CLYST ST GEORGE & EBFORD SECTION OF THE NOVEMBER 2017 CLYST VALLEY NEWS

CLYST ST GEORGE AND EBFORD

St George’s Church News

Time never stands still and times keep changing. Our church is no exception and we want to share with you some of the things we are currently doing.

On the second Sunday of every month we hold a breakfast and informal family service starting at 9.30 am. Over the past four months this has increased in popularity with families enjoying a more relaxed form of worship. We commence with continental breakfast including fruit, juice and fresh coffee. Some of the music is performed by the younger people and we would really like any young person or any Mums or Dads with any musical ability to join us. Last month our Breakfast Service was combined with a Baptism when we had a record number of 115 people attending; great fun, everyone enjoying a lovely family occasion. Why not come and join us as well – with or without children – everyone is welcome. We will look forward to seeing you on 12th November at 9.30 am for a continental breakfast followed by a short family Remembrance Sunday service.

Contact Jacquie on 01392 874861 or Maureen on 01392 874065 for more information.

A Memorable Day

Saturday 7th October, no ordinary Harvest Festival weekend: Decorating the church like never before in the morning; in the afternoon preparing the Sunday's breakfast arrangements, and on Sunday morning at 9.30 welcoming and serving breakfast for approximately 90 guests of the Hookway family to their christening during the service, in addition to our usual congregation, Rev’d Sid presiding; followed by the Harvest Lunch in the Village Hall at 12.30. Our thanks to Darts Farm, to ‘Richard's’ shop in Topsham and Kenniford Farm Shop for their generous contributions towards the decorations in church and the meal at the lunch. A big thank you to Jacquie, Linda, Maureen and Janet and all those who helped with the celebrations to provide a truly memorable occasion.

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 and enjoy a little fellowship? We start at 9.30 am and everyone is very welcome. This month we will meet on 1st, 15th and 29th November.

St George’s Annual Church Autumn Clean-Up 2017

The annualClyst St George Church clean-up will take place on Sunday 19th November 2 – 4 pm. All welcome to come and wield a cobweb broom or polish a pew; alternatively if you prefer the outdoors you could help tidy the churchyard. Tea and cakes provided! Contact Jacquie on 01392 874861 for more information.

Words for Voices and the St David’s Singers

Friends of Clyst St George Church present the Words for Voices and St David’s Singers concert on Monday 11th December at 7.30 pm. Come and enjoy an evening of festive cheer with mulled wind and seasonal refreshments. Tickets at £8 are available from Jacquie on 01392 874861 or Cathy on 01392 873839.

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

With Guy Fawkes Night just around the corner we need to think of the implications of the approaching winter season. I am sure that everyone understands now that we have increasing cutbacks to contend with at Parish Council level so if there are leaves lying around on your boundaries and you are able to safely remove them it will be a great help. We are doing our best to make sure drains are kept clear as this is another area that is not very well maintained any more. If stray leaves are removed it stops them blowing onto drain covers and helps prevent blockages As I mentioned previously – please let our clerk know if you spot anything that needs attention just in case we have missed it. We have a good community spirit in our parish and it helps us a great deal in keeping our parish maintained to a good standard. Thank you to all who help us – we have a number of unsung heroes in our midst who quietly help here and there and it is much appreciated.

Last month saw our Housing Needs Survey distributed and I hope that as many as possible responded to this survey as it is important that we have kept our housing needs up to date for this area. A special thank you goes to our clerk Cathryn who had the mammoth task of getting the survey organised and sent out to you all.

The Neighbourhood Plan was started by the Parish Council in 2015 because of the wish by the vast majority of residents to have one. We are now at the ‘formal pre-submission’ stage. This gives EVERYONE another opportunity of giving their opinions on what is being stated. Once this stage has been finished we will hold the referendum for you to vote on the completed Plan. Finally, it will be made a lawful document which will give protection to the lovely area in which we live. Please help us by responding as it is your opinions that matter, we are only facilitating it for you all. Please see the separate notice in this magazine regarding this procedure. Thank you.

Maureen Ackland-Smith 01392 874065

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.

Clyst St George Parish Neighbourhood Plan

Regulation 14 Consultation 1st November – 13th December

Notice is hereby given by Clyst St George Parish Council that a formal pre-submission public consultation on the Clyst St George Neighbourhood Plan will commence on 1st November 2017 and run for a period of six weeks until 4 pm on 13th December 2017.

All responses from parishioners and other consultees received by the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will be considered and used to inform a revised version of the Plan. The pre-submission version of the Clyst St George Neighbourhood Plan can be found online at along with a comments form for your use. Paper copies of the Plan can be viewed at the church in Clyst St George, or available on application to John Manser, Chair of the NP Steering Group (tel 01392 874861),or from the Parish Clerk.

Your comments forms or letters should be emailed to r posted to CSGNP, Green Orchard, Lower Lane, Ebford, EX3 0QT. A box for your comments will also be placed in the church in Clyst St George EX3 0RE. It is hoped that the referendum will take place in the spring of 2018.

Members of the NP Steering Group will be answering your questions in the CSG and Ebford Village Hall from 7.30 to 8 pm on Wednesday 8th November.

Lady Seaward’s VA Church of England Primary School

We have had a very busy start to the new school year at Lady Seaward’s with lots of exciting events and activities taking place. The new Reception children have settled in to school life.

For example, on Friday 6th October, Years 4, 5 and 6 had the opportunity to meet with adults from the local community who came to talk to children about their jobs and what they entail. The visitors included Mr Webb – a carpenter and musician, Mr King – a Royal Marine, Mrs Cheffers-Heard – a set designer, Mr Williams - a local butcher, Mrs Coffey – an architect and designer of our new classroom and Mr Pearson – a commercial pilot for FlyBe.Over the course of the morning, the children visited each adult workshop and posed questions about their specific job roles. They were also shown a range of interesting equipment and resources such as the sausage maker, a stage set and props as well as a flight simulator and Royal Marine outdoor kit. The children had a fantastic morning and were all actively engaged in learning about the different roles people take within society.

Pyrenees Class have also visited their new classroom. The site manager showed the children around and explained to the class where each room was going to be and how different materials were being used to support thestructure and insulate the building. The children interviewed him and asked some very exciting questions.

Class 3 paid a visit to the Farmwise event at Westpoint to find out more about farming in Devon, understanding the role of farming and its pivotal role in food production. They had the opportunity to learn where their food comes from first hand. Class 4 have also been involved with a project with the local community in which they designed, made and evaluated a quilt linking to the seasons seen at Killerton Orchards. The children were helped with the project by Gail who showed the children how to do basic stitching, as well as how to bond material to their quilts using an iron. Following this, the children visited the orchards where they also took part in workshops,were able to pick apples and even try the apple juice made by the apples pressed on-site.

Thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts of the Lady Seaward’s PTA the school have been able to purchase a new SMART interactive screen. A huge thank you to the PTA for all their fundraising and to everyone who support their events.

Card Making Group

Although the card group is not meeting on a regular basis, cards are still being made and we are always grateful to receive more cards (except Christmas ones) for remaking. These can be left in the church which is open approximately 9 am to 5 pm each day. Visitors will also find two boxes of made up cards for sale. The smaller cards are just 25p each and the larger ones 50p each. There is quite a selection: those with no wording or message on the front suitable for any occasion; cards which wish a happy birthday; get well; new name; sympathy; wedding anniversary; retirement; thank you, etc. Do come in and enjoy a few quiet minutes browsing and perhaps buy a card. Any queries, please contact Linda Wilkerson on 01392 875705.

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 website