Category: News

On Michaelmas Day, the devil puts his foot on the blackberries is one old country saying though in some versions it says the devil spits on the blackberries, meaning that St Michael’s Day, September 29th is the last day that blackberries are fit to pick and eat. Michaelmas is also closely associated with goose fairs…

  On the outskirts of Paignton where I used to live as a child there was, well still is, a Lammas lane where we often went for a walk. Of course, at the time it was a country lane with hedges, now it is a built up residential area. But it got me thinking about…

The Beacon bonfire, which started out as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations seems to have become an annual event and plans are underway for the 2014 version. Bruce sends this advance notice; The now traditional annual bonfire party organised by Martinhoe and Parracombe parishes will be held at Beacon Down Quarry, Parracombe on Friday…

Perhaps we should begin with the best news so far this year, the official reopening of the newly rebuilt school on Tuesday, 20th May at 12 noon. All parishioners are invited to attend, there will be a buffet lunch, but you need to book in advance to help with catering numbers. If you have walked…

“April cold and wet, fills the barns best yet.” Indeed I find there are a number of weather sayings supporting the idea of a cold April being the forerunner of a good summer. “East wind in Spring a brilliant summer will bring” is another. As I write this, after the balmy weather of the past…

My Grandfather was an inveterate collector of bits. Walking down the street, he would spot a nail, screw or washer on the path, take it home to add to his collection in multiple tins and jars, saying, “that might be useful for something”. I have been accused of being like him. Perhaps a house full…

Although this is the first edition of 2014, to wish you a happy New Year hardly seems appropriate, having just said goodbye to another two stalwarts of the parish. Bill and Mary met when both working in the nursing profession and moved to North Devon, variously serving at the North Devon Infirmary, the Alexandra Hospital…

The Harvest Festival and Celebration of Farming event was, by all accounts, a big success, with some people even finding forgotten scenes and stories from their own family history among the exhibits. I must confess to not actually managing to get there myself, but if, like me, you missed it and have access to the…

I missed the Beacon Bonfire this year. Daughter and son-in-law were arriving imminently and I thought it inhospitable to expect them to let themselves into an empty house. However just at 6.30, I was reminded of that scene from Close Encounters,  you know, the bit where everyone is assembled in the arena, full of expectation…