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News from Membury Friday 12^th August 2022 – Urgent – Boules Postponed

Membury Merrymakers
Owing to the amber weather warning, and the lack of shade in the car park, the Boules competition has been postponed. We’ll let you know when we reschedule it. Please accept our apologies for this late notice cancellation.

UK Power Networks
If you want to sign up to the Priority Services Register you may be eligible for a number of benefits in the event of a power cut including a home visit, hot meals and potentially free hotel overnight accommodation.
To find out if you are eligible follow this link:
https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services/about-the-priority-services-register

It’s Official
A drought has been declared across wide swathes of England after a meeting of experts.
The prolonged dry conditions, with some areas of the country not receiving significant rainfall all summer, have caused the National Drought Group to declare an official drought.
The Environment Agency has moved into drought in eight of its 14 areas: Devon and Cornwall, Solent and South Downs, Kent and south London, Herts and north London, East Anglia, Thames, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, and the east Midlands.
The group met earlier this summer to discuss the lack of rainfall and decided to put the country in “prolonged dry weather status”, the first of four emergency dry weather stages, and one step before drought. Now, the country has been tipped into that second stage. This means water rationing may take place across the country, with fewer barriers for water companies who wish to ban customers from using hosepipes and washing the car with tap water. More severe measures can also be put in place at this stage, including banning the use of sprinklers the cleaning of buildings, vehicles and windows.

Please don’t wait for the inevitable hosepipe ban. Here are some suggestions from South West Water that you can implement now:

Outside and in the garden:

• don’t wash your car, or if you must, use a bucket.
• don’t pressure wash your patio.
• don’t use a hose to clean your windows.
• Use a water butt to collect rainwater – plants prefer rainwater.
• Use a watering can to get water where your plants really need it – at their roots and not on foliage.
• It’s best to water plants early in the morning, or in the evening, when it will take longer for it to evaporate.
• Mulch around plants using organic matter such as wood chip or compost. Use stones, gravel or sea shells as a mulch to dress plants in pots. Mulching is marvellous: it deters weeds, improves soil texture and helps soil retain water.
• Focus watering on young plants as they establish, vegetable crops and plants growing in pots.
• Place a stick or other marker where you have planted rambling or trailing plants – that way you know you are watering their roots.
• Your lawn will not look as lush but it will recover when it rains again. If it needs mowing, set your lawnmower to cut higher and leave clippings where they fall to act as mulch.
• Spending more time in the garden lets you get to know it well – which parts dry out first, which areas hold on to water, what is in shade and when.

In the home:

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge so you don’t have to run your tap cold.
• Use a bowl for washing up / rinsing fruit and veg – then use this water for plants.
• Have a shower instead of a bath.
• Only use your dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load (this will save money on your energy bills too).
• Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need (this will save energy too).
• Fix leaking taps and toilets.

If it’s not one thing …
We have a yellow warning of thunderstorms from 06:00-23:35 Monday (15^th).
This warning covers much of the country, and the storms will be localised, so we may escape.

Pews News
Please contact Louise Collard AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986 for information

Moonrise
Taken by Mike Capper last night. The moon is full tonight, so it should be even better.
Make sure you have some wolfsbane or garlic handy, just in case

Roadworks Update
Trina Noyes has been in touch with East Devon District Council.
Owing (I’m told) to equipment breakdown the roadworks between the sewage works and Wellands Cross are overrunning, and are currently expected to be finished by 17^th August. This will have a knock-on effect for the second phase from the sewage works to Star Cross which is now scheduled to run between the 18th and 26th.
Jodie, from the Council has suggested that Lewsley Lane residents (and those just off it) can put rubbish out at junction of Membury Road and Lewsley Lane for collection on Monday. Rock will also still be affected so please put rubbish in car park in village hall as last week. If Tolcis is affected I suggest they put it at the junction of Membury Road and Tolcis turning.
If the bins are accessible, contractors have said they will collect. It’s grey bin collection too – maybe people could double up or wait until next time if possible.
I appreciate that this is not satisfactory for a number of people. If you have a neighbour who would benefit from help, perhaps you could assist them.

East Devon District Council Residents’ Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/32748fc

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/325addc

News from Membury Wednesday 10^th August 2022

A Milestone
As far as I can tell, this is the 500^th edition of News from Membury published since the start of the first lockdown. Thank you to all the contributors of stories, photographs, poems, news, jokes and everything else. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Membury Merrymakers
We are planning to take a break from Fish and Chips due to dropping numbers, and to try something different. The van has visited us for several years, and was particularly enjoyed during the pandemic lock downs. Thanks to Jill Bellamy for organising the van visits. Those of you who still would like to get your fish and chips from Stuart could visit him in Stockland village on the 4th Saturday of the month (we will send out information and contact details nearer the time).

Membury 3rd Saturdays for the next 3 months are:

• Saturday 20th August – Park Farm will be running SheepFest with food, a bar and live music. Please support this fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease.
• Saturday 17th September- “Welcome to Membury” in the village hall 6-9pm. This event will showcase our organisations. Cheese and wine, and a pop-up bar.
• Saturday 15th October- pop up pub and chilli night

Oak Apple Café
John and Penny Stevenson will be your hosts on Friday
This is the menu:

• Cheese & onion scones with chutney and side salad
• Cheesy carrot muffins
• Vegan/dairy-free chocolate, orange & courgette traybake
• Vegan Sticky date & ginger cake
• Victoria Sponge
• Chocolate Brownies
• Feathered Iced Biscuits

Car Park Damage
The wall by the post-box at the entrance to the Village Hall Car Park has been damaged, probably by an HGV attempting to turn around after seeing the “road Closed” sign. If anyone has an idea who might be responsible, please let me know.

Macroglossum stellatarum
Alasdair has captured a great shot of a hummingbird hawk moth in his garden. It’s a large day flying moth with an unfeasibly long tongue.

Amber Warning of Extreme Heat
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat between 00:00 tomorrow (Thursday) and 23:59 on Sunday 14^th.
We’re quite close to the western edge of the zone, so with luck we won’t be too badly affected.
What to expect

• Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat
• The wider population are likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat related illnesses
• Some changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
• An increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail.
• More people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes, rivers and other beauty spots leading to an increased risk of water safety and fire-related incidents.
• Some delays to road, rail and air travel are possible, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays

What’s On at the Honiton Beehive
Hey folks some entertaining movies coming to the Beehive,

• On this Saturday 13th August at 4pm we have Lightyear (PG)
  Legendary space ranger Buzz Lightyear embarks on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits Izzy, Mo, Darby, and his robot companion, Sox. As this motley crew tackles their toughest mission yet, they must learn to work together as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army that are never far behind.
  Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50
• On Saturday 20th Aug at 4pm we have ‘The Railway Children Return’ (PG)
  Inspired by one of the most beloved British family films of all time, The Railway Children Return is an enchanting and heart-warming adventure for a new generation.
  Jenny Agutter resumes her role as Bobbie from the original film and is joined by Sheridan Smith (Cilla), Tom Courtenay (45 Years, Billy Liar) and John Bradley (Game of Thrones).
  95 mins. Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50
  To book please ring the Box office 01404 384050 mon-Fri 9-5.30pm or online https://beehivehoniton.co.uk/

A night of Soul, Funk & Disco at the Kings Arms – Sat 20th August
The Kings Arms welcomes the Devon Funk & Soul Club and South Coast Funk and Groove Society for a night of Soul, Funk and Disco on Saturday 20th August. Bringing tracks from Northern Soul to Funk to 80’s Soul Weekender Anthems.
This is a ticketed event, starting at 8pm. For more information and to get your tickets: you must book via this link.

Cotley Inn Quiz
The next Cotley Inn Quiz will be on Thursday 18^th at 8pm. Cath has promised history, current affairs and music to if they tickle your fancy book in your team with Ben or Maddie 01460 52348

Cliff falls
The BBC and The Guardian are warning of the likelihood of more cliff falls, following two large landslides on the Jurassic Coast, at Sidmouth and in Dorset. The hot weather has destabilised the cliffs due to moisture loss, and vulnerability is likely to increase further once we’ve had rain (if that ever happens again).

News from Membury Monday 8^th August 2022

Phantom of the Open
Showing tomorrow in the Village Hall at 7:30 we have this terrific film starring Mark Rylance and Sally Hawkins.
Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.
Apparently, Maurice Flitcroft, who passed away in 2007, used to practice his golf on the playing fields of the local grammar school as he was banned from all golf courses in the area.

Airband
A number of people in the parish have recently had letters from Airband informing them that Airband would like to put poles on their land to carry cables which will provide superfast broadband to people in the vicinity. The Parish Council has been in touch with Airband to establish the timescale for the rollout of their service. We await their response …

Axminster Guildhall

The funniest drag duo in the U.K. – Absolutely Dragulous will be at The Axminster GUildhall THIS FRIDAY! Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Tickets: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/…/2022-08-12/19:30/t-dypmal

News from Membury Sunday 7^th August 2022

Boules
The annual Membury Boules Tournament takes place next Saturday (13^th) in the Hall car park. Come as a team of three, or by yourself and we’ll find a team for you to join. If you usually park in the car park it would be appreciated if you could keep it clear from 10:30am on the day if possible. Thank you all in advance for your cooperation.

Somerset Sight
Membury’s very own racing driver Christopher Wigdor is providing the first prize for this event of a ride up the South West’s most famous speed hill-climb course at Wiscombe Park in the passenger seat of his championship-winning C-type Jaguar racing car, which you may have seen at the Jubilee car show.

Sewage Sleuths

The men who revealed the slow, dirty death of Welsh and English rivers
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/04/sewage-sleuths-river-pollution-slow-dirty-death-of-welsh-and-english-rivers

What’s on in the sky?
12^th August – Last Supermoon of 2022
13^th August – Perseids meteor shower (60+ meteors per hour)
14^th August – Saturn closest to earth for 2022
19^th August – Moon and Mars very close to each other in the sky.

What’s on in Membury?
Week commencing August 8^th

Monday August 8^th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday August 9^th
Moviola the Village Hall at 7:30pm Phantom of the Open Bar open from 7pm

Wednesday August 10^th

Thursday August 11^th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday August 12^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday August 13^th
Annual Boules Tournament in the Village Hall Car Park 11am onwards. Bring lunch to share.

Sunday August 14^th

 

Week commencing August 15^th

Monday August 15^th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday August 16^th

Wednesday August 17^th

Thursday August 18^th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday August 19^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday August 20^th
SheepFest at Park Farm 1pm-Midnight
Sheep racing, sheepshearing, auction, live music,
BBQ, all day bar, cake stall, ice cream and children’s
play area

Sunday August 21st
Holy Communion in Membury Church – 11am
History Society Walk and Picnic to Parish Boundary Stone

News from Membury Friday 5^th August 2022

Pews News
For more information, please contact
Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator, 01297 441986

A different scam
From Hertfordshire Police
Residents are warned to be wary of a scam involving fake banking apps.
Scammers have targeted individuals who were selling valuable phones, cameras and other items via online selling platforms. The vendors were contacted about their items and when the scammer arrived, paid for items using a convincing banking app. The app mimicked apps from a number of banks and appeared to show the funds being transferred to the victim’s bank account.
Detective Inspector Pete Hankins, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “We are still seeing people being caught out by this scam as the app is very convincing. The scammer asks the victim to enter their bank details into the app and then it appears to show the amount being debited from the buyer’s account. I would urge anyone selling an item to be sceptical about accepting payment via a banking app. Payment by cash, credit card or using PayPal for Business is a more secure way of making a sale.
“Please help us to raise awareness by talking about this with your friends and family, especially if they are vulnerable or elderly.”
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam please report online to www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Yarcombe Terrier Racing
It’s only 2 days to go until the 2022 Yarcombe Terrier Races!! This year we’re very excited to introduce our market stalls, showcasing some of the best craft talent in our local area. The stalls will offer a range of products – from handmade walking sticks and crafts to felted soap and dog products, as well as many more. If you’re bringing your dog along (we welcome well-behaved dogs, racing or otherwise) you can also purchase a handmade ceramic print of their paw made as a beautiful keepsake.
Gates open at 4pm on Saturday 6th August, with the first race at 5pm. We’ve changed the way we used to bet on the races – instead of bets, we’ll be selling race tickets for each dog – all race tickets for the dog placing first will earn a fixed prize. You can buy race tickets up to 20 minutes before each race runs – listen out to our race announcer who will be guiding us through the event.
Although we’ll be able to take card payments at the gate and the bar, most stalls will be operating cash only, so please bring enough cash to make sure you don’t miss out!! If you want to buy your tickets in advance, you can buy them using this link https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/yarcombe-terrier-races and then go down the ‘Prepaid’ queue on the day.

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3261965

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/326a205

Read about the Emergency Tree Fund – supplying free trees to landowners and councils
https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/landscape/trees-and-woodland/emergency-tree-fund
Thank you Paul and Sue Nicholson for diligently caring for our Jubilee tree. Several other local jubilee oaks have either been vandalised or died from lack of water.

Oak Apple Café
Thank you to all who supported the William Low Trust today at the café, and tried their hand at the braille printer, entered the raffle and enjoyed the array of food on offer. After expenses, £207 was raised for the Trust.
After the event I found an earring. If anyone recognises it please get in touch

How to go Peat Free at home
A useful article from Devon Wildlife Trust
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/actions/how-go-peat-free-home

Making rivers Better
This is a last call to book your place on Making Rivers Better on September 8th … a great event for river monitors and brook lovers everywhere. There are only 10 places left. It’s not just for East Devon folk, it’s open to anyone in the Westcountry.

Hedging your bets
Ever wondered what goes on in our field hedges? Who lives in them? What we can do to protect them? Hedgerow event on Wednesday August 17th pm in Chardstock being run by Devon Wildlife Trust in conjunction with ecologist Alison Johnson. There is a place for you on this free workshop so contact vicky@essenceconsulting.co.uk

News from Membury Wednesday 3^rd August 2022

It’s Come Home!
We had 25 enthusiastic football fans at the village hall on Sunday to share our live streaming of the Euro final where England beat Germany 2-1. We almost ran out of white wine and Otter bitter!
Thank you to all who came – and here’s looking forward to more similar events in the future – watch out for the last night of the proms on September 10^th.

And after the lionesses, why not join the Tigers?

Oak Apple Cafe
This week’s Oak Apple Café is supporting The William Low Trust to mark William’s 5th death anniversary this month.
The William Low Trust was set up in memory of our lovely son, William Low, who tragically died from Medulloblastoma brain tumours in August 2017, just 6 weeks before his 18th birthday. The charity focuses on raising awareness and funding for brain tumour research.
We have pledged to support a PHD researcher at Queen Mary University of London who is studying treatment responses on Medulloblastoma brain tumours to try and prevent another person from suffering like William did.
We need to raise a total of £143,657 in 4 years to fund this research!
www.thewilliamlowtrust.org.uk
We are also are on Facebook and Instagram.
Please help us find a cure for brain tumours and save lives.
Helen, Craig and Harriet

In addition to the Oak Apple Café there will be:

• a raffle
• learn about Braille activities – you will be able to write your name in Braille and take it away with you
• option to buy some pieces of cake to take away

Menu

• Red Pepper Quiche
• Sausage Rolls
• Minty Courgette Soup and Flatbreads (Vegan)
• Cheese scones (Vegetarian)
• Simple Ploughman’s with homemade bread
• ————————-
• Courgette and Lemon Cake (Vegan / Dairy Free)
• Brownies (Vegan)
• Victoria Sponge
• Flapjacks
• Chocolate Chip shortbread (Gluten free)

Membury Merrymakers
August is usually a quiet month in the village as we all relax after the Village Flower Show.
Our Moviola offering this month is “Phantom of the Open” – based on the true story of an amateur golfr who aspires to play in the British Open. 7 for 7:30 on Tuesday 9th August.
Traditionally the MerryMakers hold the annual Boules Competition in the Village Hall Car Park. This year it will be held on Saturday August 13th. No need to pre-book, just turn up on the day. Teams of 3 – don’t worry if you don’t have a team as these can be made up on the day from the available participants. £2 per person, £1 per child. Boules are provided. Please bring some food to share at lunch time.

Autumn Mercury
How we look forward to seeing the pictures of the Flower Show, especially after the taster in the Newsletter; but that isn’t the only good thing the Autumn Mercury will have to offer. Regular contributors are already at their computers, but everyone in the village is invited to contribute, with anecdotes, interesting information and of course those favourite recipes, be they sweet or savoury, your own or someone else’s (please acknowledge, in this case). Given the delicious goodies regularly on offer at the Oak Apple Cafe, not to mention on display at yesterday’s show, there must be quite a lot out there, and we’d love you to share. Deadline is this coming Friday – August 5th – and e-mail address is mbrymcry@gmail.com, or leave hard copy in the mailbox outside the Village Hall, or at Windrush, in Butchers Lane. Looking forward to hearing from you.
The Mercury Team

A Young Green Woodpecker and a Hungry Buzzard
Tony Marsh writes
A sultry late July afternoon in this dry summer. Around our stony paths a group of green woodpeckers, an adult and two juveniles, are dabbing furiously between the stones; they have survived the drought. The young woodpeckers, with their speckled plumage, are better camouflaged than the flamboyant adults. They need to be because the following afternoon, out of the same upstairs window, I saw, remarkably, a huge buzzard perched on our thatched roof, a convenient place from which to grab a young woodpecker. The buzzard, with lightly streaked feathers, was a juvenile too, less wary than experienced adults. We can only hope, for the sake of the woodpeckers, that it learns quickly that perching on our roof is a risky proposition.

Roadworks
Work continues apace on the road between Wellands Cross and the church. Work on this stretch is due to finish by 12th August, and immediately following that, the stretch from the church to Starcross will be patched. Emergency access is due to be maintained throughout, but if you can postpone deliveries that will certainly help. The telephone number shown on the system in case of problems is that of Milestone Infrastructure 0203 307 7949

Membury and District Local History Society
On Sunday the 21st of August the History Society is planning a walk and picnic by kind permission of the landowner, to the boundary stone at the far north of our parish. We have permission to park at Retter’s garage on the A30 and walk about half a mile to the stone where we can picnic. Come along and visit a different part of our fascinating parish.
Names please to Jenny Beaman 01404 881828 Jennybeaman@mac.com

Anti-midge recipe
Sara has passed on a recipe she uses to effectively repel midges, ants and flies.
Take 2 tablespoonfuls of cloves, 2 bay leaves and a glass of water. Boil them together for 10 minutes, then strain it and allow it to cool. Add half a cup of white vinegar and put the liquid into a spray bottle. You can spray this onto work surfaces, floors, windowsills, tables and almost anywhere else.

A plea from The Beehive
Hello goodly folk,
Please would you be kind enough to take 2 minutes and rank the options for the future of The Beehive in the link below?
An important consultation event for our community venue.
Honiton Town Council is having a public consultation on four options for the future of the Beehive. The options range from continuing to support us (Honiton Community Complex Charity) until the end of our lease to selling the building.
Many thanks to those who came to the consultation last Tuesday. If you haven’t yet had your say, here’s the online link to rank your choices.
It is open until 5th August 2022. The council is interested in hearing from as many people as possible – you don’t have to live in Honiton to participate.
Apologies to those of you who already have this in the latest Buzz.
For folk who don’t yet subscribe to our Buzz monthly newsletter with all of our upcoming gigs, films and shows you can unsubscribe any time, and it’s a great way to see what’s happening at your local multi -arts venue. https://thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk/TheBeehive.dll/TSelectItems.waRegisterPrompt
Thanks for your support and please keep coming!
Wendy Van der Plank, Programme Manager

Pet Blessing Service this Sunday
Yarcombe Baptist Chapel, invite you to the Pets Blessing service on Sunday August 7th at 11am. Everyone, with or without pets will be very welcome. Weather permitting, the short service will be held outside, otherwise we will be in the Sunday School Room. Whether you have a dog, cat, rabbit or a goldfish, or none of the above, you will be most welcome to this unique service. Following the act of worship, refreshments will be served to the pets and to the humans.
Thelma Clarke

Sheepfest

Munchkins Summer Fayre

News from Membury Sunday 31^st July 2022

It’s Coming Home!
Well, it’s coming to the Village Hall anyway. We’ll be opening up at around 4:30pm and kick-off is due at 5pm. We’ll keep the bar running through the match, into extra time and, of course, the penalties – should that prove necessary.

Flower Show
Thank you to all the exhibitors, and all the people that came to the show. Here are a few photos taken by Suzie.

Membury Merrymakers

August is usually a quiet month in the village as we all relax after the Village Flower Show.
Our Moviola offering this month is “Phantom of the Open” – based on the true story of an amateur golfer who aspires to play in the British Open. 7 for 7:30 on Tuesday 9th August.

Traditionally the MerryMakers hold the annual Boules Competition in the Village Hall Car Park. This year it will be held on Saturday August 13th. No need to pre-book, just turn up on the day. Teams of 3 – don’t worry if you don’t have a team as these can be made up on the day from the available participants. £2 per person, £1 per child. Boules are provided. Please bring some food to share at lunch time.

Devon County Council Update
With information about bird flu.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3254a5e

Axminster Guildhall
Visit tonight after the match for their regular monthly quiz – free to enter, suitable for families and with a great prize for the winning team!
Bring a team or come alone.

What’s on in Membury?

Week commencing August 1^st

 

Monday August 1st
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday August 2nd
Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday August 3rd

Thursday August 4th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday August 5th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – Special event raising money for the William Low Trust

Saturday August 6th

Sunday August 7th
Holy Communion in Membury Church at 11am

Week commencing August 8^th 

Monday August 8th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday August 9th
Moviola the Village Hall at 7:30pm Phantom of the Open Bar open from 7pm

Wednesday August 10th

Thursday August 11th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday August 12th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday August 13th
Annual Boules Tournament in the Village Hall
Car Park 11am onwards. Bring lunch to share.

Sunday August 14th

Coming up at the Beehive
https://preview.mailerlite.com/s5a2d2y9s0/2004943206311007663/f8f7/

Terrier Racing at Yarcombe
The countdown to the Yarcombe Terrier Races is on! The event is taking place on Saturday 6th August in the field behind Drakes Meadow in Yarcombe, with gates opening at 4pm and the first race running at 5pm (arrive earlier to see the dogs in the parade ring and buy your race tickets).
As well as the main event of the terrier and other breed dog races, this year there’ll be plenty of other entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. We’ll have games such as Football and Crockery Smash, and Hoopla if you think you have a good aim. For those of you with a competitive streak, the Skittles game will be back – where the top scorer of the night wins a prize. All these stalls are cash only, so make sure you bring plenty of coins to have a go.
We also have some amazing raffle prizes kindly donated by people and businesses within our community, so head over to the Grand Draw tent to buy your tickets, or look out for our fabulous walking sellers if you’ve managed to bag yourself a good spot near the race track!!
We’ve had some lovely donations for our tombola stalls (which we run for both children and adults) and would be grateful for any additional donations you may have, especially any suitable for children and men – the more gifts we can offer, the more fun people can have and the more money we can raise. Please drop any gifts / children’s games / food items (within date and unopened) in the church in the box provided, outside the main doors of the village hall, or to Lin’s house (Coppers) before Wednesday 3rd August. Any donations will be very gratefully received
And as a reminder – if you want to plan ahead and secure your tickets in advance. you can buy them using this link https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/yarcombe-terrier-races – we’ll have a separate queue for prepaid tickets to help you queue jump and have more time to enjoy the event!

Membury Mercury Advertisements July 2022

Now is the time to get your chimney swept, your garden sorted, a cottage for your friends to stay in, some excellent local meat, new tyres (you are bound to need a few of these), your plumbing and electrics polished up, and your gerbils lovingly tended while you are away.
It’s all here!
The deadline for the next printed Mercury is August 5^th, so if you know of anyone who may want to advertise with us get in touch straight away!

News from Membury Friday 29^th July 2022

Good news and bad …

The Post Office
Will not be at the Village Hall today due to equipment failure.

The Oak Apple Café
Don’t forget that the café is closed too, due to the Flower Show setting up.

The Football is On!
Hooray!
We’ll be opening up the hall at about 4:30 on Sunday for the 5pm kick-off at Wembley. We’ll be requesting a small donation to cover the cost of the hall hire.

Pews News
Please find attached the Pews News for this coming week. 
Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator, 01297 441986

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/324fc29

News from Membury Thursday 28^th July 2022

Still not enough takers for the World Cup Final at 5pm on Sunday!!!
If you’d like to see it on a 5-metre screen at the village hall, with a pint of Otter in one hand and a tub of Baboo’s finest in the other please step forward and let me know by the end of Friday.

 Flower Show
We’ve had a fantastic response to the flower show. A total of 78 people have between them submitted 450 entries with virtually every category being contested. If you’ve entered don’t forget to bring your offerings between 08:00 and 10:00 on Saturday, but you might need to queue!

Come along on Saturday from 2:30 and gasp at the range of cakes, blooms and vegetables. Entry is £1, with children free. Come along and enjoy tea, coffee, cakes and ice cream.

Himalayan Balsam Pulling
We had a great evening by the Yarty last night pulling Balsam, with helpers from Stockland and as far away as Wiveliscombe. It was a mammoth task, but we got a lot done in a couple of hours. Thank you to all who turned up to help – next year we’ll do it a little earlier in the season, and hopefully the job will be less intimidating. We were particularly excited to find sand martin nests in the banks of the river.

News from Membury Wednesday 27th July 2022

Urgent Response Required
If there is sufficient interest, the Merrymakers can livestream the football final on Sunday at the Village Hall, with the bar open. If you want this event to take place please respond to this message as soon as possible.

Flower Show
Even if you’ve never entered before, see what you have in your garden, your store cupboard or your imagination to enter into the Flower Show – returning after an absence of two years. Let’s make this a show to remember! Don’t forget that your entry forms have to be delivered by 09:30 on Thursday (tomorrow) to the letterbox by the main door at the village hall, Haccombe, or 1 Playstreet.

Himalayan Balsam Pulling – Today
Parking Update
If you are planning to come over to Longbridge this afternoon for Balsam plucking please note that parking will be available in the field adjacent to the river. Drive past Bowditch Farm and the lodge next to it, and where the road bends to the right go straight through the gate which will be open and park there.
Bring gloves and wellies or waders if you have them, and remember to check yourself for tics afterwards!

Lyme Disease and Ticks
Further to the last message, our friends in Ashford have pointed out the susceptibility of small dogs and cats to this peril. Be vigilant and take care of you and your r pets!
You can get a tick remover tool set for less than a fiver from Amazon, or Chemists stock them as well.

Lydia Aloft
Lydia Hartnell is taking part in the Big Bristol Abseil at Bristol Children’s Hospital on 17^th September to replace the skydive she was planning to do before Covid. Please sponsor her via this link: https://bwhospitalscharity.enthuse.com/pf/lydia-hartnell-dceb5

Bright at Night
Our interstellar correspondent Alasdair notes the Perseid meteor shower on now which is ramping up to be a good one. Saw some last night, and with a clear night tonight thanks to northerly winds, it is well worth popping out for a bit of star gazing. While you’re out, take stroll around the lanes looking out for the enigmatic glow worm. The females are out now from between 3 and 5 nights displaying for a male to fly by.

Burrow Farm Gardens
It’s not too late to get your tickets for Much Ado About Nothing at Burrow Farm Axminster, this Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th July, 7pm.
Don’t forget your picnics!
Tickets available online or on the door!
https://ticketstripe.com/events/1028574

Bridport Fashion Revolution Week
Sat 30th July to Thurs 4th August. Six days of free or for-donation events about how to keep your clothes in circulation for longer AND out of landfill, mainly based at the Lyric Theatre in Barrack Street. Including hand sewing activism, reuse workshops, sustainable fashion talks, upcycling clothes lessons, a Swishing clothes swap and a pre-loved and vintage market. Full details here https://www.facebook.com/Bridportgreenfortnight/

News From Membury Monday 25th July 2022

Flower Show
The Flower Show takes place on Saturday 30^th. Please submit your entry forms by Thursday 09:30 to Haccombe, Play Street or to the Village Hall. This year you might find that your entries will appear in the Telegraph – rumour has it that they will be sending a photographer!

Flower Show Auction – the after party!!
Please stay on for the Flower Show Auction with our very own comedy duo Jeremy Wallace and Ron Martin, flogging marrows the size of small submarines and onions at a price that’ll make you weep. Cakes and preserves, bunches of flowers and even some creative crafts will be up for auction at inflation busting prices. Just don’t scratch your nose or nod your head, you might end up with a bag of cabbages.
All proceeds in aid of Cystic fibrosis and Axe Vale Conservation
NOT TO BE MISSED!! Something for everyone… whether they want it or not!

Moviola
We can all look forward to “Downton Abbey, a New Era”, “Elvis”, and “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” over the next few months. Look out for more details in the forthcoming Mercury!

Midweek Himalayan Balsam Pulling – this Wednesday
If you fancy some light exercise in good company, a small band of friendly folk will be pulling up Himalayan Balsam at Longbridge, on Wednesday (27th) evening at 5pm.
As you probably already know, Himalayan Balsam is an incredibly invasive plant which is taking over along the edge of many of our watercourses in and around Membury. We need new volunteers to learn to identify the Balsam and how to eradicate it safely without allowing the seeds to ‘pop’ and disperse further. Many of our regular volunteers have been valiantly removing HB for years and it’s important that we support them and attract some new volunteers to keep up the momentum against this species.
If you’re curious and want to understand more about HB and how to remove it, this would be a great opportunity to learn in a small group setting, very locally. Do come and join us, wear sturdy footwear, long trousers and gardening gloves if you have them.
Contact Daniel, or reply to this email

 

Road Works
Please note that the road from Wellands Cross to Membury Church will be closed to through traffic from 1^st – 12^th August to be repaired. The diversion route is shown here in blue.

Membury Parish Council
Interim Clerk: Jakki Henderson
1 Brockfield Cottage, Chardstock, Nr Axminster, DEVON, EX13 7DD Tel: 01460 220738
Email: clerk@membury.eastdevon.gov.uk
Dear Parish Councillors and Members of the Public,
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held in the Membury Village Hall on Tuesday 2nd August 2022 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
Jakki Henderson, Interim Clerk to the Council

AGENDA
2280. Welcome
2281. Apologies for absence
2282. Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 21st of June 2022 as a true record
2283. 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 and any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with.
2284. County and District Council reports: County Councillor, Iain Chubb (DCC) and District Councillor, Paul Hayward (EDDC)
2285. Police report
2286. Finance
2287. Footpaths
2288. Highways
2289. Quaker burial ground – update on strimming work
2290. Community Shop – to comment on draft consultation document
2291. Playing field
2292. Public Forum – Chair to restate boundaries

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 4th of October 2022.

Oak Apple Café
Please note that there will be no café this Friday, as the hall will be set up for the Flower Show on the following day. The Post Office will, however, be in the foyer as usual

Mercury
How time flies! After all the excitement of our special Jubilee issue, and the Jubilee itself, it’s already time to think about the Autumn issue. September is the time when groups who have paused for the Summer re-convene, so it is the perfect opportunity f to advertise forth-coming programmes and plans, but also for individual residents to ready their homes for the winter. To this end, we will be thinking about saving energy and being “greener” in our approach to keeping warm. Daniel Lazar is putting together a centre feature on this subject, but all readers are invited to contribute anecdotes, thoughts and information on this subject, especially in the light of the recent events which high-lighted the subject of global warming. News, view and interesting information to mbrymcry@gmail.com before Friday, August 5th, please, or hard copy left in the mailbox at Windrush, in Butchers Lane or at the Village Hall. Look forward to hearing from you.
The Editorial Team

Chardstock Eco Group
This is a quick reminder that the next Eco Group get together is this Friday, July 29th @ 7pm at Chardstock Cricket Ground.  The weather forecast is looking alright but we’ll take a rain check nearer the time.  There’s no formal agenda for the evening. It’s a social.  Please bring a picnic – maybe something to share – and a chair.  There is parking.
On a different note we have two places available for a visit on Friday, August 26th pm to the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s West Dorset Beaver Project near Beaminster. https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/wildlife-conservation/dorset-beaver-project?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhZKC_tWT-QIVxYFQBh1CDQ-OEAAYASAAEgJ6KPD_BwE
I’m sorry but they can only take limited numbers so these two places are on a first come, first served basis.  Contact Vicky admin@essenceconsulting.co.uk.

Lyme Disease and Tics
There appear to be a lot of tics lurking in the long grass at the moment, and some tics carry Lyme Disease. Please take great care to check yourself over after you’ve been in an environment where you think they may thrive.

Yarcombe Terrier Racing

News From Membury Sunday 24^th July 2022

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing July 25th

 

Monday July 25th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 26th

Wednesday July 27th

Thursday July 28th
Closing day for entries to the Flower Show

Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday July 29th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm

Saturday July 30th
Membury Flower Show in the Village Hall

Sunday July 31^st

Week commencing August 1^st

Monday August 1st
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday August 2nd
Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday August 3rd

Thursday August 4 th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday August 5th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday August 6th

Sunday August 7th
Holy Communion in Membury Church at 11am

News from Membury Friday 22^nd July 2022

100 Club Winners
Sue and Paul Avis £30
Allan Gyngell £10
Rowena and Bryan Drew £10

Refuse and Recycling
Having started collections at 07:00 our refuse collectors have decided that they are on to a good thing, so until further notice all collections will start even earlier at 06:00. Make sure your recycling, refuse bins and green waste bins are put out in time!

Playing Field
Please respect the “No Dogs” sign at the playing field. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

Pews News
For details please contact.
Louise Collard AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986

One for the Village Petrolheads
You know who you are!

East Devon District Council Update
Including details of rail closures between Axminster and Exeter
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/322ada9

Wild East Devon News
Lots of summer events for children!
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/32119ce

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/322f09f

Energy from Waste
Ever wondered what happens to your non-recyclable waste in East Devon? It goes to the Exeter Energy from Waste centre where it is incinerated and the energy produced used to heat homes. Join Chardstock Eco Group on a visit to the EfW facility on August 11th am. It should be fascinating, and an opportunity to find out just how green this way of disposing of our waste really is. Let us know if you’d like to come along and we’ll give you all the details. Contact Vicky admin@essenceconsulting.com for more details

Action Fraud
Residents are warned to be wary of Whatsapp messages which appear to be from relatives asking for money to be sent to them.
Action Fraud has issued warnings about the ‘friend in need scam’, where people have received messages claiming to be from a relative or friend. The messages claim that someone they know, often their children, needs urgent financial assistance.
It’s not difficult to pose as someone else on WhatsApp, people are not always who they claim to be. If you get a message from a number you do not recognise, claiming to be someone you know and asking for money or personal information, it is best to pause and check that they are who they claim to be. We advise asking them to call you or meet you in person before acting on their request.

For more information on this scam visit: ‘Friend in need’ scams costs Whatsapp users £1.5 million | City of London Police
If you believe that you are a victim of fraud please contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report. If a fraud is in progress or someone’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
Visit: www.actionfraud.police.uk or for advice on avoiding scams.

School Newsletter
End of term, end of year!

News from Membury Wednesday 20^th July 2022

Rain at last!

South West Water
SWW has been given a one-star rating by the Environment Agency and is being investigated by Ofwat for sewage discharge – but they have some free products available to help you reduce your water consumption. Visit their site here: https://southwestwater-email.co.uk/1FMM-7Y726-E05E896115502AE1VP3LJI9B1C9D1E79B5289B/cr.aspx

Devon County Council Growing Communities Fund
The Growing Communities Fund is a new fund intended to support proactive, effective, measurable, and sustainable actions to enable individuals and communities to build self-reliance and community resilience, reduce food and fuel inequalities and improve mental health and wellbeing and respond to the climate emergency.
The Growing Communities Fund will provide grant awards of between £500 and £3,000 (though we will enter discussions with applicants who have exemplary or innovative projects). For more details go to this link https://www.devon.gov.uk/communities/growing-communities-fund

Oak Apple Café
It’s Team Beaman in charge on Friday at the café between 1:30 and 3:30pm. On the menu we have some very tasty morsels including …

• Gazpacho
• Carrot, cheese and courgette muffins
• Sausage rolls
• Banana and date loaf
• Flapjacks
• Rose’s biscuits
• Bobbie’s cake
• Coffee and walnut cake

Advice from afar
Dan Jaffe has suggested to me that it might be worth mentioning that in the extreme heat of the Middle East that you open the windows at night to take advantage of cooler air and close the windows during the day to retain the cooler air. I believe this is common practice there. Why this advice is not given is beyond him!

Membury Parish Council
Membury Parish Council is seeking a new Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.
Membury Parish Council is an active council which holds scheduled meetings 8 times a year and also adhoc meetings when required. The clerk will be required to work from home. A laptop will be provided. The working hours are 6 hrs per week and the salary will be in accordance with National Association of Local Council guidelines Scales LC1 (£10.63 – £11.73 per hour) dependent on experience and qualifications.
The person appointed will need good computer skills and a working knowledge of accounting procedures as well as an ability to deal with members of the public, an ability to take Minutes and set out and distribute Agendas. The clerk will be expected to deal with various matters relating to the smooth running of the parish council and queries raised by councillors. A CILCA qualification or willingness to undertake this qualification would be advantageous.
Further information including a job description by contacting David Noyes, Vice Chair, Membury PC, at memburyparishcouncil@gmail.com Applications to the same email address, attaching an up to date CV.
Closing date: Monday 1st August 2022

Sustainable Stockland
For this month’s meetup of our local environmental group, we’ll be enjoying informal summer drinks in the Kings Arms pub garden from 7.30pm, this Thursday 21st July.
If you have an interest in the local environment, taking action on climate issues and protecting Stockland’s beautiful natural surroundings, please do come along. All welcome.
claireholgate@hotmail.co.uk 07771 786610

Shout out to DCC
Alasdair Bruce reported to the council that the road at the junction at Cott Cross had melted on Monday and been churned up by a tractor. A highways team turned up at 11:00pm to do an emergency repair, and then repaired it properly the following day. How’s that for service?

News from Membury Sunday 17^th July 2022

Black Kite
Alasdair writes…
Not an eagle, but there is a rare Black Kite in our patch. Seen it twice now in the Webble Green area but not managed to bag an image yet. Similar to the Red Kite, this bird is marginally smaller, same W shape to the wings, black pattern on the upper wings and a shorter Tail with a small V shape. If anyone gets a good image it’s worth sending in the Devon Birds website for their records. First seen by them near Shute a few weeks ago. Good watching.

Fluid Intake
Sara writes …
As a health care professional, I have seen the effects on an ‘older’ person, when they haven’t had enough to drink. However, we can over hydrate, which can lead to loss of essential electrolytes, which help the body & brain working, plus the heart ticking. Quite important!!
Fluids can be taken in the form of water, juices, smoothies, ice cream, jellies & tea or coffee. Sugar free & decaffeinated as much as possible, which includes alcohol. NHS guidelines suggest between the equivalent of 6-8, 200 ml glasses a day.
There are numerous websites which give details. If you do go looking for another site, apart from the NHS one which gives signs & symptoms of dehydration, steer clear of the American ones, as they suggest over 2 litres a day, for everyone, regardless of age, weight or level of activity. These results have been proven as bunkum by many & potentially dangerous.

Big Butterfly Count
The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see. To take part, download the ID chart, before Sunday 7th August choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you on the website or via the app. https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing July 18^th

Monday July 18^th
Hall trustees meeting in the village hall 7pm
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 19^th
PCC meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday July 20^th

Thursday July 21st
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall
Membury School Leavers Assembly at 3pm – school playground
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 22^nd – last day of term at Membury School
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – run by the school

Saturday July 23rd

Sunday July 24^th
Morning Prayer Membury Church 11:00am

Week commencing July 25^th

Monday July 25^th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 26^th

Wednesday July 27^th

Thursday July 28^th
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall

Friday July 29^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm

Saturday July 30^th
Membury Flower Show in the Village Hall 1-3pm

Sunday July 31^st

News from Membury Friday 15^th July 2022

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3208c57

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/321170b

Membury Academy Newsletter

Pews News
Please contact Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator, 01297 441986 for the latest edition of the Pews News

News from Membury Wednesday 13^th July 2022

Amber Warning of Extreme Heat
I’m sure it will come as no surprise that the amber weather warning has been extended to Tuesday as predicted. Please take care, stay hydrated and look after your pets.

Membury Academy at the Oak Apple Cafe
Takeover by the school on Friday at the Oak Apple café in the village hall. To tempt you there’ll be:

• Flapjacks
• Winifred’s fudge
• Red velvet cupcakes
• Carrot cake cupcakes
• Vegan chocolate chip cookies
• Vegan chocolate cookies
• Quiche lorraine
• Spinach and leek quiche (vegetarian)

They’ll be serving delicious morsels as usual between 13:30 and 15:30!

News from Membury Tuesday 12^th July 2022

Membury Merrymakers
If you want to feast on fish and chips on Saturday please let Jill know as soon as possible. You can reach her on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com

Bring cash for your food, but the bar will be open and will take card payment. Prepare to witness the first public performance of the Membury Shanty team!

Amber Warning of Extreme Heat
The amber weather warning has been extended to Monday (all day) and may yet be extended further into Tuesday.

Membury Academy
Contrary to the “What’s On?” Published on Sunday there will be NO toddler group next week on Tuesday 19^th.

News from Membury Monday 11^th July 2022

Membury Merrymakers
Don’t miss “The Duke” tomorrow (7pm for 7:30) at the village hall!
It’ll be far too hot for gardening, and we’ve got lots of ice-cream, beer, cider and chilled white wine to cool you down.
This brilliant film is based on a true story, and at 95 minutes is relatively short. Those of you who remember 1961 will probably feel quite at home!
The film was actually completed in 2020 but the release was delayed several times due to cinemas being closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, director Roger Michell, who directed Notting Hill, passed away in September 2021, five months before this film was finally theatrically released in February 2022. It was his final film.

Amber Warning of Extreme Heat
Between 00:00 Sunday 17^th and 23:59 Sunday 17^th – though this may well be extended into Monday.
Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible during Sunday and could lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure, although we are close to the Western edge of the amber zone.
What to expect

• Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.
• Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
• Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents
• Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays

Fantastic line-up at Honiton Beehive this weekend
We have an exciting series of events for FREE or LOW ENTRY FEE this weekend as part of Honiton’s Imagining our Festival – a small-scale event that will lead into our 2023 Festival of Imagination with the theme of ‘Our Environment’ at The Beehive. Box office: 01404 384050

• Armageddon Attenborough! Friday 15th July 7.30pm
  Armageddon Attenborough! is a lo-fi comedy musical about the Apocalypse, people, and what it means to survive.
  Age Guidance: 12+ (some strong language & references to violence)
  Tickets only £6 – Allocated Seating

On Saturday 16th July, you have CHOICES!…

• Guided Walk
  Greenspaces of Honiton guided walks departing Beehive car park at 10am, returning within 2.5 hours for Tea and cake in the Beehive café.
• Drop-in art and animation workshop with environmental artist Isgard Wild.
  11am-3pm, drop in for as long as you’d like.
  Code Red is a Collaborative Animation project that is set to engage the community in a conversation about the effects of the Climate Crisis on themselves, the local area and the planet.
  This event is FREE of charge.
• Climate Talk
  HOW CAN WE HELP THE PLANET IN SMALL STEPS? Come and join us for an informal presentation from Catherine Causley, climate change officer at East Devon district council, where she will be discussing some easy and quick things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Between 12-1.30pm in the Beehive café.
  This event is FREE of charge.
• Creative Writing Workshop
  Water you on about? 2pm-3.15pm Saturday 16th July
  A fun, creative workshop exploring poetry, sound & metaphor through all things watery. Led by poet Chris White and musician Hal Kelly.
  Tickets £6

Saving Devon’s Treescapes Events
Here are some free local events to look forward to:

• Aug 9^th – Tree ID walk and Shute Medieval Deer Park https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/afternoon-tree-identification-guided-walk-east-devon-tickets-372151774977
• Aug 11^th – Bat walk at Bolshayne Farm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bat-walk-at-bolshayne-farm-coly-valley-east-devon-tickets-371171482897
• There may also be an immersive storytelling event on Aug 3^rd as well – details are being finalised.
• Devon Wildlife Trust also has the Devon Bat Survey at the moment and one of the host centres is at Seaton Wetlands –https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/devon-bat-survey-2022

Axminster Guildhall

• Keeping Up Appearances 12^th & 15^th July £16.50
• Let There B/DC 16^th July £18
• Beach Boyz Tribute Band 17^th July £19
  

News from Membury Sunday 10^th July 2022

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing July 11^th

Monday July 11th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 12^th

Toddler Group at Membury School 11am
Moviola 7pm for 7:30 in the Village Hall – The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, with pop up bar and ice cream

Wednesday July 13^th
Membury History Society – walking tour of Colyton, limited places – contact jenny Beaman

Thursday July 14th
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm
Merrymakers Committee Meeting 7pm Haccombe

Friday July 15th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – run by the school
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 16th
Fish and Chips, pop up bar and sea shanties
fish and chips 6-7pm
bar 6-9pm
shanties 7:30pm – come and sing along!

Sunday July 17^th
Holy Communion Membury Church 11:00am

Week commencing July 18^th

Monday July 18^th
Hall trustees meeting in the village hall 7pm
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 19^th
Toddler Group at Membury School 11am
PCC meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday July 20^th

Thursday July 21st
Arts and Craft Group 2-4pm in the Village Hall
Membury School Leavers Assembly at 3pm – school playground
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 22nd
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – run by the school

Saturday July 23rd

Sunday July 24^th
Morning Prayer Membury Church 11:00am

The MerryMakers have a busy week this week as both the 2nd Tuesday and 3rd Saturday of the month occur in the same week. This means we have Moviola on Tuesday evening, AND the Fish and Chip van will be in the car park on Saturday evening. On Saturday the sea shanty singing group will be making their debut with an informal performance, with the pop-up bar also open!
Times and details below.

The MerryMakers committee has a planning meeting on Thursday evening, so if anyone wants to join us, or send us ideas of events you would like us to consider organising then let Sue Nicholson know.

Moviola: The Duke. 7 for 7:30pm. Bar and ice creams available before and during the interval. We know the chairs aren’t particularly comfortable so bring along a cushion!

Fish and Chips: 6-7pm. Please place your order with Jill. We need a minimum number to make it worthwhile for the van to visit.
Bar open from 6pm. Sea shanties at 7:30. Looks like we are set for fair weather so come and join us on the terrace!
If you’d like to come along just for the shanties and bar that’s fine!”

The Hornet
Alasdair Bruce has captured a tender moment of the queen European hornet feeding her young. Not to be confused with the threat from the invasive Asian hornet, our local ones are quite fascinating and, despite their size, are invariably less aggressive than a wasp.

Snakes
Grass snakes seem to be doing very well at the moment. Philip Smith has seen three at once, and one coiled up resting on his back door, probably living in their compost heap enjoying the wood mice who are also plentiful. We had one enjoying the early evening warmth of our front door step – with a rather bulgy tummy, and Alasdair managed to capture a great picture of the eggs of a grass snake. Although they are very reluctant to bite you, they will freely spray you with the ‘smell of death’. It’s a very efficient form of defence, but if you get it on your clothes you might as well bin them!

Devon and Cornwall Police
Police are appealing for dashcam footage following a fatal collision in Axminster.
A man in his 40s died after the motorbike he was driving was involved in a collision on the A35 at Taunton Cross, near Shute, Axminster.
Police were notified at around 10.43am on Wednesday 29 June to reports of a two-vehicle collision involving a white VW Transporter and a black BMW R1250 GS Adventure motorcycle.
As a result of the collision, the rider of the BMW motorbike suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A full forensic investigation of the scene took place and officers are working to establish the cause of this collision.
Officers are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage who was driving that route on Wednesday 29 June, and anytime proceeding that date to come forward.
Anyone with dashcam footage is asked to contact police quoting Log 210 of 29th June 2022.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.

News from Membury Friday 8^th July 2022

Pews News
Please contact Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator, 01297 441986

Membury Academy Newsletter

East Devon District Council Residents Update
Waste and recycling collections will be running from 06:00 from next week due to the hot weather, so if you usually put your bins out in the morning, it might be besty to get them out the night before
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31f2c3c

Devon County Council Update
The hottest days next week are likely to be Monday and Tuesday, so stay hydrated and keep in the shade.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31f3079

Kings Arms Pub Quiz
The next Kings Arms Pub Quiz will be on Wednesday 13th July, 7.30pm for an 8pm start. £2 per player, max 6 people per team.
All proceeds raised will go to Stockland Primary Academy.
Also, live music continues on Sunday afternoons.  Join us from 3pm onwards – see the board in the pub for the details of upcoming acts.
Ben & the team 01404 881686 https://kingsarms.pub

News from Membury Thursday 7^th July 2022

Happy World Chocolate Day!
All generous donations accepted…

Oak Apple Cafe
We have a bit of a Furley takeover at the café tomorrow (at the village hall between 13:30 and 15:30), and a great menu …

• Summer sweetcorn soup with home baked bread
• Cheese & Chive Scones
• Chocolate cake with home grown courgettes
• White chocolate berry cheesecake
• Golden Flapjacks
• Bienenstich
• Gluten free vegan lemon cake

What do you mean you’ve never heard of Bienenstich? Any fool knows that it is a Bee Sting Cake!

Mobile Library
All that lovely food and a visit from the mobile library at the hall between 13:50 and 14:30 to boot! Please park considerately so the van can easily get into the car park.

Membury Show
Here are the rest of the classes for the show – some of them are only for Membury residents. All entry forms must be in by 9:30 Thursday July 28^th. Please note that in the published schedule the photography classes “Black and White”, “A Door” and “Caught napping” are shown as 2022 subjects, but this should have read 2023 subjects. The same is true for Art, where it is the 2023 subject which will be “trees”.

• Flower arranging “In a nutshell”
• Flower arranging “Beachcombing”
• Flower arranging “Queen Platinum Jubilee”
• Flower arranging “Candlelight”
• Flower arranging “Mellow yellow”
• Flower arranging “My hobby” (men only)
• Membury only – Herbs
• Membury only – Limerick “Water”
• Membury only – 4 herbaceous perennial stems
• Membury only – Best flower in my Garden
• Membury only – Animal made of fruit and veg
• Membury only – Bottle of homemade beverage
• Membury only – Chutney or pickles
• Craft – Hand knitted or crocheted article
• Craft – Needlework
• Craft – Embroidery, tapestry or cross-stitch
• Craft – Any other craft
• Craft – Any object in wood
• Art – Any medium “Black and White”
• Art – Watercolour “Garden Pots”
• Art – Any medium – original picture
• Photography – Reflection
• Photography – The long and the short of it
• Children only – U5 – Snake from recycled materials
• Children only – U5 – Collage of “A Flower”
• Children only – 5-8 – Vehicle from recycled materials
• Children only – 5-8 – Chocolate crispy cakes
• Children only – 5-8 – Handwriting with decorated border
• Children only – 9-12 – Handwriting with decorated border
• Children only – 9-12 – “Face” cakes
• Children only – 9-12 – Any craft article

ARC Axminster
For the last 3 years we have been donated artwork and photos so that Arc can print Christmas cards and sell then to raise the MUCH needed funds to keep ARC, our unique mental health charity going…
This year I have not been sent very many to choose from and I need MORE submissions ASAP !!!!
So if you have a nice Christmasy scene that is high quality please get in touch with me via admin@arcaxminster.org
Please contact me this week if you can… long time from order to delivery !
Many thanks Suzie
Alternatively, Would you like to donate a few hours of your time to ARC every week ?
We need volunteers to cover slots in our Axminster Charity Shop on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.
Please pop in and see the Managers Tania or Jess. Or you can email friendsofarc@icloud.com or call 01297 639333
Thank you and please tell a friend !!!

News from Membury Wednesday 6^th July 2022

Membury Show
As promised yesterday, here’s a list of the preserves, produce and cookery you’ll need to be practising for the show on Saturday 30^th July

• Jar of any jelly
• Jar of strawberry jam
• Jar of blackcurrant jam
• Jar of gooseberry jam
• Jar of raspberry jam
• Jar of jam – any other kind
• Jar of marmalade
• Jar of lemon curd
• Courgette loaf (using supplied recipe)
• Portuguese tarts
• Rock cakes
• Chocolate brownies
• Victoria sponge (men only)
• Flapjack
• Turkish delight
• Shortbread
• Sausage rolls
• Bread rolls
• Decorated cake – “flower show”

If you want a schedule, they’ll be at the hall – or I can email you full details.

Common, and Spotted
This was taken this morning in Seaton, in the park near where the labyrinth is.

News from Membury Tuesday 5^th July 2022

Membury Show
The show is on Saturday 30^th July which is getting ever closer. Here is a list of those plants you may want to nurture in your garden to give you a chance of wrestling that coveted cup or medal from the usual suspects. Tomorrow I’ll remind you of the produce classes, and the day afterwards I’ll include the craft challenges. More details are in the schedule, available by the hall, or electronically (just message me).

• Collection of flowers in season
• Roses
• Fuchsias
• Cosmos
• Sweet peas
• Hydrangea
• Clematis
• Dahlias
• Succulent or cactus
• House plant
• Dish of fruit
• Salad vegetables
• Potatoes
• Bell peppers
• French beans
• Broad beans
• Onions
• Carrots
• A quirky vegetable
• Beetroot
• Cucumber
• Chilli pepper
• Courgettes
• Runner beans
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Any other vegetable

Moviola
On Tuesday 12th we will be screening “The Duke” at the Village Hall.
In 1961, 60-year-old Kempton Bunton stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. He sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly. What happened next became the stuff of legend. An uplifting true story about a good man who set out to change the world and managed to save his marriage.

Here’s an interesting thing that not a lot of people know …
Ken Adam, the famous art and production designer, contacted the National Gallery in in London after the theft (in 1961) of Goya’s Portrait of the Duke of Wellington (The Duke) to obtain a slide of the picture. This was so he could paint a copy over the weekend before filming commenced on the Monday for Doctor No (1962) in the scenes where James Bond stops in amazement in spotting the missing painting before he has dinner with Doctor Julius No, the in-joke being that Doctor No stole it. The actual painting was not recovered until 1965, the subject of The Duke movie (2021). A similar idea of a missing painting in a James Bond film is Modigliani’s “Woman with a fan” in Skyfall (2012) and reappears briefly in Madeleine’s room in Blofeld’s hideaway in Spectre (2015), a painting stolen in 2010. Likewise with Picasso’s “Le pigeon aux petits pois” seen in Bond’s room at Blofeld’s hideaway in Spectre (2015). Both these actual painting were stolen with 3 others from the Museum of Modern Art in Paris on 20 May 2010.

YoHoHo!
The Shanty group masterminded by Martyn Dash will be giving their first public performance at the Fish and Chip night on Saturday 16^th at the Village Hall. Come along to hear them, and feel free to join in if you wish! The bar will be open until 9pm.

Corrected Correction
Nicola Cunningham’s email (the Blackdown Hills Farm Event) is of course nicola.cunningham@devon.gov.uk – third time lucky!

Yarcombe Village Market
Saturday 9^th July 10:00 – 12:00 at Yarcombe Village Hall

Back in ’64.
Were you around in 1964?
This short film starring Fyfe Robertson was shot at the skittle Alley in the Kings Arms in Stockland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jGL3i4Pu1Q

From Devon and Cornwall Police
Get Safe Online has partnered with CIFAS, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, to launch ‘Check a Website’.
‘Check a Website’ is a new, easy-to-use online tool which helps determine whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam … before you visit it. It is hoped to prevent thousands of people in the UK falling victim to unwanted online scams every year.
To use, simply type in the address of the website you want to check, and your results will appear within seconds. To try it out simply visit www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/

Anne Robson Helpline
Introducing the Anne Robson Helpline – if you or someone close to you is dying, you can talk to us.
At the Anne Robson Trust we aim to be there to listen to anyone who faces dying or the imminent death of someone they care about. We know that facing the end of life can leave you feeling isolated and alone.
Being able to access support is so important. Gaining knowledge of what may happen towards the end of life and being prepared helps both the person dying and their loved ones to feel a sense of control.
Calls are free and confidential. Call us on 0808 801 0688 – we have time to talk.
Please visit www.annerobsontrust.org.uk/helpline-service  to find out more.

News from Membury Monday 4^th July 2022

Correction
There was a typo in the “Blackdown Hills Farming Event” paragraph the other day – the address for Nicola should have been printed as nicola.cunningham@devon.gov.uk  

Steam
Two pictures for you, black and white from Alex Yapp, colour from John Hodge

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing July 4^th

Monday July 4th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 5th

Wednesday July 6^th

Short Mat Bowls – final session until September
7pm in Village Hall

Thursday July 7th
Membury School Sports Day – Playing Field – afternoon

Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 8th
Membury School Governors Meeting – 10:30an in the school / zoom

Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 9th

Sunday July 10th

Week commencing July 11^th

Monday July 11th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 12^th

Toddler Group at Membury School 11am
Moviola 7pm for 7:30 in the Village Hall – The Duke starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, with pop up bar and ice cream

Wednesday July 13^th
Membury History Society – walking tour of Colyton, limited places – contact jenny Beaman

Thursday July 14th
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Merrymakers Committee Meeting 7pm

Friday July 15th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 16th
Fish and Chips, pop up bar and sea shanties
fish and chips 6-7pm
bar 6-9pm
shanties 7:30pm – come along and join in!

Sunday July 17^th
Holy Communion Membury Church 11:00am

News from Membury Friday 1st July 2022

 The latest experimental event from the MerryMakers is the streaming of the Grand Prix this Sunday, thanks to John Hodge. If this is a success we’ll fire up the old modem for other events such as when a Brit gets into a Wimbledon Final, or we’re playing Germany in the World Cup. If there’s anything else you’d like to see on our 5-metre screen please send us a suggestion!
If there’s enough interest, next year we’ll probably do a tennis themed café on men’s semi-final day at Wimbledon.

Our Defibrillator
You may have read in the press today that the Ambulance Service is missing a lot of information about defibrillator locations. Membury has a defibrillator which is located at the Village Hall, on the front wall, next to the newspaper rack. The access code for this is 1234. South West Ambulance Services is well aware of its location, and it is on The Circuit database. The status of our equipment is checked and reported monthly, and the Parish Council pay for maintenance when required.

Blackdown Hills AONB Farming Event
The Blackdown Farming Futures Roadshow offers straightforward, up-to-date information and individual guidance on farming and the environment in the Blackdown Hills. 2pm – 2:30pm including a free pasty lunch followed by an optional farm visit.

• Tuesday 19^th July Clayhidon Village Hall
• Friday 22^nd July Upottery Village Hall
• Thursday 28^th July Yarcombe Village Hall

Contact nicola.cunningham@devon.goc.uk for more details

Steam at Axminster
Fans of classic steam trains are in for a treat this weekend. A famous locomotive is passing through the South West on its journey from London to Devon.
The classic rail journey on Saturday (July 2) will follow part the route of the old Atlantic Coast Express (ACE) that ran from London to Devon and Cornwall in South West England. It will leave London Waterloo steam hauled in the morning and make its way to Exeter.
Ex-Southern Region ‘Merchant Navy’ Class locomotive No. 35028 Clan Line will haul this special train, recreating some of the excitement of the days of the ACE.
Departing from London Waterloo, it will thread its way steam-hauled through the west London suburbs towards Woking and Basingstoke, where there will be stops to pick up passengers. It will continue to follow the London & South Western Railway’s main line to Salisbury and Exeter, following the route of the old ACE expresses.
After the Salisbury ‘water stop’, it will follow the main line through to Templecombe, which will give the train an opportunity to get up to its maximum permitted speed. After that It will pass the Yeovil Junction steam centre as it continues westwards and takes on the challenging 1 in 80 climb up Crewkerne Bank
After Axminster, there is further adverse climbing as it encounters the testing eight miles of mainly 1 in 80 up to Honiton Summit. Descending gradients then lead to Exeter, where passengers will have an afternoon break to visit the city and its Cathedral.
It is anticipated that it’ll pass Axminster at around 12:20. If anyone can get a good photo, I’ll happily publish it!

Pews News
If you want to receive this, please contact Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator, 01297 441986

From Devon and Cornwall Police
A man in his 40s has died after the motorbike he was driving was involved in a collision on the A35 at Taunton Cross, near Shute, Axminster.
Police were notified at around 10.43am on Wednesday 29 June to reports of a two-vehicle collision involving a white VW Transporter and a black BMW R1250 GS Adventure motorcycle.
As a result of the collision, the rider of the BMW motorbike suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A full forensic investigation of the scene took place and officers are working to establish the cause of this collision.
Police thank the public for their patience while they investigated the scene.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who were in the area at the time of the collision to telephone 101 quoting Log 210 of 29 June 2022.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31e2c72

Devon County Council Update
All about the Devon County Show!
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31e2c42

Membury Academy
Please note that is no toddler group on Tuesday 5^th July

Punctuation
Alasdair sent me this fantastic picture of a comma butterfly on his lavender the other day.

News from Membury Thursday 30^th June 2022

 And They’re Off!
We’d appreciate a few pennies to help cover the cost of the hall, and if anyone wants to help run the bar if it gets busy they will be most welcome!

Post Office
Unfortunately, there will be no Post Office in the hall tomorrow due to Covid in Churchinford. We hope that normal service will be resumed next week, and wish all their staff well.

Oak Apple Café
On the menu this week are:

• Sweet and Spicy Sausage Rolls
• Veggie Sausage rolls
• Ploughman’s Tarts
• Banana Cake
• Lemon Cake
• Fruit Scones
• Vegan Chocolate Traybake

Arts and Crafts
We are resuming our weekly meetings on a Thursday at 2pm. We mostly meet in the little room in the Hall, or sometimes in members houses/gardens.

ALL WELCOME. Bring along some sewing, darning, knitting, crochet, or just yourselves. We have a cup of tea and a chat.
Pauline Marshall 01404 881260

Goren Farm
Goren Festival – this weekend!

ARE YOU READY? If you haven’t got your ticket yet – go to our website!
www.gorenfestival.co.uk
Goren Festival – EX14 9EN
We’ve pulled together an incredible lineup for you, as we return to the wild meadows.
Thanks to these talented musicians, singers and songwriters Goren Festival will unite genres and fans in the fields all weekend.
So, grab a cider from the bar and get ready to tap, shake and stomp your way through the feast of bands and sounds!
https://gorenfestival.co.uk/bands-and-evening-entertainment/
— with Count to Fire and others…

We look forward to seeing you there, some weekend tickets and Sunday-only tickets are still available.

At the Beehive
On Friday 1st July at 7.30pm

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s acting and technical cohort present a thrilling and nostalgic production Thackeray’s hilarious satire, Vanity Fair.

Set in the early 1980s New Romantics scene of London, follow wannabe ‘It Girl’ Becky Sharp and her sweet-natured friend, Amelia Sedley, as they scale the heady heights of society and hustle through the hazardous playground for the rich and beautiful.

This roustabout of pleasure, survival, gender politics, tall tales and bigger hair is adapted for the stage by Declan Donnellan and directed by Paul Chesterton.

Tickets: Adults £15, Students £11 – 
This is a great opportunity to see really fantastic quality theatre with the talent of tomorrow and exceptional production team from the set and costumes to the light and sound design.

https://thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk/TheBeehive.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_1529.TcsWebTab_3769.TcsProgramme_841953
Box office: 01404 384050
www.beehivehoniton.co.uk

Membury Mercury Advertisements June 2022

Now is the time to get your chimney swept, your garden sorted, a cottage for your friends to stay in, some excellent local meat, new tyres (you are bound to need a few of these), your plumbing and electrics polished up, and your gerbils lovingly tended while you are away.

It’s all here!

News from Membury Sunday 26^th June 2022

 What’s On in Membury
Week commencing June 27^th

Monday June 27th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 28th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Wednesday June 29th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm
Last of the season!

Thursday June 30th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 1st
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 2nd

Sunday July 3rd
Membury Church: Holy Communion 11:00
British Grand Prix in the Village Hall TBC

Week commencing July 4^th

Monday July 4th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday July 6th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Wednesday July 6th

Thursday July 7th
Membury School Sports Day – Playing Field – afternoon

Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 8th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 9th

Sunday July 10th

News from Membury Friday 24^th June 2022

Pews News
For the Pews News for this coming week along with the order of service for our telephone service at 4pm on Sunday please contact:
Louise Collard AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31d0ee8

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31d34d5

 Fancy a week afloat?
If you’ve never experienced the Llangollen Canal you’ve missed out on one of the most beautiful waterways in the country. Here’s an opportunity to explore it this summer:

School Newsletter

News from Membury Thursday 23^rd June 2022

100 Club Draw
Once again David Neill has failed to spell my name right when the numbers were drawn. He’s of the opinion that the more tickets you buy, the more likely he is to spell your name correctly!
Here are this month’s results

• Sue and Paul Nicholson – £30
• Terry Pitt and Bobbie Clarke – £10
• Jon Wells – £10

Oak Apple Café
We have a treat for you tomorrow at the Oak Apple Café – aside from the usual offerings there’ll be two special guest appearances – Hallongrottor from our newest resident, Noomi from Sweden at Wellands, and a chocolate Pavlova! Hallongrottor translated literally as “raspberry caves” and you’ll find them in every café and bakery in Sweden. The chocolate Pavlova speaks for itself!
Here’s the full menu:

• Apple and Maple Sausage Rolls
• Chili, Onion and Garlic Sausage Rolls
• Cheesy Carrot and Courgette Muffins
• Chocolate Pavolva
• Lemon Drizzle
• Hallongrottor – Swedish Cookies
• Victoria Sponge

Scarlet Tiger
Mike Capper has sent me a lovely picture of a pair of very striking Scarlet Tiger moths attempting to produce more Scarlet Tiger moths! This species is more or less confined to the west country.

St John Baptist Church
Sunday 26 June is a special day for Membury and for our parish church. It is the Feast Day of St John the Baptist who is the Patron Saint of our church and parish. John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ. His work was to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’. After preparation in the wilderness, John came proclaiming a message of repentance and amendment of life. He called the people to the River Jordan to have their sins washed away. On the banks of the river John identified Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world’. John also rebuked King Herod for scandalous wrongdoing. For this John was imprisoned and eventually beheaded at the behest of Salome, Herod’s daughter-in-law, who had danced seductively for him at a banquet. When news of John’s death was brought to Jesus, he took it as a signal to complete his work, even unto death.
A patron saint is a holy person whom we honour, whose message we heed, whose example we seek to emulate, and whose prayers in heaven we desire. By tradition, Membury’s Patronal Festival is also our Gift Day, an opportunity to reconsider how we support our historic and beautiful church and its services of worship and how we contribute to it. The service on Sunday will be Morning Worship (so not Holy Communion) at 11 am and will be led by Tony Nixon, a lay Reader in our team and by The Band.

Old Paper Notes
Old paper £20 and £50 cease to be legal tender in 100 days but have no fear – we will happily take them at Oak Apple Café or Merrymaker events and free you of the stress of having to spend them swiftly.

Devon County Council Update
Cost of living special.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31d1776

News from Membury Wednesday 22^nd June 2022

Membury Merrymakers Extra event!
We are hoping to stream the British Grand Prix on Sunday July 3^rd from 2:30pm at the Village Hall on the big screen, with the bar being open, and a freezer full of ice cream. Watch this space for more details!

Yellow Warning of Thunderstorms
Between 10:00 on Thursday 23rd and 23:59 on Thursday 23rd.
We are on the extreme western edge of the area of the warning.
Thunderstorms are likely to break out in some areas, particularly during the afternoon and early evening. While most places will probably miss them, where thunderstorms do occur there is a chance that in a few places up to 40 mm of rain could fall in an hour or so and 40 to 60 mm could fall in two or three hours. These torrential downpours may be accompanied by frequent lightning, whilst gusty winds and hail may also affect a few places. The exact location of the thunderstorms will be hard to pinpoint, so the warning area will be kept under review and updated if necessary.

A35 Closure
Don’t forget that the A35 will be completely closed near Honiton for land slip works for 5 days 26/6/2022 06:00 to 30/6/2022 18:00. I believe that the diversion will be via the 7-mile straight, but it’s bound to be quite chaotic.

 Disney Aladdin Jr

Polling Day
The polling booth at the Village Hall is open from 07:00 – 22:00 tomorrow.
You do not need your poll card in order to vote.
Candidates include:

• Jordan Donoghue-Morgan, Heritage Party
• Andy Foan – Reform UK
• Richard Foord – Liberal Democrats
• Helen Hurford – Conservative
• Liz Pole – Labour
• Frankie Rufolo – The For Britain Movement
• Ben Walker – UK Independence Party
• Gill Westcott – Green Party

You can read more about them all here: https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/tiverton-honiton-by-election-profiles-9046972

Free Guided Tours of Exeter
My Colleague Dale from Ashford in North Devon has let me know that there are a number of Red Coat Guided Tours of Exeter operating throughout the year, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. They all represent a great way to explore this historic city on our doorstep. You can read about them here: https://exeter.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/our-attractions/red-coat-guided-tours/our-tours/

News from Membury Monday 20^th June 2022

Toddler Group
The toddler group tomorrow (Tuesday) at Membury School is cancelled due to staff illness

Duck!
Next Sunday the 26th June the Yarcombe & Marsh Children’s Fund is co-hosting ‘A Duck Race’ along with Stockland & Yarcombe Preschool and Stockland Primary Academy School. The objective of this fundraiser is for the three organisations to work together as a team and make it a huge success so that the profits can benefit each of them.
To make things run smoothly, we ideally need as many ducks sold as possible this week.  Please hand forms and money to Rosanne Derryman by Saturday morning or contact Julie Rich (timandjules14@aol.co.uk or 07967 965208).  If anyone would like to buy a duck, it will help make this event a huge success.
Duck Race entry forms are available from the Seed, Plant & Book Swap under the Post Office covered porch in the Yarcombe Jubilee Hall car park.
There are some really fabulous prizes to be won, many donated by wonderful local businesses.  All completed forms will then be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a hamper!  There will be prizes for the first 5 ducks over the finishing line.
It will be a great family day out, there will be a BBQ and drinks available from 12.30p.m. onwards, the Duck Race will commence at 2p.m., there will be a cake stall and side stalls too. Plenty to keep everyone entertained!   Everyone Welcome!

Local Gardens Open for Charity

Roadworks
It seems that we are in for a summer of road closures and disruption.
This is a map showing the planned roadworks in August – I stress “planned” because these things can have a habit of changing. I’m sure diversion routes will be signposted in their usual devious fashion. If you have guests coming, you may want to warn them.
Look on the bright side – at least the roads won’t shred your tyres and your nerves when the work has been completed.

 

Parish Council Meeting
Don’t forget that the Parish Council will be meeting tomorrow night at the Village Hall at 7:30pm. All parishioners will be very welcome.

News from Membury Sunday 19^th June 2022

 What’s On in Membury
Week commencing June 20^th

Monday June 20th
MerryMakers Committee meeting 7pm at Haccombe
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 21st
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall – 7:30pm

Wednesday June 22nd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 23rd
Polling Day – Village Hall 7am-10pm

Friday June 24th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday June 25th

Sunday June 26th
Membury Church Patronal Festival and Gift Day Service at 11am

Week commencing June 27^th

Monday June 27th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 28th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Wednesday June 29th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 30th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday July 1st
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Sea Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday July 2nd

Sunday July 3rd
Membury Church: Holy Communion 11:00

News from Membury Saturday 18^th June 2022

Village Hall Car Park
Could people please park considerately at the Village Hall if there is an event on, without leaving too much space between cars if possible.
Parking yesterday at the Oak Apple Café was quite challenging.

Weather Warning
This is a new one for me – we have a yellow warning of lightning in place between now and 19:00 tonight (Saturday).
An area of storms is expected to move northeastwards across southwest and into southern England Saturday afternoon. These may bring frequent lightning to sites for a short period of time before they clear to the northeast. A brief period of heavy rain is also likely but given the speed of movement lightning is thought more likely to be a hazard. The most frequent lightning is likely to be in parts of Cornwall and Devon. This might lead to loss of power and possibly some damage to buildings.

Axe Vale Show
We went to the show today, and it was fantastic. If you don’t have anything better to do tomorrow – pop down to the showground on Trafalgar Way! Please note that some of the traders only take cash. Don’t forget to catch the prize-winning display from Bridport Fly Catchers in the floral tent.

Axminster Cherry Fayre
Axminster is looking forward to a packed programme of events for the annual Cherry Fayre next week.
A Royal Charter awarded to Axminster in the early 1200s allowing the town to hold an annual fayre in honour of the Feast of St John the Baptist.
Today, the event is known as The Cherry Fayre and a whole week of events are being organised by Light Up Axminster and other local clubs and organisations to mark the occasion.
Events will get started with the traditional Raising of the Glove ceremony on Thursday, June 23.
The Raising of the Glove ceremony is a key part of The Cherry Fayre celebrations, as both have their roots in the ancient Royal Charter between King John and Williams Brewer. The document was accompanied by a glove as a sign of the King’s power and authority, conferred by Axminster’s Lord of the Manor upon William Brewer and granting Axminster the status of a Free Borough.
The tradition continues today with the now Lord of the Manor, Jim Rowe, holding the glove aloft and hailing “The glove is up!” to mark the start of The Cherry Fayre.
This year, the glove will be paraded through Axminster Street Market at 10.45am, coinciding with the ringing of the church bells. The Raising of the Glove ceremony will then be held on the Minster Green at 11am, followed at 11.30am by a community picnic organised by local charity Nourish.
Other events of the opening day of the fayre will include a coffee morning in the Church Rooms from 9am, and Music in the Minster with Saxminster, from 12.30pm.
On Saturday, June 25 there will be a coffee morning and table-top sale from 9.30am to 12noon at Axminster Heritage Centre, which will also be offering free entry for the day.
The Virtue & Honour Freemasons will also be opening the doors of Axminster’s Masonic Lodge in South Street between 10am and 4pm for all to take a look inside and find out more about Freemasonry.
Another highlight of the week will include Axminster Carnival’s Vehicle Extravaganza between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, June 26 at Axminster Showground, where a wide range of impressive motor vehicles will be on display.
The new Axminster junior parkrun will also host a launch event from 9am at Cloakham Lawn on Sunday, June 26. The 2km run for children aged four to 14, along the Stop Line Way cycle and footpath, will then be held weekly from July.
The Cherry Fayre week will finish on Friday, July 1 with Axminster’s Big Dinner, with residents and visitors invited along to Trinity Square and the Minster Green from 4pm to 9pm for live music, food producers and a street food market, family fun and games.
The finale will be held at the Community Waffle House, where Lyme Bay Radio’s Lisa Galvani will be presenting her show with live music.

News from Membury Friday 17^th June 2022

Thank You Thank you
A tremendous turnout at the Down to Earth plant sale and Oak Apple Café at the Village Hall this afternoon, which has raised over £250 for Greenfingers! Thank you to the bakers, the gardeners, and the volunteers – but most of all, thank you to all you generous visitors!

This was also an opportunity for Sara to present the school with their trophy for the best scarecrow as part of the jubilee celebrations.

There are some plants left which are all on the driveway at Haccombe – please come and help yourself, and leave a contribution in our letterbox, or bring it to the café next week.

Something Lurking in the Deep
Our small pond is only about 18 months old, so we were very surprised to see a female southern hawker dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea) that had just emerged from its nymph form, leaving behind the old exoskeleton – the exuviae. We were even more surprised to notice 9 other exuviae on adjacent stems from which the adults had recently emerged. The larvae look really scary!

School Newsletter
Owl class represented the school and the village at Sing Your Heart Out in Axminster yesterday.
Sing Your Heart Out is organised by Axe Valley and local primary schools come together to perform and sing songs. Owl class performed Twinkle Twinkle on the glockenspiels and joined with the rest of the schools to sing Wellerman, When You Believe and a rendition of Oh When the Saints, Swing Low and I want to sing.
They all did amazingly!

A Summer Afternoon Concert
If you want something a little more genteel than the Axminster Show tomorrow …

Another scam warning from D&C Police
Police investigating reports of a phone scam which has led to two people in their 80s handing over substantial sums of money are appealing for information.
Officers are also warning residents in Devon to be vigilant of the scam, in which the caller is pretending to be a police officer.
Detectives say they have had an increased number of calls about this scam over the past few weeks – particularly in the Exeter, South Devon and the Plymouth areas.
In one case, the victim was persuaded to hand over more than £15,000, and more than £9,000 in another case.
As part of the scam, they were also asked to provide some of the money in foreign currency or purchase expensive watches only to then hand over.
It has been reported that the male caller pretends to be a person called ‘Sergeant Martin Spencer’ from the police in London, and he is investigating the unauthorised use of the person’s bank card.
He also advised that they should not tell anyone about the call, as it may jeopardise the police investigation.
Detective Inspector Guy Biggar said: “We are advising anyone who receives such a call not to give any personal information and hang up immediately.
“This type of call can be linked to courier fraud, where victims will be encouraged to withdraw funds from their bank account or give bank cards to a courier, arranged by the ‘police officer’ making the call under the guise of ‘assisting with a police investigation’.
“We will never contact people to ask for banking information or request that they withdraw money from an account to aid an investigation.”
He went on to say: “Fraudsters often target geographical areas where they know elderly or vulnerable people live, so we are asking that if you have family or friends who are vulnerable in any way, that you make them aware of this scam.”
If you have any information that could help the police with their enquiries or know someone who has received a call of this nature, please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting CR/049562/22.

Devon County Council Update
Free holiday activities with meals this summer; COVID-19 figures still low but rising slightly and we’re returning to the Devon County Show
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31c2019

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31be637

News from Membury Thursday 16^th June 2022

Oak Apple Café
Here is the menu for the café – open tomorrow between 1:30pm and 3:30pm…

• Apple and maple sausage rolls
• Chili, onion and garlic sausage rolls
• Apple flapjacks
• Frosted Banana Cake
• Mini Cheesecakes with strawberries and cream
• Madeiran Bollo gingerbread – gluten free
• Victoria Sponge
• Chocolate crunchie nests

All that and plants on sale too!
How can you resist?

Fish and Chips
Wouldn’t you rather not have to cook a meal on Saturday evening?
We may have to cancel the fish and chip van if we don’t get a few more takers, so if you want to place an order, do so today or tomorrow to Jill 01404 881641 07710849894 or jill-folletts@outlook.com.
The van will be serving from 6pm in the car park, and the pop-up bar will be there until 8pm. It should be a good night to enjoy your meal on The Terrace!

Fancy a Walk to Rock?
It’s worth taking a walk down the road to Forge Farm in Rock to see the Yools’ Tulip Tree in flower. This has to be one of the most magnificent trees in the whole parish, and it’s at its best right now.

 Membury Church
There will be a Communion Service at the church at 11:00 on Sunday June 19^th

News from Membury Wednesday 15^th June 2022

Parish Council Meeting – Agenda
Dear Parish Councillors and Members of the Public,
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held in the Membury Village Hall on Tuesday 21st June 2022 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
Ana Silson
Clerk to the Council

AGENDA

2267. Welcome
2268. Apologies for absence
2269. Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 24th of May 2022 as a true record
2270. 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 and any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with.
2271. County and District Council Reports: County Councillor, Iain Chubb (DCC) and District Councillor, Paul Hayward (EDDC)
2272. To review and agree Section 2 – Accounting Statements for the Annual Audit
2273. Finance:
a) To approve the financial statement for April and May 2022
b) To consider, approve and sign the Annual Governance Statement for the Annual Audit
c) To consider the Internal Auditor report 2021
d) To approve the continued use of BACS payments, DDs, and Standing Orders
e) To review Payroll Service Providers
f) To approve the following payments:
HRMC                              CLERK’S TAX MAY                                £68.40
D.J. TERRY                       FOOTPATH MAINTENANCE                   £226.00
N WARREN                      GRASS CUTTING                                  £166.66
CLERK                             SALARY MAY                                       £273.46
D. ROBINSON                   FIRST AID COURSE                              £320.00
BT GROUP PLC                 VILLAGE HALL BROADBAND                  £36.25
BLACKDOWN HILLS          ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION   £90.00
2274. Footpath
2275. Highways
2276. Sump
2277. Playing field
2278. Car park bin
2279. Public Forum

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 2nd of August 2022.

Oak Apple Café
Down to Earth are taking over the café this Friday, and I’ll publish their menu tomorrow. There’ll be lots of plants for sale, and produce too – depending on what people have in the gardens and cupboards! All money raised will be going to the Greenfingers Charity – a national charity dedicated to supporting children who spend time in hospices around the UK. Their aim is to create inspiring gardens for them and their families to relax in and benefit from.
They create beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy with their family, friends and siblings, whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.
Come and support the team, and help them raise money for this worthy cause.

Membury Show
The Flower, Fruit, Vegetable and Produce Show takes place on Saturday 30^th July at 2:30pm in the Village Hall. The Committee have been busy buffing up the trophies and polishing the judges that have been mothballed for the last couple of years. This year the Art classes are as follows:
71. Black and White in any medium
72. Garden Pots in Watercolour
73. Original Picture in any medium

The photography classes are:
74. Reflection
75. The Long and the Short of it.

The full schedule of competition classes, and an entry form are available by emailing danieljlazar@gmail.com. If you want a printed copy, there are some available at the village hall. All entries must reach the Village Hall post box, 1 Playstreet, or Haccombe NO LATER THAN 9:30am Thursday July 28^th.
All money raised will be divided between the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Axe Vale Conservation Society

ATM Machine cash theft
Nationally, there is a current spate of issues with people’s bank cards being retained by ATM machines and then money being withdrawn from other ATMs, sometimes within minutes.
On one occasion, the victim was guarding the ATM whilst calling her bank and money was taken from her account from a different ATM machine elsewhere.  The card was still in the machine that she was standing next to.
Criminals are using technology to achieve this new type of theft. Items have been placed in or on the machines to capture the card details. It means that it is now very important to get a card cancelled or blocked as soon as possible if an ATM retains it.
It may be better to use ATMs that are inside banks, with more security (eg. cameras), limiting the risk of a device being installed.
When using an ATM, look at the device you slot your card into – and check it can’t be easily removed. Check to see if anything appears to be added to the card reader slot and/or stuck over the number pad and report anything suspicious.  Use your other hand to screen your fingers while you enter your PIN.
If your card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bank to block the card immediately.  Most banks have a 24-hour emergency number, so it is a good idea to have this ready in your phone.
If you have a banking app on your phone, you should be able to block the card without needing to call the bank, which will be the most effective method of preventing fraudulent withdrawals.
After having your card blocked, you can report the incident to ActionFraud

Axe Vale Show
The Axe Vale Show is back 18^th – 19^th June 10am – 5pm (5:30pm on Saturday).
It’s a Great Day Out for all the family!
The Axe Vale show is designed to showcase the very best Axminster and the surrounding area has to offer, with the emphasis very much on participation and community involvement. Held over both days of the weekend 18th and 19th June 2022 there is a full programme of displays, entertainment and shopping.
Something for everybody at the Axe Vale Show!
Adult tickets are £10, Children 5-16 £1, and under 5 are free.
The Show postcode is EX13 5RJ, and there’s plenty of free parking.

Duck Race

News from Membury Sunday 12^th June 2022

They’re Back!
Hurray! The Arts and Craft club is again open after covid and the Jubilee celebrations!! Did you see all the bunting triangles??
We are meeting each Thursday afternoon from 2- 4pm in the small room off the hall. We bring our own project – be it knitting, crochet, drawing or mending. One of our group is making dresses from odd material to send abroad to deprived countries. We get a cup of tea and a chance to have a chat – would you like to come and join us?? You would be very welcome. Just turn up on a Thursday afternoon.
Pauline Marshall 01404 881260

Fudge
Lucy Pearse has been busy making fudge. If you haven’t tried it yet catch her at the school gate at chucking out time, or email her winifredsfudge@gmail.com

Go Wild this Summer
Devon Wildlife Trust are celebrating their 60th anniversary with loads of free events over the summer. See what’s available and book here https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/events

Death on the Nile
It’s the 2nd Tuesday of the month on the 14th so that means it’s film time!
This month we are showing the recent version of “Death on the Nile” starring Kenneth Branagh.
Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot’s vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping Egyptian desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers, and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement.
It’s a shade over 2 hours, so feel free to bring a cushion. During the interval I’ll be projecting all the photographs that Suzie took over the Jubilee weekend.

Down to Earth
Friday 17^th sees a takeover of the Oak Apple Café by Down to Earth who will have a plant and produce sale to raise money for the Greenfingers Charity. If you have any spare plants to contribute bring them along! Lots of people seem to be having trouble with their runner beans this year.

Fish and Chips
Once again the chippie is calling to the village cark park at 6pm on Saturday 18th. Don’t forget to let Jill know on 01404 881641 07710849894 or jill-folletts@outlook.com if you want to order fish and chips. There’ll be a pop-up bar, and lashings of Baboo ice cream

Merrymakers Committee Meeting
7pm Monday 20th at Haccombe. If you enjoyed the jubilee extravaganza and want to get more involved in the Merrymakers please come along and help us plan the next few months.

Parish Council Meeting
7:30pm Tuesday 21st at the Village Hall. I’ll publish the agenda in the next couple of days

Is This the Way to Amarillo?
If you want something that’ll probably be a bit livelier than the Parish Council meeting The Beehive in Honiton has booked the legendary Tony Christie for Tuesday 21^st as well. This is one of his warm up gigs on his road to Glastonbury

Polling Day
On Thursday 23^rd between 7am and 10pm you’ll get an opportunity to cast your vote to select a replacement for Neil Parish to represent us in Parliament. For details of the candidates and other information visit https://www.middevon.gov.uk/your-council/voting-elections/2022-elections/tiverton-and-honiton-parliamentary-election-2022/

Area 52
If your thirst for partying hasn’t yet been slaked there’s a big do at Stockland Village Hall on June 18th. All the tickets including food are sold out, but “Band Only” tickets are now on sale at £15. If you are free next Saturday and feel like spending an evening dancing away to the amazing Area 52 please call Sarah on 07860716592. All proceeds are going to Alzheimer’s and will be put towards the fund raising for the 26 Mile marathon in September that we are walking. The team being Sarah, Craig and Charlotte Bernhardt, Kim Harvey, Clare Connor and Duncan Sheridan Shaw.

Cotley Inn
Winner of the Visit England Awards for Excellence Pub of the Year 2022 is one of our locals!
At the foot of the Blackdown Hills is The Cotley Inn, which prides itself on its genuinely local produce. Fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers are picked just a few steps away in the kitchen garden, and meat and game are sourced directly from The Cotley Estate. Book in for a long lunch or gourmet dinner with fabulous views of the Somerset countryside. Well-behaved dogs and muddy boots are always welcome, too.

What’s on in Membury
Week Commencing 13th June

Monday June 13th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 14th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Moviola – Death on the Nile at the Village Hall 7:00pm

Wednesday June 15th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 16th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday June 17th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall run by Down to Earth 1:30-3:30pm raising money for Greenfingers Charity

Saturday June 18th
Fish and Chips at the Village Hall Car Park 6pm

Sunday June 19th
Church service Holy Communion at 11am (TBC)

Week Commencing 20th June

Monday June 20th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 21st
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Parish Council Meeting at the Village Hall 7:30pm

Wednesday June 22nd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 23rd
Polling Day 7am – 10pm

Friday June 24th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall
Shanties in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday June 25th

Sunday June 26th
Membury Church Patronal Festival and Gift Day Service at 11am

News from Membury Friday 10^th June 2022

A message from Membury MerryMakers
A big Jubilee THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in organising our festivities over the last weekend. We could not have put on such great events without the huge team of volunteers, too numerous to mention individually. The feedback has been amazing. It shows what can be done when a community pulls together.
Thanks also to everyone who supported the events. If only the weather had been a little kinder on Sunday.
Whilst things are still fresh in my mind I am writing an article for the next Membury Mercury. It would be lovely to include other peoples thoughts on the celebrations, so please send any comments, thoughts etc to either me (suenicholson1960@me.com), or direct to mbrymcry@gmail.com

Membury School Newsletter

Broadband in Tiverton and Honiton
If you attend a hustings meeting prior to the election, or get a door knock from a candidate you might like to ask them why the constituency of Tiverton and Honiton is now (as of May 2022) the 2^nd worst English constituency for Broadband coverage with only 85.5% of premises having a speed of greater than 30MBps – compared to the national average of 97.1%. 29 Months ago we were only 5^th worst.
Ask the prospective candidates what they propose to do about it.
This data has been sourced from Mike Kiely who watches and comments on broadband nationally.

Devon County Council Update
Apply for free energy efficiency improvements; progress report on reaching net-zero this decade; Farms Estate also driving down carbon emissions; it’s Carers Week, and more – https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31b0c4f

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31b0c15

Axminster Guildhall

News from Membury Thursday 9^th June 2022

Oak Apple Café
ARC Raffle tickets will be on sale tomorrow (Friday) at the café. Bring a few extra pounds!

Vandalism at the Playing Field
Both of the benches at the playing field, handmade by John Robinson, appear to have been vandalised. If anyone has any information on this please email me. John will attempt to repair them on his return. A “Stockland Leavers 2022” sweatshirt has also been left behind – but I think this is unrelated.

Library Van
The mobile library will be in the village tomorrow (Friday) at 13:10 outside Gowan Brae, and at 13:50 at the Village Hall. Don’t forget – use it or lose it!

Post Boxes
You may have noticed some rather cryptically worded notes on our local post-boxes stating that from next week collections will be “no earlier than 09:00”. What this means in practice is that when Lisa drives past each box at her usual time on her round she’ll collect anything that has been posted. Some boxes will be emptied earlier than previously, and some later. This is all to prevent her having to effectively go around twice. The box at the hall will be emptied later in the afternoon at its regular time, so if you want to guarantee you haven’t missed the collection, that’s the place to post your letter. It’s all being done in the name of efficiency!

The Car Show

Perhaps we could have squeezed a couple more in, but only just!
Here’s a list of what was there.

Axminster Food Bank
The rolls left over from the BBQ which all have a decent shelf life are all being donated to the Axminster Food Bank.
However, they are still short of some items. They desperately need:

• Tinned potatoes
• Microwave rice
• Pasta sauce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Tinned soup
• Tinned spaghetti
• Tinned vegetable
• Bags for life
• Long life milk

Many thanks

A Reminder of Stuff to do at the Weekend
Spoilt for choice we are!

• Yarcombe Village Market Saturday 11^th 10:00- 12:00 EX14 9AD
• Goren Farm guided walks Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th EX14 9EN
• Axminster Repair café Saturday 11^th Axminster Guildhall 10:00 – 13:00 EX13 5NX
• Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac tribute) Saturday 11^th Axminster Guildhall 19:30 EX13 5NX
• Dennings Down Farm Open Day Sunday 12^th 11:00 – 16:00 EX13 7JN
• Voodoo Room – a night of Hendrix, Clapton and Cream Saturday 11^th 20:00 – 22:30 Beehive Honiton EX14 1LZ

Need a Bit More Cash?
A request from the Clerk to the Council, Ana Silson

IMPulse Cleaning Services needs Staff to work on building sites.
If you want a job or just occasional extra money, get in touch!

• No experience required, all training and PPE provided by the company.
• CSCS card is mandatory!
• Needs to be self employed
• You choose how many days/hours you want to do
• It’s not hard work but can be physically demanding if you are not used to doing physical jobs.
• You can be in any other trade, but if you’re looking to do extra work for extra money please get in touch.
• Good pay rates
• To start in 3 to 4 weeks.

For more information please contact 07376246984 or info@impulsecleaningservices.co.uk

Did She Deserve This?
Certainly not!

 

News from Membury Tuesday 7^th June 2022

Suzie’s final chapter

Scroll down to see the images of the tea party
https://suzannemcfadzeanweddingphotography.pic-time.com/VhOkQr93fwZ2v.
Thank you once again Suzie for documenting our fun!

Scarecrow Prize Presentation
Presentation of the trophy to the school will take place on Friday 17th between 2:45 and 3:00pm at the Oak Apple Café – which is being run that day by the Down to Earth team.

ARC Raffle
Once again Rotary in Axminster is running a raffle on behalf of ARC. Tickets will be £1 of which 90p will go to ARC. The draw will be in November. Tickets will be on sale at the Café, and other Merrymaker events.

Left Behind
We have a red umbrella, a hat or two and some fluorescent vests at the hall that can be collected whenever the hall is open if they belong to you.

Visit to a Sewage Works
Vicky from Chardstock is organising a trip to visit Kilmington Sewage Treatment Works in September, hosted by South West Water. This is one of the worst offenders for sewage spills in the county – the overflow goes straight into the Axe. If you are interested please contact Vicky admin@essenseconsulting.co.uk.
All those in favour? Motion carried…

Oak Apple Cafe
If you had fun at the Jubilee café last week why not come down again on Friday? It’ll be open between 1:30pm and 3:30pm and the menu will be rather simpler than the feat prepared last week. There’ll be:

• Sausage Rolls
• Cheese Scones
• Chocolate Cake
• Victoria Sandwich
• Banana Cake
• Flapjacks

Found Glasses
These glasses were found this morning between Hook Cross and Thorn Farm. If you recognise them contact Tony Marsh (tony_a_f_marsh@yahoo.com)

Big Slug
Alasdair writes:
“Something for those suffering post jubilee withdrawal……
Found this large gardeners pest on the road near Cott Cross (15cm), and the list of possibles runs like something out of Harry Potter! How about the Balkan three band or the Budapest keeled or even the Sowerby keeled. My money’s on the Ashy grey but everyone feel free to pitch in

 This week is carers week
Making caring visible, valued and supported. Read the update from Devon County Council here https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31ae32b

Goren Farm open for charity
Guided walks the 11^th and 12^th of June At Goren Farm
Goren Farm Is Raising Money for the Charity NGS (National Garden Scheme) this weekend and all entrance proceeds will be donated to the NGS.
The wild flowers are a big Passion of Julian Pady (the farmer) who has been working with this charity for over 14 years and has managed to raise over £20,000!!! Well-done Julian.
Goren farm is a very special place and Julian has been here for 20 years and lovingly restored the house, barns and Gardens and, through careful management, enhanced the wild flower meadows. Over 21 years he has gained a wealth of knowledge on wild flowers and how to grow them.
Julian would like to personally show you around his farm and give a talk on wild flower meadows, their management, history and biodiversity.
The walk will be leaving the farm yard at 11 am Saturday the 11^th and 18^th of June.
Please wear sturdy shoes, and dogs on tight leads are welcome.
After the talk you are welcome to relax here too and there are a few things for all the family, working Cider Museum, Plant sales, Café, Table tennis and trampolines family hammock etc, and we have indoor seating if required,
Goren Farm Flowers are at their very best right now !! we are open for walks Every Wednesday to Sunday 11 am and now until 9 pm (the Café is open 11 am to 6 pm). Goren Farm EX14 9EN
Dogs welcome on leads,
£5 entrance and children Free

And a final jubilee image for you all

News from Membury Sunday 5^th June 2022

It’s all over
Not in the recent history of the parish has so much been enjoyed by so many, over so many consecutive days.

At this stage I just want to say thank you to Sue Nicholson for displaying such astounding organisational skills. The Merrymakers presented her with a bottle of wine (delivered today, and probably drunk by now), and a beech tree (to be delivered in the Autumn).

Despite the weather I think everyone had a good time today, gradually getting damper and damper until we abandoned the car park and headed into the hall. This led us to stream the Pageant this afternoon to entertain the revellers.

Last night we streamed the Platinum Concert from Buckingham Palace and it was magnificent – the picture was terrific, and the sound was even better. The highlight of the event was the opening, when Paddington Bear met the Queen. Watch it again here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-61692278

The hall now has a TV licence so having experimented over the last couple of days with great success, this means we will be able to stream other programmes – concerts, sport, and anything else you fancy!

The Scarecrow competition was won by the school after stiff (and now soggy) competition, and the special extra £70 100 club draw was won by Sean and Kirsten Langdon – who immediately donated the money to the Merrymakers

Yet more weather
Heavy showers and thunderstorms may cause travel disruption and lead to flooding in a few places – this warning is in force for us until midnight tonight

Axminster Repair Café
The next Repair Cafe is at Axminster Guildhall on Saturday 11 June, 10am – 1pm. Their volunteer Brian will be ready to welcome you on our front desk! Bring along your broken household items and we’ll do our best to fix them up.

LEAF Open Farm Sunday
Free entry next Sunday at Dennings Down Farm EX13 7JN on our borders with Smallridge 11:00 – 16:00

 

What’s on in Membury
Week Commencing 6^th June
Monday June 6th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 7th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Wednesday June 8th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 9th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday June 10th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm – Special Beer and Shanty evening

Saturday June 11th 

Sunday June 12th

Week Commencing 13^th June
Monday June 13th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday June 14th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Moviola – Death on the Nile at the Village Hall 7:00pm

Wednesday June 15th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 16th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday June 17th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall run by Down to Earth 1:30-3:30pm raising money for Greenfingers Charity
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm TBC

Saturday June 18th 
Fish and Chips at the Village Hall Car Park 6pm

Sunday June 19^th
Church service TBA

News from Membury Saturday 4^th June 2022 Jubilee Special

Two days done, two to go.

Today – Saturday
We’ll be streaming the Platinum Party at the Palace tonight at the Village Hall. It starts at 7:30, and finishes at 10:30. The bar will be open from 7:00.
Soul icon Diana Ross is due to headline the concert, her first UK performance for 15 years.
The evening will pivot around global themes that have been born, or evolved, during the breadth of Her Majesty’s reign due to extraordinary British and Commonwealth contributions including Fashion, Sport, the Environment, 70 Years of Pop Music and Musicals – the latter curated by legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

• Queen + Adam Lambert will open the concert,
• Alicia Keys,
• Hans Zimmer,
• Ella Eyre,
• Craig David,
• Mabel,
• Elbow
• George Ezra,
• Duran Duran,
• Andrea Bocelli,
• Mimi Webb,
• Jax Jones,
• Celeste,
• Nile Rodgers,
• Sigala
• Diversity
• Sam Ryder

There will also be a specially recorded performance from Sir Elton John.
Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet, and Ellie Simmonds will also be appearing.
There’ll be crisps and nuts, and a restocked bar, but no food – the chefs need a night off! Feel free to order a delivery to the hall from one of Axminster’s restaurants for you and your friends.

Yesterday
What a turnout!
The car show, and the ‘50s themed café complemented each other perfectly, and we had well over 150 attendees. Many thanks to Jenny and Barbara who were in control (most of the time!). This was an opportunity for the café to say thank you to the village for supporting us through thick and thin.
Suzie has uploaded all the photographs she took over the last couple of days, and you can access them here https://suzannemcfadzeanweddingphotography.pic-time.com/2qTQrDGaTSy8b
Here’s a small selection

Tomorrow
First the bad news …
We have another yellow warning of thunderstorms between midnight tonight and 18:00 tomorrow (Sunday). The boundary of the area covered by the warning runs between Axminster and Chard, so we are right on the edge and it might miss us all together.
Thunderstorms and areas of rain are expected to develop over parts of England and Wales during the early hours of Sunday. Torrential downpours are likely in a few places with parts of the Midlands, East Anglia and southeast England most at risk. Some places could see 15-20 mm in an hour, and perhaps up to 50 mm before storms fade, and hail may affect a few spots. These thunderstorms will slowly spread into southern parts of northern England on Sunday morning before easing. Further south, drier conditions briefly develop on Sunday morning before further showers and thunderstorms develop over some parts of southern England, Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia later. These may give some heavy downpours with a further 10-20 mm possible in some places.

The Village Car Park Party kicks off at 2pm and finishes at 5:30. It will be followed at 6pm by Jubilee Praise with the Raucous Chorus in the Church.

If you need to drive in, please remember to park in the field above Bay Tree House – so long as the weather is reasonably clement and the ground isn’t too soggy. The entrance, near Clarence Cross is signposted and there’ll be marshals to help guide you in.
It’s a bring and share event, so no food will be provided, but the bar will once again be open, and it would help us a lot if you could bring your own glasses, plates and cutlery.

Don’t forget that the Red Arrows have agreed a fly-past not too far away near Furley at 16:24.

And Finally
Sharon Jones’ friend Anita has written a poem to celebrate the Queen:

Our Queen
Picture for a moment, her feelings deep inside
Discovering her monarchy; her freedom cast aside.
We can only but imagine the thoughts which crossed her mind
The moment that she realised her place amongst mankind.
Each thoughtful spoken moment; engagements she’s fulfilled
We can all but gaze in wonder at the confidence instilled.
A calming aura leads her: An example to us all
Her every waking moment continues to enthral.
For she has been our stalwart and Great Britain can be proud
Our Queen’s unstinting ability to steer and drive the crowd.
Her steady hand of wisdom through governed calm or noise,
Her heartfelt warmth, intelligence, experience and poise.
Her gracious capability from such a tender age
And how we’ve gazed in awe as she has tackled each new phase.
Her Majesty enables subtle sway by her example
Unrivalled and unique, her education there to sample.
For she has come to know so much; considered is her choice,
Her travels for the commonwealth, her dedicated voice.
We will surely never fathom how our Queen has worked at length
But we can all applaud her for her courage and her strength.
A passionate ambassador; her unwavering embrace,
Her careful understanding, her commitment and her grace.
No one’s been before or is ever likely to surpass
Our Queen’s legacy, her duty, our nation’s masterclass …
So raise a glass to Queen Elizabeth as we celebrate today
And enjoy these precious moments… in our hearts to stay.

News from Membury Friday 3rd June 2022 Jubilee Special

First of all, some wonderful news
Heather Pearse would like to announce the birth of a Jubilee baby girl born 2nd June to Grant and Lucy Pearse of Challenger Farm. Congratulations to all concerned from the Merrymakers, and the whole village. Will she be an Elizabeth? A Julie-Bee? Perhaps a Septuaginta – Latin for 70! More news and possibly a photo in due course.

Yesterday
Yesterday seemed to go off well – with 2 polypins of Otter now lying empty in the hall. The fireworks were great. If anyone missed it John Steadman (one of our marshals) has posted a video onto our facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/Membury. If you aren’t already a member you are welcome to join.
John Hodge had his drone out…

Trina, assisted by copious notes and an army of “volunteers” did a fantastic job – despite substantially more people getting tickets than had been envisaged!

Huge thanks to all involved.

Michael Lawrence has sent a photograph from Bracken of the Dalwood Beacon taken at 9:30 last night.

Today
The action today starts at 1:30 when the Oak Apple Café opens in the hall with a 1950’s theme. The menu is too intricate and complicated to print here – but Jenny and Barbara have masterminded something really special.

Running alongside the café will be a car show – with possibly the odd tractor thrown in. Whether they are veteran, vintage, classic or just plain old, come along and enjoy the show

There’ll also be a display of memorabilia at the hall from days of yore with a royal theme

Don’t forget that the Post Office won’t be here today.

Tomorrow
First the bad news …
We have a yellow warning of thunderstorms between midnight tonight and 10:00 tomorrow (Saturday) morning – with heavy rain and lightning to some areas. This warning covers much of southern England so we may well escape the worst of it.

We’re all set to stream the Jubilee concert from 7pm. The local chefs are having a night off, so it’s BYO food – but the bar will be open (if there’s any beer left!)

Sunday Bonus Event
The Red Arrows have a way point about 400m NW of the Church , near Furley Cross at 1624 hrs on Sunday 5 June. They will be flying West to East en route from Exeter to Southampton before arriving over the Mall at 1705hrs. This has, of course, been specially arranged at vast expense by the Merrymakers committee.

Old News
The Oak Apple Day celebrations have made the local press – read all about it here … https://axminster.nub.news/news/local-news/membury-celebrates-oak-apple-day-136016  

News from Membury Thursday 2^nd June 2022 Jubilee Special

This evening we have the barbeque at the village hall which kicks off at 7:30. Make sure that you bring your ticket! Please bear with the wonderful people doing the cooking – we have a lot of sausages and a lot of burgers to deal with – not to mention 10Kg onions!

As night falls, there will be a series of red, white and blue flares lit on the top of the church tower, and this will be followed at 9:45 by a firework display in the firework field. For safety reasons, please don’t bring any fireworks to the hall, and please don’t go up to the field – there will be marshals there to keep it clear.

If you have pets that might be nervous, please make sure that they are indoors. The fireworks will last less than 10 minutes.

If you want to get involved but haven’t yet volunteered for anything – there’s always the option of a bit of BBQ scrubbing after the feast …

As you wander through the village look out for a few new visitors …
These are the addresses of the scarecrows. They will be judged tomorrow, and the results announced on Sunday. Please visit them!

• Bay Tree House – Sharon & John
• Little Haddons – Bobbie & Terry
• The School
• Hasland Farm – Susan & Paul – to be found outside the village hall
• Play Street – Jane & Steve
• Nimrods – Ceri & Martyn
• 8 Springfield – Helen & Craig – to be found at gate at top of car park
• 3 Springfield – Sara – by gate at the bottom of the car park
• 7 Springfield – The Strong Family
• Red Lion House – Emily & Oliver
• Haccombe – Jan & Daniel
• Challenger Farm – The Pearce family
• Park Farm – More of the Pearce family
• Hallendale Bungalow – Bill Sheppard

Here is your simple guide to the rest of the festivities …

News from Membury Wednesday 1^st June 2022 Jubilee Special

Jubilee bulletin no 35

Jubilee Display
The Jubilee Display is being assembled at 10:30 at the village hall Friday morning. If you have any gew-gaws, knick-knacks, novelties, objet d’art or other whimsies connected with the Royal Family please bring them along for parishioners to gasp at.

Devon County Council Jubilee Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31a1022

East Devon District Council Update
What’s this doing here? There’s no mention of the Jubilee at all!
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/319fa99

Notes for Today
Can you believe that the Jubilee Celebrations start tomorrow!

I have been continually scanning the weather forecast and unfortunately light rain is forecast for Sunday. Hopefully this won’t dampen our spirits.
Please use the temporary car park if it is open. We will notify you if it cannot be used. It’s a steep field and we don’t want to damage the ground. We may need to restrict it to 4×4’s only if the weather is poor. Strictly one way with entrance from the top, and exit by Bay Tree House. Signs should be up by the end of today.

In view of the weather forecast you may want to add an umbrella to your list of things to bring on Sunday.

Cash will be the preferred method of payment over the next few days. Only a limited number of us can process credit card payments so don’t forget to pop out to the cashpoint.

Hopefully Covid-19 is not going to spoil our celebrations. There have been recent cases in our area. If you are feeling unwell please consider staying home and watching the celebrations on the TV, or take a LFT if you still have some testing kits.

I hope you enjoy the celebrations we have planned!

Last call for scarecrows
Any more scarecrows? Please let Sara know cranfield56@gmail.com by Friday morning if you’re entering one for the competition.
Just to reassure everyone, none of the Membury scarecrows are homicidal maniacs, unlike those in the 25th ‘Midsummer Murders’ anniversary edition.

Membury Church
The church will be open during Thursday until after the BBQ. Please feel free to visit, but would ask you not to eat your burger in the church. There are some amazing displays to see, so do come & visit when you’re able over the weekend.

Jubilee Bin Collections
Please note that (for those of us in the centre of the village at least) recycling and food waste bins will be collected on Tuesday next week, and the green bins will be collected on Wednesday

News from Membury Tuesday 31^st May 2022 Jubilee Special

Jubilee bulletin no 34 

Let’s start with a plea …Does anyone have a chafing dish set that we can borrow for the BBQ – one of those Bain Marie type things that you could use to keep things warm  

Also, does anyone have a large icebox?
If you can help, please call Trina on 01404 881542 or email Trina.noyes@hotmail.com

Todays Key Messages
Well it’s almost here! Our teams are busy ordering, calculating, baking, panicking, checking we have everything and that it all works! The beer is settling, wine is chilling, ice creams are freezing (just hope they stay that way!) and scarecrows are appearing all around the village.

 Hopefully there won’t be any last-minute hiccups!

Thursday evening BBQ tickets are sold out! But you can still come along to watch the fireworks at 9:45pm. Viewing from the Village Hall area.

Details of the car show on Friday have been kept very quiet…..even I don’t know what’s going on. All I can say is that the car park will be FULL of classic cars (not necessarily vintage!)
Afternoon teas will be served in the 1950’s Oak Apple Café between 1:30 and 4pm. Don’t forget the creche in Membury School.

The line-up for the Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on Saturday evening has something for everyone. Why not join us in the Village hall and watch it with friends and family while enjoying a drink from the bar.

Our street party starts at 2pm on Sunday with our Queen For The Day arriving to start the proceedings before joining us for a picnic.
Don’t forget to bring along some food to share.
We may run out of chairs so if you have a picnic chair you can bring along then please do so.
In the interest of safety we would strongly recommend that you only bring non-breakable crockery and drinking glasses. Leave the bone china tea set at home. We will have non-breakable ‘glasses’ available if you forget to bring one.

The Village Hall Car Park will be closed on Friday and Sunday. Weather permitting we will be able to use the field behind Bay Tree House (Old Post Office) for parking throughout the long Jubilee weekend. As in previous years a one way system will operate for the car park.
Access to the car park is off the road into the village from Star Cross. Just after Clarence Cross look out for the gateway on your left. Follow the signs! Please do not enter the car park by the gate next to Bay Tree House, this is the exit!
If you do park in the village please don’t block anyone’s driveway, and please make sure that the road is kept clear for emergency access.
Through traffic should avoid the village if possible. Our friendly marshals should be able to point you in the right directions.

And please try to avoid scheduling any deliveries for Sunday.

Contact me with offers of help please. More volunteers are always welcome. Suenicholson1960@me.com 01404881737

 Now the weather
The Met Office reports that from Thursday, things look likely to settle down for most with good periods of dry and fine weather. A low-pressure system will introduce some showers to north-western areas for a time on Thursday, most likely affecting Northern Ireland and perhaps western Scotland.

Northern Ireland, Wales and southwest England look most likely to see some showers on Friday, with a small chance of one or two for central parts, while areas further to the southeast should get the best of any sunshine, with temperatures likely peaking at 22C. 
From late on Friday there is still a good deal of uncertainty, with settled weather on the cards for most with patchy cloud and sunny spells, especially in the north. However, a plume of warm air from the continent could influence the weather in southern areas from Friday night, bringing overnight showers here that could linger for a time early on Saturday.

And Now for Something Completely Different

News from Membury Sunday 29^th May 2022

Jubilee bulletin no 33

Did we say we were celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
Our volunteers worked very hard on Saturday morning to repot the planters in the car park, put up bunting and spruce up the noticeboard. A big thanks to everyone who came along to help.
Jubilee scarecrows have started to appear around the village. Have you spotted any yet?

Thursday 2nd June: BBQ and Fireworks
Friday 3rd June: Jubilee Café and Car Show
Saturday 4th June: Social Evening with Jubilee Concert Livestream
Sunday 5th June: Street Party & Jubilee Praise
 
Thursday
BBQ at 7:30pm: This is a sell-out! If you didn’t manage to get a ticket you are still welcome to come along to the hall area to watch the firework display.
Fireworks: Firework display commences at 9:45 to coincide with the national lighting of beacons. Public viewing from the village hall/churchyard. Please do not go to the firework launch area or bring your own fireworks.

Friday 1:30-4pm
50’s style café in the village hall. Why not dress in 50’s clothes and come along to enjoy afternoon tea. Childcare provided for U11’s at Membury School.
Car Show in the car park.

Saturday: Social Evening with Jubilee Concert Livestream.
Bring your own food/arrange your favourite takeaway delivery to the hall. Bar open from 7pm.

Sunday
Street Party 2-5:30pm
Come along to the car park from 2pm. Wear your best red, white and blue clothes/fancy dress.
Bring your own food to share. We may run out of chairs so please bring along your picnic chair!

Jubilee Praise in Membury Church at 6pm with special appearance by the Raucous Chorus

The field behind Bay Tree House has been cut and baled. Subject to weather we should be able to use the field for our Jubilee Car Park. Watch this space for updates, and follow the signs!

We still need more volunteers to help setting up, clearing away, marshalling and working on the bar.
Contact Sue Nicholson (suenicholson1960@me.com)

Down to Earth
Saturday saw the Down to Earth team updating the planters round the car park. The troughs were emptied, glued down to stop them rotating during windy weather, and refilled with red white and blue plants. Richard and John even sanded down and revarnished the village notice board to smarten it up ahead of the party.

Oak Apple Day

What a splendid turnout we had for the procession down to the hall, the opening of The Terrace and the sumptuous spread put together by Jenny Beaman and her team.
Luckily, Suzie was on hand to record the event
Suzie is an awesome professional photographer and if you are having an event of any sort and would like her to capture it for posterity just give her a shout.
On behalf of the village let’s extend our thanks to the Local History Society for organising this – the oak leaf decorations on the gates, Charles II himself, the procession itself, the service, the food and everything else – not to mention the donations of beer and cider.

What’s on in Membury
Week Commencing 30^th May

Monday May 30th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 31st
 First Aider Training in the Village Hall

Wednesday June 1st
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 2nd
Jubilee BBQ and Fireworks in the village hall
BBQ at 7:30pm, Fireworks at 9:45pm

Friday June 3rd
Jubilee Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday June 4th  
Stockland Village Fair 1:30-5pm
Jubilee get-together with livestream of the Platinum Party at the Palace – from 7pm in the Village Hall

Sunday June 5th
Jubilee Street Party 2-5:30pm
Jubilee Praise 6pm in Membury Church 

Week Commencing 6^th June

Monday June 6th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm
Tuesday June 7th
 Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am

Wednesday June 8th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm
Thursday June 9th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday June 10th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm TBC
Saturday June 11th 

Sunday June 12th

News from Membury Friday 27^th May 2022

School News

Devon County Council Weekly Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3195ede

East Devon District Council Weekly Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3195141

Election News
We’ll be going to the polls on Thursday June 23^rd.
Here’s a list of the eight people who will be keen to receive your vote

• Jordan Donoghue-Morgan – Heritage Party
• Andy Foan – Reform UK
• Richard Foord – Liberal Democrats
• Helen Hurford – Conservative
• Liz Pole – Labour
• Frankie Rufolo – The For Britain Movement
• Ben Walker – UK Independence Party
• Gill Westcott – Green Party

Membury Merrymakers
The Merrymakers are very grateful to David Degrussa for constructing a very elegant new noticeboard, situated outside the village hall.

Fancy a Piece of History?
Seats are sold individually, but can be linked together if you want to buy a few!

Quiz Night
Anyone want to join me and make up a team on Sunday after Oak Apple Day?

News from Membury Wednesday 25^th May 2022

There are still a few places left for the Emergency First Aid course that will be run at the village hall next Tuesday – get in quick if you want to be involved!

BBC Radio Devon
Tune in tomorrow morning at 7:30am to BBC Radio Devon to listen to Sophie Kierstan talk about the reopening of Membury School pre-school. Sophie will be running the creche on Friday 3^rd June along with Lucy Pearse, so if you want to meet her and discuss your little ones that might be a good opportunity!

Oak Apple Café
Penny and John are in charge on Friday, please come along and support them. Don’t forget that you can get your BBQ tickets for £5 each for next Thursday.
Here’s the menu …

Savoury tea of cheese and herb scones – with cheese, side salad & pickle
Fruit cake
Apricot flapjack
Chocolate sponge
English cherry cake

Jubilee Bulletin no 31

Red White and Blue Flowers
This has been rescheduled to 2pm on Thursday afternoon (tomorrow) in the village hall. The more the merrier!

More on Telephone Scams
Duncan has made a good suggestion – if you use the whocalledme site to check a suspicious number you can take the opportunity to log the call and this may help get these scoundrels shut down.

The Sump
I’m pleased to report that the sump has been largely cleared by Exjet, though with the tanker they brought they were unable to pick up the large stones which are still at the bottom. At least if we get serious rainfall the sump will be able to accommodate quite a lot of the run-off.

The bin in the car park
This has also been emptied, and ought to be from now on a regular basis. Jill, having given up her Merrymaker responsibilities is now officially the dog-poo monitor for the village and will let the Parish Council know if any collection is missed.

Oak Apple Day
I’ve had a letter from a supporter of Oliver Cromwell who has made some scandalous comments about Charles II that are far too rude for me to include here. There might be scuffles on Oak Apple Day if she decides to attend …

Jubilee Bulletin no 32

Sing Along
According to the BBC, the ation has been asked to sing Sweet Caroline for the Queen as part of the jubilee celebrations. Richard Barrell has suggested a little singalong to round off the car-park party on the 5^th. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Trill on the Hill
On Friday 20th May, there was a theft from Trill on the Hill. All our camping equipment was stolen, to the value of £6,000. This equipment, bought to lend to families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend Family Camp, was moved onto the land the day before, ready for the first camp of the year starting this weekend.
We want Trill on the Hill projects to support anyone and everyone – we sought and gained funding earlier this year to fund places and equipment at camp for those families who could not usually afford it.
If you want to donate to this worthy cause visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/trill-on-the-hill

News from Membury Wednesday 25^th May 2022 – Emergency First Aid

Membury Parish Council has agreed to fund an emergency first aid training course to take place at the village hall. In order to make sure that we have sufficient first-aiders covering the Jubilee events we are hoping to be able to run the course on Tuesday May 31^st (next week). The course will run between 09:15 and 14:45, including a break for lunch. Upon completion you will receive a handbook and accreditation with a certificate valid for 3 years. The course will also include defibrillator training.

There are 12 spaces on the course, and they will be allocated to the first parishioners to respond to danieljlazar@gmail.com

If you are aware of someone who might benefit from the course, but may not pick up this message promptly, please get in touch with them. If there are any spare spaces, people from other parishes will be welcome to come along, at a cost of £40 per person.

Should this course be oversubscribed, it may be possible to arrange an additional course later in the year.

The syllabus for the course will be as follows

• Legalities, responsibilities, record keeping and reporting
• Aims and principles of first aid
• Assessment of the situation
• Basic Hygiene in First Aid
• Dealing with an unconsciousness casualty
• Shock
• Resuscitation / CPR / AED (Defibrillator instruction is now a mandatory item on all first aid courses)
• Bleeding Control
• Seizures
• Heart Attacks
• Choking
• Minor Injuries

News from Membury Tuesday 24^th May

Annual Parish Council Meeting
Tonight (Tuesday) at 7:30pm. Come along and tell us what’s on your mind!

Oak Apple Day

Dog Deposits
An anonymous parishioner (and dog owner) writes:
99% of the village dog owners are mindful of what their dog could leave behind. However, there is a minority who don’t pick up. Very sad to see Bonds Lane, on the way to the Playing Field, is being used for dog toilet purposes & I have seen one poor chap cleaning up after someone had let their dog unload in front on the driveway. So, please pick up after your pet. If you have dog owning friends coming to stay with one, please ask them to pick up after the dog.

Other Deposits
The state of the bin in the car park has been noted, and East Devon District Council has been contacted. We are paying for a weekly collection

Stockland Fair
can you spare 30 mins to help with FACE PAINTING please?
Our Preschool and Toddler Group have been asked to run the face painting stall and we need a few more volunteers. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and a favourite for the kids and a great one to get involved with. We are hoping to have a rota going so that everyone does a 30min stint and can enjoy the fair themselves with their families.
If you think you can help (perhaps some of our youth group would like to get involved), could you message me on Facebook or drop me a text on 07305164281.
Many thanks, Alice Foster-Key

Help protect yourself from telephone scams
You are advised to remove their personal details from the 192 directory.
The directory is drawn from various public records and forms a searchable data store of personal details, including names, addresses and phone numbers.
It is likely that fraudsters use these public directories to research the names and home phone numbers of local residents and then use this information to contact people by telephone, posing as police, bank staff or other officials. Older people who are at home in the daytime have been particularly impacted by this type of crime.
To protect your personal details you can remove yourself from the 192 directory by visiting: Help – 192.com and selecting the Removal of personal details option.

There still seems to be major issues with callers pretending to be from Amazon Prime – one today to a parishioner from 01275 897421. If you aren’t sure, hang up and check the number using https://who-called.co.uk/

Small Fawn at East Membury Farm

 

News from Membury Tuesday 24^th May – Jubilee Special

 

Jubilee Bulletin no 30

Red white and blue flower decoration making session
Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2pm
Come along to help us make table decorations for the street party.
Contact Janice Hodge for details 01404881837

Scarecrows – FINAL CALL!!
Please let me know if you are putting up/exhibiting/displaying a scarecrow, by Monday 30th May, so the judge knows where they are. It would be a shame if you missed out, having put a lot of work into your regally themed display. So far, I have 10 names, but hope there will be more. Sara 881156 or cranfield56@gmail.com

Friday afternoon creche
Fancy coming along to see the vintage vehicles, and to partake of the ‘50s café on Friday 3^rd? We are very grateful to the school for offering to look after any spare children. Even if you haven’t got any children at the school, it’ll be an opportunity for any villagers to pop into the school and say hello!

News from Membury Sunday 22^nd May – Jubilee Special

This email is in two parts. The first part covers what we will be doing, and the second part is a request for help in areas where we may still be a bit short

 

Jubilee Bulletin no 28
Headline News

With so many events planned it’s easy to get confused so here’s a quick reminder………
Thursday Evening: BBQ and Fireworks
Friday Afternoon: Jubilee Oak Apple Café and Car Show
Saturday Evening: Social get together/Platinum Party concert livestream
Sunday Afternoon: Street Party and Jubilee Praise

The only ticketed event is the BBQ. See below for details of where and when to purchase tickets.
NEW: special Jubilee drawing of the 100 Club to be made at the street party….£70 prize!
Please share this information about all events with any friends and neighbours who don’t have email access.

 Detailed Information

We are very busy with our Jubilee planning! Hopefully you will have seen the noticeboards around the parish advertising events. As some details have changed we thought we’d send out an update.

BBQ & FIREWORKS
We are planning to commence celebrations on the evening of Thursday June 2nd.with  a BBQ and pop-up pub in the Village Hall from 7:30pm, followed by a firework display at 9:45pm – viewing from the terrace area/churchyard.
The church bells will welcome everyone to the hall in time for pre-firework entertainment by the Raucous Chorus.
The BBQ will be a ticketed event.
BBQ Tickets (£5 per person) must be bought in advance by 30th May and can be purchased at:
Oak Apple Cafe 1:30-3:30pm on Friday 27th May
Oak Apple Day 12-1pm Sunday 29th May in the Village Hall
Any questions to Trina 01404 881542
OAK APPLE CAFE – SPECIAL EDITION and CAR SHOW
We will continue our celebrations on the afternoon of Friday June 3rd 1:30-4pm with a very special Jubilee Oak Apple Café & Car Show.
The café will be 1950’s themed – held in the Village Hall.
Dress up in 50’s style (optional), listen to music from the era, and indulge in Afternoon Tea served on vintage china.
In the car park we will have a selection of cars on display.
Childcare (under 10’s) will be available at the School (courtesy of Membury Primary Academy)
Café questions to Jenny Beaman 01404 881828 , Car Show questions to John Hodge 01404 881837
SOCIAL EVENING WITH JUBILEE CONCERT
On the evening of Saturday June 4th the village hall will be open from 7pm for socialising with a pop-up pub, and we will be livestreaming  the Jubilee Concert from London.
There won’t be any catering at this event. Can’t be bothered cooking that evening? Why not arrange for your favourite takeaway to be delivered to the hall.
Questions to Jill Bellamy 01404 881641 or Rose Shepherd 01404 881647
STREET PARTY
On the afternoon of Sunday June 5th we will continue our celebrations with our  Village Street Party
(well actually a car park party) from 2-5:30pm
Dress in red, white and blue, and Bring Your Own food to share
We will be setting out tables in the car park, and hoping we have enough chairs for everyone!
Pop-up pub available in the hall, and there’s a picnic field nearby
Prizes for best fancy dress
JUBILEE PRAISE
Around 5:30pm we are hoping the church bells will welcome people to close out our celebrations in
Membury Church for Jubilee Praise @ 6pm
The Raucous Chorus will be singing

Membury church will be open throughout the weekend so you can enjoy the floral decorations on display there, and the history society will have memorabilia on display in the village hall
Once we know where the scarecrows will be we can send out details so that you can go scarecrow spotting!

Offers of help and enquiries to Sue Nicholson: 881737 or suenicholson1960@me.com

Do you know of anyone with limited mobility who may need transportation to any of the events? If so please contact Daniel Lazar.
And finally! Our roving photographers will be busy capturing memories of all our events. If you prefer not to have your photograph taken then please let them know.

Jubilee Bulletin no 29
Can you help?

• Are you willing to act as a safety marshal at the street party? We would like to have a long list of people willing to marshal for 30 minute slots so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy the party. Primarily this role will be to alert any vehicles to slow down, divert or proceed with caution near the hall, and advise people where they can park. Safety vests will be available (see item 2). Sign up at the hall, or let Sue know 01404881737 or suenicholson1960@me.com
• Do you have a fluorescent safety vest we can borrow? If so please place in the crate outside the village hall. If you make sure your vest is labelled we’ll make sure it is returned to you after the event.
• On Saturday May 28th the planters outside the hall and in the car park are being refreshed, the bunting is going up, and we will be planning signage. It would also be good to tidy up the main street ahead of King Charles II’s visit on Sunday. If you are able to come along and help that would be great. Planters from 8:30am, bunting, tidying and signs from 10am. Contact Jan Lazar (881408) about planters, Sue Nicholson for the rest. I am particularly keen to have someone along who was in Membury for the diamond jubilee event, and remembers where signs were placed.
• There’s still time to make a scarecrow and let Sara Cranfield know where it will be! I managed to create one this morning using all sorts of materials I had around the house. Stuffed with bubble wrap and dressed in rather random attire of red, white and blue its bound to scare away the crows. Cranfield56@gmail.com
• Did you see the results of the Platinum Pudding Competition? The winning entry was a rather delicious looking Lemon Swiss roll and amaretti Trifle. If you fancy making one for the Jubilee street party we would be more than happy to help you eat it. Please bring along your interpretation of the pudding to the hall. Here’s a link to the official recipe: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lemon_swiss_roll_and_42467 If you require a bowl to make yours in we do have some available in the hall. Please contact Sue Nicholson.

• A group of us will be making red, white and blue paper flower table decorations on the afternoon of Wednesday May 25th, 2pm at Janice’s house. Please contact Janice (01404 881837) if you’d like to join us.

News from Membury Sunday 22^nd May

Sorry about the flood of messages I expect to be sending over the next few days (including today!) as we finalise events and helpers for the Jubilee celebrations.

Oak Apple Day
May I please remind you of the History Society’s Oak Apple Day next Sunday, 29th. May at 11.00 a.m. On the way to the Church our monarch will be opening The Terrace, and there will be a short church service at noon.

We hope you can join us on our walk down the High Street.

If you’ve not already done so, please let me know by next Thursday evening if you would like to stay for the ploughman’s lunch in the Hall which follows the celebrations.

Best wishes, Jenny Tel. 01404 881 828 jennybeaman@mac.com

Wet Paint
Carol is painting the railings outside St George’s Cottage, by the hall. Please don’t park outside their house, and please be careful of the wet paint!

Duck!
A splendid Muscovy duck has arrived at Panshayne Farm in Yarcombe today.  Philip and Serena Kerr are wondering if it belongs to anyone local. If it is yours, contact 07717 340963.

Congratulations
The milk from Daisy’s Dairy at South Waterhayne Farm, Yarcombe, has won gold in the Taste of the West awards.  Congratulations to Jim and Lorna, Reg and Christina!

In addition, each weekend Daisy’s Dairy has bouquets of fresh flowers for sale from Flowers on the Hill at Chardstock; all the flowers are pesticide-free and wrapped in plastic-free materials.  £10 a bouquet paid by PayPal or cash.

Invertebrates
An intrepid team of four – Duncan Mackinder, Leo Dugdale and me, all supervised by Dora Dugdale – assembled on the banks of the Yarty, courtesy of Mike and Sarah Bell to survey the creepy-crawlies living on the river bottom. Apart from that, within minutes we’d spotted a kingfisher, a dipper, a heron, and a number of beautiful demoiselles. No otters or beavers though, not today, not yet.
The Riverfly survey is conducted three times a year. Four minutes is spent collecting the bottom dwelling invertebrates, and then eight key species are counted and a score for the river obtained. If you find at least one but fewer than ten of one of the species you score one point. Between 10 and 100 gets you two points, over 100 gets you three points and over 1000 gives you a magnificent four points. Distinguishing them and counting is by no means easy! On the basis of what we saw and found today, the Yarty is in pretty good shape – the score was 14

What’s on at the Axminster Guildhall?

What’s on in Membury?
Week commencing May 23rd

Monday May 23rd
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 24th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall time 7:30pm

Wednesday May25th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 26th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 27th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 28th
Working Parties: Volunteers Required
Refresh / replant planters 8:30am onwards
Bunting 10:00am onwards
BBQ construction
Tidy of the Main Street ready for King Charles II to visit

Sunday May 29th
Oak Apple Day
Assemble at the Chestnut Tree to parade through the village at 11:00am
Opening of the Village Terrace followed by reading of the proclamation, a short service and ploughman’s lunch and apple cake (contact Jenny Beaman 01404 881208)
Last opportunity to buy Jubilee BBQ tickets!

Week commencing May 30th

Monday May 30th
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 31st

Wednesday June 1st
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday June 2nd
Jubilee BBQ and Fireworks in the Village Hall
BBQ 7:30pm, Fireworks 9:45pm

Friday June 3rd
Jubilee Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Vintage Car Show in the Car park

Saturday June 4th
Stockland Village Fair 1:30pm – 5pm
Jubilee get-together with livestream of the Platinum Party at the Palace – from 7pm in the Village Hall

Sunday June 5th
Jubilee Street Party 2:00pm – 5:30pm
Jubilee Praise 6:00pm, Membury Church

Membury Mercury Advertisements May 2022

All the good people listed here help pay the costs of the Membury Mercury, delivered four times a year. Just as they support us, please consider supporting them.

News from Membury Friday 20th May

100 Club Winners
And the May winners are …
Sue and Paul Nicholson £30
Mike and Jenny Beaman £10
Nick and Josee Yool £10
You can still join in if you wish by contacting David Neill helenanddavidneill@icloud.com – who knows? if you win first prize, it may help you put down a deposit on a loaf of bread next month!

Devon and Cornwall Police
Action Fraud has received 752 reports in four days relating to fake emails purporting to be from Ofgem. The emails state that the recipient is eligible for a rebate as a result of a newly announced government scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information.
Please view our tweet to see a screenshot of the fake emails reported to Action Fraud: https://twitter.com/CyberProtectUK/status/1527657160586444800?s=20&t=RdAiopW83gUlsAymvjnu5g
Remember, your bank, or any other official organisation, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, contact the company using details from their official website or app.
Spotted a suspicious email? Forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) – report@phishing.gov.uk

Notice of Election
An election is to be held for a Member of Parliament for Tiverton and Honiton Constituency.
Forms of nomination for the Parliamentary Election may be obtained at Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PP from the Acting Returning Officer who will, at the request of an elector for any electoral area, prepare a nomination paper for signature.
Nomination papers must be delivered to the Acting Returning Officer, Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PP on any day after the date of this notice between the hours of 10am and 4pm but no later than 4pm on Wednesday 25 May 2022.
The poll will take place on Thursday 23 June 2022.
Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Tuesday 7 June 2022. Applications can be made online: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Steam Cleaner
Hannah de Bruin at Little Goslins has a surplus steam cleaner. If you would like it, contact her on hbalne@yahoo.com

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3187d05

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/317a627

More on the Rogation Service
The Rogation Service on 22^nd May is at Bowditch Farm, Burridge, Chardstock EX13 7DF (north of Chardstock, up from Hooks Cross) – home of Edward and Janet Eames.  Bring and Share Tea for 4pm, Service at 5pm.
Rogation is when we pray for God’s blessing on the crops and the well-being of our parishes. As part of our Service all the farms in All Saints’, Chardstock and Membury will be named. Do join us as we celebrate this great rural festival. For more information please contact Revd Tracey  
If it is fine, Petronella aims to be walking there from Star Cross at 2pm.

Membury Pre School Opening!

Membury Academy Newsletter

News from Membury Thursday 19th May

Oak Apple Café
We have all sorts of exciting things at the Village Hall on Friday afternoon at the Oak Apple Café, the loudest of which will be a concert from the school children.

On the menu, we have
Spicy sausage rolls
Veggie Flan (gluten free)
Coffee & Walnut cake
Ginger Traybake
Lemon Drizzle
Chocolate & Beetroot cake
Shortbread
Sticky date ginger cake

It would be great to see you all there!

Fish and Chips
Don’t forget to let Jill know on 01404 881641 07710849894 or jill-folletts@outlook.com if you want to order fish and chips for Saturday

Ice Cream Update
Unfortunately, someone unplugged the freezer in which all our ice cream was stored so there won’t be any for Saturday night. We’ll get some more for the jubilee, but this is the third time this has happened, and on this occasion, we lost over £150 of delicious Baboo Gelato which was all completely melted. This happened even though the switch for the plug was taped over. The plug was removed, and replaced (at some point later) in the adjacent socket which was not switched on. This is not only a waste of your village money, but very frustrating for the Merrymakers.

Canal Boat for Hire

Jubilee Bulletin No 25

The line-up for the Jubilee Concert has been announced. This is what we plan to livestream from the Village Hall on Saturday evening, from 7:30pm

Jubilee Bulletin no 26

Please can people have their scarecrows up and ready by 29th May, for both judging and Oak Apple Day. It might make his Majesty Charles II feel happy to see some descendants rooting for him.

Rogation Sunday
This year, the Rogation Service is going to be held at Bowditch Farm in Churchill. 4pm, tea followed by a service, where all the local farms will have prayers said, including all of the Membury farms.

Christian Aid Week
This week is Christian Aid Week, a global organisation, which supports humanitarian mission. £20 will provide 5 farmers in Zimbabwe enough drought resistant seed to support their families. Plus, Christian Aid are continuing their efforts to help Ukrainian refugees, providing safe passage to friendly countries and transporting aid where necessary. If you’d like to help, please pick up an envelope in the church or village hall, which gives details of how you can donate.

Oak Apple Day
If you would like to join us all for a Ploughman’s Lunch in the Village Hall on Sunday, 29th May after the Oak Apple Day Procession,  please let Jenny Beaman know (Tel. 01404 881 828 or Email jennybeaman@mac.com) by Next Thursday Evening , 26th. May.

Jubilee Bulletin No 27

Don’t forget to get in touch with Daniel if you have any contributions to the collection of royal memorabilia which will be on display in the Village Hall from Oak Apple Day until the end of the Jubilee celebrations. Danieljlazar@gmail.com of 01404 881408

ARC Axminster
James is running for ARC !
Can you help him reach his goal and help to make a difference for our local community ?
We are so grateful to James Whetlor. He is going to run the Edinburgh marathon on May 28th, in aid of Arc Arc has provided help and support to some of his closest friends at a time when they really needed it and will always be grateful for that.
Many of you may have seen him as he trains by running out through Membury. It’s pretty hilly but it should stand him in good stead for the fairly flat Edinburgh route. He ran the Amsterdam Marathon back in October and finished in 4.5hrs.
Please support JAMES via the Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-whetlor2

Airband Update
One of our more remote (but still much appreciated) parishioners has forwarded me a message from Airband as follows:

“Dear Resident or Business Owner,

Airband has been working in your area over recent months building essential broadband infrastructure. This is part of a new Ultrafast fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband network we are providing across a large part of rural Devon on behalf of the publicly funded Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) broadband programme.

To date, we have provided over 18,700 homes and businesses in Devon with access to superfast broadband and we are now delivering a full fibre service, capable of delivering speeds of up to 1Gbps, to a further 46,000 premises over the next three years.

We are pleased to confirm that construction of this new network is well underway in your area and is due for completion over the coming months. Many customers will be able to connect sooner than that as the network goes “live” in phases.
We would like to invite you to a public webinar on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022, at 7pm using the link https://msteams.link/LTTK or by scanning the QR code shown. This will give us the opportunity to present the programme, share information about the build and the benefits of the new Ultrafast network. This will also be an opportunity for Airband to answer any questions you may have.

Can we also take this opportunity to thank you for your patience while you wait for the new service and apologise for any disruption you may experience due to our construction work.

Yours faithfully,
Andrew Roberts – Key Account Manager 07508 812720”

Images from Furley
These pictures were taken by William Pearse at his grandad’s home in Furley. If any other of our younger parishioners want to send me any images I’ll be pleased to share them round!

News from Membury Wednesday 18th May – Special Bumper Jubilee Edition

Membury celebrates
Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

We are planning to commence celebrations on the evening of Thursday June 2nd.with a Pop-Up Pub and BBQ in the Village Hall from 7:30pm followed by a firework display at 9:45pm – Viewing from the village
Pre-firework entertainment by the Raucous Chorus
The BBQ will be a ticketed event.
BBQ Tickets (£5 per person) must be bought in advance by 30th May and can be purchased at:
Oak Apple Cafe 1:30-3:30pm on Friday 20th and 27th May
Oak Apple Day 12-1pm Sunday 29th May in the Village Hall
Any questions to Trina 01404 881542
 
We will continue celebrating on the afternoon of Friday June 3rd 1:30-4pm with a very special Jubilee Oak Apple Café & Car Show.
The café will be 1950’s themed – held in the Village Hall.
Dress up in 50’s style (optional), listen to music from the era, and indulge in Afternoon Tea served on vintage china.
In the car park we will have a selection of cars on display.
Café questions to Jenny Beaman 01404 881828 , Car Show questions to John Hodge 01404 881837

On the evening of Saturday June 4th the village hall will be open from 7pm for socialising with a pop-up pub, and we will be livestreaming the Jubilee Concert from London
Can’t be bothered cooking that evening? Why not arrange for your favourite takeaway to be delivered to the hall.
Questions to Jill Bellamy 01404 881641 or Rose Shepherd 01404 881647
 
On the afternoon of Sunday June 5th we will round off our celebrations with our Village Street Party
(well actually a car park party) from 2-5:30pm
Dress in red, white and blue, and Bring Your Own food to share
We will be setting out tables in the car park, and hoping we have enough chairs for everyone!
Pop-up pub available in the hall, and there’s a picnic field nearby
Prizes for best fancy dress
 
Around 5:30pm we are hoping the church bells will welcome people to close out our celebrations in
Membury Church for Jubilee Praise @ 6pm
The Raucous Chorus will be singing

Throughout the whole four day extravaganza there will be an exhibition of Royal Memorabilia curated by the Local History Society in the Committee Room at the hall

Offers of help and enquiries to Sue Nicholson: 881737 or suenicholson1960@me.com

News from Membury Monday 16^th May

Fish and Chips
The chip van will once again be calling at the car park by the village hall on Saturday between 6pm and 7pm. To be sure of your supper (£7 per portion), please let Jill have your order by ringing 01404 881641, 07710849984 or emailing jill-folletts@outlook.com
The bar will be open from 6pm onwards. Eat your fish and chips on the terrace and enjoy a little Otter!

Lost your specs?
These glasses were found on Saturday afternoon by Thorn Farm on Mill Lane, Furley. If anyone knows who might own them, please could you contact 07715 640316.

Annual Parish Council Meeting Agenda
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held in the Membury Village Hall on Tuesday 24th May 2022 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
2246. Welcome
2247. Apologies
2248. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman and signing of Declaration of Office
2249. Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 5th of April 2022 as a true record.
2250. 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 and any actions they intend to take when the item is being dealt with.
2251. Appointment of: Flood Warden, Tree Warden, Snow Warden, P3 Co-ordinator & Footpath Warden, defibrillator contact & Simpkins Edwards Contact
2252. Election of Representatives to outside organisations: Village Hall, Playing Field, Emergency Officer, Blackdown Hills Parish Network Representative
2253. County and District Council Reports: County Councillor, Iain Chubb (DCC) and District Councillor, Paul Hayward (EDDC)
2254. To review and agree Section 2 – Accounting Statements for the Annual Audit
2255. Finance

1. a) To approve the financial statement for March and April 2022
   b) To consider, approve and sign the Annual Governance Statement for the Annual Audit
   c) To consider the Internal Auditor report 2021
   d) To approve the continued use of BACS payments, DDs, and Standing Orders
   e) To review Payroll Service Providers
   f) To approve the following payments:

JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting £150.00
BT Group Village Hall Broadband (January) £32.40
Clerk R Davey Salary February £385.75
Clerk Ana Silson Salary February £136.64
HMRC Clerk’s Tax February £55.60
Membury Merrymaker Grant £550.00
Serenata Flowers Flowers £34.99
JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting (March) £150.00
JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting (April) £150.00
Clerk R Davey Salary Back Pay £53.53
Clerk Ana Silson Salary March £275.98
HMRC Clerk’s Tax March £82.00
BT Group Village Hall Broadband(February) £32.40
DALC Course £19.20
Tinderbox Playing Field Fencing Repairs £444.00
Axminster Printing Leaflets £35.00
Village Hall Hire £7.00
DALC Membership £123.20
ROSPA Playing Filed Inspection £88.20
SLCC Filca Course £144.00
Clerk Stationary (Ink) £38.72
Clerk Stationary £8.15
SLCC Membership £98.00
Merrymakers Jubilee Celebrations £471.00
N. Warren Grass Cutting £166.90
Parsons Rural Serv. Footpath Maintenance £146.26
Clerk Ana Silson Salary April £273.66
BT Group Village Hall Broadband (March) £36.25
HMRC Clerk’s Tax April £68.20

2256. Planning
      2257. Review Internal Controls and Procedures:
      a) Code of Conduct b) Standing Orders c) Financial Regulations d) Asset Register e) Risk Assessment Register f) Privacy Notice g) Councillor Privacy Notice h) Information & Data Protection Policy i) Management of Transferable Data Policy j) Press & Media Policy k) Document Retention & Disposal Policy l) Disciplinary Policy m) Grievance Policy n) Complaints Procedure o) Publication Scheme p) Grant Awarding Policy q) Training Policy r) Statement of Internal Control s) Policy on Filming & Recording of Parish Council Meetings
      2257. Review Fixed Assets
      2258. Playing field report
      2259. Proposed pet burial at land East of Sunnyside
      2260. Amendments to the Neighbourhood plan rebuilding and pollution control
      A) New developments
      B) Agricultural expansion of livestock
      2261. Bonds Lane flood mitigation measures
      2262. First aid course for the village
      2263. Community Shop
      2264. Parish Councillor Reports
      2165. Correspondence
      2166. Public Forum

 Wildlife 1
This bird was snapped not far from Star Cross and East Membury Farm.
The plumage looks much paler than the usual buzzards around here.
Can anyone identify it?

Wildlife 2
Dryad’s Saddle on a fallen tree, on the Stockland Road, near the Waterhouse turn

Wildlife 3
This marvellous structure is a beaver dam on the river Tale at Broadhembury. If the little fellows make it to the Yarty, this might be what we’ll see!

Springwatch 2022 on the Stockland Turbaries
A relatively mild winter led initially to an early spring, somewhat delayed by a spell of dry weather with cold nights in April. January saw contract work by the RSPB team attacking Cherry-laurel in Shore Bottom, Huntshayes and on Horner Hill, all part of the Woodland Management agreement under a Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship. In early March there were some excellent displays of Wild Daffodils for which it seemed an unusually good year. The first of the new hatch butterflies, Green-veined White, and the first arrivals of migrant birds, Blackcap and Chiffchaff, were with us in late March. Then April saw the emergence of Orange-tip, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood, and the arrival of Swallow and Willow Warbler. No sign yet of either of the Flycatcher species. A Greenfinch has taken up residence at the pub and a Moorhen is showing interest in the pond at Quantock.
Geoff Pearce also reports that he has found not a single brood of Tawny Owl among the many chimney boxes installed on the turbaries. He ascribes this to a dearth of prey this season. Disaster befell the Kestrel box on Quantock Common late in April when its Pine tree fell, smashing the box at what may have been a critical time of year. Despite rapid replacement by a smart new box, there has so far been no interest from the Kestrels.
Oaks that are wind-pollinated trees shed abundant pollen (as hay fever sufferers are keenly aware) before their leaves unfurl which, at Quantock this spring I think, occurred on 16th April. Wind-pollinated herbaceous plants include Dog’s Mercury and Stinging Nettle both of which are dioecious, having their sexes on separate plants. Primrose, the prima-vera symbol of spring, employs a different mechanism that encourages cross-pollination, in which a plant is either “pin-eyed” (the female style reaches to the top of the flower tube whereas the male anthers reach only half way up the tube) or “thrum-eyed” ( which is the reverse).
Now in the second week of May as I write, perhaps at the very finest time of year, the masses of Bluebells on Horner Hill are just passing their prime. Ash leaves are now also unfurling, having shed their pollen on the wind. Soon we shall be able to see the extent of Ash Die-back here, as dead trees become more obvious. An increase in the amount of standing dead wood that inevitably arises can be expected to enhance populations of wood-boring insects and their predators.
We hope to be able soon to welcome our ponies back again to graze the enclosures on Bucehayes, Quantock and Shortmoor Commons. We also hope to be able to go ahead at last with a pilot trial of “virtual fencing” on Horner Hill where four Devon Ruby cattle will browse and graze the open heathland for a couple of months this summer.
A new book on The Stockland Turbaries; Management for Wildlife and People will be launched at the Kings Arms pub on Friday 20th May at 5pm.
David Allen

Goren Farm Walk
Goren Farm walk: last few spaces available
21st May 2022, 10am – 1pm
A reminder that we are looking forward to a visit this Saturday to the wildflower meadows on Stockland’s doorstep up at Goren Farm, led by Julian Pady. We will hear about Goren’s incredible biodiversity, learn about some of the ecological aspects of managing the land and have a chance to see the meadows in Spring.
Refreshments will be available & Goren Farm shop will be open (Cider! Wildflower seeds! Honey!)
More information about Goren farm can be read here: https://www.goren.co.uk/pages/about.
Tickets: £5 per person, please book ASAP.
Please contact Claire claireholgate@hotmail.co.uk to book.
Claire Holgate
Sustainable Stockland environment group
07771 786610

What’s On at the Honiton Beehive
On Thurs 19 May at 7.15pm
LIVE SCREENING  Swan Lake (12A)  performed by The Royal Ballet
Tickets: Adult £17, Student £11

On Friday 20th May at 7.30pm with allocated seating.
Genesis Visible Touch
The ultimate Phil Collins-era Genesis show! Last at the Beehive in February 2020 with the Duke Tour and one of the last & best gigs before lockdown. Great to have them back again. Tickets: £20

Saturday 21st May at 7.30pm
FILM : The Outfit (15)
From the Academy Award-winning writer of The Imitation Game (Graham Moore) comes The Outfit, a gripping and masterful thriller in which an expert tailor (Academy Award winner Mark Rylance) must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters in order to survive a fateful night. Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50

To book ring the Beehive Box Office on 01404384050 9-5pm weekdays or book online  https://beehivehoniton.co.uk/whats-book-tickets/

News from Membury Sunday 15^th May

Yellow warning of thunderstorms
The Met Office have issued a yellow warning of thunderstorms between 20:00 tonight and 05:00 tomorrow.
Although the locations affected by thunderstorms remains uncertain, a few places may experience a combination of heavy rain, frequent lightning and hail during Sunday night. Should thunderstorms develop, they are likely to move north from the south coast during Sunday evening into parts of south Wales, southern England and East Anglia overnight before gradually weakening during Monday morning. Whilst some places will remain dry, a few places may see 20-30 mm of rain fall in less than an hour, with frequent lightning and hail additional hazards.

Super Blood Moon
One of our planet’s most stunning sights is coming to the skies – a super blood Moon. In the year’s only full lunar eclipse, Earth will come between the Sun and the Moon. Falling fully into Earth’s shadow, the Moon will slowly darken before turning dusky red. The Moon will appear larger than usual because it will be at its closest point to Earth of its orbit, giving it the name super Moon. It will also be called a super flower blood Moon. In the Northern Hemisphere, a full moon in May is often called a flower Moon because it coincides with the Spring flowers. The only sunlight reaching the Moon during the full eclipse will be passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. This light will be blood red, from all Earth’s sunrises and sunsets reflected on to the Moon’s surface, explains Dr Gregory Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.
Look low on the horizon between 0230 and 0430 BST Monday morning and you’ll see the moon falling into shadow before glowing red. Watching from a high vantage point like a hill or tall building will be essential because of the Moon’s very low position in the sky. Let’s hope that the promised thunderstorms don’t spoil the view for anyone dedicated enough to climb a hill at 03:00 tomorrow morning!

Jubilee Bulletin no 24

We have an important update to announce. We have made the difficult decision to abandon plans to have a bonfire beacon on Thursday June 2nd, but will still have our fantastic firework display and bbq. The logistics have proved too challenging, and a bonfire at Membury Castle would not be visible in the village as the trees have grown quite a bit since the last beacon.
We are disappointed that we are having to change our plans but hope you understand. We still hope to see you at the Village Hall that evening.

Merrymakers News may 2022
Thank you to those of you who came along to our AGM. Jill Bellamy stepped down as chair of the committee, and both she and Janet Andrew resigned from the committee.
Jill has chaired the MerryMakers for 5 years, and we thank her for the good work she has done. She will be a tough act to follow! Janet has been involved with the MerryMakers for over 20 years and we will miss her valuable knowledge. The good news is that we know where both of them live, and we won’t be afraid to ask them to share their wisdom.
Ceri and Martyn Dash volunteered to join the committee. A big thank you to them and we look forward to working with them.
Our new committee is:
Chair: Sue Nicholson
Secretary: Daniel Lazar
Treasurer: Patrick White
Rose Shepherd
Jenny Beaman
Ceri Dash
Martyn Dash

We will transition into our new roles over the next few weeks, and once our Jubilee celebrations are over we will have a committee meeting to plan events for the rest of the year.
Do you want to be involved but missed the meeting? Then please contact suenicholson1960@me.com. The more the merrier, the more events we can run, and the more fun we can have.

Axminster Foodbank
DESPERATE plea from the food bank!
Our stockroom is now virtually empty, while we are trying to feed an increasing number of families in need. Over 70 people need our help each week. The numbers are rising daily…
Every donation counts, so please donate whatever you can.
We desperately need:
Long life milk
Pasta Sauce
Rice
Tinned tomatoes, sweetcorn, potatoes, carrots, peas, rice pudding and custard.
Also, tinned meats, baked beans, soup.
Biscuits
Bags for life
Thank you to all those who continue to donate. We are extremely grateful.
Axminster Health and Wellbeing Centre is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 – 13:00, or donations can be left in the Co-Op or Tesco.

Chard School Summer Fair

What’s on in Membury?
Week commencing May 16^th

Monday May 16th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 17th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
PCC Meeting in the Village Hall time TBC

Wednesday May18th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 19th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 20th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm with a musical performance by the school
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 21st
Fish & Chip Van in the Hall Car Park 6-7pm
Pop-Up pub in the Village Hall 6pm onwards

Sunday May 22^nd

Week commencing May 23^rd

Monday May 23rd
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 24th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall time 7:30pm

Wednesday May25th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 26th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 27th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 28th

Sunday May 29th
Oak Apple Day
Assemble at the Chestnut Tree to parade through the village at 11:00am
Opening of the Village Terrace followed by reading of the proclamation, a short service and ploughman’s lunch and apple cake (contact Jenny Beaman 01404 881208)

News from Membury Friday 13^th May

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/316f29e

Himalayan Balsam
A tip from Chardstock Eco Group:
Once you’ve pulled it (preferably before it flowers) hang it in a handy tree – it can’t get washed into a river and it can’t re-root itself. Stop the Invasion!

Membury Academy Newsletter

News from Membury Thursday 12^th May

Oak Apple Café
Jenny, Mike and Rose are in charge tomorrow, and if you haven’t already taken advantage of it – it should be a good day to try out The Terrace!
The café will be open between 1:30pm and 3:30pm as usual. Sue Nicholson is hoping to be down there if there are any jubilee issues you want to raise – or support you want to offer!

Here’s what’s on the menu …

• Butternut squash soup & Homemade bread
• Sausage rolls
• Cheese scones
• Lemon drizzle cakes
• Date flapjacks
• Coffee and walnut cake
• Banana and chocolate muffins (vegan)
• Magic bars

News from Membury Wednesday 11^th May

 Oak Apple Day
Oak Apple Day will be celebrated, as always, on May 29th.
Oak Apple Day was an English, Welsh and Irish public holiday, observed annually on 29 May, to commemorate the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in May 1660. Membury is one of the few villages in England where this event is still celebrated.
Unfortunately, the public holiday was abolished in 1859 but that won’t stop us!
This year we will be assembling at the Chestnut Tree at 11:00 on Sunday, before strolling down to the church accompanied by King Charles II on his horse, a band and banner carriers. On the way down, the King will officially open The Terrace by the Parish Hall before reading his proclamation in the churchyard, and – with a little historical creativity – castigating Cromwell. There will then be a short service followed by a ploughman’s and apple cake with cream to be served at the hall, for donations. The bar will also be open. We need an idea of numbers for the lunch – so if you wish to eat with us please contact Jenny Beaman on 01404 881208 or jennybeaman@mac.com by 18/5/2022

Jubilee Bulletin no 23

The Local History Society will be mounting an exhibition in the Village Hall on June 3^rd as part of the Jubilee celebrations. If you have any memorabilia or artefacts relating to the coronation or reign of Queen Elizabeth that you would be prepared to lend us for this exhibition please contact Daniel Lazar 01404 881408 or danieljlazar@gmail.com . Items need to be dropped off at Haccombe by May 29^th at the latest please – or we can collect if required. Whether it’s a mug, a plate, a model of a coach, a coin, a medal, a photograph, a newspaper, the crown jewels, an event programme or anything royally related we’d like to borrow it please!

No Mow May
In organic agriculture there is a period in late April known at the “Hungry Gap”. It’s the time when winter root crops are running out and newly sown summer plants are yet to start cropping. In nature a similar period exists for nectar-feeding insects and hence a movement known as “No Mow May” is gaining Mow-mentum.
By keeping the lawn mower in the shed for the month of May, it gives the various grassland plants such as dandelion, speedwell and daisy, chance to blossom and provide a flow of nectar through this hungry gap.
They may be common weed plants more usually treated with disdain by the gardener, but in spring their contribution to insect larders can’t be over-emphasised and by following this simple calendar year-on-year you will start to notice more wildflower species pioneering your lawn. Adding wildflower seed will further help the process along and those of us with the bug enjoy a beautiful display of grassland plants all the way through to a late summer mow in September – there’s always another job to keep you occupied even if the mower lies dormant.

Wild East Devon News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/316f0b8

The Big Plastic Count
Count your plastic for one week – 16-22 May 2022.
Across the country, households of all shapes and sizes, schools, community groups and businesses, will gather new evidence. How much plastic are we really having to throw away, and what happens to it?
We’ll show the government it’s time to commit: reduce single plastic use by 50% by 2025 by switching to reusable options that work for everyone – and ban sending our waste to other countries.
Find out more and sign up here https://thebigplasticcount.com/how-it-works

Wild Live – are our river protections failing?
In this free online event tomorrow (Thursday 12th) we’ll be discussing the state of our rivers in the UK and why, despite legal protections being in place, many of them are in a dire state. We will be coming to you live from the River Wye, which is just one of the many rivers suffering from devastating species loss, to hear from the experts about how bad the situation is, what’s causing the problem and to understand whether anything can be done about it.
The expert panel will consist of
Feargal Sharkey – Lead singer of The Undertones and campaigner for cleaner rivers
James Hitchcock – Chief Executive of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
Sarah James – Intensive poultry unit farmer keen to reduce the farms impacts
Nicola Cutcher – journalist and documentary maker, passionate about the state of our rivers.
Register here https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/events/2022-05-12-wild-live-are-our-river-protections-failing

Are you Lonely?
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 9-15 May 2022
Read the Devon County Council special newsletter here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3166f4e

Death on the Nile
West Side Story was a long film yesterday evening, so it was decided not to show the trailer for Death on the Nile – our next Moviola Film on Tuesday 14^th June
If you want to watch it, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZRqB0JLizw

Broadhembury Biodiversity event

The Cotley Inn
The Cotley Inn, near Chard, will have to wait until the VisitEngland national awards ceremony on June 8 at the Library of Birmingham to find out if they have won gold, silver or bronze.
The pub, run by Maddie and Ben, is nestled at the foot of the Blackdown Hills and offers ‘British cooking and refined comfort food’, with a focus on local produce.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “We are delighted to be bringing VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence to the Library of Birmingham this year and to be meeting in person again as our sector comes together to celebrate the finest in English tourism.
The Cotley Inn also won the Gold in the Pub of the Year category in the Bristol, Bath, and Somerset Tourism Awards 2021/22, which linked them to the VisitEngland Awards.
There’s also a monthly quiz at the Cotley (on Thursday 19th) expertly run by Cath Hine which is great value at £2.50 per person, max 6 to a team and I can guarantee that the answer to at least one of the questions will be Coldplay. Book in your team by ringing 01460 62348.

News from Membury Monday 9^th May

Moviola tomorrow – West Side Story
Leonard Bernstein wrote the original music for the 1957 musical version of Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet – reimagined in New York with the Sharks and the Jets replacing the Montague and the Capulet families. West Side Story was filmed in 1961 and the running time was 2 hours and 33 minutes. Spielberg has indulged himself in this, his first musical, and the new version is three minutes longer. You might want to bring a cushion!

Jubilee Bulletin No 22

The survey is now closed. Thank you to the 64 households that responded – we now have a reasonable idea of the rough numbers of attendees for each event. If you plan to come along to anything with a large group, but haven’t let us know yet, please just respond to this email.

Merrymakers AGM
We could do with more people on the Merrymakers committee. If you are new to the village, full of energy and good ideas please come along from 6:30 on Wednesday – this will give us plenty of time to ply you with wine to help you decide that you would like to join us!

Stockland Turbaries Book Launch
A new book entitled The Stockland Turbaries: Management for Wildlife and People will be launched at The Kings Arms pub on Friday 20th May at 5pm, selling at £10 each. Come and pick up your copy!
The book is written principally for residents of Stockland parish as a record of the work done on their turbaries since 1995. It also gives an insight into the ecology and biodiversity of these precious pockets of land. It begins with a look at social and ecological history, tracing the origin of the turbaries and their ownership. A chapter on management describes what has been done, by whom, with what purpose and with what success. This is followed by chapters on natural history and habitats, giving a glimpse of what an observant visitor might find on walks at different times of the year, then on biodiversity gains and losses. The book ends with a look at future prospects for conservation management in the long term.
David Allen

Goren Farm walk: farming for the environment & nature
21st May 2022, 10am – 1pm
This will be a wonderful visit to the wildflower meadows on Stockland’s doorstep up at Goren Farm, led by Julian Pady. We will hear about Goren’s incredible biodiversity, learn about some of the ecological aspects of managing the land and have a chance to see the meadows in Spring.
Refreshments will be available & Goren Farm shop will be open (Cider! Wildflower seeds! Honey!)
More information about Goren farm can be read here: https://www.goren.co.uk/pages/about.
Tickets: £5 per person, only 30 spaces available so please book ASAP.
Please contact Claire claireholgate@hotmail.co.uk to book.
Claire Holgate, Sustainable Stockland environment group 07771 786610

Yarcombe Village Country Market

News from Membury Sunday 8^th May

Merrymakers AGM
Would you like a say in what social events are organised in Membury? And how we raise money to fund the Membury Mercury?

Then come along to the Membury MerryMakers AGM on Wednesday May 11th 7pm in the Village Hall
Refreshments from 6:30pm
The AGM will be followed by a jubilee planning meeting

Duck Stuff

We’ve somehow managed to acquire these 4 ducklings – and they’re growing fast! If anybody has a duck house and a duck run big enough for them to enjoy running around in we’d be most happy to buy it from them. 
Please ‘phone 01404 881 828 or email:- jennybeaman@mac.com.,  Thanks, Jenny and Mike Beaman.

Local Open Garden
In support of Axminster Hospital League of Friends and to raise funds for the Home Nursing Service, the owners of Socks Orchard in Smallridge, are opening their fabulous garden on 24th, 25th and 26th June, between 1 and 5 pm. The garden has recently been open for the National Garden Scheme.
Over 200 different rose varieties, a large number of interesting trees including a small orchard, alpine troughs, scented geraniums and succulents along with an extensive variety of vegetables and fruit.
Wander around at your leisure and all for a fiver!
Oh! And not to forget the delicious homemade cakes.
On sale there will be plants, cards and much, much more.
Dogs welcome on leads.
Come and have a lovely afternoon out and support our charity.

Moviola in the Village
On Tuesday we will be showing West Side Story. Winner of the Oscar for best supporting actress (Ariana DeBose) this spectacular much anticipated Spielberg musical comes to the big screen in Membury

Manhattan, Upper West Side, 1957. Against the backdrop of the decaying tenements in the San Juan Hill neighbourhood and the constant threat of the wrecking ball, two warring gangs–tough Riff’s Jets and swaggering Bernardo’s Puerto Rican Sharks–fight for supremacy. Now, with a once-and-for-all, winner-takes-all rumble on the cards, an unexpected whirlwind romance at the high-school dance between former Jet brawler Tony and Bernardo’s delicate little sister María sets the stage for an all-out turf war. But what’s a gang without its territory? Above all, when the future is uncertain, what’s hope without love?

Considering the relatively large 60-year time span between the original and this production, three actors who appeared in the 1961 release reprise different roles in this 2021 production, including, Rita Moreno, Harvey Evans and David Bean. Evans and Bean were both members of “The Jets” in the original, respectively playing Mouthpiece and Tiger. Evans passed away two weeks after this film’s release. In addition, John Williams served as music consultant for the film. He had been the piano soloist in the 1961 version of the Film.

Moviola in Chard
This Friday (13th) Cinechard are proud to present “Belfast” at Holyrood Academy (upper site) at 7pm for 7:30.

Belfast, 15 August 1969. Surrounded by sporadic violence and growing danger, nine-year-old Buddy finds himself confronted with the ugly reality of sectarian conflict. And, as the suffocating stranglehold of increasing turmoil tightens around his once-peaceful working-class neighbourhood, Buddy tries his best to understand The Troubles–after all, someone must be responsible for forcing people to flee their homes. Now, Buddy’s family must come face to face with a nearly impossible, life-altering decision: stay or start packing?

Winner of the Oscar for best original screenplay, this film was written and directed by Kenneth Brannagh. To capture moments of spontaneity, he would often, secretly roll camera on scenes that Jude Hill (“Buddy”) thought were just rehearsals. Jude eventually began to suspect what was happening, so the crew taped over the red lights on the camera that signalled it was rolling. Many scenes in the finished film were these “rehearsals”.
Incidentally, if you are fan of Van Morrison there are no fewer than 10 of his songs featured in the film

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing May 9^th

Monday May 9th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 10th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Moviola in the Village Hall 7pm for 7:30pm
West Side Story

Wednesday May11 th
MerryMakers AGM in the Village Hall at 7pm
Cheese and wine from 6:30pm
Jubilee Planning Meeting to follow at approx. 7:30pm

Thursday May 12th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 13th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm

Mobile Library at Gowan Brae and the Village Hall 3:10 – 14:30
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 14th

Sunday May 15^th
Holy Communion in Membury Church at 11am

Week commencing May 16^th

Monday May 16th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing in Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday May 17th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
PCC Meeting in the Village Hall time TBC

Wednesday May18th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 19th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 20th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm with a musical performance by the school
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 21st
Fish & Chip Van in the Hall Car Park 6-7pm
Pop-Up pub in the Village Hall 6pm onwards

Sunday May 22^nd

News From Membury Friday 6^th May

Mercury Reminder
Today, May 6th is the official deadline for the Summer/Jubilee issue of the MERCURY. If you have not yet submitted your article please do so AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as time is very short for this issue.
For those of you who have already submitted your article, many thanks.
The Editorial Team

Oak Apple Café
Thank you to all who ran, and attended the café today. A total of £131 was raised for the church.
Make a note of the date for the next one the church will be doing – Friday 9^th September, for ‘Ride & Stride’.

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31676ed

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3161b8e

Membury Primary Academy Newsletter

Forward Thinking
Spaces limited – register your interest now to be sure of a place

News From Membury Thursday 5^th May

The Beehive, Honiton Saturday 7th 
If you missed Suthering as part of the From Devon With Love festival in Membury last autumn, or if you saw them but want more – Julu and Heg will be appearing at the Beehive on Saturday 7^th along with The Last Inklings – a male duo who complement them perfectly. Suthering bring a fabulous combination of instruments and gorgeous vocal harmonies to their own songs. Here is the radio interview with Suthering should anyone like to listen to some of their music and there is a link on the Beehive website.
https://www.mixcloud.com/nigeltant/suthering-interviewed-by-nigel-tant-of-east-devon-radio/
Book your ticket here …
https://thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk/TheBeehive.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_1529.TcsWebTab_3773.TcsProgramme_812592

Oy! Big ‘Ead!
Do you need a brand new large size Kayak / canoe helmet?
Contribute a donation to Ukraine or Ferne Animal Sanctuary if you want it. Just pop a message to Ceri and Martyn. Dashfamily1962@gmail.com

News from Membury Wednesday 4^th May

A very happy Star Wars Day to you all

Oak Apple Café
The regulars are handing over the reins to the church this Friday – please come and support them, unless you are off to Dartmouth with the Historians.
Here is their menu to tempt you …

• Tomato & carrot soup – veg
• Cheese & olive scone -veg
• Savoury flan – veg
• Sugar free blueberry muffins
• Chocolate cake
• Plain scones with butter or cream & jam option
• Coconut pyramids – gluten free
• Rhubarb crumble- gluten free

In addition, there will be a raffle for on Orange & Saffron sponge to take home for the weekend

Jubilee Bulletin no 20

Scarecrows. If anyone is putting up a scarecrow for the Jubilee weekend, please remember to let Sara know, so as to be able to inform the judges, so they know where to go & find the entries. It can be on any aspect of royalty, from a corgi to Guy Fawkes!!

 

Jubilee Bulletin no 21

Once again a correction from a nit-picking petrolhead …
Apparently to be classed as a post vintage thoroughbred a car needs to have been built before 1940 and be on the rather elitist Vintage Sports Car Club approved list. We will just be showing common-as-muck classic cars. Please feel free to bring your Austin Allegro, especially if it’s beige.

The Call of the Cuckoo
Tony Marsh heard a cuckoo from the woods East of Furley on Monday for the first time for several years. One of those defining sounds of spring.

News from Membury Sunday 1st May

Membury History Society
A few spaces have become available for the next Membury History Society outing to tour the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and Buckfast Abbey on Friday, May 6th. 2022

We have opted to travel by coach since entry to the College is, for security reasons much simpler if we go as a group rather than in individual cars. Please bring photographic evidence of your identity, such as Driving Licence, Passport, Senior Citizen bus pass etc.
The price of the coach ticket, guides and all entrance fees is £30.00 per person to be collected on the day.
The coach will leave from the Chestnut Tree Junction at the top of the village at 10.00 a.m.
We will visit Buckfast Abbey in the morning. Afterwards, you can purchase refreshments at The Grange Restaurant in the Abbey itself or you may prefer to bring your own lunch.
The tour of the Royal Naval College is scheduled for 14.00 hrs.
If you are interested please contact Jenny Beaman on 01404 881828

Jubilee Bulletin no 19

We have had a great response to our online survey and it looks like our villagers are ready for a celebration! If you haven’t already responded please do so ASAP for our planning purposes.
Plans are progressing…. A few hiccups along the way but that’s to be expected.
BBQ’s are sorted however we are still struggling to source small hay bales. I am still hopeful that one of my enquiries will come good. You will see a few more requests for other items over the next few weeks.
An update on car parking…….. we still hope to be able to use the field behind Bay Tree House, although this will be dependent on the weather, and we need some rain to help us out! The field is used for silage, and the grass just isn’t growing fast enough in these dry conditions. So please pray for rain now, but not over Jubilee weekend!
Our next planning meeting is after the Merrymakers AGM on May 11th so please come along if you are interested in learning more and/or helping.
I plan to be at the Oak Apple Cafe each Friday to discuss any Jubilee matters.
Sue Nicholson

Himalayan Balsam
It’s Bank Holiday and what could be nicer than a river walk? But we have been invaded! The Himalayan Balsam is just starting to show – photo is a good illustration of what it looks like now. Plants are about 2-6″ high at the moment, and have pink, succulent stems. HB is bad news as it out-competes and smothers our native wild plants, and is very shallow rooted so is easily swept away in a storm leaving bare soil which is then washed into the rivers causing silt and smothering fish and plant life. So if you see it, pull up the plants roots and all and leave on the path to dry and die. Sorry HB – you are public enemy No 1.

Chardstock Eco Group
Chardstock Gardening Club Plant Sale
Chardstock Eco Group will be at the Plant Sale on May 7th in the Community Hall at the kind invitation of the Gardening Club. We’ll be using this as an opportunity to showcase wildlife gardening and the benefits it brings for nature and human wellbeing. We’ll be encouraging people to go pesticide-bare and to combine gardening with reducing plastic waste. We’ll be promoting the Devon Wildlife Trust’s new Wildlife Gardening Award.
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/take-action/garden-wildlife/wildlife-garden-award
We’d welcome you joining us on our stall at the Plant Sale on Saturday May 7th – or just come along to lend your support and buy some plants.
On the subject of pesticide-bare we were pleased to hear that both EDDC and Axminster Town Council have made public declarations that they are going pesticide-free. And just a reminder that we have stepped into No Mow May.
Axminster Repair Cafe
The next Repair Cafe is also on May 7th (Such a popular date. Remember those Covid lockdowns when there was nothing on?) in The Guildhall in Axminster. If you’re not coming to the Plant Sale why not take your broken household things along to get them repaired.
Exeter Energy from Waste Facility
One thing we learnt at Talking Rubbish is that none of East Devon’s waste goes to landfill. Anything that can’t be recycled goes to the Energy from Waste facility in Exeter. Here the material is incinerated and the energy is recovered and used to heat homes. If you would like to learn more about this we have organised a visit to the Energy from Waste facility in Exeter for Thursday, August 11th 10am-12 noon. There is no charge for the visit when we’ll be shown around by the experts and be able to see the facility working. You will need to get to Exeter under your own steam – although I’m sure we can co-ordinate car sharing. The maximum number for this visit is 20 so please let me know sooner rather than later if you’d like to come along.
Copse in a Box Grant
When we applied for this grant we mistakenly thought it was called Corpse in a Box which did seem somewhat surprising. But it turns out to be a copse in a box, and is a complete starter kit for setting up a tree nursery. And we have been lucky enough to be selected for one of these grants so a copse in a box is winging its way to Chardstock. But what are we going to do with it and what is a tree nursery? A tree nursery is a small plot of land where a community can raise tree and hedge saplings for later planting out in the parish. It often starts with gathering seeds, saplings and suckers growing wild so that the root stock is local and therefore better adapted to the area. Chardstock School has offered to host a tree nursery for the parish so that the children learn about trees and how to care for them. So our Copse in a Box will be heading over to the School. As this project develops we’ll keep you posted but if you’d particularly like to be involved please let me know.
The P-Word
Wednesday May 18th evening Chardstock Eco Group is co-hosting a talk at Kilmington Baptist Hall alongside Plastic-Free, Axminster on the theme The P Word … plastic, pollution, phosphates, pee and poo.
Big Plastic Count: May 16-22
The national Big Plastic Count takes place May 16-22. During this week participants count and record every item of plastic waste in their household so that a picture of the amount of plastic going to waste can be built up. If you’d like to participate the details are here … https://thebigplasticcount.com/sign-up/digital

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing May 2nd

Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd

Tuesday May 3rd

Wednesday May 4^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 5^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 6^th
History Society Trip to Dartmouth
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall – raising money for the Church – 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 7th

Sunday May 8th

Week commencing May 9^th

Monday May 9th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Tuesday May 10th
Moviola in the Village Hall 7pm for 7:30pm
West Side Story

Wednesday May11 th
MerryMakers AGM in the Village Hall at 7pm
Cheese and wine from 6:30pm
Jubilee Planning Meeting to follow at approx. 7:30pm

Thursday May 12th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 13th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 14th

Sunday May 15^th
Holy Communion in Membury Church at 11am

News from Membury Friday 29^th April

Membury Mercury
Here’s a message from the Mercury Editorial team.
Just a week to go until the deadline, and still waiting for memories of the 50s (not to mention recipes, and most of the usual contributions) to come flooding in. Time is short, so please get to your computers or A4 and pen ASAP, so that the Summer issue can come out on time.
Mercury address is mbrymcry@gmail.com or contributions can be left in the mail box outside the Village Hall. Our Phone number is 01404 881291.
We need to hear from you!

Airband Superfast Internet
One of our residents who lives in the vicinity of Beckford Bridge has sent me the following message they have just received from Airband.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to keep you informed of the progress of the build in your area, we have an update for you.
We have started designing our fibre route in your area. This process takes 5 phases- an overview design document, a round of on site surveys, a more detailed design document, a second route of on site surveys, and then creating instructions for engineers and buying equipment.
We are working on our detailed design document at the moment, and are expecting to complete this in May.”
Don’t hold your breath …

East Devon District Council Residents’ Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3154617

Devon County Council Update
Watch out for ticks carrying Lyme disease
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/315544c

Membury Fruit, Flower, Vegetable and Produce Show
The entry form is attached. There’ll be a stack of printed ones up at the hall shortly.

A Bit of a Rubbish Day Out
Chardstock Eco Group are organising a visit to the Exeter Energy from Waste Recovery Facility (ERF).
This has been operational since July 2014. It operates under a partnership with Devon County Council and safely diverts about 60,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste away from landfill from households within Exeter and the surrounding area each year to create valuable low carbon energy. Energy produced by the waste treatment process is used to operate the facility and the excess electricity is fed into the National Grid. In total, the facility produces 24GWh of electricity and exports enough energy to supply around 6,624 homes. Exeter ERF also has the potential to run an additional district heating scheme giving further benefit to the local economy. The facility also includes an education room to enable local schools and community groups to view the recovery process and understand more about recycling and energy recovery.
This is where the East Devon non-recyclable waste goes to be incinerated and the energy recovered. The visit lasts a couple of hours 10-12. It is likely to be in July or August. Please let me know if you might be interested so we have an idea of numbers.

Membury Church
There is a communion service at Membury Church on May 1^st at 11:00

Membury Academy Newsletter

Moviola
You will be pleased to hear that for the interval in West Side Story on May 10^th, we’ve had a delivery of Baboo ice cream – so we’ll be back up to all the usual flavours – and a bargain at £1.50 each.
Double Chocolate
Vanilla
Maple Walnut
Rum and Raisin
Salted Caramel
Strawberry
Coffee
Mint Choc Chip
Blackcurrant sorbet
Passionfruit Sorbet
Vegan Chocolate
Vegan Vanilla

Venus and Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter — the two brightest planets in the sky — are headed for a close encounter tomorrow (April 30).
The planetary meet up, also known as a conjunction, brings Venus and Jupiter within just one-half degree of each other, which is equal to the apparent width of the moon. This is the closest Venus and Jupiter have appeared since August 2016. The next time the two planets will appear to cosy up to each other will be March 1, 2023.
The planets’ closest approach will take place at 19:00 GMT), according to EarthSky.org. However, skywatchers will have the best view of the conjunction beginning in the early morning, before the glare of the sun outshines the planets. The planets will appear close to each other for several days around April 30.

News from Membury Thursday 28th April

Oak Apple Café
Terry, Penny and Allan are looking forward to welcoming you to the café tomorrow at the Village Hall between 1:30 and 3:30.
On the menu will be …

• Sweet corn chowder (vegan) with crusty bread
• Sausage rolls
• Red pepper quiche (V)
• Gluten free chocolate cake
• Orange and gooseberry traybake
• Lemon and white chocolate slice
• Tea Brack (dairy free)

Don’t forget that The Terrace will be open if you want to sit outside!

k Apple Café

Terry, Penny and Allan are looking forward to welcoming you to the café tomorrow at the Village Hall between 1:30 and 3:30.
On the menu will be …

Sweet corn chowder (vegan) with crusty bread

Sausage rolls

Red pepper quiche (V)

Gluten free chocolate cake

Orange and gooseberry traybake

Lemon and white chocolate slice

Tea Brack (dairy free)

Don’t forget that The Terrace will be open if you want to sit outside!

 

Pretty Muddy!
Sam Dare, formerly of this parish writes:
The mud has returned! so I’m doing another Race for Life Pretty Muddy at Exeter on 18th June to raise money for Cancer Research.
If you would like to sponsor me please follow the link to my Just Giving page.
Samantha’s Race for Life | Cancer Research UK Giving Pages

Moviola
Contrary to what you may have heard, Moviola on Tuesday 10^th will be West Side Story directed by Steven Spielberg. It’s a long film (2hours 36 minutes) but very well reviewed. Ariana DeBose won the Oscar for Best Performance by an actress in a Supporting Role. A film not to be missed!

Down to Earth
The Plant Swap and Seed swap are both back in business at Haccombe – come along and help yourself, and please leave any surplus plants and seeds you have.

Early Purple Orchids
A fantastic display of these beautiful flowers at Hasland this year with over 75 throughout their orchard. Contact Sue Nicholson if you want to go and see them suenicholson1960@me.com

Membury Flower, Fruit, Vegetable and Produce Show
Are you ready for a triumphant return of the Show on July 30^th?
Drop me a message if you want an electronic schedule. If you want a printed copy, there will be some at the village hall in a day or two, or if you let me know I’ll make sure one of us drops one round to you shortly. The entry form will follow.

Special Constable Recruitment
Special Constables, our volunteer police officers, get a real feeling of achievement from helping others while supporting regular officers and contributing to the local community.

They give a minimum 16 hours of their time each month, have the same powers as Police Officers; and undergo dedicated training and development.
We are currently open for recruitment, which closes on Sunday 29 May 2022.
We also hold virtual awareness events throughout the campaign, why not come along and learn more about the role. 
For more information or to sign up to an awareness event, please visit the link below.
Visit our website – Special Constable – Information and Apply

Jubilee Bulletin No 18

Just to confirm that the next Jubilee planning meeting will take place on Wednesday May 11th in the village hall. Start time is approximately 7:30pm. The meeting will start following the conclusion of the MerryMakers AGM (7pm start – refreshments from 6:30)
The MerryMakers were hoping that maybe some of you who are helping with the Jubilee might be encouraged to join our committee.
We are making good progress with plans, thanks to everyone’s efforts. I look forward to updating you all.
Sue Nicholson suenicholson1960@me.com

Techie Stuff
All the audio-visual kit has now been installed in the village hall and is in use. This will allow connection from three separate video sources at the same time (the blu-ray player in the cupboard and up to two computers or similar pieces of equipment – one near the screen and one near the equipment cupboard), the CD / tape player, any bluetooth device (such as a phone), a radio mike and a wall mike. There is a small monitor screen in the cupboard as well. The user manual has been written and we are hoping to set up a training session which will last about an hour for anyone who may be involved in using the equipment. No date for this has been set yet, but if you think this will be of interest to you, please drop me a message. The more, the merrier!

 

News from Membury Tuesday 26th April

 

Oops!

1. There is no service at Membury Church on May 8^th
2. The message sent out yesterday claimed to be due to be sent on 25^th This was clearly not true.
3. To be vintage, a car needs to be pre-1930 – so most of our cars at the Jubilee show will be post-vintage thoroughbreds

Trampoline
Hannah de Bruin has a small 6ft trampoline to give away if anyone in the village is interested. Contact her via hannahphysio19@gmail.com

Ringing for Refugees

As Andy Jarvis and the Reverend Nicky Davies have organised the following event this Saturday at Uplyme church, we have had lots of interest with numerous bands of ringers across Devon coming together to do our bit for the “refugees of Ukraine”.
From our parish many thanks go to Bill Steer for his coordination and assistance in the organisation too.
If you require any further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mark Shepherd shepherd-c1@sky.com .

The Duke of Burgundy
Apparently, the last time this butterfly was recorded in Devon was in the nineteenth century – so keep a look out!

At the Beehive

Changes to Avian Flu Restrictions
Poultry and other captive birds can be let outside from 2nd May 2022 unless you are within a 3 km Protection Zone. But there are some vital preparations you must make before you let your birds out. See our press notice for full details https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain

You can check if you fall within a 3 km Protection Zone by visiting our interactive map and entering your postcode. https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

If you fall within a 3 km Protection Zone birds must remain housed.
Although the requirement to house your birds is ending for most keepers, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone remains in place. This means you must continue to practise strong biosecurity, as there is still a risk your birds could catch #BirdFlu.  See our biosecurity guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1064069/biosecurity-poultry-guide.pdf

Sustainable Stockland – Tuesday 3rd May
The next meet up of our friendly bunch of Sustainable Stocklanders will be next Tuesday 3rd May at 7pm in the Kings Room at the Kings Arms.
If you have an interest in the local environment, taking action on climate issues or protecting Stockland’s beautiful natural surroundings, please do come along. All welcome.
Claire claireholgate@hotmail.co.uk 07771 786610

EDDC plastic free challenge and “how on Earth” webinars
As part of East Devon Together, which is our celebration of all things sustainable and local, we are running a “live plastic free challenge” during the week 6-12th June. Now living totally plastic-free is impossible but we want to raise awareness of the alternatives to as many people as possible. It might seem too hard and expensive, so to dispel some myths, we are running a series of webinars entitled “how on Earth” to help people with some hints and tips from local plastic-free expert Sarah Allen.
The webinars are .
10th May at 12pm
12th May at 7pm
24th May at 5.30pm
To book, please email environment@eastdevon.gov.uk and the zoom link will be sent

Cinechard
As part of the Culturally Chard Festival this weekend, Cinechard are screening Disney’s Encanto at the Guildhall in Chard at 3pm for 3:30pm on Saturday 30th. Come and see the latest Disney blockbuster on the big screen – entry is free to everyone, but this is expected to be very popular so you might want to get there a bit early.

News from Membury Monday 25th April – Jubilee Special

Jubilee Bulletin no 17

Membury Celebrates Queens Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee June 2nd-June 5th, 2022
Thursday June 2^nd

We are planning to open our celebrations by participating in the national community beacon lighting. Our beacon will be lit on Membury Castle, with fireworks to follow.
For everyone’s safety only the organisers will be permitted at the beacon and public viewing will be from the village car park and churchyard. This approach worked well at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
We are planning a pop-up bar and barbeque at the village hall, and the church bells will welcome everyone along to view the beacon. Light up time is scheduled (currently) at 9:45pm.

Friday June 3^rd

We will continue our celebrations with a special Oak Apple Café and Vintage Car Display during Friday afternoon.
The café will be 1950’s themed and fancy dress will be optional! Jenny and her band of bakers will be working hard to recreate some interesting recipes and the car park will be full of vintage cars.
The History Society are planning to have a Queen Elizabeth II exhibition in the committee room in the village hall (available to view all weekend). And we plan to show the Queen’s Coronation on a 1950s TV!

Saturday June 4^th

We plan to livestream the Platinum Jubilee concert in the village hall. Come and celebrate with friends at the pop-up pub.

Sunday June 5^th

Our BIG event will be our street party on Sunday June 5th 2-5:30pm – well actually our ‘car park’ party! Whatever the venue it will be lovely to gather in the June sunshine and socialise with friends and family.
We will set up tables and chairs in the hall carpark. This will be a Bring Your Own food event and we encourage you to bring along picnic food for yourselves, and maybe some to share. Cakes will be VERY welcome.
We will also have use of Rachel and Phil Pearse’s field 200m south of the car park (entrance opposite the Folly). This would be a good area for the more energetic to let off steam, or to sit on picnic rugs and enjoy the scenery.
The pop-up bar will run in the village hall, and hopefully we won’t have run out of beer by then. We are hoping to have games, face painting, and music!
And there’s more……..a red, white, and blue fancy dress competition, and a” Jubilee Queen for the Day” – more details to follow on how to nominate. Does anyone have a throne we can borrow?
And finally, we will close out our celebrations with Jubilee Praise at 6pm in the Church. After the bells have welcomed us to church the Raucous Chorus will be singing as we celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

For the entire weekend car parking will be available in the field behind Bay Tree House (Old Post Office). Those of you who normally park at the hall please can you use the field or find an alternative for the Jubilee weekend.
.
We kindly request that you try to avoid having any deliveries on Sunday 5th Jun. If you can defer any grocery/amazon deliveries until Monday 6th that will limit road usage for the duration of our party.
Wet weather plan: Village Hall! We will decide on the morning of the 5th if we need to move everything to the hall.

Red, white, and blue decorations are encouraged throughout the village. And don’t forget your royal scarecrows!

Thinking of coming along? Please respond to the survey! (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7JSDZP8).
 Suzie will be out and about with her camera. If you would prefer not to have your photograph taken, then please let us/her know.

News from Membury Sunday 24^th April

What’s on in Membury

Week commencing April 25th

Monday April 25th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday April 26th

Wednesday April 27th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 28th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 29th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 30th

Sunday May 1st
Holy Communion in Membury Church at 11am

Week commencing May 2nd
Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd

Tuesday May 3rd

Wednesday May 4th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday May 5th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday May 6th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday May 7th

Sunday May 8th
Morning Prayer in Membury Church at 11am

Bird News
Marilyn Burrough heard her first cuckoo of the season yesterday morning between Thorn Farm and Bewley Farm yesterday morning

Butterfly News
Miranda from Yarcombe was excited to see a Duke of Burgundy butterfly (Hamearis Lucina) in her garden a few days ago. She was unable to capture a picture of it, but hopes to see it again. This is possibly the rarest butterfly in Britain, and as far as I can tell has never been seen in Devon before, although there is a small colony in Dorset.

This small butterfly with a wingspan of just over an inch frequents scrubby grassland and sunny woodland clearings, typically in very low numbers. The adults rarely visit flowers and most sightings are of the territorial males as they perch on a prominent leaf at the edge of scrub. The females are elusive and spend much of their time resting or flying low to the ground looking for suitable egg-laying sites.

 

Vegetation News 1
Someone has placed a small wheeled barrow filled with beautiful plants by the telegraph pole adjacent to Clarence Cross. Thank you, whoever did this – it looks lovely and it brightens up the village!

Vegetation News 2
The bluebells and wild garlic over at Yarty Copse are looking spectacular at the moment. It’s quite dry and well worth a visit.

Thank you from Richard Challis
Thanks to everyone for keeping the carpark clear.
We had a lovely service in the church and the Hall was perfect for afterwards. Very lucky to live where we do.
Thanks again.

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3146ffc

News from Membury Friday 22^nd April

Jubilee Bulletin No 15

It would be appreciated if you could complete the Jubilee survey by next week if possible to give us an idea of numbers. It doesn’t need to be spot on, but it would be good if you could give us an approximate idea of numbers
It should take no more than 2 minutes.
Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7JSDZP8
Thank you so much for all of your support

Membury Merrymakers AGM
Membury MerryMakers will be holding their Annual General Meeting in the village hall on Wednesday May 11th, preceded by cheese and wine, and followed by the Jubilee planning meeting.
We invite you to come along to hear what the MerryMakers have been up to in the last year, and to help shape our plans for the next year. Our key role is to raise money to fund the Membury Mercury magazine, by providing entertainment for villagers.
This year we will be losing 2 of our already small committee. Jill Bellamy will be stepping down as chair, and leaving the committee. Janet Andrew will also be resigning from the committee. Both Jill and Janet have contributed much to our community, and we thank them for their hard work.
So down to 5 we are in search of new members and new ideas! We need your help! The more the merrier!

• Cheese and wine from 6:30pm
• AGM at 7pm
• Jubilee Meeting around 7:30pm

Anyone interested in joining the MerryMakers committee please let Sue Nicholson (secretary) know. Suenicholson1960@me.com

Sue Nicholson, Daniel Lazar, Jenny Beaman, Rose Shepherd, Patrick White

Jubilee Bulletin No 16

Appeal to the over-70s from the MERCURY editorial team.
There are quite a number of us in Membury – over-70s, that is; if you are 70, you must have been born in 1952, when the Queen acceded to the throne. Most of your memories of the 1950s will be childhood ones, many will not be local, but they can still reflect the decade more vividly than cold historical facts. Our centre feature for the June issue is intended to be based on these memories (see p18 of the Spring issue) but the deadline is just 2 weeks away (May 6^th) and, so far, we have received only one response. Many of the memories will be shared, so the contributors will not be named. We included the following list to jog your memory, and you may only be able to answer some of them, but that’s fine. Come on, Membury! This is your magazine, and we need your contributions to bring the 50s back to life. Drop us a note, on paper to the Village Hall mailbox, or by e-mail to the Mercury address. Otherwise, you can ‘phone us on 01404 881291. Oh – and don’t forget the recipe page!

• What sort of house did you live in?
• How was it heated?
• Did you have a bathroom / an inside loo?
• Did you have a ‘fridge – a family car – a telephone?
• Where/how did your family shop?
• What sort of school did you attend?
• What was school life like then?
• Did you have a television?
• Did you see the Coronation ceremony?
• Do you remember how you felt, at the time?
• What were you doing on Coronation Day?
• Did you go to a street party, or some other community celebration?

Flower and Produce Show
The Flower and Produce Show return on 30^th July this year at the Village Hall – so please save the date and get sowing, sewing and possibly jamming!
The categories for Art this year will be as follows

• “Black and White” in any medium
• “Garden Pots” in watercolour
• “Original Picture” in any medium

The Categories for photography will be

• “Reflections”
• “The long and the short of it”

East Devon District Council Update
Virtual parking permits £10 per month for locals from Monday!
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3130629 

Mike Capper vs DCC
Neil Parish MP has written to DCC on behalf of Mike Capper with regard to the disallowed road closure. Watch this space …

Plasterer needed
Can anyone recommend a good plasterer with reasonable availability?

100 Club results
The results for April are in …
Richard and Felicity Challis £30
Allan Gyngell £10
Joseph Pearse £10

It’s Not Just in Membury …
A car transporter carrying 9 cars has become stuck on a narrow country lane near Wellington. One of the cars has sustained damage from the tree

Membury Mercury Advertisements April 2022

All the good people listed here help pay the costs of the Membury Mercury, delivered four times a year. Just as they support us, please consider supporting them.

News from Membury Tuesday 19th April

Car Park Request 1
Edward Challis is being christened on Saturday 23rd and your cooperation in keeping the car park free from 10:30 would be much appreciated. It is anticipated that most people will be gone by 14:00.

Car Park Request 2
Following the sudden death of Mr James (Jim) Grabham of Cranborne Farm, Churchill, there will be a Thanksgiving Service held on Friday 29th April 2022 at 2:30pm in Membury Church. Family flowers only please. Donations can be made to Devon Air Ambulance or Exeter Hospice at the service if you wish.

Jubilee Bulletin No 14

As you know, the village is working really hard to ensure that we have a Platinum Jubilee to remember.
In order to aid our planning, we would be most grateful if you could please complete this survey so that we can establish an idea of how many people may be attending our village events. It should take no more than 2 minutes.
Here is the survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7JSDZP8
Thank you so much for all of your support

Avian Influenza
From DEFRA:
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 7 April 2022 in poultry at premises near Ilminster, South Somerset, Somerset. All birds on the infected premises have been humanely culled. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the premises.

Seaton Music Concert
Thursday 21^st April 19:30 at the Gateway, Seaton
Leon McCawley plays Haydn, Mozart and Schubert.
“One of today’s most impeccably musical pianists”
For tickets: http://www.seatonmusic.org/ticket21.html

No Dig Gardening at the Yarty Gardening Club
Thursday 21^st April at Otterford Parish Hall, Bishopswood at 7.30pm
At our April meeting, we are delighted to be hosting the world-renowned gardener Charles Dowding who is coming to talk to us about No Dig Gardening. He is also well versed in the practices of Biodynamic gardening. Charles started growing vegetables in 1981, created 4 no dig market gardens on different soils: stony, silt, white and ordinary clay. Currently he grows salad leaves and vegetables near Shepton Mallet for sale locally. He has also written books and articles for national gardening magazines, and regular uploads of videos to his You Tube channel. During lockdown Charles became a surprise sensation, attracting 30,000 new YouTube subscribers and more than two million views of his videos in the space of three weeks. He is a busy man also giving talks and courses at home and abroad, so we are really pleased that he has agreed to come and talk to us.
If you would like to hear Charles, he will be speaking on . We expect this will be a well-attended meeting which is free to members of the club. If you have not yet joined the club you are of course welcome to become a member. However, if you would just like to come to this meeting there are tickets available for £5. You can reserve a ticket and pick it up from 7pm at the door.
Please email kaye@kayeantonelli.com or paulinebartlett@btinternet.com to book your ticket.

Talking Rubbish in Chardstock
Saturday, April 23rd 10:00 – 12:00
Chardstock Community Hall
A social morning, all welcome
Come and chew over plastic … mini-repair café … stalls … quiz … learn how to make beeswax food wraps … tips on how to reduce waste … free seeds … laugh and chat … free tea, coffee and cake.
Chardstock Eco Group

Yarcombe Big Breakfast

Axminster Guildhall Quiz

What’s on the Beehive, Honiton
Thu 21^st 19:00 – NT Live: Henry V
Sat 23^rd 20:00 – Noble Jacks + Support
Thu 28^th 14:00 – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Sat 30^th – Concert for Ukraine

News from Membury 17^th April 2022

Jubilee Bulletin no 13

It’s all coming together …
Do you have a large BBQ that can be used during the village’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations?
We’d love some hay bales to use at the Jubilee Street Party. Do you have any we can borrow?
Please contact Sue if you can help with either request – suenicholson1960@me.com

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing April 18th

Monday April 18th

Tuesday April 19th

Wednesday April 20th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 21st
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 22nd
Post Office in the Village Hall 103pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 23rd

Sunday April 24th

Week commencing April 25th

Monday April 25th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
Tuesday April 26th

Wednesday April 27th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm
Thursday April 28th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 29th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 30th

Sunday May 1st
Membury Church Communion Service 11am

News from Membury 15^th April 2022

Some good news, and some bad news

The Good News
The Fish and Chips is ON, so if you’ve ordered, please turn up a little after 6:00pm to pick them up. The pop-up pub will not, however, be running.

The Bad News
I’ve had a report that the oil beetle didn’t make it across the road – now he’s more of a slick than a beetle.

Don’t Forget
That neither the café, nor the Post Office will be operating tomorrow.

Eggs
Sandra has a lot of eggs at the moment, so if you are one of her regulars and you want more just let her know. She is also expanding her delivery round to Rock, Tolcis, Furley and anyone else reasonably local. Contact her via boomembury@outlook.com or 07921 451580

Wellbeing Workshops
Ever fancied learning more about photography? Tai Chi? Maybe learning how to maximise your wellbeing at work? Join our FREE online workshops beginning after Easter …
Wellbeing and resilience are at the heart of Devon’s ability to survive, recover and thrive. If we look after ourselves and our teams we can all reap the personal and professional benefits.
Wellbeing Works is an exciting opportunity for Devon based individuals, businesses and employees to benefit from the tools, techniques and inspiration we need to prioritise and develop our wellbeing and resilience during the pandemic recovery period.
If you are Devon based and over 18 you may be able to access a free 1:1 wellbeing check-in and attend free wellbeing workshops.
Our Boost workshops are short, welcoming, fun workshops – a chance to focus on yourself, meet some local experts and learn new techniques!

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WELLBEING
Join us for this ‘photography for wellbeing workshop’ featuring photographer & wellbeing educator Vanessa Miles from Well Image.
BOOK HERE 29TH APRIL 10AM-12PM
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR WELLBEING WORKSHOP
Join us for this ‘physical activity for wellbeing workshop’ featuring physical activity expert Anita Griggs from Vista Wellbeing.
BOOK HERE 4TH MAY 11AM-1PM
We’ve also got Doodling, The Power of Routine and Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation coming up soon!
View all our Boost workshops here

An Eponymous Tit
From Tony Marsh

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3130627

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3133745

News from Membury 14^th April 2022 ** Fish and Chips Special **

We have had very few takers so far for the fish and Chips on Saturday at the Village Hall. Unless we can attract at least 30 people we will be forced to cancel. Please let Jill know by tomorrow (Friday) 3pm if you would like to order. You can reach her on 01404 881641, 07710 849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com

News from Membury 13^th April 2022

Errors and Omissions
The more astute of you may have noticed that I recently advertised fish and chips on two adjacent Saturdays. Alas this is not to be – fish and chips are available this Saturday only, and not on the 23^rd.

I was heartily castigated by one of our more peripheral parishioners for describing this as Easter Week.
“Just being pedantic, (sorry, I can’t help it!) but this isn’t Easter Week as you say in your email – this is Holy Week, ending this Saturday which is Holy Saturday. Then we have Easter Day, Easter Monday and the rest of Easter Week next week.”

Membury Church
There is a good Friday service at Membury Church on April 15^th at 12 noon. “An Hour at the Cross”

 Easter in Stockland

At the Beehive, Honiton
Royal Opera screening: La Traviata
Thu 14 April 6.45pm (12A)
Adult £17, Student £11
Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Directed by Richard Eyre.
In a glamorous and superficial society, a courtesan sacrifices all for love. Courtesan Violetta (Pretty Yende) sings some of Verdi’s most acclaimed arias including the joyous ‘Sempre Libera’, in her poignant and passionate encounters with Alfredo and Germont.

Oil beetles
There are a lot of oil beetles around at the moment. Oil beetles are conspicuous, charismatic beetles that are so-called because they exude a yellowish oily substance from their leg joints when threatened. Oil beetles have an extraordinary life-cycle that is intricately linked to that of solitary bees. After hatching, oil beetle larvae (known as triungulins) make their way onto a flower head where they lie in wait for a solitary bee. Using specialised hooks on their feet, they attach themselves to the back of a visiting solitary bee female and when the bee returns to its underground nest, the triungulin disembarks and continues its development underground, eating through the bee’s stores of pollen and nectar. The following year, it emerges as an adult oil beetle ready to start the life-cycle all over again.
The National Oil Beetle Recording Scheme collates records for oil beetles and allies in the family Meloidae, of which there are 11 UK species. The scheme was established in February 2021 and is organised by Liam Olds.
If you have seen an oil beetle, please add your record to iRecord (with a photo if at all possible), or contact the scheme to send it in direct.
This particular oil beetle was crossing the road just up from the village hall.

Open Gardens
Once again private gardens are opening up to raise money for Hospiscare. A total of 45 gardens in Exeter, Mid and East Devon will be inviting people in, some for a small admission charge, others in exchange for a donation of the visitor’s choice to the charity.
To see the full selection of gardens, along with their opening dates and details, visit Hospiscare’s website to download a booklet. The booklet can also be collected from garden centres and tourist information centres, or ordered by calling 01392 688020.

Wild East Devon News
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3133559

Carpet Fitter
We’ve just had new hall, stairs and landing carpet fitted by Martin Richards 07540375130 martinrichards64@gmail.com. He was very efficient, turned up promptly, didn’t stop for lunch and did an excellent job. Highly recommended. We bought the new carpet from Wells (by the level crossing in Axminster) who were also a pleasure to deal with. Also highly recommended.

New Freezer
The new freezer has arrived at the village hall, and will be commissioned tomorrow when it’s settled. Let’s hope it’ll be quieter than the old one. This has been funded by a Reconnect Rebuild Recover grant from Devon County Council.

Recovered Vehicle
One of the many petrol-heads of Membury has made a discovery …
If a young Captain America in Stockland or Membury has mislaid his or her car, it was found locally on Monday, abandoned but in perfect running condition. Please contact me if you know the driver …

Who knew it?
Apparently, we are now local to Cornwall!
If you have an EX postcode, you can get a “locals” pass to the Eden Project for £16 valid to the end of March 2023 – this is less than half the price of a normal adult admission which is also valid for a year. Visit https://www.edenproject.com/visit/book-tickets/eden-project-locals-pass for more details

Wildlife Garden Award
Calling all wildlife gardening enthusiasts … how about getting the Wildlife Gardening Award from Devon Wildlife Trust? It’s dead simple to do. There’s a list of wildlife-friendly things to do in your garden, and all you have to do is send photos and a few words about your garden to DWT. Come on Membury! Shall we see how many gardens we can get involved and awarded for the amazing things we do for wildlife?
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/take-action/garden-wildlife/wildlife-garden-award

Talking Rubbish Coffee Morning
Saturday, April 23rd 10am – Noon
Chardstock Community Hall
A social morning, all welcome
Come and chew over plastic … mini-repair café … stalls … quiz … learn how to make beeswax food wraps … tips on how to reduce waste … free seeds … laugh and chat … free tea, coffee and cake

News from Membury 10^th April 2022

A very Early Swallow
Patrick spotted two very early swallows on the way back from Yarcombe yesterday. Can anyone beat this?

Road Traffic Incident in Chardstock
A burgundy Land Rover parked inside the 30mph speed limit – just down from The George Inn, Chardstock – was hit and badly damaged on Friday, April 8th at around 9pm by a blue Skoda Fabia (the head lamp was left behind). The driver did not stop. The Land Rover has had to be written off so the impact was significant, and the Skoda must have been badly damaged. Witnesses/information is being sought.

Not So Suspicious vehicle
Apparently, Mr Barr has been offering tarmac in the area for many years and has even done some work for an ex-parishioner – so is probably harmless

Jubilee Bulletin No 12

Tomorrow night sees the postponed Jubilee Planning Meeting at the Village Hall at 7pm. Were you involved in planning the last Jubilee party here? Please come along and lend us your wisdom!

Moviola
King Richard is showing at the Village Hall on Tuesday night at 7pm for 7:30. It’s 2 hours 20 minutes long, and I’m told that even if you don’t follow tennis it’s a terrific film. The film will be screened by the deputy-sub-under projectionist since Richard is still unwell, so wish me luck.
Let’s hope that Richard and Molly both make swift recoveries from their bouts of COVID.

Happy Easter
It’s Easter week, so the toddler group will not be running at the school on Tuesday, and both the Oak Apple Café and the travelling Post Office will be closed on Good Friday

Fish and Chips
Not everything is closed for the Easter weekend. Fish and Chips at the new price of £7 will be available from 6pm on Saturday 16^th from the van in the car park. Place your order with Jill 01404 881641 or jill-folletts@outlook.com

Membury Church
Membury Church remembers loved ones by having a lily flower in their name for Easter. Anyone who would like to remember please contact Debbie Burrough 01404881479 or by email debbieburrough@aol.com. A list of names will be put up in church

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing April 11^th

Monday April 11^th
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
Merrymakers Jubilee Planning Meeting 7:00pm

Tuesday April 12^th
Moviola in the Village Hall 7.00pm for 7:30 King Richard

Wednesday April 13^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 14^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 15^th
Saturday April 16th
Fish and Chips, Village Hall car park 6pm – 7pm
Pop-up pub at the Village Hall from 6pm.

Sunday April 17^th
Easter Sunday Holy Communion at Membury Church 11am

Week commencing April 18^th

Monday April 18^th

Tuesday April 19^th

Wednesday April 20^th
Short Mat Bowls AGM in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 21^st
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 22^nd
Post Office in the Village Hall 1 – 3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 23^rd
Fish and Chips 6-7pm Village Hall Car Park
Pop Up pub in the Village Hall from 6pm

Sunday April 24^th

News from Membury 8^th April 2022

You will be pleased to hear that the distressed dog reported as loose earlier was swiftly reunited with his owner

Remote Access Scams
More than £50 million was lost last year to scams where victims are tricked into handing over control of their computer or smartphone to criminals.
New data from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, reveals that 20,144 people fell victim to scams where they were persuaded to grant criminals remote access to their device. Victims reported losing a total of £57,790,384 – an average loss of £2,868 per victim.
Remote Access scams will often begin with a browser pop-up saying that your computer is infected with a virus, or maybe a call from someone claiming to be from your bank saying that they need to connect to your computer in order to cancel a fraudulent transaction on your account. Regardless of the narrative the fraudster’s use, their goal is to steal your money or access your financial information by tricking you into allowing them to remotely connect to your computer.

Commercial and domestic fuel thefts
Fuel theft has increased recently (£30,000 was stolen from Launceston), and as the price is so high, it is likely that the situation will only get worse.
If you have a fuel tank – either domestic, agricultural or commercial – please review its security. Is it locked/alarmed? Is there security lighting/CCTV?
Offenders will often use curtain sided vehicles or commercial vans to carry large containers for these offences. If you see these types of vehicles acting suspiciously, especially under cover of darkness, please report it to the police including as much detail of those involved as possible.
Measures to consider for vehicles:

• Keep vehicles in a secure area, preferably a garage, shed or outbuildings, wherever possible.
• Do not leave keys in or near a vehicle where they can be easily found.
• Consider the use of locking fuel caps.
• Re-fuel vehicles just before the planned journey rather than leaving a vehicle fully fuelled overnight.
• Use defensive parking techniques, wherever possible park vehicles against solid objects on the fuel tank side to prevent access

For Storage Tanks:

• Fit anti-siphoning devices.
• Install or confirm existing CCTV is fit for purpose and train a camera on tanks and vulnerable vehicles.
• Consider using ‘bunded’ fuel tanks if your existing storage facility is not of that type.
• Remove portable storage from site (barrel and drums etc) or make them secure.
• Consider installing fuel cap alarms – wireless transmitters can be placed inside the screw cap of the fuel tank. A magnetic switch on the device sets off an alarm if the cap is opened or tampered with.

A villager writes:
Our insurance for buildings and contents has come up for renewal.
No one will quote for listed building. Our Broker has tried only one Liverpool Victoria which is absolutely extortionate eye watering.
If anyone with listed building is able to make suggestions would be appreciated
Please contact me with any suggestions and I’ll pass them on.

Bin Collections
If your normal day for bin collections is Monday, please note that the collection on the 18th (Easter Monday) will be replaced by a collection the following day – Tuesday 19th.

Thank you Membury
From Yvette at Ninth Wave Global
I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the people of Membury who visited my Grandmother’s garden (that’s Sandra Capper) at East Membury Farm to see her snowdrops and for the donation from that and from the Oak Apple Café towards the work we do here in Mexico, this donation will be very useful for our projects we run here in educating the community of Campeche about environmental protection in a multi-faceted way! It is always so comforting to know that wonderful people all over the world support the work we do and how even a little can go a long way in this line of work.
Thank you again for the support, and I wish all the people of Membury the very best.

Open Gardens in Axminster
Hospiscare Open Gardens in Axminster this weekend – Please pop along and support to down load our brochure or find out more visit here http://ow.ly/xtaO50IC3hA

Phosphates in the Axe
Useful article here, published today. https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/river-axe-to-be-halted-8869584

Devon County Council Update
Welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Devon; free wellbeing support to help with Devon’s COVID-19 recovery and more on who is eligible for Spring boosters. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3123263

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/31213bd

Another Suspicious vehicle
L11BAR Mitsubishi L200 has been offering “left over tarmac” in the area. It has been seen in both Yarcombe and Stockland, and the police have been made aware.

Membury Primary Academy
The children would like to thank the village for their generous donations at the café last week – they raised just over £80, and the children want to spend it on new pens and playground activity.
Here is their latest newsletter

News from Membury 7^th April 2022

Oak Apple Café
After their phenomenal success a few weeks ago, Ana, our new Clerk to the Council, will once again be making custard tarts to delight us at the café tomorrow.
Here’s the full menu

• Leek, potato and wild garlic soup
• Sausage rolls
• Puff pastry tartlets (veggie)
• Courgette and lime traybake
• Hasty Victoria sponge
• Date and walnut cake (gluten free)
• Pastel de nata

Don’t forget – the café is open from 1:30pm – 3:30pm, and if the weather is good The Terrace will be in use!

Mobile Library
The mobile library will be visiting us a week early because of the Easter break. Pick up your books at Gowan Brae from 13:10 – 13:40, or from the Village Hall car park from 13:50 – 14:30

Membury Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting took place in the Village Hall on Tuesday, with 9 electors present along with Parish Councillors, and both our District and County Councillors. Paul Hayward, our East Devon District Councillor, was able to give a little more detail on the issue of phosphates in the Axe catchment area, but the council is still trying to work out how to respond to the information from Natural England.

Stockland Book Club
The next meeting of the Stockland Book Club is on Saturday 9th April at 11am at the Kings Arms.
Do come along for a lively discussion on what we are all currently reading. All in the lovely environment of the Kings Room+ coffee and cakes! See you there.
For more information ring Paul Spencer on 01404 881819.

Stockland Church Easter Brunch
The Easter Brunch will be going ahead on Easter Monday, 18th April, from 10.00am – 12.00pm in the village hall. This will be followed by the walk organised by Rowena and Bryan Drew. The walk will start at 12.30pm from the village hall car park, and go towards Ham and will follow the recently repaired lane by the stream, before returning to the village hall.
The brunch will be a full breakfast with coffee or tea and fruit juice, toast and jam or marmalade. Adults: £8 and Children under 16: £4. If a full breakfast is not required then coffee tea and toast will be available for £2.50.
It would be appreciated if you could book in for breakfast with Nancy Patch on 01404 881675 or Rozanne Bulmer on 01404 41907 if possible, so that we have an idea of approximate numbers for catering. We should be able to cater for late arrivals then or extras without any problem.
For more information about the walk please contact Bryan or Rowena on 01404 881538.
We look forward to seeing you all there and catching up after a 2 year break.

Devon County Council
How to live safely with COVID-19
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31203ae

Stockland Market

Landowners – Get Involved with Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/get-involved-saving-devons-treescapes-project-landowners

Queen’s Green Canopy
Plant trees for the Jubilee
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/queens-green-canopy/
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/

Chardstock Eco Group

Jubilee Bulletin No 11
Mike Capper has written to our MP …

“Dear Mr Parish,
Membury and Stockland and I suspect many other villages in your constituency, made the mistake of applying to the local council to close a street to hold a Jubilee Street Party. We were told we could submit a full Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice (TTRN), but this is an onerous process involving notifications to emergency services, post office, local businesses etc. It also incurs costs both for the application, and for signs, and we are required to have public liability insurance with minimum cover of £5m. The required diversion would need to use roads suitable for HGVs. The current plan is to jam the event in the car park, which means the road will be blocked with cars! If emergency access is required it will be much easier and quicker, to move the street party rather than the cars.
Given that the road leads to nowhere, that this is supposed to be a national STREET PARTY on a Bank Holiday Sunday, when there is  little chance of there being any  traffic –particularly HGVs, this appears to be ‘jobs worth’ at its worst and against the spirit of the celebrations.
I would be grateful if you would prevail on the relevant authorities  to ensure common sense rules are applied to street closures  to allow the country to celebrate this unique Jubilee as is intended, with Street Parties.
Yours Sincerely Mike Capper”

And our MP has replied …

“Dear Mr Capper,
Thank you for your email.
I appreciate your concerns.
Please can you indicate I have your permission to contact East Devon District Council on your behalf?
Kind regards, Neil Parish MP”

Watch this space …

Suspicious Vehicle
A Suspicious vehicle DY12 HFZ dark blue cab light flatbed trailer has been seen in the local area – a young man looking for scrap cars. Please be aware of this, and if you have concerns contact the police on 101

Goose Eggs
Fresh goose eggs for sale at Chapplecroft Farm. £1 per egg – terrific in baking. Also, hens’ eggs too. Call Sarah Sadler 07446 234705

Yarcombe Village Market
Saturday 9th April 10:00 – 12:00 at Yarcombe Jubilee Hall
Fantastic Local Produce – pies, cakes, cheese, butter, milk, honey, eggs, plants, jams, woodwork, metalwork, pottery, cards, household and much more.

News from Membury 4^th April 2022

Membury Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 5^th) at 7:30pm in the Village Hall, which will be well ventilated. Please consider wearing a mask and testing before you come – COVID is currently quite widespread in the village. You are welcome to join us from 7pm for a glass of wine prior to the meeting.
Our last APM was held by Zoom last April, but Councillors are looking forward to welcoming you back into the hall.
This meeting is not a council meeting, but has been arranged by the Parish Council. It is an opportunity for all electors of the parish to speak on any matters of local interest

MEMBURY PARISH COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE

Mrs Ana Silson
2 Victoria Terrace
Dowell Street
Honiton
EX14 1LU
Tel: 07907965358
Email: clerk@membury.eastdevon.gov.uk

2022 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Dear Parish Councillors and Members of the Public,
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held in the Membury Village Hall on Tuesday 5th April 2022 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introduction by Councillor/Chairman Debbie Burrough
2. Apologies
3. Approve minutes from the zoom meeting 4th May 2021 annual meeting
4. Report from County Councillor Mr Iain Chubb
5. Report from the District Councillor Mr Paul Hayward
6. Chairman’s report Mrs Debbie Burrough
7. Precept and Finance report
8. Considerations of other reports
9. Public Forum
10. Chairman’s concluding remarks

Ana Silson, Clerk to the Council, April 2022

Sustainable Stockland
Unfortunately, due to Covid the meeting planned for tonight has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for early May.

Oak Apple Café Donations
We had three nominations for donations submitted during April, and we plan to donate £100 to each of

• RNLI
• Westcountry Rivers Trust
• Ninth Wave Global

You are probably familiar with the first two of these, but the third needs some explanation. The Cappers’ granddaughter Yvette runs a project in Mexico “El Campanario Campeche” with environmental sustainability, community engagement and nature friendly farming at its core. If you would like to know more about this, there’ll be information about it at the café shortly. Money that Sandra raises from garden visits etc. also goes to this project.

A Brief Mention of Easter and a Blatant Plug
Our daughter works for Chocolarder in Cornwall.
Chocolarder is one of the only small batch bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the country. They produce fine quality, stone ground chocolate using organic beans imported from single estate, family run plantations in Colombia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Peru and the Dominican Republic. The select beans used at Chocolarder are roasted, winnowed and ground, refined and conched before being left to mature for at least 28 days. The chocolate is then tempered and made into bars before being lovingly wrapped in plastic free packaging. This obsessive attention to detail yields some of the finest chocolate in production today. Their range of Easter Eggs (including a great vegan one) has been featured in the press in lots of “best of” lists this year. Order this week if you want one in time. https://www.chocolarder.com/shop/

Cinechard – The French Dispatch (15)
Showing at Holyrood Academy in Chard Friday 8^th at 7:30pm – tickets £6 on the door.
If you enjoyed “The Grand Budapest Hotel” or any other Wes Anderson film, you’ll appreciate the beauty of this, his latest, starring Timothée Chalamet, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Benicio Del Toro, Owen Wilson and Frances McDormand.

Faced with the impending dissolution of The French Dispatch, a factual weekly report on various subjects, old-school editor-in-chief Arthur Howitzer Jr. assembles the crème de la crème of the magazine’s loyal expatriate journalists for one final issue. Against the backdrop of picturesque Ennui-sur-Blasé, Paris, France, three main articles unfold, pivoting around tormented genius artists, statuesque prison officers, flamboyant critics, moody idealists, conflicted ace reporters, legendary chefs, and, of course, the police

Membury Moviola – King Richard
We will be showing this Oscar winning film on Tuesday 12^th (next week) in the Village Hall at 7pm for 7:30 – tickets £6 each as usual. We’ve tweaked the equipment and we hope that the sound quality will be better than it was for “Pig”. It goes without saying that for this show we’ll have bouncers on the door, just in case.
Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Training on Compton, California’s neglected tennis courts–rain or shine–the girls are shaped by their father’s unyielding commitment and their mother’s balanced perspective and keen intuition, defying the seemingly insurmountable odds and prevailing expectations laid before them. Based on the true story that will inspire the world, “King Richard” follows the uplifting journey of a family whose unwavering resolve and unconditional belief ultimately delivers two of the world’s greatest sports legends.

Phosphates in the Axe
Further to the notes on phosphate pollution in the Axe catchment area East Devon District Council have published more detailed information which can be found here
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/phosphates-on-the-river-axe/
and a map showing affected area has been published
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/3724096/nn_map_river-axe-sac.pdf

News from Membury 3^rd April 2022

A Message from our Neighbours
Chardstock Womblers – part of Chardstock Eco Group – would like to send greetings and thanks to those good folks in Membury who have been litter picking recently. Chardstock Womblers pick up the litter on every road and lane in the parish of Chardstock once a month including the stretch of Bewley Down that lies within the parish. The two Wombles who pick this stretch commented how uplifting it was to see the adjacent road squeaky clean too. Thank you, Membury Pickers.

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing April 4th

Monday April 4^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday April 5^th
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Annual Parish Meeting in the Village Hall 7.30pm hosted by the Parish Council

Wednesday April 6^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 7^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 8^th
School: Easter Service in Membury Church at 9:00am
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Mobile Library, Gowan Brae and the Village Hall 13:10 – 14:40
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 9th

Sunday April 10^th
Palm Sunday Holy Communion at Membury Church 11am

Week commencing April 11th

Monday April 11^th
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
Merrymakers Jubilee Planning Meeting 7:00pm

Tuesday April 12^th
Moviola in the Village Hall 7.00pm for 7:30 King Richard

Wednesday April 13^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 14^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 15^th

Saturday April 16th
Fish and Chips, Village Hall car park 6pm – 7pm
Pop-up pub at the Village Hall from 6pm.

Sunday April 17^th
Easter Sunday Holy Communion at Membury Church 11am

News from Membury 1^st April 2022

Oak Apple Café
Thank you to those who supported the school at the café this afternoon. I can vouch for the quality of the pepper and pea frittata and the Victoria sponge!
The school will be running the café again in July.
Amongst other Special Guest Presenters, Membury Church will be in charge on May 6^th and Down to Earth want to run the café one Friday in June. If you have a charity close to your heart or a club you want to promote you will be most welcome to take over one week in August or September. Just let us know one Friday.

COVID-19 in the area
It’s everywhere, so please take care and don’t abandon your face mask too hastily. Let’s wish all those in the area who have tested positive mild symptoms and a speedy recovery

Amazon Smile
Amazon has just donated £75.37 to ARC Axminster. If you shop at Amazon by using Amazon Smile and nominating AC we can increase the amount they get. There is no extra cost to you – just visit https://smile.amazon.co.uk/

Phosphates in the Axe
Just as we are starting to test the water quality in the Yarty the following article (summarised here) has appeared in Axminster Nub News https://axminster.nub.news/latest-newsletter
This has already brought to a halt the plans that the Yarcombe Community Land Trust has to build 6 new affordable home in the parish.

“East Devon District Council (EDDC) has been told it should no longer grant planning permission to any development that could increase phosphate levels in the River Axe, which are said to be causing a “significant issue”.

Phosphates are naturally occurring and are released slowly, at low levels, from natural sources such as bankside erosion. However, phosphates can also enter rivers from land management practices, sewerage and foul water that can contain detergents and food waste.

High levels of phosphate can lead to the prolific growth of algae in rivers, which at worst can kill plants and animals and even pose a risk to human health.

In summary, the following types of developments in the catchment area may be affected:
• New residential units (but not annexes) – including holiday and tourist accommodation, gypsy sites/pitches, agricultural workers dwelling
• Commercial development – where overnight accommodation is provided
• Agricultural development – additional barns, slurry stores etc, where it is likely to lead to an increase in herd size
• Prior Notification of agricultural development where, as a result of the development, the herd size may increase. Also prior notifications for change of use to dwellings
• Anaerobic Digesters
• Reserve matters applications for residential development
• Appeals (for schemes including residential and agricultural etc outlined above)
• This may include Discharge of conditions to the above development types of development but we are unsure of this at present”

Forde Abbey
The house reopens today (Friday).
Magnolia is at its best in the arboretum and rhododendrons and azaleas are looking beautiful in the Woodland Garden. The Tulip Extravaganza starts on April 15^th

Membury Academy

Aid for Ukraine
I’ve been asked about organisations looking to support animals in Ukraine, and in response Kerstin has signposted the following …

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3101f8d

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/31121f1

Axminster Repair Café
Back at the Guildhall tomorrow 10:00 – 13:00 fixing up broken household items

News from Membury 30th March 2022

Oak Apple Café
The Oak Apple Café team are temporarily handing over the aprons to Membury School, so all money raised will be supporting them this week. There’ll be a display of their work, and on the menu we have

• Parsnip Soup and Bread
• Vegan Pepper and Pea Party Frittatas
• Sausage Rolls
• Lemon Drizzle Cake
• Victoria Sponge
• Shortbread Biscuits
• Gluten Free Date and Walnut Cake

Support the next generation!

The 10-day Mr Motivator Workout Challenge raising funds for The William Low Trust
To help Helen and Craig…

• Donate to our JustGiving page
  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MrMotivatorsWorkoutforBrainTumourCharities5
• Join our Live Launch on Wednesday 30th March 2022 at 6:30pm via Zoom – https://www.challengeforbraintumourcharities.org/videos
  or access via Facebook or YouTube. If you cannot join that session, take part in an alternative Workout when you can
  Visit the Mr Motivator Workout Challenge for Brain Tumour Charities every day to access your next free video – https://www.challengeforbraintumourcharities.org
• During the workout challenges, we would love to see your selfies and photos
  You can send these to: info@thewilliamlowtrust.org.uk

Membury Church
Remember loved ones by having a lily flower in their name for Easter at the church. Anyone who would like to remember please contact Debbie Burrough 01404881479 or by email. A list of names will be put up in church.

Sustainable Stockland
The next meet-up of the Sustainable Stockland environment group is next Monday, 4th April at 7pm in the Kings Room at the Kings Arms, Stockland. It would be great to see you there. Feel free to share this and invite others along.

1. CSI River Testing – quick update
2. Jubilee street party – ‘eco’ ideas
3. Litter picking map, tbc
4. Group setup & funding?
5. Any other business

Grow Wild
Grow Wild has grants of £2000 available for community groups across the UK.
It’s not too late to apply!
We want to hear from anyone who:

• Is part of a community, youth or voluntary group
• Has a project idea that will boost biodiversity and connect local people with nature
• Knows of an urban space that could be positively transformed with UK native plants

Not sure if your project is eligible? Get in touch with us via the contact details on our application page.
Apply by 10am, Monday 4th April 2022!
https://growwild.kew.org/apply-grant/community-grants

COVID-19 Testing
Find out who can get free COVID-19 tests after Friday 1^st April
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/311132a
Tesco is selling them for £2 per test

Devon Communities Together
Devon Social Entrepreneurs Programme
Free training workshops for community businesses and social enterprises!
We’re delighted to be able to offer a series of fully funded training workshops for community businesses, community groups, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, sole traders and anyone who has a great idea for their community that they’d like to take forward

• Where does the money come from?
• Creating new ideas
• Getting real about climate change

The courses are running in Barnstaple and Tavistock – neither of which is particularly convenient, but if you get in touch they may be able to organise local dates too. https://salesforce.123formbuilder.com/form-6106955/

Membury Weather
It’s going to be very cold tonight, so fleece-up your delicates and cross your fingers.
To help keep you warm, here is a picture of two of Claire and Chris’s sheep.

Learn Devon
Learn Devon provides adult and community learning courses on behalf of Devon County Council, and new course are starting in April. Many of the courses are on zoom and, even if you’ve never used it before, they have a great guide to help you start. Nearly all of the courses are free, apart from the Creative Writing which has a small cost. Amongst their on-line courses you can sign up for the following:

• Creative Writing: Inspired by Castle Stories and Poems
• Improve your English (join at any time)
• Improve your Maths: (join at any time)
• Presentation Software (level 2)
• Spreadsheet Software: Excel (level 2)
• Word Processing (level 2)

I can recommend the last three which are taught by Simon Longstaff who has run the two photo editing courses I’ve attended (the next one is full!). His manner helps even the most IT-phobic people understand how to get the best from their software and produce useful documents. You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course, and this will look good on your CV.

Burrow Farm Gardens
Reopens 1st April
East Devon’s Secret Garden has lost some of its secrecy! In November 2021 it was named The Nations Favourite Public Garden in a competition run by The English Garden and National Garden Scheme.
When looking for gardens to visit in the South West of England look no further!
East Devon’s secret garden is situated in the idyllic countryside between Axminster & Honiton. The 13-acre garden has colour throughout the year from the spring flowers through to the stunning Azaleas and Rhododendrons in May. Visit in late summer to see the Grasses Garden created to celebrate 50 years of Burrow Farm Gardens. https://burrowfarmgardens.co.uk/

Axe Vale and District Conservation Society
Loads of events coming up …

• Thursday 7^th April 09:00 – 12:00 Bird Watching at Beer Head
• Tuesday 12^th April 14:00 – 16:00 Family Explorer afternoon at Trinity Hill
• Thursday 21^st April 08:00 – all day Bird Watching on Portland Bill
• Wednesday 4^th May 10:00 – 12:30 Botanical Stroll Musbury Castle
• Thursday 12^th May 08:00 – all day Bird Watch Somerset Levels

Visit https://www.avdcs.org/events.html for more information

News from Membury 28th March 2022

Jubilee Bulletin No 9

Given the number of covid cases in our community We have decided to reschedule the Jubilee Planning meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Many people are uncomfortable to gather in large numbers at this time.
The new date will be Monday 11th April.

Membury Church
There was a Mothering Sunday service yesterday. Membury School made the flower posies for the service and £100.00 was collected to go to the Ukraine fund. Thank you to all who contributed.

Rock and Roll
Sara Cranfield has an outside rocking chair, free to collector, but a donation to the DEC for Ukraine would be acceptable. Frame work needs a bit of a re-spray, but otherwise in good order. Reason for sale: VERY low to the ground, and difficult to get out of when one is getting old & decrepit like me!!

Contact Sara – 881567 or e-mail cranfield56@gmail.com

Jubilee Bulletin no10

Do you remember back in the days of the first lockdown, scarecrows popped up in all sorts of places? They became a talking point for all sorts of reasons, but generally made us smile. Well, with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee coming up, let’s try & replicate some more, but with a ‘Royal’ theme. They can be any Royal, living or dead. (No decapitated ones, please). A member of the armed forces on parade, even a corgi or two. Whatever you go for, make it fun for you to make & others to see. There will be a prize for the best one, Judging to take place during the week prior to the Jubilee & the winner announced at the Street Party on the Sunday.
So, come on Membury, get stuffing those old trousers, & let us have a Royal spectacular of scarecrows!! If you would like to enter this, please let me know where you have your exhibit & if it has a name. I look forward to seeing everyone’s creations.
Thank you in anticipation.
Sara

Axminster Medical Practice
SPRING BOOSTER UPDATE
The Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) recommended the spring booster for the following groups six months after their last dose:
– Anyone over 75 yrs old or above
– Individuals aged 12 and over who have a severely weakened immune system including those with underlying health conditions such as chronic leukaemia or lymphoma and those who have had immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
The booster vaccine should be given 6 months after the last dose although NHS England will send out invites at the 91 day point. Anyone with a letter can book with 119 or via the booking website: https://www.nhs.uk/…/coro…/book-coronavirus-vaccination/
Currently, Axminster Medical Practice has not received specific guidance on how we will be involved in the booster vaccination programme. We do not have any vaccine supply and no appointments to offer. We will likely be offering a reduced service in the future with priority given to housebound and residential home patients. The majority of vaccinations will be delivered through the national vaccine service, which can be booked online using the link above or by calling 119.

Midweek Herald
Unfortunately, Archant, who publish the Midweek Herald have written to us to say that it will no longer be available at the Village Hall.

The Axe Vale Show
The Axe Vale Show is going to be back this summer June 18th and 19th — tickets are now on sale via the website www.axevaleshow.co.uk … This is a charity show which raises funds for the local community as well as giving us all a fabulous day out !
This year classic/vintage cars will be on display – if you want to include yours please contact toysandhobbies@axevaleshow.co.uk
Once more the Axe Vale Show team will be running a photo competition in conjunction with the Axminster Photography group. Entries are welcome from all age groups using mobile phones, digital or film cameras.
Printed photos or digital images, entry forms and the necessary entry fee should be sent in by May 23rd so there is still plenty of time to get clicking.
Competition categories include:

• Landscapes and Seascapes
• Nature
• People & Family
• Pets & Domestic Animals
• Towns and Villages
• Axminster Life

All entries cost £1 per photo entered. All proceeds go towards the Axe Vale Show Charity Beneficiaries.
Under 12’s can enter an ‘open category’ free of charge.

Wine and Wisdom Quiz – Stockland
Coming up this Saturday is the hotly anticipated Wine & Wisdom quiz at the Victory Hall. We are delighted to have special guest quiz master Mel Pym joining us! There are only a couple of tables left so please get in touch as soon as possible if you’d like to book.
Kelly Patch 01404 881267

Stockland recycling point for medicine blister packs
Huge thanks to Wendy who has kindly offered to be a collection point in the village for medicine blister packs.
Please make sure all packs are EMPTY.
Note that there are also medicine blister pack recycling points at Axminster Medical Practice and Superdrug in Honiton.

What’s on at The Beehive, Honiton
Honiton Town Council is running a FREE one-day conference on energy saving this Saturday, 2nd April 2022, 10.00am until 2.00pm at the Beehive. Agenda below and click here for information about the speakers.

News from Membury 27^th March 2022

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing March 28th

Monday March 28^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 29^th
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Jubilee Planning Meeting in the Village Hall 7pm

Wednesday March 30^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 31^st
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 1^st
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – run by Membury School
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 2nd

Sunday April 3rd

Week commencing April 4th

Monday April 4^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday April 5^th
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Annual Parish Meeting in the Village Hall 7.30pm hosted by the Parish Council

Wednesday April 6^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday April 7^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 8^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Mobile Library, Gowan Brae and the Village Hall 13:10 – 14:40
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 9th

Sunday April 10^th
Holy Communion at Membury Church 11am

Membury Mercury Advertisements March 2022

We’ve all been enjoying lovely weather recently, and some of us have been spending time in our gardens, wishing we had a bit of help. Some of us have been considering a bit of decorating or perhaps some building works. I know one or two of us have been generously donating tyres to the abominable roads of Devon and needing new ones! Support our advertisers – you’ll find all sorts here able to come to your aid whatever the problem is.

If you can offer a service – particularly if it is not represented here – feel free to get in touch and for a small consideration we’ll find space for you in the magazine, and put you on the website, Facebook group and, once a month, an email like this.

News from Membury 25^th March 2022

Here Comes Summer!
Please don’t forget that the clocks lurch forward one hour on Sunday – so we all lose an hour, but gain some lovely evening sunshine (with any luck). Having said that, I believe the weather is due to get a little unsettled in the middle of next week after the last few days of beautiful sunshine.

Oak Apple Café
There was a surplus of £65 raised by the café today which will go to Ukraine making our total donation in March up to £409. What a lot of generous souls we have in the village!
If you’d like to suggest a charity close to your heart for donations next month or later please let me know as soon as possible. I’ll list suggestions that we have received later this week … Next week, on April 1^st the school will be running the café, so it would be great if we can get a good turnout.

Jubilee Bulletin no. 7

This afternoon, 3 men from East Devon District Council finally ( after 2 failed attempts last week….) arrived at a field owned by Sue and Paul Nicholson, to plant a Jubilee Oak Tree for the Parish of Membury.
It is now settling in to its new plot by a public footpath which leads off the drive to Hasland Farm ( connecting to Lewsley Lane and across on to Green Down by Lilac Cottage), with views down to Membury Parish Church.
Hopefully it will be there for many hundreds of years to come!

Jubilee Bulletin no. 8

Can you believe that it is less than 10 weeks until the Platinum Jubilee celebrations?
The Village Hall is booked for a planning meeting on Tuesday March 29^th at 7pm. We will meet as a large group, then split into sub-groups to discuss the various events. There are likely to be some longer lead items that we need to progress, and a few things to follow up on.
Sue Nicholson will coordinate overall, with the following people to take the lead for the following events:

• Richard Barrell and Martin Dash: Fireworks and beacon – Thursday
• Jenny Beaman and John Hodge: Oak Apple Café and Vintage Car Show – Friday
• Jill Bellamy and Rose Shepherd: pop-Up pub and live stream of Jubilee concert – Saturday
• Sue Nicholson and Bobbie Clarke: Street Party – Sunday
• Petronella/Sara: church service and church flowers – Sunday

Even if you haven’t come along before, if you have some ideas or would like to help, we’d love to see you or hear from you!

Village Hall
Please note that the hall blind remote is currently faulty, and that no attempts should be made to raise the main window blinds. It is hoped that this will be swiftly fixed.

Devon County Council Update
Free Covid-19 testing for most people ends next week. Order yours from the government website before April 1^st. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/3103fb6

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/310158e

Membury Primary Academy Newsletter

Membury Primary Academy II
On Thursday we held a creative writing workshop led by Jan and Nick from the local charity “The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares” based in Bridport. Owl class were joined by a group of KS2 children from Mrs Ethelston’s Primary Academy for the morning. They also enjoyed eating lunch together in the hall and playing on the playground together. They made great use of all the high-tech kit in the Village Hall! As the children composed their story an artist, sharing his screen on a zoom call, was contributing illustrations. School was never this much fun in my day.

Create a Bat-Friendly Garden
Wildlife gardening is a great way to help the bats living in your local area. Join Helen, DWT’s Green Minds Plymouth Urban Ranger, as she shares some simple ways you can create a bat-friendly garden.
Live on Wednesday 30 March, 6pm.
Book here.

News from Membury 23^rd March 2022

Oak Apple Café
Not wishing to rest on our laurels (5 stars; did I mention that?), we have an exciting new menu on Friday with custard featuring prominently!

• Stilton, Apple, Onion and Walnut tart
• Egg sandwiches
• Old Fashioned Bread Pudding with Custard
• Apple Crumble with Custard
• Chocolate Cake
• Lemon Cake

Down to Earth
Hi all, a few people are interested in doing a bulk order of Strulch, the organic straw mulch. It works out much cheaper to get a delivery of the larger bags as a group. Down to £8.50 a bag (13.5kg) for 48 bags. Normal retail bags are 9kg and this deal is equivalent to £5.66 per bag, much cheaper than anywhere else (it’s £13 per 9kg bag on Amazon).
Have a look at the link and please let me know by 29th March so we can get it spread on our gardens before the weeds get too carried away! Sandra has kindly volunteered to have it delivered to East Membury Farm this year.
https://www.strulch.co.uk/3-buy-strulch

Stockland Easter Village Market and Table Top Sale
Victory Hall, Saturday April 9th 10:00 – 12:00
Hot refreshments
Free Entry
Table bookings invited, please contact Monica Parris
01404 881535 moinica.parris@connect.com

Stockland Jumble Sale – March 26^th
We are sad to report that due to disposal issues, we have had to cancel this planned event.
Victory Hall Committee

Wild East Devon News – March
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30f44fc

Webinar: What if you just leave it? Rewilding unwrapped with Dr. Sam Rose
Dr Sam Rose has spent the last 2 years exploring rewilding in the UK with photography and interviews – see www.whatifyoujustleaveit.info – and is ‘unwrapping’ the concept in a free online presentation for Devon Wildlife Trust on Thursday 24th March. Sam spent the last two years – in between lockdowns – visiting rewilding sites in the UK as part of a major project for his MA in Photography at the Arts University Bournemouth and will tell the audience about his journey though the project, showing images and talking about rewilding at a range of locations. He will include what he has learnt from the amazing people he has met along the way, and his views on the concept of rewilding – what this really means and why many people are still in two minds about it.
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-if-you-just-leave-it-rewilding-unwrapped-with-dr-sam-rose-tickets-276663988437

Cotley Point-to-Point
And we are off – lots of entries, sunshine forecast, beer tent stocked, farm shop burgers and sausages ordered, children’s activities, bookies on stand by and the course looking amazing. Top family day out even for an early Mother’s Day treat! £15 CASH per adult entry & cash for food & beer tent. Seven races from 12 noon 26^th March, then the live band and post-racing party start. Gates open from 10:45am.

Community Support for Refugees Meeting
Sunday 27 March 7:30-8:30 pm
St Michael’s Church, Shute EX13 7QW
With brief introductions from local resident and barrister Sam Knights QC and Rev Julie Lomas, Five Alive Mission Community on the visa routes for Ukrainian refugees and the UK Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and other ways in which individuals and groups in the community can support refugees. Please join us with your questions, comments and ideas for discussion.
Refreshments will be served. All welcome!

Paddleboat Theatre
Did you miss their performance of Margot and Mr Whatsit last November at the Village Hall?
It’s coming to Seaton Gateway on Saturday
Sophia’s imaginary friend is Mr. Whatsit. No matter where Sophia finds herself living, he’s always there with a joke to tell and a game to play. But when Sophia moves into her new foster home, Mr Whatsit finds himself unimagined! Now Sophia has a new imaginary friend – the glamourous, grown-up Margot. Can Mr. Whatsit keep him from being unimagined for good? And with her imaginary friends competing against each other, will Sophia manage to find her forever home?
Paddleboat Theatre Company present an interactive make-believe tale where the real and imaginary collide, and friends are never far away.
Doors 2.30pm
Adults £8, Children £6 Family ticket 2 adults & 2 children £26
Suitable for age 4+
Running time 55 mins (no interval)
Unreserved seating

A supersonic Evening of Adventure
Richard Noble, live tomorrow night (Thursday) at the Beehive Centre, Honiton. Doors open at 6:30pm.

News from Membury March 21^st 2022

100 Club Winners
Allan Gyngell £30
Penny and John Stevenson £10
Jim Gallantree £10

Toddler Group at Membury School Tomorrow
Cancelled due to staffing issues.

Membury Church
There will NOT be a service in Membury Church on 3^rd April.
The Easter service in Membury church is on the 17th April. If anyone would like to remember a loved one with a lily flower to put in church for the Easter week, please ring Debbie on 01404881479 or email debbieburrough@aol.com. A list of names will be put in church.

PCC Meeting Tomorrow at the Village Hall
Please note that this is NOT the AGM. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is on Tuesday 17 May

Stockland Tennis Club
Skittles and Supper at the Kings Arms, Stockland on Friday 1^st April 2022 at 7pm.
We hope you will join us for an evening of skittles and a scrumptious meal to start off the Tennis season. It would be great to see as many old, new and prospective members and friends as possible – the more the merrier!
Cost is £10 per person on the evening
Please let us know if you would like to come as soon as possible but no later than 28thMarch 2022 to allow time for KA staff to plan.
To book contact Jenny jenny@corrymoor.com 01404861114 or Rowena bryandrew@yahoo.co.uk 01404881538

News from Membury 20^th March 2022

On the Edge of the Known World
The Membury Local History Society has been worried of late that the scoundrels at Whitestaunton might be trying to muscle in on Membury territory, and so an expedition was constituted to explore the northern boundary of the parish and seek out the long-lost Boundary Stone. After days (Nick’s a bit slow) of trekking North from Retter’s Garage and when they were down to the last bar of Kendal Mint Cake the intrepid partnership – Nick and Bryan – gave up, and returned home dishevelled and disappointed. The challenge was raised at the last History Society committee meeting and as a result a second expedition set out yesterday armed with poles, gloves and a swiss army knife to go where the first party had failed. The team of Bryan and Rowena Drew and Daniel and Jan Lazar shouldered their packs and, having left a hasty note with Tim Retter in case they didn’t return, set off following the trail the previous expedition had left. Success came relatively quickly with Rowena the first to hear the clink of stone against her stick while prodding at the base of the hedge, following which Bryan got down on hands and knees and cleared away some of the vegetation to reveal the stone set well back in the thorny hedge.

Should anyone wish to pay homage to the stone, it can be found at 326236 108613 or roughly W3W “amazed.arranged.headboard”. On it appear to be the runes “M” and “S”.
According to the OS map there is another Boundary Stone just by Wellands Farm, but it is feared this has long since disappeared.

Thank you Duncan and David
Duncan Mackinder and David Neill litter-picked on the section of Half Moon from Holy City turn off south towards Challenger. They stopped just before the narrow windy bit as it’s not so safe there. North of Holy City is covered by the Chardstock wombles.
For such a small section it didn’t seem worth getting others involved. It’s likely that within a couple of weeks those verges will be so overgrown that picking will be not easy, so at least it’s had a spring clean.

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing March 21st

Monday March 21st
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
Down to Earth Meeting in the Village Hall: 7:30pm

Tuesday March 22nd
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Membury PCC AGM in the Village Hall: 7pm

Wednesday March 23rd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 24th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 25th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Merrymakers Committee Meeting in the Village Hall 4pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 26th

Sunday March 27th
Mothering Sunday Service at Membury Church: 11am

Week commencing March 28th
Monday March 18th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 29th
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Jubilee Planning Meeting in the Village Hall 7pm

Wednesday March 30th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 31st
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday April 1st
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm – run by the School
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday April 2nd

Sunday April 3rd
Service at Membury Church 11am

 

News from Membury March 18^th 2022

Oak Apple Café
Nervously, we opened our doors early today to welcome Kate Parffrey from EDDC to inspect our processes, the kitchen and Mike and Jenny Beaman’s kitchen too. Having recently awarded the Tuckers Arms one star, we thought she might be in a mean mood, but everything went very well. Thank you, Jill, for making sure the hall kitchen was absolutely spotless. Thank you, Jenny, for also having a spotless kitchen, and thank you to all our volunteers for helping keep the paperwork in order. We’ve been awarded 5 stars!

Also of note today we had a nearly a dozen and a half pastel de nata made by Ana – our Portuguese Clerk to the Council. “Better than I’ve had in Portugal” claimed one satisfied customer. Let’s just say that they all went very quickly, and we have been promised more in the future. If you have a specific foreign delicacy you’d like to share with the village, just let us know.
Thanks to our generous patrons we’ve raised another £83 for DEC and Ukraine making our total £344

Fish and Chips
Bad news I’m afraid – it’s gone up to £7 per portion. It’s still brilliant value though – get it from the Village Hall car park tomorrow (Saturday) from 6pm. Don’t forget that there’s a bar too with bottled Otter beer and some excellent wine. Please let Jill know if you want to order fish. She’s always last in the queue and we wouldn’t want her to miss out, would we? Please note that the bar will be CASH ONLY, as will the chippy.

The Terrace
Looking lovely in the sun today …

Devon County Council Update
Rising cases of coronavirus in care homes and hospitals; Devon celebrates Social Workers and straw poll results show support for following public health guidance https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30f6977

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30f4113

East Devon Culture – have your say
I’m sharing news about East Devon District Councils cultural strategy consultation in case you are interested in getting involved and you haven’t already heard about it! More below…

• What do you think about East Devon’s culture – from museums to theatres to art galleries to live music?
• Help shape the district’s creative arts for the next decade by taking part in East Devon District Council (EDDC)’s new culture survey.
• What do you enjoy about East Devon’s cultural offerings? What would you like to see more of? How can EDDC help you/your family get creative? 

Please share with all your work colleagues, family, and friends living, studying or working in East Devon.
Deadline: midnight, Sunday 27 March. Take this quick survey

Devon and Cornwall Police – A Slightly different Scam
Scammers are targeting people who are selling valuable electrical items via online selling platforms. The vendors have been contacted about their items and when the scammer arrived, they paid for the item using a convincing banking app. The app mimicked apps from a number of banks and appeared to show the funds being transferred to the victim’s bank account.
This scam is catching a lot of people out as the app is very convincing. The scammer asks the victim to enter their bank details into the app and then it appears to show the amount being debited from the buyer’s account.
We would urge anyone selling an item to be sceptical about accepting payment via a banking app. Payment by cash, credit card or using Paypal for Business is a more secure way of making a sale.
Please help us to raise awareness by alerting your friends and family.
If you believe that you are a victim of this scam please report online to www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Flour Power
Dan Jaffe inadvertently doubled up on his flour order recently and has donated the spare 10KG bag of Wessex Mill Strong White Flour to the Oak Apple to help raise money for Ukraine. I’ll split it into 4 2.5kg bags which are on offer for £3 each, pick up from Haccombe.

South Somerset Choral Society Spring Concert
MOZART: Requiem and Ave Verum Corpus,
HAYDN: Insanae et Vanae Curae, TeDeum, BRUCKNER: Locus Iste,
BRAHMS: How Lovely are Thy Dwellings fair
Conducted by Jenny Broom
7.30pm 26th March 2022 at St Mary’s Chard
Tickets available from Janet Andrew at Greystones 01404 88177

Down to Earth
On Monday 21^st at 7:30pm in the Village Hall the Membury gardening group are having a meeting with refreshments. The group was started three years ago and has gradually been growing and now is the time to review and plan our remit and activities. If you are interested in joining us please let Jan know (01404 881408) so there will be sufficient wine.

News from Membury March 17^th 2022

Oak Apple Café
It’s a big day tomorrow – we are being inspected by the Environmental Health Technical Officer. We have a Special Guest Offering as well; The new Clerk to the Parish Council, Ana Silsom is from Portugal, and she is making us some Pastel de nata – Portuguese Custard Tarts. If you’ve never tried one, you are in for a treat.
The full menu is as follows

• Vegetable soup with Homemade Bread
• Spicy sausage rolls
• Cheese, Mushroom and Tomato tarts
• Victoria Sponge
• Lemon Syrup Cake
• Somerset Apple Cake
• Pastel de Nata

Once more, after expenses, all the money raised will go to DEC in support of Ukraine. So far, we have donated £261 from last Friday and the Friday before.

Mobile Library
After being blown away last month the library van is due to visit us tomorrow, so please come along and support it. It will be calling at Gowan Brae (opposite the old post office) at 13:10, and the Village Hall at 13:50

Devon Local Nature Partnership
Correction:
The webinar: Nature’s role in tackling the Climate Crisis is on Tuesday 29th March 09:30 – 11:30, not 19^th March as previously stated.
Free to attend. Book via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natures-role-in-tackling-the-climate-crisis-devon-lnp-webinar-tickets-262425300137

The Devon Carbon Plan
The final version of the Devon carbon plan is open for consultation Response to Devon Climate Assembly – Devon Climate Emergency. This will be our final chance to have our say on the shape of the plan and influence the outcomes. There is a 15-minute short questionnaire or a more detailed 45-minute version.

News from Membury March 16^th 2022

Found Coat
The coat has been reunited with its owner

Church Service Update
Sunday March 27^th
Communion Service at Membury Church: 11am

Supporting Ukraine

Last fish and chips before the clocks go forward!
This Saturday (19th) the van will be calling at the car park by the village hall and serving from 6pm onwards. There’ll be a pop-up licensed bar at the Hall as well. Eat your fish in the hall, on the new Terrace or take it home. What about buying a portion for a neighbour?
To avoid disappointment, contact Jill on 01404 881641, 07710849984 or jill-folletts@outlook.com. You wouldn’t want to disappoint Jill now, would you?

Playing Field
The work to replace the fence at the playing field has been completed well ahead of time, and it looks great. Many thanks to Kris from Chardstock for his efforts. The weather today was worse than forecast and the tractor has made a bit of a mess of the entrance to the field. We’ll sort this as soon as we can, but in the meantime, wear your wellies and enjoy the wallowing!

Devon Local Nature Partnership
The Devon Local Nature Partnership is a collaboration of all those working to tackle the Ecological Emergency and develop a healthy nature recovery network across Devon for wildlife, communities and business. Please see https://www.devonlnp.org.uk/ for more information.
Join our next Webinar: Nature’s role in tackling the Climate Crisis Tuesday 19th March 09:30 – 11:30
Find out more about how restoring nature can help us tackle the climate emergency.  Topics include the Devon Carbon Plan, Devon Nature Recovery Network, soils and farming, marine habitats and trees.  Speakers include Phil Norrey (CEO Devon County Council and Chair of the Devon Climate Partnership), Harry Barton (CEO, Devon Wildlife Trust), Dr Matt Frost (Marine Biological Association), Eleanor Lewis (Woodland Trust), and Becky Willson (Farm Carbon Toolkit). Free to attend. Book via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/natures-role-in-tackling-the-climate-crisis-devon-lnp-webinar-tickets-262425300137

Tree Council News
We are extremely excited to announce the release of our brand new podcast, Life On The Hedge https://podfollow.com/life-on-the-hedge/view.
The series explores the magic of hedgerows and the growing abundance of green jobs available to young people in the UK. In each episode, listeners will hear from an incredible young person at the beginning of a blossoming career in nature and learn how they got started in the sector. Our stars head outside to show us what it’s really like to plant trees, cultivate native species, lay hedges, work with farmers and volunteers and discover the wildlife that depends upon our hedges.

The Beehive, Honiton
Help us with this quick survey!
Help shape the district’s creative arts for the next decade by taking part in East Devon District Council’s new culture survey.
What do you enjoy about East Devon’s cultural offerings? What you would like to see more of? How we can help you/your family get creative?
Please share with all your family and friends living, studying or working in East Devon.
Deadline: midnight, Sunday 27 March.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOvZPkxBVRR82hT73QyyINtsHdQkQATGRDd-OzJNjeDTvOpg/viewform

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (12A) at the Beehive Friday 18th 7.30pm
Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) meets slick, charismatic Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) at Bible college. Soon they’re married, and offered the chance to rejuvenate a Christian broadcasting network. The Bakkers quickly rise from their humble beginnings to become televangelist icons, Tammy Faye becoming legendary for her outlandish appearance and her eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life.
However, their success comes at a cost: soon, financial improprieties, scheming rivals and a major scandal soon threaten to topple their carefully constructed empire.
Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50
Book here: https://thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk/TheBeehive.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_1529.TcsWebTab_3772.TcsProgramme_817365 .

Interactive art exhibition aimed at younger children
This exhibition is run by a fantastic young artist and student at Woodroffe School. https://www.townmill.org.uk/natasha-hayball-19th-20th-march-one-two-three-malthouse-gallery/

Axminster Drama Club
Thank you so much for bearing with us, when we had to change Nativity! The Musical from December to March.
We are incredibly excited to finally be able to bring you this musical and we wanted to let you know that we have decided to add a bit of Christmas Sparkle into March. So we will Deck the halls with boughs of holly if you can don we now (y)our gay apparel (wear your Christmas jumpers) and together we can Fa la la la la, la la la la.
We look forward to seeing you on 25th and/or 26th March, where it will be the season to be jolly! (Fa la la la la, la la la la).
We still have some tickets left, so please tell your friends!

Devon and Cornwall Police
Over recent weeks in Devon and Cornwall there has been a slight increase in reports of theft relating to domestic heating oil and diesel fuel.
Fuel theft can be reduced with simple crime prevention measures.

• Landowners where possible, should secure gates and block unused entrances.
  • Protect heating oil and fuel tanks with locks, lighting, CCTV and fencing.
  • Store machinery, vehicles and fuel containers out of sight where possible.
  • Consider the use of signage or other means to prevent cold callers to homes, farms and businesses.
  • Keep a regular inventory of quantities, so thefts can be identified promptly.
  • Notify the police using 999 if you suspect an offence is being committed.
  • If you have any information regarding fuel theft please email 101@dc.police.uk, call the non-emergency number, 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

News from Membury March 13^th 2022

Found Coat
I found a coat up at the playing field on Friday, but I forgot to put it in the newsletter.
If you recognise it, it’s at my house (Haccombe) from where it can be collected. It was very wet when I picked it up – with any luck it’ll be dry when it gets picked up.

Mr Motivator Challenge
It is brain tumour awareness month! This is the month that William really dipped in 2017, he needed a shunt fitted to drain the fluid off his brain due to the progression of brain tumours, but things did not go to plan. This month was the beginning of the end…
To mark this significant month- we have an exciting Mr Motivator 10 Day fitness fun Challenge which starts Wednesday 30th March 2022!
To join in the fun:
1. Fill out the registration form below:
Mr Motivator Challenge Registration
2. Set up your fundraising page by following the link below and click on the orange button ‘Start Fundraising’ or simply Donate: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MrMotivatorsWorkoutforBrainTumourCharities5
3. For more specific information visit
https://www.thewilliamlowtrust.co.uk/mr-motivator website page.
Also in the news in Harrow https://harrowonline.org/2022/03/09/harrow-charity-mr-motivator/
Thank you for your support!
Helen and Craig, The William Low Trust

Stockland Book Group
Stockland Book Group meets next Saturday,19th March at 11am in the welcoming environment of the Kings Arms.
Please come along for lively discussion about what we’re reading and coffee and cakes! Our next book will be the classic Jane Eyre. Escape into a book….
For further info ring Paul Spencer-01404 882819

Song workshop in Stockland Church
Saturday March 19th. 10.30 until lunchtime (arr. 10/15). Simple peace rounds, chants and part songs and one from the Ukraine. No experience necessary. All welcome! Entrance free but donations to International Red Cross and UNICEF Ukraine crisis appeal. Coffee break. Wear warm clothes. Raise the roof and raise some funds! Organised by Caroline Rigby (workshop leader) and Jane Wedlock.
It’s short notice so please share! l.c.rigby@btinternet.com

What’s On in Membury
Week commencing March 14th
Monday March 14th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 15th
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
History Society AGM and talk in the Village Hall 7 for 7:30pm

Wednesday March 16th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 17th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 18th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
Mobile Library, Gowan Brae and Village Hall 1:10 – 2:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 19th
Fish & Chips and Pop-Up Pub 6pm Village Hall

Sunday March 20th
Morning Prayer at Membury Church 11am

Week commencing March 21st
Monday March 21st
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
Down to Earth Meeting in the Village Hall: 7:30pm

Tuesday March 22nd
Toddler Group at Membury School: 11am
Membury PCC AGM in the Village Hall: 7pm

Wednesday March 23rd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 24th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 25th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 26th

Sunday March 27th
Mothering Sunday Service at Membury Church: 11am

News from Membury March 11^th 2022

Yellow Warning of Wind
Between 13:00 and 19:00 on Saturday 12th March
A spell of windy and wet weather during Saturday afternoon may lead to some travel disruption.

Moriarty Winds
Seaton Music welcomes the young wind quintet Moriarty Winds to perform at the Gateway Theatre on Thursday 24th March at 7.30pm.
Moriarty Winds are the Chamber Ensemble in residence at Dorset Opera, where they make up the principal players of the wind section and French horns. They have also performed recently at the Investec International Festival and Norfolk and Norwich Chamber Music Series.

Help Needed
A local resident is seeking some part time help.
Duties will vary but may include cooking, cleaning, secretarial work, some personal care and possibly some light gardening.  Any or all of the above would be helpful.
A DBS check and references are required, and an hourly rate can be mutually agreed. In the first instance please reply to prema.thakur@mishcon.com

Oak Apple Café
A really good spread at the café today, and after expenses £85 was raised which will go via DEC to Ukraine. Thank you to all who contributed generously. There’s also a suggestion box for other charities we could consider donating to. We’ll open this in April, and let our customers know the options.

Babysitter wanted
Please note that the request for a babysitter for Hannah and Kyle is for 18 March, and not !8 March. I just leant a bit heavily on the shift key at the wrong time.

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30e4282

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30e66d3

Blocked Drain by Bay Tree House
John Steadman has reported this to DCC, so the problem should be fixed early next week – there’s no freezing weather due, so it shouldn’t pose too much of an issue.

Josephine

Membury Primary School Newsletter

Membury Primary School Illuminations
The school is aware of the external light that stays on all the time, and their site manager will fix it as soon as he is able.

Storytime
Take the kids or grandkids to Storytime with Plastic Free, Axminster tomorrow morning 11-12 at Axminster Library! For 5 – 8 year olds.. Listen to a tale of environmental derring-do, see the hero defeat the baddies, enjoy some special time with your little person.

Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice East Devon are looking for dedicated Trustees to help run our Charity.
We need people who want to support their community and make a difference. You will learn an enormous amount on running a charity, governance and much more and not to mention it looks awesome on your CV.
Come and join our team for an exciting year ahead!
Contact us for more information or to apply: Volunteering@citizensadviceeastdevon.org

News from Membury March 10^th 2022

Oak Apple Café
I’m not sure whether the weather will be good enough to make use of The Terrace, but we can assure you of a very warm welcome from 13:30 to 16:00 at the village hall with a tremendous menu:

• Red Pepper and Lime Soup with Crusty Bread
• Sausage Rolls
• Mushroom Tart (V)
• Spicy Pear Crumble Cake with a dollop of cream
• Coffee Fudge Cake
• Irish Tea Brack (Dairy Free)

As ever, it’s donations – and we have a suggested list, and as promised the money raised this week will be going towards support for Ukraine.

Babysitter wanted
Hannah and Kyle at Little Goslins are after a babysitter for March 18th to look after their 8 year old and their 3 year old. Can anyone help them out? hbalne@yahoo.com

Devon and Cornwall Police
The Special Constable recruitment closing date is tomorrow, 11 March. There is still time to sign up if you are interested in volunteering.
For more information about this role or to apply, please visit Special Constables – Volunteer today – be part of something bigger (recruitment-dcp-dp.org).
If you have ever thought of getting a paid job as a police officer or civilian employee, getting a few years as a Special under your belt is a great idea.

Devon County Council
Are you embracing the relaxation of COVID-19 rules or continuing to be cautious?
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30de8d6
Environment and climate change update – and cheap compost bins
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30cdb86

Scam warning
I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise, but the situation in Ukraine has led to a new way to scam people out of their money. If you wish to donate money either use the Disasters Emergency Committee site https://www.dec.org.uk/ or make a few simple checks before you hand over financial information.

• check the charity’s name and registration number at gov.uk/checkcharity
• Most charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered, and you can use the advanced search function to identify charities working in specific regions and countries.
• ensure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
• be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them
• contact or find out more online about the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to understand how they are spending their funds
• look out for the Fundraising Badge on charity fundraising materials, this is the logo which shows that a charity has committed to fundraise in line with the Code of Fundraising Practice

Yarcombe market – It’s Back
Yarcombe Market returns to their Village Hall this Saturday, 12th March, 10a.m. – 12 noon
They have a good number of stalls already: ● cakes, ● pies ● vegetables ● plants ● woodwork ● ironwork ● cards ● bric-a-brac ● toys, and more.
● Refreshments available as usual: enjoy a coffee and slice of delicious home-made cake with friends.
Please come and support their Village Market on Saturday 12th March!

Yarcombe Wine and Wisdom
Yarcombe Jubilee Hall: We would like to invite you to Wine & Wisdom on Saturday 12th March, 8p.m. at Yarcombe Village Hall.
Maximum of 6 per Team – Entry £6 per person, Includes complimentary bottle of wine / per team and individual refreshments.
Quiz Master – Cathy Derryman
Please enter your team with Susan Parris – 01460 234297 or 07846 508530 or birchoak@btconnect.com
All proceeds will help maintain Yarcombe Village Hall
Your support will be very much appreciated.

Slab de-wobbling
Please don’t forget that there will be a crack team of engineers busily engaged in silencing the wobbly slabs on the main street between Bay Tree House and Coombe Bank. They are due to start at 06:00 tomorrow, but I don’t know how long the job will take. If possible please avoid using the main street tomorrow if you can.

Axminster Medical Practice – Update 9/3/2022
STAFF ABSENCES
We have new positive COVID cases today amongst staff. Please be understanding, and we will try and manage patients remotely if it is safe to do so.
We are currently under significant extra pressure due to multiple staff absences with COVID. Please be mindful of this when contacting us.
If you need medical help, please continue to contact us either online or by telephone.
However, if you feel your condition is mild or self-limiting, consider simple home remedies or speaking to a pharmacist.
There are loads of colds going around kids at the moment and most children will be absolutely fine and just need Calpol and TLC. It can be worrying though so please consider taking a look at the Handi app which gives helpful advice on when you need to get your little one checked out.

Fancy a Big Breakfast on Sunday?

News from Membury March 8^th 2022

Sustainable Stockland Environment Group
Our next meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 8th March (today) in the Kings Arms pub. We will be hearing an update from our new river water quality testing volunteers after their training session with the Westcountry Rivers Trust, as well as talking about plans for an upcoming Stockland litter pick, as part of the Great British Spring Clean.
The group meets monthly for an informal chat about local environmental issues and to find ways that we can lower our impact on the planet, both individually and as a community.
All welcome, any age, do come and join us.
Claire Holgate 07771 786610 claireholgate@hotmail.co.uk

Fag ends
A cigarette bin will shortly be installed at The Terrace. Until then please could you please take your fag-ends home, or drop them in the recently re-emplaced dustbin in the car park.

Uphay Grass Fed Angus X Beef
Nick has 2 animals coming back later this week and will have 10KG beef boxes available.
Each box contains a mix of steaks, joints, stewing and mince. All cuts evenly distributed across them all by the butchers. Hung 21 days, and the last one was apparently v tasty.
He can deliver. Cost is £10 per KG – quite a bargain. Ring Nick Cunningham 07977490574

Slab de-wobbling
The slabs that cover the stream outside Battens – almost opposite the village Hall are being de-wobbled on Friday morning (11th) from about 06:00, so there may be some disruption to the smooth flow of traffic

99 Green Balloons
Mike and Jenny Beaman hosted a birthday party for their youngest at the weekend (he’s 30) and as a consequence they have a whole stack of green and gold balloons strung together – and it seems a shame just to pop them. Can anyone make use of them?

Axminster Guildhall
Seeking Front of House volunteers. Help keep the arts alive in our nearest town. Selling tickets, programmes and ice creams, showing people to their seats, helping evacuate in case of an emergency and various other things. Most roles allow you to see the show as well – an added bonus. There’s a real (not zoom!) meeting on Saturday about this – message me if you are interested. It’s great fun!

News from Membury March 7^th 2022

Advance Warning I
The perimeter fence at the playing field is being replaced 16/17 March, and it will be necessary to close the field while work is being done to allow tractor access. If it’s very wet this might be delayed in order to avoid heavy equipment damaging the surface.

Advance Warning II
The Merrymakers are applying to close the road between Bay Tree House and Kinders on Sunday June 5^th from 10:00 until 17:00 for the jubilee street party. If you live in the area that will be affected please do your best to avoid deliveries on that day!

Otterford Repair Café
The second Otterford Repair Café will be running this Sunday (13^th) from 11:00 – 14:00 at their Parish Hall (TA20 3RS)
Electrical, IT, Knife sharpening, Garden Tools, Clothes/Textiles, Book Binding, Bicycles and much more…
Café serving Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Cakes, Sandwiches and Snacks
Free Entry

Moviola
We’re screening “Pig” in the village hall on Tuesday at 19:00 for 19:30 (not as printed in the Mercury). Tickets £6, cash or card.
In an after-film Q&A, director Michael Sarnoski revealed the pig only had three days of training and bit Nicolas Cage multiple times. After a particularly nasty bite, Cage joked: “I’ve been set on fire, I’ve been in flipped cars but it’ll be sepsis from a pig bite that kills me.”
Drink our beer, eat our ice cream and enjoy one of Barack Obama’s favourite films from 2021!

Cinechard
Two films in one week?
If you are at a loose end on Friday 11th come and see Oscar-nominated Kristen Stewart in “Spencer” at Holyrood Academy in Chard – 19:00 for 19:30 – tickets £6
During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana Spencer, struggling with mental health problems, decides to end her decade-long marriage to Prince Charles.
Apparently Kristen spent 6 months perfecting the accent – and she nailed it.

Another Frogspawn Plea
Sophie Kierstan is after some frogspawn for her classroom at Membury Primary School. Can anyone help her out?

Housing needed
Lee and Sarah of The Gamekeepers Table are desperate to find a house to rent anywhere in the area. They are seeking a 3 / 4 bed house with a garden and possibly outbuildings. They have to move in the next 5 weeks. Sazzy_bob@msn.com

Drop off for Ukraine Aid
Chard and Ilminster Ukraine Aid now have a drop off point in Stockland – Oak View, Broadhayes, Stockland, Honiton EX14 9EL. For details For details and updates on items required for donation please go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/554814068872493/

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing March 7^th

Monday March 7^th

• Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
• Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 8^th

• Moviola in the Village Hall: Pig. 7 for 7:30pm
• Toddler Group at the school 11:00am

Wednesday March 9^th

• Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 10^th

• Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
• Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 11^th

• Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
• Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
• S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 12^th

Sunday March 13^th

Week commencing March 14^th

Monday March 14^th

• Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
• Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 15^th

• Toddler Group at the school 11:00am
• History Society AGM and talk on Cleave Hill 7pm for 7:30pm

Wednesday March 16^th

• Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 17^th

• Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
• Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 18^th

• Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
• Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
• Library Van outside Gowan Brae 13:10, Village Hall 13:50
• S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 19^th

• Fish and Chips, and licensed bar in the Village Hall from 6pm

Sunday March 20^th

• Membury Church Holy communion 11:00am

News from Membury March 4^th 2022

Oak Apple Café
We had a fantastic turnout at the Oak Apple Café today and raised £76 after expenses. We are adding £100 to this and donating £176 to support Ukraine via DEC – contributing this way means that the UK government will match fund up to £20,000,000. Money raised during March will all be donated to this cause.
We plan to donate money to other charities, and worthy village causes from April onwards. If you would like to nominate a specific charity, please pop their name on a piece of paper and drop it in the box that will be on display every Friday.

A message from Bramleys
We have native daffodils in our flower meadow. John planted them fifteen years ago. They are shorter and different from most daffodils you see nowadays – probably the sort that Wordsworth saw – but now very much in decline. They naturalise very well but it does take time. If anyone is interested in seeing them or doing something similar contact John and Jeanette and they will arrange for you to come and see them. tjeanette817@gmail.com.

Severed Connections
It seems that several parishioners are still without a landline. Some people have been issued with 4G EE modems, but in this area where mobile reception is at best a bit hit and miss this is not a great solution. People on the road to Axminster, right on the edge of Membury have apparently been quoted a fix date of 25 March. One person closer to the village centre who relies on a home safe pendant has been given a date of 10th March to get their line back working. These dates are clearly unacceptable.

School Newsletter

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30d2821

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30d2493

Does anyone have a suitable cake stand?
Lucy Pearse is looking to borrow a 12 inch round white cake stand. Can anyone help her out? winifredsfudge@gmail.com
I’m sure she’ll be happy to donate some of her excellent fudge to anyone who can help her!

News from Membury March 3^rd 2022

From the Mercury Team …
We hope that most of you have had your Mercury delivered by now, and would like to congratulate Sarah Bell, our new typesetter, on her fresh and spring-like first issue.
Our team assiduously check and re-check for errors, but still some escape in technological transit. So – we apologise for the error in the title of the tribute to Alex Tasker, especially to Marie and his family. Sorry!

Oak Apple Café
Fresh from completing her Level 2 Food and Hygiene Course Penny Stevenson will be in charge tomorrow supported by John and me. Sandra Capper will also be dropping off a load of “Country Gardener Devon” magazines for people to help themselves to.
On the menu we have:

• Celeriac and Carrot Soup with bread
• Cheese and Spring Onion Scones
• Sausage Rolls
• Sticky Date and Ginger Cake
• Victoria Sponge
• Oaty, Nutty, Fruity Cookies

Scams
One of our peripheral correspondents has received a call today from a mobile number to let her know that £799 was about to be taken from her Amazon account. Fortunately, she wasn’t fooled. Please be careful with unexpected calls or emails telling you that you either owe, or are owed, money. I get about one a week. There are also a lot of COVID scams doing the rounds at the moment. When in doubt, just hang up. Genuine callers will definitely call you back; scammers probably won’t.

Village Communications I
I’m getting reports that some parishioners may still be without landline or broadband. If this applies to you or a neighbour can you let me know please.

Village Communications II
As promised in the Mercury, from tomorrow there’ll be a handful of printed copies of this newsletter by the newspaper rack at the village hall. If you have a neighbour or friend who would benefit from this, please help yourself. If you go down there and there are no copies left, let me know and I can print more if necessary. I’ll do this for a month and then review the popularity of this system.

Livestock Worrying
From Devon and Cornwall Police
During 2021 Devon and Cornwall police received 148 reports of livestock worrying. A slight reduction from the previous year however within this number 350 animals have been killed or injured, a significant rise.
These numbers are likely to be much higher due to under reporting and the longer term effects of an incident where the distress can cause a sheep to die or miscarry their lambs long after the event. It can often be difficult to attribute longer term issues to a specific incident.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and can have a devastating impact on livestock, farmers and in some circumstances the dog and the owner. Crime data indicates an increase in reports at this time of year as the weather improves and as more people access the countryside, particularly during lambing.
What do you need to do?
Ensure responsible dog ownership. Dogs should not be unaccompanied outside of the home and their behaviour should be managed at all times. All land is owned and access is not a given right unless designated, it is important that users of the countryside understand specific designations of land and rights of way, for example on land designated as access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act dogs must be on a lead between the 1st of March and 31st July and at all times when livestock is present.

Axminster Repair Café
Having first been launched in 2009, the global Repair Café movement has taken the world by storm, more recently taking off in the UK thanks to the success of television show ‘The Repair Shop’.
At Axminster the enthusiasm for the sustainable repair and re-use ethos is clear, with the town’s own Repair Café going from strength to strength, with 28 items being fixed up last month.
Come along to the Guildhall between 10:00 and 13:00 this Saturday (5^th) and bring along something that needs fixing!

Moviola
Next Tuesday 19:00 for 19:30 (not as printed in the Mercury) “Pig”. Tickets £6. Licensed bar, ice creams etc.
“With his only connection to the outside world lying in Portland businessman Amir, taciturn, meditative hermit Rob has found solace deep in the heart of the dense Oregon forests and the unique bond with his only companion: his beloved truffle-hunting pig. Tired of grappling with the profound sadness of prolonged grief, Rob relies on a simple daily routine to keep his sanity, self-respect, and dignity, utterly unaware that he has already caught unwanted attention. Now, his best friend is missing, and revenge can only make things worse. Indeed, strange as it sounds, inconsolable Rob only wants his pig back, and if he has to, he’ll go to the edge of the world to find her. But first things first. Who has Rob’s pig?”

News from Membury March 2nd 2022

It’s World Book Day tomorrow
This year celebrates the 25^th anniversary of World Book Day – with the message for all children “you are a reader”!

Donations to support Ukraine

I’ve been asked where Higgler Coffee is in Axminster. It’s an excellent café on South Street, almost opposite the butcher’s, and they do very good tea too.

Learn Devon
I’m just over half way through learning how to use Photoshop Elements, doing a zoom course run by Learn Devon. This is a level 2 course which requires basic computer skills, but doesn’t assume any knowledge of photo editing software. The course is free, and you’ll get a free copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 to keep, worth about £90.
You’ll need a PC (preferably) or recent Apple computer or laptop (not a tablet) and the course is entirely online. It’s a 12-week course starting on April 27^th, ending on July 27^th with a break for half term. Lessons are 9:30 – 11:30 every Wednesday.
Simon Longstaff is the tutor, and he is excellent, very patient and knows the software backwards. This will be the last free level 2 course of this type that Learn Devon will be running. Financial support for this type of course is stopping in July. If you want to, you can also sign up for level 2 courses in Word, Excel and Powerpoint too, and get a whole wall full of certificates!
Follow this link to sign up –
https://www.learndevon.co.uk/course-details/course/ITB632/

Membury History Society
AGM 15^th March

Stockland British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal Fundraiser
!! British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal Fundraiser !!
Please come and support our pop up charity cake stall
this SUNDAY, 6th March, 11am – 1pm in the skittle alley at The Kings Arms Stockland. Thank you Ben and the team for letting us set up there.
We will have lots of goodies to buy and you could even grab a coffee or a pint in the bar while you’re there.
If you can’t make it and would like to make a donation, or you could help with baking a cake, please contact Kim on 07742 661159.

Sustainable Stockland
Next meeting is Tuesday next week at 7pm in the Kings Arms. Come along and help save the planet one bit at a time – starting with East Devon!

Skills of the Hills
’Skills of the Hills’, the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association’s annual hedge event, takes place this Saturday at Cotley Farm, Wambrook, TA20 3EP. However, please note that this year the event is hedge-laying only. It is open to the public from 9.30a.m. Light refreshments will be available.

Yarcombe Market is Back!
Yarcombe Market returns to the Village Hall on Saturday 12th March, 10a.m. – 12 noon
We have a good number of stalls already: ● cakes, ● pies ● vegetables ● plants ● woodwork ● ironwork ● cards ● bric-a-brac ● toys, and more. ● Refreshments available as usual: enjoy a coffee and slice of delicious home-made cake with friends.
Please come and support the Yarcombe Village Market on Saturday 12th March!

News from Membury March 1^st 2022

Donations to support Ukraine
Higgler coffee in Axminster is taking donations which will be given to a larger convoy heading to the Polish border on Friday.
We kindly ask for the following items by Thursday afternoon.
Baby formula, nappies and baby hygiene items.
Sanitary items.
Unopened creams such as sudacream.
Unopened roll on deodorant.
Clean bandages and packaged first aid items.

Due to space constraints in transit we are unable to take clothes, medication or opened toiletries.

Water Quality Monitoring
35 of us from Membury, Chardstock and Stockland attended a course today at the Village Hall run by the Westcountry Rivers Trust. You may see some of us every now and again dangling buckets off bridges and peering down long plastic tubes to determine what’s in our river water. Here are some things you can do to support our rivers.

News from Membury February 28^th 2022

Axe Valley Mission Community
In response to the current situation in Ukraine, there will be a prayer vigil which will be held in the Minster on Wednesday 2nd March from midday until 7pm
Louise Collard AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986

Membury Primary School
The toddler group will be running as usual tomorrow at 11:00

Aerial Predator
One of our keen-eyed locals has spotted a red-tailed hawk flying up near Bewley Down. She is pretty sure it isn’t a native bird, so she is wondering whether anyone local may have lost such a bird.

Membury Castle
An update from George Greenshields
“I am afraid it has not proved possible to start the Membury Castle work in February. I had a firm arrangement with Simon Hart of Hartwood to start on Friday 18th Feb but that proved ill-fated because of storm Eunice. We re-arranged for Thursday and /or Friday last week but Simon was still dealing with emergency road clearance following the storm and had to cancel.
I am really sorry not to have made a start on the work but we are aiming for an early start on the 1st September.”

Betty Welch from Stockland
Betty Welch from Stockland passed away aged 91 on 10th February. Having arrived in the village in 1986 many of the older residents of Membury may well have known her. She certainly played an active role in the community.

The funeral will be on Monday 7th March 14.00 at St Giles, Kilmington, and a reception afterwards at the King’s Arms. Flowers (to W.Potter, Axminster) or donations to RNIB.

Kings Arms Quiz night – this Wednesday
Don’t forget the Pub Quiz Night is on Wednesday, 2nd March. A slight adjustment to start time to give us time to get through the questions…Arrive 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.
Ben & the team, Kings Arms, Stockland, 01404 881686
https://kingsarms.pub
https://www.facebook.com/groups/stockland

Nostalgic Cinema at The Beehive, Honiton
“Jailhouse Rock” starring Elvis Presley and Judy Tyler.
Friday 2^nd March 14:00. £4.50 including a hot drink, biscuits and a chat.
Dementia Friendly Cinemas have proven to be very therapeutic for people with memory problems and their families. Besides engaging the brain and stimulating emotions, being part of an audience enjoying a film helps people with dementia and their carers to feel less isolated and also challenges the stigma associated with the condition.
All Nostalgic Cinema performances have subtitles to assist full enjoyment of the film by any members of the audience who are hard of hearing.
Whilst promoted as a dementia friendly screening, we hope anyone who loves the old films will come along for an afternoon of fond memories. Face masks are encouraged.

Also screening:
Belfast (12A) starring Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Caitríona Balfe
7.30pm Friday 4^th March and a socially distanced screening at 4pm on Sat 5^th March
Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50
‘Possibly the most uplifting film ever made about a time of unending violence, Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast comes with a bruised heart and an unquenchable spirit of optimism.’ -Time Out

News from Membury February 27^th 2022

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing February 28^th

Monday February 28^th

• Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
• Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 1^st

Wednesday March 2^nd

• Like Minds (Provisional) in the Village Hall. Time TBC
• Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 3^rd

• Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
• Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 4^th

• Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
• Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
• S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 5^th

Sunday March 6^th

• Holy Communion at Membury Church 11am

Week commencing March 7^th

Monday March 7^th

• Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
• Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 8^th

• Moviola in the Village Hall: Pig. 7 for 7:30pm

Wednesday March 9^th

• Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 10^th

• Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
• Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 11^th

• Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
• Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
• S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 12^th

Sunday March 13^th

• Morning Prayer at Membury Church TBC

Membury Mercury Advertisements February 2022

The weather has been a bit intense recently, and it’s quite possible that you’ll need some help straightening things up and getting everything tidy. Your local traders here can help!
Keep East Devon, and in particular Membury solvent – use locals.

The spring edition of the Mercury will be landing on your doorstep next week. The next deadline for submissions will be May 6th for the summer issue.

News from Membury February 25^th 2022

East Devon District Council Residents’ Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30bb7f3

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30c454c

Membury Parish Council – New Clerk
Thank you to Bec Davey for all your hard work, and welcome to Ana Silson!

News from Membury February 24^th 2022 

Oak Apple Café
After the slight hiatus last week due to the weather we are back with a great menu.

• Caramelised Onion Quiche
• Sausage Rolls
• Leek and Potato Soup with Homemade Bread
• Date and Walnut Cake
• Chocolate Cake

It’s half term, so we’ll be open from 1:30pm until 3:30pm.

Loose Pig now reunited
Here is a picture of Merryn with much loved Peppa, Rosie is so grateful that they live somewhere where people care enough to look out for a lost little pig!

News from Membury February 22nd 2022 – Missing Animals

Missing Ram
A small brown two-year-old woolly ram called Derek has gone missing from Bracken where he was enjoying their lush pasture. If anyone sees him please call Suzie 07484 163901 and she will attempt to apprehend him

Pig Loose in the Village
There is a pig loose in the village. She is about 6 inches long and answers to the name of Peppa. She is currently tucked into the hedge by Orchard House, just down the road from me.

News from Membury February 21^st 2022

100 Club Results
After due deliberation, the Oracle has declared that the winner of the 100 Club this month is Boudicca Fox Leonard who will pocket £30. £10 goes to Kerstin Langdon, and John & Sharon Steadman

Back-up phones
Several correspondents have pointed out that “old” phones will be obsolete in 2025 when the system that has worked well for decades is switched off. Let’s hope we get a decent mobile signal in this area before they flick the switch!

Frogspawn
Does anyone have any frogspawn yet?

While there’s wind …
It’s a good time for putting your washing on the line to dry it. Not only does it save your electricity bill, but it allows for some creativity. A prize for the best photograph of your washing drying!

Daisy’s Dairy
Daily milkshake specials starting today to tempt you at South Waterhayne Farm, Yarcombe
Monday – Blueberry
Tuesday – Biscoff
Wednesday – Rhubarb and Custard
Thursday – Irish Cream
Friday – Cherry

Wild East Devon News for Half Term
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30b3f67

What’s on in Membury

Week commencing February 21^st

Monday February 21^st
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
History Society Talk in the Village Hall 7 for 7:30pm
A Local WWII Mystery

Tuesday February 22^nd

Wednesday February 23^rd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 24^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 25^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 26^th

Sunday February 27^th
Morning Prayer at Membury Church at 11am

Week commencing February 28^th

Monday February 28^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday March 1^st

Wednesday March 2^nd
Like Minds (Provisional) in the Village Hall. Time TBC
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday March 3^rd
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday March 4^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday March 5^th

Sunday March 6^th
Communion at Membury Church at 11am

News from Membury February 20^th 2022

Openreach
You may have noticed that there is a branch pinning down a telephone/internet cable on the Axminster Road, just below the castle, and quite close to Starcross. I reported this to Openreach yesterday, and they have been out to review it today, but lacked the specialist equipment necessary to deal with it safely. Richard Pearse, on whose land it is, will be lifting the branch with a JCB prior to cutting it in the next few days after the wind has subsided. Openreach will then re-tension the cable. If you are in the area and experience a loss of service, please contact your telephone or broadband supplier directly.

Yellow warning of wind
As I said yesterday, it’s not over yet. We now have Storm Franklin and a yellow warning of wind from now until 13:00 on Monday. Please take care, and let me know of any road issues or other problems.

More windy statistics
Stephen Tetlow up at Oat Errish measured a gust peaking at 75mph yesterday at 11:15 – shortly before the electricity went off, preventing any further data recording. Did anyone record anything even faster?

Telephones
Dan Jaffé formerly of this parish has made a sensible suggestion from his new base in Hinton, where no power was lost. You can buy an old-fashioned corded telephone from Amazon (other exploitative retailers are available) for just over a tenner which will give you access to the phone network, even if there’s no electricity, and will make reporting problems to your provider much easier. Obviously, it will help you keep in touch with family, and get through to 999 directly as well should it prove necessary.

William Low Trust
The Merrymakers donated half of the money raised at the “Carols Round the Tree” event to the William Low Trust. Helen Forbes-Low writes:
“On behalf of The William Low Trust, thank you for the kind donation of £30. We are so deeply touched that you have given another donation to our trust in memory of our beautiful son William. Please send a big thank you to your committee.
We have our work cut out as we grow and develop the charity.
We are focusing on trying to fundraise to cover the costs of our PhD researcher, £43,000 a year! This is a huge amount and a huge goal for us. We have had our first update which is exciting as he started in Oct 2021.
We are also trying to design an App to support families when they get given a bag of medicines. I remembered feeling overwhelmed on returning home from hospital on how to coordinate these strong and complex medicines. I used to have to spend time creating spreadsheets (when all I wanted was a cuddle with William and a cup of tea) so I knew what needed to be given and when. Some families I work with just cannot manage this and then their child doesn’t get what they need in a timely way, so the child suffers – we feel the need to do something about this so we are trying to find App developers and linking in with Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Thanks again as every penny really counts!”

If anyone wishes to make further donations to the charity, or can help with the development of an app contact Helen via info@thewilliamlowtrust.org.uk

 

News from Membury February 19^th 2022

Storm Eunice Update
Well, that was exhilarating. Greendown recorded a gust of 65MPH at 10:07 yesterday. Most, if not all, of us were without electricity for much of the day, and I believe that some people are yet to have their service restored. Our little camping stove came into its own! Thank you to those that sent me updates regarding trees and roads – but without electricity I was unable to pick them up until late in the evening. Well done Western Power for restoring at least some services ahead of their anticipated time.

Yellow warning of wind
It’s not over yet. We have a yellow warning of wind from 06:00 today to 18:00 today, and again from 12:00 tomorrow until 15:00 on Monday. Please take care, and let me know of any road issues or other problems.

East Devon District Council update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30a8b5c

Devon County Council update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30b3c6e

Trains
I am told that there are no trains or buses running from Axminster station until further notice

School Newsletter

Oak Apple CAfe – closed today

News from Membury February 18^th 2022 – Storm Eunice Update

Post Office
The post office will be operating normally unless Mike can’t get here from Dalwood where he’ll be this morning.

Oak Apple Café
The café will be operating, possibly with a reduced service as normal, but may close early.

Membury School
The school is closed

S4YH
Sing for your Health this evening is cancelled.

Tree Reports
I’ve had a report of a tree down on Lewsley Lane, and another one on the Greendown Road, but Greendown at least doesn’t seem to be blocked – there’ll be more information when I get it. If you are aware of any issues affecting our roads please let me know with a precise location if possible, and an indication of whether the road is blocked or not

East Devon District Council Update on Eunice
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30b1abe

Devon County Council Update on Eunice
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/30b0dfd

News from Membury February 17^th 2022

Moviola
The new audio-visual equipment made its public debut on Tuesday at the screening of “The Courier”. This was generously funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and allowed us to purchase a ceiling mounted HD projector, a Blu-ray player, a new mixer and a pair of fantastic new speakers all of which were supplied and installed by David Reed of RSD music and Tim Williams of TMW Electrical Contracting
We can now connect computers and other equipment from a socket adjacent to the screen, a socket adjacent to the equipment cupboard, and from in the cupboard itself. Moviola events and any presentations will be much brighter, sound will be crisper and there won’t be trip hazards from trailing wires.
Thank you, National Lottery,!

Café menu
Ceri, Martyn and Daniel are looking forward to welcoming you to the Oak Apple Café tomorrow afternoon 1:30pm – 4pm. Given the weather we really ought to be offering Jerusalem artichoke soup but instead we have …

• Carrot and coriander soup with homemade bread
• Stilton Tart
• Spicy Sausage Rolls
• Date and Walnut Cake
• Ginger and treacle spiced traybake
• Chocolate brownies

Please treat the weather conditions with respect, and only use your car to visit us if you are really hungry!

Once again, thank you to those people who have contributed by baking, and souping. Future contributions always welcome – just speak to one of the volunteers.

Mobile Library

The mobile library due to visit tomorrow afternoon is cancelled – due to the anticipated weather conditions. They are – in the words of Margaret Mitchell “Gone with the Wind”.

 

Billy Down’s Wartime Secret
A reminder that Captain Hugh May is limbering up to deliver the extraordinary story of how Membury was directly involved in WW2. Don’t miss his spectacular presentation at the village hall on Monday evening at 19:30. Cheese and wine will be served from 19:00.

100 club
The next draw for the 100 club takes place at the weekend. If you haven’t already bought your ticket you are unlikely to benefit for the life changing prizes on offer. To remedy this all you need to do is slip a tenner to David Neill at Hope Cottage (behind the village hall) or transfer the money directly to the Merrymakers (30-90-37 01560859 Membury Merrymakers).

Storm Dudley and storm Eunice
Highest recorded windspeed yesterday was 53mph at 14:21 recorded at Greendown.
The amber warning has been upgraded to a red warning on the north Devon coast, and the time the warning comes into force has been updated from 03:00 to 05:00. Please take care.

Tom Daley
Helen Forbes-Low captured this image of Tom Daley passing by Axminster yesterday. You can help him raise money for Red Nose Day here https://donation.comicrelief.com/?cartId=rnd22-tom-challenge

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, is open at Seaton Tramway featuring exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breath-taking diversity of the natural world. Using photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images shine a light on stories and species around the world and encourage a future of advocating for the planet.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights for over 55 years. Launching in 1965 and attracting 361 entries, today the competition receives over 50,000 entries from all over the world, highlighting its enduring appeal. This year’s award-winning images will embark on an international tour that will allow them to be seen by well over a million people.
Exhibition Open:
11th February – 8th April 10am – 4pm (Last Entry 3:30pm)
Adults £5.50 children (up to 15yo) free

Devon and Cornwall Police
Witnesses and footage sought
Witnesses are sought after a man was seriously injured in a collision between two vans in Axminster on 15 February.
Emergency services were called at 3.40pm to the collision between a Mercedes Sprinter van and a Volkswagen Transporter van on The Trafalgar Way.
The driver of the VW van, a man in his 60s from Dorset, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Derriford Hospital.
The second driver, also a man in his 60s from Dorset, was uninjured.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit attended alongside South West Ambulance Service and Devon Air Ambulance.
The road was closed for four hours for a specialist examination of the scene and recovery of the vehicles. Police would like to thank the public for their patience during the closure.
Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and asking for any witnesses or anyone who was in the area at the time to contact them. They would also like to hear from any driver who has relevant dashcam footage.
Please contact 101@dc.police.uk or telephone 101, quoting log number 553 of 15/02/22.

News from Membury February 16^th 2022

Storm Eunice
The yellow warning for wind in our area has now been upgraded to an amber warning, in force between 03:00 on Friday and 21:00 on Friday.
Extremely strong winds may develop over southwest England early on Friday, before spreading north and east during the day. Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the track of Eunice, there is an increasing likelihood of widespread inland wind gusts of 60-70 mph and up to 80 mph in a few places. Around coasts of west Wales and southwest England, gusts of 90 or possibly even 100 mph are possible. Winds are expected to ease across western areas through the afternoon, and eastern areas during the evening.
What to expect

• There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life
• Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
• Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
• There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur and possibly affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
• It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees

If you are aware of anything affecting Membury specifically, please let me know so I can share the information. Give me as accurate a location as possible – perhaps using a what3words location, and above all take care and don’t venture out unless you have to – unless of course you are coming to the Oak Apple Café!

All Saints Pantomime
Stop Press!!
ASPS presents Dick Twittington
No time to put off the decision because the weather’s bad!
Phone Barbara on 01297 35687 and book yourselves a good night out in the Village Hall on either Thursday 24th, Friday 25th or Saturday 26th February and watch lots of local people make fools of themselves.
We’re about to put on make-up
We’re going to light the lights
We’ll sing some silly songs
On all our Panto nights!

We’ve spoken to some folk who are still concerned and not decided due to the continued level uncertainty around Covid.
So, this year, if on the night you feel that you would still like to come along, we’re going to allow you to turn up and pay on the night.
However, to ensure good seats, book now.

Stockland Book Club
The next meeting is on Saturday 19th February at the Kings Arms – at 11 am. Please come along – lively discussion guaranteed; along with coffee and cakes- or a pint!
Our current book is the classic Anna Karenina by Tolstoy.
All welcome – for further information ring Paul Spencer 01404 881819.

Snowdrops
Sandra Capper’s snowdrops at East Membury Farm are magnificent at the moment, and for those of you who missed the viewing last weekend but would still like to see them, all you need to do is give her a ring (01404 881600) and arrange a time.

Citizens Advice

News from Membury February 14^th 2022

Jubilee Bulletin no. 6

An alternative experience of meeting the Queen.
Jon Williets, of Furley, writes:
I am not sure it counts as meeting the Monarch, but in 1980 the Queen drove past the end of our road having just opened the new shopping centre in Tamworth. The village all trudged to the end of the road and the convoy slowed down and received the royal wave. As a slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious 11 year old I was not really sure that waving at her was a particularly ‘cool’ thing to do. I decided that shaking my fist (in a football-like celebratory way) was a better greeting for our monarch. My Mum disapproved of the chosen gesture and as the car drew level the Queen looked out of her window to see a small ginger haired boy receiving an almighty clip round the ear from his irate Mum.

Yellow Warning of Wind
Storm Eunice is on its way, and it’ll be here between 18/2/2022 00:00 and 18/2/2022 21:00.
Extremely strong winds may develop over southwest England early on Friday, before spreading north and east during the morning. It is not yet clear where within the warning area the strongest winds will be but gusts of 60-70 mph are possible over a reasonably large area with a small chance of a brief period of gusts reaching 80 mph even inland. Coastal winds are likely to be the strongest. In addition to the wind, there is the potential for a period of snow and perhaps blizzard conditions, most likely over northern England, parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and north Wales. However, this is very dependent on the track of the weather system and most places will see heavy rain instead.

Moviola
Come along to the village hall tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 7pm for 7:30 to see “The Courier” – an excellent film indeed. Tickets £6
In the shadow of the Cold War a letter from Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) an agency of the Soviet Union received by MI6 stating the concern of Penkovsky about world safety and his anxiety about a nuclear war, So Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) a CIA Agent reached out to MI6 Agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright), who recruited British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) to be their spy.
This is the first outing for our new projector, BluRay player and speakers. Expect the very highest quality of presentation!
As always there’ll be refreshments including bottled Otter beer and Baboo Gelato, as well as wine, spirits and soft drinks.

“Hell of a Homecoming” Tour
Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley will be cycling through Axminster as part of an epic endurance challenge for Comic Relief.
To raise money for this year’s Red Nose Day, diving star Tom will be rowing, cycling, running and swimming his way from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to his hometown of Plymouth.
Over four days, from today (Monday), Tom ‘Hell of a Homecoming’, will see him passthrough significant places and locations from his life, and he will be passing through Axminster this Wednesday, coming in on the A35 from Bridport to the Abbeygate junction, and then heading through Musbury, Colyford and on to Sidford.
It is thought he will come through Axminster between 3pm and 4pm, but you can track where he is on the interactive map here

 

News from Membury February 13^th 2022

Roadworks
The road from Furley Cross to Challenger Cross will be closed on 16th February between 09:30 and 15:30 for Openreach works. The diversion route is shown here.
Openreach will also be responsible for work between Membury Cross and Clarence Cross 21st – 22nd February.

Birds Down Under
Jon and Cherry Wells write:
As it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, and in response to your request for garden bird sightings last week, here’s a pair of collared doves getting all lovey-dovey in our garden in New Zealand today! They are such friendly, peaceful and easily tamed creatures; we were pleased to see a pair were recorded in Membury last week. These two cuties turn up twice a day, morning and night, for a feed out of our hands and a bit of necking on the decking!

Jubilee Bulletin no. 5

Helen Neill writes:
I was introduced to the Queen in 2019 at the opening of a new research complex in Cambridge. I don’t think she was very interested in me, which is quite understandable. However, she did spend 2 hours on her feet talking to plant breeders and scientists about new cereal and fruit varieties. She struck me as a small bundle of energy, sharp witted and independent minded.
I wish we had more leaders like her!

Membury and District Local History Society

A Yarn of Yarcombe
Yarcombe Parish Council has funds available to produce and publish “An Illustrated History of the Yarcombe Inn”. Someone is needed to write it and compile illustrations. If you would be interested please contact Sarah-Jane Martin yarcombe.clerk@yahoo.com

Devon Wildlife Trust Online Events
Monday 14 February – Working in the Wild
Tuesday 15 February – How to become a citizen scientist
Tuesday 15 February – Peatland Restoration in the South West
Wednesday 16 February – Are our hedgerows in good health?

Daisy’s Dairy
We stopped off here on our way back from Cornwall. Milk was delicious!
Daisy’s Dairy, Yarcombe, EX14 9AX is open daily 6am-9pm for freshly pasteurised milk, produced by our cows here on farm.
We also have a choice of 8 different milkshakes, local eggs, butter, Davidstow cheddar, flapjacks and shortbread.
We have 1L and 500ml reusable glass bottles for sale, which just need to be washed at home between uses.
Our vending machines are simple to use and both take contactless card payments only. The syrups are 50p per flavour, paid for in cash into an honesty box.

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing February 14th

Monday February 14th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Village Hall Trustee Meeting in hall at 7pm
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday February 15th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Moviola: The Courier in the Village Hall 7pm for 7:30pm

Wednesday February 16th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 17th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 18th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 19th

Sunday February 20th
Church service in Membury Church: Communion at 11am

Week commencing February 21st

Monday February 21st
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm
History Society Talk in the Village Hall 7 for 7:30pm
A Local WWII Mystery

Tuesday February 22nd

Wednesday February 23rd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 24th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 25th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 26th

Sunday February 27th
Morning Prayer at Membury Church at 11am

A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency.
Flood Alert in force: River Axe area.
Flooding is possible for: Rivers Axe, Coly, Yarty, Umborne Brook and coastal streams from Branscombe to Axmouth.
Be prepared.
Flooding is possible during Sunday afternoon 13/02/2022. Heavy rainfall this morning and overnight in the River Axe area is causing river levels to rise. Bankfull conditions are expected with some localised riverside low lying land and roads flooding from 2pm on Sunday afternoon.
We expect rivers to remain high throughout Sunday afternoon with further scattered showers expected into Monday. 
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 Monday morning or earlier if the situation changes.

To check the latest information for your area
——————————————————-
* Visit the GOV.UK website to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/113WABTW09
* Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 211023.
* Follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.
* Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio.

News from Membury February 11^th 2022

 

Jubilee Bulletin no.3

Have you ever met the queen? Send me your memories, and I’ll publish it here!

Thank you from Hospiscare
Money raised from the Christmas card, and the collection at the Carols round the Tree was donated to Hospiscare.
“From our team of doctors, nurses, support staff, volunteers and, most of all, the patients we care for, thank you for your recent kind donation of £344.00 on behalf of the Membury Merrymakers. Please pass on our thanks to everyone who helped raise this money which really does mean a lot to us.
This gift will help us to continue our specialist end-of-life care in the local community, helping people like Carol, who said:
“Hospiscare became my lifeline. They were always there for the both of us and they helped me to be brave.”
Without the generosity of people like you we could not be there for others, giving them and care and support and allowing them to spend their precious time making memories with those they love.
Your support is always important to us but never more so than it is right now in these uncertain times. Thank you for helping us be there for people when it matters most.
Best wishes, Karen Turner, Supporter Relationships Manager”

Seaton Music
The second half of the season gets under way in less than two weeks with the visit to Seaton on Thursday 24th February of the renowned Piatti Quartet, one of the most distinguished quartets of their generation. This is part of a tour which will also include concerts in Ipswich, Bournemouth and St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. They also have a new Hyperion CD coming out in April to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vaughan Williams – a performance of his masterpiece ‘On Wenlock Edge’ with Nicky Spence (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) and Timothy Ridout (viola).
The programme includes some superb Purcell, Borodin and Beethoven. Tickets for non-members are available at the door at only £16 – cash only. (Please note the concert starts as usual at 7.30pm – not 3pm as the Membership Card unaccountably says!)

Devon County Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/309f920

East Devon District Council Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30977be

Illegal Off-Road Riding

Special Constabulary Recruitment
Devon and Cornwall Police will be open for recruitment from the 31 January until the 6 March.
If you are looking for a new challenge? Wanting to make a difference in your community? then consider volunteering as a Special Constable?
On the 15 February we are holding a virtual awareness event which is an opportunity to find out more about the role and hear from some of our serving Specials about what it is like to be a Special.
If you would like to join the online event or would like to know more about becoming a Special Constable, please click on the link below.
https://recruitment-dcp-dp.org/devon-cornwall-volunteers/special-constables/

Jubilee Bulletin no.4

A Message from Cllr Ian Thomas, Chair of East Devon District Council

As you will undoubtedly be aware, 2022 will be a year-long programme of Platinum Jubilee celebrations throughout the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, and across the globe, to celebrate 70 years of service by Her Majesty The Queen. This remarkable achievement will be the first time a British Monarch will have celebrated a Platinum Jubilee.
This offers a focus for communities across East Devon and beyond to celebrate this unique milestone.
As Chair, my wish is that…

• We recognise the 70-year period of Her Majesty’s reign, in an enduring way.
• We work with each part of our District, from our smallest parish to largest town, recognising the special environment we share.
• Our contribution to celebrations is supportive of a key Council priority.

Our proposal, which I believe meets these objectives, is that our Council gift one of 70 oak saplings to each East Devon Town or Parish community.
The resultant special network across the district of commemorative oak trees, renowned for their longevity, strength, and unique position in the national landscape, will offer many other collective opportunities and serve as an important local ‘memory jogger’ recognising our Carbon Neutral and environment priorities.
We will supply and plant bare root specimens of Quercus Robur (common or English oak) at a size of 8-10cm girth (2-3 metres tall). Planting will include any necessary support stakes, protective rings to the base and watering duct, together with a commemorative plaque.
These need to be planted by mid March
To ensure we can reach out to all communities our only requirement is that the chosen site is suitable for an oak tree and accessible to members of the public.
Does anyone have a suggestion as to where our tree, should we apply for one, be planted? It needs to be on or very near a public footpath, or at least accessible. Do you have a suitale location? We need to get our application in as soon as possible.

Axminster Library Dyslexia Friendly Book Collection
For Children and Early Teens
As part of the local community, we always want to make sure we can help everyone enjoy and love reading
So, this week after a few months of hard work and collaborations with other libraries, we can proudly say we now have a selection of books for children/early teens that are dyslexia friendly.
As well as the titles we have here, we can get other titles from other libraries to help everyone enjoy reading, (when looking further we have over 500 titles by dyslexia friendly publishers), so please do come and ask us for help.
All children’s book reservations are completely free of charge
These great books are available for everyone to loan but have their own little area in our children’s library to make them easy to find!!
Happy Reading everyone!
Natalie, Rachel and Shelley – Librarians at Axminster Library

Membury School Newsletter and Toddler Group

 

News from Membury February 9^th 2022

Jubilee Bulletin no. 1

National celebrations are planned over a 4-day weekend in early June. The usual late May bank holiday has been moved from the last Monday in May, and there will be an additional bank holiday to create a long weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.
At an open meeting on February 1st, 2022, a group of parishioners decided on a preliminary programme of events to include:

• Thursday June 2nd: Membury Beacon and Fireworks
• Friday June 3rd: Oak Apple Café special with classic car show
• Saturday June 4th: Live stream of Platinum Party at the Palace in the village hall, with pop-up pub and display by history society
• Sunday June 5th: Village Street party – Games/parade etc. Followed by a celebratory evensong in the church.

The Raucous Chorus will sing at a least one of these events.
In addition to daily events, we are hoping to have jubilee scarecrows, floral displays in the village and church and village bunting.
Several parishioners volunteered to help organise each event and we will be setting up additional meetings soon. Please contact one of the MerryMakers if you are interested in being involved.

Jubilee Bulletin no. 2

Classic Car Display
As just a small part of Membury’s contribution to the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, it’s planned to have a display of classic, old or just unusual cars, tractors and motorbikes in the Village car park on Friday 3rd June to coincide with the Cafe’s opening times of 1.30 to 4pm.
Furthermore, the cafe will be running a 1950’s theme on that day – more details to follow – but feel free to dig out those flat caps, baggy-trousered suits – or maybe you prefer the teddy-boy look !!
As space in the car park is limited, please register your interest with me beforehand.
Email me at minijohns@hotmail.com & let me know what vehicle(s) you’d be bringing along.
I look forward to hearing from you – John Hodge

Fare Car – subsidised lifts to Axminster and Chard
Did you know that the F11 Fare Care lift service provides transport from the Stockland area to either Axminster or Chard?  It is a set fare of £2.80 per single trip. See details below or more info on the Travel Devon website.

Ornithological Musings
From Tony Marsh, 6th February 2022
Early February. A bright, breezy morning after over-night rain. A jay is stabbing busily into the grass. It is feeding on acorns, their winter’s sustenance. Surprisingly perhaps that during last week’s Big Garden Birdwatch none of us reported seeing a jay. In our garden, it’s the acorns, shed in the autumn by the big oak trees overhead, that are the attraction. Apparently jays collect acorns into larders to get them through the winter, thereby helping to spread oaks over a wider area. In this case, I think our failure to tidy up the grass thoroughly before the winter was rewarded by the sight at close quarters of this flamboyant but shy bird, that we see usually only fleetingly, when it disappears into the trees, screeching raucously.

Turn Lyme Green

Cinechard
Cinechard is screening “The Last Duel” at Holyrood Academy on Friday 11^th, 7pm for 7:30pm. In a departure from their normal range of films this has an 18 certificate and runs for 2 hours and 32 minutes. I thought it would be worth posting some more information on the certification:
Sex and nudity: severe
Violence and Gore: severe
Profanity: moderate
Alcohol, drugs and smoking: mild
If you want more details on the above have a look at the IMDB entry, but there are spoilers.
Starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer, “The Last Duel” is based on the true story of France’s last trial by combat in the Middle Ages. Knight Jean de Carrouges challenges his former friend Jacques Le Gris to a duel after Jean’s wife Marguerite accuses Le Gris of rape. Told in multiple “Rashomon-style” points of view.

Snowdrops
Sandra Capper at East Membury Farm would like to invite you to Snowdrop viewing this Friday Saturday Sunday 10 30 to 3pm. Small donation to Ninth Wave Global appreciated.
Pop along to see the wonderful snowdrops, the first signs of spring and of brighter days to come!

It’s nearly Christmas …
SEND IN YOUR CHRISTMAS CARD IMAGES TO SUPPORT ARC …
Christmas will come !! Yes very early, but time for you to find your entries for the ARC 2022 CHRISTMAS CARDS. Last year your designs and your purchases helped Arc raise about £2000 and every pound raised has gone to help more members of our community get the help they need.
It is time to get ready for the upcoming season, I need photos, sketches, paintings, any imagery that would make lovely cards. Local images do very well and do images of animals and of course those which depict the Meaning of Christmas ….. so please get creative and get some beautiful entries to me by May 1st 2022. (Artworks will be returned).
The entries will then be judged and we will select 6-8 winners.. the images will then be used for the Arc Christmas Cards and your name will be credited on the cards.
All submissions should be sent to Arc via admin@arcaxminster.org

Axminster Country Market
i everyone , we will be open again tomorrow ( 10th Feb ) . 9-12
Please spread the word to support us , we will have a selection of :-
Home grown produce
Craft
Eggs
Delicious cakes and savouries
Jam
Honey
We will be serving tea and coffee (70p) with a piece of cake ( £1.20 )

News from Membury February 6^th 2022

Week commencing February 7th
Events In Membury

Monday February 7th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday February 8^th
Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Membury Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday February 9th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 10th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 11th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-4pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 12th

Sunday February 13th

Week commencing February 14th
Events In Membury

Monday February 14th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
Village Hall Trustee Meeting in hall at 7pm
Bellringing at Membury Church at 7:30pm

Tuesday February 15th
Moviola: The Courier 7pm for 7:30pm

Wednesday February 16th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 17th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 18th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-3:30pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 19th

Sunday February 20th
Church service in Membury Church: Communion at 11am

 

News from Membury February 4^th 2022

Some of you may have spotted the deliberate error in the date at the top of the message I sent out yesterday. Sorry about that.

Devon County Council Update
Case levels in Devon remain high (1,235 per 100,000 of population) and above the national average (1,069 per 100,000 of population) across all age groups, but especially among young people. Cases are currently highest in the Exeter area. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/308f516

East Devon District Council update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/308e220

Devon and Cornwall Police
Unfortunately, over recent weeks, we have had a number of reports where sheep have been chased and attacked or killed by dogs.
This can be very upsetting for all those involved.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence.
Action could be taken against you and your dog.
Please be a responsible dog owner.
This means knowing where your dog is and managing its behaviour.
If livestock are present – keep it on a lead. (But release if chased by cattle.)
If you see livestock worrying occurring, please report it.
Use 999 if ongoing
otherwise use 101 or 101@dc.police.uk
Thank you. PC Whitting, Rural Affairs Team

Axminster Change for Lyme Regis
One for you railway buffs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnBWRFaajlc

School Newsletter

News from Membury February 3rd 2022

A moan from a responsible dog owner
On behalf of all the responsible dog owners in the village, I am asking if the dog owner who uses bright green poo bags, please take said, filled bag home with them? Please do not expect others to do it for you. Your dog, your responsibility. Thank you.

Membury Parish Council
Councillors are summoned and members of the public are invited to attend the Council Meeting of Membury Parish Council, to be held in the Membury Village Hall on Tuesday 8 th February 2022 at 7:30pm to discuss the following matters:
RDavey, Clerk to the Council

AGENDA

2217. Welcome:
2218. Apologies for Absence:
2219. 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
2220. Minutes: To adopt the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November 2021 and 11th January 2022 as a true record.
2221. County and District Council Reports:
2222. Highways Matters:
2223. Finance:
2224. a) To approve the financial statement for January 2022
2225. b) To review the third quarter budget for 2021/2022
2226. c) To consider grant request from TRIP
2227. d) To consider subscription to Blackdown Hill Parish Network
2228. e) To consider and approve Playing Field Grass Cutting Contract
2229. f) To consider grant application from Membury Merrymakers for £550 towards the cost
      of the production of the Membury Mercury magazine
      g) To approve the following payments:
      Mrs R Davey Clerks’ Salary – November BACS £339.70
      HMRC Clerks’ Tax – November BACS £ 10.00
      JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting Contract – December STO £150.00
      BT Group Broadband – December DD £ 32.40
      Exe-Squared Ltd Website Hosting BACS £144.00
      DALC New Councillors Course – Cllr Lakhani-Robinson BACS £ 48.00
      Membury Village Hall Hall Hire Sep – Dec BACS £ 12.00
      Mrs R Davey Clerks’ Salary – December BACS £339.70
      HMRC Clerks’ Tax – December BACS £ 10.00
      JJJ Wallace Grass Cutting Contract – January STO £150.00
      BT Group Broadband – January DD £ 32.40
      SLCC Training Courses – Clerk BACS £ 27.00
      Mrs R Davey Clerks’ Salary – January BACS £339.70
      HMRC Clerks’ Tax – January BACS £ 10.00
      Mr D Noyes Clerk Advertisement BACS £247.20
      Other payments may arise for payment during the meeting

2224. Planning:

New Applications for consideration: 21/2902/FUL | Caravan Park Farm Membury Axminster Retention of existing agricultural workers mobile home. These amendments relate to additional information relating to proposed landscape planting and finished paint colour of residential unit – plans received by EDDC on 31 January 2022.

Current Application updates: 21/2093/FUL & 21/3101/FUL & 21/3102/FUL|Erection of polytunnel for agricultural storage and livestock housing – Park Farm Membury Axminster EX13 7TB – Approved with conditions.

2225. Bonds Lane:
2226. Playing Field Fence Repairs & Quaker Memorial Ground Maintenance:
2227. Community Shop – Cllr Lakhani-Robinson:
2228. Membury Hill Fort:
2229. CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) monies:
2230. Jubilee Celebrations; Donation to Merrymakers:
2231. Clerking position:
2232. Alex Tasker:
2233. Parish Councillor Reports:
2234. Clerks Report:
2235. Correspondence:
2236. Public Forum:

Date of the Annual Parish meeting: 05.04.2022

Clerk to the Council Vacancy
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, Membury Parish Council
Our present clerk/RFO is resigning in February 2022 due to her other work commitments. As a result, we are recruiting for a new Parish Clerk.
Membury parish council is an active council which holds scheduled meetings 8 times a year and ad hoc meetings when required. The clerk will be required to work from home. The working hours are 7 hrs per week and the salary is in accordance with the NALC pay scales (SCP 7 – 12) depending upon experience.
The person appointed will need excellent computer skills (preferably Word 10) and a good knowledge of accounting procedures as well as an ability to deal with members of the public, an ability to take Minutes and set out and distribute Agendas. The clerk will be expected to deal with various matters relating to the smooth running of the parish council and queries raised by councillors. A CILCA qualification or willingness to undertake this qualification would be advantageous.
The outgoing clerk may be available to assist with a handover and so we are looking to appoint the new clerk in a short timescale.
Applications should be made by email to
clerk@membury.eastdevon.gov.uk addressed to Mr David Noyes, Parish Councillor Membury, attaching an up-to-date CV.
Closing date: Wednesday 9th February 2022.

New Highway Code Rules
I was turning left yesterday at a junction, I stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, and I was loudly hooted, so here is a reminder of what the new rules are from the RAC.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/new-highway-code-rules-what-you-need-to-know/

Water Quality Monitoring
A group of us met yesterday for some on-the-job training in water quality monitoring on the Yarty, up by Longbridge. Vicky and Paul from Chardstock Eco Group demonstrated how to do it, and prevented anyone falling in. You’ll be pleased to hear that at that point the river was in pretty good shape, with few phosphates and low dissolved solids. We’ll be monitoring it at various locations over the coming months.

It’s the All Saints Pantomime
Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is!
Book your tickets for Dick Twittington, 24^th, 25^th, 26^th February
Tickets £6 (£3 under 16) from Barbara Foulkes 01297 35687

News from the skies
Alasdair was wondering if anyone else spotted the Red Kite hanging around the Webble Green, Furley area yesterday afternoon. It spent about half an hour around the house before moving south down the valley. This morning it was perched on a pole in a field below me near the Yarty. What will our buzzards make of this?

New Toddler Group
The new toddler group met at the school on Tuesday. They’ll be meeting again next week – bring your children or grandchildren along!

Jubilee Meeting
We had 20 people at the meeting on Tuesday evening, and several other people got in touch during the day, so all in all it was very encouraging!
We identified events for each of the 4 days, with people volunteering take a role in coordinating on each day.
Watch out for more information soon

Oak Apple Café
Come and visit us at the hall on Friday between 1:30 and 3:30.
The menu this week is:

• Vegan sausage rolls
• Pork sausage rolls
• Roasted tomato and red pepper soup
• Victoria Sponge
• Coffee and walnut cake
• Plum Frangipane Tart

Wordles too easy for you?
Try Nerdles. https://nerdlegame.com/
Does anyone here remember Rambling Syd Rumpo?

Oscar is back
Barry and Pauline write:
Many thanks to all the kind people for their offers of help. GOOD NEWS Oscar has had his operation and is now returned to us. They called him their ‘Star Patient’. We are still isolating but will soon be back to ‘normal’.

News from Membury January 31^st 2022

Any more birds for any more?

2nd Mercury Reminder
Only a few days to go until the copy deadline, this Friday, February 4th, and we’re still waiting for the flood of interesting reports/information about this lovely village.
We’re especially anxious to receive those special family recipes – savoury, sweet, cakes or snacks – under your own name, or a pseudonym, if you prefer. If it comes from another writer, please acknowledge, as Patricia always did. Please send to mbrymcry@gmail.com asap! Looking forward to hearing from you.
The Editorial team.

Jubilee Meeting Reminder
19:00 in the village hall tomorrow. Come along to find out what is being planned, and how you can help. Fancy a street party? I think we all need one! It’s the Chinese New Year, and it’s the year of the Tiger. The Tiger is associated with Bravery, Courage and Strength – come and display your talents at the hall!

Annual Footpath Survey
Our footpath warden is Paul Nicholson and the teams of Membury Trudgers have (or will) be reporting defects on the footpaths and bridleways of the parish to him, for forwarding on to East Devon. If you spot something like a missing sign, bear trap or bottomless pit please let him know paulnicholson1959@me.com
If you have any concerns with Yarcombe paths please contact caroline@landowninginitiatives.co.uk, and for Stockland issues write to amanda.thompkins@stocklandpc.org.uk

Moviola
Membury Moviola are showing “The Courier” on Tuesday 15^th at 19:00 for 19:30 in the village hall. Tickets £6 as usual. This will be the first use of our new projector and speakers. Both the sound quality and the pictures are significantly better than they were last year. This is your Community Cinema – come along and keep it alive!
There will be wine, soft drinks and bottled Otter Bright (£3 for 500ml) to slake your thirst, and delicious Baboo Gelato for the interval.
In the shadow of the Cold War a letter from Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) an agency of the Soviet Union received by MI6 stating the concern of Penkovsky about world safety and his anxiety about a nuclear war, So Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) a CIA Agent reached out to MI6 Agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright), who recruited British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) to be their spy.
This film is based on a true story.

What’s on at the Beehive
From our Stockland and Honiton Correspondent:
Coming up this Saturday 5th Feb at the Beehive a really fab tribute act- ‘The Sound of Springsteen’
I’m a bit snooty about tributes but this band come very highly recommended and if you listen to them on the box office link I think you’ll agree that they sound very much like the real deal!
With an absolute passion for the work of ‘The Boss’, this 8 piece tribute band     ‘The Sound Of Springsteen’ bring their experience of years of live performance and recording to rock you with Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits. Including songs like Born In The USA, Glory Days, Streets of Philadelphia and many more, this is a fantastic, faithful homage to Springsteen.
Oh yeah ’Tramps like us Wendy we were born to run!’-See you there!

Link with full details and to book. https://thebeehive.savoysystems.co.uk/TheBeehive.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_1529.TcsWebTab_3773.TcsProgramme_709567

Also just to give you the heads up we have the new West Side Story (12A) starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose and Rita Moreno on Sat 12th Feb.
At 4pm there is a socially distanced screening and then a regular show at 7.30pm.
A new adaptation of the beloved stage musical (and a loving tribute to its 1961 big-screen iteration) from director Steven Spielberg and Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter Tony Kushner, West Side Story follows two teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds who fall in love in 1950s New York City. As their romance intensifies, they find themselves drawn into the heart of a conflict between two warring gangs.
Mr. Spielberg did not waste his time-or ours. The new West Side Story is simply fabulous. – Observer
Tickets: Adults £7.50, U16 £6.50

Six Nations Rugby at the Kings Arms
We are pleased to say that the Six Nations rugby will be shown on the big tv in the skittle alley – the first match is this Saturday, 5th Feb at 2.15pm.
Also, live music on Sunday afternoons continues… 3-5pm.

News from Membury January 30^th 2022

And the results are trickling in …

 

	Goddards	Rock Farm	Haccombe
Blackbird	2	2	6
Blue tit	2	2	4
Bullfinch		1	1
Chaffinch	4	1	5
Coal tit	2	1	1
Collared dove			2
Crow		2
Dunnock	1	4
Goldfinch	4	1	12
Great tit	4	3	1
Greenfinch			5
Grey wagtail	1
Gt Spotted Woodpecker		1	1
House sparrow		1	6
Long tailed tit	2	1	2
Magpie	2
Marsh tit	1
Nuthatch	1	1	1
Pheasant	1	1
Pied wagtail	1
Robin	1	2	1
Siskin			2
Song thrush		1
Song thrush	1
Stock dove		1
Tree creeper			1
Wood pigeon	1	1	4
Wren	1

Jubilee Meeting
Please don’t forget that there’ll be a meeting in the village hall on Tuesday at 7pm to plan activities celebrating the Jubilee at the beginning of June. All ideas welcome, all people welcome!

Suthering
If you came to the “From Devon With Love” festival in September you will have heard Suthering (Julu and Heg) sing for us, and it was stunning. They are releasing their first album “If We Turn Away” on February 25^th, but if you visit https://suthering.bandcamp.com/album/if-we-turn-away you can you can listen to a couple of the tracks immediately. Beautiful close harmony folk singing

V.C.C.R. rally – another perspective
Barbara and Duncan Mackinder write:
Since we have lived here, the rally has gone right past our house most years and we have never had any problem with it. We always receive written notice and don’t find it intrusive, one household member having slept through several of the rallies. Three years ago, we were driving home late at night and met some rally cars en route, each of which pulled out of our way without hesitation, to let us pass.

What’s on in Membury
Week commencing January 31^st

Monday January 31^st
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
MerryMakers Committee Meeting at 7pm in Village Hall

Tuesday February 1^st
NEW! Toddler Group at Membury School at 11am
Queens Jubilee Celebration: everyone is invited to a Planning Meeting at 7pm in Village Hall. We welcome your views on how we should celebrate.

Wednesday February 2^nd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 3^rd
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 4^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-4pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 5^th

Sunday February 6^th
Church service in Membury Church at 11am

Week commencing February 7^th

Monday February 7^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am

Tuesday February 8^th
Membury Parish Council Meeting in the Village Hall at 7:30pm

Wednesday February 9^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 10^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 11^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-4pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 12^th

Sunday February 13^th

News from Membury January 28^th 2022

Membury Castle
Further update on Castle trees from Tree Wardens:
Upon receipt of letters from constituents, MP Neil Parish has written to Historic England querying the lack of community consultation in the planning of the work at the Hill Fort and asking for survey evidence that shows there will be no increased risk of flooding in the valley below.
Additional information about the site meeting on Weds 26th. The Tree Wardens were informed that all the scrub would be cleared and then treated with Glyphosate. The Hollies and Birch trees being felled (up-to 150, no more than 30% of the total canopy) were to be chopped at the base and then treated with a chemical to ensure they did not re-grow. If anyone walks up the paths in the next week or so they will see yellow dots on trees to be felled and red dots on trees to be saved for habitats. The site would be cleared to ensure no new trees would seed, so that as the remaining mature oaks etc died with time, Historic England would achieve the long term aim of restoring a tree-less, grassed hill top as seen on ancient plans.
Up to 35 Trees on the sloping northern tree lined old hedge boundary below the Castle will be chopped or coppiced, the hedge bank rebuilt and hedging saplings planted.

Pews News Plus
We are delighted to let you know that the AVMC Team Service from Uplyme will be livestreamed so even if you can’t make it in person you can still join us in worship.
Please use the link below to access.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCclQWLSAS49TN4ACnJTeFIQ
Louise Collard, AVMC Team Administrator 01297 441986

School Newsletter

Big Garden Birdwatch
It’s the start of the Big Garden Bird Watch today! Join the RSPB and thousands of nature enthusiasts as they help monitor how our birds are faring. Whether you have a balcony, garden or local park, everyone can take part!
Here’s a useful guide to our most common birds

Devon County Council Update
Case rates in Devon, already very high, (1,008 per 100,000 of population) are starting to rise again, and are similar to the national average (1,004 per 100,000). Case rates are highest and increasing most rapidly among young people aged 0 to 19, and are also increasing in those aged between 30 and 50. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/307f81b

East Devon District Council Residents Update
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/3073faa

Devon and Cornwall Police
There has been a theft of a number of catalytic converters from vehicles on a garage forecourt in Honiton overnight on Tuesday 25 January 2022 – CR/007385/22.
Police are asking residents and businesses to review their security in relation to their vehicles and to report any suspicious activity to police, particularly around vehicles and industrial estates late at night.
Please phone 999 if you believe a crime is taking place, anyone with information is asked to please email 101@dc.police.uk or phone 101.

Forde Abbey Snowdrop Weekends
It’s the season for rosy cheeks, misty mornings and frosted beauty. The snowdrops are a few weeks behind but starting to make an appearance, so why not beat the Winter blues and come explore the gardens on the weekends in February.

Alternatively, you could just wander round Membury in a week or two – I think we must have half the world’s stock of snowdrops on our doorsteps.

Axminster Medical Practice
Don’t forget that pill and tablet blister packs can be recycled via the medical practice.
Old inhalers should be handed to reception, and unused medicines taken to the dispensary.

Missed out on the latest internet thing?
Have you been having a go at the daily wordle puzzle? If you’ve been enjoying them, but have only just caught on, you can find all the old ones at the wordle archive here:
https://www.devangthakkar.com/wordle_archive/?222
I managed the wordle today in 4 – which is about my average.

News from Membury January 26^th 2022

 

Membury Castle
David Noyes writes:
As agreed at the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting, a follow up site meeting was held up on the castle this morning. Present were representatives from Historic England, Blackdown Hills Area of Natural Beauty and Ecologic Consultants as well as Jan Lazar and Helen Neill in their capacity as Tree Wardens and Patrick White and David Noyes. The Tree Wardens had also invited Michael Davis, a local chartered landscape architect, to attend. The project team made clear that though this was not a formal consultation, they had listened to the concerns raised at the EPCM and had reviewed how many trees would need to be cut down to remove the site from Historic England’s Sites at Risk Register. As a result, they said that they had reduced the requirement from 200 trees as set out in the felling licence to less than 150. The project team emphasised that they would seek to strike the right balance between doing enough work to preserve the archaeological monument as well as being mindful of the ecology and landscape of the site. There was some discussion around other examples of this approach such as Woodbury and Hembury castles.

The site was then walked. It was confirmed that all the large trees, in particular the oaks, will be retained. Any ash trees that are showing signs of dieback will be removed. The remaining trees that will be removed will be some but not all of the smaller species trees, such as holly, birch and hawthorn. It was confirmed that some log piles will be left on site. Discussion then moved to the restoration of the hedge to the north of the site. Here it was confirmed that initially some of the existing trees will be coppiced, again ash trees showing signs of dieback will be removed and the existing bank will be built up. This work will take place this spring. The bank will then be allowed to settle. In the autumn, the hedge will be planted with 600 saplings. Work will start, weather allowing, in the middle of February.

The Eagle has Landed!
If you were watching Winter Watch on BBC2 today you will have been aware that in North Norfolk Michaela Strachan was excited to see a white-tailed eagle. This was “our” eagle – that spent considerable time here and in Yarcombe over last winter. He left us and headed to Norfolk where he lingered before heading off to Scotland for a few months. He’s now gone back to Norfolk and was filmed there earlier today.

Big Garden Bird Watch
The Big Garden Birdwatch takes place at the weekend
In 2021, more than one million people took part in Big Garden Birdwatch, all coming together to look out for birds. Why not join in and be one in a million for 2022?

Shockingly, we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years, so it really is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife.
Taking part is as easy as 1,2,3
1. Watch the birds around you for one hour
2. Count how many of each species of bird lands on your patch
3. Go online and tell us what you saw
Sign up here to find out more and to take part. https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/birdwatch-take-part/
Last year along with submitting results of your count online, many people sent them to me for publication – and we had a good number of species recorded in the parish. I’d be delighted if you’d like to do this again this year, and I’ll collate the results.

River Quality Monitoring
A small group of locals along with people from Chardstock and Stockland attended a meeting this afternoon to discuss water quality monitoring in the Yarty, the Kit and the Corry. If anyone else is interested in volunteering to help survey for nitrates, phosphates and invertebrates please let me know.

Highway Code
Just a reminder that the Highway Code is changing on 29 January. You can rad all about it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

Sustainable Stockland
Just a quick note to invite you along to the next meet-up of our Sustainable Stockland environment group – next Tuesday, 1st Feb at 7pm in the Kings Room at the Kings Arms, Stockland.  Hopefully those of you who came to our December get together will have had a chance to consider some of the ideas we discussed as it would be great to decide as a group whether there is any appetite for choosing one or two projects for the group to aim for in 2022.
We even have a little agenda 🙂

• Stockland Great Castle tree felling plans
  Ken Pearson, Clerk to the Parish Council has asked us to take a look at the upcoming plans to fell an area of woodland around the listed archaeological site of Stockland Great Castle. I’ll bring along the info and we can have a quick chat. Also to discuss the same works planned for Membury Castle. …and a small related matter of the Parish Council being keen to find a new Tree Warden… any takers?
• Local River Quality Monitoring
  I’m delighted to say that Vicky Whitworth from Chardstock Eco Group will be joining us to talk about her experiences of running the Chardstock village environment group, and in particular, how she is involved in river quality monitoring on the River Kit – she’ll be bringing along her testing kit and telling us what’s involved. There are a few sites on the Yarty and the Corry Brook that need cover and I’m keen to give it a go – training and kit is provided. Would anyone else like to volunteer with me?
• (At least) Two for 2022!
  Looking at our fabulous list of ideas from last meeting, what does the group want to focus on for 2022? Perhaps one or two ‘easy win’ projects that might be easy to implement, plus a more chunky, ambitious project to get our teeth stuck into.  Grateful for your thoughts, bring your ideas…
  Best wishes, Claire Holgate

Fudge!
Lucy Pearse – who brought Father Christmas to Membury – makes fudge.
Her fortnightly fudge sale is now live this evening and she can deliver locally.
Tonight’s fudge

• Millionaire trays over 1kg of fudge £10.
• Bars of fudge are £2.50 min 100g
• Raspberry ripple
• Bubblegum
• Cream tea
• Trifle
• Salted caramel
• Crunchie rocks
• Lotus biscoff
• Vanilla

Please join the group to see availability.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2411678215822957/?ref=share_group_link

News from Membury January 25th 2022

 

Oak Apple Café
The café will be serving from 13:30 to 15:30
The menu for this week is:

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Sausage rolls
• Mediterranean cheese scones
• Coconut, lime and cardamom cake
• Orange and gooseberry traybake
• Shortbread

Membury Mercury Advertiser
There’s a new advertiser who wasn’t included in the list of advertisers I sent out the other day. Mark lives at Longbridge – so he’s not far away if you need him!

Membury Local History Society

Mercury Reminder
There’s now less than a fortnight until the copy deadline for the Spring issue of the Mercury. Regular contributors have already been sent their regular reminder, but we welcome contributions from other readers, too.
We’re looking especially for recipes, this time. As you will know, Patricia Bruzon, fount of all culinary knowledge, no longer lives in Membury, so we are relying on all the other cooks out there – we have heard of your expertise!– to share their knowledge. Your recipe can be for sweet or savoury dishes, cakes or snacks, and if there is a story to share with them, so much the better, though not at all obligatory. If you are shy of publishing under your own name, we’re happy to accept a pseudonym. As we always say, this is your magazine and we rely on your input. Articles, as always to the Mercury e-mail: mbrymcry@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Editorial team

Wanted!
Cotton material – red, white or blue in plain or pattern, suitable for the Arts and Craft group to make into bunting for the celebrations. Please bring to the hall on a Thursday afternoon or hand to any member of our group.  Thank you.

Car Rally Petition
I posted a message about a car rally that took place a week and a half ago, although I believe that not much of Membury was affected directly. Stockland had a much worse time, and this entry is reproduced for their treemail.

STOCKLAND PARISH V.C.R.R. NAVIGATIONAL CAR RALLY  15th-16th January 2022 (2 hour projected time slot)

A  V.C.R.R. Rally was held in the Parish from 15th-16th January 2022 (23.20 – 0.100). The organisers stated the Rally would run from 23.20 –  01.00 hours. The Rally did not finish until 2.15 a.m. Residual heavy traffic was still leaving the Parish at 4.00a.m. 55 motors took part in the Rally covering 150 miles around the single circuit. Simple mathematics would demonstrate that the time slot of 2 hours was insufficient. Whilst the rally was permitted by Section 13 of the Road Traffic Act (1988) the rationale for holding it in the Stockland Parish seems unjustifiable on the following grounds:

• disregard of the AONB status;
• excessive continuous noise;
• emissions pollution;
• continuous intrusive rally lights;
• household disruption;
• lack of notification;
• lack of safety awareness – no signage;
• current state of the Parish roads/damage assessment/payment;
• endangering wildlife at night;
• disturbing farm stock;
• possible blocking of any emergency services arising (local housing need);
• finally – what are the benefits to the Parish of any such event?

A Petition objecting to the Rally with the above concerns listed is circulating in the Parish. If you feel affected by the above please support it with your signatures.
Many thanks,
Barbara Dunkley 01404 881692/Gill Metcalfe 01404 881204

New Toddler Group
Membury Primary Academy would like to invite parents and toddlers to a Toddler Group next Tuesday 1st February  from 11am-12pm. This session will have a Chinese New Year theme! We hope to make this a regular session and we would love to meet our local toddlers and parents. If you would like any further details, or have questions, please call the office on 01404 881491 or email memburyoffice@acornacademy.org
Thank you, Miss Wickens

Axminster Printing Special Offers

A happy new year from the Membury Mercury – distributed free to every household in Membury.

News from Membury January 23^rd 2022

 

Starlings
Small murmurations of starlings have been seen in Membury several times over the last week just as dusk is falling – up to 100 birds or thereabouts. I haven’t managed to spot exactly where they are roosting, but they can be seen from the road just north of the village hall.

Axminster Community Shed
A warm welcome to our Shed
A place where men and women with a bit of time to spare can chat, connect and create. Sheds are popular right across the UK as a haven where you can meet like-minded people and make new friends while also using your skills to help your community. You can also learn new stuff and, most importantly, go home feeling content. Go on – give us a try!

Axminster Guildhall
The Axminster Guildhall is looking for a team of Front of House Volunteers to help us with all the shows and events that are coming this year. If interested please contact info@axminster-guildhall.co.uk

Axminster Guildhall Again
Don’t forget: Next week is Comedy Week at The Axminster Guildhall.
Come and join the fun on Tuesday January 25^th at 7:30pm
We are launching our new Monthly Comedy Night, Giggle at the Guildhall, featuring comedians Tom Glover, Christian Russell-Pollock and Suzy Bennett. Tickets are very limited, but some are still available at £7 for the evening or £15 for January, February and March. Also, we have now just released tickets for April, May and June – still at £7 or £15 for all three!

Learning to Read
From Ruth Foster:
Are you a Repair Shop fan? Jay Blades, the programme’s celebrity furniture restorer, is in the news this week. He’s been talking about how he used to be one of the UK’s 7 million adults who struggle to read.
In our area we are lucky to have a local branch of Read Easy, the national charity that helps adults with poor literacy skills. Read Easy provides free, one to one coaching, so that adults who missed out at school can learn at their own pace without embarrassment or pressure.
If you know anyone locally who would benefit from Read Easy’s help, they or you can call Sheila: 01297 552 847 or email Sheila@readeasy.org.uk – or see https://readeasy.org.uk/groups/axminsterseaton/
and you can watch Jay Blades on: Learning to Read at 51 on Wednesday 26th January at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Devon Wildlife Trust
It is with sadness that once again we are asking for your help to challenge the Government’s decision to permit the use of the banned pesticide thiamethoxam on sugar beet crops for the second year in a row.
A single teaspoon is toxic enough to kill 1.25 billion bees.
Neonicotinoids were banned for agricultural use in the UK and the EU in 2018 due to their devastating impact on bees. Even minute traces of these toxic chemicals in crop pollen or wildflowers play havoc with bees’ ability to forage and navigate, with catastrophic consequences for the survival of their colony.
The successful application by British Sugar to use the banned pesticide was granted despite the Government’s own advisors recommending against its approval.
While we challenge the Government on its decision, we need you to raise questions about this decision with your MP.
We believe that farmers should be given support to adopt more sustainable farming practices and reduce their reliance on toxic pesticides. The Government needs to support our farmers to do this and uphold its own ban on neonicotinoids. Granting ’emergency’ use year after year is a very poor and short-sighted solution to a problem that is not going away.  It is a decision that is bad for nature, bad for people and, in the long run, bad for farming.

Please stand up for nature by tweeting or emailing your MP.

What’s on in Membury?

Week commencing January 24^th
Please wear a mask in the Village Hall, although from Thursday this is optional.

Monday January 24^th
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am

Tuesday January 25th

Wednesday January 26^th
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday January 27^th
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday January 28^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3PM
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-4pm

Saturday January 29^th

Sunday January 30^th
Church service at Uplyme Church at 10:30am

Week commencing January 31^st

Monday January 31^st
Yoga in the Village Hall at 9:45am
MerryMakers Committee Meeting at 7pm in Village Hall

Tuesday February 1^st
Queens Jubilee Celebration: everyone is invited to a Planning Meeting at 7pm in Village Hall. We welcome your views on how we should celebrate.

Wednesday February 2^nd
Short Mat Bowls in the Village Hall at 7pm

Thursday February 3^rd
Arts and Crafts in the Village Hall 2pm
Badminton in the Village Hall 6:30pm

Friday February 4^th
Post Office in the Village Hall 1-3pm
Oak Apple Café in the Village Hall 1:30-4pm
S4YH in the Village Hall at 6pm

Saturday February 5^th

Sunday February 6^th
Church service in Membury Church at 11am

 

News from Membury January 21st 2022

 

Oak Apple Café
Great turn out for the café today, and all the food went! Same time next week?

Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting
Once again, thank you to the 22 members of the parish who attended this meeting on January 11^th regarding work that is due to be undertaken at the castle. The minutes of the zoom meeting are available to view here:
http://www.memburypc.org.uk/images/Minutes/MPC_Minutes_11.01.2022_draft.pdf

Village Hall News
Please be aware that providing the weather is favourable there will be a drone in the air above the Village Hall on Sunday morning about 11.00 checking the condition of and taking photos of the Hall roof and immediate surroundings. No other properties will be photographed.

Gigabit Internet Rollout
The Public Accounts Committee today reports it is not convinced the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will meet even its downgraded targets for the increasingly critical rollout of super-fast, “gigabit” broadband, and is relying too heavily on commercial contractors for the progress that has been made. You can read all the documents relating to this here https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1520/dcms-recall-broadband/publications/
The Blackdown Hills Parish Network (of which Membury is a member) submitted evidence to this committee which you can find using the link above.

East Devon District Council Update
Celebrating 6,000,000 recycling and waste collections
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKEDDC/bulletins/30638ed

Devon County Council Update
Fresh appeal to the “not yet boosted” as cases of COVID-19 reach their highest level  since the pandemic began
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/306aef9

The Moon
The Museum of the Moon will be visiting Exeter Cathedral during February. Visit – https://my-moon.org. Tickets available (£5 adult) for allocated days & times give entry to the cathedral and the artwork.

Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
Over its lifetime, the Museum of the Moon will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors, so altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.
The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Each venue also programmes their own series lunar inspired events beneath the moon.

Bird Notes from Tony Marsh
For the first time this year, I hear the distinctive rattle from a mistle thrush, confident and bold, on an exposed perch high in an ash tree. For me, it is the first day of spring.  The nearby field is apparently devoid of interest until, in the distance, subtle movements become visible. They resolve into a scattered flock of winter thrushes, mainly fieldfares. When upright, their dark backs, chestnut below and grey above are revealed.  As I approach they take off and scatter into a nearby oak tree, accompanied by raucous chatter. Back home in the garden as the sun breaks through, a song thrush sits motionless on the edge of the grass, listening for signs of edible life in the leaf litter.

School Newsletter
 

News from Membury January 20^th 2022

 

Oak Apple Café
Don’t forget that the café will be open tomorrow between 1:30 and 3:30

100 Club – and the results are in!
Winners of the fist draw of 2022 are:

44 – Kevin and Sarah Sadler £30

89 – Suzie McFadzean £10

72 – Richard and Molly Barrell £10

David Neill will deliver prize money to the lucky winners within the next few days.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2022
There is still time to register to watch the UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day, which will be streamed online on Thursday 27 January at 7pm
We’re delighted to announce that Sandi Toksvig OBE is narrating the UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day this year. Sandi is well known as a broadcaster on TV and radio and as a writer of books and theatre. Sandi’s family have a personal connection to the Holocaust as they hid Jewish people from the Nazis during the war.
Over the next week we will be announcing more special guests who will appear in the Ceremony, including actors, sports people and faith leaders. Their contributions will sit alongside the powerful testimony of Holocaust and genocide survivors. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to find out more.
Register for the Ceremony
At 8pm, get ready to Light the Darkness with us. Households across the UK will be lighting candles and safely putting them in their windows to:

• remember those who were murdered for who they were
• stand against prejudice and hatred today

Light a candle and put it in your window at 8pm on 27 January 2022 (if you are able to do so safely).

Devon County Council Update
The Director of Public Health Devon advises caution in response to PM’s statement
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKDEVONCC/bulletins/306af47

Axminster SAVE Food Hub

News from Membury January 19^th 2022

Oak Apple Café
Jenny and Mike Beaman, and Rose Shepherd are looking forward to welcoming you to the Oak Apple Café on Friday 21^st between 1:390pm and 3:30pm.
On offer there’ll be:

• Carrot and Coriander Soup with Homemade Bread
• Sausage Rolls
• Stilton and Leek Flan
• Ginger Biscuits
• Coffee and Walnut Cake

Be careful, observe the rules, but come along and enjoy yourself. Don’t forget that the library van will be along too

More Roadworks
7-11 February 2022
Long Bridge Cross to Cott Cross
The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via – Long Bridge Cross, Webble Green Cross, Cott Cross and vice versa
This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable drainage works
(It’s actually the section between Lake Farm and the old Longbridge Inn.

A message from the Government
The government has today announced that England will fully return to Plan A on Thursday 27 January thanks to the success of the booster programme, with ministers urging anyone who has still not had a top-up jab to come forward and Get Boosted Now.
From today people will no longer be advised to work from home, and secondary school pupils will no longer be required to wear masks in classrooms.
From next Thursday mandatory face coverings in public places and Covid passes will both be dropped – but people are still advised to wear masks in enclosed or crowded spaces and when meeting strangers.

Heat Devon
There is funding to help tenants and owner occupiers reduce their energy demand.
In East Devon there have only been 24 applications so far, potentially they could fund over 100.
This fund provides up to £10,000 for owner occupiers houses and up to £5000 of energy efficiency improvements for private /social tenants with a landlord contribution (1/3rd)
The scheme must be applied for by end of March.
The scheme will fund things like

• Cavity wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Solar pv
• Under floor insulation

You must have an income of less than £30,000 per household or be on certain specified benefits such as pension credit AND the property must have an EPC score of D or below.
You apply direct at www.heatdevon.co.uk
They will walk you through the process. Each household will receive tailored support from a dedicated retrofit coordinator who will oversee the work of selected tradespeople ensuring it all meets standards.

News from Membury January 18^th 2022

 

A Tribute to Alex Tasker from Sandra Little

My friendship with Alex and Marie began soon after they moved into Haddon Fields and has grown stronger over the years.
From the fierce, but friendly, rivalry over growing vegetables to many soggy hours spent clearing and rodding blocked drains to prevent flooding we enjoyed each other’s company. Alex was a leading light when the village plan was drawn up and for several years he was a tireless Parish Councillor.
In later years we enjoyed exercising our dogs followed by a quiet drink and chat in the garden.
Sadly, Alex’s health began to fail and the difficult decision was made to move closer to their family in Wimborne. They spent a happy and quiet year there before Alex’s health deteriorated and he passed peacefully away on Monday 17^th January at home with Marie and his family around him. Alex is now at peace and my thoughts and prayers are with Marie and all the Tasker family

100 Club- you have to be inittowinit!
The first draw of 2022 will take place this Thursday so it’s still not too late to buy your tickets. Please purchase by BACS, the account is MEMBURY MERRYMAKERS sort code 30-90-37 account number 01560859 or pay by cash to David Neill at Hope Cottage ( just behind the Village Hall.)

A big THANK YOU to those who have already bought their tickets and good luck on Thursday!

Free Tree Hubs
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.
Do your bit by collecting a free tree to plant in your garden.
You will be able to collect between 1-5 free trees along with protection and a free planting and aftercare guide. The trees will all be cell grown UK broadleaf species such as crab apple, wild cherry, rowan and birch. They will be 2-3 years old and so around 20-60cm in height and will need to be planted within a few days of collection.
Saving Devon’s Treescapes is led by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. It’s a partnership project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as other funders. Read more about the project and find other ways to get involved here.
5^th February, Awliscombe Village Car Park, Awliscombe, Honiton EX14 3PJ
23^rd February, Kings Garden Centre, Stowford, Sidmouth, EX10 0NA

Jurassic Blue
If you enjoyed Jurassic Blue who played for us in November at the Village hall while we feasted on fish and chips you might like to know that they are playing at the Waffle House in Axminster on January 28^th. If you missed them in November try to catch them at their Axminster gig – they were great!

Jubilee
We’ve had a few ideas, and Sue Nicholson plans to put a list of possibilities up in the village hall for people to comment on, but if you want to email more suggestions please do! We are hoping to have an open meeting in a month or so to help formulate a plan. Watch this space!

Stockland Road Closure
THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (ROAD FROM CRANDONS CROSS TO GAMMONS HILL, STOCKLAND, MEMBURY, DALWOOD, KILMINGTON) (NO. 2) NOTICE 2022
TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC & PARKING
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that:
From THURSDAY 27th JANUARY 2022
Until FRIDAY 4 MARCH 2022 (approx)
No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed or wait on the sections of Affected Roads.
ROAD FROM CRANDONS CROSS TO GAMMONS HILL, STOCKLAND, MEMBURY, DALWOOD, KILMINGTON
The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via – A35, OLD TAUNTON ROAD

News from Membury January 17^th 2022 Special Jubilee edition

Your Queen needs you!

In June this year there will be national and local events to celebrate the platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Thursday 2^nd and Friday 3^rd June will both be bank holidays, and this also coincides with half term.

At the diamond jubilee celebrations in 2012 Membury had a number of village events including a street party and fireworks.

How would you like Membury to celebrate in 2022?

We are looking for your ideas, and also your support in organising events.

Please respond ASAP by email to suenicholson1960@me.com (secretary of the MerryMakers).

We may want to coordinate with these national events.

Thursday June 2nd
The Queen’s Birthday Parade will take place (Trooping the Colour).
1500 Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit throughout the UK.

Friday June 3rd
Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral

Saturday 4th June
Derby at Epsom Downs
Platinum Party at the Palace – special live concert

Sunday 5th June
The Big Jubilee Lunch – people are being invited to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours- street parties, picnics, etc
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant- street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume (likely to be broadcast on TV but no information on this yet).

We may also like to be involved in the Queens Green Canopy, and any keen bakers may like to enter the Platinum Pudding Competition – or maybe we host our own!

Information on all national events can be found at royal.uk or platinumjubilee.gov.uk