january 2007 vol. 38 no. 1 40pmerry christmas. here’s wishing you a happy and healthy new year. we...

JANUARY 2007 Vol. 38 No. 1 40p

FOCUS MAGAZINE INFORMATION

Chairman John Carter, Rewe. Tel. (01392) 841237Vice Chairman Beryl Grace, Moss Bank, School Lane, Thorverton.Secretary Jane Lane, Stable House, 2 The Glebe, Thorverton. Tel. (01392) 861062Treasurer Barbara Uglow, 14 Cleaves Close, Thorverton. Tel. (01392) 860614Editor Nevil le Lane, Stable House, 2 The Glebe, Thorverton. Tel. (01392) 861062 Email. [email protected] editors Chris Cousins & Rob PurvisCartoonist John MorrishPrinters Barrie Phill ips & Peter MasonFocus deliveries John Carter, Rewe. Tel. (01392) 841237Committee members Nominated by local organisations.At the present time Focus is produced each month except one (usually August) and is assembled byvolunteers on the last working day of the month. In 2006 there will be no September edition, so thisAugust edition will cover both months.

The Editor welcomes interesting news items, reports etc. for publication. Items for inclusion in Focusshould be accompanied by the name of the originator, which may be withheld from print if requested.

Important note for contributorsItems for publication, adverts, changes to adverts, Diary entries, changes to Thorverton Informationlists should be sent to the Editor, preferably as plain text in an email, or as a Word doc file or a pdf fileemail attachment (to [email protected]) normally by the 20th day of the month prior topublication.Computer file formats: We prefer plain text files, .DOC files, .RTF files and .WPS files because ourproduction team have software that can read such files. BMP and JPEG files are preferred foradvertisements and pictures.Photographs: colour photographs, without too much dark shadow, can be printed in black/white shades(enlarged or reduced) to a reasonably fair standard.

Poster Type Advertisements: maximum size is half an A4 page.

Text for advertisements should be prepared as near as possible to how it is intended to appear.Pictures must be supplied as required on the advertisement.

COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTSMaximum dimensions COST per ENTRY FULL YEAR (11 entries)

Half page 18.2 cm x 12.2 cm £4.00 £40.00Quarter page 8.5 cm x 12.2 cm £2.00 £20.00One-eighth page 8.5 cm x 5.8 cm £1.00 £10.00

LOCAL ORGANISATION and CHARITIES ADVERTISEMENTSCOST per ENTRY

Half page £3.00Quarter or one-eighth page free of charge(It may be possible to reduce A4 size adverts to 1/4 or 1/8 page depending on the size of text.)

Front cover TADS Pantomime Notice

The opinions and views expressed by contributors within the magazine are not necessaril y those of Focusproducers and the Focus Committee.

Focus on Thorverton 1 Vol. 38 No. 1 – January 2007

Editorial

This editorial had been going to start with a lookback on the happenings of the past year and athank you to all those who have contributed toFocus in 2006. Sadly though, just as we go toprint, this is marred by the very sad news thatour cartoonist, John Morrish, has just died. Johnlived all of his 70 years in Thorverton - in thesame house I believe. He attended the vil lageschool and then Tiverton School before workingat Westbrick and later as postman in the vil lage.Since his retirement John spent time gardening,painting and walking his dogs and, of course, inproviding cartoons for Focus. He was a quiet,unassuming man with a sharp sense of humour,very alert to what was going on in the villageand able to see the funny side of things. Johnwas a very talented yet modest man. He will besorely missed. I will i nclude a fuller appreciationin February's Focus.I don't normally thank contributors through myeditorials, but want to do so this month as it isthe regular contributors who give Focus itsbackbone. At the risk of leaving someone out, Iwould like to thank Douglas Dettmer, MauriceHarrison, Phyllis Langdon, Doreen Beer, IanStoyle, Jean and John White, Sylvia Gregory,David Harlow, Simon Ette and Shirley Hoole,Barrie Phill ips, Heather Kershaw, Rob Purvis,Jenny Garne, Jane Lane, Pat Brooks ("PB") andAll ison Toogood . That is a pretty lengthy list ofregular contributors.This may look like just another sleepy Devonvil lage, but behind the sleepy exterior there isplenty of activity (as the above list suggests).Browsing through some back issues of Focus,the covers reminded me of some of thehappenings in the vil lage from the Cheeky Boyson January's cover, the Dairy's impendingclosure on March's, the Arts Festival on May's,the Country Show on June's and July's, MorrisDancers on October's and Not the Village Shopon December's. I get the impression that there isplenty to come. Certainly there are some bigissues facing the vil lage, in particular whetherwe will have further housing and whether there

will be a shop and post off ice. There is a lot ofuncertainty at the moment, but as I have said inprevious editions, I am confident that the spirit isthere for the village to find answers to the issuesfacing us. All the very best for 2007.

Nevill e Lane Editor

In this FocusLetters ..............................................................1

Thorverton Parish Council ................................3

Thorverton Memorial Hall News.......................4

Notice Board.....................................................5

The Raddon Team Ministry ..............................8

Baptist Church News......................................10

TARTS news..................................................12

South West Early Music Forum......................12

Thorverton WI ................................................13

Letter from South Africa 1887........................14

Golf Society Players of Thorverton.................15

Poetry ............................................................16

25 Years ago...................................................17

Thorverton and District History Society..........18

Pets’ Corner....................................................18

Sudoku ...........................................................19

The Infinite Cat Project...................................19

Glimpses Of The Past: 1848............................20

Nature Notes...................................................22

A Holiday Find! ..............................................22

The Good Old Days........................................23

Crossword ......................................................24

Thorverton Parish Information........................25

Thorverton Organisations................................26

Bus services....................................................27

Diary 2007......................................................28

Doctors’ Surgeries..........................................29

Letters


From Peter and Meryl Woollacott, ChardCottage

We would like to take this opportunity to thankeveryone for their cards and hope you all had aMerry Christmas. Here’s wishing you a Happyand Healthy New Year.

We didn’ t send cards this year and in memory of‘Woody’ have made a donation to a Guide Dogscharity instead.

Best wishes from Peter and Meryl.

From Rob Purvis, Campion Cottage

I recently emailed Mid Devon CommunityRecycling Limited to ask them why they onlyaccept plastic milk bottles in the recycling wastecollection, when there is obviously so much elsemade of plastic that just ends up in the "normal"rubbish collection. I was particularly interestedin finding out if it was just milk bottles that theyhad a liking for, or whether it was the "PEHD"plastic of which they are made that they wantedto collect. I have noticed that other plastic bottlesaround the house have the same PEHD (orHDPE - the same stuff) recycle label, andwondered if they would collect them too. Ireceived this reply, which their General Managerhas given us permission to publish:

Dear Mr Purvis, Thank you for your email.Plastic bottles come in two main types of

plastic: PET (which is clear bottles) andHDPE (which is most other types of bottles).Unfortunately we don't have room on ourlorries to collect them all and until we canafford to substantially re-design all our fleetthat is not likely to change. When calculatingthe type needed to fill the space available wedecided that collecting just milk bottleswould give us the right volume and this hasproved to be the case. So I'm afraid ourdecision is based on nothing more technicalthan that. We are actively trying to seek away of collecting other sorts of plastic bottlesand have looked at on-vehicle compactorsand also at shredders but nothing has yetproved to be a workable solution. We will letyou know as soon as we are able to collectthem but we don't expect it to be in the short-term future. However, you may be unawarethat we are now able to recycle dry cellbatteries so if you put those in a little plasticbag and put them in your recycling box wewill take those. Yours sincerely,

K J Orchard General Manager

So, since we don't seem to leave out manyplastic milk bottles, I think we will add ourempty shampoo, washing-up liquid and liquidsoap bottles to the recycling collection (as longas they are HDPE or PEHD - High DensityPolyethylene). Also, any used up dry cellbatteries can now go for recycling.


Thorverton Parish CouncilReport of the December 2006 meetingof the Parish Council

AFFORDABLE HOUSINGThe recent drop-in session at the Memorial Hall was well attended and the information will be used toshow the need for affordable housing in the vil lage. At the Public Session prior to the Parish Councilmeeting, Dame Margaret Turner-Warwick, acting as an independent facilitator, reported that manyconsultations have recently taken place with the Church Commissioners and their agents, Cluttons,regarding a possible way forward. This would involve a combined ‘package’ including a linkeddevelopment of open market and affordable housing in addition to a shop/post off ice. During the meetingthe Parish Council voted to support such a development in principle.

VILLAGE SHOPGraham Matthews of Thorverton Rural Services Association (TRSA) also attended the Public SessionPrior to the Parish Council meeting. He updated the Council on the recent activities of the Association.Since it has not been possible to acquire a property that could be converted to a shop, the Association isnow looking for a site to build a modern, sustainable, carbon-neutral shop and post off ice and areconsidering the Quarry Car Park. During the meeting, The Parish Council voted to support TRSA inprinciple in its efforts to provide a shop/post off ice in the Quarry Car Park.

PLANNING MATTERSNo Planning Applications or Decisions were received to the date of the December meeting.

OTHER PARISH BUSINESS

• Complaints have been received from several residents regarding speeding traffic in Silver Street.The Council has consulted the Police and the Highways Department on this matter and hopes thatmobile speed cameras wil l be in operation sometime in the New Year – you have been warned!

• Temporary repairs are to be made to the entrance to the Quarry Car Park in the hope that theproposed shop and post off ice development will go ahead, at which time the car park will beresurfaced.

• Devon County Council have classified Lee Cross Lane as a restricted byway. This means that it isconfirmed as a public right of way for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists, but that motorcycles and4x4 vehicles are prohibited from using it unless they have private rights to access land or propertyalong the route.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday, 9th January 2007 at 7.30pm. An Agendais displayed on the Parish Notice Board prior to meetings.

On behalf of the Parish Council , I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you happiness inthe New Year.

Kate West, Parish ClerkTelephone: 01392 861560, email : [email protected]

Focus on Thorverton 4 Vol. 38 No.1 – January 2007

Thorverton Memorial Hall News

Saturday Market & Big Breakfast

Jane King has started a “Nearly New” stall at theMarket. If you have any new or nearly new itemsof clothing or fashion accessories which youwould like to sell on a 50/50 basis, pleasecontact Jane.

100 Club Draw Winner for December£500 – No 56 Geoff White£100 – No 60 Fred Granger

£50 – No 92 Jean White

Draw Winners for December were:Turkey Dinner Heather KershawFruit Box Megan PearnTin Shortbreads Heather KershawBody Shop Bag Anji Hartnell Todd

Burns Night

Back by popular demand, the Burns Nightcelebrations will take place at the Memorial Hallon Saturday 27th January at 7.00pm.

A traditional Scottish Piper will pipe in theHaggis and there will be competitions, Musicand Scottish Dancing.

Tickets can be obtained from Sarah Addicott(860818). Don’t delay getting your tickets asthey are selling like “hot haggis” ! For your £10you will be served a two-course meal. A tot ofWhisky is also included in the price of the ticket.The Bar will be open for other drinks during thecourse of the evening.

If you have any queries please contact Sarahwho will be delighted to speak to you

100 Club

Jane is now selling the remaining numbers, soplease contact her or see her at the Market if youwould like to join the 100 Club.

Licensing Laws

As many of you will be aware new licensinglaws came into operation in November 2005.What most people are unaware of, however, isexactly how these affect them.

Loopholes such as including a drink in the costof the ticket or with a draw ticket have now beenclosed and it is illegal to do either of these unlessyou are either on licensed premises or haveobtained a Temporary Event Notice (TENS). ATENS can be obtained from Mid Devon DistrictCouncil who must receive the application at leasttwo weeks prior to the event.

The Hall now has a premises license with aPremises Supervisor, John White, who isresponsible for all events where alcohol is sold.

It is essential that the Committee is aware if youintend holding an event at which alcohol is to besold or exchanged for tickets etc. The Committeenow organise all bars themselves, as they areultimately responsible for policing such events.

Bingo

The last weekly Bingo for the time being washeld at the Hall on 19th December. The numbersattending have been dropping over the last fewyears so the Committee decided earlier in theyear to stop after the Christmas Bingos. Therewill, however, be some “speciality” Bingos sowatch out for dates. The Committee would liketo take this opportunity to thank all those whohave helped out over the years by setting up,clearing up, selling books/tickets at the Bingoand, most importantly, those of you who haveattended. We hope to see you again for threesessions starting on March 13th.


Notice Board

THORVERTONMEMORIAL HALL

SATURDAY MARKET

Saturday 13th January

9.30 - 11.00am

Breakfast Bar, Books, PreservesFruit & Veg, Plants, Cards, Draw

Bric-a-brac, Toiletr ies,Cakes, Jewellery etc.

100 Club Draw

Reg. Char ity No. 203778

Thorverton Arts Exchange

At Arts Exchange meetings we share ourenthusiasms for writing, music, painting, film,craft etc. with one another. Usually there is atheme to our choices, but occasionally anindividual member will take responsibil ity for awhole evening. The meetings take place inmembers’ homes at 8.00 p.m. The next sixmeetings are:

Jan 11th Weather 25, The GlebeFeb 8th Letters Stable HouseMar 15th Time Cubberley HouseApril 5th Consequences OckeroMay 10th Mysteries Pynes HouseJune 7th Movement Campion Cottage

New members are always welcome.For further information contact

Claire Cousins at Cubberley House, The Berry(860438)

THORVERTON MEMORIAL HALL

Following last year ’s successanother

Burns Night

Saturday27th January 2007

7.00pmat

Thorverton Memor ial Hall

Traditional Scottish Piper

Competitions, Music & Scott ish Dancing

Tickets £10.00 to include 2 course mealand a tot of whisky

Ring Sarah Addicott on 01392 860818for tickets and detail s

Reg. Char ity No. 203778


Not the Village ShopNeed a light bulb, battery or pet food?Nothing in for dinner?Run out of paracetamol, tea or biscuits?Pocket money to spend?Or looking for the essentials of life locally goodbread and milk?

The temporary shop −−−− in the yellow and whitevan – is up and running in The Berry near theChurch.

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday 7.45 - 11.45 am

3.15 – 6.45 pm

Saturday 7.45 - 11.45 am

For newspapers, greetings cards, stationery…please continue to go to Thorverton Post Officein the quarry car park.

Stephen Toogood

Alli son Toogood awaiting your custom.

Church Week Planning Meeting

The planning meeting for this year’sChurch Week wil l take place in the

Exeter I nnon Thursday, 18th January at 7.30 pm

The organizing team is keen to receivenew suggestions and recruit new helpers.So, if you are bursting with creative ideas

or would just like to assist with therunning of this festive week, please comealong to the meeting and have your say.

If you’d like more information pleasecontact Tina Ayre on 860434


Thorverton Church Consor t

Practices (on Thursdays) are usually in churchfrom 7.45 to 9.00 pm

JanuaryThurs 4th PracticeThurs 18th Practice

FebruaryThurs 1st PracticeThurs 15th Practice

MarchThurs 1st PracticeThurs 8th PracticeThurs 22nd Practice

AprilWeds 4th PracticeMayThurs 3rd PracticeThurs 31st PracticeJuneThurs 14th PracticeThurs 28th PracticeJulyThurs 12th PracticeThurs 19th PartySun 22nd 5 pm Practice

Thorverton Junior Consort

Practices (on Mondays) are usually in schoolfrom 3.30 pm

JanuarySat 13th 5 pm in church PracticeSun 14th 10 am “ Come to the Inn” Servicewith DramaMon. 15th PracticeMon. 29th PracticeFebruaryMon. 12th PracticeMon. 26th at 1, The Glebe PracticeMarchMon. 12th PracticeMon. 26th PracticeAprilMon. 2nd PracticeMon. 30th PracticeMayMon. 21st PracticeJuneMon. 11th PracticeMon. 25th PracticeJulyThurs 19th Party

Thorverton Church Flower Club

Flower Festival – June 15th -- 17th 2007

After a gap of 5 years, we have decided that wewould like to put on a flower festival next yearin Thorverton Church.

Please come to our next meeting if you wouldlike to take part in helping with flower arranging,stewarding or refreshments. The meeting wil ltake place in the Church on Monday 8th January2007 at 2.30pm.

Elspeth Holmes – Tel: 860535 or [email protected]

Mobile Library Service

Thanks to the co-operation of the Parish Councilthe Mobile Library wil l in future operate

from the Quarry Car Park

on Wednesdays from 2.55 to 3.15 p.m.

Devon Library Services


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Call ing all young actresses and actors

Come and help re-enact the days after Jesus’ birth in a drama:

“ Come to the inn”at Thorverton Parish Church, Sunday, January 14th.10am at the FAMILY SERVICE.

There wil l be parts for all ages. Come dressed as an angel, shepherd, (and lamb) or child of Bethlehem.For help/advice with what to wear contact Stella Barron 860007, Karon Murphy 861056 or Hill ary Dovel 860803

If you would li ke a speaking part contact Mary Thomas 860730 as soon as possible.We will all learn songs to sing and there wil l be recorders playing and guitars too, with “shakers and rattles.”

REHEARSALAt church on Saturday, January 13th. 5 – 6pm.Parents please stay with younger children. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES WELCOME

Baptist Church News

Christmas meditation

At this season of the year mums and dads(with grandparents not far behind) love towatch their little darlings take part innativity plays. On occasions it is theunscripted moments which are the mostmemorable - such as when a lit tle boywho longed for the part of Joseph wasinstead chosen to be the innkeeper. Hegot his revenge when Mary and Josephknocked on the door of the inn. Insteadof the traditional “no room” he repliedheartily, “Yes, there’s plenty of room,come right in.” !

Behind the traditional trappings there isthe reali ty of Christmas. Take Mary, forinstance, a teenage girl engaged toJoseph, the vil lage carpenter, an olderman her parents had chosen for her.Living as she did a sheltered li fe in hervill age up in the hil l country of Galil eeshe was flustered when an angel brought

her the amazing news that she was to bethe mother of Israel’ s Messiah, King, Sonof God and Saviour. No explanation wasgiven her as to the mechanics of theoperation - only that the overshadowingpower of the Holy Spirit would be atwork within her. Her final reaction isexemplary - “ I am the handmaiden of theLord. May it be as you have said.”

It is to Mary’s encounter with her oldercousin Elizabeth - who was alsoexpecting a miracle baby - that we owethe Magnificat, which someone hasdescribed as the last Old Testament psalmand the first New Testament hymn. Thisspontaneous outburst of praise is full ofOT reminiscences but also of newcombinations which are the fruit ofMary’s meditation on her experience.

There must stil l have been many fears inMary’s mind - the vil lage gossip whichwould inevitably follow once hercondition was known, the possibili ty of


violence against her, and Joseph’sreaction.

The future husband too was wonderingwhat to do about the situation. Being adecent and honourable man, his instinctwas for a discreet divorce in order toavoid shame for his intended. Hisdilemma was resolved when he tooreceived an angelic visitation whichbrought him the same assurance as cameto Mary.

“You are to call his name Jesus” was partof the message to them both. “Jesus” isthe “ Joshua” of the Old Testament andmeans “God saves.” This nameencapsulates the role of the Christ-child -“He shall save his people from their sins”the angel adds to Joseph.

So essentially Jesus was designated fromthe first as the Saviour. What is he tosave us from? Anything that binds us,enslaves us, holds us in captivity. Herebehind the tinsel is the real thing:

“Unto you is born this day, in the city ofDavid, a Saviour which is Christ theLord.”

Maurice Harr ison, Minister

It seems strange to be writing this reportto come out on January 1st, when we havenot had Christmas yet. I trust you have allhad a wonderful Christmas, and wil l belooking forward to a New Year-a NewYear full of Hope. With all the bad thingsthat happened in 2006, we must neverforget that there is hope for the future,God has always promised us that.Many many times in the Bible, we arereminded of this, and also the fact that

God is always close by us whateverhappensIn the Old Testament God was withAdam and Eve in the Garden,He was with Abraham, and even calledhim His friend, He was with Moses andthe Israelites. And as believers, God is inus-and He’ ll keep growing in us as longas we let Him, and because he lives in us,we have access 24/7 to His limi tlesspower! What more do we need?.Remember when the Angel appeared toMary and she said “ may it be done—according to your word—lets make thisour prayer for the New Year.

At the time of writing we have had ourfirst attempt at carol singing, for thisSeason, when we had an afternoon ofcarols and mince pies, in our schoolroom,a most enjoyable afternoon. Thank you toall who supported us, it was good to seeyou.We had a very brave lady who gave us afine rendering of “Still e Nacht” , (SilentNight) which reminded me of a storyduring WW1 as Germans and Britishwere in their bunkers, the Germansstarted singing “Stil le Nacht” , when theBritish sang “O come, all ye faithful” .Immediately men who had been shootingat each other joined in singing the samecarol together, the Germans singing thewords in Latin (Adeste Fideles)

The Baptist Church wishes all its readersa very Peaceful and Healthy New Year,and welcomes all to any one of ourservices, on any Sunday morning.

Phylli s Langdon, Church Secretary


TARTS news

Thorverton Amblers & Ramblers Society

Here we are at the end of an excellent year’ swalking, and looking forward to 2007. Twentyof us had an excellent Christmas dinner at theThorverton Arms on Friday 15th and a verymerry time was had by all.

The 2nd December walk was led by Ray aroundRackenford with a lunch stop at the Stag Inn(new owners, good food…). Only a half-hour’sdrive away - or it would have been if some localhadn’t turned around the Rackenford sign! -while waiting for the “lost” carload, we checkedout the vil lage shop which seems to be in crisisthrough lack of vil lage support (take note!).

On Saturday 16th, 14 of us and 2 dogs finishedoff 2006 with a short walk from Upton Hellions

led by Heather - the church is well worth a visit -with lunch at the excellent Lamb Inn in Sandford(with a now-thriving vil lage shop) and back viathe lovely rolli ng countryside to the norththrough Brembridge Farm.

January walks - we meet at the Bell Inn:

By popular demand we are reintroducingmidweek afternoon walks either Wednesday orThursday. Details will be in the Old Post Officewindow. Heather has kindly offered to organizethis:

• The first is on Thursday 4th January.Meeting time to be announced.

• Our first short Saturday walk is on 6th

January, 4/5 miles, led by Mary, with apub lunch. Meet at the Bell at 9.30

• Meeting at the Exeter Inn on 11th Januaryto arrange future walks - if you can makeit please come along and join us. Allideas welcomed.

If you need any information please contactSimon on 01392 861349.

South West Early Music Forum

Voices and Viols Workshop (ThorvertonChurch, Saturday 18th November)

On a sunny but crisp autumn day (at least thechurch was warm), around 40 members ofSWEMF gathered in the delightful church ofSt.Thomas, in the idyll ic Devon vil lage ofThorverton, to sing 3 Heinrich Schutz motets tothe accompaniment of 4 viols and a lute. The daywas admirably directed by Tim Jones, who, untilrecently, was on the staff of Exeter University'sMusic Department (soon to be no more!) andwas also organist at the aforesaid church, so wasvery familiar with the acoustic help the churchcould give. He had made the long journey fromthe North of England, where he is now based atthe Royal Northern College of' Music.

The morning began, after very welcomerefreshments, with "Selig sind die Toten, die indem Herrenn” SWV 391 - set for 2 soprano,

alto, tenor and 2 bass parts which wasthoroughly rehearsed by Tim to ensure aconfident approach by the balanced choir. Thiswas followed by the also 6-part “Herr, nunlassest du deinen Diener" SWV 432 - a littlemore demanding, and in which the parts wereinterwoven to good effect by the singers andinstrumentalists.

After a too-brief lunch break, when several ofthe choir invaded the local hostelry and enjoyeda good "fuel stop” , for the rest of the afternoon,we were faced with the more difficult GermanMagnificat - "Meine Seele erhebt den Herren.”This is set for 2 4-part choirs, singing more orless antiphonally throughout, and most singersfound that coping with German pronunciation,the tricky notation, watching the ever patientconductor, and listening to the other parts, wasquite a difficult task. However, by breaking themusic up into manageable and learnable chunks,


we managed to sound adequate, and evensometimes admirable.

At the end of the afternoon (and well done toTim for ensuring that we finished dead on time!)a small but appreciative audience gathered (inthe choir pews) to listen to the musiciansperforming, from the nave, these 3 pieces ofearly music to a reasonably high standard,ending with the triumphant sounding "und vonEwigkeit, Amen” at the conclusion of theMagnificat.

Congratulations must go to Tim for his expertand informative direction, and to the organisers,

principally Mary Thomas, who had put so muchinto making this annual event such a success.Book early next year if this is held again, toensure a place!

Report by Ken Law

Mary Thomas adds: Thank you Marjorie andSybil for keeping us supplied with hot drinksduring the day, and thanks, too, to our splendidaudience of 30 people who came to listen to ourefforts. It was good to see Tim again. Here’s tonext year!

Thorverton WII regret that I failed to include the WI report inDecember’ s Focus, so include it here followedby the report for January. Apologies to the WIfor the omission - Ed.

Report of November meeting

On November 6th Elspeth Holmes gave us avery interesting talk on flower arranging. Bytying bundles of bleached willow together,decorating it and then adding lights wediscovered that a very effective Christmas treecould be made almost instantly. Pine kernelssprayed with glitter and placed on a dowel werealso effective. Jasmine and honeysuckle wereused as a base for a wreath as it is easy to windin a circle. It is best done on the day it is cut but,should this not be possible, it can be kept in asealed black bag for a couple of days so that itremains pliable. As it dries the colours changefrom green to brown and then it can be decoratedas required

Flower arrangers are trying to help theenvironment by finding alternative ways that donot involve oasis. To this end we were shown adesign that had been created without the use ofoasis. It consisted of green glitter sticks, pipecleaners, red baubles and red roses and lookedattractively different.

Mary Stevens won both the flower and fancycake competition. Ann Stamper, June Lee,Paddy Milford and Cynthia Sharples won thedraw.

Report of December meeting

Without giving calories a second thought we alltucked into a very enjoyable buffet supper at ourDecember meeting. With taste buds satisfied wethen searched our brains for answers to a quiz,which was all about Devon. The winning tablemanaged to get 17 out of 20 answers correct andwere rewarded with a prize. We entered into thetime of year by finishing the evening with agame of pass the parcel, the winning lady beingBarbara O’Connor.

Mary Stevens won flower of the month and, withSybil Tulloch snapping close at my heels, I wonthe competition for the decorated parcel. Thedraw was varied and won by several luckyladies.

On behalf of all the W.I ladies I wish you all AHappy and Prosperous New Year.

Sylvia Gregory


Letter from South Africa 1887

There is a gap between this letter and the last;we think my Great Grandfather may have joinedthe police as many men did when they left thearmy - gold digging may have been filli ng intime. There is one letter to go but it runs on fromthe last one. I'm including this now as it relatesto Christmas.

Two days northwards from Jamestown alluvialdigging.January 10th 1887

You see I am right in the Gold country in factjust at this moment I have left off digging tomake the bread and having an hour or two tospare started this letter.

I don’ t know how I can make you understand myposition or our surroundings. Perhaps I hadbetter describe our home. You will notice thehil ls are all round us, in fact we are on a hill wi tha great valley below. The hut I built myself. Wehave to do everything as little or nothing that isused in ordinary civil ised life is to be had - wecan just get enough food out once a week bydonkey to keep us going without troubling aboutluxuries. Of course the li fe is pleasant taken allround. Sometimes I should like to get a gooddinner with wine, see a play, speak to a prettywoman or hear a band. Our prospects are prettygood - but it is sheer luck gold digging - I mightunearth at any moment a mine of priceless valuefor or I may go on and for years hardly payingtuck or expenses.

I am writing by a candle which is supported by apiece of stone with a piece of gold in it - thestones of our fire are of gold - sounds richdoesn't it - we work pretty hard of coursealthough not too arduous. Plenty of shooting onthe mountains - law cases occupy our time - wemake our own laws - diggers' law, and try andhang or rather shoot men if they offend - I shot anative last week for stealing - a white man wasgiven 20 paces to get away with his life while weemptied our revolvers at him for attemptedmurder, but these things are rare as we are soscattered and never meet in numbers unlesssomething unusual yanks round.

Sometimes when I run down - get tired like -don't pan out straight - I take my flesh and bloodaway for two or three days. Here's an account ofone."Left Camp"- to every place is a camp - wentover mountains two days North by north-eastplenty of game on mountains, no people of anykind. On second day entered a deep valley, atfoot crossed a track running east and west -probably Delagoa Bay road at North of Valleyfound broad and rapid river flowing NW by SE.2 Crocodile - returned 4th day. This is the fifthsuccessive day I had not seen a white man.

I enjoy those tramps - generally for game asmeat is scarce - this polite style of writing hardlysuits me must go on as I speak now.

End of page - have a smoke -

finished the smoke- Tell you about Christmasday regular gathering of the clans at our show.Give you some of the names – “Yankee Dan” –“Pennyweight-Billy” - Ginger – “Crib” - TaffyThomas, Nuggetty Brown and some others .We were going to have a good spread and allagreed that roast Beef and a Plum Pudding wasthe thing - I volunteered to make the pudding ifanyone could find the plums -Old NuggettyBrown recalled he could get some currants so wesent him off - the other things we had.The currants came and I mixed the show round -it looked sun shiney lovely - I showed it to thechums and they agreed - with one or twosuggestions. Chuck in a bottle of Kango Brandysaid Dave and in it was chucked - to an artisticeye it looked sloppy and I said so. Sayssomeone else “Seems to me sorter wants someflour” - & where the blazing Moses are we goingto get flour from. Said I.Yankee Dan gave it as his opinion that a puddingwanted flour in it specially a Christmas pudding.

Who’s making this pudding - seems to me thewhole Show is - I reckon it will prospect all rightbut to please some of ye I will put in somemealie meal as there is no flour nearer thanAustralia.– “That’s right lad.” So the puddingwas made & grand it was - a trifle hard - heavy- one chap said but grand but the greatest


success was the sauce - a white wine sauce -white wine mind you. I made that as everyonesaid there ought to be a sauce so we had one - Inever tasted anything like that sauce before andso all the diggers said. We all had a cut in at itbut all good things have some little hitch - OldNuggety said for a Christmas it wasn’t sortercorickt to have a cold sauce over a hot puddingand the chaps guessed that was right - and itseemed reasonable - so we heated it a over thefire - you will hardly believe me - you willhardly imagine my disgust when my sauce - thebest thing out the fields - slowly and surelyturned into a kind of Batter pudding as firm as arock - the whole thing remains a mystery to thisday. The only conclusion to come to is that awhite wine sauce is not the right thing forChristmas - or if so you must eat it cold.

The dinner was good - in the open air aboutsundown - later on we piled up the logs and hadsongs round the camp fire with milk punch andgrog - at one or two we finished up with ashooting match and then to bed curled up in theblankets round the fire - really a very goodChristmas taking the quartz all round.

End of page - another smoke

finished smoke. Can't write much more tonight,it is getting late nearly 9 generally in bed atsundown and have to go over the hills tomorrowwill write again soonWFS

Four years after he wrote this letter he was shotdead from his horse while carrying messages.

Golf Society Players of Thorverton

Since the last Focus the GSPOT competitionresults are :

Sunday 26th November

This was played at Waterbridge Golf Club asNewton St Cyres was closed.

Winner Andy French.

Runner up Scott Hasler

Shortest Drive Fred Phill ips

Friday 15th December

Joint Winners Rob Flatt and John Mann

Shortest drive (an air shot) Garth Pearce.

The next dates are Boxing Day, New Year’sDay. (fancy dress optional and headachespermitting), Friday January 12th and SundayJanuary 28th.

Anybody interested in joining us wil l be morethan welcome, just turn up at the Exeter Inn at12.30 lunchtime on Friday, or 10 30 am. onSunday and both Boxing Day and New YearsDay.

David Harlow


PoetryI am again grateful to Doreen Beer for providinga poem appropriate for the time of year - a timewhen we look forward with optimism, hoping fora better future - Ed.

New Year

New as a babe’s first breathUpon the air,New as untrodden snow,New thought - new care.

New as dawn’s waking light,As day unknown,New as the fledglings flight,New seed - new sown.

New as a page unmarkedBy careless hands,New as a friendship born,New hopes - new plans.

New as love’s stirring flame,Untarnished, bright;New year come inAnd set the world aright.

Doreen Beer

Spellchecker

Eye halve a spell ing chequerIt came with my pea seaIt plainly marques for my revueMiss steaks eye kin knot seaEye strike a quay and type a wordAnd weight four it to sayWeather eye am wrong oar writeIt shows me strait a weighAs soon as a mist ache is maidIt nose bee fore too longAnd eye can put the error riteIts rare lee ever wrongEye have run this poem threw itI am shore your pleased two noIts letter perfect awl the wheyMy checker tolled me sew

Anon

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas DayTheir old familiar carols play,And wild and sweetThe words repeatOf peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,The belfries of all ChristendomHad rolled alongThe unbroken songOf peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its wayThe world revolved from night to day,A voice, a chime,A chant sublimeOf peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouthThe cannon thundered in the South,And with the soundThe Carols drownedOf peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;'There is no peace on earth,' I said;'For hate is strong,And mocks the songOf peace on earth, good-will to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:'God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!The Wrong shall fail,The Right prevail,With peace on earth, good-will to men!'

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


25 Years agoFocus January 1982Formation of a Parish Emergency Committee.As part of the Local Authority EmergencyOrganisation for Devon the Parish Council hasbeen required to form a Parish EmergencyCommittee.The “steering” Committee from the Councilcomprises volunteers Audrey Pile, MartinSummers, John Uglow, and myself as Chairman.The undermentioned have kindly acceptedinvitations to become “Heads of Sections” underthe County Scheme, as indicated. Tony Carbineshad earlier volunteered for training as the HomeDefence Advisor and is available to the Parishfor technical advice on Civil Defence matters.Our task is to create in the vil lage a band ofpublic spirited people ready, as far as is possible,to deal with emergencies ranging from domesticaccidents to nuclear war.We aim to set up our organisation by the end of1982 after which we will review it annually andreport accordingly to the County EmergencyOff icer.Each of the 12 “Heads of Sections” will needrecruits during the coming months andvolunteers for this will be both welcome andappreciated.The Parish Council are anxious to provide moredetailed information on the scheme to anyinterested parishioners and to this end I shall beglad to respond on request. Reference was alsomade to this subject in “Focus” for July last.

Fire-A.Fice.Buildings-J.Coe.Warnings-E.Holmes.Welfare-E.Aird.Food-E.Gay.Information-R.Hartnoll.Communications-R.Edworthy.Transport-D.King.Rest Centre-M.Summers.Billeting –D.Langdon.Fuel-K.Maynard.Water-A.N.Other.

Walter Hill Chairman.

I f God Should go on Str ikeHow good it is that God above has never goneon strike,Because He was not treated fair in things Hedidn’ t like.If only once He’d given up and said, “That’s it,I’ m through”,“I’ ve had enough of those on earth, so this iswhat I’ ll do” .

“I’ ll give My orders to the sun-“cut off the heatsupply” .And to the moon--give no more light, and runthe oceans dry.Then, just to make things really tough and putthe pressure on.Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath isgone.

You know He would be justified , if fairness wasthe game,For no one has been more abused or met withmore disdainThan God. And yet He carries on, supplying youand meWith all the favours of His grace, and everythingfor free.

Men say they want a better deal, and so on strikethey go.But what a deal we’ve given God, to Whom allthings we owe.We don’t care who we hurt to gain the things welike;But what a mess we’d all be in, if God should goon strike.

Anon.


Thorverton and District History Society

Due to the cancellation of the programmedspeaker three members of the society each gavea short talk on their particular “historical” hobby.

Barrie Phill ips, whose hobby is collecting andconserving vintage wirelesses, opened theevening with a talk on Guglielmo Marconi, withemphasis on his early experimental work in theWest Country.An Italian, with an Irish mother (of the Jamesonwhisky family) young Marconi was fascinatedby science and Hertzian wave theory andsucceeded in transmitting a signal across theorange grove at his home in Pontecchio. Havingfailed to attract the interest of the Italianauthorities, he came to England in 1896, then theworld’s leading maritime nation.Determined to exploit his ideas he quicklyobtained introductions to people in authority inthe Post Office, Army and Navy.Accompanied by slides and original soundtrack,the talk traced Marconi’s experiments leading tosending a signal from Poldhu across the Atlanticto Newfoundland in 1901, the formation ofpublic service broadcasting and later the creationof a worldwide wireless communicationsnetwork.On his death in 1937 he was given a state funeralin Rome and wireless stations across the worldfell silent in tribute to “The Father of Wireless”.

Next, Beryl Coe gave a fascinating talk onresearching her Family Tree.She outlined numerous sources of familyinformation now available to the general publicincluding, Census results, Parish Registers,Devon Record Off ice, West Country StudiesLibrary and numerous Websites.

From the examples of her family research it wasinteresting to see how people’s occupations havechanged over the last two hundred years –hatters, weavers and fullers are long-forgottenoccupations.Beryl cautioned against believing all you read;with many women dying in childbirth, husbandsre-marrying were often economical with thetruth regarding their age!Whilst in the past geographical mobil ity was lesscommon than today, proximity to Parish andCounty boundaries and local movements canlead to complications and loss of trail.Despite initially believing she had no localconnections, Beryl discovered one of herancestors had been born in Exeter, and it seemsvery likely that Devon may feature at some pointin the ancestry of many of us.

Our final speaker was David Massey, whoseknowledge of the GWR and the Exe Valley lineappears to be encyclopaedic.He outlined the sequence of events involved inthe building of a railway from public meetingand raising finance, through surveying often inhostile territory, to placing the necessarylegislation before Parliament.He described his frustrations in trying to obtain amap of the Exe Valley line culminating in a visitto the House of Lords.He felt that many of the schemes proposed, suchas a line from Newton St Cyres via Thorvertonto Silverton would not have proved to beeconomical.Such was the unrestrained enthusiasm forrailways that several of the routes proposedstruggle today to maintain even a skeleton busservice.

Barr ie Philli ps

Pets’ CornerFrom Molly – Hi, my name is Molly Uglow. Ilive in Broadlands with my mate Paris, Marbles,Bill, Coco, Tabitha, Wesley, Tia and some quitenice Humans. I am now 14¾. .I don’ t venturedown in the village much now, with my hips thehil ls are too much, but I still love the woods andfields. Wanted to say hi to my friends and wishthem a Happy New Year!


Sudoku

Complete the grid so that each row, each columnand each 3 x 3 block contains each of the digitsfrom 1 to 9.

The solution to this puzzle is on page 27.

The Infinite Cat ProjectThe Infinite Cat Project is simply just good fun.The words of its creator describe it purrrfectly:"It all began innocently enough when a visitor toan Apple forum posted a picture of his cat,Frankie, contemplating the beauty of a flower.Shortly afterwards another user posted a pictureof his cat bristling at the image of Frankie on themonitor. I decided this was too much fun andadvanced the concept as The Infinite Cat Projectwhich is, simply, cats regarding cats regardingcats in an electronic milieu. If you like this website then thank your lucky stars that the world ispopulated with cats, Macs, and people withwayyyy too much time on their hands." (I thinkan "Apple forum" is either a place where applescan meet to chat, or an online discussion groupfor owners of Apple computers). Anyway, theweb site www.infinitecat.com is the place to goto see this marvel of website wizardry.

If you want to get your cat onto the web,then why not start here. Cute cats, Fat cats, Thincats, Hairy cats, and mostly web browsing catscan all be seen here. Our cat Willow is there -number 1351. To participate in this project yourcat must have access to a computer, andsomeone will ing to take their picture while they

browse the web site. The web site has links to

Will ow observing Smokie observing….

other cat-related sites, such aswww.cutyboy.com - run by a cat who canapparently speak Gujarati, Persian (his mother-tongue), Malayalam, English (he was born in theUK), Arabic (now that he is living in the UAE)and French; and knows his numbers up to 20.

I particularly like the section on Today'sTautology - e.g. "Can placebos cause sideeffects? And are the side effects real?"

Rob Purvis


Glimpses Of The Past: 1848The Baptist minister, Rev Thomas Gauntlett, thedeath of whose wife was Glimpsed in 1846, withan infant daughter to care for, as soon asdecently possible married in Honiton in 1848 awidow with a daughter of similar age. After astill shorter delay the landlord of the Dolphin,Will iam Babbage, who had lost his wife inMarch 1847 married, at Exeter Cathedral, acousin of the Thorverton Malletts in February1848. A most unusual marriage in this year, alsoin Exeter, was that of Wil liam Townsend andElizabeth Mugford. What was unusual was thathe was the eldest son of the family that farmedStevenstone, in Upton Pyne, while she was thedaughter of a Thorverton labourer -- this at atime when yeomanry-aglab unions were evenrarer than nowadays. Furthermore, one of hersisters married an Old Harrovian landowner atUpexe, while another married a foreigner, eachwithout parallel in the parish records. There musthave been something very special about theMugford Girls.

Three Thorverton tradesmen, including a relativeof the new Mrs Babbage, found themselves incourt at Cullompton for weights and measuresoffences. John Manley, baker, was charged withhaving a 7 lb weight, 3 drachms deficient. Hepleaded that he was not aware of the deficiencyand had had the weight checked recently by aninspector, and the bench, considering that it wasnot an "aggravated" case, fined him only 6d andexpenses. Joseph Lake, harness-maker, was feltto have been let down by somebody supposed tohave fixed a deficient weight and was let off, onpayment of the expenses. In contrast MrsBabbage's relative, John Mallett, mil ler, for anumber of offences was fined 12 shill ings andexpenses. The defendant complained that it wasa very hard case, but was peremptorily stoppedby the bench, who stated that they had dealt veryleniently with him, and would not permit theirjudgment to be afterwards questioned. Heseemed dissatisfied at his speech being cut short…

In more serious trouble was Elizabeth Burridge,charged with robbery from the house of MrScott, butcher, of Thorverton. Mr Scott had leftthe front door of his house open on his leavingfor Exeter market, and the prisoner who hadformerly been a servant in his family, tookadvantage of the opportunity, entered and stolesix silver dessert spoons, six table spoons, six teaspoons, and other valuable articles, which she

attempted to pledge at Mr Helmore's thepawnbroker. The next day she was committed tothe County Gaol for the trial. The outcome ofthe trial has not been discovered but Elizabeth'sabsence from the 1851 census of Devon suggeststhat she may well have been transported as partof the attempt to reduce the considerableimbalance between numbers of men and womenin Australia.

Big changes took place at Raddon Court Bartonafter the departure of the Reynolds family. InApril tenders were invited for the erection of aFarm House and Buildings, and in August theWestern Times reported: We have had thepleasure of visiting this beautiful estate, andviewing the improvements now in course ofcompletion by the liberal and public-spiritedlandowner, J.H.Hippisly, Esq., of ShobrookPark. The improvements consist of a mostcomplete system of thorough draining, theerection of a good dwelli ng-house for the tenant,Mr Lowcock (the celebrated ploughman), and arange of farm buildings, which if not unequalled,will not be surpassed by anything of the kind inthe county. Mr Ware of this city is the builder.The plans of the farm buildings were made byMr Lowcock, the tenant, and having beenadopted and prepared for the builder by MrHeyward, the architect, they will i n all essentialrespects be followed out. … Raddon CourtEstate, one of the finest farms in the county forsituation and soil and size, had, from peculiarcircumstances, been left in very bad condition bythe late occupant. It is now very far recovered,and farmed in a style of completeness, whichshows that it is in the hands of a gentleman whocombines the requisite skill with adequatecapital. The crops of wheat, barley and oats arevery superior - but we must leave these mattersfor another opportunity... Subsequent eventswould show the penultimate sentence to havebeen il l-advised - but we must leave thesematters for another opportunity.

At a meeting of the Netherexe Farmers' Club asilver tankard and a silver salver were presentedto the Secretary-cum-Treasurer, Thorverton'sVestry Clerk, Mr T.B.Row. Mr Row returnedthanks in a brief and modest speech... When heundertook the duties of their secretary sevenyears since, it was because he thought it the dutyof every man to make himself useful to his fellowcreatures. He believed that societies like thesewere a public benefit, and he had endeavoured


to carry out its objects to the utmost of hisabilit y. He !rusted that he had given satisfaction- (cheers). The health of the chairman was thenproposed by Dr Coleridge, who clearly didn'tfind attendance at the Farmers' Club asinconsistent with the dignity of his religiouscalli ng as attendance at the Tiverton Agriculturaland Labourers' Society dinner would have beenin 1843. The chairman then replied in what wasdescribed, somewhat obscurely, as a frank andyeomanly speech.

Although in post for nearly ten years by now, DrColeridge was still designated the new vicar bythe unforgiving editor of the Western Times inyet another attack on his high Tractarian views.The. criticism this time was that he had sent abutter stamp, with the sign of the Cross on it, tothe farmer who supplied the butter for his table.There were also complaints that the secrets ofthe Confession were not remaining secret,though there were two conflicting explanationsfor this, either that the Confessor's wife told allthe stories or alternatively that the penitentsthemselves, in the lightness of their hearts, afterhaving been duly shrived, told their neighbourswhat a lot of sins they had disposed of

Meanwhile the Rev Walrond Whitter, thepopular curate who might have had the livinginstead of Coleridge but who had had to leavethe parish, was now in court as a bankrupt. Yetthis did not prevent him from occupying therectory at Bridford, still as a curate, at the latercensus of 1851.

In March appeared a newspaper notice for acottage to be let, lately in the occupation of MrGarland, surgeon. It contains a parlour, anddining-room, 4 bed-rooms, kitchen, etc., etc., atwo-stalled stable. There is a lawn in front, andaltogether it is a very comfortable residence.Excellent fishing close at hand. Apply to MrWippell , Perry, or to Mr Radmore, Easton. This

was "Bridgeman's" in Jericho Street. MrRadmore's connection with the cottage was thatit was he who leased it from the Dean andChapter and sub-let to Mr Garland. Mr Wippell'sconnection is unclear. He himself was about toleave Perry and had put his Superior Stock up forsale, namely: 70 ewes with their lambs; 50 fatsheep; 30 ewe hogs; 7 rams; 20 superior youngdairy cows, some of which have calves, and theremainder are forward in calf; 2 three-year-oldheifers in calf; 5 fat heifers; 2 two-year-oldheifers, and 2 two-year-old steers; a brownhackney mare 15 hands high; 2 excellent carthorses; 1 sow in pigs; and 6 store pigs.……Refreshments on the table by Twelve o’Clock, which will be removed at half-past One;immediately after which time the Sale willcommence. Since Mr Wippell was only movingthe short distance to Bickleigh Court, it's perhapssurprising that he sold the stock rather thantaking it with him.

Thomas Kingdon and Son continued to advertiseas imaginatively and syntactically shakily asever the produce of their Devon CountyNurseries at Chapel St Martin.. TheirChampagne was claimed to be as good asanything in France, proof of which was the plainfact. that it is most liberally patronised by theclergy. Their Champagne Cider was presented asa most healthful and invigorating beverage,particularly for the inhabitants of the UnitedKingdom, from a large portion thereof, li ke LordByron, born bili ous, dare not drink malt liquor.The lengthy advertisement came down to earthagain at the end: A Foreman Wanted on theFarm, to look after the flock, sow the corn, andmake himself generally useful. A Cottage will beprovided, rent free, and liberal wages given.

Ian Stoyle


Nature Notes

Liz tells me that back in September at the Casain Majorca she observed flocks of bee-eaters andstarlings. Liz was standing beside a fig tree whenone flock of bee-eaters settled in the tree. Thebee-eaters were probably on the way back totheir winter quarters in Africa.

I’ve not seen the sparrowhawk or merlin sinceSeptember, but Doreen Beer has seen thesparrowhawk several times in November downin the vil lage. On one occasion it was on theground with, she thinks, a dove clutched in itstalons.

Across the valley to Silverton and an unusualvisitor has been raiding a garden pond, akingfisher!

There has been another interesting sighting offThorverton Bridge where Lin and Alan Balkwil lsaw a pair of goosander in the river.

If you are out and about around 7.15 to 7.30 inthe morning have you heard the dawn chorus?Not as noisy as springtime but several species ofbird is singing.

The red admiral butterfly is still making the oddappearance on sunny days. I visited BernavilleNurseries on 28 November and saw one flyingaround in the shop. The shop assistant whoserved me said they had several in the building.

If we get a prolonged cold snap possibly in thesecond half of January and into February carryyour binoculars and look out for lapwings in thefields off Raddon Lane. You may hear them firstby their call ‘pee wit’ another name by whichthey are known.

Happy New Year.

Jenny Garne

2 Lower Poole, Raddon, tel 860875

A Holiday Find!

Just like home –‘Jenner PO’ on Highway 1, San Francisco, USA

Photo by Chris Pollard


The Good Old DaysThe next time that you are washing your handsand complaining because the water temperatureisn't just how you like it, think about how thingsused to be.Here are some facts about the 16th Century:Most people got married in June because theytook their yearly bath in May and still smelledpretty good by June. However, they were startingto smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowersto hide the body odour. Hence the custom oftoday of carrying a bouquet when gettingmarried.Baths consisted of a big tub fil led with hot water.The man of the house had the privilege of thenice clean water, then all the other sons and men,then the women and children and last of all thebabies. By then the water was so dirty you couldactually lose someone in it. Hence theexpression, "don't throw the baby out with thebath water."Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piledhigh, with no wood underneath. It was the onlyplace for animals to get warm, so all the cats andother small animals (mice, bugs) lived in theroof. When it rained it became slippery andsometimes the animals would slip and fall off theroof. Hence the saying "it's raining cats anddogs." The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy hadanything other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirtpoor." The wealthy had slate floors that wouldget slippery in the winter when wet, so theyspread thresh (straw) on the floor to help keeptheir footing. As the winter wore on they addedmore thresh until when you opened the door itwould all start slipping outside. A piece of woodwas placed in the entrance, hence the expressiona "threshhold."

Getting quite an education, aren't you?

In those old days they cooked in the kitchen witha big kettle that always hung over the fire. Everyday they lit the fire and added things to the pot.They ate mostly vegetables and did not get muchmeat. They would eat the stew for dinner,leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnightthen start over the next day. Sometimes stew hadfood in it that had been there for quite a while.

Hence the rhyme, " peas porridge hot, peasporridge cold, peas porridge in the pot, nine daysold."Sometimes they could obtain pork, which madethem feel quite special. When visitors came over,they would hang up their bacon to show off. Itwas a sign of wealth that a man could "bringhome the bacon." They would cut off a little toshare with guests and would all sit around and"chew the fat."Those with money had plates made of pewter.Food with high acid content caused some of thelead to leach into the food, causing leadpoisoning death. This happened most often withtomatoes, so for the next 400 years or sotomatoes were considered poisonous.Bread was divided according to status. Workersgot the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family gotthe middle, and guests got the top, or "uppercrust."Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. Thecombination would sometimes knock theimbibers out for a couple of days. Someonewalking along the road would take them for deadand prepare them for burial. They were laid outon the kitchen table for a couple of days and thefamily would gather round and eat and drink andwait and see if they would wake up. Hence thecustom of "holding a wake."England is old and small and the local folksstarted running out of places to bury people. Sothey would dig up coff ins and would take thebones to a "bone-house" and re-use the grave.When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 werefound to have scratch marks on the inside andthey realised that they had been burying peoplealive. So they would tie a string to the wrist ofthe corpse, lead it through the coff in and upthrough the ground and tie it to a bell . Someonewould have to sit out in the graveyard all night(the "graveyard shift") to listen for the bell; thus,someone could be "saved by the bell" or wasconsidered a "dead ringer."And that's the truth...Now, whoever said thathistory was boring!

As relayed to Lewis Jones


CrosswordFocus Christic January 2007

The solution is on page 27

ACROSS1 Bird is a kind of orange mixed with hints of tan and sable. (4,6)6 Nearly perfect thought. (4)9 Mary Thomas gets several to sing and selects the best. (5)10 Rigid and immobile, Tom takes a pick-me-up. (9)12 Young male bird takes pains to avoid small retriever. (6,7)14 Determined to find the answer a second time? (8)15 Unpleasant taste came from the rabbit terrine. (6)17 American Indian in church for a depiction of Christ's nativity? Quite the reverse. (6)19 Judged to have offended, showing this. (8)21 Roger Price in a muddle - gets the bird! (7,6)24 Failure to notice extrasensory perception? (9)25 Formally speak in Old English about despicable person. (5)26 Place is a real mess by the sound of it. (4)27 Race to follow something happening. (5,5)

DOWN1 The grand one's very tricky, especially if one's a triskaidekaphobe! (4)2 Garbled section in reviews. (7)3 Evita, say, presides over noisy party game.(7,6)4 Shaken about film shot into space. (8)5 Jots down some Greek letters. (5)7 Study and sit back - first time in his chair? (7)8 Cat and eel race about and pick up speed. (10)11 Head into hotel for traditional meat dish. (4-2-3-4)13 Advanced in development and of great value with company's investment. (10)16 Shakespeare's alcohol is 'tickle-brain', contains a type of medicine. (8)18 A man of importance in the theatre. (7)20 Display on centre stage with me around. (7)22 Message received and understood by Reg or other man. (5)23 Win with regularity? (4)


Thorverton Parish Information (Please notify any changes to the Editor.)

AIR AMBULANCE EMERGENCY - QUOTE NATIONAL GRID REFERENCERECREATION GROUND - SS 923019 MEMORIAL HALL FIELD - SS 926020

Bott le Bank Situated in Bullen Street Car Park.Bus services See inside back coverCarers' Suppo rt Group Anne Higman, Wyndham House Surgery, Silverton. 860034.

Meetings - 3rd Wednesday of month, Wyndham House, 2.30-4.30 p.m.Church (C of E) The Revd. Douglas Dettmer, The Rectory, Thorverton. 860332

Readers Nicholas Orme, Mrs.Rona Orme, Cob Corner, Brampford Speke. 841521Church Wardens Peter Colebrook, Ockero, Thorverton. 861019.

Edwin Greed, Fortescue, Netherexe. 841231.Consort Mary Thomas, 1 The Glebe, Thorverton. 860730.P.C.C. Treasurer Royston Kershaw, 25 The Glebe, Thorverton. 860419.Friends of Thorverton Parish Church Trust Emmie Aird, Kirkfoard, The Berry, Thorverton.

Church (Baptist) The Revd. Maurice Harrison, 01884 258599.Secretary Phyllis Langdon, 860932. Services, notice board or Focus.

Coun ty Coun cillor Cllr. Mr. M. Lee. 01363 772671.District Coun cillor Cllr. Mr. T. H. C. Noon. 01884 855352.Doctors Amanda Woods & Jon Wride / R. Leete, A. O’Brien, J. Stead & B. Stanley.

Surgery times: see below.Electricity (Western Power) Report a loss of power: 0800 365 900 Bill Enquiries: 0800 365 000

Street lights 0870 556 1851Friends of Thorverton & Silverton Surgeries Christine Walker, 881501Gas Emergency 0800 111999Leonard Trust Chairman: R. Hughes. Secretary: Mrs. E. Hughes, 3 Dinham Mews, Exeter EX4 4EFLibrary (Exeter Mobile) EVERY WEDNESDAY, 2.55pm to 3.15pm in the Quarry Car ParkNewspaper Reporter (Express & Echo) Jane Ristic, 53 Silver Street, Thorverton. 860054Parish Coun cil Chairman Cllr. Mike Shelton,Parish Clerk Mrs Kate West, Great Pit Stables, Silverton. 861560.Parish Coun cil Meetings 2nd Tuesday of month, at Baptist Church Schoolroom, 7.30 pm.Parish Allotments Contact the Parish Clerk - 861560Parish Coun cil Notice Board Situated in School Lane, opposite the Thorverton Arms. IMPORTANT!- PLANNING APPLICATION NOTICES ARE DISPLAYED HERE.Pension Service PO Box 93, Plymouth PL6 5WJ. 0845 60 60 265Police Central Switchboard 24 Hours: 0845 2777444.Post Off ice Portacabin (TCT Ltd ) Quarry Car Park, Thorverton EX5 5NG. 860455

Mon. Tue. Thurs. Fri : 9 am.-1.00 pm., 2 pm.– 5.30 pm.Wed. : 9 am.-1.00 pm.Sat. : 9 am.-12 noon Sun. closedChair: John Whiteside, Raddon Barton, 861133Business Manager: Jill Blewett, Faircop, Jericho St, ThorvertonCompany Secretary: Heather Kershaw, 25 The Glebe, 860419

Public Telepho ne Kiosk Opposite the Church, outside the Bell Inn, Dinneford St.Schoo l (C of E Primary) Head Teacher: Angela Thavarajah 860374.Schoo l Governors Chair: John Iffla 01392 851943

Clerk: Jane Ristic, 53 Silver St. 860054Schoo l P.T.F.A. Chair: Carolyn Johnson, Hillside, Bullen Street, Thorverton. 860584

Secretary: Marie Thomas, 01884 855275Treasurer: Di Baker, 860426

South West Water 24 Hour Emergency: 0800 169 1144. Helpline: 0800 169 1133.

Thorverton Millennium Chair: Dame Margaret Turner-Warwick, Pynes House,Green Trust Silver Street 861173 Hon. secretary: Shirley Hoole.

Tiverton Volunteer Centre 28, Gold Street, Tiverton EX16 6PY. Judy Seymour, 01884 255734.


Thorverton Organisations

Amateur Dramatic Society Chair: Ray Morrish, 841786.Secretary: Lisa Browning, 31 Silver Street, Thorverton. 860609Meetings - Last Wednesday of each month at the W.I. Hut.

Art Group Barrie Phillips, Crossmead, School Lane, Thorverton. 860529Meet Fridays during term-time at the Memorial Hall, 9.30 am-12.00.

Arts Exchange Claire Cousins, Cubberley House, The Berry. 860438.Monthly meetings in members’ homes at 8.0 pm. ( see Diary)

Association Foot ball Club Chairman: Lewis Jones, Ivy Cottage, Thorverton. 861064.Secretary: David Gregory, 2 The Orchard, Brampford Speke, 841803.

Bowls Group Chair: Roy Clark, 860927.Secretary: Ken Maynard, 3 Bullen Street, Thorverton. 860661

Bridge Circle Graeme Culshaw, 3 The Glebe, Thorverton 860203.Meets 1st/3rd/5th Fridays at the W.I. Hut from 7.00 p.m..

Brownies’ Leader Marjorie Maynard, Bullen St. Thorverton. 860661.Meet Fridays during term-time at the W.I. Hut, 5.30-7.00 pm.

Church Flower Club Meetings as advertised.Cricke t Club Chair: Charles Kislingbury, Arley House, 19 Church St, Silverton. 860270

Secretary: M C Denford, 14 Moorlands, Tiverton EX16 6UF 01884 255076Fixture Sec: J Meredith, 190 Mincinglake Rd, Exeter EX4 7DS 01392 272504

Focus Magazine Chair: John Carter, Rewe. 841237Editor: Neville Lane, 2 The Glebe, Thorverton. 861062.Secretary: Jane Lane, 2 The Glebe, Thorverton. 861062.Treasurer: Barbara Uglow, 14 Cleaves Close, Thorverton. 860614. Focus deliveries – John Carter, Rewe. 841237

Friends of Silverton & Thorverton SurgeriesCoffee Mornings in The Royal British Legion Club , Silvertonheld on the LAST THURSDAY of every month except December.

Golf Society Players of Thorverton Contact David Harlow. 860724History Society Chair: Bill Stamper, Dunelm, Raddon, Thorverton. 860214

Secretary: Phyllis Langdon, Ferndale, Bullen Street, Thorverton. 860932. Website <http://www.thorhistsoc.fsnet.co.uk>

Ladies Group Meet 2nd Thursday of month, (Venue and time - see Focus Notices).Memorial Hall Committee Chair: Mrs S Stephanie Shelton. Fir Tree House, Bullen Street. 861027.

Treasurer: John White, Waters Ford, Milford Lane. 860827.Secretary & Bookings: Jean White, Waters Ford, Milford Lane. 860827.

Memorial Hall Market 2nd Saturday of the month, at the Memorial Hall, 9.30 - 11.00 am.Play Group Contact: Sara Burnard (Chair) 01884 855216.

Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs during term-time, at Memorial Hall, 9.30 am-12.00.Thorverton Ambling, Rambling and Tramping Society (TARTS)

Contacts : Caroline Prince 07749 775304 or Shirley Hoole 860018See notices of walks in Old Post Office Window Bullen Street.

Todd ler Group Contact : Fiona Kugele, 861448.Wednesdays, during term-time, at the Memorial Hall, 9.45 a.m.-11.45.

Rainbo ws Contact Jean Pearn 860105, Penny Fice 861136,Term-time, Tuesdays 4-5 pm at the W.I. Hut.

Royal British Legion Chairman / Hon. sec: Bill Stamper, Dunelm, Raddon, Thorverton. 860214Hon. Treasurer: Emmie Aird.

Women’s Institute Secretary: Susan Maguire. 01363 775624Bookings: Nancy Maguire, 3 Cleaves Close, Thorverton. 860631.W.I. Meeting. 1st Tuesday of the month at the W.I. Hut, 7.30 pm.Whist, 3rd Tuesday of the month, at the W.I. Hut, 7.30 pm.

W.I. Market & Coffee 4th Saturday of the month at the W.I. Hut. 10.00 am. to 11.00 am.


Crossword and Sudoku solutions

Solution to this month’s Sudoku Solution to this month’s crossword

Bus servicesTurner’ s Tours (bus 678) Mon-Fri. 10.09 from The Berry and the Baptist Chapel.Return 13.35 from Exeter bus station, Stand 5.

Cook’s Coaches (service 355), Stagecoach (service 55B) Mon-Sat (except Bank Holidays)To Tiverton 9.02, 11.02, 13.02, 15.02, 17.32, 18.11 (55B) from The Berry and Broadlands.Return from Tiverton bus station. 9.40, 11.40, 13.40, 15.40, 18.05.

To Exeter 8.00, 10.05, 12.05, 14.05, 16.05, 18.30 from The Berry and Broadlands.Return from Exeter bus station. 8.40, 10.46, 12.40, 14.40, 17.10, 17.50 (55B).

Timetables for the 355 service are available at the Post Off ice.

Stagecoach 55 service runs every half-hour in each direction along the Exeter-Tiverton road, stopping atthe Thorverton turn. Please consult Stagecoach 55 Group timetable for details of this service.

Stagecoach free service to Somerfield’s, Broadclyst, from Broadlands on Tuesdays 14.00.

Stagecoach offers a variety of concessions for regular commuters, shoppers, children, students andjobseekers as well as one-day unlimited-use Explorer tickets. Further details from Stagecoach: 01392427711 or 01803 664500 or www.stagecoachbus.com or www.devon.gov.uk/devonbus.

Devonbus Timetable Information: call Traveline 0870 608 2 608 Timetables available at the Post Office


Diary 2007Please notify FOCUS Editor of additions or changes.

(Email: [email protected] or phone Neville Lane on 861062)

JANUARY 2007Sat 6th TARTS short walk, meet at The Bell, 9.30 a.m.Mon 8th Planning Meeting for the Flower Festival in June, 2.30 p.m. in the Church.Tue 9th Recycling collection.Thu 11th Arts Exchange, Weather, 25, The Glebe, 8 p.m.

Ladies Group Christmas DinnerFri 12th Thorverton Art Group (TAG) term starts, Memorial Hall from 9.30 a.m.Sat 13th Saturday Market, Memorial Hall, 9.30 – 11 a.m.Thu 18th Church Week planning meeting, Exeter Inn, (contact Tina Ayre on 860434)Fri 19th Sinbad, Memorial Hall , 7.30 p.m.Sat 20th Sinbad, Memorial Hall , 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.Mon 22nd Recycling collection.Fri 26th History Society AGM and Paul RendellSat 27th Burns Night, Memorial Hall , 7 p.m.

FEBRUARYMon 5th Recycling collection.Thu 8th Arts Exchange, Letters, Stable House, 8 p.m.Sat 17th The Neil Maya Quartet Contemporary Jazz, Thorverton Memorial Hall , 8 p.m.Mon 19th Recycling collection.

MARCHMon 5th Recycling collection.Sun 11th The Lord Mayor’s Grand Military Concert, Great Hall , Exeter University, 7 p.m.Tue 13th Mothers’ Day Bingo, Memorial Hall , Eyes down at 7.30 p.m.Thu 15th Arts Exchange, Time, Cubberley House, 8 p.m.Mon 19th Recycling collection.Tue 20th Easter Bingo, Memorial Hall , Eyes down at 7.30 p.m.Sat 24th Casino Night, Memorial HallTue 27th Easter Bingo, Memorial Hall , Eyes down at 7.30 p.m.

APRILThu 5th Arts Exchange, Consequences, Ockero, 8 p.m.

MAYThu 10th Arts Exchange, Mysteries, Pynes House, 8 p.m.

JUNEThu 7th Arts Exchange, Movement, Campion Cottage, 8 p.m.Sat/Sun 9th/10th Country ShowFri-Sun 15th-17th Flower Festival, Thorverton Church

JULYSat 7th Rain or Shine Theatre - Outdoor Shakespeare Twelfth Night, Thorverton Memorial Hall

(evening performance - time TBA)


Doctors’ Surgeries

THE EXE VALLEY PRACTICE

Dr AMANDA WOODS and Dr JON WRIDE

The Surgery, The Berry, The Surgery, 3 Coach Road,THORVERTON EX5 5NT SILVERTON EX5 4JLTel: 01392 860273 (24 hours) Tel: 01392 860176 (in surgery hours)Fax: 01392 860654 Fax: 01392 861598

Surgery Hours

Mon. 2.30 - 4.30 Mon. 9.00 - 11.00Tue. 3.30 - 5.30 Tue. 9.00 - 12.00Wed. 10.30 - 11.30 Wed. 3.30 - 5.30Thu. 3.00 - 5.00 Thu. 9.00 - 11.00Fri. 9.00 - 12.00 Fri. 3.00 - 5.00

The Surgeries are OPEN at the following times

Mon. 8.30 - 12.45 & 2.00 - 6.00 Mon. 8.45 - 12.30Tue. 8.30 - 12.45 & 2.00 - 6.00 Tue. 8.45 - 12.00Wed. 8.30 - 12.45 & 2.00 - 5.00 Wed. 3.00 - 6.00Thu. 8.30 - 12.45 & 2.00 - 6.00 Thu. 8.45 - 12.30Fri. 8.30 - 12.45 & 2.00 - 4.00 Fri. 2.00 - 6.00

Surgery in STOKE CANON Village Hall – 2.00pm on last Thursday of every month. Pleaselet us know in advance if you will be attending.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS (Monday – Friday) Please note that 48 hours notice is requiredfor ALL repeat prescriptions. Repeat Prescription line: Tel: 01392 861622

WYNDHAM HOUSE SURGERY, Fore Street, SILVERTONwww.wyndhamhousesurgery.co.uk

Dispensary Hours: Monday to Thursday 09.00 – 6.00 Friday 09.00 – 5.00The dispensary is CLOSED between 1.00 – 2.00 p.m. daily.

Dr Richard Dr Anthony Dr Jonathan Dr M LEETE O’BRIEN STEAD BAILEY

Monday 8.30 - 11.00 8.30 - 11.00 8.30 - 11.00 3.00 - 5.30 3.00 - 5.30 Tuesday 8.50 - 12.00 8.30 - 11.30 3.00 - 5.30 2.30 - 5.00 Wednesday 8.50 - 12.00 8.30 - 11.30 2.30 - 5.00 Thursday 8.30 - 11.00

(early appts at 8.50 - 11.30 Stoke Canon) 4.00 - 6.00 Friday 8.30 - 12.00 8.50 - 12.00

Rota for Dr on Rota for Dr on afternoon afternoon

surgery surgery

january 2007 vol. 38 no. 1 40pmerry christmas. here’s wishing you a happy and healthy new year. we...

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