BRAYFORD      

A rural parish in North Devon, England including Brayford village, High Bray and Charles, and a part of Exmoor National Park

Archive

 
BRAYFORD PARISH COUNCIL
 
September Parish Council Meeting 
 
Play Area
The Parish Council has decided to go ahead with the lease of the land behind the Recycling Pavilion for the Play Area. The Chairman would like to increase the Precept to fund the equipment for this Play Area, as it is a community project.
 
Quarry Noise
Parish Councillors attended a meeting at Hansons’ quarry on 3^rd June. The Chairman asked Quarry Manager, Andy Allen, to inform him if work, other than maintenance is anticipated on Saturday afternoons as parishioners have recently been disturbed by high noise levels after 12 noon on Saturday, particularly at High Bray.
 
Lengthsman
Jonathan Collier has taken over as Lengthsman Liaison person (from Norman Barrow) and any problems should be reported to Jonathan.
 
Sherracombe Wood
A letter has been received from Badgworthy Land Company stating that due to Health and Safety issues, permissive access through the woodland is to be stopped and gates will be locked until further notice. Prior to works starting they will be refurbishing part of the surface of Sherracombe Lane to allow for the passage of timber lorries and plant.
 
Neighbourhood Watch
PC Robarts gave a very pleasant and interesting talk at the last Parish Council meeting and stresses that if there are incidents in the village, or wherever, people should telephone to report them.  Tony George reports from Charles that there was a local break in recently. The thief was spotted and chased across a field but was not apprehended.  On 19^th July, most of Brayford received a visit from a young East European gentleman selling art. The police have been informed but we must all be watchful for any suspicious behaviour, and once again, remember to lock doors and windows, and especially outbuildings.

Parish Council Meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting is on Thursday 18th August at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.  Agenda
 

GARDENING CLUB/FLOWER SHOW

The Flower Show is on Saturday, 20^th August (public opening at 3.30pm) and Schedules will arrive with your Newsletter. Please do enter, even if only one item, as without entries there is no Show!  It is fun to have our own Flower Show each year, and Mrs Chris Bearman, Head Teacher at Brayford School, has kindly agreed to open the Show.
 
In June, were invited to Vale House, by Geoff and Jan Mitchell. We enjoyed a fascinating talk on bees and beekeeping, given by Geoff, who keeps bee hives and makes pots of delicious honey, which we all enjoyed (and the delicious cakes).
The gardens at Hartland Abbey, which we visited on the afternoon of 20^th July, were beautiful and full of cottage garden plants. We were lucky to be there on a day when the Abbey was open to the public too, as it is a beautiful house.
We are leaning how to prune out plants on 21^st September when Ray Steele is our speaker. The AGM will follow on from this.
 

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
The June meeting was held at The Calvert Trust, where we had a guided tour of the amenity areas for the disabled and were also shown the holiday accommodation. Since our last visit some years ago, the old derelict barns we saw have now been sympathetically converted to holiday accommodation. Fund raising is on-going and hard work, but the joy expressed by the disabled children when completing outward bound adventures is hear-warming. We were given a most interesting talk.
 
Heather Everitt, talented professional embroiderer from North Molton, gave a very interesting talk on her life and showed us a sample of her Banners, of which she has made many, and all different, for the Free Masons. Heather brought beautiful quilts and other items made by her over the years which we greatly enjoyed seeing.
 
Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 14^th September when Sarah Burnett will talk on Charles in the 19^th century.
 
MOTHERS’ UNION
There will be no meeting in August, but the new year will commence as usual with a service taken by Chris Whinney in Charles Church at 2.30 pm on Wednesday, 21^st September.
 

THE POUND
Hopefully, most people are aware that The Pound has undergone restoration work which was completed in April. This was accomplished by the allocation of a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative, as well as the generous sponsorship from Nationwide. Repairing the Pound was one of the tasks identified by the Parish Appraisal.
 
Village Pounds have existed since early times and are essentially small enclosures for detaining (impounding) stray or trespassing cattle, sheep and horses until they are reclaimed. Often, any such seized animals could only be redeemed by the payment of a fine to cover any damage they had done. Such pounds were sometimes circular and with walls of flint. A Pound was often manned by a Pound-Keeper or Pinfolder.
 
To complete the project on restoring the Pound, information leaflets will shortly be printed. It is hoped to organise an official opening in September.
 
Our thanks go to Jane Jeyes and the Parish Council for the effort made to organise the restoration work.

"UNCLE FRANK"
Frank Prideaux died peacefully at his home on Thursday, 7^th July aged 76 years. Frank was unusual in that he was born, lived and died at Bray Mill in the centre of the village. He was never happier than farming his acres and enjoying the company of his family. He is reputed to have said his favourite occupation was "laying a hedge". Here, he found a send of peace and satisfaction.
 
Frank had many attributes. Throughout his life, sport always figures strongly. At rugby he was a hard tackling centre for South Molton, or with Filleigh Cricket Club he was an excellent wicketkeeper. It was a source of great pleasure for him, right to the end, to see his family as active members of the Club today. Frank was a loyal Church member and gave valued service to the Chapel at Brayford throughout his life.
 
"Uncle Frank" was a much loved, respected, kind and gentle man whose ready smile and dry wit we shall miss. He spanned several generations of children giving them rides in the tractor link box (riding the cow) and letting them do the milking.

METHODIST CHURCH
We will shortly be losing our Minister, Rev. Clay Andrew and his wife Jen, who will be returning to take up new appointments in the States. During their stay here we have grown to love them and have really appreciated all they have done for us. Somehow they have both become part of all our families. We wish them well.  We are fortunate that Clay will be succeeded by another Minister from the Sates, Rev. Molly McGee. We welcome her into our Church and look forward to working with her.
 
Our Superintendent Minister Rev. Tony Cox with Elaine will also be moving to Cornwall and Sunday, 31^st July has been fixed for our farewells. Again, we have all appreciated the hard work and dedication they have given to our Circuit and wish them the very best in their new Appointment. We welcome our new Superintendent, Rev. Bob Kitching from Leeds. 

HIGH BRAY CHURCH
We hope you can join us at The Garden Party, by kind invitation of Donald and Hilda Bawden at Brayrise on Friday, 5^h August. There will be a barbeque, cake and plants stall, flowers (in fact anything saleable) and draw prizes will be very gratefully accepted. We hope to have your company and support on the evening from 6 pm.
 
 
 
COMMUNITY HARVEST
The Community Harvest Service will be held on Tuesday, 4^th October, at 6.30 pm in the Village Hall. We are just starting to plan, so more details in the next Newsletter.

SPONSORED WALK
We shall be holding our annual walk on Saturday, 10^th September, once again in aid of Devon Historic Churches (and our own enjoyment). This time we are visiting the Little Bray Valley on the far side of South Molton. We start from West Worlington Church at 11 am and return there for a cup of tea at about 4.00pm. The full walk is 8 miles, but you can do as much or as little as you choose. Bring good footwear and sandwiches. A lead for your dog is essential. Sponsorship forms (if you want to be sponsored) and further details from Peter Edwards.

BOOMERANGS
 
Midsummer’s Ball
The Midsummer’s Ball was a great success (even though the drummer went to Barbrook). Many thanks to all those who supported the evening – together we raised almost £900 for the playgroup. We have purchased a much needed storage shed for the children’s equipment..

 
Playgroup Administrator
We currently have a vacancy for a playgroup administrator. This will involve keeping check of the playgroup’s paperwork, including the application for grants and funding for the group. We can offer 10 hours per month with a starting wage of £5 per hour. If you are interested in the post, please contact Darren Tyas.

 
Barnstaple Carnival
Last year, Boomerangs took first place in their class at Barnstaple Carnival. This year we hope to do the same. Our entry is titled "Under the Sea" so look out for us.

Special thanks to the Newsletter Editor for providing extracts from the August Newsletter.
 

Supported by Brayford Parish Council