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Beacon Villages Journal
Belstone News

Out and about in March

The sheep have been released back onto the moor and chiffchaffs arrived in Skaigh valley on 21 March (a very similar date to previous years), signalling the end of the month-long cold spell. A pair of willow tits have been sighted at Birchy Lake .

 

Work to replace the mains water pipes look set to continue along the village lanes for some time to come. At the moment it is Market Lane (from the village to Tor Down) that is closed and this work will continue well into April.

 

Diary Dates for March and beyond

Sun 3 April 'Secrets of Skaigh'. Explore the old rifle range, mines, leats and quarries of Skaigh Valley in a two hour guided walk led by Chris Walpole. Meet in the car park opposite the Village Hall at 2.30pm . Stout footwear advised. Refreshments afterwards in the Hall. Donations invited for Hall funds.

3 & 10 April, 11.30 to 12.30. Belstone Cricket Club comes to life with a series of indoor net sessions at the OCRA sports centre at Okehampton College . New players very welcome. For further details ring Secretary Chris Walpole on 01838 840498.

Tues 5 April Bingo in Belstone Village Hall. Eyes down at 7pm . Anyone who needs a lift please call Angela Hammond on 01837 840234.

Wed 6 April Belstone Ladies' Club Ploughman's Lunch in the Village Hall, between midday and 2pm . Entrance fee £2.50. Stalls and raffle. In aid of the local 'Ring and Ride' scheme.

Thurs 14 April Belstone Church PCC AGM, 7.30pm , Village Hall

Sun 24 April and Sun 1 May Garden Open at Andrews Corner, Skaigh Lane , 2.30pm to 5.30pm . Admission £2 in aid of the National Gardens Scheme. Refreshments available.

Tues 26 April Belstone Village Hall AGM, 7.30pm

Thurs 28 April South Tawton Garden Club AGM followed by a talk by David Balsdon on 'Carnivorous Plants'; 7.30pm , Belstone Village Hall.

Sat 30 April Dawn Chorus walk around Belstone parish. Meet in the car park opposite the Village Hall at 5.30am . Stout footwear advised, no dogs please. Breakfast in the Hall afterwards. Donations invited for Hall funds.

The cricket season starts at Belstone with the first fixtures as follows: Sun 17 April, away at Feniton, Sun 24 April at home against Bridestowe, Sat 30 April at home against Exmouth (all starting at 2pm ) and Sun 1 May at home against Old Suttonians (starting at 2.30pm ). New players very welcome. For further details ring skipper Wayne Pearce on 01837 54774 or secretary Chris Walpole on 01838 840498.

 
The Book of Belstone
The Book of Belstone

In this fascinating and richly detailed account, authors Chris and Marion Walpole bring the history of their village of Belstone to life. Many people will know the village, as a starting point for walks into the heart of Dartmoor. Armed with this text, they can also explore the hidden corners and forgotten industries of a beautiful corner of the moor. From Beating the Bounds to Letterboxing, from Cricket Clubs to the Women's Institute, the authors cover every facet of the village life through the centuries, introducing the reader to a host of colourful characters, incidents and stories. The text concludes with a section describing every house in the parish.

This A5 soft-back book was first published in October 2002 and has now been reprinted, due to popular demand. It contains 194 pages, including 19 pages of black and white photographs and three pages of maps, graphs and tables.
Also available is a video showing Belstone events (Beating the Bounds, fetes, pantomimes, Jubilee celebrations etc) and day-to-day farming life between 1965 and 2002 (running time 2 hours 40 minutes).

 Reviews of The Book of Belstone:
"Truly a mine of information about Belstone past and present ....... each time I have dipped into it I have found a new gem." The Beacon
"I consider it to be the best of all Dartmoor 'village' books of recent years." Dr Tom Greeves, Dartmoor Magazine
"Just about everything you want to know about Belstone can be found in this book." ***** Best Buy, Dartmoor News

 The book costs £12.50 (12 pounds 50 pence) plus £1.50 (1 pound 50 pence) post and packing (UK).
The video also costs £12.50 (12 pounds 50 pence) plus £1.50 (1 pound 50 pence) post and packing (UK).
The book and video together cost £25.00 (25 pounds) plus £2.00 (2 pounds) post and packing (UK).

 Overseas visitors can obtain the current conversion costs by clicking here - http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi

To order or make enquiries (and for overseas p&p) please e-mail :

chris@beacon-villages.co.uk
 
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