A monthly community newsletter published by St Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council
| What’s On? at the village hall Pierre’s Cafe Sunday 12th Nov 07545 214940 Christmas Concert Sunday 3rd December 4pm £10 (u16 free) Carol Singing drinks & mince pies at the church Community Kitchen Every Thurs, village hall 6.30pm. All welcome to enjoy a free meal and good company Folk Dancing Wednesday evenings village hall Fit for Life class Tuesday mornings village hall Yoga Monthly Thursday village hall Christmas Swap Shop and Family Quiz 2nd December Ember Pizza Pizza van by the church 1st Wednesday of the month 07751 532843 Coffee Mornings 3rd Saturday of the month at the Parish Rooms (village green) |  Pumpkins – Ed Hayman This year at Gittisham Farm, between finishing my studies and Graduating with a degree in Agriculture at Harper Adams University, I have been busy growing a field of pumpkins as a ‘pick your own’ experience. So far, we have been open for three weekends, and I’m very happy with how it’s gone. Everyone seems to be enjoying the experience of visiting the farm, seeing our cows and calves and of course lots of pumpkins. With plenty of questions and intrigue, it’s been great to show people more about the produce they buy beyond the sight of a supermarket shelf. The pumpkin patch offers lots of different varieties from tiny decorative gourds right up to huge Atlantic Giants that are a handful to say the least! There is also plenty of seasonal hot food and drink to beat this cold October weather. It’s been great to see a few people from the village visit us already, and anyone who would like to come along is more than welcome. As Halloween approaches, the patch will be back open again 10-4pm everyday through October half term, from Saturday 21st up to the following Sunday on the 29th.  Harvest Supper The annual Harvest Supper was a well supported event, with about 70 people attending. The menu of chicken casserole or nut roast. Baked potatoes and peas followed by apple crumble and ice cream went down well. Second helpings were taken up enthusuastically! (Community Kitchen could be serving pudding for weeks to come, due to the generosity of the cooks.) This was a truly communal effort, with about 20 people involved in preparing, cooking, serving, washing up, setting up and tidying up. Many thanks to all. Sue Fallows, Gittisham Village Hall Committee |
Advent Concert
Come and join us in our beautiful church as we begin the lead up to Christmas. We are presenting a lovely festive concert suitable for all ages with professional singers. Join us in our carol singing and enjoy a drink and a mince pie. There will also be a prize draw with a splendid lunch for two to be won at The Pig’s Folly. Book early to avoid disappointment! The proceeds will be shared between Force Cancer Charity and St Michael’s Church, Gittisham.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/church-concert
Halloween
Halloween will soon be upon us. On Tuesday 31st all children are invited to the village hall at 16.30 for some food, and trick-or-treating around the village will commence at 17.00. Don’t want to be spooked? Quiver under the blankets or drop a message on the village WhatsApp.
Wrap Up South West collecting unwanted coats across Devon
Coats need to be clean with all zips and buttons complete and working. If you have a warm coat, waterproof, gilet or fleece for adults or children please drop it off at one of the collection points.
Collection 20th-30th October in Honiton Tesco, Ottery Help Scheme and Sidmouth Library
New Year’s Eve Party
At the village hall details to follow. Contact the Village Hall Committee
200 Club
Would you like to join the 200 club and help to fund the upkeep so necessary for this old church. It takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the increasing cost of energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature. The cost is £12 per number per year.
The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes £40, £20, £15, £10 and £5. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).
Contact Janet Twist 01404 45484
between Force Cancer Charity and St Michael’s Church, Gittisham.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/church-concert Halloween
Halloween will soon be upon us. On Tuesday 31st all children are invited to the village hall at 16.30 for some food, and trick-or-treating around the village will commence at 17.00. Don’t want to be spooked? Quiver under the blankets or drop a message on the village WhatsApp.
Wrap Up South West collecting unwanted coats across Devon
Coats need to be clean with all zips and buttons complete and working. If you have a warm coat, waterproof, gilet or fleece for adults or children please drop it off at one of the collection points.
Collection 20th-30th October in Honiton Tesco, Ottery Help Scheme and Sidmouth Library
New Year’s Eve Party
At the village hall details to follow. Contact the Village Hall Committee
200 Club
Would you like to join the 200 club and help to fund the upkeep so necessary for this old church. It takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the increasing cost of energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature. The cost is £12 per number per year.
The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes £40, £20, £15, £10 and £5. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).
Contact Janet Twist 01404 45484
Parish Council Vacancy
To represent the Vale ward. Please contact the Clerk for further information The deadline for applications is 22nd October
https://gittisham.org.uk/2023/09/01/paris h-councillor-vacancy-gittisham-vale-ward/
PARISH COUNCIL – OCT 2023 REPORT
Four councillors met for the October meeting. Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), Cllr Phil Twiss (DCC) and one member of the public were also present.
Church Mead bridge. Alasdair Bruce explained that the repairs to the Church Mead bridge had been put back to 16th October, due to the late arrival of materials. However all affected residents had, he understood, been advised by hand-delivered letter of the works.
Potholes. Phil Twiss told councillors that the previous winter had been very challenging for road condition and safety defects. But the numbers recorded across the network had reduced to such a point that Highway Safety Inspectors (HSI) were able to re-start identifying non-safety or ‘serviceability’ defects in June, ie the holes that pose less of a problem. A trial with material called ‘Elastomac’ is taking place and this product is providing a lower carbon and cost-effective means of repairing carriageway defects. This can allow reactive works gangs to undertake repairs much more quickly when compared with conventional techniques.
Gully cleaning. Phil Twiss reported that more than 5,000 drainage issues identified county-wide by the gully cleaning crews and highway officers have been resolved since April. The challenge remains dealing with more than 15,000 outstanding reported issues with limited funds available. The ongoing trial to pre-inspect gullies due to be cleaned on the cyclical programme has shown 49 per cent of gullies inspected to date do not require cleaning. A joint trial with Devon’s Flood team to place gully sensors in selected streets in Devon is in the preparation stages. It is hoped this externally funded trial will offer insight into whether technology can be used to inform policy or reaction for cyclical gully cleaning. The trial intends to run for an 18-month period from the winter period.
Road closure. 24th–29th October: Road from Main Road to Eveleighs Farm. Wales and West Utilities; priority traffic control.
Finance. Members agreed the finances.
Crimes. July 2023: no reported crimes.
Casual vacancy. Carol Hall encouraged all councillors to speak to people who might be interested in joining the parish council to represent the Vale ward. People can also contact the clerk for further information by emailing The deadline for applications is 22nd October.
Old Elm Road rewilding. Councillors discussed funding for installing mesh underneath the path that leads between the Old Elm Road gateway and the existing path by the railway track.
Waste bin. Councillors heard the dog waste bin at the bottom of Old Elm Road was due to be removed, and replaced with a larger standard waste bin. It will be emptied once a week.
Scams. The clerk highlighted the article in the previous week’s Midweek Herald, which urged people to be on their guard against a spate of door to door salespeople who claim they are part of a rehabilitation programme. They sell a range of items at inflated prices. She said somebody had visited the village around the same time who fitted the description.
Next meeting. Thursday 2nd November at 7.30pm in the parish room.
Parish Council links Who’s who https://gittisham.org.uk/parish-council/
Emergency Plan https://gittisham.org.uk/parish-council/emergency-plan/
Parish Council Clerk Email: Tel: 01404 851442
St Michael’s Church and Honiton Mission Community
200 Club – October Winners
1. Karen Miller 2,Mrs J Lovell 3.Helen Bartlett 4, Mrs E Warne 5,Mrs D Merchant
Events: Saturday 21 st October 10.30am Coffee Together in the Parish Room
Churchyard: Paul Wakely has been busy cutting back the grass in the old churchyard and preparing the ground for the emergence of wild flowers in the Spring. Weather depending he would appreciate help with strimming and raking up the grass cuttings. Bring your own strimmer and rake. Saturday AM 21 st October from 10am.
Sunday Oct 29 th 11am Mission Community Eucharist at St Paul’s Honiton
Thursday Nov 2 nd at 7pm All Soul’s Day Service at St Michaels’s Church Honiton*
A note from Rev’d Tracey “This will be quiet, thoughtful and gentle, we shall be reading out the names of loved one(s) with an opportunity to light a candle, in remembrance of our loved ones, and all that they meant, and still mean, to us.” Please contact Julia 07763 111367 if you would like the name of a loved one added to the prayer list or would like a lift to the service
*As you may know, St Michael’s is the former parish church of Honiton, latterly a Chapel of Ease and its grounds hold the Churchyard for Honiton Parish It is now closed for worship, but for this occasion is being especially opened.
Sunday 12 th Remembrance Sunday 10. 50 am at the Lychgate followed by a Eucharist Service in Church Sunday Nov 26th 11am Lay Led Service
Church Events and News
It was good to welcome the Rev’d Tracey to celebrate the Eucharist at our Harvest Festival Service enhanced by a magnificent display of flowers and fresh produce thanks to our amazing team of flower arrangers. Many thanks to everyone for the donations of food and fresh produce which is being distributed between the Honiton Food Bank
and Ottery Larder. We are also pleased to announce that it has now been officially confirmed that the Rev’d Tracey Voysey who was recently appointed as Team Vicar in the Honiton Team Ministry on an interim basis will be staying with us. There will be a service of welcome and celebration of her continuing ministry on Thursday 14 th December at Honiton Parish Church at 7pm.