Archived News

Children's Hospice South West Belstone & Area Group of Friends

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Belstone Craft Fair - Saturday 12th November

On Saturday 12th November Belstone holds its annual Craft Fair in the Village Hall from 10.30am-4.30pm. Easy parking, opposite the hall, with Ploughman’s Lunches and a range of delicious home made soup and cakes on sale all day. As ever, there will be a variety of craft stalls, including ceramics, paintings, photos, cards, pottery, wood turning, ironwork, and jewellery. An excellent place to do that special bit of Christmas shopping – or just browse – in a friendly and convivial atmosphere.
All proceeds to Belstone Village Hall. 06/11/2011

Belstone Photographic Competition

Only a few days to go to the closing date for the Belstone Photographic Competition - Midnight on Tuesday 1st November. The categories are: Village Activities, Nature in Close Up and Belstone in All Weathers. We are happy to receive prints, transparencies or digital but they will all be converted to digital for the purposes of the competition. You can contact us on 01837 840332, editor@belstonevillage.net ; or by posting or delivering to Andrews Corner, Belstone EX20 1RD. More information on the website by clicking on the link on the left.

Photos are coming in now but we’d love lots more – especially some from outside the village so please join in all you Belstonians and non-Belstonians – we’d love to have your photos! 28/10/2011

Andrew's Corner - Garden Open

The garden at Andrew's Corner, Skaigh Lane, Belstone will be open on Sunday 16th October for theNational Gardens Scheme and Sunday 23rd October for the Children's Hospice South West. On both occassions the garden will be open from 2.30 - 5.30pm with hot drinks, cakes and cream teas for sale – entrance £3.00 for adults, children free.
The Japanese maples will be coming into their spectacular best; the autumn gentians and cyclamen should still be flowering and there will be plenty of colour, so it is an excellent opportunity to make the most of the late autumn sunshine in a wonderful setting, whilst supporting these worthy causes.
The garden is featured in the October edition of 'Devon Life'. 10/10/2011

BHUTAN . . .

. . . the land where Gross National Happiness is measured alongside Gross National Product. Bhutan is a tiny, remote country nestling in the Himalayas. David and Rhona Gundry enjoyed a glimpse of the culture and a trek in the mountains of this 'Sangri La' Himalayan kingdom. All are invited to attend David's illustrated talk, which will cover the culture, history and traditions of this fascinating part of the world; 7.30pm in Belstone Village Hall on Friday 14th October. Entry is by donation to Village Hall funds. 7-Oct-2011

 

More Photographs of the Fair

We are very grateful to 13 year old Ellie for sending us her photos of the children's sports at the Village Fair. We would be very happy to receive more photographs of the Fair from the younger members of our community. To see Ellie's photos click here.
AND DON'T FORGET anyone of any age can send in their photographs of the village for the photo competition. For details click on the Photo Competition button on the left hand side of this page. 19/07/2011

Another Record Breaking Fair!

Sunday 10th July dawned reasonably bright and warm enough for short sleeves so no decision-making needed; we were on the Green! And what an afternoon it was - warm enough to bring out the crowds but not hot enough to make life difficult for maypolers and participants in the youngsters' sports. With Pimms in hand, people flocked to the plant stall, bought bric-a-brac, took part in the sideshows, enjoyed a delicious cake, barbecued burger or sausage, watched or participated in the sports, egg throwing, maypoling and decorated bike competition whilst also managing to keep the tea tent busy until well after the anticipated finishing time. All in all a really great day, much appreciated by everyone and making a record profit of £1950.64 for the Village Hall funds. Many, many thanks to everyone who put in so much work to make it all happen and to those who supported it on the day. Well done! See photos 16/7/11

Owzat!

What have the following people got in common; Errol Flynn, Ricky Ponting, Chris Walpole and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark? They were all born on Tasmania but only two of them, as far as I know, have scored centuries in cricket. Which two you may well ask. If you follow cricket you will know about Ricky Ponting – but what about Belstone’s own famous Tasmanian cricketer? On Sunday 3rd July 2011 Chris Walpole joined the ranks of cricket centurions with his first ever 100. After over 35 years of playing cricket, many of those years for Belstone, he reached that landmark figure when playing North Devon Thirds at Instow. He and his partner Scott Tremain, who also scored a century, put on a record partnership of 211 – a new all wicket highest  for Belstone. Congratulations to both of them! 15/07/2011

Photo: Chris Walpole celebrating his 105. Roll mouse over image to see Chris playing a straight bat at the President's Match 2011.
View further photos.

Play Readings - Just for Fun

Belstone Players are organising readings of a selection of one act plays – just as a social get-together – and are issuing an open invitation to join us. No plans for us to put any of the plays on, necessarily and no need for anyone to make any commitment to joining the Players, unless they want to. So, whether you are already a member, are interested in becoming a member or would just like the chance to read or hear a variety of plays, come and join us on any or all of the dates below.
Readings will take place at Long Acre, Chichacott – the home of Chris Bloor – at 7.30pm on Thursday 21st July, Wednesday 31st August, Thursday 13th October.
For further information ring Chris Bloor on 01837 659721 or Edwina Hill on 01837 840332 13/07/2011

Progress on Pond Restoration - Skaigh Wood

Around 25 volunteers led by DNP Ranger Ian Brooker spent Saturday 2 July digging out an old pond close to the River Taw in Skaigh Wood at SX 6340 9381.  This community project was one of the events taking place to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Park.  The pond, with central fountain, was originally created in what was then part of the Rockside (now Skaigh House) estate, shortly after the house was built in the early 1870s.  In recent years it has completely silted up with grass, leaf litter and roots so the main task was to remove about 30cm depth of this vegetation, which was successfully completed over its full 12m x 7m extent.  The expected clay-lined bottom was not found, but traces of sand helped define the old base.  The 4.5cm diameter cast-iron feed pipe to the fountain and the 11cm diameter outflow pipe to the river were unearthed, while the fountain nozzle was located and protected by large boulders. (Chris Walpole) 12/07/2011
View photos

 

Belstone Calendar 2012 Now on Sale!

With photos from the 2010 Photographic Competition - £7 each. Can be bought or ordered at Thursday Cafe, Sunday Cream Teas and all functions organised by the Village Hall.
OR ring Edwina & Robin Hill on 01837 840332.
All profits to Belstone Village Hall 18-jun-11

Belstone Letterbox Walk

A charity letterbox walk has been set up this summer in a four mile circuit in the vicinity of Belstone Village.Twelve boxes have been put out each containing a unique specially designed stamp based on Belstone landmarks. For more information click here or on the button down the left hand side of this page. 30/04/11

 

West Devon Connect Drop-in Sessions - Belstone Village Hall

The Borough Council's drop-in service will be at Belstone Village Hall on Thursday 9th June between 10am - 12 noon as part of the Thursday morning cafe. Representatives from both LINk - Devon's voice for health and social care - and RNID action on hearing will be there along with West Devon Borough Councils waste and recycling advisor. There will also be a customer services advisor on hand to answer any questions about public services. 24/05/2011

Antiques Call My Bluff

Have you ever wondered what Auntie's vase is worth? Well now's the chance to find out in Belstone Village Hall's Call My Bluff and Antiques Valuation Evening on Wednesday 8th June at 7pm.

A fun evening with cold buffet and delicious puds with a quiz - and prizes - courtesy of three experts from Bearnes Fine Art Auctioneers. Guess the value of objects costing from £10-£10,000 AND an opportunity to have one item of your own valued.

Tickets £10 from Alix Quested 01837 849022 or Thursday Cafe. 21/05/2011

Secret Gardens of Skaigh

Once again, the Belstone Friends’ Group will be hosting their “Secret Gardens of Skaigh”, on Sunday 15th May – when homes in the lane known as Skaigh Lane, will be opening their gardens to the public. Some gardens that have been opened before, plus some new ones and, in addition, two special “guest gardens” – making thirteen in total. 

The gardens will be open from 11.00am-5.00pm and entry is by programme which costs £4 (children free), enabling visitors to see as many of the gardens as they wish during the day. Ploughman’s lunches, cakes, hot and cold drinks on sale, throughout the day at Stonelynk (courtesy of Sandra & John Moppett). Parking available in the field opposite Stonelynk (courtesy of Richard Norrish) or in the village car park, with plenty of signs directing visitors to parking, refreshments, plants for sale and programmes, with maps provided showing all of the gardens.

For further information - ring Angela on 01837840234 or Edwina on 01837840332. 08/05/11

Getting More out of your Digital Photographs

Geoff Hodgkinson, judge of the Belstone Photographic Competition 2010, will be running digital photography workshops in Belstone Village Hall on Saturdays 7 and 14 May from 10am-12noon. The aim of the workshops - open to all ages and levels of experience - is to help develop confidence and expertise in the use of digital cameras, whatever your current level. The sessions will develop according to the needs and wishes of the group and will cover such things as cameras, pictures, composition, post processing your photos and, finally, using the computer to enhance them.
Each session costs £2.50 for adults, £1 for children (payable on the day) and includes a drink and biscuits.

For more information contact Edwina or Robin on 840332 30/04/11

Dawn Chorus Walk - Sunday 8th May

Chris Walpole will be leading his ever popular early morning bird walk on Sunday 8th May. The walk sets off around Belstone Parish at 5.30am from the Village Hall car park. This time his intended route is through Priestacott woods out onto West Cleave, down to to East Okement, up past Nine Maidens and back to the Village Hall for a delicious breakfast at about 8.00am. Walking boots are recommended; sorry no dogs. Suggested donations of £2 for the walk or £5 for walk and breakfast all for Village Hall funds. 30/04/11