NORTHLEW NEWS A CURATE FOR NORTHLEW EUROS, OLYMPICS & ME TEN YEARS A LANDLORD 300 MILES FOR £3,000. A QUIZ, NEWS, AND SO MUCH MORE... www.northlewparishcouncil.org.uk
Love it Share it Northlew News has a limited print run. If you enjoyed your read please consider sharing it online or lending your copy to another villager. In this issue…... From the Editor.............................................................................................................Page 1 Bandamonium 3 Festival.............................................................................................Page 2 A Curate for Northlew..................................................................................................Page 5 Pews News: St Thomas of Canterbury..................................................................... Page 7 Music to our Ears .........................................................................................................Page 9 In the Chapel: Euros, Olympics and Me!.................................................................Page 10 Northlew Market & 50:50 shop.......................................................Page 11 Ten years a Landlord & Quiz Time: Test your local knowledge......................... Page 12 News Snippets: Coronation woodland, Toilets, playground, & more...............Page 13 Northlew Nature: Bird Migration: Who, what and why?.......................................Page 19 Seamoor Lotto .............................................................................................................Page 20 300 miles for £3,000. Jayne and Kaitlyn’s Coastal Challenge............................Page 21 Tania’s recipe: Pickled Plums ...................................................................................Page 27 INFORMATION PAGES Your Parish Council .................................................................................Page 29 Community Contacts ..............................................................................Page 30 Sports and Recreation ............................................................................Page 31 Bus and Train ............................................................................................Page 33 NORTHLEW NEWS IS A FREE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PRODUCED BY NORTHLEW PARISH COUNCIL. YOUR NEWS, STORIES OR PHOTOS WELCOMED, EMAIL THE EDITOR, VICTOR HULBERT AT NORTHLEWNEWS@HULBERT.ORG.UK TO ADVERTISE OR IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE E-DISTRIBUTION LIST, PLEASE CONTACT CELIA MINERS AT NORTHLEWNEWS@GMAIL.COM. OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE COUNCIL. PROOFREADER: AUDREY ANDERSSON ALL PHOTOS ARE BY THE EDITOR UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
Victor Hulbert Since moving back to Devon, I find myself fascinated by place names and meanings. Just recently we discovered Spinsters Rock in an otherwise unremarkable field near Chagford, This neolithic burial chamber dating back as much as 4,000 years, was undoubtedly the final resting place for a number of individuals, not just a single spinster. I presumed the name related to its isolated location, well away from the many megaliths scattered across Dartmoor. But researching in Devon Perspectives, I discovered the legend is much more fun. It concerns three spinsters with time to kill as they waited for a jobber to come and collect the wool they had been spinning. To pass the time they tried what is now a very modern hobby, artfully balancing the stones on top of each other. So, not unmarried women, but artisans with varied skills, a sense of humour, and super strength. There are similar mysteries in Northlew. Why is there a Lake Farm and Lake House at East Kimber when all the OS map shows is a spring? Does the name of Winnie’s bungalow, Glebeland, indicate that the land once belonged to the church. And if it did, was it the Parish church or the Methodists - especially as the Methodist manse is next door? During my research I also looked up the meaning of Kimber and was surprised to find it it is most likely derived from the Old English word ‘cempa’, meaning ‘warrior’. Does that mean that we should be cautious of the fearsome folk living to the west of our village? What amused our family most is that my wife’s name, Luisa, also means ‘fearsome warrior’, or ‘warrior maid’. Perhaps that gives us a modicum of security. Of course, all of this is just a bit of fun. More important is what are the adjectives we use to describe where we live? Talking to several new residents, they have emphasized how friendly they have found Northlew, whether enjoying a pint in the Green Dragon, Sunday morning worship, walking the lanes and footpaths, or chatting over a coffee, at the mobile shop, or purchasing Tania’s tarts. It is hard to walk through the village without a conversation or three. Could that be our greatest strength? It is certainly an attribute that makes us so glad that we live here. It is also an attribute that you will see coming through in this autumn edition of Northlew News. Enjoy your read, and I look forward to more chats in future wanders around our village. PAGE 1
n l va nium 3 Fe o m st a i d 26 - 28 July 2024 With 18 bands from around the country descending on our beautiful area of Devon, we at Bandamonium HQ were hoping for a step up from last year. A truly brasstastic weekend, centred around Hatherleigh, with Northlew being a major hub of activity on the main day, Saturday. Things kicked off on Friday night in Hatherleigh Square with the Brass Holes Brass Band. A seven-piece professional brass group, they entertained us with two hours of Pop/Rock classics. I can’t quite believe they played at that level of intensity for so long but they set the tone for a fantastic weekend. Saturday dawned with blue skies and even a pre-concert at the Manor in Ashbury by three bands staying there, suckers for punishment! The main event unleashed itself in six locations on the dot of 11 am. The Green Dragon in Northlew, Half Moon in Sheepwash, Hatherleigh Square, The New Inn in Sampford Courtenay, Kings Arms South Zeal, and our new location this year, Okehampton Rugby Club. At Bandamonium HQ we can’t really be sure what actually happened everywhere, indeed anywhere, other than by listening to reports from the bands, audiences, and the odd picture or video clip. What we are sure of was that it was a truly unbelievable celebration of everything bandy, with some quite brilliant sets, costumes, PAGE 2
The 18 bands included over 500 players. But it was more than the bands, without the audiences it would have been a little flat! Everyone I’ve spoken to rated Northlew as their favourite location, from Bugs, Tracey & Co on the Burgers, to the friendly welcome at the bar and especially the audiences. You guys ‘n gals showed again what an unbelievable place we live in – the biggest round of applause. The core principles of Bandamonium are: 1. To promote brass bands 2. To get brass bands to let their hair down and have fun 3. To be free for bands and audience 4. To attract players of any age new, or attract people back to playing brass 5. To bring trade to the local area, especially hospitality. Together I’m sure we went some way to ticking all the boxes. A word on finance: it is incredibly difficult to balance the books, especially considering the subsidised cost of the coaches provided to bands and the public alike, so another shout out to Northlew who embraced the new range of Bandamonium merchandise launched this year. No other location has supported us with T-shirts, Hoodies, Hats, and T-Towel sales quite like you lovely people in Northlew, so again another thank you. But the day was not over. Saturday evening saw all 18 bands descend on Hatherleigh for a massed band concert in the square. This is after up to ten hours travelling round the countryside and the challenge of never having played together before, and certainly no practising. It’s always a risk, but this is another speciality at Bandamonium which sets us apart from other events. Three years ago, at our first massed bands there were only five bands. At 18, it is clear just how special the massed band now is. The wall of music by so many banders, mixed with cowboys next to pirates next to hippies, the lights from the marquee and head torches twinkling against the dusk sky with the church spire shadowed behind brought a few people to tears – all in a good way! Sunday morning concluded the event in Hatherleigh square with a church service supported by 50 or so brass players and one of the more entertaining sermons by Rev Leigh, being well controlled by our new curate, Jonathon, before the Hatherleigh training band played a few numbers. PAGE 3
Sunday so that there’s a mini Bandamonium just for them… watch this space. It was a crazy idea to come up with a Brass Band festival of fun, and every year the fun has doubled. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many people and organisations. Please allow us to thank: Dartline coaches and Celia who made the impossible logistic plans work! Amazing. Our main sponsor Geneva Instruments who gave us so much confidence that we were heading down the right track. All our other sponsors, everyone who bought merchandise or a wristband, the Northlew scone ladies (you were brilliant). Tracey for making ridiculous quantities of sarnies. Tania Haycocks for the strawberries, cream and icecream from her window. All the volunteers and helpers who gave way more than they expected to (if you want to be a slave for a day get in touch x). Dan & Karla and the other locations for allowing us to turn their lives upside down for one Saturday a year. Oh, and Dan who brokered the deal to get Bandamonium Beer as well – that was probably the highlight of the century! In 2025 the Bandamonium weekend will be around Saturday 16th August, slightly later due to a clash with the British & Irish Lions. Keep in touch via our Facebook page and website as we announce new bands, possible new venues, exciting merchandise, and possibly a few surprises. We already have four returning bands signed up for next year plus a new entrant all the way from Halifax! Fame is spreading. www.bandamonium.co.uk / Visit our YouTube Channel, @bandamoniumbrassband PAGE 4
Northlew It is quite some years since Northlew has had a resident minister, either Methodist or Anglican. That all changed this July when Rev Jonathan Cook, along with his wife Sarah and two young children moved into the vicarage down below St Thomas church. Recently graduated from Oxford, Jonathan will be curate across the five churches that comprise this part of the North moor Benefice. ‘welcome home' in getting ordained here.” “As we drove into Northlew we just went, ‘whow’,” Sarah adds. “We didn’t really know what we were expecting but as we saw the thatched cottages, the pub, the school and enjoyed good company at a coffee morning, we were impressed that this is the place to be. That impression became even stronger as we met up and shared together with Rev Leigh and Lynn.” Background “We always wanted to come to Devon,” Jonathan enthuses. “This is partly because Sarah has friends and family in the area, partly that I had spent some time at HMS Drake in Plymouth and then Lee Abbey, and partly that we love the countryside and have memories of great Devon holidays.” Jonathan also claims a bit of Devon ancestry as his great-grandmother’s side of the family farmed at Doddiscombsleigh, five miles south-west of Exeter. “It felt special that I had ancestors in the graveyard of the local parish church close to the village where my pre-ordination retreat was hosted. It felt like a small Jonathan and Sarah first met in Durham where she was studying Natural Sciences. They both attended the same local church but would say they were acquaintances more than friends. She then moved to London where over the years she has worked at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), with the Alpha course, and with the development charity, Tearfund. They were fulfilling years. It was also at HTB where their lives collided again. Jonathan had been strongly influenced by his grandfather’s love of problem solving and so wanted an innovative kind of career rather than PAGE 5
else. He decided to move to London to study Business Management and yes, he ended up attending HTB. Jonathan says that when he first asked Sarah out she burst out laughing. But that laughter, and all the many things they have in common eventually turned into eight years of marriage with their family expanding to incorporate their two children, Oswald and Tabitha. The call The call to ministry can come unexpectedly. A committed and active volunteer in church life, Jonathan found himself on a church holiday worship session praying for someone. Prayer over, he thought, “Maybe I should pray for me as well”. With that prayer, he says, “I felt a strong encouragement, and perhaps, a sense of calling.” Jonathan applied for ministry but was told, “You need experience. Get out there and work for a while.” The next few years saw him involved at Hilfield Friary, a Franciscan retreat centre in Dorset; HMS Drake in Plymouth; Lee Abbey Youth camps near Lynton; and at a special needs school. All of that alongside seven years in corporate sales. But the gradual process towards ministry continued forwards until he found himself studying at Oxford. “It was a joint decision,” Jonathan says, “We almost didn’t go for the interview for Oxford, but I’m so glad we did. Following the interview we both strongly felt this is where we should be.” Why Northlew? They feel the same way about Northlew. PAGE 6 “We did go and look at another Devon opportunity first. We loved our visit but when we got home and were praying as to whether it was for us, it just didn’t feel right at this time. Northlew felt very different. In fact, it was the reverse. We were unsure of it until we got here, but as we drove into the village we had a strong positive feeling and a sense of peace.” Rev Leigh is delighted for that feeling, noting that, “this is a couple who are authentic, have integrity and want to make a positive difference.” Jonathan and Sarah acknowledge that their new life will not just be honey and roses. “We recognise that there may be some struggles ahead, but we want to learn, serve, be a blessing and just see how God can work through us. For us it just seems we have landed at the right time in the right place.” Those who have lived in Northlew can only agree that there is no better place to be. Together we wish Jonathan, Sarah and the children a very happy and positive experience in our community. [Victor Hulbert]
CHURCH Good news; Yes, and with a world full of bad news right now we could certainly do with some. In case you don’t know, the word ‘gospel’ literally means good news, and for my part, my experience has been that receiving the gospel has been the best news I’ve ever received, but how about you? Revd Leigh Winsbury I talk to a lot of people who have been put off of our Christian ‘good news’ because to them, it sounded like pretty bad news, and was delivered badly too. Now, I have a theory, that when each of us, at last, see the real Jesus face to face when we cross the veil out of this life, will instantly fall in love with him. Because he is everything we’ve ever wanted, needed and didn’t even know we wanted or needed. So what goes wrong? I would suggest, if you’ve ever been put off of Jesus, it wasn’t him you rejected, but something else. Maybe some nasty form of organised religion, some pious, self-righteous, judgemental and critical human saying they were speaking on God’s behalf; maybe some negative experience that involved churches or Christians behaving generally badly? It pains me to say that all these things go on, largely through ignorance, false teaching, inherited bad doctrines of belief, corruptions of Jesus’ message over two millennia of messed up human history; there are many reasons for these things. But, and it’s a big but; it wasn’t him that did it, whatever it was. Jesus has always loved you, even as he imagined you before creation. He has given himself totally for you in taking away everything that could have kept you from his love. When we accept his love, it is truly transformative and liberating, setting us free to be the people we were always designed to be, always yearned to be and yet fail to manage on our own. Good news? I reckon, if you’ve walked away from it before, maybe have another look, Much love, Leigh. PAGE 7
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