, a flock of more than 50 birds, in the Yarty valley.

Fossils!
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is happening virtually this weekend with a brilliant website from which you can access everything from interesting talks about the Jurassic Coast to opportunities to purchase chocolate trilobites – which incidentally died out at the end of the Palaeozoic, about 251 million years ago, long before the Jurassic Period. I’m sure they are very tasty though. Visit https://www.fossilfestival.co.uk/

End of British Summer Time
The clocks go back an hour tonight – giving us an extra hour in bed. For those of you who have trouble changing your clocks here is a simple guide

Your Smartphone – don’t worry it’ll take care of itself by magic
Your sundial – simply move to the house one place to the left
Your oven – you’ll need a degree in electronics or a hammer to fix this
Your car infotainment centre – don’t bother, just wait 6 months.

Chard Coronavirus Support Group helpers win awards
From Jason Hawkes …
Now it has been officially announced, I just want to congratulate Charlotte Berry, Kane Roker and Joseph Bartlett for each being given a British Citizen Youth Award.
During the lockdown, these three 16 year-olds volunteered for a combined total of over 1500 hours- doing long hard days, precise work and hearing stories of worry and hardship. They kept going, kept smiling and kept serving vulnerable people in Chard.
The BCYA award is nationally recognised and would normally entail a reception at the Palace of Westminster, a medal ceremony and an open-top bus tour of London. Obviously, this isn’t possible this year, but that invitation is deferred, rather than cancelled.
Only 25 nominees in the whole of the UK were successfully awarded these youth medals. 3 of them this year are from Chard!
You have done your town -and your generation- proud. Hats off to all three of you

21/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Liz
Nick Yool went to see Liz Van der Byl in hospital a few days ago
She has made some progress but is still very weak.
She would like to thank everyone not just for their cards but the “lovely thoughtful messages” contained therein.

Villages in Action
Mair George from Villages in Action has written to me with an interesting request.
Are you aged 18+ and feeling lonely or isolated? Villages in Action has a number of opportunities to experience in both online and in-person performances. You can read more about the 2 offers on the pdf attached.
If you’d like to attend either or both of the event listed below please follow the simple instructions:
Facebook is the easiest way for us to share the recording of the circus rehearsal (the live stream took place last week). Please read and complete the instructions below:
1. Please complete this simple online form before watching the live stream (should only take a few minutes) https://forms.gle/iDKDi8YLQerL2eUz9
2. Please go onto Facebook and type this in the search bar ‘She Who Dares: Off The Wall Aerial Dance Circus Live Rehearsal.’ A list will appear, please find the group and click join. I will then add you to the group and you’ll be able to access two videos on the page. Please scroll down to find the first video and press play. We lost signal briefly on the day so had to start a second video (that’s the one closer to the top of the page).
3. Are you interested in attending the live performance this Saturday, in Coombeinteignhead? Or on Sunday in Stockland? We would be delighted to provide you with 2 free tickets and can cover travel costs within Devon if you are interested in attending. Please respond to this email (mair@villagesinaction.co.uk) as soon as possible or give me a call on 07834697387
Jaw Jaw Live 2

Friends against scams
Friends Against Scams (FAS) is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative, which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams.
The initiative has been running for four years and over half a million people have already completed the free scams awareness session!
Today, Wednesday 21st October, the Friends Against Scams team are running a ‘FASathon’ to get as many people as possible in one day to complete the online awareness session.
Join in and learn how to protect yourself and loved ones from scams! Visit www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/elearning/

Go wild at home
Thursday 5th November 18:00 – 19:00 Zoom Click here to book tickets.
Join us for a fascinating talk by DWT Director of Conservation, Pete Burgess.
Rewilding Devon will explore how our landscapes in Devon have changed over the millennia, from a time when humans had no more impact on the landscape than the animals we preyed upon, through the agricultural and industrial revolutions, to the present day. We are now at a turning point in history, one where we need to reinvigorate natural processes, enabling wildlife to thrive and create new wilder landscapes. This presentation will reveal which natural processes shape our landscapes today and what which would have been much more dominant in the past.
Turning to today we ask what might ‘rewilded’ landscapes look like and how can we ensure land is healthy and productive – not just for food and resources but also for all life support systems.

East Devon District Council
Residents’ update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a50d4f

Devon County Council
Update: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a62a1f

Poppies
Don’t forget that you can support the British Legion and get your poppy from the Village Hall tomorrow and every Friday between 1pm and 3pm when the Post Office is in session.

Lydia is at it again
Bespoke Bunting – 2 metres £10, £4 per extra metre, 25p per letter. Contact her directly for more details.

Halloween at Ferne
One for the diary… don’t miss out on all the Halloween fun at Ferne this October (24th October to 2nd November). Scarecrows, bats, pumpkins and lots more, have a look here: https://bit.ly/3juAlwV

15/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Poppies
Don’t forget that you can support the British Legion and get your poppy from the Village Hall tomorrow and every Friday between 1pm and 3pm when the Post Office is in session.

Fish and Chips reminder
It’s that time of the month again when the fish and chip van calls at the village hall car park on Saturday 17th delivering freshly fried cod, chips, mushy peas, pies, scampi and of course curry sauce.
Come along with cash (£5 for cod and chips) and join Jill’s queue organised with military precision. Once again, ordering ahead is vital; contact Jill on 881641 or 07710 849984, or by email to jill-folletts@outlook.com to avoid disappointment. Perhaps you’d like to ask a neighbour if they’d like a portion too – you might make a new friend!
Please consider wearing a mask (though you are allowed to remove it when eating chips on the way home

Devon Local Nature Partnership
It’s Devon Dark Skies Week 23-30th October
As the nights draw in this is a week of webinars, events and discussion to help us all embrace the beauty and value of dark skies and take action to reduce light pollution.
Visit https://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/devon-dark-skies-2020/ for details.
The highlight for me is …
“An introduction to Astrophotography”
Join Tom Pinches as he goes through the basics of Astrophotography so you can begin taking your own pictures of the night sky. This event is free. Visit this site where you can register https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-introduction-to-astrophotography-tickets-122378008919

Free Tree Giveaway
Head to Sidmouth Arboretum on Friday 23rd
for more details visit https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/events/2020-10-23-free-tree-giveaway

East Devon District Council
Find out what it means to be at the medium alert level https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a58bf4

Scam awareness courses
Santander Bank are offering free, virtual, scam awareness sessions throughout the month of October via the Zoom app.
Sessions are 30 minutes long, with varying dates and time slots available.
Visit https://www.santanderevents.co.uk/events to book your session.

Beckford Bridge
Now set to reopen 16th December. Will it be worth the wait? …

Hotline to Report Covid Fraudsters
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting Covid stimulus schemes. In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, the public can call a new Covid Fraud Hotline ( 0800 587 5030 ) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity.
Over 150 Covid support schemes have been introduced by the government to help those struggling financially, but a minority of individuals have been abusing these schemes by claiming loans and grants illegally.
Speaking from the Crimestoppers’ call centre today, Cabinet office Minister, Julia Lopez said: “It’s an affront both to hard working taxpayers and those in genuine need that some people have been exploiting pandemic support schemes to line their own pockets. Criminals must not be allowed to profit from this time of national crisis. “Every pound stolen is a pound that could be spent on vital public services in our country’s hour of need. This is why we are urging the public to report any information about fraud of this kind to the Crimestoppers Covid Fraud Hotline.”
Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, Mark Hallas OBE said: “Fraud against the public purse denies access to vital funds that benefit us all. “It’s crucial that anyone who has information or knows of someone who has fraudulently claimed Government grants or loans to contact our charity completely anonymously and tell us what you know. “The Covid Fraud Hotline is open 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 587 5030 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous form at Covidfraudhotline.org. You’ll be doing the right thing to help ensure the public purse is protected from fraudsters.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “We have worked incredibly hard to make sure our support schemes get to those that need it most, however we will not tolerate those that seek to defraud the taxpayer. “Every penny lost to fraud is a penny that cannot be spent on protecting jobs and businesses, which is why we will take whatever steps are necessary to hunt down those criminals found to be illegally profiting from this pandemic.” Although fraud is a hidden crime and can take a great deal of time to be discovered, the public can still look out for tell tale signs. These can include unusual buying activity by companies and individuals and cold calling by those falsely claiming they are from the Government offering money for schemes. The Government has partnered with the independent charity Crimestoppers to provide an anonymous hotline to gather information to ensure it carefully guards public resources paid for by the taxpayer for vital services like hospitals and schools

And finally …
Have you noticed how many holly berries there are this year?

11/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
It’s that time of the month again when the fish and chip van calls at the village hall car park on Saturday 17th delivering freshly fried cod, chips, mushy peas, pies, scampi and of course curry sauce.
Come along with cash (£5 for cod and chips) and join Jill’s queue organised with military precision. Once again, ordering ahead is vital; contact Jill on 881641 or 07710 849984, or by email to jill-folletts@outlook.com to avoid disappointment. Perhaps you’d like to ask a neighbour if they’d like a portion too – you might make a new friend!
Please consider wearing a mask (though you are allowed to remove it when eating chips on the way home

Things are looking up!
Mars is at its biggest and brightest right now as the Red Planet lines up with Earth on the same side of the Sun.
Every 26 months, the pair take up this arrangement, moving close together, before then diverging again on their separate orbits around our star.
Tuesday night sees the actual moment of what astronomers call “opposition”.
All three bodies will be in a straight line at 23:20 GMT (00:20 BST).
“But you don’t have to wait until the middle of the night; even now, at nine or 10 o’clock in the evening, you’ll easily see it over in the southeast,” says astrophotographer, Damian Peach. “You can’t miss it, it’s the brightest star-like object in that part of the sky,” he told BBC News.
Even though this coming week witnesses the moment of opposition, it was Tuesday of last week that Mars and Earth actually made their closest approach in this 26-month cycle with a separation of 62,069,570km, or 38,568,243 miles. That’s the narrowest gap now until 2035.

 

A Christmas offering
While we obviously can’t do much for either Christmas or new year I’ve been in touch with Villages in Action, and I have the following proposal to offer.

“Bringing bucketloads of Christmas spirit, and celebrating ten years of touring, is Near-ta Theatre’s festive comedy, Christmas. Time.!

Charlie and Toby are feeling low, and why wouldn’t they? It’s Christmas Day and they’re serving time at Her Majesty’s pleasure. But why shouldn’t they be having a Merry Christmas in spite of their incarceration? What’s stopping them from creating Christmas around them? Absolutely nothing! And so they set off on their festival of carols, Claus, Christ and custody!

Join them on a fantastical adventure through Dickens, pantomime, musical, Christmas dinner and Christmas films! See as they build a wonderfully Merry Christmas around them with songs, snowmen and lots of laughs in this truly festive show that puts the ‘cell’ firmly back in ‘celebration’!

Written and performed by Daniel Richards and Ciaran Clarke, and directed by Simon Harvey (o-region, Kneehigh) Christmas. Time. is a musical comedy for all the family and promises to be a fun, festive and fantastically funny Christmas offering from Near-ta Theatre!”

You can see a trailer here” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF2jhnx8xn4&feature=emb_logo
This digital event won’t be free – tickets will be a few pounds per household to allow streaming over the course of a few days. This will help support a local-ish (Corn-ish) theatre company, and Villages in Action. Please let me know as soon as possible if you think you’d like to buy a ticket so I can make the arrangements.

Albino or Leucistic?
Mike Capper has snapped a white pheasant up by the castle. If it has black eyes it is Leucistic, and quite rare. If it has red eyes it is albino, and very rare. If you go up that way look out for him and see if you can determine which it is.

9/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Mercury Christmas Card
Christmas is coming (oh, yes it is!) and we are eagerly awaiting your greetings to friends and neighbours in the village, which may be more important than ever this year!£5.00 per 50 words, plus greeting, in an envelope marked with your name, and left either in the VH post box, or the one on the gate at Windrush. Charity is the Axminster Food bank – cover designed by Emma Yapp. Deadline November 6th.

Lego
Is anyone in the village collecting the Sainsbury Lego trading cards? I have several packs to give away

Poppies
Poppies will be available every Friday afternoon from the village hall foyer during the times that the post office is open. Make sure that if you want one you bring some change, wear a mask and observe social distancing

Flooding
Some of us didn’t have the pleasure of living in the village the last time we had a proper flood. This picture was taken by Tim ( who has just celebrated his 95th birthday) about 20 years ago and shows water pouring down Bonds Lane past the sump. Scary isn’t it?

Richard Challis has done a bit of investigating and is recommending the following for those people who live in properties they may feel to be vulnerable, and insufficiently protected.
https://www.fluvial-innovations.co.uk/0-5m-high-flood-stop-barrier/
This is a 500mm high modular barrier that comes in at £150nper metre, and is both easy to deploy quickly, and easy to store. If you are interested contact Richard rbscaffolding66@me.com and we’ll see if we can get a discounted rate

Devon Community Resilience Forum have sent me a link to a YouTube video.
Lancaster University, the University of Hull and the EA ave developed a new flood awareness digital engagement tool.
This immersive 360 video uses virtual scenes to give the viewer a child’s-eye view of flooding. Based on real testimony, Callum tells the story of how his family’s home was flooded one day, and the not-so-easy road to recovery that followed. Callum had to deal with many challenges throughout the process – he wants to ask you, how will you help him?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpOOcQV1fw
For the best experience please access on a mobile device via the YouTube App. If you have a cardboard virtual reality headset this will give you the full immersive experience!

Stockland
Hey lovely folks, how about a bit of laughter with a joyous, covid secure, outdoor circus show? Suitable for all ages and at The Stockland Village Hall grounds on Sunday 25th Oct 1.30pm.
Please bring your own seats/rugs, warm clothing and picnic. No refreshments will be available at the venue so bring your own.
Running time 50mins with NO interval.
**All tickets MUST be booked in advance, tickets cannot be purchased on the gate. Social distancing measures will be in place and hand sanitisation stations available for public use. Please respect social distancing at all times, please stay in your bubble (maximum 6 people)**
In the event of a lockdown or inclement weather a full refund will be available. In such case of cancellation we hope to reschedule to the Spring.

The Strongman – a Covid-safe, all-family, socially distanced, real-life silent movie show!
Inspired by Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 film ‘The Circus’, The Strongman tells a story of intrigue and jealousy, with a big helping of comedy and musical ‘joie de vivre’.
Set in the 1920s, the story involves a travelling show that has just lost its headline act. The Strongman has died, and if his assistant doesn’t find a replacement she will be forced to quit the circus. To make matters worse, the Boss is stealing her share of the profits…Who can save her from homelessness and destitution? Will she find a Strongman in time and will he be able to lift the Two-Ton Challenge that awaits him?
Expect silent comedy, circus skills, live music and a little bit of magic from the Cornish family troupe Bash Street Theatre, in a show suitable for all ages.

Saving Devon Treescapes
Devon’s treescapes are stunning and crucial habitats for so much wildlife. But, they are under threat from  ash dieback; which is estimated  to kill at least 90% of Devon’s ash trees in the coming years. It will affect everyone, but everyone can be part of the solution. We’re leading on fighting ash dieback on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum, and we are looking for Devon’s communities to get involved and help us to save Devon’s precious treescapes.
For more information https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/saving-devons-treescapes

Kings Arms news
Our first event is on Thursday 15th October, when we will be holding our first ever QUIZ NIGHT! This will be a socially distanced event, with tables of up to 6 quizzers. Entrance fee is £1 per player. Prize for the Winning Team and all proceeds will be donated to the Stockland Pre-School. Please get in touch to book your table in advance.
Watch this space for more socially distanced, Covid-safe events coming up during October and November.
We will also be introducing our new Autumn Menu over the next week or two and are very much looking forward to some new comforting Autumn dishes on the menu.
We’ve also welcomed Willow our new Pastry Chef to the team and we cant wait to add some of her delicious Desserts to the menu.
The Kings Arms Stockland
www.kingsarms.pub
dine@kingsarms.pub
Tel: 01404 881686

Hoax scams
As ever, watch out for scams – but be alert for hoax scams too, and before you pass anything on, check it out on google. I’ve just had an email from the Police about a scam relating to Parcel Delivery Service where you are asked to call a premium number. This scan was shut down in 2005. If the Police can’t get this kind of thing right, what hope do we have?

DCC update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a50237

East Devon District Council business update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a4a3e6

Wild East Devon News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a43ba1

Quiz
I haven’t had much interest in a quiz either on-line or on-paper, so unless I get deluged with emails there won’t be one – but just to pique your interest I’ll throw a sample round out to you all. Answers on the next update

4/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Village Hall news
The Membury Village Hall committee has a vacancy for someone to stand as a Trustee to represent the village.  They will be one of 5 village representatives.  The role requires attendance at three meetings a year including the AGM, and a willingness to understand the governance and workings of the village hall and its finances. The rep will help ensure the governance and financial management of the village hall  is carried out correctly, in accordance with Charity Commission rules and in the best interest of the parish of Membury and the future of the village hall.  If you are interested,  please contact Sue McLaney, suejan63@gmail.com or 01404 881066 who will pass your name to our Village Hall Committee Chair, Richard Barrell.  Our next meeting is our AGM on 26th October at 7pm by zoom videolink.

Liz Van der Byl
Some of you may know that Liz has been in the RD&E for a few weeks. She is out of intensive care now, but still very weak.
Liz loves cards so if anyone would like to send one she is:
Elizabeth van der Byl
Mere Ward
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW

Rain
We’ve had over three inches of rain over the last few days – but so far the ground seems to be absorbing it all, and the sump hasn’t had to break intoa  sweat.

Quiz
I’ve had very few responses to my note about a November quiz on Zoom. Would anyone be more interested if it was done as paper quiz to be completed entirely off-line and posted back through our letterbox for marking? Cost would be a couple of quid or thereabouts.

Rural Crime statistics
For the period 1^st September to 30^th September 2020
Reported Crimes in Membury
1 x other offences
1 x other theft

Neighbourhood Watch
Is anyone in the village interested in starting or joining a neighbourhood watch group?
A watch scheme is a group of like-minded people getting together to help reduce crime and make their community safer. Neighbourhood Watch covers urban areas, such as cities, towns and villages.
Other watch schemes are available to join such as Farm Watch and Horse Watch which are similar to Neighbourhood Watch. Further information can be obtained from the local policing team. It covers all property in rural areas and helps people who feel they are too remote to benefit from Neighbourhood Watch.
The purpose of these schemes is to bring together people from farms, rural businesses, rural properties and horse owners who want to contribute to protecting their property and themselves from crime.
Aims of Neighbourhood Watch

• To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance and maintaining a caring community.
• To assist the police in detecting crime by encouraging prompt reporting of criminal or suspicious activity.
• To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit.
• To improve communication between police and the community by fostering regular contact and liaison.

East Devon District Council
Residents update: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a3796d

Devon County Council
There are hundreds of free tutor-led online courses available for adults in Devon.
We know these are challenging times for many people in our communities, therefore, we are offering all of our courses free of charge to Devon residents. Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby, increase your wellbeing and combat social isolation or trying to improve your job prospects, we have got you covered.
Browse our courses and workshops and enrol in the below subject categories:

art and craft
wellbeing (Pilates, mindfulness and more)
creative writing and poetry
modern foreign languages
family learning
digital skills and computing
employability (CV writing, interview skills and more)
courses for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities
English for speakers of other languages
English
maths

All our courses are tutor-led, so you will be joining a group of learners and a tutor in real-time, online on Zoom, from the comfort of your home. You’ll have time to ask questions or ask the tutor to repeat instructions. You can also do courses with your family and friends, or work colleagues. They are a great way to go out of your comfort zone in a supportive, caring and friendly environment. The courses are relaxing, and can help you cope with stress and anxiety and increase your wellbeing. We also have a dedicated learning support team, whose sole purpose is to support you, our learners, during their learning journey.
We hope we will see you on one (or more) of our courses and workshops.
Until then, take care and stay safe.
visit https://www.learndevon.co.uk/ for more information.

Devon Wildlife Trust
We attended the online River Otter Beaver Trial event with Jake Chant a few days ago. It was a superb lecture and the Trust have made it available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwnXLllzi60&feature=youtu.be
Keep a look out, there’ll be more wild events coming soon to a screen near you!

Hook Hill gears up for cider making
Picking, scratting, pressing, nurturing, drinking.
One completed out of five so far!

1/10/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Zooming to the village hall
Membury Village Hall Committee AGM
To be held by Zoom On
Monday 26^th October at 7pm
The Chair and Trustees welcome members of the public to this event.
Please join by signing into Zoom using the details and link that our Secretary will send you.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
Please contact Sue McLaney, Secretary on suejan63@gmail.com or 01404 881066 for further information on how to join in using Zoom.
Our Chair, Richard Barrell, welcomes questions from members of the public. However, if you wish to ask a question at the AGM, please send it by email a week before the meeting to enable the answer to be prepared. Please email: suejan63@gmail.com.  Our Secretary will pass the question to our Chair.

Zooming to the parish council
Dear Parish Councillors and Members of the Public,
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the virtual Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held online on Tuesday 6^th October 2020 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
RDavey
Bec Davey
Clerk to the Council

LOGIN – please follow these instructions:
Membury Parish Council is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: MPC’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 6, 2020 7:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99345605837?pwd=aHVMcDliWHFEYzZUMHZVN3NzNTlqZz09
Meeting ID: 993 4560 5837
Passcode: 555313
Please call the clerk on 01297 24009 if you are having any problems logging in

AGENDA
2020.68 Welcome by the Chairman
2020.69 Apologies for Absence:
2020.70 Declarations of Interest under the Code of Conduct: Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any interests either at this stage of the meeting, or as soon as they become aware of the interest. The reason for the declaration must be given, and whether it is a personal or pecuniary interest; any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with
2020.71 Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 18 th August 2020 as a true record. These will be signed at the next face to face meeting
2020.72 County and District Council Reports:
2020.73 Highways Matters:
2020.74 Finance: Unless stated otherwise, documents will be signed at the next face to face meeting
a) To approve the financial statement for September 2020
b) To review the first half budget
c) To approve the Clerk’s national pay award of 2.75% effective 01.04.2020
d) To approve the following payments:
JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting Contract – August STO £150.00
BT Group Broadband – August DD £ 32.40
HMRC Clerk’s Tax – July BACS £ 68.20
Mrs R Davey Clerks’ Salary – August BACS £272.34
JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting Contract – September STO £150.00
BT Group Broadband – September DD £ 32.40
Simpkins Edwards Payroll Services BACS £108.00
R C Martin Grass Maintenance Services BACS £180.00
SLCC Course Fees – Clerk BACS £108.00
HMRC Clerk’s Tax – August BACS £ 68.00
ICO Registration Fee DD £ 35.00
D Lazar Reimburse Purchase of padlock BACS £ 12.09
JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting Contract – October STO £150.00
BT Group Broadband – October DD £ 32.40
Other payments may arise for payment during the meeting
2020.75 Planning:
20/1532/LBC – Rock House Membury Axminster EX13 7AG – Retention of first floor shower room and door leading into bedroom 2 from shower room – Approved with conditions.
20/1499/FUL – Folletts Membury Axminster EX13 7AF – Construction of single storey rear extension – Approved.
2020.76 Review of Financial Regulations:
2020.77 Fixed Asset review – agree responsibility:
2020.78 Bonds Lane review:
2020.79 Neighbourhood Plan for residents:
2020.80 Japanese Knotweed issues:
2020.81 Parish Councillor Reports:
2020.82 Clerks Report:
2020.83 Correspondence:
Date of the next Parish Council meeting: 24 th November 2020

Storm Alex
There’s a yellow warning of rain in force between 03:00 Saturday and 18:00 Sunday. Heavy rain will push north and west across the UK, clearing from much of southeast England by Saturday afternoon. However, it is expected to remain heavy and persistent throughout Saturday and into mid-Sunday across eastern Scotland, the far northeast of England, much of Wales, and southwest England. This is likely to bring flooding and some disruption to travel. Many places will see 25-50 mm of rainfall, with totals of 100-125 mm expected over the high ground of eastern Scotland, and perhaps parts of Wales and southwest England. The unusual wind direction associated with the rainfall will mean that the peak rainfall totals are likely to occur in some areas that are usually well sheltered and direr during unsettled spells of weather. During Sunday the rain will turn more showery in nature and become significantly less widespread.
If you will be away, but have boards that need to be put out, make sure one of your neighbours knows where they are – just in case.

 Himalayan Balsam
Devon and Cornwall Police and East Devon District Council have been made aware of a proliferation of Himalayan Balsam, an invasive plant, in various parishes around Rural East Devon. This plant can cause ecological damage and can be considered a nuisance – as such, landowners whose land the plants are growing on have a responsibility to ensure that the plants are contained and disposed of properly and that they do not spread beyond their land.
The following links provide some useful information which may assist landowners in identifying invasive plants and how to deal with them appropriately:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants
https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/wildlife

Corvids
How to tell the difference between them all. Just to make a change from information about Covid …

Lydia’s squares
Don’t forget to get yours to Webble Green (or drop it off at Haccombe) by October 24^th. Squares need to be 7×7, theme is COVID/ lockdown. No colour theme. If anyone wants more details, ring her on: 07724014212.
Here’s a picture of one of Lydia’s squares

Beckford Jacuzzi
Suzie has sent me this picture of the latest bit of kit helping to keep things flowing down by the bridge …

Quiz
Would you (the village) be keen on a quiz to take place during November? This would have to use Zoom – but we’d look for a way to make it accessible to people who don’t do technology. The quiz would be suitable for families with children. Mixed households would be able to compete as a team – potentially with up to six people (subject to the government advice at the time) working together.
Register your interest now to make sure this event goes ahead – danieljlazar@gmail.com

Good news for Membury Acorn Academy
Like all historic buildings, the fabric of our school is expensive to maintain; so the community as a whole, as well as parents, governors and staff are delighted to hear the good news that the Acorn Multi-Academy Trust has secured the funds for essential work to the roof (currently estimated at a cost of £163,783) to be carried out. The work is scheduled to begin after half term.

In addition, through the generosity of the PCC, essential learning for the up-and-coming generation about the natural environment and our place in it can continue in Membury Forest School, which is to be re-sited in an unused part of the churchyard. And finally – exciting whispers of a very visible Membury School activity in Axminster later in the term. Watch this space for further details!

24/9/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Newspapers
Please treat the filing cabinet for the papers with care. We’ve lined up a replacement should it be necessary, but the existing one seems to be holding its own.

The sump is now complete
And what a lovely job they’ve made of it. A couple of minor niggles to be ironed out, but we believe that it will protect the village properly for the foreseeable future.

A tribute to Bill Foster
From Ron Craddock
The world would benefit from more people like Bill. His demise is a very sad loss. He cared for other people and it seems, in these hard times, the impact of such individuals can go unrecognised and be frittered away. He was one of those people who got out and about, did things – was often active in trying to help in some aspect in the life of others in one way or another. What was needing to be done? Bill was frequently there. One can recall his ‘prop’ making from the very first pantomime, and many, many afterwards. Mr Makepiece was a very suitable epithet. It must be that those skills were honed at a very early age, he then went on to polish them up with National Service learning before following up exercising them as a teacher. He also had this sense of adventure – taking up badminton at about aged 70, he was quite good at hitting the ceiling with the shuttlecock. But then there was his Morgan car, and drives to his beloved Scandinavia, indeed sometimes one had the impression that he was some sort of Viking. He’d often chunter out his scant use of the Danish language, and why not, we owe a debt to the Danes, our language is scattered with input as Bill would especially demonstrate in a Geordie accent. Was that where came from? He seemed to have contact all over. He was a local politician in Scouse-land active in East Devon, and he spoke of being in Sussex. Mind you he did get about in his Morgan as a Morgan Club member. That car, of course, went to Denmark, over the bridge to Sweden, and Norway. Yes, he will be missed, and there is one less caring individual circulating in these difficult times.

East Devon District Council
Residents Update https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a215cb

NHS COVID-19
Released today, this new app will work on most smartphones that are less than 5 years old, but not on an iPhone 6 or certain Huawei models. Download from your favourite on line app store it to help anonymous contact tracing

It’s Apple season!
Yarcombe village own an electric apple crusher and a big Vigo press that are available for their villagers to borrow for half a day to press their own crop of apples in the comfort of their own homes, in exchange for a small donation – and this year they are extending the invitation to Membury as well. The kit needs 2 people to operate it but it will make a lovely job of turning your apples into juice which can then be fermented into cider, frozen or pasteurised and bottled.
If anyone is interested please get in touch with me and I will coordinate dates for collection and return of the equipment.

A Haiku for our time
Contributed but not written by Janet Andrew
We isolate now
So when we gather again
No one is missing

Doggy Deposits
There seems to be an increasing amount in the village. One, outside the parish hall, underneath the ‘Pick It Up’ sign!! Perhaps the owner should have gone to Specsavers.

A request from Sara Cranfield
Does anyone feel like joining me on a Kerb Crawl? No – nothing salacious. Just going around the village, picking up litter from the roadsides & ditches. With winter coming along, animals hibernating & rainfall likely to increase, the ditches need to be clear of rubbish, of which there seems to be an ever growing amount. I don’t think you can blame the refuse collectors, especially now they have a woman gang leader, who seems to keep the men in order.
If anyone want to join me on a Saturday morning, please let me know. They would need a HiViz jacket or vest, gardening gauntlets, stout shoes or boots, plastic bags & a whistle. Also, a warning triangle to alert traffic of a potential hazard. The whistle to blow to alert others of too far spread out.
I have a large gardening trug on wheels, that I would bring along to load the debris found. If anyone is interested, please let me know via e-mail cranfield56@gmail.com so to plan dates. It may take a couple of Saturdays, but would be a good job well done if we all got together. No prizes for whoever picks up the most, just some polish for the halo’s. Any under 18 year olds would need to be accompanied by an older family member, due safe guarding reasons.

Does anyone want a bargain caravan?
David and Vivienne Terry are reluctantly selling their ‘van.
2011 Coachman Pastiche 460/2 special edition 2 berth caravan. Comes complete with full blow up awning, only been used once, c/w groundsheet, front travel protector, and brand new easy fit waterproof cover. It has a remote control motor mover, CRIS security tagging alarm system, AL-KO stabilising hitch, 2x gas cylinders, blown air ducted heating, refrigerator, gas oven & hob, microwave, shower and toilet. Many other extras for a instant tow away self-isolating holiday.   Price £9,995-00.
Tel David and Vivienne Terry 01404 881887

And finally …
A simple piece of advice to help you if you can’t get a test.
Snot? It’s not.

21/9/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

A happy Autumn equinox to you all. It’s all happening at 14:30 tomorrow, so don’t miss it!

A filing cabinet is required
The filing cabinet by the village hall used for newspaper deliveries seems to be on its last legs. Does anyone have a replacement for it, or anything that can assist the distribution of the daily papers?

The sump for the penultimate time
The cones have been removed, and you can now drive up Bonds Lane, should you choose to. There’s still a bit of work to be done, but most of the metal is now in place. When it’s all finished, I’ll pop a photograph out.

Brave-The-Shave Raising Money For Macmillan Cancer Nurses
From Miranda in Yarcombe:
Macmillan Cancer Support desperately needs funds to help continue the wonderful work that their nurses are famous for.  This year, because of the coronavirus, there are no regular donations coming in to the charity from the many fund-raising events such as coffee mornings that would usually be held around the country in towns and villages.
Sarah Scott-Allen, owner of Slades in Honiton, has decided to take part in Brave-the-Shave and this THURSDAY is going to have her head shaved to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Please would you consider supporting her / sponsoring her?  You can donate via Facebook (the link is below or you can look up Slades Honiton Brave-the-Shave and you will find the link to the donations page).  Alternatively you can drop some money in to Slades at Gloucester Crescent, Heathpark Industrial Estate, Honiton (phone 01404 45966).
Please help Sarah raise lots of money for Macmillan Cancer Support!  Here is the link:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/slades-honiton

Kings Arms Update
We are delighted to announce another LIVE MUSIC event this coming Sunday.
Sunday sounds at the kings arms.
Live music with Joanna Cooke at the Kings Arms, Stockland.
Sunday 27th September 3pm – 5pm
Relaxed Sunday sounds session, tables of up to 6 people please
Come and relax with a few drinks this Sunday afternoon with free entertainment from the fabulous Joanna Cooke.
(This is a seated event, please call 01404 881686 or email dine@kingsarms.pub.)
See links below for a taste of what Joanna has to offer:
https://joannacooke.co.uk
Https://www.youtube.com/channel/ucwgdltb4hmzjpp_ggamxesq
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic

Another alert from the Police
Please be aware that a scam email is doing the rounds – the email professes to be from the DVLA and tells you that you are required to update and verify your driver’s licence details within 72 hours or you will lose your licence and have to retake your test. This is a scam – ignore it, delete it, do not follow the instructions and do not click on any links.

Anyone lost some keys?
These were thrust through Bill and Anne’s letterbox on the 13th. Do you recognise them?

Halloween
Might be a bit different this year and trick or treating as we know if will be off the cards, but we can still have loads of spooky fun.
This Halloween lets all join in together to create the Big Neighbourhood Pumpkin Trail! Stick a pumpkin in your window or outside your house – a real one, plastic, painted or printed … whatever you like! Together we can create one giant pumpkin trail in our village and children can see how many they can spot over the Halloween weekend. Find out more at https://www.artventurers.co.uk/the-big-neighbourhood-pumpkin-trail/ .

Suzie’s girls
Looking for a bit of extra grass for my ‘girls’ in the Tolcis, Membury, Axminster, Kilmington area. Ideally 1 or 2 acres, reasonably fenced…so if you have a paddock, orchard or field that would welcome my wooly lawn mowers, please give me a call. Thanks Suzie 07484163901
She’s also looking for anybody local selling small bale straw. Looking for approx 30 bales.

Waffling on
From Axminster Nub News:
The Community Waffle House in Axminster has launched a £20,000 online fundraising campaign to help with its upcoming move to Trinity House.
The Waffle House opened in West Street last April as a non-profit making community interest company. It has proved a huge success with every penny made going to help the needy of Axminster, especially the isolated and lonely.
The community café is now planning to take over the entire first floor of the landmark town centre building Trinity House, which is currently undergoing renovation.
The Waffle House will close in its current West Street location this weekend and will be reopening in Trinity House in November.
The new space will be five times the size of the current café and will also include a children’s play area and a work space offering an alternative to the office or working from home.
The Waffle House has now launched an crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising £20,000 to help with fitting out the new space.
The Waffle team commented: “We want to raise a big thank you to all the people who supported us in starting up The Community Waffle House, because of your help we have been able to successfully open our doors to the world. And, in doing so, we have reached so many people and supported so many local causes. We couldn’t have done any of this without you!
“Here at Waffle, we have seen so many smiling faces and changed lives. We want to grow and aim to reach even more people to help build a stronger community and grow the town of Axminster.
“Waffle is moving into the first floor of Trinity house (very soon), an old, iconic, staple building to the town of Axminster, the perfect location for our community project.
“Things here at Waffle took off so quickly we had no room to expand but there was certainly a real need for expansion in all areas due to the ever growing social outreach we do.
“This big move for Waffle will incorporate a bigger space for people to come, waffle and relax in the heart of ‘Waffle House’ expanding on our original space.
“We are also creating a ‘Waffle Work’ space, a space specifically aimed at those who would like a comfy, warm and inviting space away from the office and home to catch up with their business needs and to function as a place to have board meetings and games nights.
“And lastly we will be adding a ‘Waffle Play’ space, a designated area with some intuitive and sensory soft play for the little ones to enjoy with the potential to host small birthday parties.
“We are really excited about all the new things we will be bringing to the community but with such a big move we also would like to reach out and ask for help in funds.
“Trinity House will be five times bigger than what we currently have and so we need to buy more furniture and fittings. We would like the play area to look amazing for the kids, so we are designing a beautiful area for them and will need funding to help fit it out.
“Any area that you can support us in moving to Trinity, we will be very grateful!”
The crowdfunding campaign will be running for the next 29 days and you can click here to donate to the fundraising campaign.

18/9/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
Please don’t leave it to the last minute to let Jill know you’d like a portion of fish. I neglected to give the time in the email I sent 2 days ago – the van will be serving from 6pm.

‘Flu jabs again
It’s been pointed out to me that you can get a flu jab in almost any branch of Boots if you book ahead, and if you are eligible for a free one on the NHS Boots will also do it with no charge.

 The sump, and the playing field
Work is progressing steadily on the sump up by Hallendale, but unfortunately there will still be a bit going on there early next week. New concrete has been spread today and this should be ok to walk on over the weekend, but Bonds Lane will remain closed to vehicles until Monday to give it a chance to set properly. The playground can however reopen for the weekend – all the diggers and dumpers will be gone by then.

 East Devon District Council
Resident update: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/2a142bb

 Devon County Council
Latest update: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/2a10c80

 Fake Penalty Charge Email
From Devon and Cornwall Police:
We would like to make the public aware of a recent fake penalty notice scam which is sent by email, the email looks genuine and official and states that a penalty charge is due, the email normally contains a link to pay online, please do not click on links.
To check a fine is genuine please use a reliable source of information to make contact to check.
Please be wary of this type of scam with emails that contain links, links can take you to a phishing website that is used to steal financial information.
If you have any concerns please phone 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk
Suspicious emails can also be forwarded to the National Security Centre’s “Suspicious Email Reporting Service” (SERS) report@phishing.gov.uk and if you have fallen victim to a phishing scam, please report this to: Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

16/9/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Fish and Chips
It’s that time of the month again when the fish and chip van calls at the village hall car park on Saturday 19th delivering freshly fried cod, chips, mushy peas, pies, scampi and of course curry sauce.
Come along with cash (£5 for cod and chips) and join Jill’s queue organised with military precision. Once again, ordering ahead is vital; contact Jill on 881641 or 07710 849984, or by email to jill-folletts@outlook.com to avoid disappointment. Perhaps you’d like to ask a neighbour if they’d like a portion too – you might make a new friend!
Please consider wearing a mask (though you are allowed to remove it when eating chips on the way home

 Encouraging developments on the Yarcombe Inn:
I was pleased to learn that the pub is now featured on Gumtree, where a tenancy is being offered which indicates the possibility of imminent availability.  Furthermore, prospective tenants are already showing interest.  We all look forward to the reopening of the Yarcombe Inn and to meeting and welcoming the new tenant.

 Nature news!
Tony Marsh writes:
On the subject of Nature notes, in Furley we have had over the past few days a truly awesome number of migrant warblers (chiffchaff and willow warbler) and spotted flycatchers, they have moved on today, they come through every year but I have never seen so many at the same time.

 Axminster Medical Practise
Our flu clinics are starting from the 26th September, but due to constraints brought about by the pandemic, they will be run very differently this year. Appointments for flu vaccination will be offered by invitation only, PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE SURGERY. We will be writing to all patients eligible for the flu vaccine to offer them a flu jab, but we will be prioritising patients at higher risk.
When you receive your letter, you will be given an allocated day and time for your vaccination. If you are unable to attend the offered appointment, please contact the surgery as soon as possible on 01297 32126 (Option 1). You will be placed on a waiting list and we will write again when another appointment becomes available.
If you do not want a flu vaccination at all, we would be grateful if you would return the reply slip on your appointment letter, so that we can log your written dissent, and will not bother you with further appointments.
When you attend for your flu jab appointment please follow these instructions:
Turn up at your appointment time, if you are early or late you will not be able to be seen
Come alone if possible
Wear a face covering if possible
Dress for the weather as you may have to queue outside for a short time
Once again, please do not contact the surgery to book for a flu jab as our reception team will be unable to help you. Please wait for us to contact you with an appointment.

Police call for vigilance
Police in Mid Devon are appealing for information after a spate of burglaries this month in Mid Devon and East Devon.
In each case, the break-ins have occurred at residential addresses during the day and tools have been used to gain entry. The offenders have then used bleach or other cleaning products to cover their tracks.
On two occasions, a silver Skoda Octavia was present with two or three occupants, and a false number plate was used.
Three burglaries occurred on Tuesday 8 September in Cullompton, Bradninch and Newton Poppleford, near Sidmouth. Another burglary occurred in Willand, near Cullompton, on Monday 7 September.

Does anyone have a pallet or two?
Meredith, formerly of Lachooga, is looking for a couple of pallets for a garden project. If anyone can help her out, please let me know.

Piggies
We had a great visit to Uphay Farm yesterday to meet the piglets and pick up some sausages. Nick Cunningham is planting hedges and trees as well as rearing a huge pile of free range pigs, and lambs. If you want to pick up some of his traditional or cracked black pepper sausages, contact him directly on 07977490574, and make sure to ask to see the piglets while they are cute and before they become delicious!

14/9/2020 Membury Support Group periodic update
How to reach us 01404 819145 or memburysg@gmail.com

Roger’s pictures
What can I say? What a generous village we live in. The auction for the four beautiful pictures Roger has given us has raised over £400 for the Merrymakers. Step forward Richard and Vivien Wells, Mark and Caroline Jones, Paul and Sue Nicholson and Helen and David Neill – I’ll be in touch over the next day or two for you to choose your pictures

Work at the Sump
Work at the sump started this morning with a friendly gang who have managed to suck almost a skipful of muck from the bottom of the reservoir. They’ll be putting a new trash screen on in the next few days, and concreting the path to provide better flow for the water into the sump. The equipment will be there all week, and as previously stated the playing field will be closed for the duration.

Christmas cards
Two of the nine designs selected for the ARC Christmas cards have been photographed by Membury residents – Sue and Suzie! They’ll be available for sale from November onwards. Is now a good time to mention that there are only 102 more days until Christmas?

Lydia’s squares
The squares for Lydia’s lockdown patchwork need to be 7×7, theme is COVID/ lockdown. No colour theme.
Please can you get them to Webble Green by Saturday 24th October. She’ll then take it to Bristol and create it. If anyone wishes to speak to her she can be reached on 07724014212.

 Kings Arms, Stockland – update
Eat out to help out Extended.
We are pleased to announce the extension our of Eat out to help our scheme.
We will continue to offer 20% of all Food only. every Wednesday and Thursday lunch and Dinner until Thursday 1st October.
Please book, sorry no tables bigger than 6 People.
Looking forward to giving everyone a warm welcome with new dishes on our menu
Kings Arms Team

Devon County Council update
An appeal to reach our younger residents, access to testing in Devon and our Social Care Re-ablement team go the extra mile: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/29fc44a

Nature news!
Look out for flocks of swallows and house martins lined up on telegraph wires as they gather before heading south for the winter. You might also find large flocks gathering in areas of reedbeds, where they feed on insects before their journeys to sub-Saharan Africa.

 Fruity pickings
Along with Vivien at Castle House, Robert and Iain at Toehill also have quinces available for jamming and jellying, as well as medlars. Aside from their health benefits, the French thought medlar trees had magical powers which could protect their homes from witchcraft and sorcery. They nick-named the fruit ‘cul de chien’, which describes the back end of a dog and alludes to the frui