August ‘23 Edition 256

A monthly community newsletter published by St Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

What’s On?   Pierre’s Cafe Sunday 8th Oct at the Village Hall 07545 214940 Village Fete Saturday 2nd Sept 2-5pm Community Kitchen Every Thurs, village hall 6.30pm. All welcome to enjoy a free meal and good company   Harvest Supper Saturday 7th October at the village hall   Gittisham Folk Dancing (like a barn dance or ceilidh) Join a friendly group of people of all ages with live music and a caller to guide you through each dance. £5.50 per evening 8pm-10.15pm gittishamfolkdanceclub.org         FOOD BANK Donations are always welcome to the box in the church porch	Our wonderful fete is back on Saturday 2 nd September, with all the usual entertainment and much, much more. Something for everyone, even dogs and ducks! Entry is £2 There are still tables available for crafts and tradespeople Can you help with parking or serving teas on the day? There’s arota so please get in touch if you can.
Gittisham Flower and Produce Show Thanks to all who organised this event and who helped on the day.   The highlight of the day was of course the potato weigh-in, with Sarah Abbot the happy winner. What’s the secret Sarah? Other prize winners: Marker Cup: Len Abbott Homecraft: Anne Holley Reg Chown Cup for best exhibit in show: Shared between Len Abbott and Anne Holley McCann Cup: Kadence Hulbert Tony Spiller Shield: Sarah Abbott Wakley Cup for best flower in show: Anne Holley Men’s Cup: Will Wolsey Best Cake: Bill Griffiths Junior Cup: Maverick Cheffey Infant Cup: Cleo Howe	St Michael’s Church and Honiton Mission Community St Michael & All Angel’s Church Patronal Festival Village Fete SONGS OF PRAISE Thank You Service Sunday 3rd September at 4pm   200 Club Would you like to join the 200 club and help to fund the upkeep so necessary for this old church. It takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the increasing cost of energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature. The cost is £12 per number per year. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes £40, £20, £15, £10 and £5. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September). Contact Janet Twist 01404 45484   Exam Results Good luck to all those getting school and college exam results this month. Best wishes for whatever the future brings for you all.
No Swimming   No Swimming The Bettislake pothole highlights the challenges facing Devon County Council, with the largest Highways network in England at something over 12,000km to maintain. Much of the roads have begun life as little more than cart tracks with no real foundation, then covered and recovered in tarmac type surfacing over the years and subject to the vagaries of massive increases in traffic flow and weather.     Reporting of potholes is encouraged through the website Report a Pothole. https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/ Evening buses The Stagecoach 44A bus service will be running in the later evening from September Leaving Exeter and stopping in Heathpark (not running through the village): Exeter 20:30 to Heathpark 21:23 From Honiton, stopping in Heathpark and then on to Exeter (not through the village): Heathpark 22:49 to Exeter 23:35 Check the Stagecoach website for accurate information.	Gittisham Village Hall The hall is available to hire privately with special rates for parish residents. £10.90 per hour £31.30 for a morning or afternoon £43.15 for the evening Details are on www.gittisham.org.uk or contact 07854 492347 to make a booking.   School Uniform The Ottery Larder has a huge selection of uniform for our local schools. All are welcome to take from their supplies. It’s all about recycling and saving money. Please see their website or facebook page for details of opening times.   Parish Council – no meeting this month

    GITTISHAM GAZETTE  
    A monthly Community Newsletter
      Published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

June 2023                                       Edition 255

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REWILDING IN THE PARISH

About 18 months ago the Parish Council approached East Devon District Council with a view to rewilding some of the parish open spaces.
The result of this is that the area on the corner of Hayne Lane and Old Elm Road was proposed as an area of wildflower, and work started recently, beginning with scarifying the planting area. 
Seeds will be sown, and for a few weeks the area will look bare. Once past this initial period there will be a sea of colour year after year. 

                                       
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GOREN FARM EX14 3EN
Looking for somewhere to go where you can get close to nature and relax for the day? Then look no further than Goren Farm, a rural idyll nestled in the foothills of the Blackdown Hills. They give you a map and point you in the right direction to start your stunning nature trail walk amongst 70 acres of wild flowesrs teeming with butterflies and birds. They also have a Woodland Adventure trail.  Just follow the mown paths. Dogs welcome (on a lead!).
Back on the farm, there’s a trampoline, hammock and monkey bars to keep children entertained whilst you sample the cider in our working cider museum.
There’s a walled vegetable garden for you to wander around and a café selling delicious homemade Devon cream teas and cakes and a selection of teas or enjoy a pint of cider! and ice creams
Open from 11am Wednesday to Sunday. £7 entrance for meadows for adults and £3 for children,
Goren Farm Ex14 9EN
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 PIERRE’S POP-UP SUNDAY CAFÉ SUNDAY 11^TH JUNE

 At Pierre’s monthly pop-up café on Sunday 11th June in Gittisham Village Hall, he will be serving roast glazed pork, accompanied by a vegetable gratin.  Vegans and vegetarians will also be catered for, with homemade burgers wrapped in cabbage leaves.  There’ll be a selection of tempting cakes and desserts, as well as freshly made croissants and pains au chocolat.  Come and try our homemade elderflower cordial for a refreshing drink, and let’s hope the weather stays sunny so people can sit outside.  To book lunch, please call Pierre on 07545 214940 or email  Doors open at 10am.
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OPEN GARDEN
Richard and Nellie Marker opened their Garden at Beech Walk over the weekend 19/20/21 May in aid of various charities including Hospisecare and the NGS.  There was a lovely cream tea with cake and the sunshine made it a perfect day.  I understand they raised over £4,000.00.  Congratulations to all concerned.
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GITTISHAM VILLAGE HALL NEWS

Events are run by the Village Hall Committee throughout the year and aim to make a bit of a profit to keep the hall running and of course to provide fun and socialising for us all. The Hall is also available to hire privately and details of this are on the gittisham.org.uk or contact Carol Hall  on 07854 492347 to make a booking.  Sunday 18^th June, Father’s Day Bar-b-q

OUR TRADITIONAL COUNTRY GITTISHAM VILLAGE FETE   SATURDAY 2^ND SEPTEMBER
Please keep a look out for the next meeting – to be announced via the village WhatsApp – and come along to give ideas and help out.  The more, the merrier, it would be nice to get back to one of our traditional fetes, please put the date in your diary.  Regards  Hamish

“This year’s fete is being held on Saturday 2nd September 2pm till 5pm and will hopefully be a good afternoon out for people who come along as well as raising money for our St Michael’s Church.  Since February a small working group has been putting together a plan for the afternoon and as it stands the main attractions are  Honiton town band kicking off the event at 2 o’clock from then on there will be stalls around the village, classic vehicles around the church green with a flower festival happening within the church, at 3pm we will be holding a “very” competitive dog show so get training! Then at 4pm-ish the infamous duck race will take place!  Hopefully that give you a rough idea of what to expect and I’m trying to add in a few more exiting bits so keep an eye out for that – www.gittisham.org.uk/fete  If anyone who is able to volunteer with the   •Setup     •Sign painting and leaflets    •Duck Race     •Admisions and Carparking,   •Manning a stall (Tombola, ice cream, plant stall & cake stall),   •Cake baking,   •Refreshments,   •Packing away etc.    Please get in touch    Thank you for your support hopefully it will all fall together. Alex Rowe

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DEVON AIR AMBULANCE NEEDS YOUR HELP
“The Devon Air Ambulance needs a community of volunteers to keep our 19 charity shops open and our emergency helicopters flying. Could you spare an hour or two to help your local shop? We have a host of tasks which need to be completed to make our shops a success. You do not have to have any previous retail experience as we offer friendly support, training and encouragement. So why not give volunteering a go and arrange a trial session at one of our shops. We also have other volunteering opportunities, from event support, delivering community talks, box collections through to one off projects and supporting our Head Office operation. If you would like to support a much loved local charity,  help to save lives and meet new people, we would love to hear from you! To find out where your nearest shop is and how you can help, please contact our Volunteer Engagement Officer, Charlotte Fleetwood on 01392 466 666 or email ”

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THE TOM PUTT APPLE

Last month we heard about the Tom Putt apple trees that have been planted in the churchyard. Here’s a bit more info about this very special apple variety:   By Carol Hall.

       “Tom Putt” is a traditional variety of dual purpose apple, often used as a cider apple, originating in Devon. The apple Tom Putt was supposed to have been named for an 18th-century landowner, Thomas Putt of Combe   (Combe House, Gittisham), who died in 1787 and was nicknamed “Black Tom”. Putt, a barrister, is reputed to have perfected the variety and is also said to have won prizes for his fruit trees at agricultural fairs in Honiton.

GITTISHAM’S NEXT MONTHLY COFFEE GET-TOGETHER SATURDAY 17^TH JUNE 
It would be lovely if I could have some volunteers to help with our get togethers each month, (3^rd Saturday) if you could offer help please contact me Carol 851113 thanks.  June 17th, Margaret and Michael Hawkins have kindly invited us to their home 21 Cypress Close, Gittisham Vale, EX14 2YW  for our coffee get together from 10.30 – 12.00. Parking slightly limited.  July’s will be back in the parish room on Saturday 16^th 10.30 – 12.00
______________________________________________________________________________ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH AND THE HONITON MISSION COMMUNITY (M.C.)
Thank you to all who undertake sides-peoples duties, I am not sure how long it is going to take for me to get fully up and running again or when I will be driving again. Forthcoming services for  June, 4^th none 11^th Eucharist, 18^th none, 25^th lay led morning worship. Julia organised a lay led post Coronation service on the 7^th May at which 14 adults and 3 children attended, the hymns were very appropriate for the happy occasion.  

18^th June, Father’s Day bar-b-q 12.30 at the village hall £6.50 adult, £4.00 secondary age child and free for primary age child. Vegetarian available, bring own drinks.  Booking or information
St. Paul’s Honiton
Weekly services still continue to be at 11.00am The website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about  services, there is also a link to the Gittisham website.  The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is also being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact the Parish Office and the link will be forwarded, or ring, 01404 44035  messages will be replied to when someone is available, Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.00 to 12.30.  Coffee and biscuits are served in the church on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10.00 – 12.00 and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.
St. Nicholas, Combe Raleigh
Has a new church project which was launched over the Coronation weekend. They intend to install a stained-glass window in the church as a memorial to her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.   Pledge forms are available for anyone who would like to contribute and as a huge incentive, all individual pledges are being matched by an anonymous donor. If you’d like further details please phone 47156 or 43166
Awliscombe & Weston Fete is booked for Saturday 17th June at 1.00pm. at the Otter Inn with stalls, games, teas etc.

200 CLUB RESULTS  JUNE
1^st   Olive Collis                     2^nd  Sarah Agg-Manning                3^rd   Karen Loveland
4^th   Richard Marker              5^th   Sara Trumper

I am no longer running the 200 club, Julia Barratt has decided that Janet Twist and Angie Hutchings are to take it over.  If you would like to join the 200 club which is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, please ring Angie Hutchings on 07774 146209 or Janet Twist 01404 45484 they can send or email the application form. The cost is £12 per number per year. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00.  Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).  Payment can be made by cheque, cash or preferably Standing Order, there is a form for your bank.  They can email both the application and Standing order forms if required or print them off for you, please let them know
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DID YOU V0TE IN THE LOCAL ELECTIONS?    the Conservatives won by only 7 votes, the smallest margin for a very long time.  I hope you remembered your id, the first time this has been required and the two tellers were new to the village.

PARISH COUNCIL – JUNE 2023 REPORT

Six councillors met for the June meeting. Two members of the public were also present.

Broadband.

Faye Cross, Community Liaison Officer for broadband provider Airband, explained that

the company is joining forces with Connecting Devon and Somerset to bring superfast

broadband to previously excluded communities. The company plans to install new

infrastructure, which would likely include poles. The aim is to complete this work in

Gittisham by the end of 2024. Members welcomed the proposals, but felt the timescale

might be too ambitious based on previous experience, combined with the challenges

presented by the village setting, AONB, listed buildings and land owner negotiations.

Finance. Members agreed the finances, as well as the annual accounts and

governance statement for 2022/23.

Crimes. March 2023: no reported crimes.

Church Mead bridge.

Maggie Walker explained that following a visit by EDDC staff and contractors, work will

begin to install a pedestrian footbridge with disabled access, and the existing bridge will

be dismantled while repairs take place. Residents and visitors will have to park

elsewhere during this period, which is expected to last approximately one month.

Planning applications.

a) 23/1056/FUL Unit B Weston Park Devonshire Road Heathpark Industrial Estate –

installation of vents and flues on north, west and east elevations, removal of window on

north elevation

b) 23/1009/FUL Landscores Cottage EX14 3AU Single storey extension to dwelling

and general purpose agricultural barn

c) c) 23/0110/LBC Charlies Cottage 1 Beaumont Cottages EX14 3AG – Replace all

windows to match existing with slim line double glazing; gas central heating; Install

underfloor heating system to the entire ground floor; Block up doorway on north

elevation; New window on north elevation to kitchen.; New internal doorway between

dining room and created bedroom/office.; New window on east elevation to create

bedroom/office; new conservation roof window to the new bedroom/office on east

elevation; Open up the fireplace for an investigation, reinstate fireplace. Radiators at first

floor.

Councillors resolved to have no objections to the three applications, and particularly

welcomed the proposals in c) to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Combe Farm Shop licensing application.

Councillors expressed serious reservations about the application to sell alcohol seven

days a week, including evenings. They considered it an inappropriate location for

reasons including access, lack of lighting, impact on adjoining residential properties,

crime and disorder, and an increase in traffic and pedestrian movements (especially in

the vicinity of Hayne Lane).

Scams.

Janet Twist reported that there are cold callers going round park homes in East Devon,

to ask if people are interested in purchasing insulation. There has also been a rise in the

online impersonation of brands. The advice is to type the address of a website you wish

to use, rather than choose from a search engine.

Old Elm Road.

Councillors welcomed the news that wildflower seeds have been sown at the bottom of

Old Elm Road, with further plans to start tree planting along the strip of land that backs

onto Ferndale Close later this year. EDDC has leafleted neighbouring properties to

inform them.

Next meeting. Thursday 6 th July at 7.30pm in the parish room.  
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Rev’d Sue Roberts

Bishop Jackie has kindly encouraged Rev’d Sue to take a somewhat overdue sabbatical this year. she was all set to take it in 2020, but Covid-19 put a stop to that. “I was reluctant to take it so soon after being off last year,
but have been assured that it is absolutely in order.”  To help in the Mission Community while she is away, from 1 Sept—30 Nov, Rev’d Tracey Voisey from the Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Axminster, will be joining the Honiton Mission Community.  Tracey will be the Acting Team Vicar while The Revd Prebendary Sue Roberts is away. 

THE GITTISHAM GAZETTE DISTRIBUTION
I am hopefully finished with hospital stays but would appreciate offers of help to deliver round the village and to the few homes in Cypress Close, Ferndale and Laburnum plus the Gittisham Vale bus shelter as am currently not allowed to drive, as my vertebrae keeps breaking, fingers crossed I shall be able to use my car soon.  I would like to thank everyone who has taken me to appointments or to the shops, and with my walking not too good either, I hope to be able to finish using the wheelie walker soon.

If you wish to receive the Gazette by email or by post do contact me 851113, 30ish  copies are usually put in the Vale bus shelter The Gazette can also be found on the Gittisham Website https://gittisham.org  I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer but as I can’t go upstairs yet I have to rely on someone bringing the printing down.                                                          

                                                    EDITOR / DISTRIBUTOR:
Carol McCann  01404 851113/07946409142     . if you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate,  do please email it to Carol as early as possible, copy date for the July edition is 27^th June the Gazette will hopefully be ready by the 8^th July.

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

March 2023 Edition 253

Burns Night

Many fa’ and honest, sonsie faces were to be seen at the village hall to celebrate a traditional Burn’s Night. There were indeed many great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-races consumed, along with tatties and neeps and an incredible onion gravy. We all tak our place aboon them all and consumed with gusto, washed down with wine and great company.

Our resident kilted Scotsman addressed the haggis in true Scottish style, admiring the groaning trencher and we all marvelled at hurdies, which were indeed like a distant hill. Finally the ceremony came to an end, with the Scotsman’s knife seeing Rustic-labour dight and he cut the glorious haggis up ye up wi’ ready slight. It was amazing to see the gushing entrails bright. And then, O what a glorious sight, warm-reekin, rich!

What followed was an equally bizarre and chaotic night of traditional Scottish dancing, with the talents of the dance caller often ignored in favour of a more freeform dance. 

Well done to all who cooked, set up, cleaned, sold tickets, danced and generally supported a most excellent night.  The event was organised by the Gittisham Village Hall Committee with funds raised going to pay for the upkeep of our wonderful building.

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe, 9th April

Pierre will be serving a lunch from 12.30 – 4pm on Easter Sunday,  followed by a dessert. Vegans and vegetarians will also be catered for.  There’ll be the usual selection of homemade croissants and pastries in the morning, as well as delicious cakes including gluten-free options.  Doors open from 10am in Gittisham Village Hall.  Please book to avoid disappointment and to give Pierre an idea of numbers.  Bring your own drinks.  Please telephone Pierre 07545 214940 for further information.

Open Gardens Children’s Hospice South West

The fundraising team of Children’s Hospice South West would like t bring your attention to the Open Garden events which take place every summer. Gittisham is such a beautiful village and might be the sort of place where people could enjoy opening their gardens either to the public or just to friends and family to support a very good cause. Here is a link to the website and they will also help with posters. etc.   
Tina Lunt       01404 234086 and 07341 153409.

Gittisham Village Hall news

Saturday 1st April – an evening of Gittisham games.  Are you a ping pong prodigy, a dab hand at duckpins? Or just keen to gaze on the cut and thrust of Gittisham’s gamest gamers?  Table Tennis tournament from 5pm   Ploughman’s and soup at 6pm West Country Skittles from 7.00.  Laughter and jollity throughout! £5.00 on the door.  BYOB.  Brought to you by your friendly Village Hall Committee

Our traditional country Gittisham village fete is being planned for Saturday 2nd September. Please keep a look out for the next meeting – to be announced via the village WhatsApp – and come along to give ideas and help out.  The more, the merrier, it would be nice to get back to one of our traditional fetes, please put the date in your diary.

Events are run by the Village Hall Committee throughout the year and aim to make a bit of a profit to keep the hall running and of course to provide fun and socialising for us all.
The Hall is also available to hire privately and details of this are on the gittisham.org.uk or contact Carol Hall  on 07854 492347 to make a booking.

Mary Wakely

Mary Wakely, a lifelong resident of the village, passed away this month and we all send our best wishes to Paul and family. Mary was the Post Mistress at Eveleigh’s for many years, helped by her lovely goose Grizedale.

From Grain to Cream – Russell Hayman

As I write, part of the farm is having the soil analysed for the nutrient levels and acidity (the soil here naturally graduates towards acidity). These results form the application levels required for the following crops. We test about 20% of the farm each year which is rotated around the farm to give us an indication of the base levels as most of the levels take years to alter. We do not test for nitrogen as this alters through the year and is much more related to the previous crop. We aim for a p.h. neutral soil and to achieve this; ground limestone (mainly) is applied. Some crops are more tolerant than others of acid soils i.e. grass and oats; legumes (peas / clovers) and maize less so. This means we try to check and apply lime before we grow these crops as this is where the greatest benefit can be had.

As I am sure you will be aware of the shortages in the supermarkets of some foods. There are many things the retailers will say are the cause and most do have a contributory effect but the main reason is they don’t pay enough! Why is there veg on the shelves in Europe when UK ones struggle to have an apple! Why does my milk buyer put enormous efforts into promoting its exports of cheese all over the world (the biggest buyer is France) and they know a little about good food! It’s because the retailers here won’t pay a fair price. I must admit it makes me fume slightly when the retailers claim they are working hard to help the public.  What is really meant is to maintain their own margins and they are very good at that. Our milk price has now dropped by 7.5 pence per litre in the last two months so we are now been paid below the cost of production and with the level of investment required it won’t go on for ever, especially as our support payments are changing from having to farm to qualify; so subsidising the price of food which in effect it what has happened with food deflation for over the last 25 years plus with only the sad outbreak of war in Europe finally pushing prices up and showing the real value and security of your own food production. (How right my father was with his comment when the Berlin wall came down: “bad day for farming bit of fear makes them value food”.)

On a more cheery note, out the other night feeding a newborn calf, a barn owl came swooping. In the morning posh car came down the road stopped for a bit there and then proceeded to do a bit of flapping about so I enquired if everything was OK. Turns out it was more than OK as they had a mouse on the windscreen and where in the process of removing it which they did. Not that we have a shortage of mice but it is nice to see they are going upmarket! Plus it was a nice plump one and the barn owl will have a great tea!

Parish Council report – March 2023

Six councillors met for the March meeting along with Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) and 
Phil Twiss (DCC).

Bus fares.

Phil Twiss reported that the Government’s fare cap scheme, encouraging passengers to ‘Get Around for £2’ has now been extended to the end of June 2023. The scheme is backed by Government funding, and offers a saving of 30% on the average single fare. It’s hoped the scheme will encourage people to swap their cars for bus journeys, helping families save money during cost of living pressures, while also reducing carbon emissions by taking cars off the road and encouraging greater bus use to help the industry in its continued recovery from the pandemic. 

Church Mead garages.

Alasdair Bruce reported that EDDC has finally authorised repairs to the Church Mead council garages. A date when they will be available for rent will be forthcoming shortly. Dare we hope, he asked, that this frustrating saga may be finally coming to a favourable conclusion.

EDDC Local Plan.

David Valentine explained that EDDC had passed a resolution at its meeting on 14^th February regarding the draft Local Plan to continue with background technical work, including discussions with consultees and infrastructure providers. But no further discussions or decisions will be made with regard to the sites or their allocations until the government has delivered the finalised National Planning Policy Framework.

Finance.

Members agreed the finances.

Crimes.

Dec 2022 & Jan 2023: no reported crimes.

Planning applications. 

a) Pomeroy House, Gittisham – Internal and external remodelling with new kitchen
No objection.
b) 2 Mitchell Cottages Gittisham – 7 x Lawson Cypress Conifer – to dismantle to ground level. No objection.

c) Nags Head Farm Gittisham – extension to agricultural building. No objection.

Development in the parish.

David Valentine reported that Gittisham Community Land Trust would be looking for a new affordable housing provider for the scheme, as South Devon Rural Housing Association had reconsidered its position in the light of delays and rising costs. Sewage, Hayne Farm. The clerk said she had been in touch with Baker Estates to enquire about the drainage /sewage system on the development, as some residents have reported problems, particularly following periods of high rainfall. Baker Estates told her the foul drainage system has been technically approved by South West Water and they have also inspected the installation. However, issues have arisen and BE contractors are regularly jetting the drain out to ensure it continues to run freely whilst they investigate the cause of the issue. BE said now that outline planning permission has been granted for the development of the farmyard, they hoped that any storm run-off from there would be resolved. They will be keeping a close eye on the situation until a permanent solution can be found.  

Village play area.  

Members resolved unanimously to approve the most cost-effective provider for the table tennis table, which was one of the most popular choices in the public consultation carried out before the pandemic.

Next meeting. Thursday 6th April at 7.30pm in the parish room.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

St Michael’s Mothering Sunday service was enjoyed by parents, grandparents and children with a big thankyou to Carol Hall for making the lovely posies distributed by the children, and also to Helen Hayman for organising the flower decorations and to all our wonderfully creative and talented flower arrangers who decorated the Church. Traditionally, this day is known as ‘Refreshment Sunday, so we were able to relax our usual practice of no flowers in Lent.

Churchyard.

As the clocks spring forward and the daylight hours lengthen, we are looking forward to developing the wild area in the old churchyard and looking for volunteers to help us prepare for the new season. Please contact Maggie Walker for further information. We have already added to our stock of snowdrops and Paul Wakely has kindly grown several varieties of wild flowers which will be ready for planting later in the season.

Also Paul has kindly cared for and recently planted (as part of the Queens Canopy) two Tom Putt apple trees, grown from root stock purchased from Adam’s Apple Trees, a local business now based in Dulford.

Holy Week & Easter Services

Palm Sunday April 2^nd  All Age Service in Church at 11am with blessing of Palms at the Lych Gate  followed by the service in Church. Good Friday April 7th  Morning Prayer and Reflection at 10.30am followed by Hot Cross Buns in the Parish Room. Easter Day April 9^th Eucharist at 11am followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the children in the Churchyard.

Later in the month: All Age Worship at 11am on the fourth Sunday of the month  April 23^rd at 11am. Looking ahead to the Coronation of King Charles 111, there will be a Service of Celebration on Sunday May 7^th at 11am.

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol, on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680.  

Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is Saturday 15th April in the parish room from 10.30 – 12.30.  It would be lovely if we could have some volunteers to help with our get togethers each month, if you could offer help. please contact me, Carol McCann (Tel 851113). Thank you.

Honiton Mission Community

The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or and the link will be forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

200 Club

I was approached by villagers who wanted to join the 200 club but I am afraid I couldn’t remember who, could they please contact me.  I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year.  The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

February 2023 200 Club Results

1^st  Sarah Agg-Manning                 2^nd Nigel Blackmore               3^rd Peter Stansell        
4^th  Sarah Abbott              5^th   Cynthia Underdown

March 2023 200 Club Results

1^st  Betty Madden                2^nd Maggie Walker               3^rd Daggie Weaver          
4^th  Jack Bartlett              5^th   Christine Rew

Six-monthly Owen Morgan

Gittisham Gazette distribution

I must apologise for the missing February Gazette, [the editor writes] I was in hospital for 6 weeks from the 6^th to 14^th March and sadly back in again on the 17^th and am doing this in my bed in the ward. I do hope I will get the April one done in reasonable time.

Once I come out of hospital  I would appreciate offers of help to deliver round the village and to the few homes in Cypress Close, Ferndale and Laburnum plus the Gittisham Vale bus shelter.

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 07946 409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.

 

Gittisham Flower & Produce Show schedule 2023

To be held at the Parish Hall on Saturday 5th August 2023

• Potato bucket weigh in at 3:15pm
• The show will open at 2:30pm
• Teas and raffle
• Admission: Adults 50p; Children 5-16 years 10p
• Entrance fee Sections A,B,C 10p: Children’s entries free
• Special potato class £1 – payable when your seed potato is collected
• Sections A,B,C no prize money. Section D prizes 1 st = £1, 2 nd = 50p, 3 rd = 25p
• McCann Junior Cup for most points by a competitor age 12-16 in Sections A,B,C
• Awards for Best in Show in Sections A and B
• The show is open to all residents of Gittisham parish, which includes Gittisham
• Vale and Hayne Farm estate. We also welcome entries from those who no
• longer live in the parish, those who actively support the parish, and those with
• close links to the parish.

           Children must be aged 3-11 on Saturday 29th July 2023
            Juniors must be age 12-16 on Saturday 29th July 202

• Children are welcome to enter Sections A,B,C upon paying the entry fee.
• All exhibits must have been made or grown by the exhibitor
• One entry form per person – no sharing!
• Entries must be made in writing on the Entry form enclosed by marking
• X in the appropriate box on the form
• Entry forms must be accompanied by the correct entrance fees.
• Entries must reach Sarah and Len Abbott, 4 Church Mead, Gittisham
• EX14 3AH by Saturday 29 th July 2023
• NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE
• Only one exhibit per person per class
• The decision of the judges will be final and binding
• Entries will be received at the Parish Hall between 0900 and 1045 on show day, and
• must remain staged until after the presentation of prizes.
• No exhibit should be named (including children’s exhibits)
• SECTION “A” VEGETABLES
• Class
• 3 White potatoes
• 3 Coloured potatoes
• 1 Cabbage (any variety)

4.    1 Lettuce (any variety)~
5.    5 Spring Onions
6.    5 Onion sets
7.    6 Shallots
8.    6 Sprays of Parsley
9.    3 Beetroot
10.   3 Carrots (any variety)
11.   6 Pods of Broad beans
12.   6 Pods of Peas
13.   A pair of Cucumbers
14.   5 Tomatoes
15. 5 Cherry tomatoes
16.   3 Courgettes under 6”
17.   6 Runner beans
18.   2 Parsnips
19.   3 Sticks of Rhubarb
20.   4 different culinary herbs (not parsley) in a jam jar
21. The longest runner bean

SECTION “B” FLOWERS
Classes 24-28 to be presented in a clear glass jar (NOT A VASE
23.   5 pansy heads floating in clear water in a clear glass bowl
24.   1 Spike Gladioli~
25.   3 Dahlias
26.   6 Stems of Sweet peas
27.   4 stems of different cut flowers
28.   1 Specimen Rose
29. An arrangement of garden flowers on the theme of the Coronation, not
~exceeding 12” or 30cm in any direction. Own vase, not jam jar.

SECTION “C” HOMECRAFT

30 Victoria Sponge in a round 8” or 20cm tin – as attached recipe
31 Quiche Lorraine
32 Tear and Share bread (own recipe)
33 Jar of Rhubarb and Ginger Jam
34 Jar of chutney (any variety)
~35 A photo of an insect (photo not exceeding 6”x8”)
36 Homemade oven gloves
37 Homemade game
38 A Homemade Anniversary Card~
39 MEN ONLY – Treacle Tart (recipe attached)

SPECIAL CLASS: Potatoes in a bucket – potatoes can be collected
from Sue and David Fallows, Parkers East, Gittisham 01404
850922 on or after 6 th April 2023

SECTION “D” CHILDREN’S CLASSES
Up to 6 years
40 A Painting or Drawing of a pet~
41 A. animal made of vegetables
42 A marshmallow caterpillar
6 – 11 years
43. A Photo of people playing (max photo size 6”x8”)
44.   An animal made of vegetables
45.   3 Shrewsbury biscuits

VICTORIA SPONGE
Grease and line two 8inch (20cm) sponge tins
Preheat oven to Gas 3, 325F, 170C, (150fan)
8oz (225g) butter at room temperature
8 oz (225g) caster sugar plus a little for the top of the cake.
~4 large eggs (lightly beaten)
8 oz (225g) sifted self raising flour.
A few drops of vanilla essence

Cream butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs a little at a time
Stir in the vanilla essence~
Gently fold the flour into the mixture.~
The mixture should be of dropping consistency. If not add 1-2 tsps hot water.
Divide the mixture equally between the two tins and bake for approx. 25
minutes.~Cool on a rack and sandwich with raspberry jam.
Sift caster sugar lightly over the top of the cake.

Treacle Tart
Pre heat oven to Gas 6, 200C (180 fan).
35g butter
35g vegetable shortening
150g plain flour
2 tbsp cold water
675g golden syrup
270g coarse white breadcrumbs
Zest and juice of a lemon

Rub the fat into the flour to get rough breadcrumb texture. Bind with the
water to form a soft dough.~
Use the pastry to line a 20cm tart tin, preferably with a removable base.
Chill for 20-30 minutes.~
Gently warm the syrup
Stir in the lemon zest and juice and the breadcrumbs.
Pour the mixture into the uncooked pastry case
Bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to 180C (160 fan) Gas 4
Bake for a further 15-20 minutes

Gittisham Flower & Produce Show  Saturday 5th August 2023

ENTRY FORM

Please place an X in the square showing the number of class(es) you intend to
enter.
When completed please return this Entry Form, with the correct Entry Fees, as
shown on the schedule to:  Sarah and Len Abbott, 4 Church Mead, Gittisham
EX14 3AH  on or before Saturday 29 th July 2023
No entries will be accepted after this date
Each entrant must complete a separate entry form. No sharing!
Please do not name any exhibit – even the children’s

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

41 42 43 44 45

Entrant’s name………………………………………………………………………

Address………………………………………………………………………………….

Total entry fee enclosed………………………….

Or, if child, state child’s age………………………

Additional entry forms available, if required, from Sue Fallows, Parkers East,

Gittisham, EX14 3AS     01404 850922 or

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

January 2023 Edition 251

A village happy new year

The village hall was buzzing with lots of familiar faces all clearly intent on waving goodbye to the hard times of the old year and welcoming in the new year. It was a wonderful display of community spirit with even Oliver Hardy and Elvis making an appearance. There was enough food to feed an army and the drink was flowing. Music was provided by Alex and Robert Rowe who did amazing job of making sure even the shyest got up and danced. They even provided a countdown clock to take us up to midnight when everyone staggered up to the green to hear the sound of the church bells and then sing Auld Lang Syne in a great big circle followed by a rendition of Happy Birthday to Stanley who then turned 13. It didn’t end there though; most returned back to the hall for karaoke and more food. A few who were worse for wear, (not mentioning any names but one who was donning a rather lovely red velvet jacket), had to be chaperoned home! (There are photos if anyone wishes to pay enough for them!)

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and if anyone who didn’t would still like to donate to Alex for his efforts, please let me know.
Maria Whitton 

I was unable to attend the party due to ill health but having heard from several people, I would like to thank Maria for suggesting and arranging the evening. Carol

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe, 8th January

This month Pierre will be serving a Middle Eastern special for lunch: lamb khoresh, a type of stew with meltingly soft aubergines.  It’s followed by a dessert of baklava, maamoul and Turkish Delight.  Vegans and vegetarians will also be catered for.  There’ll be the usual selection of homemade croissants and pastries in the morning, as well as delicious cakes including a gluten-free option.  Doors open from 10am in Gittisham Village Hall.  Please book to avoid disappointment and to give Pierre an idea of numbers.  BYOB.  Tel. 07545 214940.

Gittisham Community Kitchen

The first (nearly) six months of the community kitchen has been a great success and hopefully the project will go on from strength to strength into 2023 and beyond.  We have had 22 weekly sessions so far and nearly 700 meals served, not including ‘takeaways’ for those who have not been able to attend for one reason or another.  There has always been plenty of food and an urgent need for plastic tubs to accommodate leftovers!

I am really grateful to those who have provided food at various times: the Pig for the veg, the Ottery Larder for the Bread, Tescos for a £50 voucher, Claire for the fish, Sarah Palfrey for the pheasant, Pierre and Paul for extra veg, Peter and Anne for the lovely puddings and Sue and David for the chutney.  Thanks also to Carol Hall for arranging the grant from East Devon District Council to cover the hire of the Hall and the cost of the food for 6 months until March 2023.

Special thanks must go to the following people for their unstinting support: Alex and Mike for setting up every week, Julia for collecting the bread, Kate and Stella for their kitchen duties, and Jayne, Owen, Bill, Bernie, Sue, David, Pierre and the rest of the army of washer uppers and putters away.  Apologies if I’ve left anyone out.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursdays in 2023.  Free meal, every Thursday, 6.30pm in the Village Hall.

Sara

Gittisham Village Hall news

Events are run by the Village Hall Committee throughout the year and aim to make a bit of a profit to keep the hall running and of course to provide fun and socialising for us all.
The Hall is also available to hire privately and details of this are on the gittisham.org.uk or contact Carol Hall on 07854 492347 to make a booking.

Cabaret is back again.
After a resounding success in 2022, the Cabaret is coming back to Gittisham –  working Title –  I’m not being funny –  but.  We are holding an initial session to see who wants to get involved, get writing, help backstage etc on Sunday 15^th January at 5:30 PM in the village hall –  all welcome!  Planned date for the event to start is 1^st April 2023 for two nights and possibly one matinee.  Rehearsals usually on a Sunday night in the village hall.

Burns night. 

After a few years’ break, we are back in the hall to celebrate with fine food, good company and of course dancing.  We will be catching the usual finest vegetarian and meat haggis well in advance of date 28^th January – from 7pm in the village hall.  This will be a ticketed event @ £7 per head, which includes dinner and our splendid dancing caller –  Mary Marker.  Please let Hamish know if you would like to come ( or 07880 178297)

There will be another quiz night in February so watch out in the next Gazette 

Regards  Hamish (VH chair)

Parish Council report – January 2023

Seven councillors met for the January meeting along with Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), 
Phil Twiss (DCC) and one member of the public.

Back to School advice.

Phil Twiss circulated guidance from the UK Health Security Agency regarding ‘flu, Covid and scarlet fever. If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved. Lessons learned during the epidemic about the importance of good hand hygiene are also key. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illnesses spreading, as well as adults trying to stay home when unwell and if you have to go out, wear a face covering. The ‘flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus, according to the advice. 

EDDC Local Plan.

Councillors discussed the PC’s response to EDDC’s draft local plan and agreed the objection letter circulated by David Valentine. Carol Hall encouraged everyone who had not already done so to respond to the public consultation by 15 th January deadline, and thanked councillors for their work in raising awareness of the draft plan proposals in the community. One location put forward is for a development of up to 100 homes west of Hayne Lane towards Gittisham village, as well as a 15ha employment allocation west of Hayne Lane. The parish council objects to both proposals, and understands there is considerable local opposition. Concerns were also raised over access to another proposed site which is just outside the parish, but would be reached by roads in Gittisham Vale. Further information and a template letter to respond is available on www.gittisham.org.uk (under ‘Latest News’).

Finance.

Members agreed the budget for 2023/24 and the parish precept was increased to £9307.41; as the population of the parish has increased significantly, this should not represent a rise at the individual level.

Crimes.

Oct 2022: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Beech Walk.

Nov 2022: no reported crimes.

Scam awareness. 

Janet Twist said an alert had gone out about missing dog scams circulating on Facebook, asking people to click on a link.

Donations.

Members agreed to donate money to Operation Rudolph, Diabetes UK, TRIP and Hospiscare.

Public transport.  

Peter Orchard explained that single bus fares have been capped at £2 until the end of March. All single journeys will be capped at a maximum of £2 for the duration of the scheme. The same £2 cap applies to child and concessionary fares. If the fare is currently less than £2, the price will stay the same.

Road closures. 

16 January: overnight road closure under Iron Bridge for bridge inspection. 

Planning applications.   

a) Combe Garden Centre Gittisham – New farm shop and associated landscaping works adjacent to the site of the existing Combe Garden Centre. Objection for reasons of prematurity, as well as the potential impact on highways and increased flooding.
b) 2 Mitchell Cottages Gittisham – 5x Lawson Cypress Conifer – dismantle to ground level. No objection.

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

Tom Putt apple trees

We now have the two Tom Putt apple trees for planting in the churchyard, as agreed at a recent PCC meeting.  Paul Wakley has kindly agreed to look after and plant them when the time is right, hopefully they will have a productive life when they grow up.

Mattresses for sale

Looking for a good home for two, good quality comfy single mattresses.  Would suit a child’s bed or a single.  Both contain 390 individual pocket springs and are filled with breathable English wool and super-soft polyester (to help the mattress hold its shape for longer).  Topped with neutral damask and edged with a classic ticking stripe.  Selling for £85 individually or £150 for both together.  Pick-up only from Gittisham.  For details call Fiona on 07899 932620.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

As I have been out of action for a while, I’d like to thank Julia for opening/closing the church and for all who undertook sides-peoples duties, I am not sure how long it is going to take for me to get fully up and running again.  The Carol Service with lots of readings, poems and carols  on 18^th December was well attended with 37 adults and 8 children, some of the children sang the first verse of Away in a Manger after Julia’s piece about the stable and birth of Jesus.  Refreshments of wine, sherry and mince pies were well received.  We held the service a bit earlier this year 4.45pm which seemed to work well with families and Ken played the organ before going on to Buckerell’s service.  On Wednesday 21^st we had our annual Carols on the Green with mulled wine and bangers, once again with some of the Honiton Town Band playing for us. Thanks so much to Angie for mulled wine, Helen for the bangers and Amanda for veggie bangers and buns. The First Eucharist of Christmas on the 25th was, well attended with Julia and Rev. Christine leading our worship with a lovely talk for the children who installed the ‘baby Jesus’ in the manger.   

Our services for  January: 8th  Christingle with  Eucharist, 15th no service, 22nd 11.00am lay-led, 29th no service, February 5^th no service, 12^th Eucharist. 

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol, on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680.  We will be making the Christingles on Saturday 7th January in the Parish room at 2.00, it would be good to have some children to help with the assembly.

Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is in the parish room from 10.30 – 12.30.  The December coffee morning with stalls in the hall made just over £100, despite inclement weather. Thanks to all who provided cakes, bric-a-brac and helped.

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue is still on lighter duties. Weekly services still continue to be at 11.00am The
website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest
guidelines on the Covid regulations there is also a link to the Gittisham website. 

The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or and the link will be forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

Awliscombe

are having a Curry Night on Saturday 28^th January in their village hall.  For details ring Alison on 07507 949412. 

200 Club

I was approached by villagers who wanted to join the 200 club but I am afraid I couldn’t remember who, could they please contact me.  I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as January has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £2 for February and March 2023. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

January 2023 200 Club Results

1^st  Carole Rowe                 2^nd Olive Collis               3^rd Jayne Bramley          
4^th  Sandra Moss              5^th   Betty Madden

Gittisham Gazette distribution

Since coming out of hospital I have had a bit of a struggle and my broken vertebrae is not mending, I would appreciate offers of help to deliver round the village and to the few homes in Cypress Close, Ferndale and Laburnum, plus the Gittisham Vale bus shelter.

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 07946 409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.

The February 2023 edition of the gazette has been delayed, due to ill health.  Get well soon Carol!

 

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

December 2022 Edition 250

Once again, thank you so much

I would like to thank everyone who visited me, sent cards or phoned during my next 16-day stay in
the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, I came home on 4th December. Am not driving yet, as
the back hasn’t completely healed. A special thanks to Helen, and Judy for shopping. If you feel
like visiting I shall be here except for an appointment in the RD&E on Thursday. I do hope this is
my last stay for a very long time. Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Carol

Village Houses advent windows

Once again the windows in Gittisham will be being decorated (one each day up to Christmas). It
will be worth a look round, to see the Advent Calendar taking shape. Details can be had from
Carol Hall, telephone 07854 492347.               

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe 

There can only be one winner in Saturday’s England vs France match, but Pierre’s café will always be the place to find an ‘entente cordiale’ – not to mention delicious food. On Sunday 11th December in the village hall, Pierre will be serving ballotine de dinde aux marrons, a traditional French Christmas dish of turkey stuffed with chestnuts, plus all the trimmings. For dessert Pierre will be making two types of
French yule log: pear and vanilla or chestnut and chocolate. Vegan / vegetarian lunch also available, along with the usual home-made cakes, croissants and pains au chocolat. Please book to avoid disappointment by calling or messaging Pierre on 07545 214940. Joyeux Noël.

Village New Year’s Eve Party

On 31st December there is to be a village party in the hall, with a bring and share supper and
bring own drinks. Alex Rowe is providing a disco, there will be a donations pot towards hall hire.
Everyone welcome to come and celebrate the end of 2022 and welcome 2023, we will probably
gather at the Lychgate for the midnight chimes and to sing Auld Lang Syne. Help would be
appreciated to decorate the hall and to set up and clear up the hall. Maria Whitton has kindly
agreed to co-ordinate the evening, so if you can offer the help needed, please let her know by email

On 22nd November Maria also hosted a ‘stir up Sunday’ Christmas Pudding making day, there
were lots of children making puddings to take home for Christmas and by all accounts one was
tasted and it was delicious. This will probably turn into an annual event. There are some photos
available, but I am unable to print them, I can email to those interested.

Gittisham Village Hall news

New comfy chairs at the village hall

Have you tried the new comfy chairs? It’s been on the wish list for a while to have some more
comfortable chairs for events such as plays and talks. So when our Devon County Councillor Phil
Twiss mentioned he had money in his Locality Budget for projects to benefit communities and
support local needs, the Village Hall Committee jumped into action. Second hand chairs were
sourced via Facebook Marketplace and a committee member shot off in his van to collect them.
So not only does the hall have 30 new comfy chairs, they only cost £150 and are reused rather
than bought new (saving the planet!). Sorry, they don’t have arm rests, cupholders and nor do they
recline, but definitely better for the quieter events than those squeaky plastic ones!

If you’d like further information about Locality Budgets please contact

The next Film discussion evening Dr Zhivago will be on 19th December at 7pm £1.00 entry with
popcorn. A good chance to try the new chairs!!

The present swap and afternoon tea was a great success last Saturday. An event run by the
village hall committee saw neighbours gathering up presents from a table of donations and
enjoying tea, scones or mince pies. Many happy children trotted off with armfuls of toys. Do they
know they have to wait for Christmas?!! Later that evening the hall was full again and another
crowd of people enjoyed Hamish’s quiz night. The theme of the evening was the World Cup
Football and the final points were decided with real live penalty shootouts. Well done Goalie and
thank you Village Hall Committee for the amazing bangers and mash supper with legendary onion
gravy.

Events are run by the Village Hall Committee throughout the year and aim to make a bit of a profit
to keep the hall running and of course to provide fun and socialising for us all.

The Hall is also available to hire privately and details of this are on the gittisham.org.uk or contact
Carol Hall on 07854 492347 to make a booking.

There will be another quiz night in February 2023 so watch out in the next Gazette.

Parish Council report – November / December 2022

Six councillors met for the November meeting along with Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) and
Phil Twiss (DCC). Seven met for the December meeting.

Support at Christmas

Phil Twiss said school holidays can be particularly difficult for some families because of increased costs, such as food, especially now, when costs of living are so high, and rising. DCC has arranged a programme of funded holiday-time activities, with hot meals, to run for up to four days over the Christmas 2022 school holiday. To see the full programme of available activities, and to book a place through DCC’s providers at https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/document/haf providers- Christmas2022/#introduction

Broadband.

Phil Twiss said he had met Jurassic Fibre and the Combe Estate, and he reported that the network build was making progress. Councillors checked that outlying properties were included on the network map.

Finance.

Councillors noted the finances.

Crimes.

September 2022: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Parsonage Lane
August 2022: 1 x violence & sexual offences, Nags Head Road

Road closures / changes to public transport.

16 January: overnight road closure under Iron Bridge for bridge inspection.

EDDC Local Plan.

David Valentine said that he and Carol Hall had attended a webinar on EDDC’s emerging Local Plan on 20th October, and this had raised a number of important concerns. These are the appearance of “second choice sites” which includes land in Gittisham parish, as well as a lack of analysis of what the pressure on infrastructure would be of any new development (eg schools, healthcare). One location put forward is for a development of up to 100 homes west of Hayne Lane towards Gittisham village. Further information is included in this gazette, including how to respond to the public consultation.

Play area.

Carol Hall said the crab apple tree had been planted in the play area, along with a
spindle.

Old Elm Road rewilding.

Alex Rowe said initial feedback from the public consultation on the Old Elm Road rewilding proposal indicated most reservations were with the ponds and the cost of creating them. Another concern was ongoing management and maintenance, so a clear management plan will need to be given to EDDC workers and / or contractors.

Planning applications.
a) Gittisham Farm – Roof over existing open livestock yard.
Councillors had no objections.

Scam awareness.

Janet Twist reported that millions of ‘phone users will be better protected from
spoof calls which imitate legitimate organisations such as banks, as the telecoms watchdog
announces a change in rules next year. These will hopefully be brought into force by May 2023.
There has been an upsurge in fake emails purporting to be from TV licensing and the DVLA to lure
people into giving away their bank details. There has also been a sharp increase in scams on
Facebook marketplace, as Christmas looms and people look for bargains online.

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

The Chair wished councillors, their families and all those who support the parish council a very
merry Christmas, and a happy and healthy New Year

Gittisham St Michael’s contactless has proved a success!

The PCC was delighted to launch our new contactless giving machine which was installed
in the Church last month. With cash donations declining as people move towards other forms of giving, we are hoping that this will allow us to generate some much needed income to support the running of
our Church which costs over £100 a day to maintain.

The machine works in exactly the same way as any other contactless payment device – there are four preset quick payment options or you can select any amount from £1. The system relies on 3G/4G SIM data so please bear with it if the transaction takes a few moments to process. A QR code allows visitors to quickly link to our Facebook page and keep up to date with Church news.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

Our services for December, service, 11th Eucharist, 18th Carol Service at 4.45pm – no morning
service, 25th Christmas Day 11.00am Eucharist. 

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol, on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680. 

Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is a week earlier and will be in the village hall from 10.30 – 12.30 with stalls. Tables available £5.00. we are looking to run a cake/produce stall and possibly a craft, and a present bring and buy for the church, offers of items gratefully received – and with serving coffees, sales and setting up / taking down please.  Carol Hall is running the bric a brac stall, if you
have any items please either take them to her house or bring to the hall on the day. 

Carols on the Green

Carols with the Honiton Town Band, mulled wine and bangers 5pm on Wednesday 21st December. In January 2023 our Christingle service will be on the 2nd Sunday 8th, it is hoped we will be making the Christingles on Saturday 7th in the Parish room at 2.30, it would be good to have some children to help with the assembly.

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue is still on lighter duties. Weekly services still continue to be at 11.00am The
website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest
guidelines on the Covid regulations there is also a link to the Gittisham website. 

The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or and the link will be forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

Combe Raleigh

St Nicholas’ Church is holding monthly “Come and Sing Hymns”. The next one will be in January – half an hour or so of singing favourite hymns – no readings, sermon, or prayers, and certainly no charge – just an opportunity to sing together, to be followed by tea and cake! They would be delighted to welcome you if you are able to go along. Ring Rosemary 01404 47156

200 Club

I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want
your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of
the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as December has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £3 commencing with January. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

December 2022 200 Club Results

1^st  Katharine Paravicini                 2^nd Michael Neve               3^rd Emma Fuller          
4^th  Paula Madden              5^th   Jack Rew

Ottery Choral Society

The Ottery Choral Society are holding their Christmas Concert on Saturday 10th December
in the Parish Church Ottery at 7.30. The main piece will be Faure’s Requiem, there will be
lots of carols for the audience to join in, plus some just for the choir. Tickets are on sale
from about 4 weeks before from The Curious Otter, Mill Street , Ottery 01404 814469 or
Ticket Source on the society website www.otterystmarychoral.org or email

Gittisham Gazette distribution

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 0794 6409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the January edition is 21st December.  The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in January, as the next parish council meeting is on 5th January.  If possible please use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.

Wishing you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.  Thanks to all who have helped me this year.

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

November 2022 Edition 249

Thank you so much

I would like to thank everyone who visited me, sent cards or phoned during my 20 day stay in the
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, being admitted with fluid on the lungs and a bad back.  I
subsequently discovered I had broken a vertebrae due to my osteoporosis. They have told me I
could do it at anytime again, doing nothing. I’m so pleased to be home but am currently using a
wheelie walker with a seat as I can’t stand up for long yet. I’m hoping to get back to ‘normal’ again
soon and look forward to trying driving. A special thanks to Helen, James, Sue, David, Jayne,
Owen and Julia for sorting my house to make it easier to get around, with Helen and Amanda
doing meals, Judy for shopping and to Combe Estate for all they have done. Carol

Marie Curie care and support through terminal illness

Be part of our companion volunteer support team. We’re looking for volunteers, aged 18 or over,
who can give three hours each week to chat to people who have been recently bereaved on
the telephone. Phone: 0800 3047 400 or email:

Visit mariecurie.org.uk/volunteering and tap on ‘search all roles’ to find the perfect role for you.
Sarah-Jane Trevor (she/her) Volunteer Services Coordinator Marie CuriemCare and support
through terminal illness.

Tel: 0800 304 7400 Mob: 07704 018050 Email:
Please note I do not work on Thursdays                 

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe 

This Sunday (13th November) I will be serving freshly made croissants and pains au chocolat, with
a homemade pastry using a special type of French butter that gives them a taste like the
croissants I ate as a child. I will also be making vegan brownies, apple cake. At lunchtime the
main course will be beef stew or vegan ragout with hasselback potatoes. This is an old fashioned
way of making Beef Bourginon stew. Please bring your own alcoholic drinks.

My favourite painter, Pierre Soulages, died last week so I will be making a cake inspired by his
paintings. I will put out – for anyone who is interested in looking at it – a book published to celebrate
his 100th birthday a couple of years ago.

My family will soon be starting a similar pop up event in Tipton St John, so come along to that one
too if you can. The first one is on 27th November. To book, please call Pierre on 07545
214950.

In 2017 I resigned from my job to create a philosophy of life in which work allows me to please
both my family and my guests. The prices in my pop ups are deliberately kept low to allow all
households, whatever their income, to enjoy a French food experience in a relaxed and friendly
setting.

I would encourage more people to get into self-employment and work to support the villages that
are becoming more and more second homes in this beautiful county of Devon. If you want to
discuss further, I invite you to get in touch to understand all aspects of my work.

Gittisham Community Kitchen

The Community Kitchen has now been running for nearly 4 months and I hope that you will agree with me that it has been something of a success so far. We have settled into a regular pattern of food donations with bread coming from the Ottery Larder and veg from The Pig. It has been an added bonus to have kind people making generous donations of cooked dishes and puddings using seasonal garden fruit. We are feeding between 30 and 40 covers every week and that wouldn’t be possible without the sterling input from those people who turn up regularly to help set out and lay the tables, clean and chop the veg, and clear away and wash up afterwards. Thank you all so much.

It seems that the community has benefitted not only by having access to a free hot meal once per week, but also by the very nature of sharing food and the myriad subtle benefits of meeting together for a meal and a chat. It is lovely to see familiar faces every week but it would also be great to see those who haven’t managed to get to the meal before now. Everyone is welcome to come and eat every Thursday at 6.30pm. As the winter draws in we hope to have some evenings where we can perhaps stay a little longer and play games or just chat.

Please let me know if you can’t make it to the meal but would welcome a takeaway instead and most
importantly, I’d be grateful to hear any (useful!) comments and new ideas by email
to

Ken Horn

Sadly Ken Horn of Lower Lodge died peacefully on the 8th November after a short illness in the
RDE and then the Koppers Care Home in Kilmington. Ken was an amazing 93 years old and up
until very recently had managed to look after himself at home with a little support. He moved into
his home 55 years ago with his late wife Laura who died in 1996 and is buried in the church yard.

Born in Honiton he served in the Army as a hairdresser and then later opened a gentleman’s
hairdressers in both Budleigh and Honiton. Ken led a quiet life, enjoyed travelling and up to the
last few years would be seen pottering around his garden – tending his front lawn with pride and
passing the time with all those who would stop for a chat.

A date for the funeral has yet to be set but any queries please contact Jayne Bramley at Parkers
West on telephone 01404 850084.

Libraries Unlimited

Libraries Unlimited is a registered charity (1170092) responsible for running 54 public libraries
across Devon and Torbay. You can support us to continue delivering life-changing library services,
find out more here: librariesunlimited.org.uk/support-us We’re passionate about libraries, as we
know our customers tell us that they are a key part of their lives, and the life of many towns and
local communities, offering a free, safe space for people to access a wide range of services, as
our Impact Report outlines.

As the cost of living crisis hits, especially over winter, we’re encouraging more people to use their
local library through our ‘Libraries for Life’ campaign – providing a warm space to meet, a warm
drink, free winter coats, and extra activities to promote wellbeing and combat isolation, and to
spread the word about the free services we’re offering. Your local library in Honiton (and
elsewhere) would also be more than happy to welcome you and outline the services they offer in
your local area. https://www.librariesunlimited.org.uk/news/libraries-lifeline-as-cost-of-livingcrisis-deepens/

Anna Jones

Gittisham Village Hall events

22nd November another film ‘discussion night’, this month’s Back to the Future with new comfy
chairs, central heating at 7.00pm everyone welcome! £1.00 for entrance and popcorn, bring own
drinks and nibbles.

Sarah Agg-Manning has organised a play on Tues. 29th November at 7.30pm in the Village Hall:-
The play is called ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ and is a ‘one man’ show performed by Philip Robinson.
The Guardian described it as ‘One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression – and
possibly one of the funniest you’ll ever see – full stop.’ It does contain material about mental health
issues. Tickets are £10 and £5 for under 16’s, students, unemployed and those on a low income.
Tickets from Sarah 01404 851177

On 3rd December there is a ‘Present Swap Shop’ getting ready for a more sustainable
Christmas with a bit of present swapping and some mulled wine mince pies and cream tea
…bring along something of value you don’t want, and swap it for something you do – gifts, toys
decorations and lights – in new or very good condition. Serving drinks and teas from 3pm to 6.pm.
Hall will be open to receive gifts etc from 10.00am or bring in the afternoon.

3rd December in the evening Hamish is running a quiz night with the usual fun and games, teams
up to 6, doors open from 7.pm. For £5. You get a night in a warm hall plus a bangers and mash,
peas and gravy plus veggie option. Bring own drinks.  Please contact Hamish Hall 07880 178297

The Beaumont Charity

The Beaumont Charity was formed in 1596 and offers support to those suffering financial difficulties while living within the Parish of Gittisham. The charity is able to make a single payment to any resident who has a low income and limited savings and requires money towards a wide range of practical needs. Examples of this include energy and heating bills, a home safeguard alarm service, TV licence, assistance towards transport costs, education resources, funeral expenses and energy reduction measures to name but a few. In fact there is no restriction on the categories that the Trustees can award money to.

If you feel that you would like further information on how to apply for a payment, please contact the
Trustees by emailing or calling Combe Estate on 01404 45576. All calls and claims will be kept completely confidential and if necessary we can support you with completing the application form. Kind Regards, Richard Marker

Gittisham St Michael’s goes contactless!

The PCC is delighted to launch our new contactless giving machine which has just been installed
in the Church. With cash donations declining as people move towards other forms of giving, we are hoping that this will allow us to generate some much needed income to support the running of
our Church which costs over £100 a day to maintain.

The machine works in exactly the same way as any other contactless payment device – there are four preset quick payment options or you can select any amount from £1. The system relies on 3G/4G SIM data so please bear with it if the transaction takes a few moments to process. A QR code allows visitors to quickly link to our Facebook page and keep up to date with Church news.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

Our services for the rest of November, 13th Remembrance Sunday service starting at the lych
gate at around 10.50 with laying of wreaths, 2 minute silence and prayers before a lay led morning
worship in church, 20th no service, 27th Eucharist for Advent Sunday. December services, 4th no
service, 11th Eucharist, 18th Carol Service at 5.45pm – no morning service, 25th Christmas Day
11.00am Eucharist. 

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol, on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680. 

Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is on 19th November, and on the third Saturday of each month, from 10.30-12 noon.  As the weather is getting chillier, we will be in the parish room (unless it is a hot sunny day).  All welcome. 

Forward Notice Saturday 10th December: our December coffee get together is a week earlier and will be in the village hall from 10.30 – 12.30 with stalls. Tables available £5.00. we are looking to run a cake/produce stall and possibly a craft, and a present bring and buy for the church, offers of items gratefully received – and with serving coffees, sales and setting up / taking down please.

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue is still on lighter duties. There is a Civic Service following the parade for Remembrance
at St Paul’s at 3.00pm on 13th November. Weekly services still continue to be at 11.00am The
website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest
guidelines on the covid regulations there is also a link to the Gittisham website. 

The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or and the link will be forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

Combe Raleigh

Combe Raleigh St Nicholas’ Church holding a monthly “Come and Sing Hymns” The next one
will be on Sunday 4th December– half an hour or so of singing favourite hymns – no readings,
sermon, or prayers, and certainly no charge – just an opportunity to sing together, to be followed
by tea and cake! They would be delighted to welcome you if you are able to go along.

Awliscombe

The section of the grade 2 listed churchyard wall running up Church Hill has now been repaired.

200 Club

I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want
your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of
the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as October has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £5 commencing with November. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

November 2022 200 Club Results

1^st  Maggie Walker                 2^nd Julie Broadhurst               3^rd Tom Pether          
4^th  Steve Howe              5^th   Jonathan Aylen

Ladies bike for sale

Raleigh Metro Ladies 18” bike. Used little in very good condition. £50 Angie 07774 146209.

Ottery Choral Society

The Ottery Choral Society are holding their Christmas Concert on Saturday 10th December
in the Parish Church Ottery at 7.30. The main piece will be Faure’s Requiem, there will be
lots of carols for the audience to join in, plus some just for the choir. Tickets are on sale
from about 4 weeks before from The Curious Otter, Mill Street , Ottery 01404 814469 or
Ticket Source on the society website www.otterystmarychoral.org or email

Gittisham Gazette distribution

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 0794 6409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the December edition is 21st November.  The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in December, as the next parish council meeting is on 1st December.  If possible please use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

October 2022 Edition 248

Flytipping

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste onto any land and is a criminal offence. Fly-tipped waste can have a significant financial implication for landowners and local authorities. It poses a safety risk to landowners and members of the public and can be harmful to domestic animals, wildlife and livestock.

What do you need to do?  Report fly-tipped waste promptly to the relevant local authority. Be aware of the potential for hazardous waste and do not touch.

Remain vigilant, notify the police using 999 if you suspect an offence of fly tipping is being committed noting vehicle details, descriptions and an accurate location.

How can you prevent this? Understand your obligations to dispose of waste legally using a designated centre or licensed waste carrier. Landowners where possible should restrict access using gates or physical barriers and block unused entrances.

Improve visibility and lighting and consider the use of signage and CCTV. Keep areas tidy and clear waste to discourage waste being added.

Remember if you see fly tipped waste report it promptly to your local district council. If you have any information concerning the identity of individuals responsible for fly tipping, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Join Devon & Cornwall Alert, watch schemes and local social media groups so that you can find out what is happening in your area.

The Devon and Cornwall police rural affairs team have produced a calendar which highlights rural issues throughout the year to focus problem solving activity for police, partners and public with key messages and prevention activity. If you would like a visit, advice or leaflet regarding farm security or to discuss other rural crime issues. please contact PCSO 30017 Darren ENGLAND via email:

Honiton Memory Cafe Quiz Night

Friday 11th November, doors open 7pm for 7.30pm prompt start.  Mackarness Hall, Honiton, £10 including hot supper.  Raffle.  Bring your own drinks and nibbles.  Tickets from Maggie telephone 01404 850855 or email    Teams of 4-6 people.  If anyone would like to make up a team, please ring me (Carol) on telephone 01404 851113 / 07946 409142.                   

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe 

Pierre is back with his popular monthly café on Sunday 9th October in the village hall.  Come in the morning for croissants, apple turnovers (French-style) and apricot Danish.  Lunch will be chicken in white wine sauce (£8.50) or mushroom & salsify stew for vegans / vegetarians (£8.50).

For dessert, there’ll be a selection of delicious cakes including vegan and gluten-free.  The family has been out picking blackberries to make a sorbet, and there’ll also be ice cream.  Please book for lunch to avoid disappointment.  Call Pierre on 07545 214940.  We look forward to seeing you, any time between 10am and 4pm in Gittisham Village Hall.  Cash and cards accepted.

Gittisham Community Kitchen

Now that the evenings are drawing in and the temperature is beginning to drop, the Community Kitchen project will start to really come into its own.  We are all concerned and affected by the cost of living crisis and the increase in food and fuel prices and hopefully as a community we can alleviate some of the difficulties people will face this winter.  But the success of the community kitchen over the last couple of months has shown that it is so much more than just a free meal.  Members of our community have really benefitted from the weekly get togethers and the opportunity to share a simple meal with all comers.  So, long may it last!

Remember – free meal served to all comers every Thursday in the village hall at about 6.30pm.  Feel free to bring your own drinks to share with your neighbours.  It will be warm and welcoming throughout the winter.

If anyone has any produce or time or labour to donate, please contact Sara by email at or text/WhatsApp to 07939 148762. There is also a donations pot if you feel inclined to help with costs.

Gittisham Village Hall Committee

The Village Hall Committee would welcome representatives from Gittisham Vale. It would be very helpful to have a full representation from all parts of the parish of Gittisham so that everyone can have a say in what events could be organised.  If you would like to join the hall committee do please contact Sue Fallows on 01404 850922  /  07717 596876  /

The next Gittisham Film ‘Discussion’ – a Halloween Special – will consider Nicole Kidman’s The Others (12 certificate) and take place in the Village Hall on Tuesday 25th October at 7pm. All most welcome!  £1.00 for popcorn, bring own drinks and nibbles.

Hamish Hall’s mega Atlas Mountain cycle race

Hamish is currently in Morocco on a 1,100-mile cycle race through the Atlas Mountains, Carol has sent a link if you want to track his progress, his competitor number is 214B https://amr2022.maprogress.com/?bib=214B#   you can also leave a message of support.  Hamish had a partner competitor, his friend Steve, but he has hurt his back and had to drop out.  The distance so far travelled by Hamish is around 815 miles as of 6.30pm 6^th October.  I am not aware if he has any sponsors – you can ask Carol (telephone 07854 492347).  Well done Hamish you certainly are a glutton for punishment!!!

Parish Council report, October 2022

Six councillors met for the October meeting. Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) was also present.

Covid & ‘flu.

In his absence, Phil Twiss (DCC) reported that as we move towards late autumn and winter, everyone who is eligible for a free ‘flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster is being urged to take up the offer as soon as they are invited to do so. At the moment, the ‘flu vaccine is being given free on the NHS to adults who:

• are 65 years old and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2023)
• have certain health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes
• are pregnant
• are in long-stay residential care
• receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
• live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• are frontline health or social care workers

Church Mead bridge.

Alasdair Bruce said that EDDC’s property and asset team would be meeting on site on  7 th October to discuss repairs to the bridge.

Finance.

Councillors noted the finances.

Crimes.

July 2022: 2 x violence & sexual offences, Laburnum Close & Landscores Lane

Road closures / changes to public transport.

3 – 28 October Hayne Lane closed for construction of new retaining wall; a diversion will be in place via Devonshire Road, Sidmouth Road and Beech Walk. Peter Orchard said that track speed restrictions on a stretch of the journey from Waterloo have resulted in a service every 2 hours to Exeter. Problems discovered during the closure last month mean that another extended weekday closure is likely this autumn.

Old Elm Road balancing pond.

Peter Orchard reported that work to clear the pond has been completed. 

Planning applications.
a) Olive Tree Cottage, Gittisham – T1, Lime: to crown lift over adjacent buildings to give a 3 metre clearance from property; to reduce weight and increase light levels via a crown thin removing 20% of the foliar area, target pruning cuts of up to 75mm; T2, Elm : Dismantle to ground level; the tree is in decline with poor vitality, possibly suffering from DED; it is also suppressed by the adjacent Lime.     Councillors had no objections.

Scam awareness.

Janet Twist said police in Devon have issued a warning after an elderly man fell victim to a phone scam and lost more than £10k. Also, there are fake texts circulating claiming to be from the Government inviting people to apply for the £400 energy bill support. This support will be given automatically with no need to apply. People are being urged to use Multi Factor Authentication as much as they can, but especially on important websites like banks, and anywhere else they are offered.

Old Elm Road rewilding.

Alex Rowe said several people from Gittisham Vale had attended the public consultation in September. One resident had expressed concern about the proposals, and it was agreed to await the outcome of the consultation before taking further steps.

Next meeting.

This will be on 15th November at 7.30pm in the parish room.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

 A huge thank you to all who made our church so wonderfully decorated for our Harvest service on 2nd October with lovely flowers and lots of produce, both perishable and non-perishable, which is going to be shared with the food banks in both Honiton and Ottery (Ottery supplies our bread for the Community Supper so we thought it right to repay their generosity).  I took the vegetables and fruit to the vegetable food bank in Queen Street on Friday.  They do not now have their stand outside their unless they have goods to offer.  If you do ever have a surplus of vegetables and would like to donate to the Vegetable Bank ring David Holland on 07876 595431 or email .

David was most grateful for our donated goods, and said if he has any left at the end of the day he takes the surplus down to the Foodsave outlet at the Baptist’s Family Church on the High Street. Harvest supper on this Saturday 8th October in the village hall, at 7.00pm. £5.00 for 2 courses with reduction for primary age children.  There is a raffle and do bring your own drinks please.  Sue Fallows is masterminding the evening so please contact her by telephone 01404 850922  /  07717 596876  / if you require vegetarian or have allergy problems. 

Our services for October: 9th no service, 16th no service, 23rd Eucharist, 30th no service. November 6th no service 13th Remembrance Sunday lay-led starting at the lych-gate at 10.50, 20th no service, 27th Eucharist.

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol, on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680. 

Gittisham’s next monthly coffee get-together is on 15th October, and on the third Saturday of each month, from 10.30-12 noon.  As the weather is getting chillier, we will be in the parish room (unless it is a hot sunny day).  All welcome.  

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue has returned to lighter duties and will be leading the weekly Sunday Services at 11am to start with.  It is lovely to have her back in the team again, and we look forward to when she takes a service in the village.   St Paul’s has had some falling masonry in church, and they have now had permission to start the repairs.

Honiton St Paul’s weekly services continue at 11.00am.  The website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest guidelines on the Covid regulations.  There is also a link to the Gittisham website.  The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue or the Parish Office by emailing or and the link will be forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

Combe Raleigh

On Sunday 2^nd October at 3.00pm in St Nicholas’ Church, they held their first “Come and Sing Hymns” (postponed due to the death of Her Majesty). The next one will be on Sunday 6^th November– half an hour or so of singing favourite hymns – no readings, sermon, or prayers, and certainly no charge – just an opportunity to sing together, to be followed by tea and cake!   They had a good number and would be delighted to welcome you if you are able to go along.

Awliscombe

A section of the churchyard wall running up Church Hill has been so long leaning out at an improbable angle, it’s now being rebuilt. Gathering the courage – and the money – to undertake this monumental task hasn’t been easy but, at the time of writing, the work is nearing completion and Simon and Ben, from A.S. Builders, have worked hard to create something that is every bit as beautiful – and rather more vertical – than its Grade II-listed former self.

200 Club

I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want
your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of
the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as October has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £5 commencing with October. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

October 2022 200 Club Results

1^st  Peter Orchard                 2^nd Peter Stansell               3^rd David Valentine           
4^th  Karissa Marker              5^th   Terry Kitchen

Gittisham Gazette distribution

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 0794 6409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the November edition is 25th October.  The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in November.  If possible please use the Arial font using Word and not PDF, thanks.

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

September 2022 Edition 247

Rewilding in Gittisham Vale

Gittisham Parish Council and East Devon District Council are working together on a rewilding
project in Gittisham Vale, to allow nature to flourish and thrive in a green space at Old Elm Road.
There is an information event at the end of Ferndale Road on Tuesday 13th September from 2pm
until 4pm.

East Devon District Council has already left a number of small green spaces across the area
uncut, allowing them to be more biodiverse, attractive, wildlife friendly, climate friendly and
ecological.

The plan is to introduce more wildflowers to areas that have had high frequency cuts for a long
time, with the result being that existing impoverished green landscapes in populated areas
become unpolluted, beautiful and productive.

These uncut wildlife havens:
Provide habitats for insects and wildlife
Reduce CO2 emissions, by not using mowers
Promotes sustainable landscapes
Encourages native wild flowers

If you’d like to know more, please contact your Parish Councillor Alex Rowe

Back to School

So our lovely long hot summer holidays are coming to an end. Edward and Tom are off to read
Geography at Reading and Daphne is also reading geography at Cardiff. Chloe will be going to
‘big’ school for the first time, Jonny Valentine, having had great results in his GCSEs, will be
starting A-levels at Kings.  He will also be in the Kings School Musical ‘The Adams Family’. Two of
Sarah Agg-Manning’s Scottish grand children, Florence and Rosie Arbuthnott are coming south
and will be going to Sherborne. William Fuller transfers from Feniton to Kings. We wish all our
children and young students a very happy academic year and hope there will be no more
interruptions in their schooling.

Pierre’s pop-up Sunday cafe 

At Pierre’s popular monthly café on 11th September, he will be cooking a selection of tapas and pintxos for lunch. Pintxos is the Basque version of tapas, the Basque region being somewhere Pierre has worked as a chef in the past. Customers can choose from a selection of dishes, including patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), pan con tomate (bread spread with garlic and tomatoes), Spanish cheeses, cured meats and grilled aubergines. Vegetarians and vegans will also find many dishes to enjoy. As usual, Pierre will be baking home-made croissants, pains au chocolat and cakes. Please book for lunch to avoid disappointment. Call Pierre on 07545 214940. We look forward to seeing you, any time between 10am and 4pm in Gittisham Village Hall on Sunday 11th September.

Hayne Farm News, Janet Twist

Defibrillator installed at Hayne Lane Estate
A public access defibrillator has been installed at the new Hayne Farm development in Gittisham
and is the third defibrillator to be installed in the parish by the parish council. It’s the result of a
collaboration between developer Baker Estates, Gittisham Parish Council and Sovereign Housing.
The parish council has also produced a leaflet which has been delivered to all the residents of
Hayne Farm, explaining where the defibrillator is located and how to use it in the event of an
emergency. Gittisham parish has a total of three defibrillators, funded by the parish council. One is
located on Old Elm Road in Gittisham Vale, and the other is housed in the former telephone box in
the centre of Gittisham village.

Playground Opens
The playground at Hayne Farm estate was opened in time for the summer holidays. Although the
playground is not quite finished yet, with the hard landscaping needing to be completed, the play
equipment has been installed, and children have been able to enjoy the area over the holidays.

Community Kitchen

As Sara Trumper is currently away, her Thursday evening community suppers in the village hall are being prepared by different teams.  Betty Madden masterminded last week’s and next week’s will be Maggie Walker. With the ongoing increases in living costs Sara’s idea of a ‘simple meal’ will be much needed, we will not only be fed but we will be warm too! The Hall is open from 6pm to 9pm with food being served at about 6.30pm. No need to book, everybody welcome. The simple meal caters for all tastes including vegetarian and vegan.  All donations of excess produce etc. gratefully received – please email Sara on or text/WhatsApp to 07939 148762. There is also a donations pot if you feel inclined to help with costs.

Mary Ward

It is with sadness I announce the death of Mary Ward on 16th August. Mary and late husband
Stanley were regular members of Gittisham Church and lived in a bungalow at Gittisham Hill until
Mary moved to Hillside Care Home just outside Newton Poppleford. There will be a family only
Cremation at East Devon Crematorium on 2nd September and a Memorial Service here in
Gittisham on Saturday 24th September at 2.00pm, followed by interment of ashes with Stanley. We
wish the family many happy memories and the peace to grieve.

Christmas Card competition

Please remember you have only 30 days left before you must hand in your Christmas Card
for judging.  May the best one win !! Fold a piece of A4 paper, into 4, then draw and colour a
Christmas picture on one side and write your name, church, and your age on the back page.
Rev’ds Sue and Christine have agreed to judge the best in all of the age groups. The groups will
be up to 6, then 7 to 11 followed by 12 to 20 then by special permission if any adult who wishes to
join in (you can). There will be a voucher for the winner in each group and we will turn your picture
into Christmas Cards to be on sale at the Christmas sale at St. Paul’s and hopefully in the village
churches too. Closing Date for Entries 30th September, if you bring your entry to Carol a few days
before 30th, I will take them to St. Paul’s for you. Judging will take place during October and
the winners will be announced in the November issue of Around the Parishes. (Come on
Gittisham’s youngsters, do have a go and see if you can win a prize.) Carol

Parish Council report, September 2022

Seven councillors met for the September meeting. Phil Twiss (DCC) and Alasdair Bruce (EDDC) were also present.

Avian ‘flu.

Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset have now been declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone by the UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, where it is hoped that this will mitigate further outbreaks of the disease. Bird keepers will have to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks,
regardless of size, in Devon and other southwest counties. This includes ‘backyard owners’ with small
numbers of poultry such as chickens, ducks and geese who must follow steps to prevent bird ‘flu from spreading further.

Dogs.

Alasdair Bruce said that EDDC is proposing changes to bylaws covering dogs off leads and a
rewording of dog exclusion zones on our beaches. He said he had raised grave concerns regarding the
removal of dogs on leads in our lanes, roads and certain open spaces. The district council feels that any
issues can be covered by enforcement action under other laws and the police. Alasdair said he had
highlighted the increase in dog attacks on livestock and increased evidence of dog fouling on some
sections of our popular beaches. He would encourage people in the parish to feed in any comments
concerning the proposed changes if they feel they need to.

Finance.

Councillors noted the finances.

Crimes.

May 2022: 1 x anti-social behaviour, Laburnum Close
2 x violence & sexual offences, Cypress Close
1 x anti-social behaviour, Parsonage Lane
1 x violence & sexual offences, Parsonage Lane
June 2022: no crimes

Road closures / changes to public transport.

26 September − 21 October Hayne Lane closed for construction of new retaining wall; a diversion will be in place via Devonshire Road, Sidmouth Road and Beech Walk.
19−23 September railway line closure between Axminster and Pinhoe; a bus replacement service will be in operation between Axminster and Exeter St David’s.

Old Elm Road balancing pond.

Phil Twiss reassured the parish council that work to clear the pond has been booked with DCC contractors, but he could not confirm the start date.

Planning applications.
a) Westgate, Gittisham – Erection of solar panels on existing pool house/garage roof and erection of
summer house
b) Kings Arms Farm Nags Head Road – Construction of a two storey 18-unit residential home for
vulnerable people
c) Land Adjacent To Hamlet House Nags Head Road – Extension of an existing commercial building
on the land north of Hamlet House
d) Curlditch House Gittisham EX14 3AE Proposed siting of 5 no. Shepherd’s Huts in the field
southeast of Curlditch House (change to heritage statement)

Councillors had no objection to a, b or c. The parish council’s objection to revised application d)
remains unchanged.

Scam awareness.

Janet Twist said scammers are currently using the hike in energy prices as a way to defraud people, sending out letters asking people to call a Freephone number for help.

Next meeting.

This will be on 6th October at 7.30pm in the parish room.

Can you help us spread the word?

The search begins for 2022’s Best Young Landscape Artist and we need your help to spread the word.
We are inviting budding young artists to showcase their creativity by capturing Devon’s unique and precious landscapes in the medium of their choice. There are two entry categories – one for teenagers (aged 12-18) and one for younger children (age 7-11) – with cash prizes for the winners.
We held the competition for the first time last year and were really impressed with the quality
and quantity of entries from across the county, and would like to get the word out again that
we are looking for more budding artists.

More details can be viewed on our website: www.cpredevon.org.uk/my-outdoors-painting
To enter, post your artwork A3 or A4 in size clearly putting your name age and contact details
on the back page to Devon CPRE, PO Box 26, Beaworthy, EX21 5XN Closing date 30th
September.

There is a copy of the poster on the bus shelter in Gittisham and notice boards at Hayne
Farm and Gittisham Vale.

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

On 14th August baby Phoebe Bartlett was Christened by Rev. Robert.  We had a full church
plus lots of children, Phoebe behaved impeccably and seemed to be taking everything in,
including taking a fancy to Rev. Robert’s roving microphone, which was itself behaving rather
badly! I really need to get the system checked out again, I’m not sure what’s going on and why it
screeches a lot of the time. Is there anyone who is good with sound systems that could come and
have a look as we are getting a lot of feedback?

Rufus Lyle has nearly finished the re-plastering of the damp areas in the church, porch and vestry,
with just the lime wash to do when the plaster is fully dry, then he will start on the brushing down of
the loose plaster in the Marker Chapel.

Our services for September: 4th no service, 11th Eucharist, 18th no service, 25th lay-led Morning
Worship. As our next PCC meeting is being rearranged it is possible that our Harvest Festival
service will be lay-led – hopefully outdoors and probably on 2nd October at 11am with coffee
afterwards.

To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680. 

Has anyone some ideas of how to sow some wild flower seeds in the churchyard to make the wild areas in the churchyard look lovely for next year’s growing season and if so perhaps we can have a ‘planting’ party please let me know if you would be prepared to help thanks.

Honiton Mission Community

Rev’d Sue is planning to return to her duties slowly this month and will be leading the weekly
Sunday Services at 11am to start with. It will be lovely to see her back in the ‘fold’ again, she
hopes to visit the villages in due course.

Honiton St Paul’s weekly services continue at 11.00am.  The website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest guidelines on the Covid regulations.  There is also a link to the Gittisham website.  The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services,  Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue  or the Parish Office by emailing or  and the link will be  forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

On Saturday 10th September the next ‘Celebrate Together’ afternoon with tea for both adults
and youngsters with learning difficulties and their carers. We sing songs, have stories and there is
usually a theme. Everyone is most welcome and if you know of anyone who might like to join in
do please ask them to ring Lyn Thatcher (Honiton churchwarden) 01404 41429 or the Parish
Office 44035 for details. The event starts from 2.45pm and finishes about 4.30.

Mission Community Harvest Services, some are being held on 2nd October this year.  Honiton’s
hopes to be outside on the forecourt 11.00am, Buckerell in church 10am. Monkton is Sunday 16th
October their Service will be held at 11.15 am followed by a 3-course lunch in the Village Hall.
Combe Raleigh. On Sunday 18th September at 3.00pm in St Nicholas’ Church we will be holding
our first “Hymn Sing”. We are hoping this will become a monthly event – half an hour or so of
singing favourite hymns – no readings, sermon, or prayers, and certainly no charge – just an
opportunity to sing together, to be followed by tea and cake! We would be delighted if you are
able to come and join us. Rosemary Mapleston

200 Club

I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you want
your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of
the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as September has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £6 commencing with October. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

September 2022 200 Club Results

1^st  Rosemary Wensley                 2^nd Angie Hutchings               3^rd Richard Marker            
4^th  Sandra Moss              5^th   Helen Hayman!       6-month Bill Griffiths

2022 Ploughing Match

This year’s Sidmouth Junction & District Ploughing Match is on 11th September, at Higher
Gosford Farm, Fenny Bridges, EX14 3AZ. From 10.00am. Last year it was just up the road at
Gittisham Farm and very interesting.

Reorganisation of buses

If you, like me are slightly flummoxed about the bus timetable, I hope this will be of help, I have
gleaned these times from the bus shelter timetable so hope it is up to date!!

Stagecoach has changed the number from 4/4A to 44/44A
Gittisham to Honiton, 9.55, 13.55, 15.55, 18.59
Honiton to Gittisham 8.07, 9.26, 11.26, 13.26, 17.26
Dartline Monday and Thursday Gittisham to Honiton 9.50 and Honiton to Gittisham 14.20

Food Bank Blue Box

The blue box for the Honiton Food Bank has moved from the bus shelter to the church porch. If you are
able to give some support with non-perishable items you will be helping this worthy cause, tinned soup,
vegetables, fruit, puddings, longlife milk, oil, ketchup/mayonnaise, packet soups, pastas, cereals,
jam/marmalade, squash, biscuits, tea, coffee, chocolate. If you have a surplus of fresh fruit or vegetables, there is a fresh produce food bank in Queen Street near the turn-off to Orchard Way with a box outside.

Gittisham Gazette distribution

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 0794 6409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the October edition is 26th September.  The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in October.

A monthly Community Newsletter published by St. Michael’s Church and Gittisham Parish Council

August 2022 Edition 246

Gittisham Flower and Produce Show

What a wonderful hot and sunny afternoon when we enjoyed another very successful Flower and Produce Show. The hard work of the gardeners, the handicraft and cooking skills of the Gittisham area residents and the imagination of the children were very much on display at the Show on 6th August.

During the course of the afternoon many visited to view the entries, enjoy a cup of tea and cake, chat with friends and maybe think to themselves – “my flowers / vegetables are as good as that!” So, make a note of the date for next year – Saturday August 5th.

The cup winners were:
Marker Vegetable Cup –   Len Abbott,
Best In Show Vegetable –   Len Abbott,
Flower Shield –   Angie Hutchings,
Best In Show Floral Exhibit –   Ann Stansell,
Homecraft Cup –   Anne Holley,
Men Only Cup (cake baking) –   Will Wolsey,
Carol McCann Cup –   Kadence Hulbert,
Infant Cup 3-6 years –  Emily Grayson,
Junior Cup 6 –12 years –   William Fuller.

The committee were also delighted to receive 24 entries for the Potatoes in a Bucket competition. The content of the winning bucket was grown by Scarlett Wolsey, weighing in at 1.197 kg. Second place was won by Angie Hutchings (1.194 kg) and third by Len Abbott (1.099 kg). The competition is fun for all the family so please do join in next year.

A big thank you to all for making the event such a success namely, the organisers, the exhibitors, the helpers on the day and perhaps most importantly, all who came along to support this, the best of village events.

The Committee of the Gittisham Flower and Produce Show have raised money over the past few years and would very much welcome your suggestions on how we spend it in the village.  Please reply to

Community Kitchen

Grateful thanks to Sara Trumper for her Thursday evening community supper in the village hall which started on 21^st July.  Sara’s idea of a ‘simple meal’ is free.  The Hall is open from 6pm to 9pm with food being served at about 6.30pm.   No need to book, everybody welcome and feel free to bring board games, cards etc.  A simple meal which will hopefully cater for all tastes.  All donations of excess produce etc. gratefully received – please email Sara on  or text/WhatsApp to 07939 148762.

An East Budleigh – Gittisham connection – Derek Wensley

Here in East Budleigh, a group are pursuing the history of Roger Conant, who sailed to America in 1623 and founded the community of Salem, Massachusetts. Roger Conant is remembered for his attitude of tolerance and conciliation among the early settlers of New England. Roger was born in East Budleigh, the son of a miller, Richard Conant. There is, however, a Gittisham connection. Roger’s grandfather, Dr John Conant of Devon was born in Gittisham (8/1/1520). He married Marie Budeley, also born in Gittisham (ABT 1525). Dr John Conant’s father was John Conant, born in Gittisham in 1480 and died in Gittisham, buried 4/9/1559. His mother was Alice Brown, born in Gittisham in 1496 and died in Gittisham in 1559. Both may have been buried in OSM churchyard. John Conant (1480) father was also John Conant from Gittisham (1466) and his mother Isabella Anna Fiske (1471).

Some ancestors of Roger Conant are interested in this Gittisham connection, so if there is any further information in Gittisham about this family it would be interesting.

 I also note Thomas Hardy of Hardys wine fame was also from Gittisham, before seemingly moving to Australia. I noticed a Hardy gravestone in Gittisham churchyard. 

Also in our churchyard is Henry Ince, b1736, Penzance, Cornwall   d1808 (aged 71–72), Gittisham, Devon.   Henry Ince was a sergeant-major in the British Army who achieved fame as the author of a plan to tunnel through the North Face of the Rock of Gibraltar in 1782, during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

Gittisham Parish Council

There is no meeting in August.  For the next meeting, see the Gittisham website or contact the parish clerk, Fiona Clampin, on 07899 932620.

Grain to Cream – Russell Hayman

Been a while since I wrote, we are still here! So what have we been up to? More of the same really the cows have been calving all going quite well and had a TB test at the end of June which went really well all clear not had that for years. The recent hot weather has tried the cows. We have fans going for them to try to help cool them but they really do prefer 5 to 10 degrees not 30 to 35. So with them under stress they eat less, lie down less and stand around in big groups, not a recipe for good health. So far we have not had too much trouble we have lost quite a bit of yield though and with our ever-increasing costs it is worrying times ahead; our milk price has gone up but the UK is still down on milk production and it looks unlikely to increase in the near future.  The margin is just not there to take the risk to get those extra litres. Having said that, they still keep on calving and we seem to have plenty of them around which means we have to move them about a bit to make room.

The hot weather also took its toll on our old dog Daisy. I thought it would and we had to have her put to sleep, but it wasn’t fair to keep her going. Pluto our young Lab has benefited due to the Covid regulations in that he has managed to keep his testicles for a couple years; well Helen put a stop to that and took him in to have them whipped out.  I do believe it has reduced the amount of leg lifting now and it’s past him being sore!

We have had a vet student here and another one coming soon; always an interesting experience as they usually have had no experience with cattle which is why they are here.  Some take to it better than others. Edmund has finished his work in Yorkshire so will be with us for a bit before he goes back to Uni. We have also been getting part of the yard concreted to help keep the place cleaner, it was a bit messy in the winter which will be great when done, not quite so keen on the bill to come with a load of concrete over a thousand pounds and there will be quite a few of them by the time we finish. It also makes moving around the yard interesting, but no time was going to be convenient.

Harvest will soon be upon us let’s hope the dry weather continues, well just a little rain, otherwise we could be short of food for the winter, as long as it knows when to stop. The crops look ok but I am not expecting massive yields a bit too dry in the end.

We have seen our resident barn owls more of late.  There are three here now and we quite regularly see them hunting around the farmyard. The other night we had a meeting here with a load of farmers and we had a few fly bys in the shed (just as special as the Spitfire Matt, though quieter). The swallows the lovely little things are raising their chicks and making one heck of a mess beneath themselves as they do; but it’s worth it though!

Gittisham Village Hall

Our beautiful village hall is available to hire from £10.90 per hour.  An ideal venue for a summer party, making use of the beautiful garden, or perhaps, a winter social gathering in front of the open fire. It has been recently redecorated has a well-equipped kitchen, dishwasher and great sound system plus wifi.  Contact Carol Hall    Lots more info on the gittisham.org.uk website.

Village Hall committee July 2022 – July 2023

Chair   Hamish Hall                  Vice Chair   Nick Chapman       Treasurer   Janet Twist
Bookings Clerk  Maggie Walker.    Committee Members,  Sue Fallows, Pierre Graeber, Bill Griffiths, Stephen Howe, Terry Kitchen, Cordelia Wolfe and Will Wolsey

St Michael’s Church, Honiton Mission Community and 200 Club

St. Michael’s Gittisham

You may have noticed that Rufus Lyle has started the re-plastering of the damp areas in the church, porch and vestry, with other sections where loose plaster is prominent will be brushed and limewashed so hopefully when the work is done we will have a lovely pristine church.

Our services for August: 7th no service, 14th Eucharist with Baptism, 21st no service, 28th lay-led Morning Worship.   To receive details for ongoing worship, Eucharistic and lay-led please contact me, Carol on 01404 851113 or email charli.mcc@mypostoffice.co.uk or Julia by email on or for those without internet ring her on 07763 111367 or 01404 850680. 

Unfortunately the churchyard’s lovely and varied wild flowers that grew last year haven’t made much of a re-appearance this time.  We hope to be able to sow a wild flower mix later in the autumn and endeavour to have a good show in 2023.  If you would like to help or have any ideas please let me (Carol McCann) know.  It is also nearly time to have a churchyard tidy-up (clearing ivy from the walls, clearing the weeds from the gravel round the church and under the yew trees etc).  A date has not yet been set but if you would be prepared to help do let me know, thanks.

Gittisham’s monthly coffee get-together: 20th August, and on the third Saturday of every month, from 10.30am until midday.  Hopefully it will be on the village green, but in case the weather is unkind, it will be in the parish room.  All welcome.

Honiton Mission Community

The Mission Community ‘Rest and Refresh’ marquee was again manned by members of our six churches, offering hot and cold drinks with biscuits, a children’s play area, nappy changing and breast feeding stations for mums with babies and toddlers.  Always very much appreciated and well patronised.

Honiton St Paul’s weekly services continue at 11.00am.  The website (honitoncofe.org) is updated regularly and has news about services and the latest guidelines on the Covid regulations.  There is also a link to the Gittisham website.  The monthly Mission Community newsletter Around the Parishes is available by email or post from the Parish Office; see below for details.  As our MC churches are now having their own services, Sunday Morning Eucharistic Worship at 11.00am, in St. Paul’s is being live streamed. If you would like to join this service do please contact Rev’d Sue  or the Parish Office by emailing or  and the link will be  forwarded.  Alternatively, ring the Parish office to book your place in person, on 01404 44035.  Messages will be replied to when someone is available.  Mollie the Church administrator is there on Tuesdays. Coffee and biscuits are served in St Paul’s church on Tuesdays and Saturdays and after Sunday services, donations are welcomed.  Details of the other M.C. church services can be found in the Around the Parishes under each church and the service details including Readings and Collects for the month and will certainly be helpful if you join the live streamed Sunday service.

On Saturday 10th September the next ‘Celebrate Together’ afternoon with tea for both adults
and youngsters with learning difficulties and their carers. We sing songs, have stories and there is
usually a theme. Everyone is most welcome and if you know of anyone who might like to join in
do please ask them to ring Lyn Thatcher (Honiton churchwarden) 01404 41429 or the Parish
Office 44035 for details. The event starts from 2.45pm and finishes about 4.30.

Congratulations to Honiton Ringers

Honiton Ringers won the local Striking Competition.  After ringing for a wedding at St. Paul’s on Saturday July 9th, six members of their bellringing team took part in a striking competition held at Combe Raleigh.  Eight bands entered and Honiton were placed first in the individual tower section. Needless to say, they were delighted.

200 Club

The members who have not renewed their subscriptions for the season 2022/23 April-March have now been taken out of the 200 Club.  Therefore I am currently able to offer numbers for the 200 club, (there are several available). If you do still want your number and forgot to pay the sub please let me know and I will re-instate you upon receipt of the full subscription amount. If you would like to join the 200 Club, please ring Carol, I can send or email an application form. This is one way of funding the upkeep so necessary with this old church which takes a lot to keep it heated (especially with the spiralling costs for energy) and watertight, keeping the churchyard in good order and kind to nature, The cost is £12 per number per year; however as August has been drawn, this year’s sub until March will be £7 commencing with September. The draw takes place at the beginning of each month with 5 prizes: £40.00, £20.00, £15.00, £10.00 and £5.00. Twice a year there is a 6 monthly prize of £48 (March and September).

Payment can be made by cheque or cash or Standing Order, there is a form for your bank. I can
email both the application and Standing order forms if required, please let me know by telephone 01404 851113 or or write to 3 School House Cottages, Gittisham, Honiton, EX14 3AH.

August 2022 200 Club Results

1^st  Jackson King                 2^nd Florence Wolsey               3^rd Michael Neve          
4^th  Margaret Tawse              5^th   Chris Ward

2022 Ploughing Match

This year’s Sidmouth Junction & District Ploughing Match is on 11th September, at Higher
Gosford Farm, Fenny Bridges, EX14 3AZ. From 10.00am. 

Gittisham Gazette distribution

This is to advise if any Hayne Farm and Gittisham Vale estates residents wish to receive the
Gazette by email or if they have no internet access, they can receive it by post, (many are emailed and several households have 2 copies). I put 30+ copies in the Vale bus shelter and as the Hayne Farm sales
office is by appointment only, I have stopped putting any in the office. I apologise to those who do not get the Gazette and do my best to print as many as I can on my own printer, and understand there is a Hayne Farm WhatsApp group which links with the Gazette. If you have a neighbour who doesn’t have access to the internet and you could print off a copy, then many more could receive this publication. It would also be good to receive news from both the Vale and Hayne to let us know what’s going on etc.

Editor/Distributor: 
Carol McCann  01404 851113 / 0794 6409142     .

If you have events or news items including pictures, for inclusion in the gazette from the village, the Vale or Hayne Farm Estate, do please email it to Carol as early as possible.  Copy date for the September edition is 23rd August.  The Gazette will hopefully be ready by the first weekend in September, but depends on the parish council meeting.