Devon Young People's Achievement Awards In the summer Devon Children’s Trust will be holding the second annual Young People's Achievement Awards at County Hall in Exeter. This will celebrate the achievements of young people aged 13-19 from across the county and recognise their hard work and dedication in making themselves and their communities better. Do you know young people who have worked hard to improve their lives, develop their skills and challenge expectations; about young people who given their time and energy to make a difference in their school or community and inspire others? Please use this process to recognise the achievements of young people – log on to the website and make your nominations www.devon.gov.uk/youthawards *** Are you a carer? Do you need help? A Sitting Service is now available in North Devon which will allow you to take some time out. Out of nearly 9,000 Carers in North Devon, these services are only used by 1%. For further details call Louise on: 01271 372250 *** Grants for sustainable farming and food projects in rural Devon. Grants from £5,000 upwards are available from Devon Renaissance to deliver projects to improve skills and productivity in the farming and food sector. The programme is open to formally organised groups of farming and/or food businesses or not-for-profit organisations working in farming and food. To find out more contact Devon Renaissance on 01837 658643 or visit www.ruraldevon.org *** From Carers Link… Short cookery courses for Male Carers Ian Mills will be running informal, friendly sessions on Tuesdays 8,15,22 April at Oakwell, Lyddicleave, Bickington from10.30am-1pm for those who find themselves in the situation of taking on the role of cook in addition to their caring responsibilities. For more details and to book a place - travel and sitting services will be reimbursed, contact Denise on 01271 372811
*** South Molton & District Children’s Centre Witheridge parent & toddler group runs on Monday & Wednesday mornings 9.30am-12noon. At present, Julie, the Early Years Project worker who is based at S.M. Children’s Centre, has been visiting the group with Sue, a volunteer from the Centre. Julie has contacted a trustee of the Village Hall, who has allowed the community group to have a changing unit and display board so that parents with under fives can see what’s going on in the area. Below is a parents letter about how the visits have helped. “In January, the Children’s Centre services joined our group. They have given us some fantastic help and support with running our group, they have brought many activities with them, for example making play dough, which the children really enjoyed. Today we have had fancy dress and painting. At the end of each session we had Storytime and singing. It has given us some great ideas on how to run and add structure to our group.” As in Witheridge there are a number of hard working parents voluntarily providing a service for pre-school children in their area and doing a good job. If you would like a visit or you think your group would benefit from our help, please call Julie on 07912395215 and we will try to support your group by working together. *** The Role of the Hall, past, present and future, Devon Association of Community Buildings AGM and conference, Thursday 3rd April at Christow, details 01392 383443 or email info@devonrcc.org.uk
*** Pottery PaintingJax Williams opened her Pots’n’Paints home studio at Glebe Farm, Little Torrington, EX38 8PS just over a year ago. “Everyone from mums & toddlers to ladies groups has enjoyed the experience” says Jax. “I think the success is down to the fact that everyone can produce a masterpiece. Even those who claim no artistic skill go away with a personal and unique piece that they are proud of.” So how does it work? You choose an unpainted pot from the huge range available - anything from a mug to a moneybox - and get painting! To win a £30 voucher towards a pottery painting party at your house or painting session at the studio, please answer the following question and send this together with your details on the entry form below or on a postcard to - Pots ’n’ Paints. "------------------------------------------------------------- Where is the Pots’n’Paints studio located? Answer: _________________________________________ Name:
Address:
Email: Phone: ***S Filleigh Village Hall There are still places for the Level 2 Food Safety in Catering course to be held on Saturday April 19th. See last months News for details or ring 01598 760332 *** Aquarius Swimschool, based at West Buckland School swimming pool for nearly eight years, are launching the New Amateur Swimming Association's National Plan for Teaching Swimming from April 2008. This new and improved plan focuses on teaching swimming through fun using FUNdamentals skills. Bookings are also being taken now for their ever popular summer holiday 3 day crash courses. For more information please visit www.aquariusswimschool.co.uk or call 08700 345627. Free taster session may be available on request. *** South Molton Swimming Pool Easter Holidays Intensive Swimming Lessons for Children Monday 7th to Friday 11th April 2008 Beginners 9.00-9.30am Weak improvers 9.30-10am 5 lessons for £19.00 Call in for details or ‘phone 01769 572522 *** S Molton Mayor Stephen Lock invites you to a Charity Variety Evening in aid of the Mayor’s Charities
April 26th at 7pm, at South Molton Community College. Entry £5, tickets on the door. There will be a prize draw. *** Healthier Homes North Devon grant scheme provides free or subsidised loft insulation and/or cavity wall insulation. By insulating your home you will save money on your fuel bills, make your home more comfortable, and help our environment because it’ll be more efficient. If you’re a home owner or live in a privately rented property, you are eligible for the scheme. Based on specific criteria you may be entitled to free insulation. Alternatively, you will need to make a subsidised contribution. Apply by calling the Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre free phone on 0800 512 012. You’ll be asked to provide basic details including your name, full address and contact telephone number/s. Our N Devon Surveyor will contact you within 4-6 weeks to arrange a time to survey your property. The contractors, Miller Paterson will do the work. Our energy advisors will be happy to answer any questions , help reduce your bills further by providing energy advice and check your eligibility for other grant schemes. info@wcea.org.uk *** The Friends of S Molton Community Woodland invite you to come and hear draught horse trainer and logger Jonathan Waterer talking about Working in the Woods with Heavy Horses entrance £1- refreshments everybody welcome! Thursday, 1st May, 7.30pm Methodist Church Hall, North St, S Molton details 01769 573415 *** Farewell to Andrew Conibear See Andrew’s farewell to us on the back page Mayor Stephen Lock and I have enjoyed managing Andrew Conibear and now face the task, with all the funders of his post, of deciding how best to fill the gap he leaves. Many of the details for Amory House are well advanced, which is great. It will not only house not only all the existing council facilities and will offer easy-access, state-of-the-art meeting rooms for all from volunteer groups to agencies like the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to commercial users. Marketing these facilities for the benefit of the community will be a challenge and an opportunity for the Town Council who continue to own Amory House. Andrew has put together a town marketing plan, working with the new Business Association. S Molton Town Council has budgeted £5000 per year for a marketing post for the next two years, which will be of great help to Amory House and the town. The staff of the Community Information Centre, Town Council and the District office meet regularly to share ideas and experience to ensure that community services are the best possible. North Devon Plus is currently helping to find capacity to carry on with some of Andrew’s work. Mrs Tryphena Huntingford - Chair. *** Senior Council for Devon Almost There
The formation of the Senior Council for Devon (SCfD) took a step forward on the 20th February: the Assembly of the Senior Councils consisting of 60 Representative Members from each of the Local Senior Council Groups met for the first time to approve the constitution. Each group has elected two Representative Members; those for S Molton, Chulmleigh and the surrounding parishes are Toni Hamilton and Claire Parkinson. Funding has come from the Department of Works and Pensions and Devon County Council. The Senior Council for Devon aims to be a focus for the voice of people aged 50 plus in policy development and service planning, and aims to realise the potential of people in later life as a creative and active resource for the community. Devon County Council and Primary Care Trust have made a commitment to provide core funding for an initial 3 year period. The S Molton Branch is holding a meeting at 2pm on Tuesday, 8 April at Filleigh Village Hall. If you are over 50 and interested in shaping your future, then you are more than welcome to join us. Membership is free, and you can get involved as much as you want. If you just want to be kept informed that’s OK, if you want to get more involved then there will be opportunities to take part at a local and County level. More information from David Hess of Peter Fletcher Associates, who have undertaken the initial development work, on 01837 83818 or 0844 800 9283 (local call rate) info@peterfletcher associates.co.uk *** Photography Competition Win a fantastic Fujifilm A820 digital camera and accessory pack Read, Ride, Relax with Travelwise and Devon Library & Information Service to celebrate the 2008 National Year of Reading. Entry forms from libraries or www.devon.gov.uk/libraries/thezone Simply snap a photo of you, your family or friends reading on the move. Closing date 30 June *** Recipe of the Month Yorkshire Parkin Melt 12 oz Margarine, 12 oz Golden Syrup and 6 oz soft brown sugar in a large pan. Stir in 12 oz medium oats, 6 oz Self Raising flour and 1 dessert spoon of ground ginger. Add 2 beaten eggs. If the mixture is too stiff, add a little milk. Pour into a greased tin and bake at 275°f (gas no.3) for 1¼ hours. Good on the same day then best left for several days till moist and sticky. Beryl Morgan *** Latest news on Post Office closures From the Community Council of Devon As you know, Post Office Ltd is undertaking a programme closures nationwide. In total 2,500 closures are anticipated, an average of 50 in each postal area, Devon being one area. The timetable for the determination of closures is: 20th May the final list will be made public and 6 weeks of public consultation will begin. MPs will be informed the week before. 19th August the closures will be implemented. If an individual post office is saved, by either Postwatch intervention or through public consultation, another further down the list will close. The public can comment on the closure programme via the following contacts: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp required) or telephone 08457 223344. Or via their web page: www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange (go to “news & Updates” on the left of the page, and then via “contact us”) You can contact Postwatch at: 08456 013265 or 028 9027 9348 or email: info@postwatch.co.uk Website: www.postwatch.co.uk *** A Farewell from Andrew Conibear See MA2K’s farewell to Andrew on page 6 It is with some sadness that I am leaving my post in S Molton. I have had a great experience here and am thankful for all the support shown to me. The Amory House project has progressed well over the last few months and the next six months will be a crucial time for the Operations Group; consisting of ten people, who will be working in the building, led by Malcolm Gingell, the Town Clerk and Kathy Stanbury, the librarian. This group is overseeing the management arrangements and putting in place the procedures to ensure the successful working of this building. S Molton Town, N Devon District and Devon County Councils have teamed up to provide a one-stop venue where a whole range of services can be easily accessed by the public. When someone has a problem or concern about council services they are often unsure whose responsibility it is. The aim of Amory House will be to enable the public to resolve their queries and issues quickly and easily without being passed to numerous departments. In addition, a range of community service agencies will have a presence, including the Citizens Advice Bureau and there will be regular surgeries from councillors, the local MP and Benefits, Planning and Housing advice from North Devon Council. The intention is for the local community to easily access important services and information under one roof, without having to travel further afield to Barnstaple. Also offered in the new building will be a range of meeting and conference room facilities that will include high tech presentation facilities and wireless internet access which can be hired at very reasonable rates. Amory House will be fully accessible from East Street and the Central Car Park area, and its opening, along with the new purpose built library, is eagerly anticipated for October. *** |