News

A great afternoon was had by all at Littlehempston’s first open air concert on Sunday 23rd August in the community orchard. Local musicians Broadbandits (also known as Broadband) rocked through a great medley of 60’s and 70’s music, while the audience nestled in their mown pods, socially distanced but together in spirit (and prosecco in some places). Some found the urge to dance irrestible and the gig ended in sunshine, much laughter and high spirits. Here are some comments received afterwards: “One young friend said she hadn’t had such an enjoyable time throughout Lockdown.” And from Chris the drummer: “We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (best Sunday afternoon in yonks …).” And from band leader, David Beadel: “We had a ball! What an amazing amphitheatre you have now discovered. I hope there will be many more events there.” The departing audience certainly agreed with that, so this could be the start of something good…

Thanks to the wonderful Broadbandits and all who helped make this a great event (and raise £365 into the bargain) including Mike the Generator Man, strimmers Val and Lawrence, front woman Ali and Gazebo Men James and Mike.

On Saturday 22nd August, a steady procession of villagers brought an amazing array of entries to the community meadow for the Scarecrow Competition. Here are pictures of all thirteen entries:

Even better, go along and see for yourself – they make a fine sight lined up against the hedge. See if you can spot the unicorn and the butterfly!

The two winners will be decided by public vote. Each scarecrow has a number attached to it (and in the captions to the pictures above – click on the picture if you can’t see the number caption). Send your first and second place preferences in a text, WhatsApp or voicemail to organiser, Val Hoare, on 07792 802307, or send them in an e-mail by clicking this link to Val’s contact form. You have until 4pm on Saturday August 29th to vote (Judgement Day!). The winner will be declared in the meadow at 6pm.

From midday on Judgement Day there will be a Plant, Produce and Cake stall to raise some money for the Community Space and Orchard. All donations most welcome!

Good news for local booklovers is that though Totnes library stays shut for the moment, the mobile library service re-started on Thursday 6th August.  Heidi and the van (pictured here) are based at the Ivybridge Library and every four weeks will park up at the bottom of Ackrells Hill. The next visit is on 3rd September, then 1st and 29th October and 26th November.

This is a new type of contactless service where you contact the library at least one week in advance: five books are selected by staff according to your preference and bagged up ready for collection.  Order your delivery by e-mailing Ivybridge Library or calling 01752 893140. More information on the Devon Libraries website.

Local lady, Val Hoare, is all set to cycle around 200 miles in aid of two very worthwhile charities: the Alzheimer’s Society and Devon Historic Churches Trust. The original plan to cycle Sustrans Route 2 from Dover to Devon was put on hold due to the pandemic, but Plan B is very cunning, as it enables local people to join in and Val to sleep in her own bed every night.

Starting on Monday September 7th, Val will ride 40 miles a day over 5 days along five petal-shaped routes that map out the forget-me-not emblem of the Alzheimer’s Society. As a grand finale on Saturday 12th, Val and her trusty bike will do a 20 mile “trundle” round the local churches, which is the day usually dedicated to the annual fundraising Ride or Stride for the DHCT. (The church’s east window repairs are part funded by the Trust.)

Val says it would be lovely to have company each day, either cycling or meeting up for a picnic lunch. Call her on 01803 866133 if that appeals. Also very welcome are donations to either charity. Go online to either justgiving.com/fundraising/valhoare-alzheimerssociety or justgiving.com/fundraising/valhoare-DHCT. And of course, you can give a cash donation to Val.

So dust off your bike or your cheque book, and let’s give Val all the support we can!

Could this be another first for Littlehempston? All are welcome to come along to the community orchard and chill out to the music of popular local band, Broadbandits at 3.00pm on Sunday 23rd August. The orchard provides a natural amphitheatre and there’ll be specially mown pods, so everyone can cosy up in their own personal space and stay socially distanced. Here band member, David Beadel, tells us what we have to look forward to:

“We are a six piece local band consisting of myself (guitar and vocals), Bob Humphreys (keyboard), Jacqui Perks (vocals), Chris Waters (drums), Pat Hamilton (guitar) and Richard Bolton (bass guitar). Based in Broadhempston and surrounding villages, the band enjoys reliving its youth with a repertoire of familiar numbers from the 60s and 70s – think, Travelling Wilburys, Creedence Clearwater, Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bryan Adams, John Prine and more. Our intention is for our audiences to get as much fun from our gigs as we do from playing them.”

The entry is free, but there will be a collection on the way out in support of the Community Space and Orchard, so please bring cash. Don’t forget your picnic rug plus food and drink if you fancy. There’ll be no refreshments available on site, but there will be lots of hand sanitiser! For full information on how to book and what will happen if weather means the event has to be postponed, check the Events page.

The afternoon also offers the chance to take a look at entries in the Scarecrow Competition in the meadow. And if you want to make a day of it, why not enjoy a Sunday lunch at the Tally Ho first? There’s plenty of space outside in the beautiful garden or inside the pub, which is arranged to make social distancing easy.

Many thanks to the Broadbandits for supporting our community – it’s much appreciated.

While the village has been unusually quiet in recent months, things have been happening to maintain our church. It became apparent during last year’s storms that the Victorian east window was in quite urgent need of repair and refurbishment. Permissions were sought, and a master glazier engaged to lead the project and after the hiccup of early lockdown the work is underway.

With the scaffolding in place, Andrew Johnson could have a much closer look at the glass – much of it painted, reeded glass which was the new technology of the mid-1800s. (A few years ago panels of reeded glass were found in a storage area of the Victoria and Albert Museum and have been the subject of a long project to conserve and reinstate them in their original place in the windows of the staircase landings.) Our four main panels have now been removed and initial repairs made to the leading. The first of these has been brought back for a fitting and I was able to see close up both the quality of the original work and the skill with which Andrew and his colleague have preserved it.

Above the four main window lights are a number of ‘traceries’ – intricately shaped sections of glass depicting sheep, eagles, flowers, crosses, scrolls and other designs. From the ground Andrew could see that two of these needed repair – the lead edging had slipped away from the stonework and daylight could be seen through the gaps. On closer inspection there are seven of the traceries that need preservation. This will not only keep the window in a good state of repair for the next two hundred years, but cut down on the draughts in the church and help reduce the heating bills.

We have already received a substantial gift from a local person to fund the work, a grant from the Archdeacon of Totnes and are promised a grant from the Devon Historic Churches Trust. A third grant was declined and we are in process of applying to a fourth charitable trust in the hope of receiving their help. We would also like to give the local community the opportunity to sponsor the repair of a tracery- or even a part of one, as they will cost £300 each to conserve. Once we are allowed to gather in greater numbers indoors, our glazier, Andrew Johnson, has offered to give us an illustrated lecture about our window and the fascinating way the glass was produced.

If you would like to be part of this restoration project and sponsor a tracery, please contact Val Hoare on 01803 866133.