Village Hall
What an exciting month March has been at the Parish Hall! A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported our events – it’s been wonderful to see such a fantastic community spirit.

Our BIG Breakfast which we put on to celebrate National Village Halls Week marked our first venture into a morning event, and what a start it was! It certainly put both our new kitchen and the committee through their paces, but we’re delighted to say the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Encouraged by your support (and appetites!), we’re already gathering ideas and volunteers to plan the next one.

We also enjoyed a lovely coffee and cake afternoon, which proved a big hit with many of you, offering a chance to relax, chat, and indulge in some delicious homemade treats. And of course, who could forget our epic Easter Bingo! With a hotly contested raffle and plenty of excitement throughout the evening, it was a true highlight. Special mention must go to our very own professional bingo caller Marty, who continues to be a much-loved village legend!

Looking ahead, we have a change of pace with a quiz night planned for May 9th– a great opportunity to test your knowledge and enjoy a fun evening with friends and neighbours.

We will also be holding our Parish Hall AGM soon (May 11th). We warmly encourage you to come along, hear all about what we’ve been up to over the past year, and learn more about our plans and hopes for the future. Your ideas, support, and involvement are what keep our hall thriving.

Thank you once again for your support and being part of such a vibrant community – we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Six councillors met for the April meeting, along with one member of the public.

EDDC report.

Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) sent a report in his absence, saying that potholes have been dominating his inbox of late.  He said he had experienced six separate road closures the day before, two of which were diversions from main roads and ended in closures further along.  He said he would be writing to Devon County Council demanding urgent action around what appears to be an unplanned and uncoordinated approach to the state of our roads.

There may be a vote later this month at full council with a view to garner a statement that a tourist tax will not be imposed by EDDC, Alasdair Bruce reported.  He has reservations around any tax, including how much impact this may have on the already struggling tourist industry, both positive and negative. Secondly, he said it is not always clear where any collected revenue would go and who would oversee it. If it was properly ring-fenced for purely supporting the industry, it could be used to improve and upgrade facilities used by tourists and locals alikesuch as public toilets.  However, he feared that a tourist taxmay get absorbed into a general fund with little money, if any, targeted in such a way that will benefit visitors who pay it. 

Crimes.

January 2025

Longlands Way: 1 x other theft

Finance.  Members agreed the finances.

Climate change.

Councillors decided on various small ‘wins’ that would reflect the parish council’s commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change.  It was agreed to buy some owl boxes, and we would like to hear your suggestions of where they can be installed. Councillors are also hopeful of organising a bird box making session and a nature-type event in the village play area.  The parish council will be promoting no-mow May next month; this is turning into an annual event that allows wildflowers to bloom, providing vital nectar for pollinators and increasing biodiversity.

Emergency plan.

Councillors discussed buying a salt spreader for the parish, and mulled over various different models.

Bus shelters.

The Chair said Michael Poll had done an excellent job in sprucing up the village bus shelter, adding some shelves and painting it inside and out.  It’s hoped the Vale bus shelter can get similar treatment in the near future. 

Road closures.

04–22 May 2000-0600hrs Construction / Improvement/Upgrading – A30 westbound and eastbound,Daisymount to Turks Head junctions.

14 May 0930–1530. Road through Alfington closed for Openreach pole test.

Carol Hall.

This was Carol Hall’s last meeting as Chair, as she has tendered her resignation as a parish councillor.  All present thanked Carol for her outstanding service to the local community and dedication in leading the parish council, and said she would be greatly missed.

Next meeting.  14^th May 2026 at 7.30pm in the parish room.  This is also the annual parish meeting.  All welcome.

As the spring evenings begin to draw out, April offers some fantastic stargazing opportunities right above the parish. If we get a clear night, step out into the garden and look up:

• Catch the Evening “Star”: Venus is returning to our western evening sky this month. It is incredibly bright and easy to spot just after sunset. On the evenings of April 18th and 19th, look west to see a beautifully thin crescent Moon sitting right alongside Venus—a perfect photo opportunity!
• The Lyrid Meteor Shower: The first major meteor shower of the year peaks on the night of April 22nd (into the early hours of the 23rd). Caused by dust from Comet Thatcher, you might see up to 18 “shooting stars” an hour. Tip: The moon will set just after midnight, meaning our dark Devon skies will be perfectly pitch-black for meteor spotting in the early hours.
• The “Pink” Moon: We already had our Full Moon right at the start of the month (April 2nd). Traditionally known as the “Pink Moon” after the early spring wildflowers, it was also the Paschal Moon, which determined the date of Easter this year! Our next full moon will be the “Flower Moon” on May 1st.