Flower and Produce Show Committee  The Village Hall Committee would like to express their thanks to the Flower and Produce Show Committee for donating seven brand new square tables with folding legs, these match in hight and appearance with our larger tables and will be stored neatly bellow the stage once we make a trolley.

PARISH COUNCIL – DECEMBER 2024 REPORT

Six councillors met for the December meeting.

Broadband Councillors heard that Damian Furniss and David Fallows have met to discuss the way forward on an Openreach quote to take fibre to Town Farm Buildings. Cllr Adam Powell is working with them to draw up a number of questions they will submit to Openreach. The parish council succeeded in getting some publicity in the press for the poor broadband issue, and local MP Richard Foord mentioned Gittisham in Parliament as illustrating the challenge facing some parts of his constituency in accessing superfast broadband. The Chair said she would contact Voneus to see if there was any possibility of increased coverage with additional infrastructure.

Finance. Councillors noted the finances.

Crimes. October 2024:  Hedge Field Close – 3 anti-social behaviour, Hamlett Close – 1 x violence and sexual offences, Meadow Acre – 1 x other theft, Village Hall area – 1 x violence and sexual offences. NB Devon & Cornwall Police say the hotspots on their crime map give only a loose idea of where crimes happened. Actual locations and details of crimes are kept anonymous.

Road closures. – 09 Oct 23 December: Sidmouth Road 200m uphill south of Tesco roundabout. Temporary traffic signals. Guarding collapsed culvert causing water damage to road.

• Until 10 th December approximately: all roads in Gittisham Vale, installation of ducting for Virgin Cable. A cabinet has been added by the grass at Old Elm Road turning circle.
• 16 January 2025: Lane to Cathayes Farm closed for installation of South West Water sewer level equipment.

Future projects. Councillors discussed ideas for projects that the parish council could potentially contribute towards in the future. These included:

• Planting a horse chestnut tree for future generations to enjoy conkers
• An electric vehicle charging point
• A bench near the village end of the balancing pond
• Community shop
• Leaflet of walks around the parish
• Parish Christmas event 2025
• Funds for a planning consultant to help the parish council uphold parishioners’ interests regarding EDDC’s Local Plan

All agreed to discuss these further when setting the parish council’s budget and precept in January.

Maggie Walker. After 20 years of service, Maggie Walker has resigned from the parish council. She said it had been a privilege to serve the community, and a rewarding experience. Councillors joined the Chair in thanking Maggie for her commitment and enthusiasm over the past two decades on the council.

Next meeting. 9 th January in the parish room at 7.30pm. The Chair wished councillors, their families and all those who support the parish council a merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year.

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

Advent Message from St Michael’s Church

‘Why are we waiting?’ As a child, I remember loudly singing this refrain with my fellow schoolfriends as we stood outside,, in the playground, on a cold December afternoon, impatiently waiting to be let in for the school’s Christmas party. The headmistress was not pleased. An early Advent lesson in waiting. Waiting is everywhere! We can’t avoid it. It happens all the time. At bus stops, railway stations airports and in our everyday lives, queuing for services of one kind and another, whether we are out and about or in our own homes. It happens on our phones and online as we wait for our calls to be answered, or as we wait still for a reliable internet service or mobile phone signal. We wait to book an appointment to see a doctor, we wait for a hospital appointment, we wait for expectantly for a date for treatment. It happens here in Gittisham as we wait for a bus, which still does not come!

Waiting can be frustrating and sometimes life threatening, especially when we can’t get help when we need it. And how can we not be afraid when we are faced daily with news of a world in turmoil, threatened by war, climate change and environmental disasters in which so many suffer and afraid for their lives?

Our waiting and longing for peace, justice and mercy can seem endless. In Church our Advent readings are all about waiting often in difficult circumstances. Perhaps more than ever, we need to listen to the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary ‘Do not be Afraid!’ to be reminded that there can be hope and joy in waiting, that God’s love is stronger than our worst fears, stronger even than death.

He will come like dark

One evening when the bursting red December sun draws up the sheet and penny masks its eye to yield the star-snowed fields of sky. He will come, will come, will come like crying in the night, like blood, like breaking, as the earth writhes to toss him free.

He will come like child.

(from the poem ‘Advent Calendar’ by Rowan Williams)

And so I pray that whatever your circumstances, whatever the hopes and fears you may be holding for our world, yourselves or others, that you may know the blessing, hope and joy of the coming of the Christ Child this Christmas. Julia Barrett from St Michael’s Church, Gittisham.

Upcoming Church Services and Events 

Sun Dec 15^th 4.30pm Carol Service mince pies

Children’s nativity pageant, festive drinks,

Fri Dec 20^th 5pm Carols on the Green with the Honiton Town Band

Sausages & mulled wine

Sun Dec 22^nd 4pm

Crib service

Tues Dec 24^th 11.30pm Midnight Holy Communion Wed Dec 25^th 11am Holy Communion