General Team News

• Leusdon            29^th March 2005             Funeral - Leonard Henry Lambert.

• Holne                31^st March 2005             Funeral – Francis Arthur Perryman.

Moving On In Mission ~ Team Questionnaire

The Churches of the Moorland Team, along with all churches belonging to the Church of England, are examining the ways in which they can best serve their communities.  For us, this process began with the meeting which was held at Leusdon at Candlemas.

Coming out of that meeting a small group of people have got together and designed the Questionnaire that you will find at the centre of this copy of the Link.  We hope that you will give it some thought and spend a little time completing it.  Either  return your completed Questionnaire to your church or give it to a member of the Clergy Team or your Church Warden. 

We need to consider how we plan the future, and each one of us is an important part of this.

Archdeacon Visitation

Community Notice Board

Lost

March 19^th 2005 Brown and White Border Collie. Large white rough, very nervous, good with livestock last sighted in Two Bridges area. Reward for Safe Return.

Any information, Please call 07720 509271 as soon as possible.

Newbridge – River Dart

Can you help?

Some of you will know that I have been concerned for many years about the lengthy disruption caused to the entire community when the bridge has been damaged and repairs are underway.

Have you suffered any personal or business costs as a result of the bridge being closed?

The newly imposed width restriction now adversely affects transport to, and around, this locality.  I am working with the support of the Parish Council and think there is a solution to this problem but I need information from anyone who may have photographs, articles or memories of anything to do with the bridge within their lifetime. For example, it is alleged that major changes were made to Newbridge during the war years.

Do you remember this or any other changes? Please contact

Miles Fursdon, Lowertown Farm on 01364  631282.  

Focus on Farmers Collaborations between Artists and Farmers.

The exhibition will be on view at the Devon County Show NFU Marquee on Thursday 19^th to Saturday 21^st May.

For hours, ticket details and directions: www.devoncountyshow.co.uk or 01392 446000.

Other Events In May (See Individual Parish Section for more information)

Postbridge Village Hall Jumble Sale         Saturday 14^th May at 2.15pm. at Postbridge Village Hall

Widecombe ‘School Disco’                      Friday 20^th May from 8.00pm at Leusdon Memorial Hall

Holne Plant Sale                         Saturday May 21^st 2.00-4.00pm in Holne Village Hall

St. Pancras Church

Church Wardens

Sidesman’s Rota

Responsibilities of Sides-people (welcomers!) :-

Services at St. Pancras this month

• Sun 1st May  Rogation Service 11.00

• Sum 8th May Holy Communion Order 1 11.00

• Wed 11th May Archdeacon Visitation Service 7.30

• Sun 15th May Holy Communion Order 2 8.00

• Sun 15th May Mattins 11.00

• Sun 22nd May Evening Prayer 18.00

• Sun 29th May Team Holy Communion -  Order 1 10.30

• 7^th & 14^th May    Mrs V Tame

• 21^st  & 28^th May   Mrs M Vickery

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Rainfall  in Widecombe

Total Rainfall for March was 65mm.

The Wettest Day was the 21^st March with 23mm of rain.

The Longest Dry Spell was from 1^st  – 15^th March.

Widecombe Post Office & Stores

Jenny and Mike Pascoe would like to thank all their customers for their support over the past 14 years. We are not going very far away and will continue to be involved in village activities. I’m sure you will all join us in wishing Trevor and Sue good luck and we hope you will continue to support them as you have us.

Mike and Jenny Pascoe

Golden Jubilee Amphitheatre

On Sunday 12^th June there will be a promenade play at the Golden Jubilee Amphitheatre at Bonehill Widecombe entitled ‘Looking for Love’ a celebration of the Arts. For more information watch out in next months edition of the Link or contact Shan Palmes on 01364 621230

Church House Management Committee

For all future bookings please contact

Mrs. R. Mortimore 01364 631238.

Rates of Hire £2.50 per hour or £12.00 per day for Local Residents.  Evening Rate of Hire £3.00 per hour (cheques payable to Widecombe Church House Fund), and given to the Post Office.  

For other matters relating to the Church House please contact  

Mrs. D. Cameron   01364 621218.

Widecombe and District Ladies Social Club

The meeting on Thursday 11^th May will take the form of a Treasure Hunt on foot around the village. Please meet as usual in the Church House at 7.30pm. In the event of wet weather an alternative will be organised. New members are always welcome.

June 9^th A Mystery Coach Trip

This is open to ANYONE who would like to come, as well as members of the Social Club. The coach will leave Widecombe car park at 6pm and the cost will be approx £5.00 per head. For further information and to book a seat please contact Margaret Phipps 01364 631421.

For more information please contact:

Margaret Phipps  01364 631421

or Val Watson  01364 621494

Widecombe  & District    Local History Group.

Meetings for the Local History Group are held at the Church House in Widecombe on the 1^st Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. 

This month we have a talk by Trevor James on ‘The History of Dartmoor Prison’

Then on May 7^th we will be visiting Princetown Museum followed by a walk around Kings Tor. Meet in the main car park at Princetown at 11am – Bring a picnic Lunch.

On May 14^th our annual outing will this year be an all day visit to Morwellham Quay.

In June we have two events. On the 1^st June we have a talk by Sheila Phillips entitled ‘The Pengelly Cave’ and then on Friday 3^rd June we have an evening outing, with a visit to Pengelly Cave. We will meet at the centre at 7pm. A map will be supplied, Car sharing is recommended.

For more information call Tony Beard on 01364 621246

Widecombe & District Sports  Group

The court is being used well, so if you want to be sure of play please contact the Post Office to book on 01364 62122). 

For other information please ring

Ann Claxton on 01364 621232

or Claire Partridge 0n 01364 621468

Regular Bookings:

Monday 7.30pm –9.00pm Netball

Tuesday *Adult Tennis (16+) 6.30 – 9.00pm.  *Tennis coaching – During May and June for six weeks we hope to run tennis coaching sessions for Children and Adults.  Adult tennis will move to Thursdays for the duration. Contact Hilary Jarvis on 621309 for details

Wednesday: Family Hockey 6.00 to 7.00pm contact Brenda Boston on 621378

Thursday: Adult Tennis (13+) 7.00 – 10.00pm Contact Di Cameron on 621218

Saturday Family Tennis 2.00 – 4.00pm

Please leave the court tidy with the net replaced. Report any damage immediately.

Close all gates and replace the keys.

Thank you

AGM Monday 16 May at 7.30pm

This is to be held at the Old Inn.  Business will be kept to a minimum with the emphasis on a social evening to welcome new members and old with refreshments. We will also say goodbye to our Chairperson Jenny Pascoe who has been involved with the club since 1988.  We thank her very much for all the hard work she has put in over many years to make the club what it is today.

Widecombe  Baby & Toddler Social

We are a small friendly and supportive group who meet every Friday morning (10.00am – 12.00 noon) at Dunstone Chapel Hall. We have plenty of stimulating toys for children from birth to 3 years of age.  Come and have a chat and a cuppa while your child plays with others and learns social skills. Children 1 year and over £1.50 Babies £1.00.  Cost includes squash. 

Please ring Mary on 01364 631390

or Jo on 01364 621465 for more info.

Widecombe Pre-School

Enjoy some free time while your child plays and learns with others at this friendly, highly rated OFSTED inspected pre-school.  They will be guided by our NNEB qualified supervisor and assistants. The pre-school is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings (9.15am  - 11.45am) operating from the Church House, term times only. The cost is £4.00 per session.

For information or to reserve your child a space phone

Katie Way 01364 654525 or

Fi Daly 01364 621460

Widecombe School (OVER 18’S ONLY)

To raise funds for Widecombe School we are holding a ‘SCHOOL DISCO’ at Leusdon Memorial Hall on Friday 20^th May from 8.00pm.

The idea is for you to relive the 70’s and 80’s (maybe earlier for a few of you) down at the local disco and have a laugh. There will be a licensed bar and tuck shop.

Tickets are £5.00 with an ADDITIONAL £5.00 fine on the door if you are NOT in school uniform, and are available by phoning

Ali Whale on 01364 621260

or Hilary Jarvis 01364 621309

Thank you

"A big thank you to Mike and Jenny Pascoe who, on the eve of their departure after 14 years running Widecombe Post Office, emptied for the last time their St. Pancras Church collecting box which, on this occasion, contained the useful sum of £38.07. The generosity of their customers is greatly appreciated but so too is the support given by Mike and Jenny over the years in helping to raise funds for the church. The grateful thoughts of very many people will go with them together with best wishes for every happiness in their new home".

Widecombe Parish Summer Party

On Saturday 13^th August 2005 the Widecombe Parish Social & Entertainment Club are  holding their Summer Party.

It will be held in the Widecombe Fair Field.

The day starts at 12 noon with activities for the whole family. There will be Punch and Judy, a magic show, Elfic the Jester, Circus workshop, Bouncy Castle, face painting, Bowling for the pig, etc., etc.

In the evening there will be a bar, band, disco and a grand firework display.

Tickets for the evening’s party will be on sale soon, more details will follow. The ticket will include food & entry to the evening’s party.

The day time entertainment is open to all, no ticket required.

Please all come along & enjoy the day.

For more information please feel free to contact one of the following:

Ian Mayhew 01364 621440

Mark & Sharon Hutchins 01364 621294

Peter Druett 01364 621465

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Dunstone Methodist Chapel

Invites you on SUNDAY 29^th MAY at 3pm

to a service in Praise of Spring Time’s new life and hopes for harvest.

Poundsgate Methodist Chapel

No news this month.

St John the Baptist - Leusdon

Church Wardens 

Services at St. John this month

• Sun 1st May  Rogation Service11.00

• Sum 8th May Holy Communion Order 1 11.00

• Sun 15th May Holy Communion Order 2 11.00

• Sun 22nd May Holy Communion Order 2 11.00

Wing Commander G.W.Foskett M.B.E.

George Foskett has served Leusdon as Churchwarden for twenty three years and has now stepped down.

In recognition of his dedicated and loyal service, the Parochial Church Council was pleased to appoint him to the Honorary Office of Churchwarden Emeritus. We wish him well as he continues to recover from his recent illness.

We are pleased to welcome  Mrs. Anne Malpass who was elected Churchwarden at the Vestry Meeting  in his place.

Sponsored Walk for Paul’s Communication Room on 12^th March

Thanks to everyone who sponsored Andrew and myself for the walk in aid of the above. We raised £600.00 between us. We walked 9.2 miles in 3hrs 20 minutes. I gained a medal and 2 very large blisters.

Thanks again

Margaret Phipps

Leusdon Memorial  Hall

Badminton. will be held on the 2^nd and the 16^th May.

We are a friendly team and always welcome new players , if you would like to come and have a game of Badminton please come along to Leusdon Memorial hall - play starts at 7.30 pm '

Whist Drives will be held on 9^th and the 23^rd May 2005.

All welcome - play starts at 7.30pm

The AGM will be held at the hall on the 18^th  May at 7.30pm.

If you are interested in the future of the hall and the role it has to play in our community please come along to the AGM to hear about what is going on and your input would be most welcome !

For Hire

The hall can take up to 100 people for functions or events. Inside there is a large, well-equipped kitchen with plenty of worktop space and outside, parking is available for many vehicles.

If you would like to book the hall or for more information please contact

Margaret on 01364 631421.

Short Mat Bowling Club 

We meet at Leusdon Memorial Hall every Friday from 7.30pm – 10.00pm, and new members are always welcome.

For more information ring:

01364 631327 or 01364 631245

LEUSDON'S SPRINGTIME VARIETY SHOW

Please note the change of date!

An Entertaining Evening of Song, Fun and Laughter with The Moorland Merrymakers,

Leusdon Church Choir, and members of the Leusdon Memorial Hall Committee!

Come along to LEUSDON MEMORIAL HALL on

SATURDAY 28th MAY 2005 7.00pm

Tickets are £8.00 per head,

INCLUDES a marvellous hot supper, dessert, and a glass of wine (vegetarian option available)

Book your seats today by ringing 01364 631565

Remember the show is one night only!

Proceeds will go to St John the Baptist Church, Leusdon & Leusdon Memorial Hall 'Access for All' Fund

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