CLYST ST GEORGE AND EBFORD SECTION OF THE FEBRUARY 2017 CLYST VALLEY NEWS

CLYST ST GEORGE AND EBFORD

Wednesday Morning Prayers at Clyst St George

Morning Prayers is a short said service every other week on a Wednesday. Why not take 20 minutes and join us – we also have tea or coffee afterwards if you have the time? We start at 9.30 am and you would be very welcome on 8th and 22nd February.

Clyst St George Parish Council Chairman’s Notes: February 2017

This year certainly started off with some mild and even sunny weather. As I am writing this article we have snow forecast - maybe, maybe not. When walking round the parish I have noticed the regular visiting of a heron on the central reservation on the A376 and several little egrets flying by. The occasional blackbird and thrush have been singing well before time. One of our Parish Councillors has a polecat in her garden - a rather rare sight in these parts. We are certainly privileged to live in such a lovely area with such a varied amount of wildlife so close to us.

Our Parish Council continues to be busy and at a recent meeting it was announced that the refuse collections will be increasing the items they will collect to include things like cardboard and most plastic. That will certainly save us extra trips to the recycling centre. They will continue to collect food waste, paper, bottles and metal, etc on a weekly basis together with cardboard and plastics but our large wheeled bins will be changing collection to every three weeks. It is hoped to start this new service later in the year – more news to follow.

We were also informed that the Boundary Commission are working on possible boundary changes and everyone's input will be invited. This will be an important issue as we may or may not approve of the proposals. The Parish Council will publicise this as soon as it becomes public so that you all can give an opinion.

Lastly – further to our appeal for a volunteer to erect and take down our speed monitor in Clyst Road and Clyst St George, I am delighted to say that Martin Hookway who lives in Clyst Road has volunteered to take on the task. After his training is completed next month we are looking forward to having our monitor in place soon afterwards. Thank you to Martin for being so community minded - it will be a great asset to us.

Thank you for everyone's good wishes over the Christmas period and our Parish Council wishes you all a very healthy and happy 2017

Maureen Ackland-Smith 01392 874065

Lady Seawards C of E Primary School

Lady Seawards are very proud to be linked with our local Premiership rugby club, the Exeter Chiefs. This term the Year 3 and 4 pupils have been involved in series of learning sessions with the Exeter Chiefs’ coaches. This represented a very exciting opportunity for the children who were able to extend their mathematical calculation and reasoning skills as well as developing their rugby playing skills.

The children have been attending swimming and sports sessions at Riverside. The pupils have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to practise their swimming skills as well as learning about water safety. In addition older groups of pupils have also been involved in tennis sessions where they were able to develop both their hand/eye coordination and racquet skills.

Pupils from Years 4 and 5 are looking forward to visiting the local Burrington housing estate as part of their environmental topic. The pupils will have an opportunity to look around the site and learn about site safety, the different stages of house building and how new homes are marketed for potential buyers. The pupils will then compile an official report based upon this visit with the best entries being posted on our school website!

A number of pupils have undertaken a science enrichment programme. The group were involved in collectively planning and carrying out a number of exciting investigations as well as making a trip to a science laboratory where they applied the different learning gained over the series of sessions in the form of a practical challenge.

Nature Garden

Clyst St George has a delightful nature garden by the side of the parish church. The aim of the garden is togrow local Devon indigenous plants and trees and to encourage a Devon meadow with local wild flowers. Should you wish to help develop this ‘green’ facility, you can come along on the first Saturday of every month from 9.30 to 11 am.

Morris Dancing at the Village Hall!

A reminder that the Raddon Hill Clog Morris Dancers will be practising during the winter months in the Village Hall on Tuesdays and they would be delighted to see anyone who wanted to have a go!

Little Dragons Pre-School

Following our successful OFSTED inspection in April 2015 'good with outstanding features', we do still have a few spaces for children. So do come and visit and meet our highly experienced staff team. We are based in Lady Seaward’s School and open four days a week, from Monday to Thursday 8.45 am - 3.15 pm during school term times. For more information, please contact Elly on 01392 877793 in school hours or visit our .