A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council
January 2023 Edition 251
A village happy new year
The village hall was buzzing with lots of familiar faces all clearly intent on waving goodbye to the hard times of the old year and welcoming in the new year. It was a wonderful display of community spirit with even Oliver Hardy and Elvis making an appearance. There was enough food to feed an army and the drink was flowing. Music was provided by Alex and Robert Rowe who did amazing job of making sure even the shyest got up and danced. They even provided a countdown clock to take us up to midnight when everyone staggered up to the green to hear the sound of the church bells and then sing Auld Lang Syne in a great big circle followed by a rendition of Happy Birthday to Stanley who then turned 13. It didn’t end there though; most returned back to the hall for karaoke and more food. A few who were worse for wear, (not mentioning any names but one who was donning a rather lovely red velvet jacket), had to be chaperoned home! (There are photos if anyone wishes to pay enough for them!)
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and if anyone who didn’t would still like to donate to Alex for his efforts, please let me know.
Maria Whitton
I was unable to attend the party due to ill health but having heard from several people, I would like to thank Maria for suggesting and arranging the evening. Carol
Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe, 8th January
This month Pierre will be serving a Middle Eastern special for lunch: lamb khoresh, a type of stew with meltingly soft aubergines. It’s followed by a dessert of baklava, maamoul and Turkish Delight. Vegans and vegetarians will also be catered for. There’ll be the usual selection of homemade croissants and pastries in the morning, as well as delicious cakes including a gluten-free option. Doors open from 10am in Gittisham Village Hall. Please book to avoid disappointment and to give Pierre an idea of numbers. BYOB. Tel. 07545 214940.
Gittisham Community Kitchen
The first (nearly) six months of the community kitchen has been a great success and hopefully the project will go on from strength to strength into 2023 and beyond. We have had 22 weekly sessions so far and nearly 700 meals served, not including ‘takeaways’ for those who have not been able to attend for one reason or another. There has always been plenty of food and an urgent need for plastic tubs to accommodate leftovers!
I am really grateful to those who have provided food at various times: the Pig for the veg, the Ottery Larder for the Bread, Tescos for a £50 voucher, Claire for the fish, Sarah Palfrey for the pheasant, Pierre and Paul for extra veg, Peter and Anne for the lovely puddings and Sue and David for the chutney. Thanks also to Carol Hall for arranging the grant from East Devon District Council to cover the hire of the Hall and the cost of the food for 6 months until March 2023.
Special thanks must go to the following people for their unstinting support: Alex and Mike for setting up every week, Julia for collecting the bread, Kate and Stella for their kitchen duties, and Jayne, Owen, Bill, Bernie, Sue, David, Pierre and the rest of the army of washer uppers and putters away. Apologies if I’ve left anyone out.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursdays in 2023. Free meal, every Thursday, 6.30pm in the Village Hall.
Sara
Gittisham Village Hall news
Events are run by the Village Hall Committee throughout the year and aim to make a bit of a profit to keep the hall running and of course to provide fun and socialising for us all.
The Hall is also available to hire privately and details of this are on the gittisham.org.uk or contact Carol Hall on 07854 492347 to make a booking.
Cabaret is back again.
After a resounding success in 2022, the Cabaret is coming back to Gittisham – working Title – I’m not being funny – but. We are holding an initial session to see who wants to get involved, get writing, help backstage etc on Sunday 15th January at 5:30 PM in the village hall – all welcome! Planned date for the event to start is 1st April 2023 for two nights and possibly one matinee. Rehearsals usually on a Sunday night in the village hall.
Burns night.
After a few years’ break, we are back in the hall to celebrate with fine food, good company and of course dancing. We will be catching the usual finest vegetarian and meat haggis well in advance of date 28th January – from 7pm in the village hall. This will be a ticketed event @ £7 per head, which includes dinner and our splendid dancing caller – Mary Marker. Please let Hamish know if you would like to come ( or 07880 178297)
There will be another quiz night in February so watch out in the next Gazette
Regards Hamish (VH chair)
Parish Council report – January 2023
Seven councillors met for the January meeting along with Alasdair Bruce (EDDC),
Phil Twiss (DCC) and one member of the public.
Back to School advice.
Phil Twiss circulated guidance from the UK Health Security Agency regarding ‘flu, Covid and scarlet fever. If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved. Lessons learned during the epidemic about the importance of good hand hygiene are also key. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illnesses spreading, as well as adults trying to stay home when unwell and if you have to go out, wear a face covering. The ‘flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus, according to the advice.
EDDC Local Plan.
Councillors discussed the PC’s response to EDDC’s draft local plan and agreed the objection letter circulated by David Valentine. Carol Hall encouraged everyone who had not already done so to respond to the public consultation by 15 th January deadline, and thanked councillors for their work in raising awareness of the draft plan proposals in the community. One location put forward is for a development of up to 100 homes west of Hayne Lane towards Gittisham village, as well as a 15ha employment allocation west of Hayne Lane. The parish council objects to both proposals, and understands there is considerable local opposition. Concerns were also raised over access to another proposed site which is just outside the parish, but would be reached by roads in Gittisham Vale. Further information and a template letter to respond is available on www.gittisham.org.uk (under ‘Latest News’).
Finance.
Members agreed the budget for 2023/24 and the parish precept was increased to £9307.41; as the population of the parish has increased significantly, this should not represent a rise at the individual level.
Crimes.
Oct 2022: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Beech Walk.
Nov 2022: no reported crimes.
Scam awareness.
Janet Twist said an alert had gone out about missing dog scams circulating on Facebook, asking people to click on a link.
Donations.
Members agreed to donate money to Operation Rudolph, Diabetes UK, TRIP and Hospiscare.
Public transport.
Peter Orchard explained that single bus fares have been capped at £2 until the end of March. All single journeys will be capped at a maximum of £2 for the duration of the scheme. The same £2 cap applies to child and concessionary fares. If the fare is currently less than £2, the price will stay the same.
Road closures.
16 January: overnight road closure under Iron Bridge for bridge inspection.
Planning applications.
a) Combe Garden Centre Gittisham – New farm shop and associated landscaping works adjacent to the site of the existing Combe Garden Centre. Objection for reasons of prematurity, as well as the potential impact on highways and increased flooding.
b) 2 Mitchell Cottages Gittisham – 5x Lawson Cypress Conifer – dismantle to ground level. No objection.
Next meeting. Thursday 2nd February at 7.30pm in the parish room.
Tom Putt apple trees
We now have the two Tom Putt apple trees for planting in the churchyard, as agreed at a recent PCC meeting. Paul Wakley has kindly agreed to look after and plant them when the time is right, hopefully they will have a productive life when they grow up.
Mattresses for sale
Looking for a good home for two, good quality comfy single mattresses. Would suit a child’s bed or a single. Both contain 390 individual pocket springs and are filled with breathable English wool and super-soft polyester (to help the mattress hold its shape for longer). Topped with neutral damask and edged with a classic ticking stripe. Selling for £85 individually or £150 for both together. Pick-up only from Gittisham. For details call Fiona on 07899 932620.
St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club
St. Michael’s Gittisham
As I have been out of action for a while, I’d like to thank Julia for opening/closing the church and for all who undertook sides-peoples duties, I am not sure how long it is going to take for me to get fully up and running again. The Carol Service with lots of readings, poems and carols on 18th December was well attended with 37 adults and 8 children, some of the children sang the first verse of Away in a Manger after Julia’s piece about the stable and birth of Jesus. Refreshments of wine, sherry and mince pies were well received. We held the service a bit earlier this year 4.45pm which seemed to work well with families and Ken played the organ before going on to Buckerell’s service. On Wednesday 21st we had our annual Carols on the Green with mulled wine and bangers, once again with some of the Honiton Town Band playing for us. Thanks so much to Angie for mulled wine, Helen for the bangers and Amanda for veggie bangers and buns. The First Eucharist of Christmas on the 25th was, well attended with Julia and Rev. Christine leading our worship with a lovely talk for the children who installed the ‘baby Jesus’ in the manger.
Our services for January: 8th Christingle with Eucharist, 15th no service, 22nd 11.00am lay-led, 29th no service, February 5th no service, 12th Eucharist.
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. We will be making the Christingles on Saturday 7th January in the Parish room at 2.00, it would be good to have some children to help with the assembly.
Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is in the parish room from 10.30 – 12.30. The December coffee morning with stalls in the hall made just over £100, despite inclement weather. Thanks to all who provided cakes, bric-a-brac and helped.
Honiton Mission Community
Rev’d Sue is still on lighter duties. Weekly services still continue to be 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.
Awliscombe
are having a Curry Night on Saturday 28th January in their village hall. For details ring Alison on 07507 949412.
200 Club
I was approached by villagers who wanted to join the 200 club but I am afraid I couldn’t remember who, could they please contact me. 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 January has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £2 for February and March 2023. 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.
January 2023 200 Club Results
1st Carole Rowe 2nd Olive Collis 3rd Jayne Bramley
4th Sandra Moss 5th Betty Madden
Gittisham Gazette distribution
Since coming out of hospital I have had a bit of a struggle and my broken vertebrae is not mending, I would appreciate offers of help to deliver round the village and to the few homes in Cypress Close, Ferndale and Laburnum, plus the Gittisham Vale bus shelter.
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 / 07946 409142 .
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. Use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.
The February 2023 edition of the gazette has been delayed, due to ill health. Get well soon Carol!