RYDA Newsletter 12/2023

December, that time of year when storefronts are festooned with holiday decorations, and another year is reaching its close.

December has marked the end of the year and the coming of winter since the ancient Romans established their first calendar. As its etymology indicates, December is formed from the Latin root decem- which means “ten” … but December is our twelfth month. The strange numbering discrepancy is also present for the months of September, October, and November, which reference “seven,” “eight,” and “nine,” even though they’re our ninth, tenth, and eleventh months.

Why? Well, the ancient Roman calendar only had ten months in the year, beginning with the month of March. January and February were eventually added after December to the end of the year. But, by the time the Julian calendar

Before December entered Old English, the names Ǣrra Gēola or Gēolmōnað, meaning “yule month,” were used. The early Germanic people referred to this wintry season as yuletide, a two-month period that spanned December and January. Geōl means “Christmas day” or “Christmastide” was established in 45 BCE, January and February appeared at the beginning of the year, which bumped all of the original months (and their originally assigned names) back by two.

We are also getting closer to that time of year when we gather round the TV, or sit in a Theatre to watch a hilariously good Pantomime show. But where on earth did this tradition come from?

Noted theatre Manager, David Garrick, criticised Pantomime when it first came to the UK in the 18^th century, saying this foreign entertainment threatened British tradition. But due to its popularity, he reluctantly allowed Pantomime at his theatre – but only at Christmas, so it became associated with festive frivolity and not “serious Theatre”.

When Pantomime evolved to include the spoken word, it made room for witty puns and wordplay. This combined with the existing physical comedy element to give birth to the style of theatre we know and love today. Panto is probably the first time chidren see “theatre” – so it is no surprise young ones fall under its spell. While the silliness and simplicity of pantomimes makes them incredibly popular with children,

scripts often include gags designed to sail over childrens’ heads and raise a smile or snigger with the older generation too.

The late 1970’s almost said goodbye to the Christmas panto tradition as theatres got a bad reputation for their “amateur dramatics”. People just didn’t see panto actors and actresses as serious artists. However, in the last decade, this colourful art form has been resurrected. We just cant say no to panto. (oh no we cant!)

Apparently, its bad luck to utter the last lines of the production in rehearsal. They should always be read for the first time on opening night.

Did you know, the good character will always enter from stage right, and the baddie from stage left. This is because, in “Commedia dell’arte”, the right side of the stage symbolises heaven, and the left side, hell.

The word “Pantomime” comes from the latin “Pantomimus”, which in turn comes from Greek’s “Pantomimos”. Panto meaning “All”, and Mimos a dancer who would take on all the different parts.

It started life as a travelling street theatre in sixteenth centuary Italy, where at the time, many different languages were spoken, so the performers used exaggerated movement, dancing and acrobatics to communicate their story.

The famous character, Arlecchino, was known for having 2 sticks tied together. These would make a loud sound when he’d comically whack them against each other, the set – or other characters. And hence ….Slapstick comedy.

Despite its Italian origins, Pantomime is now as British as a nice cup of tea! It first arrived on our shores as a short entertainment between opera pieces, but eventually, it took the limelight and became its own show.

Have you ever wondered why we Pull Christmas crackers?

These festive table decorations are pulled apart to reveal a small gift, a party hat and a riddle or a joke. When they are pulled they make a ‘snap’ or ‘cracking’ sound which is what gave them their name.

Crackers were first created in the mid 19th century by a sweet maker called Tom Smith who tried selling sweets around Christmas time with a small motto or riddle included in the packaging. Later, he decided to add the ‘crackle’ element after seeing logs crackle on a fire.

Some Strange British Festive Customs

Why we hang stockings on Christmas Eve?

On Christmas Eve, children around the UK hang stockings on their fireplaces so that Saint Nicholas (otherwise known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas) can fill their stockings with presents, fruit, candies or coins.

In the Western tradition, it is believed that if children are badly behaved their stockings will be filled with a single lump of coal instead of presents.

Why many of us eat Turkey?

Although turkeys are not native to the British Isles (they were first brought to Britain in the 16th Century), people in the UK began to eat turkey during Christmas dinner as farmers would be in need of their cattle for milk and would often be saving their chickens to lay eggs.

Before this, British people would often eat geese, boar and even peacocks.

Burning your clock (I hadn’t heard of this one either!)

The shortest day of the year falls on 21 December and Brits show their displeasure by burning their clocks!

There is even a festival to mark the Winter Solstice called ‘The Burning of the Clocks’ and is celebrated in Brighton. The event includes a parade with as many as 1,000 participants every year and ends with the burning a massive clock (of course).

Partying for three days solid

Some would argue that Hogmanay, which is the Scottish celebration to see in the New Year, is more important to the Scots than Christmas, and if size and length of the celebration was the determining factor then this might well be the case!

Some believe Hogmanay is a bigger celebration than Christmas because Christmas was banned for a period and the Scots didn’t even get the day as a public holiday until 1958…

Edinburgh is the epicentre of the celebrations and hosts, what is believed, to be the world’s biggest and best New Year’s party – with people partying from 31 Dec until 2 Jan.

Jumping into a freezing river to celebrate the New Year

The ‘Loony Dook’ was invented in 1986 when three locals jumped into ice cold waters after the excesses of their New Year celebrations. The guys survived and decided to repeat the endeavour the following year for charity. They named the event the ‘Loony’ which is short for lunatic and ‘Dook’, a Scottish term meaning bathe.

Little did they know it would take off and attract hundreds of people and the event is held every New Years’ Day when people dive into freezing waters, often in fancy dress, to raise money for charity or for just the sheer fun of it. (Not for me, - water has to be steaming and have soapy bubbles)

Your RYDA committee met recently, (we do so alternate months) the minutes of our meetings can be found here.

Devon County Council has made the decision that the Mobile libraries will sadly be closing at the end of February 2024. We are now working with Devon County Council on the next steps and how to best support customers through this transition. We will update you when there is further news.

The Devon Mobile Library service will continue in the meantime.

Due to recent storms the risk of Turtle stranding's are much higher along the coastline. Keep an eye out for any turtles that have washed up and remember to call BDMLR for assistance and follow these guidelines:

Trauma Teddies

Some of the ladies from the WI craft group have been knitting trauma teddies.

These are given to children at a very bad point in their lives by the emergency services.

Its never too late to knit or crochet a trauma teddy.

The pattern can be found here

The WI craft group meet alternate Tuesdays. There are no meetings in December, we restart on 9th January

2-4pm

Are you on Facebook? Some of us love it, some hate it, however, the RYDA are on it. We put onto FB things you won't see in your newsletter, like local job adverts, events that are advertised too late for our newsletter, latest weather reports etc. the list is endless.

https://www.facebook.com/groups

Welcome to South Devon National Landscape - the new name for our designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This is a place where our stories come to life. Our mission is to protect and regenerate this special landscape and to make sure that everyone can enjoy it.

To find out more about our story, make sure to follow our page.

To discover the story of the UK’s National Landscapes, follow National Landscapes Association and check out www.national-landscapes.org.uk.

Planning

COMMENTING ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A REMINDER

The Parish Council is the statutory authority with responsibility for representing the views of the entire local community regarding planning applications. However, the RYDA can play an important part by having an independent voice with which we can represent our members.

You will be familiar that we use our Newsletters to draw your attention to any planning application that we think might be controversial or raise significant planning issues. For these we will always give you the application reference number so that you can look at the full application online by at http://apps.southhams.gov.uk/PlanningSearchMVC/.

We ask for your comments and use these to inform our decision whether we wish to comment to SHDC on the application and, if so, how. We do therefore find your responses to be very important.

However, if we do comment to SHDC it only counts as a single comment no matter how many responses we have had from you and been incorporated into our response.

It is therefore ESSENTIAL that you comment directly to SHDC if you feel particularly strongly about an application, whether you support it or object to it. We would also encourage you to copy your comments to both ourselves and the Parish Council so that they can be properly taken into account in those responses.

Finally, it is probably worth being reminded what are valid comments as SHDC can only take material planning considerations into account.

The following list is not exhaustive but it gives an idea of the sort of things that would be classed as a material planning consideration:

Car parking provision
Design, including appearance, layout, scale, density and materials
Highway safety issues and/or traffic generation
Impact on important trees
Impact on the character or appearance of a Conservation Area or Listed Building
Local drainage or flooding issues
Planning policies and guidance
Loss of important open spaces or community facilities
Noise disturbance, smells, obtrusive lighting or other impacts on amenity
Over-dominance, overshadowing and loss of light
Proposed landscaping
The planning history of the site

Comments that are not material planning considerations will not be taken into account no matter how strongly they are felt. Examples of what is not considered to be a material planning consideration could be:

Loss of value to your property
Loss of a view
Boundary and neighbour disputes
Impact on private drainage systems
Inappropriate or personal comments
Breach of covenant

Northshore, Riverside Road West Newton Ferrers PL8 1AD 3663/23/HHO

Householder application including works for extension and remodelling. Roof replacement with twin dormers and rear extension with additional floor in roof space

Tides Reach, 8 Yealm View Road Newton Ferrers PL8 1AN 3672/23/HHO

application for renovation and extension to existing dwelling

Collaton development update

At the most recent Parish Council Collaton Working Group meeting, the key dates for the works were outlined. As the judicial review period has now finished, the developers are completing the purchase of the land, and expect to break ground in mid to late January. The decontamination of the land is expected to take 4-6 months. The build will begin May/June time.

Construction Management Plans.

For those who wish to refurbish or extend their property, please be aware that the requirements for a Construction Management Plan was introduced for all new planning applications as part of the Newton & Noss Neighbourhood Plan in 2018.

Please ask your architect or agent to follow the Construction Management Plan template which was created in conjunction with South Hams Planning Department, a copy of which can be found on the NNPC website, under Council/information and documents.

Whats On?

Charity Bridge Drive 1^st December 2-5pm WI community Hall

From Lapland to Broadway

a Christmas Spectacular

St Peters Church, Noss Mayo

2nd December @ 7.30

£10

a PGS Production

Tickets from Jean Ellis 873144;

Jane Barnett 872663 &

Tubbs Pharmacy

Sea Watch Saturday! 2 December

Saturday 2 December 2023 8:30am - 10:30am

Wembury Point National Trust Car Park

Come and join us for a monthly sea watch at Wembury Point!

2^nd December Christmas Fair at Holy Cross Church 2pm

Stalls & fun for all the family.

(Savouries & Preserves; Homemade cakes; mulled wine; mince pies; bottle tombola; books; toys; games & Crafts etc) If you can offer contributions to the stalls please contact Judy Davis 872891 or Sandy Hignett 07469 775363

3^rd December 10.30-4pm Pop-up Art sale with Yealm Art Society free entry WI Hall

3^rd December from 2.00pm Spirit of the Regatta Photo Exhibition in Newton & Noss Village Hall. View the winning photographs over mulled wine and mince pies

5^th December 12.00 First Tuesday Lunch club WI Hall Newton Ferrers – Have you booked?

Allergies can be catered for. Please contact either Jeanne (872442) or Jane (872627)

8^th December 10.30-11.30 Digital Drop in – Tidy up your Windows PC

8^th December 7.00pm Holbeton film club present Elvis.

Elvis is a 2022 epic biographical drama film co-produced and directed by Baz Luhrmann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner.

It chronicles the life of the American rock and roll singer and actor Elvis Presley under the management of Colonel Tom Parker. It stars Austin Butler and Tom Hanks as Presley and Parker, respectively

9^th December 10-12.00 noon St Peters Christmas coffee morning in Newton & Noss Village Hall

The tide is favourable for parking!

Seasonal floral decorations; books; toys; cakes & bottle stall.

Donations, collections or queries please contact Val Sharples 872433

Wednesday 13th December 2023- 8pm @ Yealm Yacht Club

“Making Space for Nature &People”

Discover more about Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and how we protect the Marine Protected Area.

Speakers: Kate Duncan and Sam Balderson. Natural Infrastructure Officer (Marine)/ PSNMP Head Ranger

Plymouth Sound and Estuaries is a Marine Protected Area, recognised nationally and internationally for the importance of its wildlife and heritage. It contains several different designations, protected wrecks sites and intertidal SSSIs. It has most recently been declared the UK’s first National Marine Park.

Join Kate and Sam to find out more about how the amazing habitats and the unique and vibrant plants and animals that make it their home are managed for nature and people.

We aim to work together through partnerships to connect and engage people with the marine environment, increasing understanding and recognising its value and importance for our future.

All WELCOME.

Why not enjoy a meal in the YYC Bistro before the talk? To book for meal Tel: 872232 or manager@yealmyachtclub.co.uk

For further information, contact Peter Brown (01752 872328)

14^th December 12.15 Thursday Lunch Club Christmas Lunch

Newton & Noss Village Hall. Have you booked?

The tide will be out

Please contact mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.com Allergies can be catered for. New members welcome