Gazette

Gittisham Gazette August 2026

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Mid August 2026 — Produced for the Parish Council and St Michael’s Church

Who’s Got the Heaviest Spuds?

Turns out it was John, On Saturday, August 1st, crowds gathered in anticipation for the annual “Potatoes in a Bucket” weigh-in. The highly competitive event took place during the afternoon of the Village Hall Flower and Produce Show, where parishioners traditionally fight it out for the coveted titles of longest runner bean and best lemon drizzle cake.

Owen, our official pomme de terre adjudicator, was on hand to double-check the weights. The ultimate champion, yielding a whopping 1,600 grams of chippable goodness, was John Adamson, with his wife coming in a very close second!

Making your way around the hall, there was a vast array of fantastic entries across all the categories, even if a few of the vegetables were looking slightly worse for wear after such a dry summer.

Lovely homemade cakes and generous helpings of tea were enjoyed by all as everyone sat out in the beautiful sunshine to watch the prize-giving ceremony.

It was a truly enjoyable afternoon for the whole village. A massive thank you to the Flower & Produce Show committee and all the wonderful helpers who made the day such a success!

Winners – John with his Spuds and Gary with his Sunken Cake
Which to hold on to? Cider vs Trophy a hard decision!
Usually try and grow more potatoes than what you started with

    Funding Fibre Broadband to Gittisham

We now have a route to connect Gittisham to fibre broadband, but we need your help. To get the funding each property has to fill in a grant application form, this will release £3000+per property, the government grant goes to connect a property and not the owners. This allows each residence to then sign up to a broadband contract at a later date, if they wish. To fund the fibre installation we need 30 properties plus to sign up, with round about 50 properties in Gittisham this is a challenge.
Even if you are in a rented property ask your landlord to help, or if you are thinking of moving please sign up, getting a connection will improve your property for the future, and give you and your family fast broadband access.
Any questions or worries please contact Gittisham Parish Council. Thanks for signing up.

What’s On?

-Village Hall

Open Bookings

  • Tuesdays – Tai Chi & Quigong 09:50 am- 11:10am
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month- Yoga 18:15
  • Wednesday – Folk Dance Club 7pm
  • Thursday- Community Kitchen 18:30
  • 2nd Sunday of the Month Pierre’s Cafe 10am

Hire the hall: www.gittisham.org.uk/village-hall/hire-the-hall/

Committee Events

  • 5th September Gittisham Fete and Scarecrow Competiton
  • 26th September Charity Coffee and Cake 2.30  – 4.30
  • 17th October Jumble Sale
  • 31st October Halloween Party/ Coffee and Cake
  • 28th November Christmas Craft Fair, expressions of interest in tables being taken 
  • 28th November Christmas Bingo 7pm for 7.30pm 
  • 23rd January Burns Night Celebration

–Church

  • Church Services 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month
  • Natter and Nibbles September 12th- Gittisham Farm
  • Harvest service & supper on Sunday 4 th October! Auction of produce, Tickets from Helen out soon!

200 Club Winners July

  • 1st Prize              £75     Peter Stansell
  • 2nd Prize             £50      Phyllis Broadhurst
  • 3rd Prize              £25      Stephen Howe

Events are also listed here: https://gittisham.org.uk/whatson/

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare a little time at your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    

200 Club

Join the Gittisham 200 Club!

The 200 club is a licensed small lottery raising funds to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful church and paying prizes in a monthly draw.

There are a number of tickets still available for purchase. 

Tickets cost £3 per month and you can buy up to 3 for any named person.  Some members buy tickets for children and grandchildren as well as for themselves.

The draw takes place once a month, usually at Natter & Nibbles, and there are cash prizes of £75, £50 and £25 each time.

Contact Sara at  for an application form and further details.

Gittisham Village Hall Monthly Update

Dear Friends of the Hall,

We hope you’re enjoying the glorious summer weather — though if anyone has a spare rain cloud, our garden would be very grateful! It’s looking rather thirsty.

🌿 A Myrtle with Royal Connections!

Have you noticed the Myrtle bush in the Hall’s back garden?

It may look unassuming, but it has rather special royal connections. The plant is believed to descend from Myrtle used in Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet, originally brought from Germany. Myrtle has long been associated with royal weddings, and cuttings were later shared with stately homes.

One of these was Killerton, which propagated the plant further and kindly donated young specimens to local village halls — including ours. So our Myrtle is something of a botanical celebrity!

Sadly, it’s currently looking a little crispy, but we’re giving it plenty of water and TLC in the hope this historic little plant will recover and thrive. 🌱

🌸 Gittisham Flower & Produce Show

The Hall was delighted to host this year’s Flower & Produce Show — a fiercely contested and highly entertaining afternoon!

There was clearly plenty of planning and friendly rivalry involved, with impressively high standards all round (and, happily, all friendships still intact).

A big thank you to everyone who entered, supported, and helped make the event such a success.

We were also pleased to welcome our Gardeners’ Question Time panel, who fielded plenty of questions and shared lots of useful advice. We hope everyone left with something new to try in their gardens.

If you missed it, don’t worry — we hope to run another session in the spring.

🎪 Gittisham Fete – 5th September

The Hall Committee will be supporting the Gittisham Fete on Saturday 5th September, so our August Coffee & Cake afternoon will be postponed.

Instead, we hope to see you at the Fete for a wonderful village day — and we’ll be back with coffee and cake very soon!

🎀 Coffee, Cake & a Cause

We’ve been considering how the Hall might support cancer charities, a cause that has touched so many of us.

We’re pleased to say that all profits from our September Coffee & Cake event will be donated to a cancer-related charity.

Rather than choosing one ourselves, we’d love your input.

Is there a charity you feel strongly about — perhaps one that has supported you, your family, or someone in the community?

Please send your suggestions via our social media channels or the Hall’s contact email. We’ll gather ideas and choose together.

Do come along in September for homemade treats, good company, and a chance to turn coffee and cake into something meaningful. ☕🍰💕

💬 Your Kind Words Mean a Lot

We often receive lovely feedback when people hire the Hall, but reviews can understandably slip down the to-do list once the celebrations are over.

That’s why we’ve been especially delighted to receive some wonderful reviews this month — thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts.

It means a great deal to hear how much the Hall is valued as a space for celebrations and community gatherings.

This beautiful old building plays an important role in village life, and your support encourages the Committee to keep caring for it, improving it, and ensuring it remains here for everyone to enjoy for years to come.

Thank you for supporting your village hall — we really couldn’t do it without you. 💚

Gittisham Fete Call To Arms!

With under a month to go, preparations are in full swing for this year’s Gittisham Village Fete – a wonderful celebration of our community. But to make it all happen, we need your help.

Last year was a fantastic day, but we were stretched thin on volunteers. A small group ended up covering far more than expected. This year, we’re asking for more helping hands, even just for an hour or two, so everyone can enjoy the day.

Whether you’re new to the village or have helped before, please consider joining the team – it’s a great way to meet people and be part of something special.

Volunteers Needed

We’re looking for people to help with the following roles:

  • Traffic management and car parking
  • Admissions desk (welcoming visitors)
  • Duck Race team (setting up and launching ducks)
  • Cakes! (selling and baking)
  • Ice cream sales
  • Bar team
  • Tombola stall
  • Dog show assistance
  • Setup and end-of-day pack away

No experience needed – just enthusiasm and a friendly face!

To volunteer, email: 
Or contact us via the Village WhatsApp group.

Duck Race Tickets are on sale now! Please contact Carol Hall  to purchase, Prizes are: 1st £100 , 2nd £50, 3rd £25 & 4th £10

Running alongside the Fete is the Scarecrow competition which will be judged by the recently appointed team rector of Honiton The Revd Tracey Voysey

Dear Geraldine

August’s letter

Dear Geraldine, 

May I firstly congratulate you on managing the quiet, but distinctly unpleasant backlash you received given your adequate reply to the concerns raised in June’s Gazette. Hardly fair, you answered to the best of your abilities.

As congratulations are in hand let us all applaud the ‘top tier’ of potato producers in the recent competition.Nothing short of amazing; some of the accompanying gasps that followed the revealing of those tubers were genuine; honestly.

However, the event having concluded successfully for another season, despite the vagaries of the weather thrown at those buckets, I feel it is now a time to raise another associated matter. It comes again from a collective whisper. The following is in NO WAY a suggestion of skullduggery on the part of any of those achieving that ‘top tier’.

It has come to notice, in other parts of our once fair land, of a rising suspicion that certain vegetable competitions – notably of the tuber kind- may have been, at best, ‘influenced’ by the introduction of Wegovy. This apparent issue, seemingly gathering weight (no pun intended), relates to the public beginning to access this drug as tablets. For many, upstanding citizens, that meant the proper disposal of any injectable form by returning it to a notable pharmacy. For some disreputable types this may be providing an illicit means of sabotaging the tubers of others. 

Looking around, one cannot imagine anyone in our green and pleasant Gittisham succumbing to such malpractice, let alone having access to such means. Nevertheless, I am confident that come next year’s competition, a few of us will be securing our bucket of tubers closer than ever before.

Dear reader:

Thank you for your kind words regarding my previous correspondence. I was particularly touched by your observation that I had answered “to the best of my abilities”. I am not entirely sure whether that was a compliment, but at my age I have learned to accept praise wherever I find it.

It was, of course, wonderful to see another successful Potato in a Bucket competition, and I would like to add my congratulations to those whose tubers reached the upper echelons of the competition.

There were some truly magnificent specimens, and an abysmal 15g entry!

The annual presentation of Mr Potato Head was, as ever, a particularly proud moment for the village. I hopewe can all agree that this distinguished gentleman has earned his place among Gittisham’s most respected civic honours. He may have started life as a children’s toy, but after years of service he has acquired a dignity that some members of the Parish Council might struggle to match.

Indeed, I understand that the winning bucket was approached with the reverence normally reserved for a royal visit. Despite the usual winner being pipped to the post. 

Which brings me to the matter of Wegovy.

I confess I was intrigued by the suggestion that pharmaceutical intervention may be creeping into the world of competitive potato growing. I am not sure what the manufacturers would make of it, and I certainly wouldn’t want to speculate on whether a potato can actually lose weight. In Gittisham, we have traditionally been rather more interested in putting weight on them, however there was definitely evidence of pharma misuse. 

Still, the possibility that someone might deliberately interfere with another competitor’s crop is quite concerning.

Not that I believe for one moment that anyone here would do such a thing.

Gittisham is, after all, a close-knit community. We know our neighbours, we know their gardens and, in some cases, we know rather more about their gardening habits than they probably realise.

But perhaps a little vigilance would not go amiss.

Next year I shall certainly be keeping my bucket somewhat closer than before. I may even sleep with the shed key under my pillow. Although knowing my luck, this will merely result in a disturbed night’s sleep and a very suspicious-looking husband.

The most important thing is that we don’t allow all this speculation to detract from what is, after all, one of Gittisham’s finest traditions.

The potatoes are grown.

The buckets are admired.

The judges deliberate.

And eventually, Mr Potato Head chooses his next home.

Long may he reign.

Yours, with one eye on the potato patch,

Geraldine Gitt

Forever supplying boomer wisdom

Pete’s Tips and Tricks

Residents are being encouraged to make the most of every drop of water while the current hosepipe ban remains in place until reservoir levels recover.

We can help conserve water by collecting and reusing grey water from washing up and baths to keep ornamentals healthy. Watering is most effective in the early morning when temperatures are cooler. If watering in the evening, aim water directly at the soil around plants and avoid wetting the leaves. Watering during the heat of the day should be avoided, as much of the moisture is lost through evaporation.

Applying a layer of mulch around plants is another simple way to conserve water. Organic materials such as compost, bark chips or well-rotted manure help the soil retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds, meaning plants require less frequent watering during dry spells.

It is worth reminding gardeners that many plants naturally wilt during the hottest part of the day as a way of conserving energy, so a drooping appearance does not always mean they need water.

Rather than giving plants a little water every day, provide one or two deep soakings each week. This encourages stronger root growth and helps plants cope better with dry conditions while making the best use of limited water supplies. – Pete Harris, Head Kitchen Gardener at the PIG.

Live Music Nights in The Folly

Join us this summer for a chilled tipple, freshly baked pizzas hot from the wood oven, and plenty of live music to help you see out the weekend, the PIG way.

Every Friday evening in August 6:30-9 and the Sunday afternoons in September 4pm – 6:30.

August Dates

  • Friday 14th August – Dan Tolman
  • Friday 21st August – Andy Doran
  • Friday 28th August – Consciuos Club

September Dates

  • Sunday 6th September – Dan Tolman
  • Sunday 13th September – Andy Doran
  • Sunday 20th September – Conscious Club
  • Sunday 27th September – Adam in the Hat & Rich James

Dear Geraldine Cont.

Dear Geraldine,

I have noted with interest your sensible response to my neighbours trifling concerns and so felt safe to entrust you with my more recent village drama. 

This change in temperature has sadly  necessitated a change in my well established routines, and I now find myself going for my daily constitutional in the early hours. 

On one such excursion I found myself in Dark Lane, having just stepped in a dogs business. This is most unusual.  In part because I always look where I’m going as falls at my age are particularly hazardous (I’m told) and also, I can only assume village dogs or owners are trained not to foul our paths and walkways.

Not only do I  find myself having to purchase a new pair of slippers, i  am now constantly checking on my neighbours dogs and specifically they size of their bottoms to see if I can find out the culprit to try and reclaim my losses as a substantial slipper is not cheap.

I would welcome and advice you see fit to give.

Dear reader:

Thank you for entrusting me with your latest village drama. I am very sorry to hear that the recent heatwave has forced you to abandon your established routine and take your daily constitutional in the early hours.

I had always thought the great advantage of an early morning walk was the peace and tranquillity.

Clearly, I had forgotten about the dogs.

Your unfortunate encounter in Dark Lane is particularly troubling. Not only have you been deprived of a perfectly good slipper, but you now appear to have been drawn into what can only be described as a full-scale canine forensic investigation.

I confess I admire your dedication.

However, I would urge a little caution when inspecting the bottoms of neighbouring dogs in an attempt to identify the offender. There is a considerable difference between discreetly observing a dog and standing in someone’s garden thinking, “Yes, I’m fairly certain that’s the one.”

You may also find that the dogs themselves are not especially forthcoming.

A guilty-looking Labrador is, after all, very difficult to distinguish from an innocent one. They both tend to look as though they have recently done something wrong.

As for the slipper, I would certainly retain it as evidence. A substantial slipper is not something to be casually written off, particularly when it has been prematurely retired in the line of duty.

I would suggest keeping it somewhere safe, although perhaps not on display in the sitting room. There is a danger that visitors may begin asking questions.

Perhaps the Village Hall Committee could establish a Gittisham Canine Incident Register, recording the date, location, approximate size and general characteristics of any future occurrences.

I am sure the Committee would be delighted to take this on, particularly if it involves another spreadsheet.

We already have committees for considerably less important matters.

Although I would suggest that the official title should be carefully considered. “Dog Poo Subcommittee”may be accurate, but I doubt it will encourage many volunteers.

In the meantime, I recommend a good torch, sensible footwear and perhaps a slightly more suspicious approach to Dark Lane.

Should you encounter another dog during your investigations, I would advise looking at its face rather than its bottom. If it suddenly looks embarrassed, you may be onto something.

And should the culprit eventually be identified, I feel the matter should be approached in the traditional Gittisham manner: politely, firmly and with just enough evidence to make it very difficult for anyone to deny responsibility.

I am, of course, happy to assist with the investigation.

I have already begun looking suspiciously at several dogs myself.

Not that I am casting aspersions.

But I will say this:

Some of them are looking distinctly shifty.

Yours in the interests of justice, footwear and village cleanliness,

Geraldine Gitt

Forever supplying boomer wisdom

Water Nationalisation & Pollution

by May Puckey

Two conversations in the last week have made me reflect on England’s issue with water regulation. When I offered a visitor a glass of water a few days ago, she informed me that she only drinks bottled water from the supermarket because of her mistrust of South West Water since a cryptosporidium outbreak in 2024 left hundreds ill and thousands of households dependant on bottled or boiled water. Lacking faith in the water from your tap may appear ludicrous, though a few days later I had a conversation with a family friend about the new 2026 factual drama Dirty Business. The three-part Channel 4 series focuses on the story of Heather Preen, who died aged 8 after contracting E Coli O157 in 1999 shortly after swimming in Dawlish, which had been awarded a Blue Flag award for water quality despite concerns about sewage pollution. The inquest into Preen’s death the following year was ultimately non-conclusive, despite six primary cases of E Coli O157 being recorded by swimmers in Dawlish around the time of her death. One father had three children hospitalised after they swam in the sea and in the days leading up to Preen’s visit, there had been fourteen complaints registered to the Environment Agency about sewage in Dawlish. Just yesterday, it was announced that the former CEO of Southern Water Matthew Wright is facing a trial over allegations that his team manipulated sewage wastewater testing results to avoid millions of pounds of fines-it’s not surprising that the public have little faith in our water.

England’s dire problem with water pollution stems from underinvestment since Margaret Thatcher’s 1989 Water Act which privatised the ten regional water authorities in England and Wales (in 2001, Welsh Water returned to public ownership). This made our water sector the only fully privatised water system in the world. David Cameron’s coalition government from 2010-2015 further deregulated the sector, with the 2014 Water Act introducing more competition into the commercial water market and his ‘Red Tape Challenge’ scrapping hundreds of water regulation rules and reducing Environment Agency funding by almost two thirds. So what does this mean? Our water is more polluted than ever before-in 2024, water companies dumped raw sewage into England’s rivers and seas for the equivalent of 3.61 million hours. My nearest river, the River Otter, has been directly affected by this-in 2024, South West Water released untreated sewage into the river for more than 9,500 hours. I grew up on these river beds, regularly paddling and playing with minnows in the river when I was younger, though now the once biodiverse waters appear murky and sludgy. My nan used to say she wanted her ashes scattered in a specific area of the River Otter where she used to play as a child, though I doubt she would want that now, since the darting kingfishers and aquamarine dragonflies have been replaced with dirty toilet roll and used sanitary products. Devon beaches like Dawlish have also been damaged-earlier in June, the Environment Agency announced ‘no swim’ warnings in Teignmouth, Dawlish, Seaton and Exmouth because of water pollution. South West Water has received a red rating for its environmental protection for fourteen consecutive years, responsible for 189 separate major pollution incidents.

In January, a government white paper titled Vision for Water sparked hopes about the future of the UK’s water system. The government’s key intentions are to reshape regulators under a more centralised system, create regional water bodies and ensure that water companies plan ahead on a twenty-five rather than five year time scale. Vision for Water is a step in the right direction particularly regarding the financing of water companies, with proposals for a requirement for regulators to agree specific percentages of return for investors. However, the white paper has been criticised by prevalent campaign groups like Surfers Against Sewage for being too vague and for altering the regulation process rather than the role of privatised water companies themselves. The 2025 Independent Water Commission chaired by Sir John Cuncliffe received similar criticism for its emphasis on regulating private water companies instead of nationalisation. Surfers Against Sewage have instead called for the government to take failing water companies under their control using their Special Administration Regime powers. 

The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has an interesting track record regarding the water sector. His only direct commitment is nationalising Thames Water, stating it’s “what should be done”. However, he also said about the entirety of the water sector, “I don’t think you necessarily nationalise the whole thing straight off, because that’s complicated and probably expensive but you look at the different situations in different parts of the country”, perhaps eluding to some of the problems Welsh Water has faced since nationalisation though maintaining his commitment to devolution and “more public control, more public ownership” on a long-term timeframe. The water sector in England remains a mismanaged ‘dirty business’, though increased public awareness and scrutiny is promising. In short, I’ll stick to drinking tap water-for now. 

I hope you found this an interesting and informative read, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the issue! Feel free to send me an email (my address is ) or contact me on Instagram or Substack (@maypuckey)

Gittisham Sky Watch: What to look for this Month

As we move from the warm, hazy days of August into the slightly crisper evenings of September, the night sky begins to change its character. The nights are getting noticeably longer, which means prime stargazing hours start earlier!

  • Did You Catch the Eclipse? We hope you all managed to safely enjoy the spectacular partial solar eclipse on August 12th! We were unbelievably busy at the observatory!
  • The Milky Way at its Best: Late August and early September offer some of the best views of the Milky Way of the entire year. To see it, you need a moonless night, so aim for the last week of August or the first week of September. Look straight up and towards the south—if your eyes are adjusted to the dark, you will see a faint, glowing “cloud” of billions of stars arching across our Devon skies.
  • Saturn’s Summer Show: This is the perfect time of year to spot Saturn. Throughout late August and September, the ringed planet reaches “opposition”—meaning it is directly opposite the sun from our perspective. It will be at its biggest and brightest for the year! Look low in the southeastern sky after sunset for a bright, steady, golden-yellow “star.”
  • The Harvest Moon Approaches: As we head into September, we start looking for the famous “Harvest Moon.” While it officially peaks later in September, you will notice the moon rising large and golden in the east just after sunset. Historically, this bright moonlight helped farmers work late into the night to bring in the autumn harvest.

Thank you to everyone who contributed pieces to this Gazette. If you would like to submit something for next month’s issue, please email .

Gittisham Gazette July 2026

by
Gazette Logo

Mid July 2026 — Produced for the Parish Council and St Michael’s Church

A Heartfelt Thank You and Farewell to Julia

Earlier today, on Sunday 12th July, the community gathered at Gittisham Church for a beautiful service and a celebratory afternoon tea. It was a wonderful opportunity to officially mark Julia Barratt’s retirement after eight years of dedicated and faithful service as our Licensed Lay Minister. Over the years, she has been a true pillar of support, offering compassionate care, guidance, and a listening ear to anyone who needed it.

But as everyone in Gittisham knows, Julia’s impact has reached far beyond the church porch! She has always thrown herself wholeheartedly into the vibrant, everyday life of the village. We will certainly never forget her starring role as a brilliant puppeteer in the legendary village cabaret!

When it came to community events, Julia was always ready to roll up her sleeves. She was instrumental in working alongside other dedicated volunteers to get the much-loved Gittisham village fete up and running again. On a quieter, yet equally impactful note, she has also been the generous soul consistently supplying the fresh bread for our weekly community kitchen.

Now that she is stepping back from her official ministry duties, Julia is preparing for a new adventure and will be moving away from the village in a month or so. While we will miss her warmth, kindness, and wonderful sense of fun, we are incredibly grateful for the legacy of community spirit she leaves behind.

We wish Julia every happiness, health, and blessing as she packs her boxes and settles into her new home. If you see her out and about over the next few weeks, please do stop, share a memory, and wish her the very best for the future!

​

  The path at the top of Landscore Lane by Paul Wakley

  The path at the top of Landscore lane is part of the track that used to run from east hill to Combe House. Although the path is in Ottery parish I tend to think of it as Gittisham. At the start of the path, the wooded land on the left were gardens, Mr Marks, an estate carpenter, was, I think, the last person to till them in the thirties. Mr Marks was then living in part of Westgate. He told me that he had planed every plank of wood used in the building of the village hall!

 Somewhere around the old gardens once stood a house/shack said to be the last of its kind in the area, where the fire was in a pit and the family had to sit around the edge of it. Carrying on over the track from the top of Tommy Wax, the path passes some beautiful old oaks, carry on a bit further and you come to the site of a chapel, of which nothing remains. I think the site was also subsequently used for a farmstead. The last of the bits of wall from the barns? which were built into the hillside unfortunately were used as ramps for motorbikes ect to jump and no longer exist.   The fields to the right are very steep and now covered in bracken and scrub. The family who lived there could not afford a horse or donkey to pull the plough, so the wife had to do it! 

 On the way back I like to visit what I think is the biggest beech tree left on the estate.

I often think when walking out that way how lucky most of us are now.

 The story of the families, I heard from people in the village and also from Peter Hill who lived in the house just beyond the style near the end of the path. He collected historic papers and maps to do with Ottery and Gittisham.

What’s On?

-Village Hall

Open Bookings

  • Tuesdays – Tai Chi & Quigong 09:50 am- 11:10am
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month- Yoga 18:15
  • Wednesday – Folk Dance Club 7pm
  • Thursday- Community Kitchen 18:30
  • 2nd Sunday of the Month Pierre’s Cafe 10am

Hire the hall: www.gittisham.org.uk/village-hall/hire-the-hall/

Committee Events

  • 1st August Flower and Produce Show
  • 29th August Coffee and Cake 2.30  – 4.30
  • 5th September Gittisham Fete and Scarecrow Competiton
  • 17th October Jumble Sale
  • 31st October Halloween Party/ Coffee and Cake
  • 28th November Christmas Craft Fair, expressions of interest in tables being taken 
  • 28th November Christmas Bingo 7pm for 7.30pm 
  • 23rd January Burns Night Celebration

–Church

  • 15 th July PCC meeting 7 pm Parish room
  • Sunday July  26th @11 am Holy Communion
  • Natter and Nibbles August 8 th – Gittisham Farm
  • Natter and Nibbles September 12th- Gittisham Farm
  • Harvest service & supper on Sunday 4 th October! Auction of produce, Tickets from Helen out soon!

200 Club Winners July

  • 1st Prize              £75     Una Wakely-Beddows
  • 2nd Prize             £50      Michael Never
  • 3rd Prize              £25      John Adamson

Events are also listed here: https://gittisham.org.uk/whatson/

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare a little time at your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    

200 Club

Join the Gittisham 200 Club!

The 200 club is a licensed small lottery raising funds to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful church and paying prizes in a monthly draw.

There are a number of tickets still available for purchase. 

Tickets cost £3 per month and you can buy up to 3 for any named person.  Some members buy tickets for children and grandchildren as well as for themselves.

The draw takes place once a month, usually at Natter & Nibbles, and there are cash prizes of £75, £50 and £25 each time.

Contact Sara at  for an application form and further details.

Gittisham Litter Pick

Thank you Cllr Powell for organising and to all the volunteers that helped keep Gittisham a bit tidier ( A car full of rubbish!) we will organise another soon!

Gittisham Village Hall Monthly Update

Dear Friends of the Hall,

What a scorcher July has been! The hall lawn has certainly felt the effects of the sunshine and is looking a little worse for wear after weeks of baking. In contrast, the beautiful Agapanthus plants, so generously gifted to us by The Pig last year, have absolutely thrived in the heat. They’re just about ready to burst into a spectacular display of blooms, so do keep an eye out when you’re passing!

It’s been another busy month for the committee. We were delighted to host our ever-popular Father’s Day BBQ, followed by a fantastic evening of live music with Exeter Street Band, who had everyone tapping their feet and dancing along. Events like these simply wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful support of our community, so thank you to everyone who came along, volunteered, or helped behind the scenes.

We’re also thrilled that so many local families have recently chosen the hall as the venue for their special celebrations. The lovely feedback we’ve received has reminded us what a fantastic community asset we have. For those of us who visit regularly, it’s easy to take it for granted, but the hall really is something special. Thanks to over £60,000 of improvements in recent years, together with the support of our growing parish, it continues to go from strength to strength.

A special mention this month must go to Jim. Quietly working away behind the scenes, he’s been clearing fire escapes, tidying, cleaning, watering, trimming hedges, and tackling countless other jobs that often go unnoticed but make such a difference. Jim, on behalf of us all, thank you for everything you do—we really do appreciate it.

Dates for your diary:

  • Coffee & Cake
  • Village Fete
  • Jumble Sale
  • Christmas Bingo
  • Christmas Makers’ Market

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you have feedback on recent events, ideas for future ones, or would simply like to get involved, please do get in touch. New faces and fresh ideas are always welcome, and we’d be delighted to hear from you.

We look forward to seeing you at the hall soon!

Flower and Produce Show

Remember, remember the 1st of August!  All entries welcome – children’s classes, baking, handicraft, flowers, veg.  Even if you don’t enter please come along and enjoy the exhibits and teas and think: “Hmm….maybe next year….”

Dear Geraldine

Dear Sir,

Unease Over the Potato-in-a-Bucket Debate

I write in response to the recent correspondence(Letters,June26) concerning the glorious and legendary “Potato in a Bucket” competition, that singular highlight of the Gittisham Flower and Vegetable Show.

While I share the general admiration for this cherished village institution, I must express a degree of unease about the direction the discussion has taken.

Credit Where It Is Due

The “Deeply Concerned Potato Grower” — whom I shall refer to as DCPG — has, no doubt, voiced concerns that others may previously have entertained, though perhaps only under their breath. For that, DCPG deserves thanks.

Likewise, Geraldine — hereafter GG — should be applauded for a reply that was clear, unequivocal and, in the main, perfectly adequate.

The Real Aim of the Competition

However, both correspondents appear to share a misunderstanding about the competition’s true purpose. The aim is not simply to produce the largest single specimen, but to maximise the overall growth of the potatoes in the bucket.

It is an easy enough error to make, but such comments have consequences. I am reliably informed that at least one seasoned — indeed, well-honed — adjudicator has been shaken in their preparations for this year’s event.

A Thought for the Adjudicators

This competition is, after all, the main attraction of the show — second only, perhaps, to the cup of tea and the quietly snaffled second slice of cake.

For an audience so well educated in the art of root growth, the spectre of a Viagra-stimulated “mega-spud” is surely an unwelcome distraction. Spare a thought, please, for those charged with judging these noble tubers.

Further Assistance

For anyone seeking further guidance on this delicate subject — possibly including GG, and definitely DCPG — the Gazette refers readers to the charitable organisation .

(Ed: after police advisory, name and address withheld)

Sir,

I must thank your latest correspondent for taking such a scholarly interest in the Potato in a Bucket competition. It is reassuring to know that, even in these uncertain times, someone is prepared to defend the honour of the humble spud with such admirable vigour.

I am especially grateful for the clarification that the objective is to maximise the overall crop rather than produce one unnaturally dominant specimen. I confess I had not appreciated that this distinction was causing sleepless nights amongst our seasoned adjudicators, though I daresay they’ve seen enough odd-looking tubers over the years to avoid being too easily startled.

As for the suggestion that I may need “further guidance”, I can only say that my potatoes have always managed perfectly well without chemical assistance. In my experience, if a potato has to rely on Viagra to make an impression, it probably lacks substance beneath the skin.

The true champions of Gittisham have always been those that perform naturally, fill the bucket generously and leave everyone quietly satisfied at the end of the day. Size alone has never guaranteed success—something most gardeners, and indeed most married couples, worked out years ago.

May this year’s competition be free from performance-enhancing substances, inflated expectations and any further discussion of erect tubers. The judges have enough on their plates already… alongside the tea and that entirely justified second slice of cake.

Geraldine Gitt

Forever supplying boomer wisdom. 

Gittisham Fete is on Saturday 5th September 2026 

We need as many helpers as possible please get in touch with Alex, 

Returning for 2026 is the Gittisham Parish Scarecrow Competition!
Get your thinking caps on!

Duck tickets are also now on sale!

Church stall- fete- Bric-a-Brac  & second hand clothes ! ( good quality!) drop to Helen Hayman at Gittisham farm please! 07806480246

Dear Geraldine Continued

July’s letter

Dear Ms Gitt, 

Like many residents, I have found the recent spell of hot weather rather trying. While some have invested in paddling pools of questionable structural integrity and others have taken to standing in front of the freezer with the door open, I wonder whether Gittisham might embrace a rather more ambitious solution.

It has long struck me that the River Gitt is making only fleeting use of the village before continuing on its way. Would it not be possible to persuade it, temporarily of course, to take a gentle detour through the park, thereby creating a naturally replenished open-air swimming pool for the benefit of all?

I appreciate there may be those who raise concerns over water quality, but I understand that nature has already provided us with a perfectly adequate filtration system in the form of newts. I cannot pretend to understand precisely how this works, but they seem conscientious little creatures and are surely overdue some formal recognition for their public service.

Naturally, provision should also be made for the annual duck race. A modest diversion dam, opened by a ceremonial sandbag or perhaps a retired parish councillor with a shovel, would allow competitors to proceed with minimal disruption while adding an exciting tidal element to the event.

There would, of course, need to be rules. No bombing, no inflatable flamingos before 10 o’clock, and absolutely no dogs after they’ve discovered the shallow end.

Finally, may I express the sincere hope that, should this scheme come to fruition, the only floaters to be encountered will be children’s arm bands. It would do wonders for village morale if everyone could leave the pool discussing the water temperature rather than anything less savoury drifting downstream.

I offer this suggestion in the spirit of community enterprise and look forward to hearing from anyone with experience in river redirection, amphibian engineering or, failing that, a particularly long spade.

Yours, in hopeful anticipation of cooler days! 

Dear reader:

I was delighted to read the recent proposal to divert the River Gitt through the park to provide the village with a much-needed lido. At first glance, it may appear to be the ramblings of someone who has spent rather too long in the sun. On reflection, however, I concluded that it merely requires the same qualities as every successfulGittisham enterprise: optimism, volunteers, and someone willing to lend a tractor.

Those imagining this to be a simple weekend project are perhaps underestimating the scale of the undertaking. Diverting a river is not a one-man job. It will, as they say, take a village. Fortunately, we have one.

Naturally, there will be practical considerations. The Gittisham Farm calves have an uncanny ability to appear wherever water is involved, and I suspect at least a handful will find themselves enjoying the new current before anyone notices. Still, the prospect of an afternoon swim accompanied by half a dozen inquisitive calves seemsconsiderably more appealing than sharing a beach with inflatable unicorns and someone else’s portable speaker.

The annual fete committee will also, I imagine, insist upon one non-negotiable condition: that every one of the 200 duck race ducks is safely retrieved before the sluices are opened. Anyone who has spent an hour searching nettle beds for Duck No. 143 will appreciate why no sensible person would risk sending the entire flotilla halfwayto Ottery.

The Village Hall Committee should, of course, seize the opportunity. “Laps and Lunches” could become a regular Tuesday fixture, while “Aqua Aerobics and Apple Cake” has a certain ring to it. Our annual quiz night might finally include a round where contestants are expected to know which team has drifted furthest downstream. I understand the committee is also considering whether wet wellies constitute appropriate footwear for committee meetings.

As for the Gittisham Glen, I can see no reason why it should not become our own riverside promenade. A few strategically placed benches, a lifebuoy or two, and perhaps a discreet notice reminding visitors that the newts are there to supervise water quality, not to be interviewed about it.

I remain convinced that, with sufficient goodwill, enough wheelbarrows and only a modest amount of interference from the Environment Agency, this could become one of Gittisham’s finest achievements.

After all, if we can organise a flower show, a duck race, and persuade otherwise sensible adults to compete over potatoes in buckets, redirecting an entire river hardly seems beyond us.

Geraldine Gitt

Forever supplying boomer wisdom

July Natter and Nibbles


£123.00 Raised
Thank you to Gordon & Fray!

Mid Summer Sunset Over Gittisham

Parish Council Updates

PARISH COUNCIL – July 2026 REPORT

Three councillors met for the July meeting along with one member of the public, Tom Biddle (Baker Estates) and Cllr Alasdair Bruce (East Devon District Council). 

Planning – EDDC report.

Alasdair Bruce said that a recent victory in Ottery to throw out a proposal to build 140 homes close to the Sidmouth Road has shown the power of the neighbourhood plan, when pitted against the current pressure from the government to build, build, build. The reasoning is interesting, and should help parishes and town councils – faced with an avalanche of planning applications – to try and bat these off. The presence of a robust housing allocation complying with the National Planning Policy Framework was a key factor that the inspector commented on.  Landscape impact was also a factor.

Hayne Farm.

Tom Biddle provided an update on the development at Hayne Farm.  He explained that the original phase is almost complete, and work has begun on the new site at The Acorns.  One plot there has already been sold off-plan.  He anticipated the new phase would be finished in 2028, depending on market conditions.  Regarding the allotments, Tom Biddle said the fencing and sheds have been installed and paths are there at the site, so he was positive that they would soon be ready.  He agreed to report back to the clerk on how residents can apply for an allotment, after he had spoken to the Sales team.

Finance.  Councillors agreed the finances.  

Crimes. The clerk said there was no update since last month from the police.

Road closures.

0700–1900 6 August one-way system in place for Honiton Show.

0800–1200 9 August road through Alfington closed for BT works.

Planning applications.

  1. 26/1050/FUL – 97 Meadow Acre Road EX14 3FH – Retrospective application to raise the north-facing fence to a maximum height of 2.35 metres
  2. 26/1096/LBC – Town House Gittisham EX14 3AJ – Part-retrospective application for Internal alterations and improvements to the existing dwelling, including subdivision of ground floor rooms to create a larder and utility areas, installation of sinks and worktops, underfloor heating beneath existing and new stone flooring, and installation of a new first-floor water tank. External works include a new roofed shelter in the rear garden, a self-supporting canopy over an existing doorway, repairs to the cobbled driveway, new path along side of house, re-roofing of the outbuilding with slate tiles, and replacement of the roof above the utility with slate hanging tiles and new cast iron gutters.

Councillors had no objections to b).  Regarding a) the clerk agreed to contact EDDC for more detailed information on what is being constructed at the site.

Iron Bridge.

Alex Rowe said he had met engineers from Network Rail and discussed the blocked culvert.  They have agreed to liaise with Devon County Council highways engineers to remove the blockage, which could be contributing to flooding under the bridge in wet weather.

Casual vacancy, Gittisham Village ward.

The clerk reported that EDDC had received no request for an election after the advertised period.  EDDC has advised GPC that it may co-opt a councillor to the vacancy. Co-option is the process by which the parish council selects a new councillor.  The vacancy will be advertised in due course, and anyone interested in finding out more should contact

Next meeting.  Thursday 3rd September at 7.30pm in the parish room.

Gittisham Sky Watch: What to look for this Month

As we move through the height of summer, the nights are slowly starting to draw in just a fraction—which is fantastic news for stargazers! The slightly darker skies are returning just in time for an absolutely bumper month of astronomical events right above the parish.

  • The Perseid Meteor Shower: Nature’s greatest summer fireworks display is back! The Perseids build up slowly from late July and peak on the nights of August 12th and 13th. Known for being bright, fast, and leaving long trails, you can expect to see up to 50-100 meteors an hour during the peak. Just grab a deckchair, let your eyes adjust to the dark for 20 minutes, and look up!
  • A Spectacular Solar Eclipse! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 12th. A major solar eclipse is sweeping across Europe, and here in Devon, we will be treated to a very deep partial solar eclipse in the early evening, right before sunset. The moon will take a massive bite out of the sun! (Remember: never look directly at the sun without proper certified eclipse glasses!)
  • A Special Event at the Norman Lockyer Observatory: If you want to make a proper evening out of the eclipse and the meteors, you are in luck! Just down the road in Sidmouth, the wonderful Norman Lockyer Observatory is holding a special event on the day of the eclipse (August 12th). Alongside safe eclipse viewing, the evening will feature a brilliant talk all about the Perseid meteors, followed by magical “storytelling under the stars.” It is a fantastic family-friendly way to experience the night sky.
  • The “Sturgeon Moon”: Towards the end of this period, look out for the next full moon peaking on August 19th. Known as the Sturgeon Moon, this will actually be a “Blue Moon” (the third full moon in a season that has four full moons), making it a brilliant, bright anchor in our late summer sky.

Thank you to everyone who contributed pieces to this Gazette. If you would like to submit something for next month’s issue, please email .

Gittisham Gazette June 2026

by
Gazette Logo

Mid June 2026 — Produced for the Parish Council and St Michael’s Church

A Standing Ovation for the Flower Festival!

This year’s Church Flower Festival brought the magic of the stage to Gittisham with the fabulous theme: “Welcome to the Theatre!” A huge thank you to our incredibly talented flower arrangers. They truly brought the church to life with beautiful scents, vibrant colours, and brilliantly creative props hidden amongst the displays. The journey into the church was a show in itself, starting at the Lychgate with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, passing by Bedknobs & Broomsticks on the path, and stepping through a beautiful Sound of Music porch by Carol Hall.

Inside, the church was transformed with a spectacular lineup of displays:

  • The Jungle Book: Betty & Helen Madden
  • Carmen: Nikki & Paul Wakely
  • Old Time Theatre: Kate Kimber
  • A Night at the Theatre: Angie Hutchings & Sue Trivett
  • Cinderella, Phantom of the Opera & Mamma Mia: Helen Hayman
  • Alice Through the Looking Glass: Octavia Madden
  • The Tempest: Anne Stansell
  • Matilda: Florence Wolsley & Merial Hill
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Heather & Maggie
  • South Pacific: Sue Fallows
  • The King & I: Sarah Abbott & Lynn Denn

A Roaring Success in the Village Hall Café Despite the disappointing weather, the festival catering over in the Village Hall was a triumph. A steady stream of satisfied customers enjoyed lunches, teas, and a fabulous spread of cakes, scones, and the “world’s best meringues” produced by our industrious village bakers to suit all dietary needs. The hall looked wonderful thanks to Paul Wakely’s beautiful table flowers, and the service was top-notch thanks to two incredible volunteer teams organised by Sarah Trumper:

  • The Fabulously Glamorous Saturday Team: Julia Barrett, Maggie Walker, Sarah Agg-Manning, Sue Fallows, and chief dishwasher John Adamson.
  • The Stunningly Proficient Sunday Team: Richard Marker (who deserves a special mention for a fetching pinny/shorts combo!), Will Wolsey, Nick Chapman, Scott Angell, and Jayne Bramley.

Music and the Grand Total The Saturday was capped off with a fantastic musical performance organised by John McGregor, showcasing an amazing array of local talent with singing, Celtic flute, keyboard, organ, guitar, accordion, and fiddle!

Thanks to everyone’s hard work, generous baking, and wonderful support, the festival raised an incredible £1,000+ to support our village church! A final round of applause to Helen Hayman, the dedicated “Holy Dusters,” and everyone who contributed to such a show-stopping weekend.

​

Gittisham’s Water by Paul Wakley

 For years the main supply of water for the village were the wells dotted about. Myrtle cottage Eveleigh’s, Riverside are a few. And the village pump, which I always thought was too close to the graveyard for comfort!

 There is a line of springs which stretches from the Sidmouth road to East Hill. Houses and farms were built near them, Kercombe, Rapshayes, Coign ( the Parsonage), Beech Walk/Combe. There are several springs in Chalcombe bottom, at least three of these were capped ( in the thirties or forties?) and piped to an enclosed reservoir. The water was piped to the village and surrounding houses and farms, Pomeroy made use of a spring up Parsonage lane, the water was piped under the fields and Kings Cottage garden, which could also make use of it.

   Now we are on the ‘mains’ though, a few years ago South West water accidentally turned the valve outside our houses the wrong way, after flushing out, and put us back on the old supply, it was a bit stagnant after all those years in the pipe!

What’s On?

-Village Hall

Open Bookings

  • Tuesdays – Tai Chi & Quigong 09:50 am- 11:10am
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month- Yoga 18:15
  • Wednesday – Folk Dance Club 7pm
  • Thursday- Community Kitchen 18:30
  • 2nd Sunday of the Month Pierre’s Cafe 10am (Not July)

Hire the hall: www.gittisham.org.uk/village-hall/hire-the-hall/

Committee Events

  • 21st June Father’s Day BBQ
  • 27th June  Coffee and Cake. 2.30  – 4.30pm
  • 11th July Band Night.  Exeter Street Band 7pm
  • 1st August Flower and Produce Show
  • 29th August Coffee and Cake 2.30  – 4.30
  • 5th September Gittisham Fete and Scarecrow Competiton
  • 17th October Jumble Sale
  • 31st October Halloween Party/ Coffee and Cake
  • 28th November Christmas Craft Fair, expressions of interest in tables being taken 
  • 28th November Christmas Bingo 7pm for 7.30pm 
  • 23rd January Burns Night Celebration

–Church

  • Sunday June 28th  @ 6pm Choral Evensong with the HMT Choir
  • Sunday July 12th  @ 3pm  Juila’s Leaving Service
  • Monday July 13th at St Paul’s Honiton @ 7.30pm Rev Tracey’s Licencing Service
  • Sunday July  26th @11 am Holy Communion

200 Club Winners June

    • 1st Prize              £75     Tony John
    • 2nd Prize             £50      Peter Stansell
    • 3rd Prize              £25      Stephanie King

Events are also listed here: https://gittisham.org.uk/whatson/

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare a little time at your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    

200 Club

Join the Gittisham 200 Club!

The 200 club is a licensed small lottery raising funds to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful church and paying prizes in a monthly draw.

There are a number of tickets still available for purchase. 

Tickets cost £3 per month and you can buy up to 3 for any named person.  Some members buy tickets for children and grandchildren as well as for themselves.

The draw takes place once a month, usually at Natter & Nibbles, and there are cash prizes of £75, £50 and £25 each time.

Contact Sara at  for an application form and further details.

Gittisham Village Hall Monthly Update

Gittisham was serenaded with a stunning and whimsical piano performance last weekend when Michael Allen Harrison chose to perform a delightful selection of pieces to a packed audience of all ages at the village hall. Michael is an international composer, film scorer and soloist from Oregon who by chance met members of the village Betty and Alan, while staying at the Pig. The recital included his own compositions as well as entrancing versions of several well known tunes including Summertime and Imagine. Each piece was introduced with a fascinating and informative explanation of their history and meaning.
The concert took a charming turn when Michael asked young Dora to play and they played a lovely duet.
The musical cognoscenti of the village showed enthusiastic appreciation. Overall donations generously raised £480 which was split equally between the village hall and Michael’s own charity Play It Forward that provides children and families musical instruments, professional instruction, and performance opportunities to foster their mental and social development.

Some of you may have noticed the reinstatement of flagpoles to the hall, which has been undertaken with the hall’s centenary next year in mind. The village hall committee fully understands that the flying of different flags can for some be an emotive and divisive issue while for others is an expression of identity and unity. We would hope that in the interests of the general welfare of our community and it’s overridingly positive and friendly nature, we should keep the debate respectful and avoid unnecessary personal language whether in writing or in person. We are working to find a solution amenable to everyone. Before making a final decision of flags and the flying of which flag when, anyone who has not expressed their views to the committee and wishes to do so can write to the hall email .

As you may be aware, the Gittisham village hall is a privately owned community building run by a charity whose stated object is to provide a place of instruction, recreation and entertainment for its parishioners. The committee are keen that this cherished facility continues to be used by and feel welcoming to all residents and visitors.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Gittisham Village Hall, we look forward to welcoming you to our parish hall soon

Community Land Trust AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Gittisham CLT will be held on Tuesday 30th June at 7.00pm in the Gittisham Village Hall. It would be nice to see as many members as possible of the GCLT attending for what is an important but, I promise, not a long meeting.

The planning application process for the GCLT  village development has been particularly long and frustrating, however, the EDDC Planning Officer’s report finally became available at the beginning of the year and documented in detail the planning considerations that had taken place. In conclusion the officer commented :

The proposed scheme represents an example of a strongly community-led development that would, on account of its benefits in terms of affordable housing provision, realise significant social benefits in line with one of the three main objectives to the achievement of sustainable development set out at paragraph 8 of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).

It would also likely generate moderate economic benefits, more particularly though the construction phase, including direct and indirect employment provision, but also for the limited range of services and facilities provided in the village. When considered against the likely limited impact of the development upon the wider character of the National Landscape and the significance of the adjacent designated heritage assets and the absence of any concerns having regard to the other contextual issues set out above, it is considered that the overall planning balance weighs firmly in favour of the proposal.

Approval is therefore recommended subject to a legal agreement (Section 106 Agreement) being entered into to secure the proposed affordable housing and open space and its maintenance and conditions as set out below.

Once the  Section 106 has been finalized the formal planning permission will be issued.  

There is still work to be done and finding a Registered Provider (RP)/Housing Association management/development partner is proving to be another difficult challenge. There is a major significant economic squeeze on RPs’ capacity for development at present due to having to divert funds to accommodate meeting requirements of incoming legislation. On the bright side, once we have found a partner, there is plenty of capital grant for new house-building in the government’s new 10-year, £39bn national programme.

For further details of the work and membership of the GCLT please contact David Valentine ().

Dear Geraldine

I write with the utmost concern regarding this year’s potato-growing competition.

While I have always believed the event to be a shining example of agricultural integrity, recent observations have left me questioning whether all competitors are relying solely on sunshine, rainwater, and honest gardening.

Rumours abound that one particularly enthusiastic grower has been administering suspicious quantities of Viagra to his prize potatoes in the hope of achieving unusual firmness and impressive dimensions. While I am no horticultural scientist, I struggle to believe that potatoes should stand quite so proudly at the weigh-in.

Furthermore, another competitor’s harvest appears remarkably similar to the specimens available at the local supermarket. Several villagers have reportedly witnessed furtive

movements involving carrier bags and a suspiciously clean bucket shortly before judging commenced.

I am not making accusations, merely raising questions that any reasonable potato enthusiast would ask.

Questions such as:

  • Why do some potatoes arrive cleaner than a surgeon’s instruments?
  •  Why do certain competitors become nervous when asked why their potatoes look different to everyone else’s?
  • Why does one exhibit appear to bear the exact dimensions of a commercially graded baking
potato?

For the preservation of village honour, I respectfully suggest stricter inspections, random bucket checks, and, if necessary, performance-enhancing substance testing for all root vegetables.

Yours in the pursuit of fair competition, A Deeply Concerned Potato Grower

(who definitely did not come second last year and is absolutely not bitter about it)

Dear Concerned Potato Grower,

Thank you for your letter, which arrived on my desk accompanied by a quantity of indignation rarely seen outside parish council meetings and parking disputes.

First, let me assure you that I take allegations of vegetable misconduct extremely seriously. The suggestion that a competitor may be administering Viagra to potatoes is certainly a novel one. However, until science confirms the existence of performance-enhancing drugs for root vegetables, I would advise caution before drawing conclusions from a potato’s size, firmness, or overall confidence.

As for the accusation that another grower may be supplementing their harvest with shop-bought specimens, I must point out that the burden of proof is rather higher than “it looked a bit too tidy.” Some gardeners are blessed with green fingers; others are blessed with the ability to remove soil without causing an international incident.

My advice is simple. Resist the urge to become the village’s self-appointed Potato Detective. Instead, focus your energies on your own crop. Water diligently, feed appropriately, and avoid staking out supermarket vegetable aisles with binoculars.

Should you discover a competitor wheeling a trolley full of baking potatoes directly into the show tent, then by all means alert the organisers. Until then, remember that village shows are intended to celebrate community spirit, not launch agricultural tribunals.

And if someone does produce a potato of truly extraordinary proportions, perhaps the correct response is not suspicion but admiration—or at least a request for their growing tips.

Yours faithfully,

Geraldine Gitt 

Forever supplying boomer wisdom. 

Father’s Day BBQ

Whose home is this? Climbing Potato Plant?

Email in

Last months gas powered home was Claire’s congratulations to Gary for his correct guess!

Fix Your Own Potholes

Did you know there are about 8000 miles of tarmac road in Devon, that is more roads than in the Netherlands and Belgium combined.
Many miles of rough surfaced tracks in Devon were tarmaced after the Second World War, partly to make remote farms more accessible, but also to create work for the unemployed.

Maintaining Devon’s tarmac road surface in good order is a mammoth task, so potholes have become a hot topic of conversation. Recently alot of busier roads have been resurfaced, often at night. The A373 from Honiton to Cullompton is now a dream drive and, try the road from Broadhembury upto Dunkeswell, so smooth.
However it is unlikely all the minor lanes will be fixed soon. But Devon County Council (DCC) have a scheme where Rural Parishes can do it themselves. DCC provide training, especially on safe working on roads, tools and clothing, and yes 50 tubs of tarmac, all free of charge.

I heard about this Road Warden Scheme from Simon in Awliscombe Parish, they have so far got through 75 tubs of tarmac. Have a look at the road upto Awliscombe Church, that was their first project.
We need a few people to go on the training and any number of additional folk who fancy a fun few hours filling potholes. Simon tells me it is satisfying, fun, and a great community activity.

Gittisham Parish Council are planning to join the scheme so we need a few people to do the training and volunteers to help them. May be five or six people to start off with.
You don’t have to be super strong, and you don’t have to commit to hours of hard labour, you only need a willingness to help make our lanes smoother.

Please contact the Fiona Clampin, the Parish Council Clerk if you would like to offer a few hours occasionally in the Gittisham Pothole Fixing Team, no official name yet but suggestions welcome.

On Sunday 12th July here at Gittisham St. Michael’s Church there will be a special service to thank Julia Barrett for her support & work within the Parish Community especially here at Gittisham which will be at 3 pm followed by refreshments in the village hall!

Any donations can still be given to Helen Hayman & also a rough idea of numbers attending the tea so please contact Helen -Preferably by end June! Thank you Gittisham PCC

Exeter Street Band are performing on July 11th from 6pm at the Hall

A Very Warm Welcome!

We are absolutely delighted to welcome some new faces to the parish! A huge Gittisham welcome to Taylor, Sarah, and Ophelia, who have recently moved into their new home down at Church Mead. We hope you are settling in smoothly, finding your way around the boxes, and already feeling at home. If you see them out and about exploring the village, please do stop, give them a wave, and say hello!

Gittisham Fete is on Saturday 5th September 2026 

We need as many helpers as possible please get in touch with Alex, 

Returning for 2026 is the Gittisham Parish Scarecrow Competition!
Get your thinking caps on!

Authentic Indian Food
in Gittisham — Punjabi Home Cooking

When I moved to Devon, I found myself craving the flavours of my childhood. There were plenty of places serving Indian food, but nothing captured the true essence of Punjabi home cooking — the slow cook, the depth of spice, the recipes passed down through generations. I missed the comfort, the warmth, and the feeling of being nourished in the way only home food can.

So I returned to my roots: my mother’s recipes, my family’s traditions, and the soulful cooking that shaped who I am. From that longing, Spice@Five was born — bringing authentic Indian curries and Punjabi home food to Devon, made with the same care and patience it deserves.

Every dish is cooked the way it was taught to me: slowly, lovingly, and with respect for the flavours that define our culture. And now, all you need to do is Just Heat and Eat — real home-cooked Indian food, ready when you are.

Private party catering available — from intimate gatherings to family celebrations. Just email or call us to arrange your bespoke event:  – 07354 349636 (Hayne Farm Estate, Gittisham)

For pre orders. www.spiceatfive.co.uk order by Monday 7pm for collection on Thursday between 5-7pm.

Parish Council Updates

PARISH COUNCIL – June 2026 REPORT

Three councillors met for the June meeting along with Simon Ricketts (AwliscombeParish Council) and Tom Hills (Radio Fibre / Bush Broadband).  

Flytipping.

In his absence, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (East Devon District Council) sent an update: there has been a notable upsurge in reported cases of fly tipping across east Devon recently. In the past he said it was a minor issue, but criminals have been emboldened by the numerous national stories in the press regarding giant flytipping incidents. Cllr Bruce said the clerk had reported one particular incident to him, which will be followed up by a team from EDDC.  He encourages anyone in the parish to report any further incidents as quickly as possible. Cllr Bruce said it seems that rubbish left acts as a magnet for others to dump, so a rapid clear up helps to stop a bad situation getting worse, and avoid additional expense.

Finance.  Councillors agreed the finances, as well as the annual accounts and governance statement for 2025/26.​

Crimes. April 2026: 

Honiton link road: 1 x shoplifting

Parsonage Lane: 1 x violence & sexual offences, 1 x other theft

Broadband.

There was a lot of discussion with Tom Hills about the technicalities and legal negotiations required to install superfast broadband.  The proposal is to lease an Openreach line from Fenny Bridges to the edge of the village, and a further 2kms ‘ring of fibre’ is then trenched around the outside of the village along the boundary of each property.  Eligible homes and businesses can access Government-funded vouchers to help towards the suppliers’ costs of installing a gigabit-capable broadband connection. Tom Hills encouraged all residents to apply for the voucher, even if they didn’t intend to use it, as it allows others in the community to access fibre broadband.  Each property that requests a full fibre service is able to specify the route the fibre takes from their property boundary into their home.  Councillors said the signs were encouraging and looked forward to making this project a reality at long last.

Road closures.

27 July–1 August road through Alfington closed overnight for surface dressing and stud removal.

Road warden scheme.

Simon Ricketts, chair of Awliscombe PC, explained how his parish has become involved with Devon County Council’s road warden scheme over the past two years.  The scheme enables communities to carry out approved minor works on or around the public highway, including filling in small potholes.  Each community can choose the activities that they have the volunteers to support, and that will make the greatest local impact. DCC will pay for a maximum of three volunteers to attend a one-day course on highways work, and the parish council can recruit further volunteer road wardens who do not have to be councillors.  DCC also provides third-party (public liability) insurance for volunteer work completed in accordance with DCC guidance. Simon Ricketts said the scheme was proving successful in his parish, and he reminded councillors that any defect that poses a risk to public safety on the roads will still be repaired by DCCmaintenance teams.

Play area.

Councillors agreed that the hedge at the top end of the play area is getting overgrown, and there are also weeds growing up through the tower.  The clerk said she would arrange for these to be trimmed. (After checking for nests etc.)

Next meeting.  Thursday 2nd July at 7.30pm in the parish room.

Gittisham Sky Watch: What to look for this Month

We are officially in the season of the shortest nights! During the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice, the sun barely dips below the horizon, leaving us with a beautiful, lingering twilight instead of true darkness. Here is what to look out for over the parish:

  • The Summer Solstice: On June 21st, we celebrate the longest day of the year. From this point on, the days will slowly begin to shorten again, but for now, enjoy the endless evenings! It is the perfect time to sit in the garden and watch the bats emerge as the light finally fades.
  • Electric Blue Clouds: Mid-summer is the only time of year you can spot one of the most magical sights in the sky: Noctilucent Clouds. These are the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere, made of ice crystals. Long after the sun has set for us on the ground, it still shines on these high-altitude clouds, making them glow with an eerie, electric-blue light. Look towards the northern horizon about 90 minutes after sunset to try and spot them!
  • The Full “Buck” Moon: Our next full moon will rise at the end of the month, peaking around June 29th. Traditionally known as the Buck Moon (because this is the time of year when male deer begin to grow their new antlers), it will sit very low on the horizon. Because it stays so low, it often takes on a beautiful golden or reddish hue, shining warmly through the thick summer air.
  • Summer Triangle Still Shining: As the sky deepens into its midnight blue, look straight up. The three bright stars of the “Summer Triangle” (Vega, Deneb, and Altair) will be directly overhead, anchoring the summer sky.

Thank you to everyone who contributed pieces to this Gazette. If you would like to submit something for next month’s issue, please email .

Gittisham Gazette May 2026

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Mid May 2026 — Produced for the Parish Council and St Michael’s Church

Grain To Cream

It’s been a while since I last wrote so time to update about the going’s on here at Gittisham Farm.

Well after a long wet first few months of the year we now could do with a little bit of rain. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the ground can dry in the spring, we have had quite a bit of wind which speeds things up. Now we are out of winter and new growth is marching on, always a great to see.

We are now preparing for winter it’s long term thinking this farming lark!

The first cut of silage has already been taken and looks promising and the grass is growing away nicely for the next cut. We have planted all the maize so we wait with anticipation to see it germinate and poke through the soil. We have also sown some grass which we will hope to see soon. We usually plant the grass in the autumn after a crop of wheat, as we have less weed competition but this was sown where the pumpkins were and it was too late by the time they are picked and the field needed a break from pumpkins and grass is a good restorative crop as it can stay in the soil so it has a break from cultivation improving the soil structure!   I have just ploughed the field we will use for pumpkins this year so don’t fear you will still be able to get your pumpkin fix here! (As long as they grow; mustn’t count my chickens before they hatch so to speak)

​As always calves are being born, we have just started using some new calf pens which are proving to be successful.

​After not seeing or hearing them for a while I have heard the barn owls again, I was a little worried if bird flu may have got them but thankfully not and as per usual the ducks are waddling around pairing up. The females don’t half lead the drakes on.

​The cows are now grazing for a short while as they need and want access to the milking machine all day. It is a bit of a learning curve as we must gauge how much food they require on top.  If it was easy the supermarkets would do it!  We are doing it to cut costs a bit less silage to make, once out the girls soon want to come back in and are queuing for the robots, and they don’t queue like Brits well I suppose there is Danish, Swiss and Dutch heritage in their breeding so very European but I do think they are more Italian in their style!

​For the eagle eyed among you, you may have seen some white sticks in our field of wheat on the left towards Fenny Bridges. This is some trial plots for different fungicides. We have trials here quite often in the wheat, maize and grass for different things like weed control and disease so things are always progressing.

​

Gittisham PCC

The Parochial Church Council (PCC), is the group responsible for the running of our beautiful Gittisham church, St Michael’s. We are comprised of 10 people who live in or near the village and meet on average six times a year. We form part of the Honiton Mission Community (HMC) which oversees a number of other churches within our neighbouring parishes. The Honiton Mission Team is based at St Paul’s church Honiton and we are all part of the Diocese of Exeter. 

As the mid-point in 2026 nears, we approach a sad date for the PCC and for Gittisham as a whole. Sunday 12th July will be Julia Barrett’s last service as Lay Minister at St Michael’s. Julia who started her post in Gittisham in 2018 has led the church faithfully and spiritedly for almost 8 years, whilst also providing dedicated pastoral care for the wider community. Her tenure here will be an indelible part of the church’s history and we wish her all the very best in her retirement. Please join us at 3pm on 12th July for Julia’s farewell service.

In other news, the vacant Team Rector position at HMC has been successfully filled and we are delighted with the appointment of Reverend Tracey Voysey. The PCC has worked with Tracey for some time and looks forward to continuing to do so in her new capacity.

Lastly thank you to all those that have supported the church through donations, maintenance and cleaning, helping with fund-raising events and attending services. The church is good physical, administrative and spiritual order as a consequence.

Flower Festival

Various Performers in Gittisham Church on the Saturday 6th June!
Starts 5 pm , no entry fee!

Delicious refreshments in the village hall all weekend from 10-5 pm!
Not to be missed, information from Helen on 07806480246!

What’s On?

-Village Hall

Open Bookings

  • Tuesdays – Tai Chi & Quigong 09:50 am- 11:10am
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month- Yoga 18:15
  • Wednesday – Folk Dance Club 7pm
  • Thursday- Community Kitchen 18:30
  • 2nd Sunday of the Month Pierre’s Cafe 10am

Hire the hall: www.gittisham.org.uk/village-hall/hire-the-hall/

Committee Events

  • 30th May coffee and cake 2.30 – 4.30
  • 6th & 7th June Flower Festival 
  • 21st June Father’s Day BBQ
  • 27th June  Coffee and Cake. 2.30  – 4.30pm
  • 11th July Band Night.  Exeter Street Band 7pm
  • 1st August Flower and Produce Show
  • 29th August Coffee and Cake 2.30  – 4.30
  • 5th September Gittisham Fete
  • 17th October Jumble Sale
  • 31st October Halloween Party/ Coffee and Cake
  • 28th November Christmas Craft Fair, expressions of interest in tables being taken 
  • 28th November Christmas Bingo 7pm for 7.30pm 
  • 23rd January Burns Night Celebration

–Church

  • Sunday May 24th 11am  Pentecost (Whit) Sunday
  • Flower Festival 6 th & 7 th June With refreshments in hall & entertainers!
  • Natter and Nibbles, June 13th
  • Sunday June 14th  11am Holy Communion
  • Sunday June 28th  6pm Choral Evensong with HMT Choir
  • Sunday 12th July Julia’s farewell service
  • 200 Club Winners June
    • 1st Prize              £75      Clara Hall
    • 2nd Prize             £50      Amanda Ackland
    • 3rd Prize              £25      Julia Barrett

Events are also listed here: https://gittisham.org.uk/whatson/

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare a little time at your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    

200 Club

Join the Gittisham 200 Club!

The 200 club is a licensed small lottery raising funds to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful church and paying prizes in a monthly draw.

There are a number of tickets still available for purchase. 

Tickets cost £3 per month and you can buy up to 3 for any named person.  Some members buy tickets for children and grandchildren as well as for themselves.

The draw takes place once a month, usually at Natter & Nibbles, and there are cash prizes of £75, £50 and £25 each time.

Contact Sara at  for an application form and further details.

Gittisham Village Hall Monthly Update

Well that was another busy and successful month at the hall, and have you seen how wonderful the gardens are looking now?

It was wonderful to see so many of you join us for our recent Coffee & Cake afternoon. The sunshine was certainly on our side, with the garden parasols making a most welcome first appearance of the year. It was lovely to spend such a relaxed afternoon together.

April also saw our much-anticipated kitchen inspection from the Food Safety Agency. Much of the work undertaken in the kitchen over the last 9 months has been with this inspection in mind, given we now need to register with the FSA. We are delighted, and just a little relieved, to report that we passed with flying colours, achieving a fantastic 5-star rating! We proudly display our shiny new certificate and sticker, knowing how much hard work and community support has gone into achieving and maintaining such high standards.

Thanks also to Jim who has given the hall foyer a much needed lick of paint. What a brilliant job he has done and what a difference that has made!

We enjoyed a great turnout for our recent Quiz Night. A huge thank you goes to Hamish Hall for being such an excellent Quiz Master, keeping everyone entertained with a wonderfully varied selection of questions — some certainly more challenging than others! The evening finished with a hilarious final challenge that tested knees rather than knowledge! Thank you to Sue for keeping us well fed, again!

Many of you will know that we held our AGM last week. The Chairman’s Report is available to read on our website, and we were pleased to share that the hall remains in profit despite the significant upgrades and improvements made this year. Everything we achieve is thanks to the incredible support of our community, and we are always keen to hear your thoughts and ideas for future events. Please do send us your feedback using the QR code provided or by emailing the committee directly.

We are hoping to continue with our program of improvements with replacement of the now dilapidated back garden bench. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions as to who might be able to approach for help with this, we are all ears. We are also hoping to arrange some signwriting in our newly painted foyer and to continue with garden upgrades.

We have plenty of exciting events coming up over the next few months. Plans are already underway for a Jumble Sale in October, while nearer at hand we are looking forward to our Father’s Day BBQ in June.

Make sure to save the date for Saturday 11th July, when the fantastic Exeter Street Band will be bringing their energy and music to the hall for what promises to be a brilliant Band Night.

Finally, we look forward to welcoming everyone once again to our next Coffee & Cake gathering at the end of the month, May 30th! We are always grateful to the incredible bakers we have in Gittisham for their gorgeous bakes!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Gittisham Village Hall, we look forward to welcoming you to our parish hall soon

New Village Information Boards

Conceptualised by Councilor Pester, funded by the Parish Council and Made by Taylor signs. These mark the start of a project to inform visitors about the village another is being sited close to the Village Hall.

Dear Geraldine

Introducing Geraldine, your new go-to agony aunt column—where no problem is too small, too strange, or too serious to share.

Life has a way of tying us in knots, whether it’s love, friendships, family drama, workplace dilemmas, or those quiet worries you can’t quite put into words. That’s where Geraldine Gitt comes in. With warmth, wit, and a refreshingly honest perspective, Geraldine is here to listen without judgment and offer thoughtful, compassionate advice.

Got a burning question? Stuck in a situation you can’t untangle? Or simply need an outside perspective? Send in your problems and let Geraldine help you make sense of it all. Chances are, if it’s on your mind, someone else is wondering the same thing too.

Write in, open up, and let’s figure it out—together.

On Sunday 12th July here at Gittisham St. Michael’s Church there will be a special service to thank Julia Barrett for her support & work within the Parish Community especially here at Gittisham which will be at 3 pm followed by refreshments in the village hall!

Any donations can still be given to Helen Hayman & also a rough idea of numbers attending the tea so please contact Helen -Preferably by end June! Thank you Gittisham PCC

Spring in the Village

Road past Keepers by Owen Morgan

Morning River Mist by Claire

Red Kite at Westgate by Paul

Whose home is this? Gas fire with real logs?

Email in

Last months garden tool home was Maggie’s congratulations to Paul for his correct guess!

My name’s Claire and I sing with the Sidmouth Gospel Choir (we’re the enthusiastic, slightly-too-loud-in-a-good-way kind 😊)
Picture Sister Act — but instead of a group of vibrant young singers, imagine a collection of men and women who are mostly over the hill and have less time left on their hands than Noah watching the rain clouds gather!

We’re hosting a charity event at St Peter’s Church in Sidford, and we’re putting together a fun Silent Auction to raise as much as we can for a great cause. Plus there will be alcoholic refreshments, some scrummy home-made cakes and a raffle!

All proceeds are going to an orphanage in Uganda, where we hope to raise enough to replace essential water pipe to return the orphanage to self-sufficiency. We are going to quite literally, turn wine into water!!

Tickets are selling but concessions are also available, if someone wants to come along but can’t afford the £10 entrance fee, just get in touch.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Huge Congratulations to Connor Davey

On graduating from No.1 Radio School, RAF Cosford! From trainee to Cyberspace Communication Specialist, onwards and upwards to your next phase and future in the Royal Air Force. We are so proud! Per Ardua ad Astra.

Parish Council Updates

PARISH COUNCIL – May 2026 REPORT

Six councillors met for the May meeting and annual parish meeting, along with Richard Jefferies (DCC) and one member of the public.  

Chair & Vice Chair.

Alex Rowe was elected as chair and Peter Orchard as vice chair for 2026/27.

Finance.  Members agreed the finances.​

Crimes. Feb 2026 Parsonage Lane: 1 x other theft

Longlands Way: 1 x violence & sexual offences

Laburnum Way: 1 x drugs

March 2026 Parsonage Lane: 3 x violence & sexual offences

[Please note police crime report areas lack specificity primarily due to legal privacy requirements such as the Data Protection Act, which prevents identifying individual victims, suspects, or exact residential addresses.  As a result, exact incident locations are placed in general hotspots, or rounded to broader geographic units.]

Planning applications.

a) 26/0570/FUL – 1 Hamlet Cottages Weston EX14 3PB – Change of use of existing outbuilding to hair salon with alterations to fenestration and construction of a new roof

b) 26/0457/LBC – 2 Mitchell Cottages Gittisham EX14 3AF – Re-slate roof (re-using where possible) & extend existing ventilation through rear roof space; repairs to chimney stack; replacement of cement render to front elevation with lime equivalents; refurbishment of the stone and timber windows WG1, WG2, WG3, WF1, WF2, WF3 & WF4; replace external suspended ceiling; internal replacement of cement plaster with lime, and installation of ventilated panelling to defective timber framed and party wall

Councillors had no objections to the above applications.

Road closures.

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

CIL.

The clerk reported that GPC had received approximately £27k in CIL receipts [Community Infrastructure Levy] from East Devon District Council.  According to EDDC, a local council must use CIL receipts passed to it in accordance with the CIL Regulations 2010 to support the development of the local council’s area, or any part of that area, by funding:

a) The provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; 

b) or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area

Councillors agreed to reflect on ways of spending these funds and to come to the next meeting with suggestions for how to take this forward.  A public consultation is advisable.

Vale bus shelter.

Peter Orchard said that the solar panel and the floodlight had been removed or stolen from the Vale bus shelter.  Councillors agreed to replace them in the autumn.  

Green Gittisham.

Gary Pester said that he had contacted a range of wildlife organisations who would be interested in visiting the parish to see what could be done to improve biodiversity.  Councillors agreed that an event could be arranged for early next year, with stalls and workshops.

Next meeting.  Thursday 4th June at 7.30pm in the parish room.  

Gittisham Sky Watch: What to look for this Month

As we head towards the longest day of the year, the night sky never gets truly dark. This period of “perpetual twilight” gives us a wonderful, deep blue sky to explore. If you are enjoying a warm evening in the garden, here is what to look out for over the parish:

  • The Return of the “Summer Triangle”: As the evenings warm up, look toward the eastern horizon just after sunset. You will begin to see three incredibly bright stars rising: Vega, Deneb, and Altair. Together, they form a massive shape known as the Summer Triangle. It is a sure sign that summer has officially arrived in Devon!
  • A Kiss Between the Moon and Mars: On the evening of June 3rd, look low toward the western horizon just after sunset. You will see a beautiful, waxing crescent moon passing extremely close to a bright, reddish “star”—that is the planet Mars! It’s a wonderful sight that requires absolutely no binoculars.
  • The “Strawberry Moon”: The next full moon peaks on May 31st. Traditionally known by early Native American tribes as the Strawberry Moon, it marked the time of year when the wild strawberries began to ripen.
  • Spot the Space Station: Because the sun never dips far below the horizon in June, it is the best time of year to spot the International Space Station (ISS). It looks like a very bright, fast-moving star gliding silently and steadily across the sky (usually taking about 3 to 4 minutes to cross).

Thank you to everyone who contributed pieces to this Gazette. If you would like to submit something for next month’s issue, please email .

Gittisham Gazette April 2026

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April 2026 — Produced for the Parish Council and St Michael’s Church

Gazette Updates

The Gazette is getting a bit of a digital spruce-up. By moving to this new automated email system and website format, we can get village news, beautiful photos, and event updates out to you faster and more reliably than ever before. Please subscribe to our mailing list on the website https://gittisham.org.uk/subscribe-gazette/

However, before we look to the future of the Gazette, we must take a moment to look back and offer our deepest gratitude to Carol Hall.

Carol has been the editor, creator, and driving force behind the Gazette for the past few years. Her hard work, dedication, and love for our community have kept us all connected, informed, and entertained. As Carol steps back from the editor’s desk to enjoy a well-deserved rest, we want to say a massive thank you on behalf of the whole village. Carol, the Gazette wouldn’t be what it is today without you!

We need your voices! While the look might be a bit different, the heart of the Gazette remains exactly the same: this is your village newsletter. We want to fill these pages with your stories, updates, and announcements.

Do you have:

  • A summary of a recent village event?
  • Announcements for the Parish Council or Church?
  • Beautiful photos taken around the parish?
  • A bit of local history or a gardening tip to share?

Please send your pieces, ideas, and photos directly to our new email address: .

Thank you for reading, and here is to the next chapter of Gittisham news!

Warm regards,

The Gazette Team

Green Gittisham: No Mow May & Helping Our Local Wildlife

At our Parish Council meeting last week, we had a really inspiring discussion about how we can work together to make Gittisham a little more environmentally friendly and support our fantastic local wildlife.

We are looking at a few initiatives and would absolutely love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how we can make our parish a haven for nature!

Pledging a Patch for “No Mow May” Next month marks the return of the national “No Mow May” campaign, which encourages people to lock up their lawnmowers for the month to let wildflowers bloom and provide vital nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Don’t panic! You do not have to let your entire garden turn into a wilderness. If you love a neat lawn, perhaps consider just leaving a small “wild patch” in a back corner, letting the edges grow out, or leaving a strip of grass untouched. Even a one-meter square of wild grass can produce enough nectar to feed hundreds of bees a day!

Owl Boxes and Hedgehog Highways Beyond the lawns, we are exploring other ways the parish can support our wildlife. One idea discussed was building and installing owl boxes around the village to support our beautiful local barn and tawny owls.

We are also thinking about encouraging “Hedgehog Highways” (making sure there is a small CD-sized gap at the bottom of garden fences so hedgehogs can roam safely at night) and building bug hotels.

We Want Your Input! How can we make Gittisham greener?

  • Do you have an idea for an environmental project we could tackle as a village?
  • Would you be interested in a community afternoon where we build bird boxes or owl boxes together?
  • Are you planning to leave a wild patch in your garden this May?

We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and ideas. Please email us at or have a chat with any of the Parish Councillors. Let’s see what we can achieve together!

What’s On?

-Village Hall

Open Bookings

  • Tuesdays – Tai Chi & Quigong 09:50 am- 11:10am
  • 3rd Tuesday of the month- Yoga 18:15
  • Wednesday – Folk Dance Club 7pm
  • Thursday- Community Kitchen 18:30
  • 2nd Sunday of the Month Pierre’s Cafe 10am

Hire the hall: https://gittisham.org.uk/village-hall/hire-the-hall/

Committee Events

  • 25th April Coffee and Cake 2.30 – 4.30
  • 9th May Quiz. 7pm
  • 11th May Village Hall AGM 7pm
  • 16th May Piano concert. International Pianist Michael Harrison  6pm
  • 30th May coffee and cake 2.30 – 4.30
  • 6th/7th June Flower Festival 
  • 21st June Father’s Day BBQ
  • 27th June  Coffee and Cake. 2.30  – 4.30pm
  • 11th July Band Night.  Exeter Street Band 7pm
  • 1st August Flower and Produce Show
  • 29th August Coffee and Cake 2.30  – 4.30
  • 5th September Fete
  • 28th November Christmas Craft Fair, expressions of interest in tables being taken 
  • 28th November Christmas Bingo 7pm for 7.30pm 

–Church

  • 22nd April 7 pm is APCM, in the church, anyone welcome to sit in until our PCC meeting afterwards!
  • St Michael’s, Gittisham Sunday April 26th Holy Communion at 11am
  • Natter and Nibble at Gittisham Farm May 9th
  • Flower festival June 6 th & 7 th With refreshments in hall & entertainers performing!
  • 200 Club Winners April
    • 1st Prize              £75       Karissa Marker
    • 2nd Prize             £50       Helen Hayman
    • 3rd Prize              £25       Alan Broom

Events are also listed here: https://gittisham.org.uk/whatson/

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare a little time at your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    

Gittisham Village Hall Monthly Update

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.

Young Councillor of the Year Finalist

Last month, I had the honour of travelling to London as a finalist in the Star Council Awards, in the Young Councillor category. It was a really special experience, and something I feel very grateful to have been part of.

I would like to sincerely thank Gittisham Parish Council for putting me forward for this nomination — it means a great deal to have that support. Being recognised in this way reflects not just my own efforts, but the strong sense of community we are fortunate to have here.

It is genuinely a pleasure to serve Gittisham. I feel very lucky to be part of such a kind, supportive village, where so many people quietly give their time to help others and keep things going.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to making Gittisham what it is — I’m proud to play a small part in it. – Alex

Flower and Produce Show 2026

Flower and produce images

A Little Bit of “Dirty” Fun!

Get ready to dig deep and show us what you’ve been growing behind closed doors! Whether you’re a master breeder or a first-time fumbler, we want to see your best bits on August 1st.

We’ve got a category for everyone, so don’t be shy:

  • Vegetables: We know size isn’t everything, but who will have the longest runner or the biggest cucumber?
  • Flowers: Show us your sweet peas and your impressive spikes! (Please ensure your pansies are floating comfortably in clear water).
  • Homecraft: Is your lemon drizzle moist enough? Looking for a date? The Date and Walnut Cake is nutty, moist, and guaranteed to satisfy. Remember, we want to see if you can truly make your pie and eat it.
  • Men Only: Can you handle the Drunken Sunken Chocolate Cake, or will it all end in a soggy bottom?
  • Potatoes: If you haven’t started yet, get your hands on Sue and David’s buckets—everyone loves a good tuber.

Don’t just stand there clutching your walking stick—come and show the parish what you’re made of!

Schedule available here: https://gittisham.org.uk/events-directory/flower-and-produce-show/

Hall Kitchen Refurbishment

Old Kitchen
New Kitchen

Before and After

Thanks to a £20,000 national lottery grant from the community fund and the hard working efforts of the committee and the lovely community. The new village hall kitchen is complete! 

We had a fantastic opening ceremony in February where Sue Fallows kindly cut the ribbon declaring it open!  Thank you everyone

Sue cutting the ribbon for the new kitchen

Whose home is this? Utalising the umbrella holder for their gardening tools!

Email in

Gittisham Fete is on Saturday 5th September 2026 

We need as many helpers as possible please get in touch with Alex, 

Returning for 2026 is the Gittisham Parish Scarecrow Competition!
Get your thinking caps on!

Parish Council Updates

PARISH COUNCIL – APRIL 2026 REPORT

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

Gittisham Sky Watch: What to look for this April

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.

Gittisham Gazette January 2026

by
What’s On
at the Village Hall  
Happy New Year Gittisham!

24th Jan Burns Night. 7pm.
£10 BYOB.
Do book tickets as this
event always sells out!

31st Jan Coffee and Cake
2.30 – 4.30pm.  
We look forward to welcoming
you to this much-loved event!
Cakes and bakes always
gratefully received,
and we are happy to
reimburse costs.

6th Feb. 7pm Evening Talk
by Nic Wakely on the Wonderful
world of Orchids. £3 to include refreshments.

20th Feb. 7pm Kitchen
warming evening..
details to follow

28th March. 7pm.
Easter Bingo
21st June Fathers Day BBQ
1st August
Flower & Produce Show
5th Sept
Gittisham Village Fete

Weekly
Folk Dancing Weds evenings
Community Kitchen Thurs eve
Yoga Friday afternoons                                                                       Church 200 Club December
Draw Results  
1st A Valentine
2nd J Barrett
3rd M Tawse  

The christmas draw winner  
B Garrood  

Natter and Nibbles at
Gittisham Farm
February 14th 10-12 Raffle,
memorabilia of Gittisham and refreshments.
All funds towards our church.  

Holy Dusters Needed
Can you spare
a little time at
your convenience?
Cleaning products are in the
church by the vestry door.
Thank you.    		  As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited to say that the village hall calendar is already bursting with plans! We have a fantastic mix of events lined up, including quizzes, interesting talks, bingo nights, live music, and plenty more besides — there’s something for everyone, and probably a few surprises along the way too. The hall upgrades are steaming ahead with the final flourishes being added to the brand new shiny kitchen. Work has been steadily progressing over the Christmas period and we are grateful to the local tradespeople for so kindly rolling with the hiccups, and keeping the project on time and reducing the impact to our regular hall bookings. To celebrate, we’re planning a kitchen warming event and would love for you to come along, see the transformation, and enjoy the results of the support that has made it all possible.

Towards the end of the month the actual hall will enjoy a refresh thanks to the generous support of an amazing team of brush wielding painting volunteers. We are all excited to see the hall glowing again! Behind the scenes, we’re a fun, kind and very friendly committee who genuinely enjoy working together to keep the hall buzzing. We’re always happy to welcome new committee members, whether you have lots of ideas, a little time, or just a willingness to get involved. There’s absolutely no pressure to do more than you’re able — every contribution helps — and it’s a great way to engage with the community, meet new people, and build lasting friendships (tea and biscuits are usually involved). gittishamvillagehall@gmail.com

 

PARISH COUNCIL – DEC 25 / JAN 26 REPORT

Four councillors met for the December meeting along with Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) and Richard Jefferies (DCC). Seven met for the January meeting, along with one member of the public, PCSO Darren England & Sgt Jenny Palmer.

Police visit. The police explained how crimes are recorded, in response to concern from councillors that there appeared to be a rise in the amount of crimes categorised as violence and sexual offences. Sgt Palmer said that Devon & Cornwall Police have changed how they report crimes, and often sexual offences are reported a long time after they happen – sometimes years later – because victims are reluctant to come forward. PCSO England added that the large increase in properties in the parish would unfortunately bring with it a rise in incidents, so the growth in the crime figures was to be expected. The officers provided advice on how to secure sheds and recommended getting the serial numbers of items such as power tools and bikes recorded. They suggested visiting the website www.securedbydesign.com for further information. They also cautioned against leaving keyless entry for a car near the front door, as criminals have methods of picking up the signal and stealing the vehicle.

Crimes.

September 2025: Meadow Acre: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Hedge Field Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Hamett Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Laburnum Close: 1 x other theft

October 2025: Meadow Acre: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Parsonage Lane: 1 x anti-social behaviour, Nether Close: 1 x public order, Aspen Close: 1 x anti-social behavior

November 2025: Beech Walk, 1 x criminal damage and arson, Hodges Close, 1 x drugs, 1 x violence & sexual offences, Nags Head Road, 1 x violence & sexual offences

Donations. Members agreed to donate money to Force, Diabetes UK, TRIP, Citizens Advice and Hospiscare.

Finance. Members agreed the budget for 2026/27 and the parish precept was increased by 2 per cent to £11,145.79.

Planning applications.

a) 25/2524/FUL – Shermans Farm Gittisham EX14 3AU- Covered FYM store

b) 25/2570/PDQ – Stockers Gittisham EX14 3AN – Prior approval (class Q) for change of use from agricultural building to 2no. dwelling houses (use class C3)

Councillors resolved to have no objections to either application.

Road closures. 16-21 March Exeter Road west of Sidmouth Road: overnight closure for patching, lining and cleaning.

Flooding. Alex Rowe said he had met EDDC’s Engineering Projects Manager for a productive walk of the village watercourse to identify problem areas and discuss possible solutions.

Chair’s resignation. Carol Hall said she would not be standing for re-election as Chair in May 2026, and would be resigning from the parish council from that date.

EDDC Local Plan. Councillors discussed likely scenarios, should East Devon’s Local Plan be found to be unsound at the enquiry in public. Having taken advice from a planning consultant on behalf of the parish council, David Valentine said it would be ok to continue with GPC’s objections to the land allocations. (There had been concern that any challenge to the plan, if the enquiry inspector was supportive and the Local Plan fails at the enquiry stage, will essentially give an open door to developers.)

Hayne Farm. Andrea Rye said EDDC would be visiting the development to understand whether or not

the wildlife planning obligations are being met.

Next meeting. 5th February 2026 at 7.30pm in the parish room.

You can see the full parish council minutes on the Gittisham website, along with other information about the parish. www.gittisham.org.uk

Gittisham Gazette December 2025

by

 Gittisham GazetteDecember 2025
What’s On                        
at the Village Hall  		 
Pierre’s Café      Sunday 14th Dec













New Year’s Eve Community Kitchen Party
Weekly
Fitness class Tuesday mornings

Folk Dancing Weds evenings

Community Kitchen Thurs eve

Yoga Friday afternoons








Church 200 Club November Draw Results  
1st J Broadhurst
2nd S Wensley
3rd L Reilly    


Christmas Gathering at Gittisham Farm 13th December 10-12 Prize for the best Christmas jumper  

 


Pierre’s Café 14th December Menu £25 French Onion Soup with croutons. Chicken Blanquette, chestnuts and parship gratin or Vegan Wellington. French Yule Log cake. Book in advance 07545 214940 		Dear friends and supporters of our parish hall, thank you to all of you who came and supported our Christmas Bonaza day! We have had lots of fun decorating the hall!  Thank you to Isla for decorating the Christmas tree so beautifully. It has been wonderful to hear so many of you marvel at the glorious Gittisham halo and we will be very sad when it has to come down!    Thanks to your support we had a very busy craft fair in the morning with many of the crafters asking if they can book a table for next year! Let us know what you think of the idea.    The coffee and cake afternoon really was a lovely genteel affair with the very finest offerings from the talented Gittisham bakers. If you haven’t ever been to one of these events, you really should try one! They attract quite a following of friendly regulars!    At the opposite end of the scale was the hotly anticipated Xmas Bingo and mega raffle! …..What can I say! We were absolutely full to the rafters! Sarah Abbotts beautiful hand packed and picked chicken dinner hampers were an absolute thing of beauty and hotly contested. We were delighted to see Wolfie win the Gittisham lottery! Huge thanks to professional caller Marty for a great evening!   As well as enjoying enormous community support throughout the day we were very generously supported by the local business community. Snows Toyota, funded all the bingo prizes and many local business gifted incredible raffle prizes, including The Pig, Combe Estate, Combe Garden Centre, Drakes Plumbing and many many more.    Thanks to your support and theirs, our Bonanza Day raised over £1000. That really is an incredible result and we thank you all. This money will go towards kitting out our new kitchen which is now on order, with installation planned over the Christmas and new year period. Your support and engagement with hall events has enabled us to make some major hall improvements this year including the new kitchen.   We would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and healthy new year. We look forward to welcoming you back to the hall in early 2026 with what we hope will be a kitchen warming party! Watch this space!    Gittisham Parish Hall Committee  

St Michael’s Church Services   Please note Gittisham Festive Carols is a separate event from St Michael’s Carol Service. In addition, there are two Advent services this month as below   Sunday Dec 7th 11am Morning Worship, Advent Prayers and Reflections, Lighting the Advent Candle   Sunday Dec 14th 11am Holy Communion




Making Space for Hope this Christmas ‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all. Emily Dicikenson   Image from the Annunciation by Fra Fillipo Lippi Christmas comes but once a year but ‘New Year’ in the Church comes sooner! In fact, on Advent Sunday, which marks the beginning of a new cycle in the Church’s calendar. When it’s not unusual for the minister to greet the congregation by wishing them ‘Happy New Year!’ Traditionally Advent is when the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. It’s time of hope and joyful expectation. A time when we recall how Mary carried the Christ Child in her womb. And to reflect on how we are called to carry the hope and light of Christ in our world today. Even when times may be difficult. Even where there is war, famine and weeping, as there was 2,000 years ago in the world that Jesus was born into and there is still today.

So I’d like to invite you this Advent, to pause from the busyness of your preparations for Christmas, to make room, as Mary made room in her body, to reflect and wonder at the miracle, the gift of life in our time. Perhaps to come and light a candle in church or wherever you find a safe and quiet space. Perhaps to say a prayer for peace in our world, or to pray for friends and neighbours, for family present and absent, near and far. Or perhaps, simply to sit quietly and enjoy the peace and beauty of our ancient parish church where generations before, have come to worship, to kneel before the crib and wonder at the mystery of God, the Creator of the Universe, come among us in the form of an infant child. And so may God bless you all richly this coming Christmas, Julia Barrett. Licensed Lay Minister.





























PARISH COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 2025 REPORT

Six councillors met for the November meeting along with Cllr Richard Jefferies (DCC).

Superfast broadband. Alex Rowe reported that the original proposal to lay a micro-trench across fields from the

garden centre was now in doubt, as part of this land is in EDDC’s allocation for the local plan. The owner of Radio Fibre is considering an alternative route. Councillors expressed a collective sigh that progress on installing superfast broadband appears once again to be running into issues.

Libraries. Richard Jefferies reported that DCC is carrying out a public consultation about the future of its library service. The county council has 50 libraries, run by the charity Libraries Unlimited, alongside a Home Library Service and outreach programmes. No libraries will close under the proposals, which are designed to save money in the face of rising costs. The consultation includes suggestions to reduce and ‘standardise’ opening hours and options to extend opening hours through additional volunteering by using technology and the potential introduction of community-managed libraries.

Footpaths. Councillors discussed with Richard Jefferies the possibility of him taking Gittisham’s proposal to support a footpath from Hayne Lane to the Otter Inn to his Highway and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC, which meets quarterly). All agreed that as one of the few amenities in the area, people should be supported to walk there safely. The clerk said that West Hill PC have recently carried out a small highway improvement, and may be willing to share their experience with the parish.

Glyphosate. Alasdair Bruce (East Devon District councillor) was not able to attend, but in his absence he sent a report outlining a range of issues. He explained that EDDC, along with DCC, are considering overturning a local ban on the use of glyphosate (a non-selective herbicide). This has come about after public complaints concerning overgrown roadside verges. Alasdair said that as a committed naturalist and beekeeper, he strongly opposes what he sees as a potential retrograde step. The evidence is clear on the long-term hazards associated with this chemical, he said, especially the devastating impact it has on the little-seen elements of our wildlife. However he said he was confident that common sense will prevail, and that this request will be dismissed.

Finance. Councillors agreed the finances.

Crimes. August 2025: Parsonage Lane: 1 x other theft. Hedge Field Close: 1 x anti-social behaviour, 1 x violence & sexual offences

Planning applications. a) 25/1857/VAR – 1 Hamlett Close, Gittisham EX14 3FR – Variation of Condition 1 (approved plans), on planning permission 24/2200/FUL (Conversion of existing garage to living accommodation, with first floor extension over), to make the project more accessible to a disabled person. Councillors resolved to have no objections to a).

Interpretation boards. Gary Pester outlined further details on the two interpretation boards which the parish

council is considering installing at two sites in the village. This is to provide visitors to the parish with information on facilities and some local history in an attractive format, similar to boards in Ottery and Budleigh Salterton.

Next meeting. 11 th December 2025 at 7.30pm in the parish room.

You can see the full parish council minutes on the Gittisham website, along with other

information about the parish. www.gittisham.org.uk

Gittisham Gazette November 2025

by
 Gittisham GazetteNovember 2025
What’s On at the Village Hall  A parish newsletter brought to you by Gittisham Parish Council
Race Night   Sat 8th November
prize for best dressed
Pierre’s Café      Sunday 9th Nov


Christmas Events Day 29th November


Craft Fair 10am
Coffee&Cake 2.30pm
Bingo 7pm

Weekly Fitness class

Tuesday mornings

Folk Dancing Weds evenings

Community Kitchen Thurs eve

Yoga Friday afternoons                                                                      
Church 200 Club October Draw Results  
1st Prize J Bramley
2nd Prize H Hayman
3rd Prize J Twist    
Natter & Nibbles On Saturday 8th November from 10-12 is
Natter & Nibbles at
Gittisham Farmhouse with raffle
& refreshments!
Donations so no entry fee and
anyone welcome!  
 


Pierre’s Café More autumn colours this month with chicken in red wine and tomato sauce and a vegan roast – both gluten free. Booking 07545 214940

















Dear friends and supporters of our parish hall, we hope that you are all keeping well and starting to look forward to this festive period ahead! Thank you to all who came to the Open Mic night! Lots of fun and laughter were had! You may be pleased to know we have plans for more, so dig out that old violin and get practising!   We need to apologise in advance for getting the Christmas decs out rather early this year! This is due to our fantastic Christmas events day on November 29th kindly and aptly sponsored by Snows! (Toyota garage). The first event of the day will start at 10am with the hall’s first ever Christmas Craft Fair! We will have a hall full of local crafters and makers with tables brimming with unique gifts. If you hate shopping as much as me, this could well be the event for you! Come and support your local artisans and start your Christmas shopping early with us! Refreshments will be available, cash and card payments taken.   2.30-4.30 Coffee and Cake! much loved event and missed last month due to a private booking. Come and join us, where a warm welcome awaits and some magnificent bakes!   7pm Christmas Bingo, a real highlight of our calendar! As well as some wonderful festive bingo prizes we have been really fortunate to have the very generous support from many local businesses who have gifted us some truly fabulous raffle prizes! These include Combe Estate with a load of logs, a box of wine from The Pig (perhaps worth more than my car!), massage voucher, gas boiler service voucher from Drakes Plumbing, Lego Advent Calendar and many many more.   We would be delighted to welcome you to these events, the last fundraising events of this year! We would also love to hear from you should you be interested in joining us or have any event ideas or feedback you would like to share.    Gittishamvillagehall@gmail.com



St Michael’s Church Services   Remembrance Sunday Nov 9th Act of Remembrance 10.45 am at the Lychgate followed by Holy Communion in Church   Sunday November 23rd at 11am ‘Making Room for the Christ Child’ Advent Sunday Nov 30th 11am at St Paul’s, Honiton Holy Communion with Archdeacon Andrew as visiting celebrant  

St Michael’s Church Helen Hayman   Thank you to all those who helped at and participated in the harvest event. We raised £750 at the Harvest Supper. The church looked amazing with all the beautiful arrangements and thank you for the generous donations of produce. Thank you to Sara Trumper and her team for a delicious supper and to Carol Hall for the flower decorations on tables laid out for 70 people. A wonderful evening, so special and thanks too to Len Abbott for being a great auctioneer. The harvest service was well attended and rounded off a weekend of celebrations.


November 8th is Gittisham race night! Gittisham village hall 7pm Prize for best dressed Lady & Gent! (optional!) No booking required, bar & snacks available! 7 pm.
So come cheer on your favourite horse, win your fortune!
Everyone welcome!

Information from Helen! 07806480246    

A Thank You Card from Rev’d Sue
Thank you for all the kindness and generosity you showed me at my last service last Sunday, The music was sublime, the sun shone, the church was full -so many faces of friends and so many memories to treasure as I move on. And then tea -again a joyous and generous affair, Needless to say, I was bowled over by the very bountiful cheque you gave me! Thank you so very much! … All of you at Gittisham will continue to hold a place deep in my heart after nearly almost 20 years. And it goes without saying that I will always remember you in my prayers…with love, grateful thanks & many blessings for the future, Sue.
If you would like to read Sue’s message in full, the card will be on the lectern in church for a week or so

HARVEST EDUCATION Helen Hayman

After lots of preparation from Insurance to risk assessment & working out different stations of learning around the farm along with every day equipment & sensory items, also my worksheet!  A coach arrived in the farmyard on 8 th October with 18 reception children from Feniton Primary school!

9.15 am, colourful welly boots & waterproof overalls with backpacks full of snacks the excited children stepped off the bus, welcomed by myself they then placed their items on the chairs in our converted Grain Bin (ideal as a classroom!)
First place to explain all about Our Harvest now & in the past was the mown grass field overlooking the apple orchard past the pumpkin patch! So, we acted out cutting the grass, raking & drying then storing it! Followed by pretending to guide the horses with the hand plough (of course beside the big red tractor, always a class photo opportunity!) so to prepare the soil for next year’s crops!

We then pretended to pick the apples, all then in a large circle following myself (teachers too!) to squash the apples going both directions! Next the barn had grain to feel, along with cattle meal made in our mill & maize stalks that we all stood tall growing with it, of course we then acted out the scarecrow!

Finally we visited the calves, cows in calf & the Dairy cows around the robot milkers which was their highlight as we stood for a while studying them, inquisitive creatures they were (cows!) loved the photo opportunity & attention!
Finally the box of goodies was handed over & we waved goodbye until next year to the children!
(yes the team here at Gittisham Farm, even the vet who was here on routine visit loved listening to the chatter & answering the many great questions from the little ones! They are always so honest!

In and Around the Churchyard Julia Barrett

A Big ‘Thank you’ to the Brimbles!

Getting ready for Remembrance

What has caught the attention of our beloved clergy? What might Rev’d Sue be saying?

Answers by email to Editor of Around the Parishes at   by Sunday 23 November.

Gittisham Parish Council OCTOBER 2025 REPORT

Four councillors met for the October meeting along with one member of the public.

Local Government re-organisation. Alasdair Bruce (East Devon District councillor) was not able to attend, but in his absence, he sent a report which focused primarily on Local Government re-organisation. In place of a two-tier system with district and county councils, the government is proposing to replace them with a smaller number of larger, single-tier unitary councils. Alasdair said a little more information is beginning to appear as to how the government’s devolution is going to work at local level, but it’s still a tiny trickle of what we need, he felt. Whilst quite how the various responsibilities of our current district and county councils are to be divided up is yet to be agreed, we don’t have to look too far to see a potential version of our local government. Across the border in Somerset where the county is run by a unitary authority, there have been major changes in where certain responsibilities fall. Unfortunately, many services we currently take for granted are either underfunded or terminated, said Alasdair Bruce, explaining that he was using this example to try and offer a heads up to where we might end up in east Devon. What is clear is that our town and parish councils will be asked to shoulder burdens and responsibilities that they do not currently have anything to do with, he said. His concern is that they will not be given the tools and resources to fulfil this new role. It appears that this is what’s happened in Somerset. Even before this new world descends on us, there are rumblings that budget constraints are biting at EDDC.

EDDC Local Plan. David Valentine reported that EDDC was in the process of making what it calls minor changes to the draft Local Plan, which may mean parish councils won’t have the possibility to comment when the plan goes out for consultation again. He explained that challenging the Local Plan could be problematic: if such a challenge was successful, it would mean that EDDC could not use the previous formula to calculate housing numbers and would have to adopt the new formula from the government’s National Planning Policy Framework. EDDC would have to find sites for an additional 5,000 dwellings under this alternative formula. Planning consultant Charlie Hopkins is advising the parish council; he is aware of what is happening and will report back in due course.

Superfast broadband. Carol Hall said that the issue of wayleaves had come up once again, and the owner of Radio Fibre (the company looking at providing superfast broadband to the village) was looking at ways to minimise disruption. She added that she’d not had a reply as to whether those residents with Voneus were eligible to apply for a voucher. In principle, eligible homes and businesses can access vouchers worth up to £4,500 to help towards the costs of installing a gigabit-capable broadband connection.

Finance. Councillors agreed the finances.

Crimes. July 2025. Parsonage Lane: 1 x violence & sexual offences. Meadow Acre: 1 x criminal damage & arson. Hamlett Close: 1 x criminal damage & arson, 1 x violence & sexual offences. Hodges Close: 1 x criminal damage & arson, 1 x anti-social behaviour

Planning applications. a) 25/1826/TCA – Gorse Cottage, Gittisham EX14 3AH – x2 conifer: fell. Councillors resolved to have no objections to a).

Next meeting. 6th November 2025 at 7.30pm in the parish room. December

meeting date tbc.

What’s On at The Beehive

Gittisham Gazette October 2025

by
 Gittisham GazetteOctober 2025
What’s On                        
at the Village Hall  		A parish newsletter brought to you by Gittisham Parish Council
Harvest Supper Saturday 4th Oct 7pm

Pierre’s Café        Sunday 14th September 

Coffee&Cake     Sat 27th Sept 2.30-4.30

Harvest Supper October 4th 7pm

Open Mic night October 18th 7pm bar and Pizza Wagon


Race Night Sat 8th November prize for best dressed


November 29th Christmas     Craft Fair 10am

Coffee&Cake 2.30

Bingo 7pm  

Weekly Fitness class
Tuesday mornings
Folk Dancing Weds evenings Community Kitchen Thurs eve
Yoga Friday afternoons                                                                                   Pierre’s Café

12th October, Gittisham Village Hall.

This month, focus on this wonderful Autumn and all its flaming colours. The main this month is a roasted chicken or vegan burger, both served with vegetables, roasted potatoes and apple compote to recreate the Autumn rainbow.
Seasonal cakes, tarts and patisseries homemade, as well for croissants, muffins and apricot danishes in the morning.
Booking ahead is highly recommended. 
Pierre: 07545214940.  
   
Church 200 Club July Draw Results
  1st Prize L Abbott
2nd Prize J Twist
3rd Prize B Garrood      		Autumn at the Parish Hall There are so many exciting things to tell you about, we aren’t too sure where to start! Hopefully those who have visited in the last month will have had a chance to admire the newly refurbished loos? What a difference this has made! Huge thanks to Stella and Maggie for their efforts, pulling off the impossible, in just one weekend!   We really enjoyed your company at the recent cake sale and on the Taskmaster Quiz evening!  Thank you for coming along to support these events. Much fun was had by all!    Your continued support, along with some help from a National Lottery Grant will now enable us to move forward with plans to complete the much-needed kitchen refurbishment. If you are a builder or painter/decorator we would love to hear from you as we are keen to employ local craftsmen within the parish if possible.    Looking ahead we have an Open Mic night on October 18th at 7pm. As well as lots of local talent, we will have a licensed bar and pizza wagon! Come and join us with your poems, instruments or tricks?  This promises to be lots of fun! November 29th is definitely a date for your diary, with a Xmas Craft Fair from 10, with all tables now booked! Please do come along and start your Christmas shopping supporting the Artisans of  Gittisham .  We will then run into the ever popular Coffee and Cake afternoon from 2.30-4.30  followed by another epic Christmas Bingo, back by popular demand! Eyes down at 7.30!   We are always looking for feedback and ideas, so do get in touch and let us know the events you would like to see happening. 

 
St Michael’s Church Services   Sunday Oct 5th Harvest Thanksgiving at 3pm    Sunday Oct 12th Holy Communion at 11am   Sunday Oct 26th Choral Evensong at 4pm (Sung by HMC Choir)   Remembrance Sunday Nov 9th Act of Remembrance 10.45 am at the Lychgate followed by Holy Communion in Church       IMPORTANT. Please note the Harvest Thanksgiving Service is at 3pm on Sunday Oct 5th (changed from the time originally given in the in the Gittisham Gazette).Thank You.  

St Michael’s Church Helen Hayman
November 8th is Gittisham race night! Gittisham village hall 7pm Prize for best dressed Lady & Gent! (optional!) No booking required, bar & snacks available! 7 pm.
So come cheer on your favourite horse, win your fortune!
Everyone welcome!

Information from Helen! 07806480246   Natter and Nibbles this month is at Gittisham Farmhouse from 10am-12. All welcome with donations towards the fabric fund of our church. Enjoy the garden and surrounding views. While you’re there you could take a trip to the pumpkin patch. Plenty of parking and the bus can stop outside on the junction. Bring a friend!   After a major fund raising campaign Gittisham Parish Hall are now in a position to refurbish the kitchen and would welcome any expressions of interest from builders/electricians and painters and decorators that live within the Gittisham parish and would be interested in quoting for works to be completed as soon as possible. Please contact Stella 07813802292  

Gittisham Parish Council SEPTEMBER 2025 REPORT

The Parish Council met on 4th September.

Five councillors met for the September meeting along with three members of the public.

Broadband. Adam Powell reported that discussions are taking place between the parish council and a local start-up company interested in bringing full fibre broadband to the village. Councillors noted that the company had heard of the situation in Gittisham following the public meeting the parish council arranged with Connecting Devon & Somerset. A trial scheme of certain properties has been discussed, involving residents with poor broadband signing up to a voucher scheme and a connection box would be installed behind those properties. The discussions are at a very early stage, and all agreed on previous experience it would be wise to be cautious at this stage.

Public transport. One member of the public expressed their concern over the level of service provided by Stagecoach to those who catch the bus. They said the bus had failed to show up on multiple occasions recently, leading to missed medical appointments and delays getting to work. This was particularly noted when South West Water [SWW] closed the road to carry out some emergency repairs. Subsequently the road was reopened but Stagecoach did not appear to have this information and therefore directed its buses to avoid Gittisham village, leaving passengers stranded. Members agreed to take up the matter once again with Stagecoach to press for better communication between the company, Highways (DCC) and SWW. If you have similar experiences of the bus service in the parish, please let the parish council know.

Regarding trains, Peter Orchard said the Government’s takeover to improve South Western Railway’s performance has not gone well. From 11th August, and for the foreseeable future, trains to London are reduced to every two hours with journey times extended 45–60 minutes. The track is reportedly too dry.

Finance. Councillors agreed the finances.

Crimes.             May 2025: Hedge Field Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences, 1 x criminal damage & arson. Hodges Close: 1 x anti-social behaviour. Hayne Lane: 1 x criminal damage & arson

June 2025: Hedge Field Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences, 1 x public order

Planning applications.

a) 25/0012/TPO – Land opp Garlands, Gittisham EX14 3AJ

b) 25/1552/LBC & 25/1551/FUL – The Lodge Gittisham EX14 3AD – Remove existing asbestos roof slates and felt, and replace with new natural slate roof with new bat safe roof membrane, including partially dismantling and rebuilding existing chimney stack to match existing.

c) 25/1365/PVJ – Gittisham Farm Gittisham EX14 3AX – Prior approval for the installation of 152 solar PV panels on a pitched roof

Councillors noted a) and c) and had no objections to b).

Road closures. 14 October 2000–2359hrs Road under Ironbridge closed to repair a safety defect.

Next meeting. Thursday 2nd October at 7.30pm in the parish room.

Less than two weeks to go! We can’t wait to welcome you all to the patch for the third year running!

PYO pumpkins

When? 11-12th, 18th-19th, 25th-31st of October. From 10am-4pm

Where? Gittisham Farm, Honiton, EX14 3AX.

Once again @ will be providing some delicious refreshments (we can’t wait!!!)

Opportunities to meet our cows and calves on our working farm.

Lots of photo opportunities (as always we’re happy take photos of you and your families).

Entry is free, with no booking required, just turn up and pay for what you pick!

OH GITTISHAM, MY GITTISHAM

The Honiton town crier does her thing

calling us all in to the summer fete.

“Rain is to be expected,” I hear someone say

as I’m leaving on a jet plane wafts across Will’s Field

from bin-liner shrouded speakers.

Rain drips beneath the gazebos,

trickles down the poles onto our wares below.

3 small goats trip by, take their place

next to the astronomer’s tent

and wait patiently to be admired.

On up the lane, the Honiton Town Band

blasts out tunes to the beat of the rain,

the queue for the cream tea grows restless,

it’s a veritable cake-frenzy.

There’s been tombola shenanigans,

wrong tickets on bottles…

the lads (young and not-so) have been damming the stream,

trousers rolled up, or tucked into wellies

in readiness for the Duck Race at half past 4.

The hi-vis team are marshalling cars and people,

the Blacksmith is terrifying the passing children,

as he winds his bellows to fan the flames

dangerously close to the basket weavers’ wares.

Here in Will’s Field, we gather for the dog show.

Hopeful canines sniff around, pull hopeful owners

to enter ‘prettiest bitch’ or ‘best 6 legs’.

The air is heady with the aroma of wet fur

and clammy cagoules

as the entrants for ‘most obedient’ parade around the paddock

to prove their worth before the gathered crowd.

And we applaud, not just for ‘best in show’

but for the band, for the Morris dancers,

the Tea Crew and The Bar, for the carriers and the shifters,

the bunting hangers and the lifters,

for the 500 yellow ducks tumbling to the finish line

for our Hi-Vis leader, Alex,

and for us, we Gittisham Folk,

for turning up and turning out

doing our thing, just joining in.

The Exeter Street Band play one last tune

and we sway, until finally

the rain pauses.

And at the church,

the bellringers ring out the day.

Gittisham Gazette September 2025

by

A parish newsletter brought to you by Gittisham Parish Council

What’s On at the Hall

Dance Club  Open Evening
 Wednesday 10th September 7.30pm

Pierre’s Café        Sunday 14th September 

Coffee&Cake     Sat 27th Sept 2.30-4.30

Quiz Night       Saturday 27th September 7pm

Harvest Supper October 4th 7pm

Open Mic night October 18th 7pm bar and Pizza Wagon

November 29th Christmas     Craft Fair 10am

Coffee&Cake 2.30 Bingo 7pm  


Weekly
Fitness class Tuesday mornings
Folk Dancing Weds evenings
Community Kitchen Thurs eve
Yoga Friday afternoons                                                                               Church Services
Sunday Sept 14th at 11am Holy Communion  
Sunday Sept 28th at 3 pm At St Paul’s Honiton Choral Evensong & Farewell Service for Rev Sue    

Harvest Supper  Sat Oct 4th 7pm in the Village Hall  

Sunday Oct  5th  Harvest Thanksgiving Service at 11am  

Sunday Oct 12th at 11am  Holy Communion  

Sunday Oct 26th at 11am Morning Worship      


Pierre’s Café 14th September

Pierre’s monthly pop-up café will be at the village hall on Sunday 14th September.  
As well as lunch there’ll be the usual selection of freshly made croissants, pains au chocolat and other French pastries in the morning to savour with a coffee or tea.   For dessert / afternoon drop in for a range of homemade cakes.   Vegan and gluten free customers catered for.  
We’ve been sold out for lunch in recent months, so please book if you can – it really helps us know how many to cater for and means we avoid having to turn people away.  Open 10-4, Gittisham Village Hall.   Text or call Pierre on 07545 214940.  
Hope to see you there.         


Church 200 Club July Draw Results  
1st Prize M Tawse
2nd Prize M Tawse
3rd Prize F Wolsey    



St Michael’s Church Helen Hayman Harvest supper Saturday 4 th October at 7 pm , tickets £10.00 adults, £5.00 children! Bring your own drinks! At Gittisham village hall, tickets are selling fast so order from Helen Hayman!

Looking ahead to November 8th Gittisham race night! Gittisham village hall! Prize for best dressed Lady & Gent! (optional!) No booking required, bar & snacks available!
7 pm.
So come cheer on your favourite horse, win your fortune!
Everyone welcome!

Information from Helen! 07806480246  

Gittisham Fete a ‘Quacking’ Success Despite the Rain

Gittisham’s annual fete, held on Saturday, August 30th, was a resounding success, drawing over 500 visitors despite the damp weather (great for ducks). The event kicked off with a grand opening by Honiton’s Town Crier, Caroline, setting a lively tone that continued throughout the day.

The air was filled with music and merriment, featuring a medley of pieces by the Honiton Town Band, vibrant performances from the Otter Morris Dancers, and the energetic sounds of the Exeter Street Band. The stalls were a fantastic sight, stretching from the Village Hall, where fantastic traditional cream teas were served (which raised nearly half the funds!), all the way up to the Church, which hosted a display titled “Gittisham Memories,” showcasing the village’s history.

Attendees also enjoyed a variety of other attractions, including classic cars and live blacksmithing demonstrations  from Gittisham’s very own forge.

A brief pause in the rain allowed for the highly anticipated Dog Show, judged by Maryanne from Vale Vets. The competition was fierce, with many great entries making for some very tough decisionns. A particularly amusing moment came during the “Best 6 Legs” category, which was won by Len, who in a display of true British grit, was sporting shorts despite the downpour.

The Dog Show took place in Will’s field, which was also home to more stands. These included the Poetry stand, where Anne created a fantastic poem about the event, which was read out the following day.

There was also the popular Goat-O-Booth, where both children and adults got selfies with the gorgeous goats.

The day’s highlight was the Great Duck Race, which commenced at 4:48 PM after the sluice was opened. Spectators cheered as the ducks raced down the River Gitt, navigating obstacles and vying for the lead.

The champion duck was plucked from the water by Finley, a 10-year-old volunteer who was an integral part of the day’s operations.

Finley was recognized as a true star, assisting with everything from setup and parking to radio commentary and the final rescue of the winning duck.

Thanks to the community’s support, the fete raised just over £2,000, a fantastic achievement given the weather. The funds will go towards the maintenance of the Church and the Village Hall, two key community buildings.

The fete will return next year on Saturday, September 5th, 2026. More details about the event will be announced in the new year.

There are also lots of great events coming up in the Gittisham Village Hall soon. Be sure to check the Gittisham website and Facebook page for more details,

The success of the fete was made possible by the hard work of the many volunteers, parishioners & bakers, also the generous support of the sponsors, including the Parish Council, Carter Dawes, Combe Estate & Shermans Farm, Vale Vets, The Pig, Combe Garden Centre, Otter Nurseries, Joshuas, Devon Vale, Hare and Hounds,  Norman Lockyer Observatory, Heron Farm, and OneStop Shop.

– Alex Rowe & The Gittisham Fete Committee

Images by Alex, Robert, Toni, Carla, Gary, Stella & Damian

Devon Open Studios – Octavia Madden

I will be taking part in Devon Open Studios this September and warmly invite you to visit my studio in Ottery St Mary. I’ll be showing a selection of my recent paintings, drawings and prints, and it’s a chance to see where and how I work. 

Devon Open Studios is a county-wide event where artists open their doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to explore a variety of creative practices and discover new work. Entry is free, and everyone is welcome.

I look forward to welcoming you!

Gittisham Village Hall

Dear friends of Gittisham Hall,


We hope you have all enjoyed a great summer and have been able to spend time enjoying the lovely weather.

Your hall committee have been busy putting plans together for an exciting program of events this autumn.


September 10th. We have all been kindly invited to join the Gittisham Folk Dancing Club at 7.30 for a free taster of their fun dance class with live musicians.


September 27th.

Our ever-popular cake sale 2.30-4.30pm

Harvest themed Quiz 7pm


October 18th Open Mic night with bar, and Pizza Wagon, from 7pm


November 29th

Christmas craft fair from 10am… do get in touch if you or someone you know would like to reserve a table to sell from.

Cake sale 2.30-4.30

Christmas bingo 7pm, eyes down 7.30pm


We hope you will come and join us! Your support enables us to make repairs and upgrades to our much loved and very old hall!
Over the past two months, two new hand dryers have been installed along with upgraded handwashing facilities in the kitchen, with plans to start redecorating the toilets in September.


We are always keen to hear from anyone wishing to support us, either with feedback, ideas, time or donations!

Gittisham Parish Council

The Parish Council met on 4th September. A report will be available shortly on the village website and also in the next edition of the Gazette.