Save the stamps

With Christmas around the corner the cards, parcels and letters are flowing into the area, with most of the envelopes and wrapping paper then being consigned to the bin. Charities that can use the stamps from envelopes, packets and parcels are reminding people that a bit of Christmas spirit directed to saving stamps can be very helpful to them. The Hospice Shop in Okehampton will welcome used stamps, and it is worth checking other charities for their interest. In South Zeal, stamp collecting for Exeter's Hospice continues throughout the year at Buttercup Cottage where they can be left for onward delivery to the hospice. Call 01837 840547 for more information on how saving used stamps can help those in need.

Silence in the hall

A Silent Auction is being held on Saturday, 4th December, in Victory Hall, South Zeal organised by the Friends of the primary school. The doors will open at 7.30pm and bidding begins at 8.00p.m.

A 'personal number' should be collected when arriving which can then be written beside any item you wish to bid for, together with the amount being offered. This can be updated until bidding ends at 9.10p.m. The last number on each sheet is that of the lucky purchaser. There will be refreshments and a bar to include mulled wine and a barrel of beer and a raffle will take place after the bidding. Children are not forgotten on this family evening and there will be a table of items specifically for the children to bid for. They will need their own bidding slip - and their bids will increase at only 10p a time.

goods and promises with bids increasing by £1. Items to interest adults are still being added to the long list that already includes 'up to 5 days at a 3 bedroomed cottage in Normandy that sleeps 6, meals at local inns, a Christmas Cake, a load of logs, vintage Port, and a weekend's hire of a VW Camper Van.'

Tree preparation

Putting up the Christmas tree and adding its decoration is planned to take place on Friday, 3 rd December in Belstone Village Hall and a little help will be welcomed. If anyone has a few decorations they might donate or lend, these also would be appreciated and the people to contact with offers of help and/or items are Marion and Chris Walpole on 01837 840498 who will welcome their call.

Music Hall

The Sticklepath Glee Club is presenting two evenings of Music Hall entertainment in the Village Hall, Sticklepath on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December at 7:30pm in aid of the Village Hall Improvement Fund. Many well-known and highly talented local artists will be appearing under the Chairmanship of Mr Bert Stead and the Musical Direction of Madam Katerina Mateus. Admission is by ticket, £6, which will include refreshments. Tea and coffee will be provided but patrons are invited to bring their own wine/beer etc. Phone 01837 840435 or 840 390 for ticket availability.

Watching the neighbourhood works

Cheriton Bishop's Neighbourhood Watch village co-ordinator, Jean Martin, is reminding local residents that there are still quite a lot of distraction burglaries going on in the Devon area and that they should not let anyone into their homes that they do not know, without first checking their identity. They ploy being used is for someone to keep the resident chatting on the doorstep while someone on the other side of the house is trying to get in. There was a local incident where someone was nervous because a stranger seemed to be wandering about at the back of houses so they alerted Neighbourhood Watch, and all was well. Jean also extended congratulating on behalf of the parish to Brian Bryon Edmonds for winning an award for coordinator of the year. He has worked so hard and still does, to encourage people to join the scheme. Well done, Brian.