BRAYFORD      

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

 
BRAYFORD PARISH COUNCIL
 
Parish Council Meetings
The next Parish Council Meetings will be held on Thursday 18th June and on Thursday 16th July 2009 at 7.30pm in Brayford Village Hall.  Parish Council meeting minutes are on show at 4 notice boards - The Nook, Village Hall, High Bray and Charles (by the Church), and also on the Brayford website.
 
News
The judges from the C.P.R.E./M.V.F. Best Kept Village Competition will be wandering around in May, June and July.
A plaque describing provenance etc. of the Huxtable plough in the Millennium Garden is being prepared, but if historians in the village find out more about it, the Parish Council would be interested in their research.
The A399 will be closed from 7pm till midnight from June 22nd - 26th near Lion's Rump when the Forestry Commission will be felling trees. 

 
Village Play Area
County Councillor Jeremy Yabsley has very kindly donated £1000 from his County Council Charity Fund, to the Play Area Account. Cllr. Boddington and David Gosling have applied for more grants, the results of which should be known by the end of June.
 
Neighbourhood Watch
Keep your sheds and garages locked. There has also been an increase in oil thefts so please keep a check on your tanks especially if there seems to be a much greater amount of fuel used. Be vigilant for any suspicious vehicles/persons. For advice or to voice concerns contact PC Julie Bradshaw or PCSO Michael Livett at South Molton Station on 01769 575053.

Conservation Walks
A permissive access agreement has made a new walk available in the Parish.  Details
 

The Duck Race
This was, as usual, a great village Event. Due to the weather warnings of possible thunderstorms it was decided too risky to set up all the stalls in the field, so we all met in the Village Hall. We all had an enjoyable afternoon spending all our money on the various stalls, eating cream teas and being entertained by Ray Hobbs on accordion. The Duck Race went ahead as planned with the river level pretty well ideal.
Prize winners were follows:
1st   Kate Burnett
2nd  Jack Carter
3rd   Jessica Gouldbourne
4th   Attie Rene
5th   Fiona Tyson
6th   Sam Heath
7th   Sam Bourne
8th   Riannah Walsh
9th   Andy Crane
At the initial count, with a few expenses to come, it looks like the Village Hall funds will be boosted by just over £1250. A big thank you to all who gave up their time to run and support the event so willingly and we will all be rewarded by improvements to the car park which we hope to achieve this year.
 

Gardening Club
In April David Hopkins brought along a wide selection of plants for our annual hands-on session planting up hanging baskets and tubs, and we all went away with something worthwhile to show for our efforts. In May, Debbie Hastings gave us a fascinating talk and slide show on Victorian Gardens. On Wednesday 17 June we are having a practical course on propagation given by Anna Whinney at Charles Bottom – meet at the Village Hall at 6.00pm sharp. On Wednesday 15 July we have a day out visiting Westcountry Nurseries to see the National Collection of Lupins, followed by lunch and a tour at Cheristow Lavender Farm – leave from the Village Hall at 10.00am.
 
Looking ahead, don’t forget the Flower Show on Saturday 15 August - let’s hope for lots of entries again this year.
The Preliminary Schedule is now available.
 

Brayford School
This term the children enjoyed a visit from the Life Caravan where they learnt about keeping healthy, fitness and our bodies. The children starting school in September will be beginning their induction after half term. On Tuesday 16th June the Year 5 children will be having an activity day at the Simonsbath House Hotel and on Friday 10th July Year 6 will be going to Skern Lodge for their residential weekend.
We will be doing our Exmoor Walk as part of Forest Schools, and Simon Miller has kindly lent us his wood, also for Forest Schools. The school photographer will be in school on Wednesday 17th June. Toddlers are welcome between 9 and 9.30am. Due to bad weather the school sports day was postponed and will now be held on Friday 19th June, and 

the School Fete is due to be held from 2pm on Saturday 20th June in the Village Hall and school grounds. Please look out for the posters giving details of the exciting events planned. We have delayed the Curry Evening until the autumn term, details to follow nearer the time. Some of the staff will be taking part in the 'Race for Life' on Sunday 12th July.
 
The infant class will be going to the Music Festival at SMCC on Wednesday 15th July.
 
The school play will be performed on Monday 13th July at 2pm and Tuesday 14th July at 6.30pm. The leavers concert wil1 be in the afternoon of the last day of term, Friday 17th July.
 

Brayford WI
On Wednesday 15th June, our summer meeting will be at Castle Hill, where we are invited to walk around the gardens in the early evening, and will enjoy dinner in the West Wing restaurant at 8pm. Our July meeting will be held in the Village Hall, and we are looking forward to meeting Spence Kingdom, who is going to Entertain us! This is on Wednesday 8th July at 7.15pm. Visitors are always welcome.



 

 

Night Walk
Ruby would like to thank everyone who sponsored her group. We raised around £380 for North Devon Hospice and MacMillan Nurses. It was a beautiful night with a full moon all the way and, although not a race, we did 11 miles in 3hrs and 20mins, looking very fetching in our pink wigs as we talked of friends past and present who have benefited from both of these very caring charities.

Mothers' Union
On May 14th we attended the 'Day for Reflection' at South Molton led by Peter Attwood. On Ascension Day we went to Swimbridge Church and were then given a talk about a premature babies unit and we were updated on the latest technology. On Tuesday 16th June at 2.30pm, Rona Eastman will be giving us a talk at Joan Greenwood's. On Tuesday 21st July at 12 noon we will be meeting at South Lydcott for our 'Summer Lunch' where Lisa will be telling us all about her travels.

Methodist Chapel
Our services are held at 11am and 6.30pm each Sunday, with a Circuit Service at Duke Street, South Molton on the first Sunday evening of each month. Our lively Sunday Club is held every 2nd and 3rd Sunday from 11am to 12noon. It is well supported by the local 3 week-olds to 11 year-olds. Our own minister is Deacon Rona Eastman (740283) and our Circuit Minister is Bob Kitching (01769 572637). They will be pleased to help you if you need them. 
Coffee and Tea
Community Coffee Mornings will be held on Wednesday 3rd June and Wednesday 1st July from 10.30am to 12.00 at the Methodist Church School Room. There will be no Coffee Morning in August. On Saturday 13th June a Strawberry Cream Tea is being held in the School Room to raise funds for the church. Everyone is welcome.
 

High Bray Church
We all enjoyed Bishop Bob Evans visit to Brayford. We gathered by the river and the children were entertained by Chris Whinney and Chris Hurst then the Brayford singers led us all in some rousing songs followed by a cream tea. For all who helped or came and enjoyed the afternoon we thank you.
Special thanks to Fred & Drinda for the electricity supply. On Friday 31 July we are hoping to have Summer Praise by the river at 7pm, weather permitting! If you have a favourite song, please let Madeline on 710389 or Tony on 710446 know your choice.

Charles Church
June promises to be a very busy month in the area of Charles, at the height of summer. Plans are well advance for a young parishioner to be baptised and for Rachel Burnett to be married in the parish church on Saturday 27th June. We send good wishes to those involved in such special events, and to their families. Another historical exhibition will be staged in the church from early July, featuring a few more local families and almost famous clergy from times past. Thanks to those stalwarts who have helped to get the churchyard grass cut and have repaired, polished and sewn in readiness for these events, including the Patronal Festival on Sunday 28th June at 10.30am with coffee and cake to follow.

Devon Adult Learning
Choose from a variety of courses in Maths, English, Computing, Languages Arts & Crafts, Healthy Life-styles, & Complementary Therapies. Telephone 0845 1551014 to request a brochure or visit our website www.devon.gov.uk/adultlearning

CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids)
We are a local charity based in Brentor and we provide respite breaks to disadvantaged children from all over the UK.  This year our summer fayre - Teddy Bears Picnic - will be held on Sunday 12th July.  Please join us if you can. Thank you in advance for any support you can give us.
Tel: 01822 811020 for details.

Family History Research
Barbara Curtis, who once lived at High Bray, is researching her family history. Her mother was Jean Paterson neé Down who was born in 1935 and died in August 2008. She lived at Beech Trees, and her grandmother Francis Hagley lived at the cottage overlooking the church. Barbara’s grandfather was Bill Down who married Beatrice Hagley, daughter of Francis. He was a farm labourer and they lived at Ovis and Muxworthy, and also Cape Farm, Bratton Fleming in the 1960s. Barbara cannot find the names of Bill Down’s parents and would be very grateful if anyone can help – please contact bjcurtis@hotmail.com

Exeter Cathedral's Anniversary
Celebrations are taking place at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 27th June to mark its 1100th Anniversary. For children aged 5 - 11 at 2.30pm to 4.45pm there is a Children's Celebration with Jim Bailey.
More details: tel: Katherine Lyddon on 01392 294937.
Songs of Praise with Judi Spiers and Canon David Winter will be at 5.15pm - 6.15pm. There is a poster of events in The Nook.

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

A new garden to open this year...
 Accott Manor
near Gunn, Barnstaple
Sunday July 5th, 12.00 - 5.30pm
Details

Supported by Brayford Parish Council