2021-11 Gittisham Gazette Nov 2021

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

November 2021 Edition 237

Gittisham’s Hallowe-en – Trick or Treat

On 31st October the children met outside the village hall for a bring and share tea, a few suitably scarily dressed.  After tea they set out, with some of the parents to go around the village many of the houses had beautifully carved and lit up pumpkins with some of the homes decorated with appropriate scary things.  It was lovely to see such polite and thankful children and it is a pleasure to offer treats for them to collect in their bags.  

Combe Farm Shop

As November starts we are sure everyone is starting to think of the big C word.  Well at the shop we have been thinking about Christmas for a while.  We have been busy prepping hampers, getting in lots of new stock, including stocking stuffers, advent calendars, chocolates and more treats, and already taking lots of Christmas orders.  We have plenty of local meat and vegetables in stock.  Some of our items available for Christmas are: in-house cured gammons, in-house cured bacon, homemade pigs in blankets, local Exeter turkeys and geese, our own Ruby Red beef, local lamb from Ottery St Mary, and local vegetables.

The shop is open from 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday to Saturday (late opening till 5:30pm on Thursdays) and Sundays 9am-1pm.  Our takeaway is still open offering hot and cold drinks, seasonal specials, pastries, cakes, breakfast baps and light lunches.  Open Tuesday – Saturday from 9 am to 3pm. (Hot food served 10am -2pm)

Stop by the shop to discuss how we can help with your Christmas, from veg boxes, meat hampers, turkeys and more.  We look forward to seeing you,

Joanna and team

People in the News

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Hazel Snell who died in her care home in Colyton on Saturday 30th October age 97.  Hazel moved to Gittisham in 1986 following the death of her husband.  She lived in Webbers Cottage for many years, before moving up to a bungalow in Church Mead. It was due to her ill health and failing eyesight she went to the home in Colyton, which was close to daughter Ann.  Her other daughter Debbie also lives in Devon. Ann also used to live in Gittisham with her daughter Emma and son James.  Emma and her family still live in the village.  We wish them all the peace to grieve and many happy memories to cherish. May you rest in peace Hazel. Hazel’s funeral will be in Gittisham on Tuesday 23rd November at 1.00pm.

Snippets from Shermans Farm by Jack Bartlett

Well it’s been a while since I last wrote, my fault entirely for not getting it to Carol on time ! 

A lot has changed on the farm in that time, firstly that Lauren & I are expecting! A new addition to Shermans due on 12th January. We’re both very excited. This will be Leonard & Angela’s fifth grandchild. They will have more capacity for babysitting as, after a delayed start, their house is coming along well. You will notice it as you come up the road past Shermans; with some landscaping and planning requirements for design it should blend in nicely and will be ideal for them both, being so close to them farm. 

We have had a quieter spell calving in September & October. which has been refreshing in a way. With lots due to calve over the winter months, we’re going to be busy. 

We finished renovating a calf shed at the start of the year to accommodate up to 70 calves.  This has helped dramatically with workload and health of the calves. They’re really thriving in there which is nice to see after a big investment. They have moved into this shed for weaning and stay until about five months, where they will either go to grass through the summer or Catshayes, now that the weather has taken a colder turn. 

The maize harvest came off well.  We were concerned about how wet the fields would be, but were pleasantly surprised! Hedges have been trimmed, but we only trim about half of the hedges each year.  This is part of our stewardship to help with the birds and the bees.  If it sounds noisy when we are cutting 2 years growth, it’s all for a good cause! 

We are TB testing in a couple of weeks, which makes me very nervous… Will keep everything crossed and hope for a good outcome. After speaking to a lot of local farmers the situation doesn’t seem to be improving. 

Always something to keep us on our toes. 

Parish Council – November report

Four councillors met for the November meeting. Phil Twiss (DCC), Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), Jake Bonetta (EDDC) and one member of the public were also present.

Hayne Lane.    

Phil Twiss said that DCC Highways has been preparing a scheme to lay kerbs and channels on Hayne Lane to protect the edge from erosion. But when the regional officer visited the site recently with the contractor’s agent to discuss the necessary work, they saw that the bank had collapsed completely following recent storms.  He said DCC staff had tried placing sandbags and barriers to keep the lane open, but the permanent works are of a scale which will now need referring to another team to carry out the work.  Phil Twiss said he could not give a timescale for this.

Finance. 

Councillors noted the finances.

Crimes. 

Sept 2021: 1 x burglary, Devonshire Road

Road closures.

11-12 November Road closure for Western Power – Road past Shermans Farm.

22-24 November Road closure for Jurassic Fibre – Ironbridge to Eveleigh’s Farm.

Peter Orchard said he would follow up with DCC School Transport to see whether or not the school buses would be affected.

Parish boundary, Gittisham Vale.  

Parish councillors expressed their disappointment that neither GPC nor Honiton Town Council had been informed well in advance of a report proposing a review of the parish and town boundaries that went before EDDC cabinet this week.  They agreed that any change in the parish boundary between Gittisham Vale and Honiton St Michael’s in particular could have significant implications for council tax rates, and even the existence of the parish council itself.  Members heard that the item was deferred for further consideration by EDDC in December.  They agreed to ask EDDC for the discussion to be postponed until a proper consultation can take place.

Planning applications.

  1. Pomeroy House, Gittisham – Single-storey extension to side with raised patio, installation of porch canopy to courtyard west elevation and east elevation, and internal alterations, involving demolition of existing porch to side. No objection.
  2. I Hamlet Cottages, Weston – Variation of condition number 2 (approved plans) of application 21/1295/FUL (Demolition of existing workshop to be replaced with a new self-build dwelling). Objection on the grounds outlined previously, ie granting permission would establish a new residential unit in the countryside without agricultural need being sought, and it will act as a precedent for other opportunities in the future which would be detrimental to the overall policy-making of EDDC.

Old Elm Road.

Peter Orchard explained that the Old Elm balancing pond downstream exit grill is blocked. EDDC is aware and has appointed contractors urgently.

Councillor vacancy, Gittisham Vale.   

Jan Fowles was elected parish councillor for Gittisham Vale by an unanimous vote.

Scam awareness.

Janet Twist outlined two current scams: 1) a scammer impersonating an EDDC officer regarding re-banding of council tax rings and asks for money.  Jake Bonetta added that EDDC officers would never contact a resident out of the blue regarding a re-banding of council tax.  Please hang up and call EDDC on their official number.  2) Tesco “free prize draw”.  This is an email scam, asking you to complete a survey for the chance of winning a prize in order to steal people’s bank details.

Next meeting. 

Thursday 9th December, 7.30pm in the village hall.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

The Baptism on Sunday 17th October was packed with a few heart-stopping moments, when young Savannah had several ventures up into the pulpit to hide, and then thought behind the altar might also be a good place to evade ‘capture’.  The Ven. John had the patience of a saint and all the elements of the Christening were carried out successfully.  Our November services will be Sunday 7th a telephone one, on the 14th Remembrance starting at the Lych-gate about 10.50 with a short service of reflection, wreath laying and singing the National Anthem before going in to the church to continue with the communion. On the 21st Morning Worship in church and the 28th there will be a special all-age service in church to celebrate Advent, and if permitted with coffee afterwards. The 3rd December will be a telephone service.  Numbers are less restricted but bookings would be very helpful as the service sheets still have to be printed and it will save too many pages being wasted.  Please call Carol on 01404 851113.

Obviously until told otherwise, social distancing and masks should preferably to be worn, but if you want to sing you must wear masks.  Our services are all at 11.00am  To receive details for ongoing worship,  Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol  by telephone 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk  or Julia on gshaminister@gmail.com or for those without internet ring her on 07763111367 or 01404 850680 or they are published on the Gittisham website https://gittisham.org

Our Harvest Festival collection of non-perishable food for the Honiton Food Bank was very well received and they wrote to say a huge thank you to us.  The church is open three or four days in the week and as the weather is cooler now, the door will be closed but unlocked.  If you find it closed (it is quite hard to open but keep trying) but if definitely locked and would like to view or have prayer space please ring me (Carol 851113) and hopefully I will be home to unlock.

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue is now back from her month’s leave.  The website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about  services and the latest guidelines on the Covid regulations.  There is also a link to the Gittisham website.  The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services,  Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s will be live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue  or the Parish Office by emailing sue41260@gmail.com or  office@honitoncofe.org and the link will be  forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays.  The ‘virtual’ Eucharist at 6.30pm will re-commence from November 21st.  There was an email from the Cathedral advising that the cathedral prayer diary would include the HMC in the prayers during their services on the 30th October.

At St Paul’s, coffee and biscuits  are served in church on  Tuesdays and Saturdays.  They are currently free of charge but donations are welcomed for Vaccine Aid.  The All Souls service this year will be held on the 7th November in the afternoon, details from Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office. The zoom virtual Eucharist service at 6.30 will be resumed on Sunday 21st November.  


200 Club

Owing to the death of one of our founder 200 club members whose subscription was paid monthly I now have numbers available.  If you would like to join the church’s 200 club which is one way of funding the upkeep please ring me, Carol 01404851113. I can send an application form the cost is £12 per number per year – if you join now the cost would be £4.00                                

November 2021 200 Club Results

1st  Dawn Merchant                      2nd  Jan Sutcliffe               3rd   Dianne Janes                 
4th  Tom Ballantyne                           5th   Cynthia Underdown             

Gittisham Flower & Produce Show

Over the years the Flower and Produce Show has collected about £200 to be spent for the benefit of the parish.  If you have any ideas please let Angie Hutchings know.  Her email is angieh13@btinternet.com or phone 01404 45101.  Thank you.


Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe

Pierre will be holding his monthly pop-up café in the village hall on Sunday 14th November from 10.00 – 4.00 serving homemade croissants and pains au chocolat then a selection of French savouries with soup and a sweet goodie or two.  Hot drinks are available but if you want alcohol please bring your own.  Payment can be either in cash or by card.  Pierre would be pleased to know if you are coming (not compulsory but very helpful especially if vegetarian or vegan)  telephone Pierre on 07545 214940.  He looks forward to seeing you on the 14th.

Change of venue for soup & sparklers on 7th November

The soup with rolls and sparklers on Sunday evening from 5.30 will now be in and outside the village hall for the logistics of keeping the soup hot, and also possibly the mulled wine, and if cold to keep the attendees warm too.  There is no need to bring sparklers but you can if you want.

Royal British Legion poppies

I have been going round the village with the poppies, if I have missed you or you were out when I called and if you would like me to call please let me know 851113.  Thanks,  Carol

Gazette printing is still not possible with the ongoing restrictions, as the Parish Office in Honiton remains closed. The Gazette is also available on the Gittisham website  Gittisham.org.uk.  If you would like a copy by email please let me have your email details or if you have no internet it can be posted to you until things get back to order some help with 2nd class postage would be appreciated, Carol McCann 3 School Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH. 01404 851113 I will leave a few copies in the Vale bus shelter and Hayne Farm Estate Sales Office again until such time the whole print run can be delivered by Peter and Ann again.  Do let me have your email as I am hopefully trying to save on printing costs and looking after our lovely planet. Thank you.  

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113/07946409142     charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk.

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate,  do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the December edition is 25th November please.  I hope to send out on 3rd December, subject to the Parish Council report being received.