News

South West Water (SWW) have submitted a planning application for a solar power farm covering about 30 acres at their Water Treatment Works in Hampstead Farm Lane. You can read all the details of the application and responses to it on the South Hams District Council (SHDC) planning website by following this link to the application: 2929/23/FUL.

Littlehempston Parish Council held a special meeting to consider the application on Tuesday 12th December. Here’s a link to the draft minutes.

Ten members of the public attended the meeting including representatives from SWW and Aardvark EM Ltd, an environmental planning consultancy acting on behalf of SWW.

After listening to many questions from parishoners and the responses from SWW and Aardvark EM the Parish Council agreed to submit a response to SHDC saying that on balance they were undecided.

At the time of writing, about 100 responses to this application have been submitted by members of the public. The majority of those responses suggest that a public path for walking and cycling should be included in the plans. The path would lead to and from the Bulliver footbridge across the river Dart and give access from Littlehempston to the South Devon Railway station, the Rare Breeds Farm and Totnes.

Although the SHDC planning website says that the consultation period ended on 11th December, you can still submit responses that will be considered, if possible, until a final decision on the application is made.

Emma (pictured here in the festive jumper) took a break from serving customers at the Tally Ho recently to help with the final draw of the year for the Littlehempston Lottery. Winners Steve and Jan Case from Gatcombe were delighted with their early Christmas present of £101 and another Gatcombe resident, Suzanne Darley, won 2nd prize. And a very happy Community Space Team received £125 which will help pay for the broken panes in the Lady Chapel.

The draw proved a sociable occasion as friends got together to enjoy a delicious meal – both the Winter Menu and Christmas Menu offer such a variety of dishes, it’s hard to choose. We’re very lucky to have this gourmet standard in the heart of our village!

This is Kelly and Mike’s first Christmas at the Tally as full owners of the pub – they bought the freehold from Littlehempston Community Pub Ltd (LCPL) in September of this year. Many will remember the sad Christmas back in 2011 when the pub shut and there was a fear it would never re-open. Happily the community rallied round, bought the Tally and re-opened in March 2014. And now it is the Joiners’ turn to keep this 500 year old pub going! Thank you, Kelly and Mike! You can hear what this means for them and for our community in a recent interview with Radio Devon on the LCPL website’s press cuttings page.

A great night was had by all at the Ceilidh at the end of November. The Space was packed to capacity, Stargazy Pie provided the merry music and, as well as some stylish dance moves, there was much giggling and occasional confusion despite the best efforts of caller Gill Thornton. The young Totnesians who came last year returned in even greater numbers and again had a whale of a time. Thanks to all who helped make the night such a success, especially the soup makers, Val, Mary, Tracy and Jenny. Over £500 was raised into the bargain, which will help pay the electricity bills! Though heating was defintely not needed at the Ceilidh! A huge thank you to Stargazy Pie and Gill!

The following week, from a pile of holly, eucalyptus, berries and other greenery gathered from local gardens and hedge rows emerged some beautiful wreaths and festive decorations at the Christmas Craft Workshop. (Miyu and Bee pictured here produced very stylish creations.) It proved a very sociable affair with an amazing variety of wreaths and table decoration produced with the help of lots of cake and mulled wine, and expert and tactful guidance from Karen Smith of Deapp Farm who organised the event. Everyone left feeling very pleased and a most welcome £150 was raised for the Space that was immediately spent on a new pump to get rid of the flood water in the boiler room! Thank you, Karen, for a great start to the festive season!