News

Val Hoare set a very challenging task with the Parish Quiz and you can find all the questions and answers here. A question that stumped many asked what could be found in the Parkhill wall on the Broadhempston Road – the answer was a cunningly concealed blocked up doorway, pictured here. And have you ever noticed the slate sundial high up on the south aisle wall of our church, which is 300 years old this year?

One question that derailed a lot of people was the meaning of the letters MLN which can be found on the railway bridges. It’s the Engineers Line Reference (ELR) for the Main Line (Paddington to Penzance via Bath). Here’s Val pointing one out on the Hardup Bridge, which is 219 miles and 60.5 chains from Paddington. So now you know!

The Butterwell question was withdrawn to avoid confrontations. Obviously more work needs to be done on locating these early local fridges – small stone structures, usually at a spring or bog, in which dairy products were kept cool on slate shelves.

Ali Taylor and Mike Thomas got the most questions right with Jill and John Todd a very close second. The winners will get together at the Tally to spend the prize money!

The happy winners of the first Littlehempston Lottery draw of 2021 were Jill Todd and Adrian Tredinnick. A very welcome donation of £134 was made to the Community Space. Fancy the chance of winning over £100 whilst supporting village activities? There are still 3 more draws this year!

Many thanks to Mike Joiner (pictured here), landlord of the Tally Ho, for helping draw the winning balls in the pub garden, which is looking very inviting. You’ll be able to see for yourself from Monday 12th April when the Tally re-opens its doors at last. You can enjoy a welcome pint in the garden (rule of 6 applies) and from Tuesday 13th the new Summer Menu will be available at lunchtime and in the evening. The covered area will be extended thanks to Yurts for Life, so there’ll be plenty of room for everyone. And depending on how busy things get, takeaways may still be available. Call 01803 862316 for more details. Kelly and Mike can’t wait to welcome everyone back!

And happily the Pig & Whistle will be opening up again on Friday 30th April. Until 17th May, it will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (plus bank holiday Monday 3rd May). The bar will be open all day from 11.30am with food served at lunch and dinner. And if the weather’s good, they may open on more days. There’s lots of outside space with the ever popular covered terrace along the front of the building plus a newly covered area too on the Upper Terrace. Landlady Donna says, “We cannot wait to get going with all the precautions still in place, keeping us all safe.”.

The past year has been historically like no other and in an attempt to record some of it for posterity, local people are invited to send in a short video of maximum 60 seconds, in landscape format, that records any aspect of Littlehempston Life under Lockdown that you’d like to share. How did you occupy your time? Socialize? Take exercise? Work? Play? What differences did you see around you? What drove you crazy and what made you laugh? WhatsApp to Ali on 07742 226778 or email her.

All the videos will be posted on the Lockdown Videos gallery page as they come in. And thanks so far to the swimming Allens, the dancing Penfolds, ribbon prancer Jill Todd, Tally gravellers, and car restorer and bell ringer Mike Thomas for their contributions.

With the easing of restrictions, some popular activities are making a welcome return to Littlehempston. The monthly Pop Up Stall is back on Saturday 17th April offering lots of home grown and baked goodies (and maybe plants). Come along to the Triangle (Silverhead) Bridge, from 1 to 4pm. A good opportunity to catch up with the neighbours! All donations of produce, plants and homebaked food welcome.

Don’t worry if you miss this. Val Hoare has re-instated her weekend Garden Table on the path leading from Ackrells Hill just below Hemsover to the Pig and Whistle. A tasty destination for any stroll on a Saturday or Sunday with a variety of home-made produce on offer.

And finally the Cakeaway Service is starting up again with even more delicious offerings from our local bakers. In addition to the old favourites, you’ll find Eleanor’s Melt in the Mouth Chocolate Cake, Jill’s Fruited Cobblestone Cake and Val’s Traditional Ginger Cake. Delivered Covid-securely to your door for only £7, these make perfect gifts to cheer up a friend or family member. Full information in the leaflet here.