A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council
September 2022 Edition 247
Rewilding in Gittisham Vale
Gittisham Parish Council and East Devon District Council are working together on a rewilding
project in Gittisham Vale, to allow nature to flourish and thrive in a green space at Old Elm Road.
There is an information event at the end of Ferndale Road on Tuesday 13th September from 2pm
until 4pm.
East Devon District Council has already left a number of small green spaces across the area
uncut, allowing them to be more biodiverse, attractive, wildlife friendly, climate friendly and
ecological.
The plan is to introduce more wildflowers to areas that have had high frequency cuts for a long
time, with the result being that existing impoverished green landscapes in populated areas
become unpolluted, beautiful and productive.
These uncut wildlife havens:
Provide habitats for insects and wildlife
Reduce CO2 emissions, by not using mowers
Promotes sustainable landscapes
Encourages native wild flowers
If you’d like to know more, please contact your Parish Councillor Alex Rowe
Back to School
So our lovely long hot summer holidays are coming to an end. Edward and Tom are off to read
Geography at Reading and Daphne is also reading geography at Cardiff. Chloe will be going to
‘big’ school for the first time, Jonny Valentine, having had great results in his GCSEs, will be
starting A-levels at Kings. He will also be in the Kings School Musical ‘The Adams Family’. Two of
Sarah Agg-Manning’s Scottish grand children, Florence and Rosie Arbuthnott are coming south
and will be going to Sherborne. William Fuller transfers from Feniton to Kings. We wish all our
children and young students a very happy academic year and hope there will be no more
interruptions in their schooling.
Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe
At Pierre’s popular monthly café on 11th September, he will be cooking a selection of tapas and pintxos for lunch. Pintxos is the Basque version of tapas, the Basque region being somewhere Pierre has worked as a chef in the past. Customers can choose from a selection of dishes, including patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), pan con tomate (bread spread with garlic and tomatoes), Spanish cheeses, cured meats and grilled aubergines. Vegetarians and vegans will also find many dishes to enjoy. As usual, Pierre will be baking home-made croissants, pains au chocolat and cakes. Please book for lunch to avoid disappointment. Call Pierre on 07545 214940. We look forward to seeing you, any time between 10am and 4pm in Gittisham Village Hall on Sunday 11th September.
Hayne Farm News, Janet Twist
Defibrillator installed at Hayne Lane Estate
A public access defibrillator has been installed at the new Hayne Farm development in Gittisham
and is the third defibrillator to be installed in the parish by the parish council. It’s the result of a
collaboration between developer Baker Estates, Gittisham Parish Council and Sovereign Housing.
The parish council has also produced a leaflet which has been delivered to all the residents of
Hayne Farm, explaining where the defibrillator is located and how to use it in the event of an
emergency. Gittisham parish has a total of three defibrillators, funded by the parish council. One is
located on Old Elm Road in Gittisham Vale, and the other is housed in the former telephone box in
the centre of Gittisham village.
Playground Opens
The playground at Hayne Farm estate was opened in time for the summer holidays. Although the
playground is not quite finished yet, with the hard landscaping needing to be completed, the play
equipment has been installed, and children have been able to enjoy the area over the holidays.
Community Kitchen
As Sara Trumper is currently away, her Thursday evening community suppers in the village hall are being prepared by different teams. Betty Madden masterminded last week’s and next week’s will be Maggie Walker. With the ongoing increases in living costs Sara’s idea of a ‘simple meal’ will be much needed, we will not only be fed but we will be warm too! The Hall is open from 6pm to 9pm with food being served at about 6.30pm. No need to book, everybody welcome. The simple meal caters for all tastes including vegetarian and vegan. All donations of excess produce etc. gratefully received – please email Sara on or text/WhatsApp to 07939 148762. There is also a donations pot if you feel inclined to help with costs.
Mary Ward
It is with sadness I announce the death of Mary Ward on 16th August. Mary and late husband
Stanley were regular members of Gittisham Church and lived in a bungalow at Gittisham Hill until
Mary moved to Hillside Care Home just outside Newton Poppleford. There will be a family only
Cremation at East Devon Crematorium on 2nd September and a Memorial Service here in
Gittisham on Saturday 24th September at 2.00pm, followed by interment of ashes with Stanley. We
wish the family many happy memories and the peace to grieve.
Christmas Card competition
Please remember you have only 30 days left before you must hand in your Christmas Card
for judging. May the best one win !! Fold a piece of A4 paper, into 4, then draw and colour a
Christmas picture on one side and write your name, church, and your age on the back page.
Rev’ds Sue and Christine have agreed to judge the best in all of the age groups. The groups will
be up to 6, then 7 to 11 followed by 12 to 20 then by special permission if any adult who wishes to
join in (you can). There will be a voucher for the winner in each group and we will turn your picture
into Christmas Cards to be on sale at the Christmas sale at St. Paul’s and hopefully in the village
churches too. Closing Date for Entries 30th September, if you bring your entry to Carol a few days
before 30th, I will take them to St. Paul’s for you. Judging will take place during October and
the winners will be announced in the November issue of Around the Parishes. (Come on
Gittisham’s youngsters, do have a go and see if you can win a prize.) Carol
Parish Council report, September 2022
Seven councillors met for the September meeting. Phil Twiss (DCC) and Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) were also present.
Avian ‘flu.
Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset have now been declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone by the UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, where it is hoped that this will mitigate further outbreaks of the disease. Bird keepers will have to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks,
regardless of size, in Devon and other southwest counties. This includes ‘backyard owners’ with small
numbers of poultry such as chickens, ducks and geese who must follow steps to prevent bird ‘flu from spreading further.
Dogs.
Alasdair Bruce said that EDDC is proposing changes to bylaws covering dogs off leads and a
rewording of dog exclusion zones on our beaches. He said he had raised grave concerns regarding the
removal of dogs on leads in our lanes, roads and certain open spaces. The district council feels that any
issues can be covered by enforcement action under other laws and the police. Alasdair said he had
highlighted the increase in dog attacks on livestock and increased evidence of dog fouling on some
sections of our popular beaches. He would encourage people in the parish to feed in any comments
concerning the proposed changes if they feel they need to.
Finance.
Councillors noted the finances.
Crimes.
May 2022: 1 x anti-social behaviour, Laburnum Close
2 x violence & sexual offences, Cypress Close
1 x anti-social behaviour, Parsonage Lane
1 x violence & sexual offences, Parsonage Lane
June 2022: no crimes
Road closures / changes to public transport.
26 September − 21 October Hayne Lane closed for construction of new retaining wall; a diversion will be in place via Devonshire Road, Sidmouth Road and Beech Walk.
19−23 September railway line closure between Axminster and Pinhoe; a bus replacement service will be in operation between Axminster and Exeter St David’s.
Old Elm Road balancing pond.
Phil Twiss reassured the parish council that work to clear the pond has been booked with DCC contractors, but he could not confirm the start date.
Planning applications.
a) Westgate, Gittisham – Erection of solar panels on existing pool house/garage roof and erection of
summer house
b) Kings Arms Farm Nags Head Road – Construction of a two storey 18-unit residential home for
vulnerable people
c) Land Adjacent To Hamlet House Nags Head Road – Extension of an existing commercial building
on the land north of Hamlet House
d) Curlditch House Gittisham EX14 3AE Proposed siting of 5 no. Shepherd’s Huts in the field
southeast of Curlditch House (change to heritage statement)
Councillors had no objection to a, b or c. The parish council’s objection to revised application d)
remains unchanged.
Scam awareness.
Janet Twist said scammers are currently using the hike in energy prices as a way to defraud people, sending out letters asking people to call a Freephone number for help.
Next meeting.
This will be on 6th October at 7.30pm in the parish room.
Can you help us spread the word?
The search begins for 2022’s Best Young Landscape Artist and we need your help to spread the word.
We are inviting budding young artists to showcase their creativity by capturing Devon’s unique and precious landscapes in the medium of their choice. There are two entry categories – one for teenagers (aged 12-18) and one for younger children (age 7-11) – with cash prizes for the winners.
We held the competition for the first time last year and were really impressed with the quality
and quantity of entries from across the county, and would like to get the word out again that
we are looking for more budding artists.
More details can be viewed on our website: www.cpredevon.org.uk/my-outdoors-painting
To enter, post your artwork A3 or A4 in size clearly putting your name age and contact details
on the back page to Devon CPRE, PO Box 26, Beaworthy, EX21 5XN Closing date 30th
September.
There is a copy of the poster on the bus shelter in Gittisham and notice boards at Hayne
Farm and Gittisham Vale.
St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club
St. Michael’s Gittisham
On 14th August baby Phoebe Bartlett was Christened by Rev. Robert. We had a full church
plus lots of children, Phoebe behaved impeccably and seemed to be taking everything in,
including taking a fancy to Rev. Robert’s roving microphone, which was itself behaving rather
badly! I really need to get the system checked out again, I’m not sure what’s going on and why it
screeches a lot of the time. Is there anyone who is good with sound systems that could come and
have a look as we are getting a lot of feedback?
Rufus Lyle has nearly finished the re-plastering of the damp areas in the church, porch and vestry,
with just the lime wash to do when the plaster is fully dry, then he will start on the brushing down of
the loose plaster in the Marker Chapel.
Our services for September: 4th no service, 11th Eucharist, 18th no service, 25th lay-led Morning
Worship. As our next PCC meeting is being rearranged it is possible that our Harvest Festival
service will be lay-led – hopefully outdoors and probably on 2nd October at 11am with coffee
afterwards.
To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol on 01404 851113 or email or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680.
Has anyone some ideas of how to sow some wild flower seeds in the churchyard to make the wild areas in the churchyard look lovely for next year’s growing season and if so perhaps we can have a ‘planting’ party please let me know if you would be prepared to help thanks.
Honiton Mission Community
Rev’d Sue is planning to return to her duties slowly this month and will be leading the weekly
Sunday Services at 11am to start with. It will be lovely to see her back in the ‘fold’ again, she
hopes to visit the villages in due course.
Honiton St Paul’s weekly services continue at 11.00am. 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 is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or 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. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed. Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.
On Saturday 10th September the next ‘Celebrate Together’ afternoon with tea for both adults
and youngsters with learning difficulties and their carers. We sing songs, have stories and there is
usually a theme. Everyone is most welcome and if you know of anyone who might like to join in
do please ask them to ring Lyn Thatcher (Honiton churchwarden) 01404 41429 or the Parish
Office 44035 for details. The event starts from 2.45pm and finishes about 4.30.
Mission Community Harvest Services, some are being held on 2nd October this year. Honiton’s
hopes to be outside on the forecourt 11.00am, Buckerell in church 10am. Monkton is Sunday 16th
October their Service will be held at 11.15 am followed by a 3-course lunch in the Village Hall.
Combe Raleigh. On Sunday 18th September at 3.00pm in St Nicholas’ Church we will be holding
our first “Hymn Sing”. We are hoping this will become a monthly event – half an hour or so of
singing favourite hymns – no readings, sermon, or prayers, and certainly no charge – just an
opportunity to sing together, to be followed by tea and cake! We would be delighted if you are
able to come and join us. Rosemary Mapleston
200 Club
I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want
your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of
the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as September has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £6 commencing with October. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).
Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.
September 2022 200 Club Results
1st Rosemary Wensley 2nd Angie Hutchings 3rd Richard Marker
4th Sandra Moss 5th Helen Hayman! 6-month Bill Griffiths
2022 Ploughing Match
This year’s Sidmouth Junction & District Ploughing Match is on 11th September, at Higher
Gosford Farm, Fenny Bridges, EX14 3AZ. From 10.00am. Last year it was just up the road at
Gittisham Farm and very interesting.
Reorganisation of buses
If you, like me are slightly flummoxed about the bus timetable, I hope this will be of help, I have
gleaned these times from the bus shelter timetable so hope it is up to date!!
Stagecoach has changed the number from 4/4A to 44/44A
Gittisham to Honiton, 9.55, 13.55, 15.55, 18.59
Honiton to Gittisham 8.07, 9.26, 11.26, 13.26, 17.26
Dartline Monday and Thursday Gittisham to Honiton 9.50 and Honiton to Gittisham 14.20
Food Bank Blue Box
The blue box for the Honiton Food Bank has moved from the bus shelter to the church porch. If you are
able to give some support with non-perishable items you will be helping this worthy cause, tinned soup,
vegetables, fruit, puddings, longlife milk, oil, ketchup/mayonnaise, packet soups, pastas, cereals,
jam/marmalade, squash, biscuits, tea, coffee, chocolate. If you have a surplus of fresh fruit or vegetables, there is a fresh produce food bank in Queen Street near the turn-off to Orchard Way with a box outside.
Gittisham Gazette distribution
This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.
Editor/Distributor:
Carol McCann 01404 851113 / 0794 6409142 .
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 October edition is 26th September. The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in October.