Beacon Villages
Under Cosdon Beacon Dartmoor Devon UK
BT out of order - again BT phonebook adverts claim that the new 3 in 1 directory has everything you need but for people in South Zeal, Belstone, Okehampton and much of mid the West Devon area the one thing the directory doesn't have is telephone numbers they need. Two years ago BT changed the geography of the county by insisting that North Devon included South Zeal, Belstone, Okehampton and much of mid West Devon and divorced those area's population from Exeter, their main business and social centre. People that complained at the time were assured that the situation would be resolved, that the error would not happen again and were provided with a free copy of the Exeter directory. The recently issued 2005/06 directory however repeats the error, confirming that BT has ignored its mid West Devon customers, some of whom when needing emergency services report finding themselves put through to Barnstaple instead of Exeter. A South Zeal resident when complaining to BT about the new directory was told she came under the Sticklepath area and that the only Sticklepath in Devon was near Barnstaple. Other BT customers object to being forced to pay for directory enquiry services when needing to contact Exeter. Many wishing to register a complaint again about this situation find they have wasted a lot of time listening to a disembodied voice telling them they are in a queue, but that their call is valued, or a similar voice eventually offering to return the call later; but that never happens. Among the writer's experience have been calls lasting 42 minutes without speaking to a human, and a call of 1 hour two minutes where persistence paid off and good advice was eventually provided by authorised BT personnel. The advice given was that people in the area wishing to complain about being provided with a North Devon Directory are invited to telephone 0800 833 400 and use Option 1 to register their complaint. Comments will then be referred to the BT Marketing Department and those responsible for the compilation of directories. Furthermore, the invitation has also been made that anyone also requesting an Exeter area directory will be provided with a copy free of charge. |
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Popular gardens With tremendous support from the community and the weather in their favour the organisers of South Zeal's Open Gardens Day were rewarded for all their hard work with record making visitors contributing to around £1500 raised for Victory Hall. Presented as a fund raiser for the hall from its start ten years ago the open gardens attracted 260 plus visitors to South Zeal and South Tawton this year and in the latter many also enjoyed cream teas in St Andrew's Church and raised around £100 that will be assist the restoration of the parish's Church House. The valued leadership of Meg Wolton has ensured that the Day has grown and thrived over the past decade with every member of the organising team placing credit with her where it is due. Similarly, Wendy Redstone's sterling support over the years is recognised by all that help the event that would hardly be the same without the plant sale Wendy is responsible for. To ensure a warm welcome to visitors the team extends to those that provide, prepare and serve food to visitors through the day at Victory Hall, the Recreation Ground Pavilion and the Church, not overlooking those that provide refreshments in their own gardens to the touring visitors and every gardener that labours long and hard to ensure the spectacle they present is at its best. Open Gardens Day deserves the reputation it has gained for being well worth a visit through the dedication of people in the community working together to provide for the community and even after a long and tiring day those that made it a success once again were quick to say that they enjoyed it and were looking forward to next year. |
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Earlier than usual South Tawton County Primary School's annual Summer Barbecue is a little earlier than usual this year; in the day that is. The popular event, enjoyed by parishioners and visitors, that provides much valued financial help to the school is taking place during the afternoon Saturday 9th July, from noon until 5.00p.m. on the school playing field, rather than in previous years when it was an early evening event. Those that ensure they don't forget the timing change will find all the happy attractions that have always made this a successful barbecue with pupils running their competitions and games stalls and entertaining the visitors. Sales stalls will include bric-a-brac, books, plants, vegetables, cakes and much more from contributions donated. An added event, tinged with perhaps a tear, is to be a presentation to be made to Head Teacher Mrs Bobby Sutton who soon leaves to take up a post in Exeter and who will do so with all the good wishes of parents, pupils and parishioners.
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Teas for kneelers For some years, Mike and Sally Bailey have opened their home and garden at Crosslands, Tongue End, for an afternoon during which cream teas are enjoyed in support of the church. This year, the money raised from the cream teas sold on Sunday, 10 th June between 3.00 and 6.00p.m, at £2.60 per treat will be going towards making kneelers for St. Andrew's Church, South Tawton. Beside enjoying a teas, anyone that would like to make a kneeler for the church, perhaps in memory of someone or a family event, can do so with all necessary materials provide free of charge. No prior experience is necessary and those with the talent to can sew a hem, it is said, already has the talent to make a kneeler. Volunteers with such talent should please contact Sally Bailey on 01837 840276 if they can't get to her cream teas afternoon, or Lorinda Legge on 01837 840326. |
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Village Hall news Cheriton Bishop Village Hall's Car Boot Sale was quite successful, everyone managed to sell something and a few pounds swelled the hall kitty. Thanks go to the ladies who did the bacon butties, tea and coffee and supplied the cakes - all sold very quickly. The hall is now used on a Friday night by a group who train youngsters to show dogs; this is considered by the hall committee to be a good thing as it not only provides added income but will almost guarantee the youngsters will grow up to be responsible dog owners. A plaque in memory of Hazel Wilson has now been made and will be placed against the cherry tree in the garden. Efforts are still being made to obtain a signpost for the village hall and surgery, but the Parish Council has no news of one yet. Response to a circular asking parishioners to indicate what they would like arranged for them within the hall has not been great but thanks go to those who have replied and it is hoped that a whist evening can be arranged. |
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Drewsteignton Open Gardens 2005 Ten gardens around the Parish of Drewsteignton will be open on both Saturday July 9th and Sunday July 10th from 1.30pm until 6.30pm. Entry will be by Programme with map and garden descriptions £4.50 - valid for both days and on sale at Drewsteignton Post Office the week prior, and on both days in the Village Square. Accompanied children under 14 free. There will be Ploughman Lunches (from 12 .30pm ) and Cream Teas at Ford House; one of the gardens open. The event is again held under the auspices of the Parochial Church Council with assistance from members of the Gardeners Club and all proceeds will be donated to the Holy Trinity Church Restoration Fund. This fine Grade I listed building situated prominently in the Village centre is in need of substantial repairs to the roof. |
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